Winning the Night Rose

Jiang Manting noticed Jiang Yutong hadn’t moved for a while and reminded her, "Yutong?"

"Sorry," Jiang Yutong finally spoke up. "I don’t shake hands with just any man."

Her tone made it clear she disliked Lin Li.

Lin Li clenched his fist slightly before withdrawing his hand, feigning indifference. "Since Miss Jiang doesn’t like handshakes, that’s fine. I understand."

Jiang Manting asked, "May I ask why you’ve come to see us, Mr. Lin?"

"I heard from my mother about Grandpa Jiang’s condition," Lin Li replied, his voice lowering slightly. "Mom is still resistant toward the Jiang family. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t persuade her to visit him."

"By the way, how is Grandpa Jiang doing now?" he added.

Jiang Manting sighed. "Not well. Same as yesterday—he keeps calling for your mother."

Lin Li frowned, his face filling with concern. "If this continues, could his condition worsen?"

"I don’t know," Jiang Manting shook her head.

After a moment of thought, Lin Li suggested, "Ms. Jiang, how about this? I’ll go stay with Grandpa Jiang. I can tell him everything that happened to Mom after she left the Jiang family. Maybe it’ll help his recovery."

Jiang Manting’s eyes lit up.

That might actually work.

"Well…" She was about to agree when Jiang Yutong pulled her aside. "Elder sister, I have a bad feeling about Lin Li showing up now. It seems like he’s trying to latch onto our family."

Jiang Manting frowned deeply.

Jiang Yutong continued, "Don’t dismiss this, sis. He has a history of this kind of thing—scamming his way into wealthy families. He even faked a marriage once."

She then pulled out her phone and showed Jiang Manting the evidence.

Jiang Manting’s expression turned shocked.

She had heard office gossip about this before but dismissed it as mere rumors.

She never imagined the subject was Lin Li.

"Elder sister," Jiang Yutong urged, "let’s just ignore him."

"No," Jiang Manting pinched the bridge of her nose. "Grandpa’s condition is serious. If Jiang Shuqin refuses to see him, her son might be the only one who can help. I want to try."

Jiang Yutong bit her lip.

True.

There weren’t any better options.

Fine. She’d keep a close eye on Lin Li. If he tried anything against the Jiang family, she wouldn’t let him succeed.

Jiang Manting and Jiang Yutong returned to the meeting room.

Jiang Yutong’s attitude remained cold.

Jiang Manting, however, smiled warmly. "Since Jiang Shuqin is your mother, that makes you my cousin, right?"

"Cousin, here’s my business card. Give me your contact details too, so I can reach you if needed."

"Sure." Lin Li took the card and immediately called her number.

He saved Jiang Manting’s contact based on the caller ID.

"Cousin, I still have work to attend to, so you can head back for now," Jiang Manting said with a polite smile.

As soon as Lin Li left, Jiang Manting summoned her secretary.

"Investigate Lin Li," she ordered expressionlessly.

"Yes." The secretary complied immediately.

Previously, Su Hua, fearing the Jiang family might reclaim Lin Xuan, had instructed Jiang Qing to conceal Lin Xuan’s true identity.

Online records identifying Lin Xuan as Jiang Shuqin and Lin Chang’s biological son had been erased.

Additionally, the Lin family’s servants dared not casually reveal that Lin Li was actually adopted.

Thus, the secretary’s investigation concluded that Lin Li was indeed Jiang Shuqin’s biological son.

The report also included details about Lin Li’s infidelity and marriage scams, all of which were handed to Jiang Manting.

Jiang Manting wasn’t interested in those.

She only cared about his identity.

Confirming he was Jiang Shuqin’s son, she called Lin Li.

"Cousin," she said warmly, "if you’re free, you’re welcome to visit the Jiang family anytime."

"Great, I’ll come tomorrow." Lin Li’s heart swelled with excitement.

So what if he was just an adopted son?

In the Lin household, he had made Jiang Shuqin abandon her own flesh and blood to dote on him endlessly.

Now, he’d win over the Jiang family too!

Their power and wealth would surely be useful to him.

The thought made Lin Li smirk.

Once he secured the Jiang family’s backing, he’d crush Lin Xuan under his heel!

The next day, Lin Li arrived at the Jiang residence.

He sat by Grandpa Jiang’s bedside, recounting Jiang Shuqin’s past.

"Grandpa," Lin Li said gently, "please get better soon. Mom just has some misunderstandings, but I’m sure she’ll come to appreciate your love for her in time."

Jiang Manting entered with a fruit platter, her gaze worried as she looked at Grandpa Jiang.

"Cousin, have some fruit," she said, placing the tray on the side table.

"Thank you, elder cousin."

After expressing his gratitude, Lin Li turned back to Grandpa Jiang, his brow furrowed with concern. "Grandpa still isn’t responding much, but don’t worry, elder cousin. I’ll do everything I can to help him recover."

"Mm." Jiang Manting nodded. "Thank you, cousin."

"It’s no trouble at all. This is my duty," Lin Li replied. "Mom hasn’t seen Grandpa in over twenty years. As her son, I should fulfill some filial piety on her behalf."

Jiang Manting frowned.

Lin Li didn’t seem like the person described in the investigation. Was he putting on an act, or was the report mistaken?

Jiang Yutong, however, sneered inwardly.

What a performance!

From the moment she met Lin Li, she had sensed he was no good.

She wanted nothing to do with this so-called cousin.

Sigh.

If only Lin Xuan were her real cousin—she’d be overjoyed.

That same night, the Golden Dragon Gang also sprang into action.

Most of their members mobilized, clashing with Night Rose over a shipment of arms.

Gunfire erupted—bang! bang! bang!—as flames lit up the ocean.

"We won! We actually beat Night Rose!"

The Golden Dragon Gang members cheered in exhilaration.

"This is incredible," one of the gang’s top subordinates exclaimed. "Second Boss, Night Rose has never lost before. Yet this time, we came out on top!"