Chapter 21: Secret Investigation

The storm was gathering, the mountains shrouded in tension. The days that followed, however, passed in relative calm. To the unknowing, it might have seemed that the past conflict had been settled and left behind, but only those truly in the know understood: the real battle was yet to come, and it would be a grueling one.

Both the Qin family and Ye Aotian had made their preparations.

During this period, the Leng family visited a few times. Their purpose was simple—to persuade both sides to resolve their differences. Yet, Qin Guosheng had no intention of reconciliation. His mind was wholly occupied with thoughts of turning the tables; as long as Ye Aotian remained a threat, Qin Guosheng would not rest easy.

Lin Li understood this perfectly and was not at all surprised. Seizing the opportunity, he began his own secret investigation. Now that he knew why Su Lan was with Qin Guosheng, he would not let these matters slip by.

On this particular day, Lin Li summoned Zhang Fengwei, the most loyal of Qin Guosheng’s subordinates, to a bar.

“Old Lin,” Zhang began, “don’t you think the boss has been a bit too bold lately? He made it very clear before—we’re under serious scrutiny, the investigators could move against us at any time.”

“In such circumstances, shouldn’t we be even more careful? But now, just for that idiot Qin Lang, he’s pushing us all into the fire.”

Over the years, Zhang Fengwei had followed Qin Guosheng through countless battles large and small. This time, it was only because of Zhang’s quick thinking that Qin Guosheng managed a narrow escape. Yet so many had been lost in the process that even the seasoned Zhang couldn’t help but sigh.

“Old Zhang, keep that to just us,” Lin Li replied, clapping him on the shoulder with a smile. “If someone else overhears and tells the boss, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“You know how much the boss dotes on his son—he was born late in life, after all. Now, with the Leng family humiliating him, with a mere security guard daring to lord it over the young master of the Qin family, do you really think the boss will tolerate that?”

Zhang Fengwei nodded; Lin Li’s words made sense. Still, doubts lingered in his heart—there were many ways to resolve these matters. They could have negotiated, forced the Leng family to pay a price, but to go straight for Ye Aotian seemed odd.

But what could subordinates like them do? All that was left was to obey orders.

Their conversation drifted on, idle and half-hearted. Suddenly, Lin Li changed the subject.

“By the way, the boss and his wife have been together for years, but they never had a child. Do you know why?”

Zhang Fengwei forced a laugh. “Old Lin, you must be joking. If you don’t know, how would I possibly know?”

His answer was quick, and he concealed his emotions well, but Lin Li immediately sensed the shift.

“Old Zhang, you’re a clever man. You should know you can’t fool me.”

Lin Li looked up at him. Despite their apparent familiarity, Zhang’s loyalty was always with Qin Guosheng. Lin Li had tested him before, hoping to bring him onto his side, but the results had always been clear. Zhang was a man of fierce loyalty, willing to risk everything for his brothers—he had eliminated more than a few rivals for Qin Guosheng, his hands stained with blood.

Zhang sat there, studying Lin Li. For some reason, Lin Li now seemed utterly unfamiliar—a man whose thoughts once lay open, now inscrutable as a deep, bottomless pool.

“Old Lin, people of our rank shouldn’t meddle in these things. My advice: don’t think too much about it,” Zhang warned, his eyes narrowed, voice grave.

He thought this would curb Lin Li’s curiosity. Instead, Lin Li leaned back, crossed his legs, and smiled. “And if I insist on knowing?”

Zhang Fengwei shot to his feet. “Lin Li, are you out of your mind? We’ve been brothers for years—I don’t want to see you go astray. Drop it, let’s just have a drink and pretend none of this happened, all right?”

He was genuinely startled by Lin Li’s sudden focus on the matter. He knew this was the boss’s greatest taboo. If he truly told Lin Li, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“I didn’t call you here tonight just for a casual chat,” Lin Li said softly. “In fact, you’re holding plenty of evidence against me, aren’t you?”

He looked at Zhang Fengwei with a smile. “You pretend to be a brother to me, but all along you’ve been waiting for a chance to stab me in the back.”

In the original story, it was Zhang Fengwei who framed Lin Li, turning him and Qin Guosheng into bitter enemies, which ultimately led to Lin Li’s death at Ye Aotian’s hands. But this time, Lin Li would not let history repeat itself. He would take the initiative, and nail Zhang to the pillar of shame before disaster struck.

Zhang had always believed his schemes were flawless, but hearing Lin Li’s words, he immediately tried to flee—only to find himself trapped.

“Give up, the place is surrounded by my men. The moment I decided to move against you, your fate was sealed.”

Zhang glared at Lin Li. “You’ve got some nerve, Lin Li. You dare betray the boss?”

Lin Li laughed coldly. “Betrayal? After all my years of loyal service to the Qin family, what have I gotten in return?”

He stood slowly and approached Zhang. “Qin Guosheng calls me brother, but to him, I am nothing more than a loyal dog. But even a dog, denied its bone, will bite.”

A glint of murderous intent flashed across Lin Li’s face. Since learning the truth about Su Lan, he had resolved to take out Qin Guosheng—not with his own strength, but by harnessing Ye Aotian’s power.

[Ding! Significant villainous act detected. Villainy score +10,000!]

Thus, Lin Li formally embarked on his path of betraying Qin Guosheng.