Mr. CEO, Spoil me 100 Percent! - Chapter 640

Chapter 640: Finally on the Move

 

Thankfully, he was powerless before her and had surrendered unconditionally. Then again, he probably wouldn’t mind dying in her hands.

Xinghe looked at him curiously, wondering what nonsense he was talking about.

Mubai didn’t explain but smiled to himself. This made Xinghe even more curious. “What are you smiling about?”

“I’m just happy.”

“What are you happy about?” Xinghe suddenly realized that men’s hearts are sometimes impossible to read.

“Happy that you didn’t reject me…” Mubai leaned in slowly to plant a deep kiss on her lips.

…

Xinghe had been waiting for the Lin family to counter the pressure put on them.

Just as everyone thought the Lin family was going to die off, something incredible happened. On Shen Ru’s boating trip, she accidentally fell into the ocean and almost drowned.

Coincidentally, the Lin family’s third young master was around the area. He ignored his personal safety and swam deep into the ocean to save her. If not for him, Shen Ru would have died at sea.

This news soon spread across City A and surprised the Tong family and Shen family. Overnight, the Lin family became their saviors.

Therefore, it would be awkward for them to continue suppressing them.

Furthermore, Shen Ru wouldn’t stop going on about how Lin Xuan had saved her life and praised the Lin family to the moon and back in front of the Shen family and Tong family, so naturally, the suppression trickled to a stop. In fact, they became thankful of the Lin family’s help instead…

In just a blink of an eye, the few families that were at war suddenly became each other’s best friends. This sudden change startled many who were watching. Even the Xi family couldn’t understand what was happening.

The Lin family’s destruction was just around the corner but suddenly the plot progressed down a completely different path. Just how could they accept something that drastic?

This was a complete shift in expected plot!

Only Xinghe and Mubai sighed in relief.

“The Lin family is finally on the move,” Xinghe said with a thin smile, her mood was rather bright.

Even Mubai joined in smiling. “Indeed, quite a good move they made.”

Sam’s group couldn’t understand what was happening.

“The Lin family is now on their way up again, but why are the both of you so glad to see this development?” Sam asked with a curious expression. Ali and the rest had blank expressions on as well. When they heard this news, they almost blew up with rage!

It took so much effort to have the Lin family cornered, but now, all of that effort had gone to waste, so how could they not be mad?

So Xinghe’s and Mubai’s response was indeed unusual. They weren’t disappointed or angered but glad!

What was there to be glad about‽

Xinghe knew they didn’t understand it so she explained calmly, “The Lin family is not so easily taken down. Suppressing them will not push them to extinction, if this had continued, nothing would have happened to them and we would not have been able to do anything. Therefore, only after they make a move will we be able to catch them off guard.”

Ali still didn’t get it. “So, you’re wishing for them to take a move, but why? It’ll only make them come back stronger. Like now, what are we going to do about them now?”

Xinghe smiled confidently. “That depends on what they are going to do next. What we need to do is to peel our eyes open and make sure no opportunities to strike slip through our fingers!”

Chapter 641: The Engagement

 

“What if there’s no opportunity? If the Lin family doesn’t do anything, then we won’t be able to do anything either, right?” Ali asked worriedly.

Xinghe shook her head. “No, they will definitely not sit idle.”

Cairn got the gist and guessed, “It took great lengths for the Lin family to reach their current status, so they will not give up everything they’ve worked for so easily…”

“That’s right.” Xinghe nodded. “They have sacrificed too much to give up so easily. They will not give up until the very last moment.”

“What else do they need to do? With no one breathing down their necks, even if they do nothing, they should be able to rise up again,” Sam said with a frown.

Xinghe smiled thinly. “Impossible. At most this time the Lin family only managed to save their own hide. The Shen family only stopped pressuring them, there’s still efforts to be done before they revert to their earlier relationship. Furthermore, the president has started to get guarded around them. The Lin family will need to do more before they can recover fully.”

