Chapter 960: Chapter 959: Drinking Session, Downfallen to This (Part 2)
Sure enough, Lin Yuan’s gaze seemed to become much more interested...
Wang Kefu took it to this point and then decided to stop while ahead. He didn’t talk business; actually, Lin Yuan understood it all. Instead, they drank and chatted, mostly about trivial topics. Lin Yuan loved to have fun, without any real skill, but he was quite good at this aspect.
Lin Yuan remained indifferent all along but was tactful and didn’t neglect the beauty beside him either.
The Wang brothers exchanged a glance, thinking that the matter was secure.
As the meal progressed, with several rounds of drinks, the eldest Wang brother spoke up: "Uncle Lin, recently a small accident happened within our family, and since you’re here from Beicheng, in Jiangcheng, who’s not willing to give Uncle Lin some face?"
Lin Yuan poured himself a small glass of wine, smiled while holding the glass, and said, "Kefu, you’re flattering me too much. How could I have such abilities? I’m just working for Mr. Wang; there are others involved in this matter."
Wang Kefu accompanied these words with a smile: "You’re a popular figure, the star in front of Mr. Wang; Uncle Lin, don’t hide the truth from me."
As he said this, he looked at Shen Wanqing: "Wanqing, have you ever heard of Uncle Lin’s reputation in Beicheng?"
Shen Wanqing, having attended many such banquets, spoke softly, "Of course, Mr. Lin is quite reputable in Beicheng."
Lin Yuan was very modest: "You’re too kind! Speaking of reputation, there are still the four big families, but now it’s mainly the Bo and Jiang families who are in power."
Wang Kefu leaned in a bit: "Uncle Lin, let’s set this matter aside first. Can you give us brothers a hint about how our family’s Anxi is doing in Beicheng now? It sounds like she’s thriving, but some say she couldn’t make it in Beicheng and offended Mr. Wang."
Lin Yuan chuckled: "Who said that?"
He continued: "Anxi has a particularly good relationship with Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang has married a new wife, and she likes Anxi very much, often inviting her over for meals. In terms of importance, probably no one in Beicheng can match Anxi’s weight in the Wang family."
The Wang brothers were secretly surprised.
Just now, Shen Wanqing hadn’t said that.
Wang Kefu glanced at Shen Wanqing, who said uneasily, "These things, I can’t know them in depth."
Wang Kegui agreed: "Exactly. That’s upper-class familial matters behind closed doors. How could Miss Shen know that!"
After all, he was somewhat protective of Shen’s dignity, and it was more crucial to recognize that Lin Yuan paid heed to Anxi, so the shrewd second Wang brother leaned over again, "Uncle Lin, could you facilitate our company’s issues? Every day it’s stalled here costs us a lot, millions a day, even the biggest business can’t afford such delays."
Lin Yuan had naturally expected such words to come up during the meeting, and he smiled before replying: "It’s not just your company; I don’t have the final say on this matter either. You know my trip to Jiangcheng was at Mr. Wang’s suggestion. They’re trying to rectify things here, and since the Wang family’s at the top, where else would they start?"
The Wang brothers exchanged a glance, and regardless of whether Lin Yuan was telling the truth, they needed his help. At a signal, Shen Wanqing immediately understood, sidling up to Lin Yuan and speaking softly, "Mr. Lin, you’re here for business, naturally you have the capability to make decisions. Whether or not there’s an issue, it’s all up to you."
Lin Yuan chuckled: "You’re giving me too much credit."
Lowering his voice, he added, "I can share some true insight."
The two Wang brothers moved in closer, ears perked up.
Lin Yuan sipped his wine: "As I said earlier, Anxi carries significant weight with Mr. Wang. He listens to her. This time, it was merely my suggestion. Actually, the Wang family’s lifeline is in Anxi’s hands."
He looked at the brothers, speaking slowly: "This situation arose so suddenly. Think about it, haven’t you somehow offended Anxi?"
The Wang brothers immediately denied it, but they were shaking.
It wasn’t a wasted meal, at least they got some information.
Originally, this wasn’t Lin Yuan’s doing; it was that little punk Anxi’s.
What to do now? That brat always held grudges; this time, was she trying to ruin the Wang family completely?
But that’s not right, didn’t Ke Ru make arrangements with her?
Thus, the Wang brothers immediately called their sister, and Wang Keru answered the call, confidently saying she discussed it with Anxi and that Anxi agreed. She advised them to go find Anxi.
Wang Kefu hung up, feeling enraged.
He swore under his breath; they were fooled. Ke Ru just placated the old man yesterday. She knew her daughter’s character through and through; now he understood, she isn’t bothering to pretend anymore.
The second brother cast a questioning glance at the eldest.
The eldest Wang brother said nothing, his face wasn’t looking great, but he remained extremely polite in conversation with Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan didn’t take a stand and signaled Shen Wanqing to try harder, but as soon as Shen Wanqing was about to speak, Lin Yuan set down his cup and said plainly: "Alright then, it’s not early. I’ll be heading back first."
"Mr. Lin." Shen Wanqing was alarmed, trying to restrain him.
Lin Yuan turned around, his voice even calmer: "She’s too young, and I’m not that kind of person. I understand your good intentions, Kefu, but that’s all I have to say. If Wang wants to recover, you still need to find Anxi."
Wang Kefu felt like cursing.
After a long while, he finally forced out a sentence: "Uncle Lin, you’re neutral, aren’t you?"
"Naturally, I’m working for Mr. Wang."
"That’s good." Wang Kefu wasn’t in a great mood but couldn’t force things. Matters between men and women can’t be pushed.
Lin Yuan exchanged some courtesies and then left with his secretary. As they departed, Shen Wanqing chased after him, "Mr. Lin, perhaps another time I could treat you to a meal."
Lin Yuan seemed a little surprised, but then he replied mildly: "Miss Shen, you’re making it difficult for me, don’t you know? Considering my relationship with Anxi, it would be best not to interact with you."
Shen Wanqing’s face looked quite unhappy, feeling somewhat humiliated, yet she was used to such humiliation.
She hoped for an opportunity but noticed someone standing on the other side, not anyone else, but Qin Siyuan.
It had been a long time since she last saw him, and suddenly they met in such an embarrassing scenario; Shen Wanqing felt mortified.
Lin Yuan followed her gaze and also noticed Qin Siyuan. Because of Anxi, he knew him and smiled, "Young Master Qin."
Qin Siyuan came over to exchange a few pleasantries with him, but Lin Yuan had other matters to attend to and left first.
As he left, Qin Siyuan intended to leave too, heading towards the elevator, and Shen Wanqing quickly followed, squeezing into the elevator.
Qin Siyuan didn’t speak to her. Their breakup back then had been clear-cut. He didn’t owe her anything; there was nothing to say...
Shen Wanqing felt a bit anxious, biting her lip: "Siyuan."
"No need to call me that," Qin Siyuan said softly, "Miss Shen, we would do well to pretend we don’t know each other."
Seeing her, even overhearing a few words, he frequently socialized now. Having seen such situations often, he understood the role she played tonight—
Rejected by Lin Yuan, yet still trying hard.
How did he ever like her back then?
Even he couldn’t figure it out, wondering if he truly ever liked her.
Shen Wanqing felt somewhat defeated, yet unwilling to give up such a chance. Perhaps... if she appeared weaker, he might reminisce about past times, pity her, and even if he didn’t marry her, at least with his current status he wouldn’t mistreat her...
