Li Dongfeng sneered, "Lin Li, I'd like to ask you something. Since Lin Xuan has so many powerful people protecting him, why didn't you tell me?"
"Aren't you just trying to achieve your goal with the least amount of money?"
Lin Li was momentarily speechless.
He had previously hired people from the dark web to deal with Lin Xuan, but that attempt had also failed.
At the time, he thought it was just a coincidence.
And while it was true that Lin Xuan likely had many bodyguards, he was afraid that revealing this would increase the cost—so he kept it all a secret.
"Since the mission failed, why didn't you inform me?" Lin Li gritted his teeth as he asked.
If he had known,
he would have arranged his own people in advance. If Lin Xuan dared to show up at the banquet, his men would have rammed their car into him. Even if Lin Xuan didn’t die, he wouldn’t have been able to appear at the banquet again.
"Lin Li, if I hadn’t staged the illusion of a successful mission, would you have obediently handed over the money?" Li Dongfeng scoffed coldly.
"You—"
Lin Li was furious, his chest heaving with anger.
"Lin Li, don’t be so quick to question me."
Li Dongfeng’s expression suddenly darkened. "Do you have any idea I almost lost my life to Lin Xuan? So, isn’t it fair for me to demand a little extra from you?"
Lin Li clenched his jaw. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose your dealings on the dark web? Your reputation in the underground circles would be ruined, and you’d never be able to hold your heads up again!"
"Oh wow, that’s a really serious threat. I’m so scared," Li Dongfeng mocked, pretending to pat his chest in fear.
Then his tone shifted sharply.
"Lin Li, go ahead and expose us. Just remember—we know who you are. If you’re not afraid of our retaliation, then by all means, do it."
"We’re all desperate men, Lin Li. If you dare to cross us, you’d better guard that pitiful little life of yours."
With that, Li Dongfeng hung up.
Lin Li’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
These people knew his identity. There was nothing he could do against them.
How did this happen?
Weren’t the dark web’s security measures supposed to be impenetrable? Weren’t his orders supposed to be completely anonymous?
Why had his real identity been exposed both times?
This time, Lin Li had no choice but to swallow his bitterness in silence.
He gripped his phone tightly.
Damn it!
Not only had he lost twenty million, but Lin Xuan was completely unharmed.
At the same time, a deep sense of dread rose in Lin Li’s heart.
Would Lin Xuan expose his true identity?
No—
Lin Xuan might not even know that he was the one the Jiang Family was really looking for.
He couldn’t panic now.
Steadying himself, Lin Li returned to the banquet hall, where Jiang Manting came looking for him.
"Li’er, where did you go just now?" Jiang Manting strode up to him.
"Nowhere special, just taking a walk," Lin Li replied evasively, avoiding her gaze.
"Eldest Cousin, did you need me for something?"
Jiang Manting smiled gently. "I wanted to introduce you to someone."
Since the Jiang Family had decided to build a good relationship with Lin Xuan, they wanted everyone in the family to get along with him.
Jiang Manting valued Lin Xuan not only because of an inexplicable sense of familiarity but also because of his abilities.
Lin Xuan possessed extraordinary medical skills.
Who didn’t fear illness and death?
Having a connection with someone like Lin Xuan could only benefit the Jiang Family.
"Alright," Lin Li nodded.
"Eldest Cousin, who is this person you want me to meet?" he asked as they walked toward Grandpa Jiang.
Jiang Yutong chuckled. "You already know him—it’s Lin Xuan. He was the one who saved Grandpa when he was critically ill last time."
Lin Li’s fists tightened instantly.
It was Lin Xuan after all!
He hadn’t expected the Jiang Family to hold Lin Xuan in such high regard!
At the same time, his unease grew.
If Lin Xuan was this close to the Jiang Family, even if he hadn’t discovered that Lin Li was the real cousin Jiang Manting was looking for, he would eventually find out.
No—
He had to make the Jiang Family despise Lin Xuan as soon as possible.
That way, even if they later learned that Lin Xuan was their true relative, he would no longer be a threat.
Jiang Yutong led Lin Li to where the Jiang Family was gathered.
"Mr. Lin Xuan, let me introduce you—this is the cousin our family is recognizing. This banquet is being held in his honor," Jiang Yutong said.
"Lin Li?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "I know him."
Lin Li’s fists clenched harder.
Why did it feel like Lin Xuan could see right through him, as if all his thoughts were laid bare?
"You know each other?" Jiang Yutong asked in surprise.
Lin Li’s heart pounded.
"How could we not?" Lin Xuan smirked. "His father is the CEO of Starlight Group, Lin Chang. Our company recently had a major conflict with them."
"And, come to think of it, Lin Li and I actually met when we were very young."
"Right, Lin Li?" Lin Xuan arched a brow at him.
Lin Li forced a smile. "Yes, we’ve known each other since childhood."
He glanced nervously at Grandpa Jiang and Jiang Manting.
He was worried that Lin Chang’s underhanded tactics against Lin Xuan’s company would tarnish his image in their eyes.
Feigning remorse, he said, "Lin Xuan, I’m sorry for what our company did to yours. I had no idea—if I’d known, I would’ve tried to stop my father."
"Mm, of course you didn’t know. As the sole heir of Starlight Group, it’s only natural you’d be kept in the dark," Lin Xuan agreed with a nod.
Jiang Yutong watched Lin Xuan with amusement.
His sarcastic, sharp-tongued retorts were just like hers.
She had always felt that she and Lin Xuan were kindred spirits.
Lin Xuan’s words also stirred doubt in Jiang Manting’s heart, and she couldn’t help but glance at Lin Li.
Was her cousin really unaware of all this?
Lin Li’s fists trembled.
Damn it!
Why did Lin Xuan have to bring this up?
Then, with exaggerated magnanimity, Lin Xuan added, "Don’t worry, I hold no grudge against Starlight Group. After all, your company has already gone bankrupt—it’s gotten what it deserved."
But the Lin Family hadn’t.
They would be next.
Lin Qingwan’s company, the Lin Family’s wealth—
The skincare products he and Jiang Yutong had developed together… Lin Qingwan was probably already analyzing their ingredients.
"I won’t keep you from your family reunion. I’ll take a walk outside."
With that, Lin Xuan picked up his glass and left the banquet hall.
Jiang Yutong wanted to follow, but it was clear Lin Xuan wanted to be alone.
She worried that pushing too hard might push him away entirely—ruining her chances of ever being acknowledged as his sister.
So she stayed behind.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
orn and Humiliation】【Forced Love】 In his past life, Lin Ran was betrayed and murdered by his girlfriend and family, while the yandere female aristocrat, who had treated him as a mere plaything, avenged him by doing in his enemies. Upon seeing the yandere female aristocrat lying in the same coffin, ready to die with him, Lin Ran realized how profoundly mistaken he had been. Reborn, he abandoned the fickle campus beauty and wholeheartedly embraced the yandere female aristocrat's arms. "Ran! If I dig out your eyes and turn them into a specimen, you'll only be able to look at me!" Lin Ran: "Darling, kiss me!" "Ran! If I break your legs, you won't run away anymore, right?" Lin Ran: "Love, hold me tight!" "Ran! If..." Lin Ran: "Hush now! Love me more!" Luo Yao: ... Seeing his scumbag dad: "Take him out!" Seeing his stepmother: "Get rid of her!" Seeing his brother: "Eliminate him!" Seeing his white moonlight: "Send that to Southeast Asia!"
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