“That’s right!” Mubai’s lips curved into a smile. “So this is just the beginning, and they will definitely continue on with this momentum.”

“Therefore, all we have to do is to bide our time. Even if there is no opportunity, we will have to create one!” A cold determination flickered behind Xinghe’s gaze. This time they would crush the Lin family. This was their perfect chance, missing it would change everything.

After the Lin family fell, the whole power structure in City A would be changed. Therefore, this war would be the real deciding war. Both Xinghe’s party and the Lin family understood this. They were perfectly familiar with the things that hung in balance!

From that moment on, none of them dared to slip up. They paid full attention to their every move, afraid of accidents.

…

However, as cautious of Lin family were, they had to do something. They had to recover their earlier standing before the upcoming election. They had to mend the relationship with the other powerful families.

As Xinghe and Mubai expected, a big piece of news came out from the Lin family!

Lin family’s third young master and Tong family’s young mistress were getting engaged!

Those that were on the outside didn’t think much about this pairing. After all, it was public knowledge that Tong Yan was in love with Lin Xuan, so they assumed he finally accepted her pursuit.

However, for Xinghe and the rest, this development was too suspicious. Tong Yan was just taken advantage of by Lin Xuan, and even if Lin Xuan did save Shen Ru, there was no reason for them to hand Tong Yan over to the Lin family. Furthermore, the timing of these events did raise a few eyebrows.

For Lin Xuan to get engaged to Tong Yan at the time like this, there had to be some bigger plan at play!

Xinghe couldn’t understand why the Tong family would agree to this engagement.

The Tong family was essentially helping the Lin family get to the top. Why would they do that after they had already realized the Lin family’s wicked ambitions?

Even Mubai and Elder Xi couldn’t get it.

Elder Xi commented with a serious expression, “There must be something going on!”

“There is something wrong with the Tong family as well,” Mubai suggested even though his tone was certain.

Xinghe nodded. “Indeed, the Tong family appears to be acting against their own interests, and I believe the key to understanding all of this lies with Shen Ru.”

Elder Xi and Mubai turned to look at her, waiting to hear her analysis.

Chapter 642: Shen Ru

 

Xinghe explained slowly, “For one, the incident where Lin Xuan just so happened to save Shen Ru is too coincidental and curious. Now, not long after that, Tong Yan and Lin Xuan announced their engagement. This series of events seems to have been deliberately arranged. The point is, we know clearly this is part of the Lin family’s comeback, but without the Tong family’s cooperation, all of this would be impossible.”

“So, you think it is Shen Ru who is secretly helping them?” Mubai queried.

Xinghe nodded. “I do. She is the one Lin Xuan saved and Tong Yan is her daughter. She is too caught up in it to not be involved in some way. After all, without her permission and blessing as Tong Yan’s mother, Tong Yan couldn’t possibly marry Lin Xuan and thus improve the relationship between the Tong family, Shen family, and Lin family.”

“That’s right!” Elder Xi nodded and added, “I’m familiar with the two old men from the Shen family and Tong family, after realizing the Lin family’s problem, they wouldn’t have allowed their precious granddaughter to marry into that family of vipers so easily. Even if they do wish to complete this match, now is not the time. The Lin family still has plenty of homework to do before they can prove their sincerity.

“How long has it been since it was exposed that the Lin family was using Tong Yan? It has been less than a month, they forgave and forgot everything so quickly? Even if Lin Xuan did save Shen Ru, that would only balance everything out. The Tong family and Shen family wouldn’t have been so appreciative of their help that they practically gave Tong Yan to the Lin family.”

Tong Yan was the Shen family and Tong family’s precious baby, especially for the Shen family, she was more valuable than gold because she was Elder Shen’s only grandchild. Without Elder Shen’s permission, no one could marry Tong Yan, in other words, this engagement had already received his blessing.

