84: Chapter 84 Important Phone Call

"Fatty, modern supercars are really becoming less and less pure." Lin Yu turned the phone screen toward Fatty, pointing at the specs. "It's all electric motors. These aren't supercars; they're just mobile power banks carrying batteries."

Fatty leaned over to take a peek and scratched his head. "Old Lin, isn't this the trend now? They say it's for environmental protection..."

Lin Yu held down the voice message button and replied directly, his voice cold and detached. "Zhou Ming, I've seen the list. I want pure internal combustion engines. Naturally aspirated is best, but turbocharged is fine too. That's the only way they have a soul."

Hearing this, Zhou Ming on the other end of the line was so excited he slapped the table, making his mouse jump. He gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his mouth stretched wide to his ears, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Understood! Understood! Young Master Lin, you're looking for that real feel!" Zhou Ming paced excitedly around his office, spit flying everywhere. "Just a moment! I actually have a few 'store treasures' in hand, all pure-gas, large-displacement beasts!"

Two minutes later, a new list was sent over. This time, Lin Yu's brows relaxed as he looked at it.

Bugatti Chiron Sport: Power: 8.0T W16 Quad-Turbocharged (1500 HP). Drive-away Price: 48 million (including luxury car tax and custom options).

Pagani Huayra R: Power: 6.0L V12 Naturally Aspirated (850 HP, 9000 RPM redline). Drive-away Price: 45 million (Track-only masterpiece, including tariffs).

Koenigsegg Jesko: Power: 5.0T V8 Twin-Turbocharged (1600 HP). Drive-away Price: 35 million (Swedish Ghost, the pinnacle of pure-gas).

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ: Power: 6.5L V12 Naturally Aspirated (770 HP). Drive-away Price: 22 million (The swan song of the Big Bull, the last of the large-displacement naturally aspirated engines).

Ferrari 812 Competizione: Power: 6.5L V12 Naturally Aspirated (830 HP). Drive-away Price: 21 million (The final chapter of Ferrari's V12 naturally aspirated engines).

"Zhou Ming." Lin Yu leaned back, his tone lazy. "I won't be going to the shop to inspect these five cars; it's a waste of time. Get the paperwork done, pay the purchase tax, register the license plates, and deliver them directly to the gate of Unit 1, Area A, Yu Garden. I want to see them in a ready-to-drive state. Understand?"

"Understood! Absolutely understood! Don't worry, Young Master Lin! I'll get the plates registered tomorrow and deliver them to Yu Garden! The paperwork will be complete, and the tanks will be full!"

After hanging up, Lin Yu set his phone aside and said calmly, "Done."

In the rearview mirror, Fatty looked shocked. "Old Lin... you bought five of them? A total drive-away price of 171 million? And you're not even going to inspect them?"

"Yeah." Lin Yu closed his eyes to rest, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "Only pure-gas engines have a soul—W16, V12, V8. From now on, every one of these sold is one less in existence. While they're still available, I might as well stock up on a few. As for the inspection... if Zhou Ming can't even handle such a small matter, he won't need to do business with me anymore."

Fatty swallowed hard. Although he didn't understand this talk about "souls," it sounded pretty badass.

"Old Lin, when the cars are delivered tomorrow, should I wear a suit?"

"No need." A smile tugged at the corner of Lin Yu's mouth. "Just wear whatever you're comfortable in. We're here to pick up cars, not walk a runway. As long as the cars are here, we're the bosses even in slippers. You can drive whichever one you want."

"Old Lin, you're so awesome, I want to have your babies!" Fatty was so excited at the thought of driving top-tier supercars that if he weren't driving, he would surely have pounced on him.

Lin Yu watched with a faint smile.

At 6:30 PM, the twilight glow filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of Yunxi Mansion, bathing the living room in a warm amber hue.

When Lin Yu pushed the door open, the lights inside were off, and only a crisp, refreshing scent of tea floated in the air.

He changed into his slippers, his gaze passing through the foyer and landing on the tea table on the balcony.

Jiang Shuying was wearing a beige cotton-linen loungewear set, her long hair casually pinned up with a wooden hairpin. She was kneeling before the tea table, focused on the tea ceremony.

The setting sun bathed her in light. With her eyelids lowered slightly, her slender fingers held the tea tongs, her movements fluid and natural.

The swirling steam rose up, blurring her features but making her appear even more tranquil.

Lin Yu didn't make a sound; he just leaned against the wall, watching quietly.

Is this what she's like in private? Unassuming and gentle, yet possessing her own strength of character.

"Mr. Lin, you're back."

