Feng Manlun had just returned to the country, leaving his domestic network of connections temporarily blank, or relatively so.
He Yining was different. His domestic network was highly mature. Wen Yibo, Fan Sheng, and Fan Li could each pull together sufficient funds at a moment's notice. If their own money wasn't enough, they'd draw from their families. If family funds fell short, they'd borrow from others. Thus, He Yining was the classic case of "a good man has three helpers," while Feng Manlun fought alone, shouldering the burden single-handedly.
The car stopped at the entrance of a relatively secluded and quiet resort. The resort owner and staff were already waiting outside early. As He Yining stepped out of the car, the owner greeted him with a beaming smile: "President He, your presence truly honors our humble establishment. The person you wish to see is already waiting inside."
He Yining merely nodded. Xiao Chun stepped forward and whispered a few words into the resort owner's ear. The owner promptly acknowledged the instructions.
Though both were called resorts, this one was far below the standard of Nanshan Resort. At best, it was a large-scale agritainment spot. He Yining chose this place for a reason. It was a considerable distance from the city center, and it also had signal jammers. He had to find a way to lure Feng Manlun here—a feint to the east while attacking the west, a decoy to draw the tiger from the mountain.
As He Yining and his team entered the resort, Xiao Xia immediately dispersed the crew, burying the equipment they'd brought into pre-designated spots.
Lin Xi was on the verge of ecstasy. She was about to succeed! Once she met the family, could she finally reveal her identity? She paced anxiously in the room, unable to sit still. Also restless was the middle-aged man playing her father. He was the fake father carefully prepared for Lin Xi, and at that moment, he was even more nervous than she was. After all, He Yining was the president of the He Group! If he were easy to fool, wouldn't he have been swindled down to his last thread long ago?
Footsteps sounded outside, and someone came to warn Lin Xi: "President He is here. Be careful—don't slip up!" Lin Xi nodded nervously.
He Yining arrived like a deity, graceful and imposing. The moment she saw him, Lin Xi inexplicably shuddered. She felt as though something had already exceeded her plans and expectations. As He Yining stepped through the door, Lin Xi and the fake Lin father sensed that the atmosphere they'd painstakingly built crumbled in an instant.
"Hello, Uncle," He Yining said with a smile, standing there. His refined, noble aura made Lin father dare not meet his eyes, and he mumbled in reply, "President He, I've long admired you!"
Seeing Lin father's timid demeanor, Lin Xi quickly nudged his hand. He snapped to attention and said, "President He, you've invited me here to discuss something. If it's about Xiao Xi, you'll have to show some sincerity, won't you?"
These were the lines they'd rehearsed. If He Yining took the bait...
Unfortunately, He Yining refused to follow their script. He strode straight to the dining table, where Xiao Chun promptly pulled out a chair with crisp efficiency. "Who said I'm here to discuss Lin Xi with you?" He Yining's lips curled into a devilishly charming smile. "I'm here to talk business."
Lin father was taken aback: "Business?"
He Yining glanced at Xiao Chun, who immediately addressed Lin Xi: "Miss Lin, the president has prepared a gift for you. Please open it in person."
A gift from He Yining? Lin Xi froze for a moment, then burst into wild joy! Was He Yining about to ask Lin father how much money it would take to give her away in marriage? Ah, that's how it went in those idol dramas and CEO novels! And now he'd prepared a gift for her? Was this to spare her any embarrassment? Oh my god, happiness had come too suddenly! Would she be the genuine president's wife of the He Group once she unwrapped the gift outside?
After racing through this mental monologue, Lin Xi beamed at Xiao Chun: "Alright, please lead the way."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered at the corner of Xiao Chun's lips as he turned and led Lin Xi away.
Once Lin Xi was gone, He Yining said directly to Lin father: "This deal of mine is very favorable for you."
Lin father, too, assumed He Yining would act like those spoiled rich kids—throwing money, money, and more money at the woman he fancied. So he plastered on a smug grin, waiting for He Yining to continue. As long as He Yining threw cash, he'd haggle. As long as the final result met the higher-ups' requirements, the process didn't matter. Maybe he could even squeeze out a bit more—all for himself!
Seeing the smile on the other man's face, He Yining knew exactly what he was thinking. He tapped the table lightly with his long fingers, speaking slowly and deliberately: "I wonder, Mr. Lin, do you prefer to live well, or to live in pain?"