But why would he agree to that and so soon?

They knew Tong Yan wouldn’t mind the arrangement, but this engagement wasn’t something that could be decided by her. Therefore, Shen Ru was the prime suspect. She was Elder Shen’s daughter, it would be highly effective if she was the one who did the persuading.

They wouldn’t believe it if they were told Shen Ru was innocent!

However, Xinghe and the rest couldn’t understand why Shen Ru would side with the Lin family.

…

To get to the bottom of this mystery, Elder Xi personally invited Elder Shen out for tea. That was just a front for him to vent his frustration. They had all agreed to pressure the Lin family, so what was the meaning of this?

The Xi family only decided not to pursue Tong Yan’s murder charge because they agreed to stand on the same side to fight the Lin family.

If that was the case, the Xi family wouldn’t need to honor their agreement anymore!

After all, Tong Yan’s kidnapping incident was still an unsolved case, so the Xi family could still reopen the case and turn these few families upside down.

Elder Xi castigated Elder Shen left and right and the latter only sat there quietly like a schoolboy caught red-handed. Finally, Elder Xi concluded, “Ol’ Shen, if you don’t give me a satisfactory answer today then this is going to be an all-out war! Because of Tong Yan, my eldest grandson has practically lost half his life and is still recovering. For the sake of fighting the same enemy, our Xi family decided to let that be but now… If you don’t give me a good explanation today, then we will see you in court! So tell me, why did you decide to betray your honor and harm my Xi family who had been nothing but kind to you‽”

Chapter 643: Lost to his Grandchild

 

Elder Shen was ashamed facing Elder Xi’s interrogation. He sighed and said, “Elder Xi, to be honest, we really don’t want this to happen, but the Lin family did save my daughter so how can I continue suppressing them?”

“So, you’re so appreciative of their help that you couldn’t wait to be in-laws with them‽” Elder Xi questioned angrily.

Anger also showed on Elder Shen’s face when they talked about that. “It is really not my intention that we become in-laws!”

“Tong Yan and Lin Xuan are getting married. Do you still want to lie to my face?”

“That is something that I can’t help with.” Elder Shen sighed helplessly. “Everyone knows that granddaughter of mine fancies that kid from the Lin family. Having her all cooped up recently probably had caused some resentment within her. She found a chance to slip out of the house and the first thing she did was to go find that Lin family kid, one thing led to another and… They ended up together! My Little Yan later told me she’s already his woman and would marry no one other than him, so what other choice did I have? Furthermore, Xiao Ru agreed to this marriage, so how can I deny them anymore? Even the Tong family had no choice but to relent so what could I do?”

“You mean, the two of them…” Elder Xi frowned.

Elder Shen nodded as all the light of hope went out of his eyes. “That’s right. If this didn’t happen, I would do everything in my power to crush that despicable Lin family! How dare they scheme against us, scheme against the Shen family’s only bloodline‽”

However, what choice did he have?

The Lin family acted so despicably against Tong Yan but the girl was stupid and willing enough to be used by Lin Xuan, so no matter how influential they were, they were powerless since Tong Yan had already given herself to Lin Xuan.

All the elders’ hands were tied when it come to this girl, so they had no choice but to accept this engagement.

Agreeing to it would ruin her but refusing it would ruin her even more. Thankfully, due to Tong Yan’s unique identity, she wouldn’t be bullied too much even if she married into the heartless Lin family.

Alas, they had to give up their precious treasure just like that, they were really unwilling!

“Elder Xi, my Shen family’s only heiress is Tong Yan. I know I’ve done wrong by you and the entire Xi family but I’m defenseless before the pair of mother and daughter.” Elder Shen sighed with obvious pain, it seemed like he had grown old before Elder Xi’s eyes.

Elder Shen had worked so hard his entire life, made a name for himself and earned the country’s respect, however in the end, he lost to his granddaughter.