Jiang Shuying didn't turn around, but after a slight pause in her tea-pouring motion, she spoke softly.

"Yeah, just finished some business." Lin Yu strode over, walking slowly until he sat down on the cushion opposite her. "Smells great. What kind of tea is it?"

"Chenpi Pu'er." Jiang Shuying pushed an exquisite white porcelain cup toward Lin Yu. The tea soup was a rich, translucent red. "It's freshly brewed. Would you like to try it, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Yu picked up the cup and took a sip. The tea was smooth and mellow, with a hint of date aroma that slid down his throat, leaving his stomach feeling warm.

"Good tea, even better skills." Lin Yu set the cup down, his gaze falling on her clean, unadorned face. "You've been home all day, and you look much better."

Jiang Shuying's fingers tightened slightly around the cup before she began to gently stroke the rim.

"Yeah, I had a nap, and I feel much better." She said softly, her tone carrying a hint of imperceptible gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Lin... for bringing me back today."

Lin Yu chuckled and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It was on the way, don't give it another thought."

On the way. The word warmed Jiang Shuying's heart slightly.

He had appeared at just the right moment when she was helpless and humiliated, and then brought her home. There were no melodramatic hero-saves-the-damsel scenes, no earth-shattering vows. But this "on the way" gentleness made her feel an unprecedented sense of security.

"Mr. Lin," Jiang Shuying looked up, her eyes complex. "Today at the company... I made a fool of myself in front of you."

"There's no 'making a fool of yourself' about it." Lin Yu waved his hand, his tone relaxed. "That's the workplace for you; who hasn't been wronged? The fact that you can hold onto your principles shows you have real capability."

Jiang Shuying lowered her eyes, her long lashes masking the emotions beneath. "But... some people have no bottom line when they do things. I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Lin Yu interrupted her, his voice low and magnetic. "Afraid of his retaliation? Or afraid of dragging me into it?"

Jiang Shuying looked up abruptly, a flash of astonishment in her eyes.

"Shuying," Lin Yu looked into her eyes and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Those kinds of people are nothing but clowns. Stay here with peace of mind. As long as I'm here, this is your safe zone."

He said it so nonchalantly, yet Jiang Shuying was momentarily stunned.

"Mr. Lin..." She opened her mouth, her voice a bit dry. "Why are you helping me?"

"Probably because..." Lin Yu picked up his tea cup, swirling it gently as he looked at the rich, red tea. "I don't like seeing beautiful things destroyed. Just like this cup of tea—if someone were to sprinkle a handful of sand into it, I would find it a pity."

Jiang Shuying's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Lin Yu, a warm current surging in her heart, yet it was mixed with deep concern.

Lin Yu set the cup down with a soft click. "You don't need to overthink it. Fatty ordered some food for me. Would you like to eat with me when it arrives?"

Jiang Shuying paused, then nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Okay."

"Alright, I'm going to take a shower first. Keep an ear out for the doorbell."

Twenty minutes later, Lin Yu returned to the living room in loungewear.

"Mr. Lin, the food Fatty ordered has arrived." Jiang Shuying stood up.

"Great, let's eat while it's hot. It's supposed to be Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion, Stir-fried Pork Kidney, and a serving of Milk Soup with Cattail Shoots."

Jiang Shuying was taken aback. Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion, the premier dish of Lu cuisine, emphasizes rich sauces and deep, savory flavors; Stir-fried Pork Kidney tests the chef's control over heat, requiring rapid stir-frying to ensure it's crispy and tender. Both dishes were authentic, classic flavors of Quan City and were the most labor-intensive, substantial dishes.

"Alright, don't stand on ceremony with me." Lin Yu waved his hand and walked toward the dining room. "Fatty said the chef at that restaurant retired from an old, established brand; his skills are top-notch. Besides, you've been hungry all day at home; you need to eat something good to recover."

He walked to the dining room and lifted the lids of the food containers. Instantly, a rich aroma of scallions and savory sauce wafted out. The sea cucumbers were plump and shiny, coated in thick sauce, their color a tempting, ruddy red; the kidneys were evenly sliced like blooming chrysanthemums, piled on the plate and exuding the distinct aroma of a well-seasoned wok.

Jiang Shuying walked to the dining table. Looking at the dishes, she felt a long-lost sense of hunger stir in her stomach.

"Sit." Lin Yu pulled out a chair, signaling her to sit. "Try it and see if it's to your taste."

Jiang Shuying sat down as directed, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece of sea cucumber. The sea cucumber was soft, chewy, and tender; the aroma of scallion oil exploded on her tongue, and the savory flavor instantly filled her entire mouth.