Lin father's pupils contracted sharply. "President He, you must be joking..." Before he could finish, Xiao Xia's dagger was already pressed against his neck. The icy touch made him shiver, and the rest of his words died in his throat.
"Notify Feng Manlun and have him come here," He Yining said, as if completely oblivious to Lin father trembling into a ball across from him, still unhurried. "You have three minutes."
Xiao Qiu immediately began a countdown. Sweat quickly beaded on Lin father's forehead: "President He, I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know any Feng Manlun!"
"Two minutes and forty seconds," Xiao Qiu reported dutifully.
"President He, I really don't know what you mean!" Lin father explained frantically. "Weren't you going to talk about Lin Xi? Haven't you been looking for her? I agree, I agree to everything, okay?"
"Two minutes and twenty seconds."
"President He, I truly don't understand!" Lin father, forgetting to wipe the sweat from his nose, continued to resist. "I don't know any Feng Manlun either. How can I notify him? I know nothing!"
"One minute and fifty seconds."
"President He..." Lin father's words were cut off by He Yining: "Three minutes is too long. I have little patience."
"Forty-five seconds left," Xiao Qiu continued the countdown cheerfully.
Xiao Xia pressed the dagger a fraction further. A thin line of blood appeared on Lin father's neck, seeping out darkly. He dared not make another move.
"Thirty seconds."
The countdown went on.
"President He..." Seeing the frost in He Yining's eyes, Lin father felt true fear for the first time. He Yining wasn't joking!
"Twenty seconds."
Lin father struggled: "If I die here, Lin Xi will definitely talk!"
"Ten seconds."
"He Yining, even if you wield immense power and hold dual citizenship, killing someone on domestic soil will cost you!" Lin father finally lost his nerve, shouting with bluster.
"Five-second countdown begins. Five..." Xiao Qiu kept going, still cheerful.
He Yining pulled out a phone and handed it to Xiao Dong: "Use Xiao Qi's phone to send Feng Manlun a message. Arrange to meet him here."
Lin father's pupils contracted again sharply.
"Kill him and pin it on Feng Manlun," He Yining said coldly, turning to leave.
By then, Lin father was drenched in sweat. He suddenly grasped He Yining's plan! He Yining didn't care whether he and Feng Manlun knew each other or not. His goal today was to kill him and frame Feng Manlun. No matter how Feng Manlun tried to clear his name, the scandal and detention would cost him the chance to compete. He Yining, you're ruthless!
"Wait, I'll cooperate!" Just as Xiao Xia's fingers were about to press down, Lin father roared hoarsely. "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Xiao Xia's dagger stopped dead. One more push, and it would have severed Lin father's trachea.
A faint smile curled at He Yining's lips: "Since Mr. Lin is willing to cooperate, then have a good talk with my assistant."
With that, He Yining strode out of the room. Xiao Dong was already sending the message, mimicking Shen Qi's tone to Feng Manlun: "Young Master Feng, I've found a handwritten notebook by Zhu Guangqian here. Can you come and help verify its authenticity?"
Shortly after the message was sent, Feng Manlun replied: "Where?"
Xiao Dong quickly typed out the address, attaching a pre-prepared image.
Seeing the address, Feng Manlun's body tensed instantly. Why would Shen Qi be there? That was exactly where He Yining was meeting Lin Xi and her fake father! Was she sending him this message because she hadn't yet discovered He Yining's presence? He had indeed planned to create a bigger misunderstanding, but not now! If they ran into each other now, everything would fall apart!
Feng Manlun immediately switched phones to call Lin Xi and her fake father. But no matter how many times he tried, neither line connected. He grew as restless as an ant on a hot pan, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his temples. If Shen Qi stumbled upon this now, nothing could be hidden anymore...
No, he had to go over and see what had gone wrong!
Feng Manlun promptly replied to Shen Qi's message: "Alright, I'll be there right away. Don't go anywhere—wait for me where you are."
Receiving Feng Manlun's reply, Xiao Dong grinned widely. The fish had taken the bait!
Elsewhere, Xiao Chun led Lin Xi to a room that was romantic, exquisite, and brimming with girlish charm. In the center stood a huge cardboard box. The moment she entered, Lin Xi nearly screamed with delight at the massive gift. What romantic surprise could it be? Could He Yining be hiding inside the box, offering himself as the present?