He didn’t have a son and both daughters weren’t exactly blessed with children. He only had one granddaughter, but he was already satisfied.

Alas, Tong Yan kept making regrettable mistakes and now had ruined everything he’d spent his whole life building.

So what if he had tons of money and immense influence?

All of that would have to be left to his future progeny, and in this respect, Elder Shen had gotten the worst hand possible.

Discussing this only made Elder Shen envious of Elder Xi.

“In the end, you’re the final winner. Even though you chose to bow out from the race so many years ago, your both grandsons are stand-up young men. With them carrying on your legacy, what is there for you to worry about anymore? But me, so what if I’ve spent my whole life in luxury and extravagance? The glory of the Shen family will perish with my eventual passing. Honestly, how can I trust Tong Yan? That the girl can find her own happiness in life is already something I need to thank the heavens for…”

Elder Xi couldn’t help but feel sorry for Elder Shen looking at him in his current condition.

Having a granddaughter like Tong Yan truly was equal to several generations of bad luck.

Chapter 644: Rush for Death

 

Elder Shen had done so much for the family since he was young. It was because of him that the Shen family could command the respect and influence the family had that day. Even his eldest daughter had done her best to continue the family’s glorious legacy.

Alas, all that would go to waste when it came into Tong Yan’s hands. There were so many guys in the world and she had to fall in love with that heartless thing from the Lin family. It was one thing if this was just a fling, but she had decided to surrender her whole life to him.

Did she really naively think she would still be cherished like she was now after she got married?

It wouldn’t take long for the bunch of wolves from the Lin family to turn on her.

They might put up a smiling face around her now due to the Shen family and Tong family’s influence, but the moment Elder Shen passed away and the president changed, her fate would change completely.

The Tong family on the other hand…

Unlike Shen family, Tong family was blessed with quite a number of children and grandchildren. She might be the young mistress of the house now, but in Chinese culture, a married daughter was no longer part of the house.

After her marriage, she would be a Lin, so the Tong family wouldn’t waste time on her anymore and hurt their own people’s prospects to help the Lin family. After some time, they would probably even forget Tong Yan existed.

Therefore, Tong Yan’s latest move not only hurt herself but also the entire Shen family!

However, there was some positive sides to it as well, but they were all meant for the Lin family, since she practically sold herself and the Shen family out to help the Lin family accomplish their goals!

Furthermore, Tong Yan was originally on the winner’s side. She could have stayed at the side line and watch the Lin family crumble, but now she willingly took on the Xi family’s wrath. She could have enjoyed a life of peace, but she purposely chose the road of ruin. Therefore, Tong Yan not only had harmed herself and her family, she might not even end up with anything…

Elder Xi didn’t pity Tong Yan, but he did feel sorry for Elder Shen.

…

When he returned home, Elder Xi sighed greatly when he explained the situation. He felt rueful for Elder Shen’s situation.

“The old man is someone that deserves respect, but alas, his lifework is going to go to waste because of this defective by the name of Tong Yan. She’s going to single-handedly bring down the whole Shen family,” Elder Xi lamented.

Mubai didn’t have time to care about another family’s well-being, especially not one who once plotted against Xinghe’s life.

“In other words, the Shen family at large still resents the Lin family? They didn’t want to agree to this engagement?” he queried.

Elder Xi nodded. “That’s right. Even though Tong Yan and Lin Xuan already did the deed, he didn’t want to agree to it, but Shen Ru insisted that he say yes. With both Shen Ru and Tong Yan agreeing to this, what could an old man like him do?”

“Therefore, something must be wrong with this Shen Ru,” Xinghe observed. “She knows perfectly well that marrying Tong Yan into the Lin family will ruin her daughter’s life, but she didn’t seem to worry about that. Therefore, there must be some shameful secrets between her and the Lin family.”

“What kind of secret could it be?” Elder Xi asked no one in particular.

