54: Chapter 54 A Trip That Can Be Taken on a Whim

"I know." Lin Yu's palm gently caressed Zhou Li's smooth back, his tone resolute. "That animal Zhao Qiang, how could he dare not sign now!"

"Mm, I know you had people 'take care' of him." Zhou Li nodded, a flash of relief in her eyes, a faint smile curling the corners of her lips. "From now on, I am yours."

Ding! Zhou Li's intimacy +10.

Current intimacy: 83.

When Zhou Li returned to the company, it was already nine o'clock the next morning. There was no helping it; she had been pulled by Lin Yu for another morning workout. The flush on her face had not yet fully faded, and her gait was somewhat unnatural.

Liu Yifei saw her and immediately crowded over, smiling mysteriously. "How was it? Is the boss big? Was it exciting?"

Zhou Li's face flushed, and she spat at her. "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Still pretending?" Liu Yifei raised her eyebrows. "With how you look, who wouldn't be able to tell? Tell me, were you conquered by the boss?"

Zhou Li sighed, pulled Liu Yifei to sit down, and recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

"Yifei!" Zhou Li looked at her earnestly. "I know I've wronged you. But... I've fallen in love with Lin Yu. I don't want to lose him, and I don't want to lose you as a best friend."

Liu Yifei was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Silly, did you think I didn't know anything? Actually... I don't care anymore."

Zhou Li widened her eyes in surprise. "You..."

"Don't misunderstand." Liu Yifei waved her hand. "I'm not giving up. I just think that a man like Lin Yu is destined not to have only one woman. Instead of being eliminated by other women, it's better for the two of us sisters to accompany him together. This way, at least we can stay together, and I'll have more of an advantage."

Zhou Li was stunned, then she also smiled. "You're right. We are best friends, and we are sisters for life."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

...

Sunlight filtered through the revolving doors of the Hilton Hotel, spilling onto Lin Yu's slightly lazy face. He yawned.

In the parking space at the hotel entrance, that imposing Rolls-Royce Cullinan stood like a gatekeeper. In the driver's seat, Fatty was tilting his head, mouth slightly open, sleeping so soundly that drool was about to drip onto the steering wheel. He was still clutching half an unfinished scallion pancake in his hand.

Lin Yu walked over and tapped on the car window with his fingers twice.

"Thump, thump."

Fatty jolted violently, his head hitting the window with a "bang," and he woke up instantly. He groggily wiped the corner of his mouth. After seeing it was Lin Yu, he immediately rolled down the window with a resentful expression. "Holy crap, Old Lin! You call this early morning? I slept in the car until my waist went stiff!"

"Cut the crap, drive." Lin Yu opened the door and sat in the back. "Back to the company."

"Got it! Sit tight, Boss, your humble servant will work like an ox or horse for you!" Although Fatty complained, he gently pressed the accelerator, and the car slowly started moving.

...

Half an hour later, Junlin Capital building.

In the president's office, the air conditioning was sufficient. President Wang Ya was wearing a well-tailored white professional suit, her long legs wrapped in black silk were straight and slender. She held a thick file and was standing in front of Lin Yu's desk.

"Boss, this is the result of the tender for the construction contractor of the Food City project yesterday afternoon." President Wang Ya adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, her tone capable. "According to your wishes, under equal quotes, we prioritized the Liu family's 'Hongyuan Construction'."

Lin Yu leaned back in the leather chair, his fingers tapping gently on the tabletop. "What did Liu Mingxuan say on his end?"

"Young Manager Liu was very excited and indicated that he would definitely go all out."

Lin Yu nodded, a flash of sharpness in his eyes. "Notify Liu Mingxuan and tell him not to hold anything back. His own company should take on as much as it can; I'll leave him enough profit, but what I want is speed—one year! It must be completed and put into use! For the parts he can't handle, let him find reliable outsourcing, but you must personally oversee the quality."

President Wang Ya recorded quickly and nodded. "Understood. Although a one-year construction period is tight, with financial support, it won't be a problem."

After handling the official business, Lin Yu leaned forward, his tone becoming a bit softer. "Right, there's one more thing. Director Chu Yao will be coming over later. Arrange an office floor for her in the Charity Department; it needs to be quiet with a good view. Her director's office should be decorated to the highest standards. I don't need to say more about details like greenery and air purifiers, right?"

President Wang Ya was stunned for a moment, then revealed a professional smile. "Understood, Boss. The Charity Department does need to be independent, and Director Chu Yao is very suitable for that position."

"Mm, have someone take her to the Civil Affairs Department later to handle the paperwork and hang up the charity foundation's sign."

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door was lightly knocked.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Chu Yao was wearing a simple white shirt. She was carrying an exquisite handbag. She nodded at President Wang Ya, and her gaze finally fell on Lin Yu.

