Beauty in Arms

Two hours later, Lin Qingwan returned to the chairman's office.

"Dad," Lin Qingwan nodded, "Everything has been arranged. I’ve also hired online trolls, and now the public opinion online is starting to shift in our favor."

"Good. Now, invite journalists and some influencers who can’t be bought off to conduct random inspections at our hotels," Lin Chang continued to instruct.

"Understood."

Lin Qingwan left to make the arrangements.

Lei Hui finished reviewing another document submitted by the senior management. After stretching, he picked up his phone again.

Seeing the shift in public opinion, he immediately reported it to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan smirked. "Let them keep struggling. I’ll send you some materials later—make sure they get leaked."

Once those were out, Starlight Group’s hotels wouldn’t stand a chance at recovery.

"Got it."

Lei Hui was curious. Just what else did his scheming boss have up his sleeve?

Not long after ending the call with Lin Xuan, the materials arrived. Lei Hui opened them immediately.

"Holy shit!"

His eyes widened in disbelief.

How the hell did the boss get his hands on this stuff?

With this, Starlight Group wouldn’t even have room to struggle.

Lei Hui didn’t release the video right away. Instead, he went back to handling Tianmu Group’s affairs.

Let Starlight Group bask in their false sense of security for now.

Lin Qingwan had arranged for journalists and influencers to conduct random inspections, even livestreaming the process. The results showed the hotels were spotless.

—Starlight Group’s hotels are actually pretty clean. Even under a magnifying glass, the towels and bedsheets show no signs of dirt. Were we wrong about them?

—I think this was all a smear campaign by their competitors. That cleaner was probably paid off, and she only came forward out of fear of legal consequences.

—That makes sense! Starlight Group was framed!

Many netizens were successfully swayed by Starlight Group’s trolls.

Lin Chang scrolled through the comments on Weibo. Most were sympathizing with Starlight Group, calling them victims of a malicious plot.

Out of ten comments, only one or two questioned the legitimacy of Lin Chang’s "clarification." But he couldn’t care less about those few dissenters.

"Heh." Lin Chang sneered. "Did you really think I’d just sit back and take it without fighting back?"

After this hotel incident, Lin Xuan would have no other means to attack Starlight Group’s hotels.

Lin Xuan, oh Lin Xuan…

You want to see Starlight Group collapse? I won’t let you have your way!

He might not be able to salvage Starlight Group’s other businesses, but the hotels? Those, he could protect.

Another hour passed.

After finishing his work, Lei Hui picked up his phone again.

Starlight Group had been gloating long enough. It was time to extinguish their arrogance.

Lei Hui immediately had someone post the leaked materials, then forwarded them to group chats, instructing platform executives to push them for maximum exposure.

Selling trending spots and traffic was one of these platforms’ main revenue streams.

Yet, they didn’t dare charge Tianmu Group a single cent—giving them free trending spots and boosted visibility.

They also never dared accept requests to suppress Tianmu Group’s scandals.

These platform executives were drowning in frustration.

Why did they have to cross paths with a tyrant like Lin Xuan?

Lin Chang had been on the receiving end of Lin Xuan’s schemes for so long, never getting a chance to retaliate.

The pent-up frustration had been unbearable.

Now that the hotel crisis was resolved, Lin Chang finally had the upper hand.

He couldn’t resist calling Lin Xuan to gloat.

Lin Xuan answered the call, raising an eyebrow. "Chairman Lin, shouldn’t you be busy cleaning up your mess? What brings you to call me?"

Lin Chang scoffed. "Lin Xuan, don’t get too cocky. I know you were behind the hotel scandal."

Lin Xuan smirked.

Who else could it be? That wasn’t even a question.

Su Hua, nestled in Lin Xuan’s arms, fed him a grape. Seeing the playful glint in his eyes, she smiled faintly.

Her Ah-Xuan was adorable when he was toying with people.

Lin Chang gloated. "Lin Xuan, I know you want Starlight Group to collapse. But guess what? My hotels have survived this crisis unscathed."

"So, your little plan failed."

Lin Xuan chuckled. "Chairman Lin, my plan failed? I wouldn’t be so sure."

"Lin Xuan," Lin Chang sneered, "if you don’t believe me, go check online. Public opinion has completely turned in our favor. Everyone believes Starlight Group was framed."

"Oh really?"

Lin Xuan glanced at the trending topics on Weibo.

Tianmu Group’s exposé was already climbing the ranks.

He smirked. "Chairman Lin, why don’t you take another look online? See what people are saying now."

"Dad, something’s wrong!" Lin Qingwan burst into the office, her face pale with panic.

Lin Chang’s heart dropped. A terrible premonition gripped him.

"Lin Xuan, what did you do?" he hissed.

Before Lin Xuan could answer, Su Hua slipped a slice of apple into his mouth.

"Ah-Xuan, eat up."

Lin Chang frowned at the feminine voice on the line.

That voice… it sounded so much like CEO Su’s.

But no—that couldn’t be. CEO Su’s tone was always icy. She’d never sound this gentle.

"Lin Xuan," Lin Chang pressed coldly, "I know you’re just bluffing, trying to scare me."

Lin Xuan laughed. "Chairman Lin, I don’t have time for mind games. I’ve got a beauty in my arms—why would I waste energy on you?"

"Like I said, go check the internet."

With that, he hung up.

Su Hua raised an eyebrow. "A beauty in your arms, huh?"

Happy Friday, everyone!