Xinghe replied, “It’s still a mystery for now, but regardless, it will all come into the open eventually. They are going to have an engagement party, aren’t they? We should attend the party for reconnaissance.”

Mubai smiled. “I feel the same way. Looks like we have to prepare a huge present; this engagement party is not one to be missed.”

Xinghe smiled in return. “Naturally, because this party might be the party that will help usher in their death.”

“In that case, care to be my date?” Mubai asked with a smoldering smile.

Chapter 645: Engagement Party

 

Elder Xi laughed heartily witnessing their banter. He was truly overjoyed. Even if the Xi family’s vengeance hadn’t been fulfilled, he could see hope for Xi family’s future.

Compared to Tong Yan, Xinghe was brilliant and had been bringing nothing but good luck to the Xi family. He believed that if Xinghe married Mubai again, their lives would only get better because they were on the same level, and that would help inspire growth in one another.

Suddenly Elder Xi had the urge to gloat before Elder Shen. Elder Shen was wrong, not only were his grandsons perfect young men, even his grand-daughter-in-law was the best of the best!

Elder Shen would be so angry that he’d cough up blood if he knew about this…

…

To display their sincerity, the Lin family quickly helped Tong Yan and Lin Xuan host an engagement party. Every person of certain influence was invited, including the Xi family. The Lin family had to invite them because giving face was crucial in Chinese society.

The Xi family, in spite of the curious gazes, accepted the invitation. However, Elder Xi was absent, there would be only Xinghe and Mubai in attendance.

When they both arrived, there were knowing smiles on the Lin family’s faces. They were laced with smugness. Wasn’t your Xi family planning to ruin our Lin family? I’m sorry because, not only did we survive your attack, we are on our way up again. Therefore, your plan has failed, and in the future, it is hard to tell which family will be ruined!

The Lin family was confident this engagement party was going to turn their fate around. Their plan was back on track and they would have the world under their feet soon!

By that time, they would grind the Xi family into the ground. Therefore, their attitudes towards Xinghe and Mubai were full of arrogance. Almost all of the people who greeted them came to gloat.

Elder Lin asked pompously, “Why isn’t Elder Xi here? I assumed he would be here. Is he already too old to survive a party?”

The sarcasm wasn’t lost on Mubai. He was hinting that Elder Xi wasn’t there because he was too ashamed to show his face after the Xi family lost.

With a meaningful smile, Mubai replied slowly, “My grandfather said he will not waste time on futile showcases like this one since there is no telling whether the marriage will end in good grace or not.”

Elder Lin, of course, got the hint as well. Mubai was satirizing the purpose of this engagement party. It might all just be a show for naught.

Elder Lin’s calculative eyes glowed and said, “He’s right, nobody can tell what will happen in the future. However, certain things are already written in the stars so certain people should stop struggling and surrender.”

Mubai smirked. “It’s interesting that Elder Lin and I think the same way. Certain people should definitely just give up.”

Elder Lin guffawed. “Then we shall see whether we are right in our prediction or not, however, I do hope you take care of your body first or else I’m afraid you might not survive to see that day comes into fruition.”

Mubai countered, “Thanks for your concern, but at the end of the day, I’m still young; this body can still last me for many decades. If anything, I’m more concerned about Elder Lin’s physical condition.”

“Is that so? Then we shall see who will last the longest.” Elder Lin dropped his smiling face and walked away from them.

Mubai’s gaze was cold and unreadable.

Chapter 646: Don’t Let Go of My Hand

 

Xinghe commented softly, “Looks like the Lin family is confident that this union will be their grand comeback.”

Or else Elder Lin wouldn’t have been so gutsy to purposely come to gloat in front of them.

Mubai scoffed. “Their confidence is warranted. Marrying Miss Tong equals to drawing in the Shen family, Tong family and the Madam President to their side, so why wouldn’t they be confident?”

“Alas, this was done through a despicable method and none of them are really willing to stand in their corner.”

