Chapter 95: New Year's Plan

In Lin Chuanming’s office, after listening to Minister Xie’s description, he too fell into contemplation, and his resistance was no longer as evident as it had been moments before.

Minister Xie observed Lin Chuanming, noting that he had genuinely entered into thought after hearing the introduction, and nodded with satisfaction from the side. Quite some time passed before Lin Chuanming regained his composure, though his face did not reveal any excitement.

“Chuanming, what’s wrong? Do you think what I just said is impossible?” Minister Xie, seeing Lin Chuanming unmoved, asked with curiosity.

“Ah, Minister, I’m not doubting what you said. I believe that if Lin Feng is willing to help us train talent, the scenarios you just described could indeed become reality.” Sensing Minister Xie’s misunderstanding, Lin Chuanming hurriedly explained.

“If you think it’s possible, then why do you look like this?” Minister Xie pressed on, refusing to accept Lin Chuanming’s answer.

“Minister, the difficulty lies in the fact that all depends on Lin Feng. That kid—among our family, perhaps only Liu Runli and Xia Ruoxi can barely get him to comply, but the rest have no way with him at all. Yet Liu Runli and Xia Ruoxi dote on him excessively and always obey him. We’re really out of options!” Lin Chuanming responded frankly.

“Ah! You, as his uncle, have no authority at all. Can’t you go home and try to persuade him?” Minister Xie looked at Lin Chuanming with disdain.

“Er, Minister, it’s not embarrassing to admit—even the old man at home can’t handle Lin Feng. Do you think I could? Even if I raise the matter right in front of him, he’d likely just let it pass in one ear and out the other.” Unfazed by Minister Xie’s disdainful gaze, Lin Chuanming shamelessly replied, convinced that anything involving Lin Feng was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Sigh, that won’t do! We must tie such talent to the military. Tell me, should we offer Lin Feng a position, or is there something else we can trade with him? We must get him to help us train talent in the army!” Minister Xie remained undeterred, seeking Lin Chuanming’s opinion.

“Er, well, I’m not Lin Feng so I don’t know what conditions might interest him, but from what I know, I think the chances are slim.” Lin Chuanming considered the matter and responded honestly.

“Hmph, regardless, the negotiations are up to you. Consider this an assignment from the military. If you succeed, we’ll record your merit!” Minister Xie, clearly determined, foisted the task onto Lin Chuanming.

“Ah! Minister, what kind of assignment is this? Can I delay it?” Lin Chuanming, hearing that the task was now officially issued in the military’s name, looked helplessly at Minister Xie, hoping to postpone.

“No postponement! You’re the closest to Lin Feng. If he refuses the first time, go back a second time. Keep at it until he agrees!” Minister Xie rejected any refusal, firmly instructing him.

Having said this, he immediately departed, giving Lin Chuanming no chance to evade. Lin Chuanming watched Minister Xie’s retreating figure from his office, shaking his head and smiling wryly in resignation. Having been saddled with such a task for no reason, he felt utterly at a loss. All he could do was wait until evening to discuss it with the old man at home, hoping to find an ally to face Lin Feng together.

By midday, Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi finally came down from the second-floor room to the kitchen. After last night’s exhausting escapades, and with breakfast skipped, they were ravenous.

At the dining table, Liu Runli noticed that Xia Ruoxi was subtly different from usual. Her skin was more radiant and lustrous, and her face still carried the traces of passion from the night before. Moreover, Xia Ruoxi walked awkwardly as she made her way to the dining room. As someone experienced, Liu Runli instantly guessed the reason behind Xia Ruoxi’s change.

Her gaze toward Xia Ruoxi became even more kindly and affectionate. Liu Runli piled food into Xia Ruoxi’s bowl, urging her as she went, “Ruoxi, eat more—last night must have been exhausting. You need to replenish your strength.”

Lin Feng was sipping his soup when his mother made this bold remark to Ruoxi. The soup sprayed from his mouth, drenching the table in front of him. Xia Ruoxi blushed crimson in embarrassment.

Old Master Lin and Lin Chuanji understood the implication in Liu Runli’s words and grinned at Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi from the table. Liu Runli, meanwhile, was unrestrained, looking at Lin Feng as he wiped the table and chiding, “What’s wrong with you, boy? Can’t you just eat properly?”

Lin Feng rolled his eyes at his mother, refraining from retorting. He quietly finished wiping the table and ladled himself another bowl of soup. Though he said nothing outwardly, inwardly he thought, “If not for your lack of decorum, I wouldn’t have sprayed my soup everywhere.”

After the meal, Old Master Lin gathered Lin Feng and the others in the hall. Once everyone was seated, he explained in detail the matter of Premier Zhu’s visit to Lin Feng.

