"The text message is here, bro!"
"Keep the receipt safe, we’ll each take one copy of the contract."
"Don’t call me Uncle Wang—do I look that old to you?"
"Hahaha, just call me Biao Ge!"
After collecting the payment, Wang Biao patted Lin Yu’s shoulder like a sworn brother and eagerly added him on WeChat.
For someone as straightforward and generous as this wealthy elder brother, Lin Yu was more than happy to keep a spot for him in his contacts.
Who knows? Having connections like this might come in handy someday while navigating life in Pingchuan.
With that thought in mind, Lin Yu’s mind raced, and he casually remarked:
"Biao Ge, our beautiful store manager specifically asked me to give you a bouquet to take home for your wife."
"We really appreciate all your support so far, and we hope you’ll keep looking out for us in the future."
After saying this, Lin Yu immediately winked at Chen Qimeng.
"Oh!!"
"Right, thank you, Brother Wang, for everything! Let me go grab it!"
Chen Qimeng instantly caught on and hurried to pick out a few simple flowers.
The flowers weren’t worth much.
What mattered was the gesture.
Just by Chen Qimeng’s reaction, Wang Biao understood perfectly.
This wasn’t some instruction from the "beautiful store manager"—it was all orchestrated by his newly acquainted little brother.
Wang Biao waved his fan, pointing at Lin Yu with a grin:
"Alright, Yu Zi, I gotta say, I really fucking like you."
"How does that saying go again… ‘Since ancient times, this land breeds extraordinary youngsters!’"
"If you ever run into trouble on this street, just come to your Biao Ge."
"Around here, there’s no problem that can’t be solved over drinks!"
"Let’s grab a drink one of these days!"
Classy.
Righteous.
And damn right he made sense!
Since ancient times, this land didn’t just breed extraordinary youngsters—it bred extraordinary young women too.
His own family was proof—plenty to go around!
……
After seeing Wang Biao off, it was time to get down to business.
Ever since obtaining the incriminating evidence on the two targets with Mo Shangying’s help, Lin Yu had considered multiple ways to resolve the crisis of the "Protect the Sect Plan."
The only difference lay in the severity of punishment He Jing and Yi Haizhou would face.
First method:
Send an anonymous email to Yi Haizhou’s company headquarters, attaching proof of his embezzlement. The higher-ups would deal with him themselves.
Likely sentence: three to ten years.
Unless the amount was astronomical—then maybe over a decade.
Of course, Yi Haizhou would’ve loved to embezzle more, but he simply didn’t have the authority.
Lin Yu dismissed this plan first.
Because in this scenario, He Jing would walk away scot-free.
At worst, her scheme would be exposed, and her friendship with Chen Qimeng would shatter.
Second method:
Actually sign the contract, then secretly find a way to secure the flower supply.
But here’s the thing—even if they signed the procurement contract with Yi Haizhou, He Jing still wouldn’t face consequences.
Could she be charged as an accomplice to fraud?
No.
There was no actual fraud involved.
The contract was completely legal and above board.
If Chen Qimeng failed to deliver, it would be her responsibility.
If she delivered but Yi Haizhou’s company didn’t pay, it would drag into a lengthy legal battle.
And if Yi Haizhou got arrested in the meantime?
Lin Yu’s hard-earned flower supply would be tied up in the mess.
By the time the court ruled, they’d be out even more money.
No way around it—even if they appealed to the heavens, the judgment would stand.
And He Jing?
She’d just claim she "knew a flower supplier" and "meant well," even pretending to consider investing in a new branch.
Then she’d keep delaying until it was too late to fix anything.
A crime?
Nope.
Just a case of trusting the wrong person.
In both scenarios, only Yi Haizhou would go down.
He Jing would remain untouched—clean, innocent, and safe.
That’s exactly why she dared to help her lover so boldly.
If they failed? No consequences for her.
If they succeeded? She’d get a cut.
With morals that low, why not take the gamble?
On the surface, Yi Haizhou was the villain.
But the real devil? Right here in the flesh.
Lin Yu decisively scrapped both plans.
To take them both down, the most effective way was…
Let them turn on each other!