“At the very least, they will stop harassing the Lin family.”

“This is indeed a good move.”

Xinghe scanned the room and saw many people in the process of sucking up to the Lin family. The Lin family, via this engagement, had aligned themselves to many powerful families, thus raising their status a lot. Naturally, this meant a lot of people couldn’t wait to get into their good books. This inflated the Lin family’s ego greatly.

However, did they really think after Lin Xuan married Tong Yan, everything would go smoothly? Not while the Xi family was still alive!

Xinghe studied the room and spotted many hidden complications.

“Have you realized, the Lin family is not as united as we think. That man over there is a Lin, right? He doesn’t seem too happy about all this.”

Mubai followed her gaze and spotted a middle-aged man nursing his own drink and problem. Mubai smiled. “That’s the Lin family’s third young master, or rather, Lin Yun’s father.”

“Lin Qin? The most insignificant of Elder Lin’s three sons? I hear he has not achieved anything in his life. He’s only a small government worker and is almost invisible in the Lin family power structure.”

“That’s right, you’ve done your homework,” Mubai praised. That she did, which was why Xinghe was adamant they go to the party that night. If there was a crack in the Lin family, then they would definitely make use of it.

“If Lin Qin knows it was Lin Xuan who killed his daughter, I wonder if he will turn on the rest of them,” Xinghe suggested knowingly.

Mubai rejected it. “But we have no proof.”

If they did, would the Lin family have survived until then?

“Actually, I’m curious, why would Lin Xuan carry a bomb on him? At the time, he had no clue Lin Yun was about to be arrested,” Xinghe observed. “Therefore, there must be something beyond the surface when it comes to this Lin Xuan.”

“I bet the whole of the Lin family has plenty of things to hide. Stay close to me and don’t wander off alone,” Mubai reminded out of concern. They were after all in the Lin family’s territory.

Xinghe nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry, Ali is with me, I’ll be fine.”

Ali came along as Xinghe’s secretary. She followed closely behind Xinghe like a real personal assistant, but she was really there as Xinghe’s bodyguard.

Xinghe turned to look at Ali and the latter winked playfully at her. Furthermore, Xinghe did know some karate, so as long as any complication didn’t involve a gun, she would be safe.

However, Mubai couldn’t stop worrying. He held on to her hand, protecting her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

“In any case, stay close to me and don’t let go of my hand,” he warned her kindly.

“Okay.” Xinghe wanted to laugh and say, You’re the one who doesn’t want to let go!

Ali, who followed behind them, rolled her eyes at another lovey-dovey showcase of theirs.

Chapter 647: You Do Know the Truth

 

“That man is leaving,” Ali suddenly said. Xinghe and Mubai turned to look, and indeed, he was heading towards the back garden. The Lin family’s party was held at their own home, the place was huge, including their back garden.

Xinghe hesitated before saying, “Let’s go introduce ourselves.”

“Why not?” Mubai decided to play along. Since they were there to feel their enemies out, why not start with Lin Qin?

The trio of them slipped quietly to the back garden.

Lin Qin wanted to get away from the celebration because it had nothing to do with him. He didn’t want to see them happy because it only worked to highlight his own misery. Therefore, he chose to steal out to the back garden for some alone time. He didn’t realize people were following him.

“Mr. Lin Qin, is it?” Xinghe’s clear voice rang out behind him.

Lin Qin turned out curiously and his face dropped when he saw them. “It’s you people!”

He knew what Xinghe and Mubai looked like. However, other than a drawn face, Lin Qin didn’t show them much hostility. Xinghe had noticed this earlier. During the party, Lin Qin had already seen them, but he chose to ignore them; he didn’t direct any resentment or anger toward them.

This was a complete contrast to Xinghe’s first meeting with Lin Qian; the girl really wanted to kill her because she thought Lin Yun was murdered by Xinghe and Mubai.

