Lin Zhiling hung up the phone, her well-preserved face, which still showed traces of her once captivating beauty, had lost its usual composure and elegance, replaced by a gloomy expression.
She took a deep breath, her chest heaving violently, her fingernails almost digging into her palms.
Zhang Jianguo is a good-for-nothing who only messes things up! She was truly blind back then!
Lin Zhiling, more than ten years ago, was a popular idol singer across the country, with countless fans and suitors stretching from the east to the west of the city.
But she was infatuated by Zhang Jianguo's smooth-talking mouth and his passable looks, and despite her family's strong opposition, she resolutely withdrew from the entertainment industry, gave up her career to become a homemaker, and married Zhang Jianguo, who was then just a minor clerk, moving to Dongting City.
What kind of family was the Lin family? In the entire Chu Nan Province, they were a force that could make the ground shake with a stomp.
The Lin family patriarch, Lin Shuntian, was even once the top leader of Chu Nan Province, with disciples and former subordinates everywhere.
The patriarch was so angry back then that he almost disowned her, believing that a man like Zhang Jianguo, who was good for nothing but sweet talk, was simply unworthy of his Lin family's daughter.
Over the years, Lin Zhiling acted tough, claiming she didn't rely on her family, but she knew in her heart that if it weren't for the Lin family's prestigious name, and if the patriarch hadn't subtly looked out for them, how could Zhang Jianguo have risen so quickly?
Regarding Zhang Jianguo's dealings outside, the Lin family had always turned a blind eye, considering it a way to save face for their daughter and ensure she had a comfortable life in her in-laws' home.
But now, this good-for-nothing Zhang Jianguo had actually caused such a huge mess, with irrefutable evidence, and it had even been exposed online, making it known to everyone!
Lin Zhiling walked to the dressing table, looking at her still beautiful reflection in the mirror, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
It seemed that this time, she really had to swallow her pride and go back to her maiden home to ask the patriarch for help.
She just didn't know if the patriarch's anger had subsided after so many years.
Without further ado, Lin Zhiling immediately picked up the phone and started arranging a flight.
She had to rush back to Changli City, the provincial capital of Chu Nan Province, as quickly as possible.
Lin family old residence in Changli City, Chu Nan Province.
Inside the study, sandalwood incense wafted gently.
Lin Shuntian, dressed in a plain Tang suit, was practicing calligraphy by the window, his brush strokes flowing like dragons and snakes, exuding a steady demeanor.
He was nearing seventy, his hair already gray, but he was full of vigor, his eyes still sharp as an eagle's, commanding respect without needing to show anger.
The butler quietly entered and whispered, "Master, the eldest young lady is back and is waiting in the living room."
Lin Shuntian's hand, holding the brush, paused slightly, causing a small blob of ink to spread on the rice paper.
He hummed an acknowledgment expressionlessly, put down the brush, and said calmly, "Let her come in."
When Lin Zhiling walked into the study, her heart was in turmoil.
She looked at her father's still upright back, her eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion, "Dad..."
Lin Shuntian slowly turned around, his gaze falling upon his daughter. After many years, although his daughter was well-preserved, the sorrow and weariness in her brows were undeniable.
He sighed inwardly, but his expression remained stern, "Hmph, you still know how to come back?"
"Dad, I was wrong..." Lin Zhiling knelt down with a thud, tears instantly gushing out, "Your unfilial daughter hasn't come back to see you for so many years..."
Seeing his daughter crying so piteously, Lin Shuntian's taut face finally softened a little.
He sighed and said, "Get up. You're a grown woman; what kind of behavior is this, still crying like a child?"
After all, she was his own flesh and blood; how could he truly not care?
Over the years, he had implicitly and explicitly taken care of his daughter's small family.
Lin Zhiling saw her father's tone soften and felt a little relieved, sobbing as she stood up and recounted Zhang Jianguo and Zhang Yining's situation from beginning to end. Of course, she cleverly omitted the detail of Zhang Yining tipping them off, only saying that the young man named Lu Xuan had somehow obtained the evidence and was intentionally seeking revenge.
Lin Shuntian listened quietly, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter. When he heard about the 14,888-page PPT, his eyes narrowed.
"Dad, Jianguo, he... he may be foolish, but he doesn't deserve such a severe punishment! And Yining, she's still so young; if she's expelled from school, her life will be ruined! You must save them!" Lin Zhiling clutched Lin Shuntian's sleeve, pleading bitterly.
Lin Shuntian was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice deep and authoritative, "Zhiling, you are confused! Zhang Jianguo's matter has irrefutable evidence and has been exposed online. Now is the height of a strict crackdown; who dares to protect him? Who can protect him? He brought this upon himself and must accept punishment to quell public anger!"
Lin Zhiling's heart sank. If her father said there was no way, then there truly was no way.
