New Crisis

Reading the message from Gu Yue, Lin Yu felt a large part of his worry subside, yet he couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness well up inside.

He knew exactly who Tang Manman was referring to when she mentioned her 'boyfriend,' but he could only pretend to be unaware of her true feelings.

Perhaps on some future day when he could no longer pretend ignorance, he would have to sternly tell her not to say such things again.

Speaking of Tang Manman tutoring someone...

Did her family need money again?

Lin Yu exited the chat interface with Gu Yue, swiped his screen, and called Zhao Dahu, asking him to have his men from the Black Blood Gang inquire if Tang Manman's family had encountered any difficulties recently.

Zhao Dahu's reply was astonishingly fast.

Almost as soon as Lin Yu hung up, poured himself a glass of water, and before he could even take a sip, Zhao Dahu's call came through.

"Everything's normal at the sister-in-law's place, haven't heard of any trouble."

Zhao Dahu's voice, deep and no longer carrying its former simple-minded tone, sounded.

Hearing that form of address, Lin Yu was momentarily dazed, transported back to his senior year of high school, right after he had first transmigrated.

"Don't call her that!"

"There's nothing between us anymore."

"And, how did you find out so quickly?"

Lin Yu was thoroughly puzzled. Less than a minute had passed between the two calls. How could Zhao Dahu have learned about Tang Manman's family situation so fast?

It felt as if he had been right beside Tang's mother, asked her a question after hanging up, and then immediately called back!

"Sis—"

"At Tang Manman's place, I've always had some trusted men keep an extra eye out, so someone on my end has been paying attention to their recent situation."

Zhao Dahu explained.

"Oh."

"I see."

Lin Yu nodded lightly, no longer finding it surprising.

After asking his question, Lin Yu was about to hang up when Zhao Dahu suddenly spoke up, as if afraid of saying something he shouldn't, something that might touch a nerve for Lin Yu. He cautiously probed:

"Brother Long, you and sis—"

"Wait, no."

"You and Tang Manman... broke up?"

Through the phone, Lin Yu silently let out a soft sigh and said quietly:

"There's no 'broke up' to speak of. We never got together in the first place."

Silence fell on the other end of the line. After several seconds, Zhao Dahu's voice sounded again.

"In that case, should I pull back the men from her place?"

"No!"

The refusal slipped out before Lin Yu could stop it, and he immediately regretted it. Should he have phrased it more diplomatically? This way, it felt like it would be misunderstood.

Sure enough, Zhao Dahu's hearty chuckle came through the phone, his tone teasing as he said:

"I get it, I get it."

"Don't worry, Brother Long. I'll have the brothers keep helping and watching over things here. I guarantee nothing will happen."

You get nothing!

Lin Yu felt a headache coming on. He raised his hand to rub the space between his eyebrows, wanting to clarify but not knowing how, and ultimately feeling it wasn't necessary.

Even if the reasoning was wrong, as long as the outcome was right, that was fine.

Having Zhao Dahu's men lend a hand was always a good thing.

After hanging up, Lin Yu tucked his phone back into the large kangaroo pocket of his hoodie. Sitting on a bench by the lake, watching the shimmering, rippling surface, his hands stuffed in the interconnected pockets, his thoughts drifted and churned.

The sun sank in the west, casting a increasingly brilliant, golden light on the lake, as if half the water had been sprinkled with gold leaf. A cool evening breeze blew in, and Lin Yu couldn't help but shiver.

Shaking himself free from his memories, Lin Yu sniffled, pinched the bridge of his nose to clear his head, and decided to get up and head back to his dorm.

Forget it.

Whatever she needs the money for.

As long as she's okay...

...

In the heart of H City, where land is worth its weight in gold, stands its tallest building. For a time, it was even...

No.

From the day it was completed, it has always been one of H City's landmarks.

This skyscraper bears no advertising billboards, houses no rented shops. Its entirety, every floor, every room, belongs exclusively to one family name, to one person.

That person was currently seated in the sole office at the very top of the building.

If she wished, she could walk to the floor-to-ceiling windows and take in the entire city of H spread out beneath her.

But for now, she was content to stare at the small, glowing screen of her phone, a smile on her lips revealing a joy she never showed when closing even the biggest deals.

After spending a long time reviewing the latest intelligence sent by her informants, she finally put down her phone and turned her gaze to the unobstructed sunset outside the window.

Orange-gold sunlight streamed through the glass, bathing the woman's face. The holy golden hue softened the innate chill she carried, gently draping her in a layer of tenderness.

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. Her exquisite eyes, framed by long lashes, looked down as she murmured with a smile:

"Lin Yu, you're not doing any better than I am."

"..."

...

"Glug glug glug glug..."

"Burp~"

After downing nearly half a bottle of soda, Lin Yu happily went back to gaming.

After dominating the game and achieving an overwhelming victory, Lin Yu happily patted his belly, his hand making circular motions over his round stomach.

As he rubbed, his expression suddenly changed, and his hand froze mid-motion.

Grabbing a handful of his soft belly flesh—much like in a horror movie when the protagonist, after their only friend goes to wash up, can still feel a hand on their shoulder—Lin Yu's face instantly turned to one of horror as he slowly looked down...

Crap!

Where are my abs?

Who stole my abs?!

Lin Yu lifted his shirt, took a deep breath, and held it. Staring at his belly where the once-defined eight-pack now showed signs of merging into one unified mass, he genuinely began to panic.

Holy moly!

How did I get this fat?!

Recalling the recent period of reckless eating, drinking, and zero exercise, Lin Yu was filled with regret.

No wonder that kick at noon only sent that guy flying a little over a meter.

This is a blatant regression!

No!

I can't go on like this!

If this continues, won't I degenerate into one of those overweight guys from the 'home defense force'?

Wait...

Would that be evolution or devolution?

Emmmm...

Don't get hung up on that!

That's not even the point!

Letting out the breath he was holding, his belly regained its rounded shape. Lin Yu viciously grabbed the fat on his stomach and decided he could not let himself waste away like this any longer!

I need to exercise!

I need to lose weight!!!