If Lin Qian hated them so much, theoretically speaking, her father should treat them like his nemesis. However, Xinghe couldn’t see any malice behind his eyes. Her suspicion was suddenly confirmed…

Lin Qin asked them guardedly, “Why did you follow me? What do you plan to do?”

Xinghe smiled good-naturedly. “We just want to tell you something, don’t worry.”

“What is it? Tell me and then leave me alone!” Lin Qin grumbled impatiently.

Xinghe stared sharply at him and announced suddenly, “It was not us who killed Lin Yun—”

Lin Qin was startled. However, he didn’t show any signs of anger or desire to interrogate, his eyes darted around with complicated emotions.

“So, you have known the truth all along,” Xinghe whispered and studied every tick of emotion on his face. “Mr. Lin, you do know it was Lin Xuan who killed her, right?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Lin Qin retorted agitatedly. “You two are the ones who killed my daughter, so how dare you lie to my face! Since today is the Lin family’s auspicious date, I’m not going to pursue this any further, so please just leave me be.”

Lin Qin said his piece that seemed to have been memorized and left hurriedly, afraid that they would catch up to him.

Mubai and Xinghe looked at each other and the news was communicated silently. Lin Qin does know the truth.

He knew it was Lin Xuan who killed his daughter, but he chose to do nothing about it. There could only be one explanation, her death was ordered by Elder Lin!

Or Elder Lin approved of Lin Xuan’s decision to kill Lin Yun!

Since Elder Lin had already gave his stamp of approval, what else could Lin Qin do? In fact, even Lin Kang probably agreed to dispose of Lin Yun.

Lin Qin’s resentment was suppressed because he had no say in this family.

This Lin family was not only cruel to outsiders…

But to their own as well.

Chapter 648: Elder Lin’s Daughter

 

Xinghe and Mubai decided in unison, Lin Qin was the opening they needed. However, just as they turned to leave, they met the eyes of a woman who stood not far away behind them. She stared at them curiously. She seemed to have heard the whole conversation.

Mubai and Xinghe widened their eyes in shock.

“Who are you?” Xinghe asked, “What is your relationship to the Lin family?”

The fragile looking woman in luxurious garb chuckled eerily to herself and didn’t answer.

Mubai narrowed his eyes and tested, “You’re Elder Lin’s daughter, right?”

“It’s rare for someone to recognize me.” The woman offered with a weird smile before turning to walk away.

“Wait,” Xinghe called out to stop her but the woman seemed to have not heard her and walked further away. Xinghe ordered Ali, “Stop her.”

“Okay!” Just as Ali moved forward, Lin Xuan appeared around the corner with a few guards behind him. “What are you people doing here?”

His sudden arrival ruined everything. Ali stopped and went back to stand behind Xinghe.

Lin Xuan regarded them coldly and demanded, “Xi Mubai, why aren’t you people out there in the hall enjoying the party but hiding out in my back garden?”

Mubai glared back at him and chuckled. “Why, is there something not suitable for public eye in your back garden? Why the need to be so cautious around us.”

“There is no such thing in my house, but this is the Lin family’s private space and we do not welcome the likes of you,” Lin Xuan said rudely. “So do return to the hall and stop wandering around someone else’s house.”

“That’s fine, since the Lin family doesn’t seem to welcome us here then there’s no reason for us to stay. Let us go,” Xinghe said. They immediately made themselves scarce because they had something important to check out.

Studying their retreating backs, Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes suspiciously and whispered to his guard, “Go investigate what have they done in the back garden and who have they met.”

“Yes, sir!” The guard nodded. However, the investigation came up with nothing. Xinghe and Mubai didn’t seem to have done anything or met anyone, but for some reason, Lin Xuan felt something was wrong. However, he just couldn’t pinpoint what.

…

Xinghe and Mubai climbed into the car after they stepped out of the Lin family’s door.

Mubai immediately tossed Xinghe a laptop. “Here.”