"You're here." Lin Yu stood up and walked around the desk.

In President Wang Ya's surprised gaze, Lin Yu actually opened his arms naturally in front of her and gave Chu Yao a big hug. Although Chu Yao was a bit uncomfortable and her body stiffened for a moment, she didn't push him away, only her cheeks turned slightly red as she whispered, "So many people."

"What are you afraid of? This is my company." Lin Yu let go and patted her back. "President Wang Ya, take Director Chu Yao to see the office, then arrange for someone familiar with the business to go with her to the Civil Affairs Bureau. The Young Masters Group has also arranged people there."

"Okay, Director Chu Yao, please follow me." Although President Wang Ya was in turmoil inside, her professional training allowed her to quickly return to calm, and she led Chu Yao away.

"Thank you! President Wang Ya."

Watching their departing backs, Lin Yu fell into deep thought, and he didn't know how much time had passed.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knocking interrupted Lin Yu's train of thought.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Tang Man walked in wearing a well-tailored OL uniform. She was carrying a freshly brewed cup of Blue Mountain coffee, and her gentle temperament was imbued with a feminine charm.

"Boss, this is the coffee you wanted." Tang Man placed the coffee on the table, her eyes full of tenderness.

Lin Yu picked up the coffee and took a sip. "Right, did you buy the air conditioner for the old house?"

"Bought it. Auntie is very happy and said that even if more people come to eat, she won't neglect her daughter-in-law." Tang Man covered her mouth and chuckled. "She said she doesn't want her son to kneel on a washboard."

Lin Yu laughed dumbly. "Notify Director Wu and have him come to my office. Also, no one is to be seen for the next hour."

Tang Man keenly sensed the change in her boss's tone, immediately restrained her smile, and nodded respectfully. "Yes, Boss."

Ten-odd minutes later.

Director Wu strode into the office. He was wearing a black T-shirt, and the muscle lines on his arms were distinct. Since taking over the security company and establishing a relationship with Lin Yu's sister, Lin Wan, he had become much more spirited. Tang Man greeted him, walked out, and closed the door behind her.

...

Yujing Bay Villa, second-floor study.

The heavy curtains blocked the moonlight outside the window tightly, leaving only an oppressive silence in the room.

Zhang Tieshan sat on the leather sofa, clutching the phone he had just hung up, his knuckles turning white from the force. The phone screen still displayed the name "Old Han"—that was a very important link in his network in the city.

Just a moment ago, Old Han gave him news that made him feel like he had fallen into an ice cellar. "Old Zhang, I really can't help this time. Someone above is specifically watching the case of Shao Tian, and the list is locked. Never mind bail pending trial; it's hard even to send a meal."

"Someone above is watching..."

Zhang Tieshan gritted his teeth and repeated these words, slamming the phone hard onto the coffee table in front of him.

"Crack!"

The phone screen shattered instantly, just like his mood at this moment.

In Ze City, he, Zhang Tieshan, had been able to summon wind and rain for decades; who in the underworld or the legitimate world didn't give him some face? But today, someone was actually able to suppress his network and directly pin his precious son in a prison cell!

"Lin Yu..."

This name was like a thorn, deeply stuck in his heart.

If it weren't for this poor kid who suddenly appeared, how would Shao Tian have ended up in the station?

"It seems that going the straight path won't work."

Zhang Tieshan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. He closed his eyes, and countless solutions flashed through his mind.

Before long, Zhang Tieshan opened his eyes abruptly, a trace of sinister poison flashing in his eyes.

"Old Wang!"

He shouted toward the door.

The housekeeper opened the door and entered from outside the study. His hands were folded in front of him, and there was no expression on his face.

"Sir."

Zhang Tieshan stood up, walked to Old Wang, leaned into his ear, and whispered instructions.

...

After sending off Director Wu, Lin Yu leaned back in the boss's chair and rubbed his brow.

Su Manqin's recent state was very wrong. This noblewoman, usually dignified and luxurious, was like a different person. She both craved the passion Lin Yu gave her and felt guilty toward Mu Wan; this ethical struggle made her lose sleep every night.

"Must take her out to relax." Lin Yu thought. "Only by changing the environment and cutting off those messy thoughts can this tightly stretched string be loosened."

He picked up his phone and dialed Fatty's number.

"Fatty, stop what you're doing, take Huihui, drive that Alphard, we're going to Ruiyuan Residential Compound to pick people up, and then go to Yuntai Mountain!"

"Ah? Old Lin, now? In the middle of the afternoon?" Fatty was stunned on the other end, then immediately became excited. "Got it! I've been wanting to go play for a long time! Huihui just happens to want to go hiking too!"

