Chapter 54: Your Mother and I Are Together Now
"This is a lie! All of this evidence is fabricated by you; we could never have done such things," Zhou Huaji retorted angrily.
At that moment, someone nearby whispered, "Zhou Huaji and Qiu Bisheng have served the Qin family loyally for so many years, after all, they..."
It seemed Lin Li had already anticipated such protests. He promptly presented a series of video and audio recordings as further evidence.
"After the incident with the eldest Qin, I summoned you back and immediately placed you under surveillance. I knew without a doubt that you would try to seize control of the Qin family and make a move against the eldest sister-in-law.
"That is why I stationed my own men around you early on—just to see what you intended to do. And, as it turns out, my suspicions were entirely correct."
As Lin Li recounted these events, Zhou Huaji’s face turned ashen, drained of all hope. In the next moment, he dropped to his knees before Lin Li.
"Brother Lin, I had no choice. At a time like this, wouldn’t you fight for your own future as well?"
Qiu Bisheng nodded vigorously. "Brother Lin, we once fought side by side. If you spare us, we promise to relinquish all the power we hold."
The two men knew full well the gravity of their crimes; with a single misstep, Lin Li could erase them from the world. That was why they were so frantic.
But Lin Li was not like others. When he decided to strike, it meant he was fully prepared, and no scheme or trick could save his target from his grasp.
So, knowing their schemes had been exposed, the two men knelt in desperation, hoping for Lin Li's forgiveness.
Yet, Lin Li’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He had already made all preparations before the affair even began.
"When you made your decision, you should have realized this day would come. Whether you’re willing or not, nothing can change that now."
Watching the two men beg before him, Lin Li remained perfectly calm. To him, this was a trivial matter. Mercy for traitors would only endanger their future.
When dealing with such people, one had to be ruthless. Only then could all matters be settled smoothly.
"Someone, take these two away. As for their fate, that will be decided later."
Soon, Zhou Huaji and Qiu Bisheng were forcibly dragged out. Even at the last moment, they cursed and shouted. But their fate was already sealed; no matter how hard they struggled, there was no hope left for them.
Having dealt with them, Lin Li narrowed his eyes at Qin Lang, who had moments before strutted about so arrogantly.
"Do you now understand why they were so eager to put you in charge?" he asked. "Because you're weak and incompetent. Your only skill is causing trouble in the outside world. To them, you’re the perfect puppet—easy to control."
Hearing Lin Li insult him so openly, Qin Lang shot to his feet in anger.
"Lin Li, who do you think you are? Not long ago, you were just a dog serving under my father! What gives you the right to lecture me?"
Lin Li’s response was a merciless slap.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today’s meeting is over," Lin Li announced coldly. "I trust you’ve all seen what Zhou Huaji and Qiu Bisheng have done. I hope each of you understands your place.
"If you wish to remain in the Qin family, you’d best abandon any thought of betrayal. Then we can all coexist in peace. But if you dare act against the family's interests, don’t blame me for being ruthless. I will handle matters my own way—a way that is nothing like the old Qin master’s."
Everyone regarded Lin Li with awe and unease, but no one dared protest. One by one, they withdrew.
Qin Lang, clutching his stinging cheek, watched them file past, each with head bowed. He had been struck, yet not one dared speak a word for him.
It was clear Lin Li had long since taken control of the Qin family, leaving Qin Lang with no hope of regaining power.
"Are you thinking they should have spoken up for you? Or perhaps resisted me on your behalf? After all, in their eyes, you should be the true master of the Qin family."
Lin Li sat across from Qin Lang, legs crossed, his gaze cold.
Qin Lang, covering his face, glared back with murderous intent.
"Who do you think you are, to dare strike me here? You’d best kill me now. Otherwise, the day I reclaim what is rightfully mine, I will never let you go!"
Lin Li looked at Qin Lang’s self-righteousness and sneered disdainfully.
"So, Young Master Qin really does take himself seriously. You wish to make me your enemy, but did you ever consider whether I’d even accept such a challenge?"
With a cold laugh, Lin Li stood and continued, "And your mother—do you think she would agree?"
For a moment, an awful realization dawned on Qin Lang. Eyes wide, he stared at Su Lan in disbelief.
"Qin Lang, from now on, you don’t need to call him Uncle Lin. Call him Father instead... After your father passed, I have been with Lin Li," Su Lan said, her face tinged with a hint of excitement.
Yes, this was exactly the outcome she had hoped for.
Qin Lang looked at Lin Li, whose face bore a faint, mocking smile.
"Do you understand now?" Lin Li asked. "Or, if you don’t, let me put it plainly.
"If you accept my terms, you’ll remain the eldest young master of the Qin family. You can still hold your head high in public.
"Of course, you can choose to refuse. In that case, I’ll strip you of everything, cast you out of the family, or perhaps confine you. My methods are many.
"The choice before you is simple: you can walk away from all this and live freely, or you can seek vengeance for your dead father and lose everything yourself.
"Naturally, you might also choose to bide your time, just as Goujian did, waiting for your chance to take revenge. Perhaps one day, you really will manage to kill me."
At this, Lin Li’s face was wreathed in a look of smug satisfaction. He made no attempt to hide anything, laying out the causes and consequences with perfect clarity.
Even if Qin Lang were a fool, he must realize that he now stood on a knife’s edge, with no room to maneuver before Lin Li.
His breath quickened, his mind a tempest—uncertain how he could possibly handle what lay ahead.