Inside the Lin family residence.
The head of the Chen family bowed his head and cupped his hands toward Lin Shuangye, who sat in the primary seat with a calm expression.
“Aside from expelling that beast from the Chen family, we will also provide a compensatory gift worth 5,000 spirit stones as an apology. My Lords, I wonder if this explanation is enough to appease Lady Lin Huanhuan even a little?”
Lin Huanhuan sucked in a cold breath, looking at the submissive Chen family head in shock. ‘Should I call him a 1,000-year-old tortoise, or is he just someone who knows when to yield? To think he could actually go this far.’
She looked at Lin Shuangye, letting her older sister take the lead.
Lin Shuangye nodded and said indifferently, “Head of the Chen family, you’ve certainly impressed me. To be honest, I really want to know if you harbor any resentment in your heart. You can speak frankly; I am not an evil person. Speaking up will help solve the problem. In fact, you didn’t have to be so ruthless to your son just now. Even though he was in the wrong, a small lesson would have sufficed. Why go to such extremes?”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” The Chen family head kept his head bowed and hands cupped, lowering his posture as much as possible. “Though he is my own flesh and blood, I always taught him to be humble and never to rely on his status to bully others. Not only did he do exactly that, but he also had the audacity to offend Lady Lin Huanhuan. How noble is Lady Lin Huanhuan’s status? How could he possibly compare? Fortunately, Lady Lin Huanhuan is unharmed. Otherwise, simply expelling him from the family would not have been enough.”
“There really is no need for this,” Lin Shuangye sighed softly. “Forget it. What’s done is done, and speaking more of it is useless. It would only make me seem petty. Let’s discuss the details of our cooperation instead.”
The Chen family head showed a look of trepidation, trembling with excitement. “Is cooperation still possible? But after that disgrace of mine did such a thing, I truly have no face left.”
“Of course it is. After all, punishment has already been served,” Lin Shuangye said with a hint of a smile in her eyes. “However, you were indeed in the wrong this time. How about we reduce your original 30% share by another 10%?”
“Of course, that is only right. Being able to give the Chen family 20% is already very good. I must thank Lady Lin Shuangye for her mercy. Everyone in the Chen family will surely be eternally grateful for this kindness.”
They began to discuss the details of the partnership until the conversation finally ended, just as Lin Huanhuan was about to fall asleep.
“Then I shall take my leave. My thanks to both your Ladyships for your mercy.” The Chen family head bowed deeply before turning to depart.
Lin Shuangye watched his retreating back until he disappeared from sight, at which point the smile on her face vanished instantly.
“Sister, that — ” Lin Huanhuan began to speak, seeing that the outsider was finally gone, but she was interrupted by Lin Shuangye after only a few words.
“Wait a moment,” Lin Shuangye said calmly. “Jiu Zu, you’ve watched long enough. You can come out now.”
“What do you mean?” Under Lin Huanhuan’s confused gaze, the space beside them rippled, and Jiu Zu’s figure slowly emerged.
‘When did this guy get here? How did I not know at all?’ Lin Huanhuan was shocked and couldn’t help but think: ‘Is this some kind of amazing skill? Is it the legendary invisibility or something? If I could learn that, wouldn’t I be able to peek at people bathing whenever I want? What a divine skill!’
Jiu Zu smiled and cupped his hands. “Greetings, Miss Shuangye.” He then smiled at Lin Huanhuan. “Miss Huanhuan, we should have met before at the auction. I wonder if you still remember me.”
“Of course I remember. You left quite an impression.” Lin Huanhuan nodded. It hadn’t been that long; she wasn’t a goldfish, so how could she forget so quickly?
Lin Shuangye gave a faint smile, her eyes holding a chill that could freeze anything. “Jiu Zu, you must have heard our conversation just now?”
“Of course,” Jiu Zu said calmly. “The Chen family was clearly in the wrong, yet when faced with Miss Shuangye’s almost charitable punishment, he still dared to feel indignant in his heart. The only reason he didn’t show it now is because his strength is insufficient. He is like a venomous snake hibernating in winter, waiting only to gather enough strength before taking the opportunity to bite back. Such a poisonous creature must be struck dead with a single blow, or the consequences will be endless.”
Lin Shuangye laughed. “As expected of the representative for the Weixian Auction House this time. Truly extraordinary to have seen even that.”
As they spoke, Lin Huanhuan was a bit dazed. ‘Wait, how did they see that the Chen family head wanted revenge? He was practically one step away from kneeling and licking their shoe soles.’
“The Chen family truly doesn’t know what’s good for them.” Lin Shuangye nodded and continued, “Since the Weixian Auction House wants to open in this territory and cooperate with my Lin family, why not help us deal with the Chen family as a show of sincerity? Although we have cooperated before, we aren’t that familiar with each other yet.”
Jiu Zu cupped his hands and smiled. “Naturally. The Chen family is ungrateful; they not only offended the Lin family but also dared to harbor a grudge. They deserve to be annihilated. Don’t worry, the Chen family’s destruction will be handled logically. No one will suspect the Lin family or damage your reputation.”
Lin Shuangye replied with a smile, “Then I shall congratulate you in advance on the good news.”
“I shall take my leave then. I wish you two a pleasant chat.” Space rippled behind Jiu Zu. He turned, stepped into it, and disappeared. The space then returned to its peaceful state.
“Is he gone?” Lin Huanhuan asked, somewhat uncertain.
Lin Shuangye rolled her eyes at her and said, “Of course he’s gone. Did you want him to stay for dinner?”
Lin Huanhuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t expect this Jiu Zu to be so elusive.”
Thinking back to what just happened, Lin Huanhuan spoke up hesitantly, “Sister, isn’t what we’re doing a bit… bad?”
“How is it bad?”
“Well, didn’t we already agree to cooperate with the Chen family? Turning around and finding someone to deal with them… if word gets out, I’m afraid it will have a huge impact. Being so unscrupulous might cause our family’s allies to lose faith in us.”
“You’re overthinking it; that won’t happen,” Lin Shuangye said calmly. “First of all, who knows about the agreement to cooperate with the Chen family? If the Chen family head unilaterally announces it to the public, who would believe him? Furthermore, since the Weixian Auction House promised to resolve the Chen family silently, they will certainly do it. Otherwise, their cooperation with us will fall through. And you ignored the most important point: so-called morality is for allies and those of equal strength. The Chen family is but a small Foundation Building clan. Do they even deserve to talk about morality with the Lin family?”
She sneered. Her robes fluttered without any wind, and shadows seemed to extend from her. In Lin Huanhuan’s eyes, she seemed to have transformed into a demon emitting black aura.
Lin Huanhuan couldn’t help but tremble slightly. ‘Sister looks like a villain right now.’
The next moment, the ‘demon’ noticed her expression. A fist slammed down on her small head with a *thud*, making her stick her tongue out in pain.
“What are you so afraid of? If you hadn’t caused this trouble, would I have to clean up after you like this?!”
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