Half an hour later, downstairs at Ruiyuan Residential Compound.

A black Toyota Alphard slowly pulled up. Lin Yu got out of the car first to wait.

Soon, Su Manqin walked out holding Mu Wan's hand, each carrying a backpack.

Su Manqin was wearing a light purple silk long dress and sunglasses, covering the fatigue under her eyes, but the lingering sorrow between her brows was still clearly visible. Mu Wan was in a white dress with her long hair draped over her shoulders, as pure as a little white flower. Since being "corrected" by Lin Yu, she was no longer as inseparable from her mother as before, but she still had a natural worship and dependence on Lin Yu.

"Brother Lin Yu!" Mu Wan's eyes lit up instantly when she saw Lin Yu, and she let go of her mother's hand to run over.

"Slow down." Lin Yu smiled and opened his arms, catching the young girl who threw herself into his embrace.

Su Manqin followed behind, watching the intimate appearance of her daughter and Lin Yu, her eyes dodging slightly. She felt like a thief, having stolen the boyfriend who should have belonged to her daughter.

"Hello, Sister Manqin! Hello, Little Mu Wan!" Fatty poked his head out from the driver's seat with a silly smile, and Chen Huihui next to him greeted them gently.

"Let's go." Lin Yu waved his hand and took the mother and daughter into the car.

The space inside the car was spacious. Lin Yu specifically sat in the second row, with Su Manqin on the left, and Mu Wan in the back row.

The car drove onto the highway, and the scenery outside the window receded rapidly.

"Brother Lin Yu, where are we staying? Is it the kind of room where you can see the stars?" Mu Wan asked excitedly.

"Of course, I booked the best homestay for you; open the window and you'll see the sea of clouds." Lin Yu touched her head dotingly.

"Wow! That's great!" Mu Wan turned to look at Su Manqin. "Mom, did you hear that? There's a sea of clouds!"

Su Manqin smiled reluctantly. "I heard it, thank you, Lin Yu."

This "Lin Yu" sounded a bit distant.

Lin Yu heard it and, without changing his expression, reached out his hand, and under the cover of the large center armrest, gently held Su Manqin's hand resting on her knee.

Su Manqin's body trembled, and she instinctively wanted to pull back, but was held tighter by Lin Yu.

Lin Yu whispered in her ear, his voice audible only to the two of them. "Manqin, look at me. The person sitting next to you now is your man, and your most beloved daughter. We are a family, understand?"

Su Manqin looked at Lin Yu's firm gaze, then looked at the carefree Mu Wan behind her, and her eyes turned slightly red. Finally, she held Lin Yu's hand back, her fingertips pressing hard, as if grabbing the last straw.

...

In the evening, the convoy arrived at the Yuntai Mountain scenic area.

The sunset dyed the rock walls of Red Rock Gorge a golden red, which was incomparably spectacular. Lin Yu didn't rush to the scenic spots but took everyone directly to check into the "Cloud Yard" that had been booked long ago.

This was a boutique homestay located halfway up the mountain. Lin Yu directly booked the two suites on the top floor, with a shared super-large terrace in the middle.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" As soon as Su Manqin saw the scenery before her, her eyes lit up instantly, and the previous gloom was swept away.

"If you like it, stay a few more days." Lin Yu smiled and handed her a bottle of water. "Tonight we'll have a barbecue here and watch the stars."

Fatty had already set things up; he set up a grill on the terrace, and Chen Huihui helped wash the vegetables on the side. The mountain breeze blew, dispersing the summer heat.

During dinner, after a few bottles of iced beer, the atmosphere gradually became lively.

"Old Lin, let me tell you, the water at this Yuntai Mountain is truly good!" Fatty said, eating skewers, his face flushed red. "Huihui and I plan to come here to take wedding photos next year! Right, Huihui?"

"Go away, who wants to marry you." Chen Huihui glared at him reproachfully, but her face was beaming with happiness.

Watching the couple flirting, Su Manqin's hand holding the wine glass paused slightly. She turned to look at Mu Wan beside her. Mu Wan was resting her chin on her hand, looking at Huihui with envy, muttering, "So happy..."

At that moment, Su Manqin's heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle. Her daughter should have had such pure love, but now...

"Mu Wan, eat a piece of meat." Su Manqin picked up a piece of roasted lamb and put it in her daughter's bowl, trying to hide her unease.

"Thanks, Mom! Brother Lin Yu, you eat too!" Mu Wan obediently picked up a piece of the best pork belly and gave it to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu accepted it and looked at Su Manqin with a smile; that look seemed to say: See, the daughter is so sensible, don't think too much.

The night was deep, and the tranquility in the mountains made it easier for people to face their inner selves.