"However..." Lin Shuntian changed the subject, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, "That young man named Lu Xuan is quite interesting. A mere college student, able to obtain so much information and manipulate an old fox like Zhang Jianguo, who has been in officialdom for many years, is by no means an ordinary person. The root of this matter lies with him. If he isn't dealt with, I won't be able to calm my anger, and it will make my Lin family seem incompetent!"
Hearing this, Lin Zhiling's eyes rekindled with a glimmer of hope, "Dad, you mean?"
"Zhang Jianguo's matter ends here. He broke the law, so he should bear the consequences."
Lin Shuntian said decisively, "As for Yining, I will arrange some connections in Yanjing to let her quietly withdraw or transfer schools, trying to minimize the impact. She is, after all, my Lin family's granddaughter; she cannot be simply ruined like this."
Lin Shuntian was swift and decisive in his actions. He immediately made several phone calls, his tone calm but with undeniable authority, arranging everything one by one.
Lin Zhiling watched her father's strategic planning and felt a little more at ease.
She knew that as long as her father intervened, Yining's matter could at least be salvaged with some dignity.
"You should leave for Yanjing immediately and comfort Yining. I will handle the follow-up matters." Lin Shuntian waved his hand.
Lin Zhiling expressed her heartfelt gratitude, and after a brief reunion with her family, she hastily booked the soonest flight and flew to Yanjing overnight.
At this moment, Lu Xuan was completely unaware of everything happening in the Lin family of Chu Nan. He had just leisurely finished dinner and was leisurely walking back to his dorm.
Pushing open the dorm door, a strong smell of instant noodles mixed with sweat wafted out.
Chen Min and Zhao Qin were engrossed in playing games, their keyboards and mice clattering loudly.
"Da da da... Damn it! Old Six! You ambushed me again!"
"Hold! Hold! Point A is about to explode!"
Hearing the door open, Chen Min and Zhao Qin almost instinctively shrank their necks, and their movements slowed down.
The two turned their heads, saw that it was Lu Xuan, and immediately plastered fawning smiles on their faces, looking like pugs seeing their master.
"Xuan... Brother Xuan, you're back?" Chen Min grinned, his voice trembling slightly.
Zhao Qin also quickly nodded and bowed, "Brother Xuan, do you want some water? I just bought some iced black tea!"
Lu Xuan glanced at them, not bothering to respond.
These two guys had become completely obedient ever since he had "educated" them a little last time.
As for Liu Ming, he was currently lying on his bed, scrolling on his phone, humming an out-of-tune tune.
Seeing Lu Xuan enter, he sprang up from the bed like a carp leaping, walked up to Lu Xuan in a few steps, wrapped an arm around Lu Xuan's shoulder, and said with a wink, "Oh, Brother Xuan, you're finally back! Your brother has been waiting for you until the flowers withered!"
Lu Xuan frowned, shaking his shoulder slightly with a hint of disdain.
Liu Ming, however, remained oblivious and continued to grin, "Brother Xuan, from now on, I, Liu Ming, will follow you! You're my big brother! In the future, when you eat meat, I, your little brother, will be content with just a sip of soup. Those girls you don't fancy, just give me one or two, and I'll be eternally grateful! Hehehe..."
Lu Xuan's eyes turned cold, and he suddenly flicked his arm, knocking Liu Ming's hand off his shoulder, his voice devoid of warmth, "Who the hell are you calling brother? Get lost."
"Ouch!" Liu Ming's hand stung from the slap, his smile instantly froze, and he looked at Lu Xuan with some bewilderment, "You... what kind of attitude is that! Brother Xuan, we don't do this, do we? I'm sincerely trying to join you..."
"Scram." Lu Xuan only uttered one word, his eyes as cold as ice.
Liu Ming shivered under Lu Xuan's gaze, his neck shrinking back. The slight dissatisfaction and grievance that had just risen instantly vanished.
He gave a sheepish smile and mumbled, "Tch, so what if you have a little money..."
His voice was as quiet as a mosquito's hum, afraid of being heard by Lu Xuan. Then he scurried back to his bed, picked up his phone, and pretended nothing had happened.
Lu Xuan ignored this clown and walked straight to Zhao Qin's bed. Zhao Qin sat upright, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Lu Xuan reached out and lightly patted Zhao Qin's somewhat pale face, a half-smile playing on his lips, "Zhao Qin, how about your aunt... has she considered it? When will she come over for a 'chat'?"
Zhao Qin was so scared by the light pat that his soul almost flew out. His face instantly turned ashen, and fine cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He forced out a smile that was uglier than a cry and stammered, "Xuan... Brother Xuan... My... my mom, she... she's too busy... I... I'll tell her again, I'll definitely make her come! Definitely!"
In his heart, he cursed Lu Xuan a thousand times; this guy was simply a devil!