Chapter 86: A Melodramatic Turn of Events

It was night.
Even though it was already past one o’clock, the Lin Shuqi family hurried to the Lin family’s grand residence.
The old patriarch had just gone to bed when he was roused, bewildered and groggy. Seeing it was Lin Shuqi’s family, with their restless expressions as though they were about to stir up trouble, his face darkened instantly.
His tone was impatient: “What are you doing here at this hour? If you’re here because of Xiaoyu, spare yourselves. What I’ve said is set in stone—like water thrown out, it will never return.”
“What? You’re causing trouble over Xiaoyu again?” At that moment, Lin Jiahao rushed in, still in his pajamas. Having just entered and overheard the old man’s words, he was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage.
His eyes glinted coldly: “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re after. I’m telling you, this decision was made between the old man and me, and there’s absolutely no room to turn back!”
“Are you aware that President Huang of Happy More Catering Group has already started warning us? If Xiaoyu hadn’t secured the loan today, our Lin family might have gone bankrupt!”
“At a time like this, you’re still fighting amongst yourselves?”
Lin Jiarong looked a bit embarrassed, but since he was already there, he braced himself and stood his ground.
Second Aunt stepped forward, thinking carefully before she spoke: “Dad, Brother, don’t be anxious.”
“I’m really not jealous. The Lin family’s well-being is everyone’s well-being. Surely I understand such a simple truth?”
Hearing Second Aunt finally speak sensibly, Lin Jiahao, seated beside the old man, whispered a few words to him before saying, “If you understand, then stop causing trouble. None of us have slept well these past days—go home, now.”
“You know the old man’s health isn’t good. Enough, disperse.”
Second Aunt nodded: “We are exhausted.”
“But for the Lin family’s future, there are things I must say!”
Bang—
Lin Jiahao suddenly slapped the table, just as he sat down, he stood up again.
He growled: “Didn’t I say you shouldn’t speak? Do you realize Xiaoyu is already dissatisfied with us? If she finds out that as soon as she leaves, we’re scheming about her, what do you think she’ll feel?”
Second Aunt sneered: “She won’t care—she’s probably delighted right now!”
Her words ignited Lin Jiahao’s anger again, but she quickly pressed on: “Brother, perhaps you’re oversimplifying this matter?”
Lin Jiahao retorted: “How is it simple? What makes you think you see clearer than the rest of us?”
“As long as the loan agreement is solid and the hundred million is in the account, don’t play games with me.”

“After all, it’s only one hundred million,” Second Aunt sighed. “If all three hundred million had arrived, I wouldn’t say a word. But the issue is, there are still two hundred million outstanding.”
Lin Jiahao frowned: “What are you implying? The contract is signed—Xia Yu Rong wouldn’t dare default.”
Second Aunt chuckled coldly: “Why wouldn’t she? If she defaults, what can we do?”
“Go to court? Brother, you know as well as I do, lawsuits involving hundreds of millions can drag on for years!”
“We’ve signed a contract with Happy More Catering Group. Can we afford to wait that long?”
Lin Jiahao grumbled: “You’re saying the obvious. Of course I know. But your worries only matter if Xia Yu Rong actually defaults!”
“Is that likely? The Lin family isn’t even on her radar. We have no grudges with her—she has no reason to do such a thing!”
“Who says Lin family isn’t on Xia Yu Rong’s radar?” Second Aunt smiled. “There’s still Hong Yu, isn’t there?”
Lin Jiahao frowned: “What do you mean, bringing up Hong Yu?”
Second Aunt’s tone grew serious: “Xiaoyu brought back the loan agreement, but everyone knows it was Hong Yu who traded his body for it.”
“As a woman, I understand women’s minds better than you or Dad. Xia Yu Rong is also a woman. Standing at the pinnacle of Fengzhou, how could she willingly share a man with Xiaoyu?”
The old patriarch cursed: “Nonsense! Have you watched too many melodramas?”
“You really believe such a plot?”
Second Aunt bit her lip: “Dad, melodrama plots mostly come from reality. I’ve seen things more fantastical than dramas—Hong Yu’s situation isn’t unusual.”
“Though I still don’t know why Xia Yu Rong would fancy Hong Yu, Dad, Brother, if she didn’t, why would she help? Give me another reason!”
“Uh…” Lin Jiahao and the old man fell silent.
Listening quietly on the side, Lin Jiaqi gave Second Aunt a thumbs-up as soon as she saw their silence.
Then she stepped forward: “Grandpa, Uncle, my mother’s words make sense.”
“Hong Yu comes from a rural family; in the Lin family, he’s just a live-in son-in-law, with no special abilities, let alone wealth.”
“Someone like Xia Yu Rong might just crave novelty, wanting a man from the lower ranks as a husband.”
“Didn’t you notice how much my sister likes Hong Yu? Maybe he has some hidden talent.”
The old man and Lin Jiahao grew more convinced as they listened, but finally said, “Their affairs are their own. I’d rather not meddle.”
“The contract is signed, the loan is in the account—let them do as they please.”

“Dad! That won’t do!” Second Aunt exclaimed. “Only one hundred million has arrived. Buying land and building the factory will use it up—there might not even be enough for equipment and renovations. If Morgan Bank doesn’t release the remaining funds and sues us, we’re finished!”
Lin Jiarong chimed in anxiously: “Qian Fei is right!”
“The more I think about it, the more serious it seems!”
“Before, if we had to pay seven hundred million, it would just mean liquidating assets and declaring bankruptcy!”
“But if we lose this hundred million loan, it’s not so simple—we could end up in jail!”
“Is it really that dire?” The old patriarch was shocked, and Lin Jiahao looked grim.
Lin Jiahao asked, “So what now? The contract is signed, though we haven’t sent it to Xia Yu Rong yet.”
“If the loan doesn’t come through, we can’t handle Happy More Group’s demands either.”
Second Aunt suddenly smiled: “Isn’t it simple?”
“As long as we please Xia Yu Rong, the rest of the loan will come!”
Lin Jiahao gave a bitter laugh: “Easier said than done. Tell me, how do we please someone as influential as Xia Yu Rong?”
Second Aunt glanced at Lin Shuqi: “Simple! Just have Hong Yu abandon Xiaoyu and formally be with Xia Yu Rong.”
“Old man, I have a suggestion.”
“Tomorrow, let Xiaoqi deliver the loan contract.”
“Xiaoqi is clever with words—she’ll surely win Xia Yu Rong’s favor.”
The old patriarch groaned, “But what about Xiaoyu? She secured this contract. If we do this, I’m afraid she…”
Lin Shuqi interrupted: “Grandpa, indecision only leads to chaos!”
“We almost lost everything because of Lin Shuyu—there’s no time for sentimentality.”
“Rest assured, if I deliver the contract, I guarantee I’ll befriend Xia Yu Rong!”
The old patriarch and Lin Jiahao discussed for nearly twenty minutes, and ultimately nodded in agreement.