"Auntie Chen, you originally wanted to borrow money from Boss Yi to tide things over, right?"
"And last time, we talked about the contract—today, you planned to sign early and collect the deposit?"
Chen Qimeng had no reason to hide it. She nodded.
"That’s right, but now with the rent issue resolved…"
The rent problem was already settled.
Signing the contract wasn’t urgent for several more days.
For a moment, Chen Qimeng wasn’t sure how to proceed.
After all, she still hadn’t seen the flower samples from the supplier He Jing mentioned.
Signing early came with major risks.
Yi Haizhou, however, played it cool.
"Didn’t expect Store Manager Chen to have a famous writer in the family!"
"No worries, glad the trouble’s resolved."
"We can sign once you’ve confirmed your supply channel—no rush."
What should’ve been a smooth con to trap Chen Qimeng had been derailed by a "web novelist."
Yi Haizhou’s rhythm was completely thrown off.
If he pushed too hard today, it might raise suspicions.
He couldn’t let his prey catch on now.
But what shocked Yi Haizhou even more? Lin Yu spoke up again:
"Auntie Qimeng, Boss Yi stepped up to help us in our time of need."
"How can we let him leave empty-handed?"
"Since Sister Jing’s supplier is definitely reliable, why don’t we just sign the contract today?"
Yi Haizhou: "!!!"
He Jing: "???"
Lin Yu’s words left them both stunned.
Were they this lucky?
Divine intervention from the universe itself?
Yi Haizhou pressuring them to sign versus Lin Yu urging them to sign—the impact was worlds apart!
Yi Haizhou was overjoyed.
After watching Lin Yu smoothly handle the landlord, Wang Biao, he even reconsidered his initial judgment.
Maybe he’d underestimated this college kid.
But now?
Clearly, he’d worried for nothing!
A lucky kid who stumbled into money was still just a kid.
No sense of caution at all.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect!
He Jing seized the moment, praising:
"You’ve got great social skills, little bro—even more thoughtful than our Qimeng here."
"Don’t be mad, Qimeng, I’m just complimenting your handsome young man."
Mad? Chen Qimeng couldn’t be happier.
Lin Yu stepping in so assertively moved her deeply.
All these years, she’d carried every burden alone.
Not because she wanted to be independent—she simply had no choice.
If she didn’t shoulder it, who would?
Today, Lin Yu made her feel something rare: protected.
So when he spoke, she listened.
"Xiao Yu’s right—we can’t let Boss Yi’s effort go to waste."
"We’ve reviewed the contract, and it looks fine. Let’s sign today?"
Yi Haizhou’s face lit up with triumph as he pulled out the contract again:
"Well said! No time like the present."
"Trust is the foundation of cooperation—I love working with decisive people!"
Just then, Lin Yu interjected once more:
"Oh, Auntie Qimeng, before meeting Sister Jing’s supplier, how about meeting my friend first?"
"I mentioned this in our book club group chat, and one of the members from another province happens to be in the wholesale flower business."
"He assured me they can provide the exact flowers we need, on time and in any quantity, with guaranteed quality."
"He’ll be coming over in the next couple of days with samples to discuss things in person."
"I’ve known this guy for almost two years now, and I’m 90% sure we can seal the deal. That way, we won’t have to trouble Sister He Jing with the hassle."
The moment these words were spoken,
the room fell dead silent.
Yi Haizhou: "!!!"
He Jing: "!!!"
Yi Haizhou’s hand, which had been extending the contract, froze mid-air, his smile stiffening on his face.
He Jing took a half-step back, discreetly patting her own tense cheeks to hide her unease.
If this had been just any ordinary college student saying this,
Yi Haizhou would’ve dismissed it as youthful bravado—nothing but hot air.
But this wasn’t just any college student.
This was the same guy who’d casually dropped 180,000 yuan without blinking.
The same guy who’d made millions in just a few months, riding high on the success of his hit novel’s "copyright deals."
His words couldn’t be taken lightly.
"Hmm? Boss Yi… you’re sweating?"
"Must be the air conditioning in here… not working well."
"Let’s just sign the contract already!"
Lin Yu fought back a smirk as he urged them on.
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...