Chapter 13
“Why’s it so quiet? Did I ask you to come here and play dumb? I asked you to come up with solutions!” Seeing her subordinates clamming up like quails, Grandma Lin’s anger did not subside; instead, it burned even fiercer.
“As the person in charge of this project, what do you think should be done?” Grandma Lin took several deep breaths to calm herself before shifting her gaze to her eldest son, making an effort to ask in a measured tone.
“Well… well, I can’t think of anything at the moment.” Lin Shixian’s voice grew weaker under Grandma Lin’s scrutiny, until at last, only his lips moved with no sound at all.
When Grandma Lin got angry, even Grandpa Lin would back off, let alone his eldest son.
Seeing her eldest son looking so pathetic, Grandma Lin felt as if she was about to cough up old blood from rage. “What are you mumbling? Speak up!” Grandma Lin suddenly slapped the table, startling Lin Shixian into a shiver.
“Mom, getting angry isn’t good for your health, you should take care of yourself. I don’t think the situation is beyond redemption yet.” Lin Shide said with a gentle smile, casting a glance full of disdain at his cowardly brother.
He’s always despised his elder brother for being a bully of the weak and cowardly to the strong since they were kids. If it weren’t for having a good son, how could this project have fallen to him?
Though Lin Shide looked down on Lin Shixian in his heart, outwardly, he still appeared warm and gentle, making Grandma Lin nod with satisfaction.
“What do you suggest?” Grandma Lin gestured with her chin towards Lin Shide, signaling him to continue speaking.
“I believe the one who tied the knot should untie it. Whoever initially negotiated this project should be the one to resolve it. After all, having managed to secure it once, I’m sure they can do it again, don’t you think so, Mengyao?”
Lin Shide smiled as he looked over at Lin Mengyao, and following his gaze, everyone focused their eyes on Lin Mengyao, who was sitting in the corner with hardly any presence.
“Uncle, you’re joking. It was just luck that I managed to secure the deal the first time. What gives me confidence to secure it a second time?” Lin Mengyao said with an impeccable smile.
What a joke. When I initially secured this project, everyone wanted a piece of the pie, not even willing to leave her a scrap. Now that there’s trouble, they want her to resolve it again. Where in the world does such a good thing exist, Mengyao thought to herself.
“Don’t belittle yourself. You stood out from so many competitors back then; I’m sure this small issue won’t stump you.” Lin Shide continued with a cheerful smile.
As it seemed the two were about to keep exchanging words, Grandma Lin raised her eyebrows and slapped the table, causing the meeting room to fall silent. “Stop arguing; just look at yourselves. Mengyao will handle this matter. If you can’t get the project back, then don’t bother coming back.” Grandma Lin concluded the issue with her words.
“Are you asleep?” Lin Mengyao lay on the bed and asked softly, the cold moonlight pouring into the room, adding to the tranquility.
Hearing Lin Mengyao’s voice, Xu Ke’s gaze softened immediately. “Not yet.”
After Xu Ke spoke, the room fell silent. After a while, the sound of Lin Mengyao turning over came from the bed, and then Xu Ke heard Mengyao speak: “Did I tell you Jiahe terminated their contract with the Lin Group? These days, the Lin Group has gone to Jiahe several times to renew the contract but hasn’t even seen Mr. Xu once. Now this issue has fallen on me again.”
“Securing the contract last time was already a lucky break. How can such luck possibly accompany me a second time?” Lin Mengyao muttered to herself, not even sure why she was telling Xu Ke this. It felt like she was a balloon filled with gas, about to explode if she didn’t find an outlet to vent.
Even though things have always been like this, recently, she’s been feeling as fragile as a rose nurtured in a greenhouse, unable to withstand even a slight breeze or rain.
Xu Ke had noticed the changes in Lin Mengyao recently. Her low voice made his heart ache. “It’s not luck; it’s what you deserve. Jiahe couldn’t secure the contract, but you can. You have to believe in yourself.” Xu Ke’s steadfast attitude made Lin Mengyao feel a lot better.
“Mengyao, don’t overthink it. Just believing in yourself and in me is enough.”
Xu Ke’s words made Lin Mengyao’s heart flutter; touching her rapidly beating heart, it was a strange feeling as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her head, bursting into fireworks in her mind. Lin Mengyao hurriedly pulled the covers over her, her voice slightly hurried as she said, “Alright, stop talking, I’m going to sleep.” Xu Ke noticed her anomaly but, since she was unwilling to speak, there was nothing he could do.
Closing his eyes, Xu Ke thought about how recently, Lin Mengyao had willingly shared her thoughts with him, Lin’s parents had, for some reason, quieted down, and aside from Chen Hongda, everyone else in Luocheng was cooperating, lightening his workload considerably, all these thoughts put Xu Ke in a good mood, allowing him to fall asleep quickly.
Xu Ke fell asleep fast, but Lin Mengyao lay awake until the early hours before finally dozing off. Fortunately, young people have good bodies, so missing a night of sleep didn’t leave her feeling tired.
Lin Mengyao returned to Jiahe Group again, having made several mental preparations in advance. She also gave herself a pep talk outside before heading in.
Fortunately, what Lin Mengyao expected didn’t happen. She was smoothly led to the lounge.
“Please wait here for a moment; Mr. Xu will be with you shortly.” The assistant prepared a cup of coffee for Lin Mengyao before leaving.
Lin Mengyao let out a small sigh of relief. Waiting alone in the lounge was boring and seemed to stretch on, so she strolled around leisurely inside. At this moment, she heard a familiar voice coming from outside.
“I heard Lin Group is also sending a representative.” Lu Chi’s voice came through the thin partition, and Lin Mengyao instinctively lightened her footsteps. By the time she realized, her face was already pressed against the door.
“I’ll be counting on your support then.”
“Of course.” As Xu Jie’s words fell, Lin Mengyao lightly bit her lip. Could it be that she managed to secure the contract so easily last time because of Lu Chi? If that’s the case, she owes him a huge favor.
Beyond the door, the smile on Lu Chi’s face grew more genuine. To him, Xu Jie’s words implied that the Lu Family and Jiahe would be working together, whereas for Xu Jie, it was nothing more than a courtesy.