“Thank you!” Xinghe said as she started working on the laptop.

Ali, who sat in the front, noticed the nervousness in the air and asked curiously, “What’s going on? Did something important happen? How come I didn’t notice anything?”

Xinghe answered without taking her eyes off the screen, “Something did happen, but we need more information.”

“On what?”

“That woman just now.” This time it was Mubai who answered her.

Ali was still lost. “What about that woman? She did act a bit weirdly but there’s nothing objectively wrong with her.”

But, oh yes, there was something incredibly wrong with her. Xinghe was too busy to explain everything to Ali because she needed to find out everything about this woman as soon as possible.

Chapter 649: Special Treatment

 

She might be the key to unravelling the Lin family!

Lin Shuang was Elder Lin’s only daughter and the runt of the family. She had been a sickly child since she was born and was sent out to be taken care of by the Lin family’s relatives in the country side as a young girl. When she was 18, she moved to City T to attend university.

After graduation, she returned to the country side and she was only moved to the Lin family five years ago. She had a ghost like existence in the family, not many people knew of her.

The only reason Mubai could attempt to guess at her identity was because he heard Elder Lin’s daughter had a frail constitution and spent her days cooped up in her room to take care of her illness. Other than that, they had already met the other important womenfolk in the Lin family, so she was the only one left they hadn’t met. However, there was indeed something about Lin Shuang that surprised Xinghe and Mubai. She looked suspiciously familiar…

Xinghe’s research brought up nothing beyond the basics. However, when they returned to Hills Residence, Elder Xi provided them with some more information.

“Why do you ask about her? That daughter of his is like non-existent, no one has really seen her. She was sent away since she was a baby, I hear it was because she needed the fresh air of the country side to aid in her sickness. None of us have seen her and she has flown way below everyone’s radar until we all assumed the Lin family only had three sons and had no idea he still has a daughter. Why, is there something wrong with Lin Shuang?”

Xinghe nodded. “There are indeed curiosities about Lin Shuang, but I don’t understand, how come the Lin family doesn’t seem to care about her existence? The only daughter of the family has fallen sick, but instead of finding her the best doctor in Hwa Xia which would be in City A, they sent her away to the country side and made her stay there?”

Even though Lin Shuang had returned to the Lin family five years ago, she still looked as pale as ever. One had to be suspect how Lin family treated her for her to end up in a state like that.

Elder Xi answered, “Ol’ Lin heavily values boys over girls, but you’re right, he shouldn’t have ignored her like this. He values profit above all else so keeping the daughter around for even a good marriage is more beneficial that the way they currently treat her. I also don’t understand why they are so adamant on pretending like she doesn’t exist.”

“It is indeed very weird. All the girls from the Lin family are given a good education, even Lin Yun was arranged to join the national intelligence agency, so the Lin family’s treatment of Lin Shuang is indeed very unusual,” Xinghe observed.

Mubai nodded. “It is, if only we knew why.”

Ali who had been listening raised her hand hesitantly. “Maybe I know why.”

“Why?” Xinghe and the rest looked at her in surprise. Even Sam’s group was shocked. How could she know the reason?

Ali coughed and explained, “Maybe she is the same as me. I was abandoned by my parents when I was a baby because I was born during on inauspicious date. They worried I would bring ill fate to the family, perhaps, this Lin Shuang shares a similar fate as me.”

Xinghe nodded slightly. “You have a point.”

Mubai smirked coldly. “I have to say, for a family like the Lin family, it is not surprising that they will do something like that. Those that bring ill fate will have to be removed, like Lin Yun…”

Elder Xi shook his head and laughed. “Unlikely, the Lin family is not that superstitious. Plus, how come I didn’t hear people say that the Shen family’s second daughter was an ill-fated woman? At the end of the day, Ol’ Lin will only see people, even his children, as profit-makers, but he is not a superstitious person.”