Chapter 18: Li Yide – Chan Juan’s Mist Lingers…

Chan Juan’s mist drifted in wispy strands, carrying an unnatural quality as it flowed downward like inverted morning fog—  

It felt like stepping into a celestial realm, yet simultaneously like entering the Mist Cage.  

Eerie, and ever-present.  

The fragrance of freesias continued to unfold slowly, as if gradually seeking the brilliance befitting fresh flowers. Though it still smelled expensive, its underlying notes prickled the senses like a primeval forest.  

“Oh, actually, this perfume was something your mother liked.” Lin Yicheng remained slightly tipsy, his words slightly slurred.  

“…Over time, I grew to like it too,” Lin Yicheng murmured, his eyes hollow, pupils gradually losing focus as his gaze grew distant.  

Lin Yu opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.  

“Son, I know you suspect your cousin, but the thing is—” Lin Yicheng hesitated, turning the words over in his mind before finally speaking.  

“We’re all family. Your uncle holds a considerable share—why would he scheme against us?”  

“…” Lin Yu was silent for a moment before replying, “The other party has substantial financial backing.”  

“Alright.”  

Lin Yicheng sighed, propping himself up from the couch with his arms. He pressed his elbows into the sofa, his brows relaxing as if unburdened, and fixed his gaze on Lin Yu:  

“Son, you’re smart. I believe in you.”  

“People say you’ve been emotionally detached since birth—” Lin Yicheng’s eyes slowly sharpened, as though they had never wavered.  

“But I think… you’ve always been an ambitious person.”  

The hall no longer blared with the deafening music from Lin Yu’s first visit. Now, in this quiet monotony, loneliness stretched and deepened with time.  

Lin Yu remained standing there, motionless.  

His white shirt stood out starkly against the dark mahogany decor, amplifying his solitude.  

After standing silently for a long while, he finally spoke. “Perhaps Cousin isn’t entirely at fault…”  

The woman in his arms trembled slightly, an almost imperceptible movement—fleeting yet distinct amidst the clamor of her professional attire.  

Lin Yicheng shook his head helplessly.  

“Dad—” Lin Yu lifted his head, his gaze steadying as focus returned to his pupils.  

He slowly bent his knees and sat on a nearby loveseat. The small, exquisite sofa sank under his weight, its plush black leather surface reflecting the light.  

“You already know who the final buyer of my project is, don’t you?” Lin Yu continued.  

“Of course, your little lover,” Lin Yicheng replied dismissively, not even glancing around.  

Lin Yu: “……”  

He was genuinely stunned by Earthlings’ bluntness.  

“The final buyer is a company in the same field, under the Li Group’s umbrella. Even if it appears to be a competitor, traces of the Li family can still be found beneath layers of Shell Capital injections.”

“Smart, just like your old man back in the day.” Lin Yicheng raised his eyebrows in delight. “But are you really not with Li Yide? Honestly, seeing you live a life of prosperity in your next incarnation would put my mind at ease…”

“Dad.” Lin Yu, who never had the habit of interrupting others, couldn’t hold back this time. “There’s absolutely nothing like that.”

“Judging by the operational timeline of competing companies, it strongly resembles the period when Li Yide gradually took control of the conglomerate and injected massive funds.” Lin Yu stated, feeling somewhat conflicted.

Lin Yu frowned briefly but soon relaxed, crossing his legs and leaning back comfortably into the sofa.

Lin Yicheng began teasing, “Yeah, how come the Li family trusts Li Er so much? Right after his parents died… haha, they handed him the reins.”

He raised his eyebrows, his gaze settling on his son. “Why can’t my own son take charge… especially that Zhang family member, tsk tsk tsk, quite something indeed.”

“Zhang Modu?”

“Right, those two are probably the most outstanding juniors in recent years.” Lin Yicheng cheerfully poured himself a glass of red wine, oblivious to the crimson drop that splashed onto the table.

“Now in our City A, even nationwide, aside from the top internet companies not being based here…” Lin Yicheng slipped into the typical middle-aged man’s rambling.

“The rest—the Zhang family’s Lixing Group isn’t just an old real estate giant anymore. Their chain hotels, global retail franchises, especially their gray industries… they’ve grown even faster these past years…”

“That kid Zhang Modu has some skills. Lixing holding onto the top spot in our city isn’t without reason.”

Lin Yicheng poured Lin Yu a glass too, signaling a woman to bring it over.

The wine’s surface shimmered with ripples as the glass moved, the dancing reflections appearing both alluring and mesmerizing.

“Li Yide goes without saying—his family’s tied to the internet sector, and his parents were beyond formidable.”

“Always ahead of the times, with their manufacturing foundation giving Luosheng Group such—an unshakable base. They’ll never collapse.”

“If Li Yide’s parents hadn’t died early, would Lixing even have taken City A’s top spot?”

Lin Yu accepted the glass but merely stared at the ripples on its surface, silent as a statue, exuding an air of melancholy.

Broken yet gentle.

“Son—”

Lin Yicheng raised his voice abruptly at the distracted Lin Yu, who looked up in confusion.

Lin Yicheng’s gaze turned stern. “Tell me—even if Li Yide deliberately set this trap for us, even if it’s to suppress you, to bankrupt you…”

“How do we beat him?”

“All these years, no matter how persistently he’s asked to meet, haven’t you always refused repeatedly before reluctantly agreeing?” Lin Yicheng sighed, as if reminiscing, his tense brow gradually relaxing as he sprawled into the sofa’s backrest.

“Child, I know you’re unwilling, but how many choices does life really offer?”

How can you possibly defeat Li Yide?

……

The temperature today approached 30 degrees Celsius.

The asphalt road was scorched black, blistering hot under the relentless sun, its surface searing to the touch as it stretched openly before people’s eyes. The sunlight was blindingly bright, with only the distant skyscrapers daring to stand tall against the sweltering heat.  

The café was adorned with such refined decor that it bordered on intimidating. Logos of various high-end luxury brands were displayed on its ornaments, serving as mere trivial embellishments.  

The bespoke tables and furnishings, their prices indiscernible, exuded an understated yet profound elegance, as if forming an isolated little treasury detached from its surroundings. The hand-polished tables, paired with expensive wood, adorned the small shop that remained tightly shuttered in the heart of the city.  

Despite the bustling foot traffic outside, no one ever stepped into this members-only café without a prior reservation.  

Lin Yu pushed open the door, his gaze lowered as he stepped inside. After a quick facial recognition check with the staff, he entered the establishment.  

The crisp chime of a windbell rang out the moment he opened the door, its melodious tinkling, stirred by no wind, reminiscent of a lark’s song, as if transporting one into an aviary.  

The shop was discreet, its staff exuding utmost deference, their immaculate attire and hair seemingly groomed to perfection countless times.  

Just as Lin Yicheng had said—no matter how many times Lin Yu had rejected Li Yide’s invitations, there was always a new reason to coax him into a private rendezvous.  

But—  

This time, Lin Yu had agreed of his own accord.  

His eyes downcast, Lin Yu took a seat opposite Li Yide and lifted the lid of the coffee placed on the table.  

Lin Yu’s fingers were slender, his knuckles faintly pronounced like polished jade, yet still delicate, with the faint trace of blue veins visible beneath his skin.  

He stirred the coffee slowly, the dark brown liquid swirling chaotically under the porcelain spoon, a stark contrast to his composed expression.  

Li Yide sat across from him, barely containing his eagerness. “How about I take you out later?”  

Lin Yu paused.  

He lifted his gaze, his eyes locking onto Li Yide’s, his voice low and firm. “No.”  

How arrogant.