Chapter 59: Does This Count as a Date?

Su Lan learned from Lin Li that he was going to meet with Leng Ningxue. To be honest, she was rather surprised; originally, the two sides might have been as incompatible as fire and water. Yet now, because of Lin Li, it seemed everything was becoming harmonious.

"Do you think they genuinely want to cooperate with you, or is it just that the current circumstances are forcing their hand, so they have no choice but to negotiate for now? And if you truly help them through this crisis, what do you think will happen then?" Su Lan asked curiously.

Lin Li laughed and hugged her from behind. "Lan, are you jealous?"

Su Lan's cheeks flushed. "Nonsense! How could I have such childish thoughts? I know full well you were never destined to have only me as your woman. After all, I'm still the nominal matriarch of the Qin family. Qin Lang's mother—if I really announced publicly that I'm with you, I'm afraid..."

Lin Li snorted. "With the power I currently hold in River City, if anyone dares gossip behind our backs, I wouldn't hesitate to show them the consequences."

Su Lan hurriedly stopped him. "You mustn't. The Qin family has already been through enough turmoil to finally achieve what we have now; if this continues, we’ll be doomed beyond redemption. This matter means nothing to me, you needn’t worry about it. What’s most urgent now is to finalize our negotiations and cooperation with the eldest daughter of the Leng family. This concerns many things for both our families in the future."

It had to be said, this was what made Su Lan admirable. Even Lin Li couldn't understand why Qin Guosheng had kept such an ace hidden away, never playing her card, as though he’d lost his mind.

Su Lan truly cared for Lin Li. One could even say she loved him deeply. Over the years, Lin Li had looked after her every need with meticulous care. Compared to Qin Guosheng, Lin Li seemed more like her man. Now that they had become husband and wife in all but name, naturally their relationship was entirely different.

Su Lan now viewed many matters from the perspective of both the family and Lin Li.

"Lan, I won’t let you be wronged."

Su Lan smiled, stroking the man's cheek behind her. "Silly, how could I feel wronged? Given my background and age, having a man like you who loves me is already more than enough. How could I ask for more? I only hope that when you have more women in the future, you won’t forget about me."

Lin Li chuckled, feigning nonchalance. "How could that happen? You know I’m a pure-hearted man—I could never fancy anyone else."

Su Lan smiled knowingly. Men’s words are never to be trusted, and Lin Li was no exception, but she didn’t care about these things. At her age, she’d already come to terms with much. Besides, as someone past her prime, what right did she have to hope to hold onto this man’s heart?

…

"Young master, we’ve just received word. The eldest Miss Leng has been in private contact with Lin Li. It looks like they’re preparing to meet, and I have a hunch they’re planning to discuss cooperation."

Ye Aotian, who was recuperating, suddenly opened his eyes. "Lin Li, Lin Li… I’ve let you go several times, and yet you still dare to meddle in my affairs. It seems it’s time to teach you a real lesson."

…

Meanwhile, Lin Li soon arrived at the place he had arranged to meet Leng Ningxue. She was already prepared when he arrived.

The two spoke frankly once they met.

"My father has already had me meet with Ye Aotian," Leng Ningxue said. "You were right—Ye Aotian's identity is indeed special. On the surface, he wants to cooperate with our family, but in truth, he's after me."

She looked at Lin Li, knowing the precarious situation she was in. If anyone could save her now, it was probably the man standing before her. Yet she still didn’t know if Lin Li truly intended to help her. If, in the past, Lin Li needed her to control the Qin family, then now that those matters were settled, perhaps he no longer needed her at all.

"That's only natural," Lin Li replied. "Ye Aotian’s true aim is the entire River City, not just the Leng family. We’re barely a part of his plans."

Leng Ningxue's expression grew gloomy. The four great families of River City had worked so hard over the years to reach their current position, yet by Lin Li's account, it was as if their families were worthless in the eyes of others.

"Mr. Lin, you really don’t regard the four great families of River City as anything significant, do you? But I suppose that makes sense—even the mighty Qin family was dismantled by you without a hitch. I hear that now, not a single member of the Qin family dares oppose you."

At this, Leng Ningxue couldn’t help but admire him. For anyone else to achieve what Lin Li had would have required an enormous price. Yet Lin Li had handled it all with apparent ease.

"It only looks easy," Lin Li replied with a smile. "No one knows how much I’ve endured over the years."

He was not joking—such was the reality.

Leng Ningxue continued, "The Xingchen Group’s current project has reached a critical stage. We’re in urgent need of a large capital injection. If the Qin family can continue to help us, we can guarantee to face all future challenges together."

She looked at Lin Li with utmost seriousness. Such matters might not be easily resolved by others, but she believed everything was within her grasp.

"There’s no issue with investment, of course," Lin Li replied, "but you know as well as I do—the new energy project at Xingchen Group is not highly regarded by many evaluators. I have to consider my own company as well. What long-term benefits can we expect?"

Lin Li would not offer unconditional support just because he had a good relationship with Leng Ningxue. In fact, he knew that if he did, it would only make her suspicious. Being formal and businesslike was exactly the approach Leng Ningxue wanted.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Leng Ningxue felt relieved. The hardest debts to repay are those of personal favor; fortunately, her dealings with Lin Li had always been strictly transactional.

"Rest assured," she said with great confidence, "give me half a year, and I can double your returns. If I fail, I am prepared to pay any price."

With that, she produced the contract she had carefully prepared in advance, brimming with sincerity.