Digging a Hole

"Lin Xuan, what countermeasures do you think we should take?"

Lin Qingwan had been repeatedly stealing their company's skincare products with alarming success.

This time, the skincare products were developed by Lin Xuan himself, and she didn’t want his efforts to go to waste.

Moreover, if their collaboration on skincare products failed, she would have even fewer reasons to get close to him in the future.

Let alone convincing him to acknowledge her as his cousin.

Since founding Jiangtong Cosmetics Company, Jiang Yutong had never once asked her family for help.

But if there was truly no other way this time, she would turn to her grandfather and eldest sister for assistance.

She wouldn’t let Lin Xuan suffer any losses.

"Let them promote it," Lin Xuan said with a faint smirk.

This way, Jiang Yutong’s company could save a fortune on marketing expenses.

"Then what do we need to do?" Jiang Yutong asked, puzzled.

Lin Xuan picked up his tea and smiled. "We don’t need to do anything."

"Huh?"

Jiang Yutong was stunned.

Was he just giving up?

But that didn’t seem like him at all.

Judging by how he had stood his ground against Starlight Group, he wasn’t the type to surrender easily.

Besides, she suspected that Lin Xuan had provided the skincare products to them as a way to counter Lin Qingwan’s company.

He wanted to ruin Lin Qingwan’s business.

Given that, he wouldn’t just back down—unless he had some other plan in mind…

"We just need to sit back, reap the benefits, and watch the show unfold at Lin Qingwan’s company," Lin Xuan said.

"Xiao—" Jiang Yutong had almost called him "Xiao Xuan," but she caught herself, remembering his earlier words, and swallowed the nickname.

"Lin Xuan," she asked curiously, "Do you have something planned?"

"Yes." Lin Xuan nodded. "In every skincare product I provided you, there’s a decoy ingredient called Qilin Grass."

Jiang Yutong straightened in her seat, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

She had a feeling he was up to something big.

"On its own, Qilin Grass is toxic. But when combined with the other ingredients in the skincare formula, it enhances the whitening and beautifying effects," Lin Xuan explained.

Jiang Yutong asked, "Is there another type of grass that looks similar to Qilin Grass?"

"Yes, it’s called Watermelon Grass," Lin Xuan confirmed. "Watermelon Grass appears harmless at first glance and even has nourishing properties when added to skincare products."

Jiang Yutong’s eyes sparkled.

She sensed there was more to it.

Sure enough, Lin Xuan continued, "But once Watermelon Grass mixes with our skincare formula, prolonged use—around two weeks—will cause severe skin damage. Of course, at first, the effects will seem miraculous. But the more you use it, the worse it gets."

He could easily make sure Lin Qingwan never detected the true nature of the ingredients.

This time, he wanted them to know exactly what was in the formula—so they’d fall right into the trap he’d set.

After this, he wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to destroy Lin Qingwan’s company.

The massive compensation claims alone would drive her to ruin.

When it came to something as personal as skincare, consumers wouldn’t let her off easily.

Lin Qingwan’s company was doomed.

Now Jiang Yutong fully understood.

If Lin Qingwan believed Qilin Grass was toxic, she would assume the skincare formula contained Watermelon Grass instead.

So, Lin Qingwan would market it as the key ingredient.

Her company might enjoy a short-lived frenzy from stealing their products, but their triumph wouldn’t last.

Lin Xuan smirked. "Marketing costs a fortune. Let Lin Qingwan’s company handle the promotion for us. Once we expose their products as toxic, our own skincare line will gain even more recognition."

As Jiang Yutong listened, she recalled how Lin Xuan had dealt with Starlight Group.

Back then, Starlight Group had loudly accused his company of plagiarizing their game.

His company had remained silent, making everyone assume they were guilty and afraid to confront the accusations.

But after the scandal had simmered for days, his company had systematically unveiled irrefutable evidence, leaving Starlight Group speechless.

Now it made sense—Lin Xuan had let them slander his company because the bigger the uproar, the more free publicity he gained.

Honestly, he was downright devious.

Jiang Yutong didn’t find his methods the least bit questionable. On the contrary, she admired his brilliance.

Truly her blood-related cousin—shrewd, strategic, and brilliantly clever.

She couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

"Got it. I’ll follow your lead and won’t make a single move," Jiang Yutong said firmly.

Lin Xuan then pulled out a sheet of paper.

It was covered in formulas.

Next, he produced a small medicine bottle.

"This is..." Jiang Yutong frowned.

Lin Xuan replied, "These are the medications to heal facial damage caused by Lin Qingwan's company's skincare products on their users."

Jiang Yutong's eyes lit up.

She hadn’t expected Lin Xuan to have even prepared this.

"The formula and production method are written on this paper. Arrange for someone to manufacture it discreetly," Lin Xuan instructed.

"Got it."

Jiang Yutong carefully took the paper and the medicine bottle as if they were treasures.

Lin Xuan really was a gem.

She couldn’t help but think how fortunate it was that he had chosen her company—otherwise, with the products he had, Jiangtong Cosmetics Company might have been squeezed out of the market entirely.

At that thought, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Out of all the cosmetics companies in Yundu, Lin Xuan had specifically picked hers. Didn’t that mean they were fated to work together?

"Lin Xuan," Jiang Yutong tightened her grip on the bottle and couldn’t resist saying, "Thank goodness for you. Without you, my company would’ve gone under sooner or later."

Lin Xuan shook his head. "No need to thank me. This is mutually beneficial—you want to grow your business, and I want to make money... and take down the Lin family."

He was determined to ruin every last one of the Lin family’s ventures.

Their savings too—he’d wipe them all out.

Only then would the Lin family truly understand what it meant to live in destitution.

"Lin Xuan," Jiang Yutong ventured hesitantly, "If the Lin family ever realizes their mistakes and begs for your forgiveness... would you forgive them?"

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