232: You want me to leave?

Even after rushing to the Lin family, nothing was accomplished, causing the first step of the New Star Project to get stuck, nearly grinding the entire operation to a halt.

Now, he has appeared here again.

Moreover, judging by the situation, that minor commotion just now was caused by him.

Feng Rui's brain raced.

Lin Yu appearing here was an accident.

Perhaps he wanted to re-sign? Regardless... he was trouble, quite a bit of trouble. But now was not the time to deal with it.

Today, there were more important matters at hand. That person hadn't arrived yet. He still had time to resolve this little interlude.

Feng Rui took a deep breath. He straightened his suit and put on a formulaic smile. He stepped forward, walking toward where Lin Yu stood.

"Student Lin Yu," Feng Rui began. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable air of superiority.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

Lin Yu had his hands in his pockets, his expression lazy. He didn't speak, just watched Feng Rui calmly.

Wang Qingxuan stood close to Lin Yu, her body stiff. She could feel the atmosphere around them shift abruptly.

Feng Rui's gaze swept over Lin Yu, then landed on Wang Qingxuan. He paused slightly, then quickly looked away.

"It seems Student Lin Yu is finally interested in our signing contract... otherwise, why would I see you here?"

"However, we have distinguished guests here today. It is not convenient for you to visit."

"Also, we might need time to re-evaluate the terms between us."

His words were polite, but the intent to dismiss was self-evident.

Sun Zhi stood on the side. He felt a bit awkward, yet curious. He didn't dare to interject, merely observing Lin Yu quietly.

Feng Rui ignored Sun Zhi and turned to the members of the New Star Project.

"Elites of the New Star Project,"

He raised his voice slightly, infusing it with encouragement and a sense of superiority.

"Do you see this?"

He pointed to the production line behind him, then gestured toward all the employees present.

"These are the cornerstones of human civilization. This is the wealth you will control in the future."

Zhang Hao and Li Qian exchanged glances, a flicker of complexity crossing their faces.

Feng Rui took in their reactions, feeling very satisfied.

"Power is the only hard currency in this world."

"You have sacrificed much to obtain this power."

"Time. Freedom. Even privacy."

"But these sacrifices are worth it."

The corners of Lin Yu's mouth twitched imperceptibly. He just watched, remaining silent.

Feng Rui continued, his voice filled with seduction.

"Some people might not understand your choices."

He spoke with implication, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yu once more.

"They might think this is restraint, a loss."

"They might choose so-called freedom, choose to walk alone."

"That is nothing but self-deception."

Li Qian's body trembled slightly, and she lowered her head. Zhang Hao pursed his lips tightly.

"True freedom comes from absolute power," Feng Rui asserted.

"When you possess enough power, everything you have lost will be returned a thousandfold."

"You will stand at the pinnacle of humanity, high-spirited, controlling everything."

"And those who choose mediocrity, who choose to escape,"

"They will only end up spending their lives in regret."

Every word Feng Rui spoke was like a knife, stabbing directly at Lin Yu's "choices."

He wanted to use this method to completely devalue Lin Yu in front of everyone.

"The time you lose now will turn into a much longer lifespan in the future."

"The freedom you give up now will become a vast world in the future."

Feng Rui's voice grew increasingly high-pitched, carrying a fanatical confidence.

"When that time comes,"

"When you become true powerhouses, possessing endless resources and long lives,"

"You will thank your current selves."

"Thank yourselves for making the right choice."

He paused, his gaze landing on Lin Yu once again.

"And some people,"

"They will recall today."

"Recall the talent they once possessed, the opportunities that were once laid before them."

"They will think,"

"If only they hadn't been so stubborn, so arrogant back then."

"If only they could have set aside their so-called dignity."

"Chosen to walk with us, chosen to integrate into this system."

"How good that would have been."

There was a hint of regret and a hint of mockery in Feng Rui's voice.

"It's just a pity."

"In life, there are no 'ifs'."

"Their fate has long been sealed."

"Mediocre. Boring. Ultimately, eliminated by the era."

Wang Qingxuan clenched her fists subconsciously. She could feel the malice in Feng Rui's words.

She wanted to retort, but didn't know what to say.

A confident smile hung on Feng Rui's face.

He felt he had convinced everyone.

At least, he had successfully struck a blow at Lin Yu.

He had used reality to prove how foolish Lin Yu's choice was.

"So,"

Feng Rui concluded, spreading his hands.

"Student Lin Yu,"

"If you are really just here to visit,"

"Then, you can leave now."

"This is not a place you should be."

"Nor is it a place you can understand."

He lifted his chin slightly, waiting for Lin Yu's reaction.

Feng Rui believed he had given Lin Yu enough "decency."

He had "educated" Lin Yu with the posture of a "big shot."

He felt that Lin Yu should know better and leave.

After all, in the face of absolute power, any struggle was futile.

He had already arranged everything.

Lin Yu was just a small interlude on his path to return.

Feng Rui's smile carried the posture of a victor.

He had already won.

At least, in his opinion.

Lin Yu smiled.

His always lazy, seemingly half-asleep demeanor finally underwent a slight change.

He tilted his head slightly and looked at Feng Rui.

"So, you mean you want me to leave?"

Feng Rui laughed, almost in disbelief.

He thought this kid really had something wrong with his brain.

He had already said all that, yet he was still asking such nonsense.

"Heh, what else?"

Feng Rui's reply was full of contempt.

He looked as if he were watching a street thug acting shamelessly.

The smile on Lin Yu's face deepened.

It was a kind of pure joy.

"Good, you said it yourself."

This sentence, delivered with a strange tone, left Feng Rui completely stunned.

He felt it was inexplicable.

His brain spun rapidly, trying to understand the other party's logic.

Regret?

Yes, it must be regret.

Refusing to sign at the awakening ceremony was just youthful impulse.

Now that he had calmed down, seeing his classmates enter the New Star Project and rise to the top in one step, he must be jealous and regretful.

That's why he snuck over here today.

The purpose was self-evident: he wanted to find an opportunity to reconnect with Fengxing Technology.

Unfortunately, today was not the time.

Moreover, having refused so arrogantly back then, and still putting on such a cocky attitude now, who would give him a pleasant look?

Having figured this out, the slight doubt in Feng Rui's heart vanished instantly, replaced by a deeper level of contempt and disgust.

He clearly didn't know what was good for him.

Feng Rui's expression turned completely cold.

He couldn't even be bothered to maintain his feigned politeness anymore.

"I have made myself very clear."

He enunciated every word, each one carrying a cold pressure.

"I'm in a good mood today, and I don't want to do anything uncouth."

"Before I say something even uglier..."

He paused, seemingly enjoying the feeling of being in control, and then squeezed out a single word from between his teeth.

"Get lost!"