“Lin Feng, what do you think about this?” Old Master Lin disclosed the top-level handling of the Tiger Head Gang incident, seeking Lin Feng’s opinion.

“What’s there to consider? Just follow Premier Zhu’s instructions. You should stay home for a while, Feng—don’t go out stirring up trouble!” Before Lin Feng could answer, Liu Runli, deeply concerned, spoke up.

“She’s right. Let’s do as Premier Zhu suggested—I have no objections,” Lin Feng agreed. He had no intention of escalating the matter further; his goal had already been achieved, and there was no need to rush against the Wang family.

Hearing Lin Feng’s assent and knowing he wouldn’t stir up more trouble, Old Master Lin and Lin Chuanji finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“By the way, Old Master, any news from the Wang family?” Lin Feng paused, then asked.

“They wouldn’t dare object. Your actions last night terrified all the families in Yanjing. The new families allied with the Wangs immediately announced their withdrawal from the incident and distanced themselves from the Wang family. Up to now, the Wangs haven’t dared make a sound.” Old Master Lin replied cheerfully. Lin Feng’s intervention had invigorated the old families; after years of struggle between old and new, this was their first clear victory thanks to Lin Feng’s efforts.

“Heh, that’s good. For now, we’ve dealt with their Tiger Head Gang. Next time there’s an opportunity, I won’t let them off so easily!” Lin Feng said, smiling with satisfaction.

Old Master Lin, hearing this, also smiled in approval.

Once their laughter faded, Lin Feng addressed Old Master Lin again. “Old Master, it’s already the sixth day of the New Year. Can you give me the list for the overseas agency rights? I want to start planning this year’s work.”

Hearing Lin Feng mention the agency rights, Old Master Lin apologized, saying, “Alright, I’ll try to confirm it as soon as possible and get you the list.”

With Old Master Lin’s assurance, Lin Feng turned his gaze to Xia Ruoxi, speaking to her tenderly, “Ruoxi, you’ll be busy too. These days, scout locations around Yanjing—I plan to open a branch office here this year. Find a suitable spot and finalize it early. I’m entrusting this to you.”

“Alright, Lin Feng, I understand!” Xia Ruoxi responded, already prepared since Lin Feng had previously mentioned this to her.

“Ah! You’re planning to open a branch in Yanjing this year?” Old Master Lin was surprised by Lin Feng’s decision, and Lin Chuanji looked on with curiosity.

“Yes, since most cooperating families for the overseas agency rights are based in Yanjing, it makes sense to establish a branch here to specifically handle those matters,” Lin Feng answered Old Master Lin, also clarifying Lin Chuanji’s doubt.

Old Master Lin thought it over and agreed it would be convenient, nodding approvingly. Lin Chuanji also nodded with satisfaction.

At this point, Old Master Lin suddenly addressed Lin Chuanji, “Chuanji, since you’ve returned, I plan to hand over management of the family’s business to you. What do you think?”

Lin Chuanji hadn’t expected this and stared at Old Master Lin in surprise, “Ah! Dad, how can that be? If I handle it, what about Lin Yu? Besides, I just got back—it’s too soon to take over, isn’t it?”

Old Master Lin understood Lin Chuanji’s concerns and explained, “You needn’t worry. You’re Lin Feng’s father, and with the wealth that boy has, it’s only logical for you to manage the family business. The eldest and second son won’t object. As for Lin Yu, I’ve already planned for him. Previously, since no one in the family was involved in business, I had Lin Yu take over; now, with you and Lin Feng on the commercial side, that’s enough. I intend for Lin Yu to switch from business to politics. Our third generation must have someone developing within the system. Honestly, Lin Feng is my first choice, but I know he’d never agree to enter the bureaucracy, so I thought of Lin Yu instead.” He glanced helplessly at Lin Feng.

Seeing Old Master Lin’s resigned expression, Lin Feng chuckled, as if to say, “You guessed right!”

Lin Chuanji took Old Master Lin’s words to heart, but he pondered for a long while before speaking, “Dad, if I take over, what about my company in Zhanhai City?”

Before Old Master Lin could answer, Lin Feng interjected, suggesting, “Dad, just merge your company into the family business—it counts as your contribution over the years. Your company does real estate, which doesn’t interest me.”

Indeed, Lin Chuanji’s hesitation stemmed from uncertainty about how to allocate his company. Hearing Lin Feng’s offer to forgo any claim, Lin Chuanji considered that Lin Feng’s focus was on high technology, which had nothing to do with real estate. He finally agreed to Lin Feng’s suggestion, formally taking over management of the family’s commercial enterprises and merging his Zhanhai City company into the Lin family business.

Apologies for the delay—everyone will be updated tomorrow as scheduled!