"Is it good?" Lin Yu watched her, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Yeah, it's delicious." Jiang Shuying nodded vigorously, her eyes brightening. "It's better than any I've had before."

Lin Yu smiled. He picked up the serving chopsticks and placed a piece of kidney in her bowl. "That's good. Eat more; you need to be full to have the strength to fight those people."

Jiang Shuying looked at the extra piece of kidney in her bowl, her heart touched. She knew who Lin Yu meant by "those people." He hadn't asked for details, nor had he said much, but in this way, he was silently telling her: Don't be afraid; I'm here.

"Haha, that guy Fatty, whenever he's free, he's just scrolling through Douyin, looking for good food and fun places. You never have to worry about going hungry." Lin Yu said, finding a topic to chat about.

"Your relationship is hard to figure out. Boss and employee, but also like brothers." Jiang Shuying thought for a moment and said, "It's a very comfortable dynamic!"

Lin Yu's lips curled slightly, and just as he was about to speak, his phone on the table suddenly vibrated.

Lin Yu glanced at the screen, his brows lifting imperceptibly. He picked up the phone, said "I'll take this call" to Jiang Shuying, and got up to walk to the floor-to-ceiling window nearby.

Outside the window was the brilliant night view of Quan City, with neon lights flickering and traffic flowing like a river. His silhouette was elongated by the lights and projected onto the glass, appearing tall and profound.

The call was from Secretary Zhou of the Ze City Municipal Committee.

"Mr. Lin, am I disturbing you?" Secretary Zhou's voice rang out from the other end of the line, carrying his characteristic composure and politeness.

"Secretary Zhou, no need for formalities." Lin Yu's voice was very calm, devoid of any discernible emotion.

"It's like this: I have some good news I wanted to share with you immediately." Secretary Zhou paused, then continued, "Our Secretary Wang thinks very highly of your 'Junlin Food City' project in Ze City. Especially regarding the 3,000-mu public livelihood supporting project you voluntarily undertook—Secretary Wang believes this embodies an entrepreneur's social responsibility and is a project that truly cares for the people."

Lin Yu listened, his gaze cast into the distance, his expression unchanged. He had long anticipated these words.

"Secretary Wang has personally recommended it to Secretary Li Changhe of the Provincial Committee." Secretary Zhou's tone carried a hint of imperceptible excitement. "Secretary Li attaches great importance to it and has instructed that this project be listed as a key focus project for the province. This is not just a matter for Ze City; it is a benchmark for public livelihood projects throughout the entire province."

Lin Yu tapped his fingertips lightly against the windowsill. Secretary Li Changhe. He naturally understood the weight of that name. As the helmsman of the province, what his attention meant went without saying.

"Therefore," Secretary Zhou cut to the chase, "The General Office of the Provincial Committee has just issued a notice. For tomorrow's provincial Confucian Entrepreneur Conference, you have been specially invited to attend as a representative of young entrepreneurs. The conference is of a very high level, and Secretary Li will also be in attendance personally."

Confucian Entrepreneur Conference. Lin Yu silently repeated these words in his heart. This was not just a business conference; it was a political signal. Being invited to attend in itself represented a form of recognition. And Secretary Li's personal attendance made the significance of this conference even more unusual.

"Secretary Zhou, do you mean..." Lin Yu's voice remained steady, but his eyes grew sharp.

"Secretary Li might have a brief talk with you during a break in the conference." Secretary Zhou lowered his voice, as if revealing a massive secret. "Mr. Lin, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Secretary Wang's intention is that you must treat it with the utmost importance and prepare well."

A talk. These two words stirred up a thousand waves in Lin Yu's heart. He knew this was not just an ordinary conversation; it was a key dialogue that would determine the height of his future development within the province. Wang Zhenshan's recommendation, the political achievements of the 3,000-mu public livelihood project, plus his own strength—he had finally entered the field of vision of this top leader of the Provincial Committee.

"I understand." Lin Yu responded calmly. "Many thanks to Secretary Wang for his cultivation, and thank you, Secretary Zhou, for the notification."

"Mr. Lin, you are too kind. It is my honor to serve you." Secretary Zhou said with a smile on the other end of the line. "I will send you the conference schedule and materials shortly. Please rest early and recharge your batteries."

After hanging up, Lin Yu stood where he was, not moving for a long time. The night breeze ruffled the stray hair on his forehead, and his eyes, illuminated by the neon lights, flickered with a complex glow. One step, two steps. He was one step closer to his goal.