Even though his caution towards Yang Gang had risen to another level, Yang Lin still responded to Yang Gang's words.
He sighed slightly and said, "Indeed, I have been looking for opportunities to transform recently. But I'm encountering obstacles all around. I once wanted to invest in a 'Natural Gas Clean Energy Project', primarily for use in ships, replacing the previous fuel oil with natural gas. This type of project is relatively novel, not just in Hangcheng, but in the entire country. Hangcheng is a port city where shipping is highly developed, so the project has great potential. I even had a tentative agreement with the main project team for complete acquisition, but at the time of formal contract signing, they reneged. They transferred the project to a company named New Solar Energy. Later, I secretly investigated and found New Solar Energy to be a subsidiary of the Qin family."
"Is the Qin family also among the Top Ten families of Jiangnan?" Yang Gang asked.
"Yes." Yang Lin nodded, "On the surface, the Top Ten families of Hangcheng appear harmonious, but the struggle amongst us is quite intense. Our Yang family made its fortune from coal over twenty years ago. To the other nine families, we are typical nouveaux riches, and they are somewhat disdainful of us. However, because the price of coal remained high a few years ago, our family assets are substantial. Even though the other nine families don't like us, they all competed to win our favour to balance each other. But in recent years, given the persistently depressed price of coal, our family wealth has significantly shrunk, not only leaving us at the bottom of the Top Ten families, but also being overtaken by many emerging families. I'm afraid by the next family ranking, our Yang family will be kicked out of the 'Top Ten families in Hangcheng'."
Yang Lin paused, sighed, and then continued, "Tong Jun's initiative to annul the marriage today was within my expectations. Our Yang family is now at risk, and falling out of the top ten families in Hangcheng is secondary. If coal prices continue to fall and the government intensifies the investigation of nightclubs, bars, and KTV, our Yang family may even face the risk of bankruptcy."
Yang Gang was startled, "Hey hey, Dad, you must keep up. If we're bankrupt, wouldn't I be unable to get my salary?"
Yang Lin twitched at the corner of his mouth, "A fake, indeed. This guy is not concerned about the impact of bankruptcy on the family, he's just worried about not getting his salary."
"Oh, right, Dad, I want to go out for a walk." Yang Gang suddenly said.
Yang Lin directly dialed a number, and soon a man looking like a butler knocked on the door and came in.
"Master, Young Master." The butler was very respectful.
Yang Gang secretly examined the butler, who was about the same age as Yang Lin but had a completely different personality. Yang Lin had the strong flavour of a businessman, while this butler did not reveal any aura.
That was the scariest part about him.
The best at hiding their aura in the world, are assassins.
This man looked gentle and refined, like a sheep. But in reality, he was a lion.
Perhaps due to his limited experience, Yang Gang couldn't see through this butler.
"Xiao Zhao, take Yang Gang out for a walk. Yang Gang nearly had a car accident a few days ago and lost some of his memory. You need to protect him well," Yang Lin said.
"Yes. I'll prepare the car right now." The butler bowed and left the room.
Yang Gang looked at Yang Lin,"Dad, you're not looking to protect me, but to monitor me, right?"
Yang Lin grinned, "That's right."
Yang Gang felt like vomiting blood, couldn't you be a little more subtle!!
Forget it, I won't bother to contend with this crafty old man. After all, I have my own ulterior motives for the Yang family.
Having said goodbye to Yang Lin, Yang Gang came to the villa yard, and the butler was already standing next to a Rolls-Royce.
The butler's name was Zhao Wei. His background was unclear, but he had served the Yang family for over twenty years, with unwavering loyalty and devotion. He was the person whom Yang Lin trusted the most.
Despite this, Yang Lin still didn't tell Zhao Wei about the impostor Young Master.
"Young Master." Zhao Wei opened the car door for Yang Gang.
Yang Gang smiled and said, "Uncle Zhao is an elder worthy of respect. I can handle this myself."
Zhao Wei smiled, "It's a matter of etiquette, Young Master, please get in."
Yang Gang nodded.
The car started and left Yang's villa.
"Young Master, where would you like to go?" Zhao Wei asked.
Yang Gang was slightly hesitant, "Um, let's go to the Silver Moon KTV branch."
Zhao Wei didn't say anything, he just turned the steering wheel and drove towards the destination.
After about ten minutes, Zhao Wei, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Young Master, Master mentioned that you lost some of your memory. What did you forget?"
Yang Gang was taken aback, Zhao Wei began to suspect him...
However, he remained calm on the surface, "Most of my lost memory is related to our Yang family. Uncle Zhao, do I have some repressed memories?"
"Well, apart from the strained relationship with the second young miss, everything else is okay." Zhao Wei kept observing Yang Gang's face but didn't find any flaw.
Zhao Wei only asked that one question, and then didn't inquire more. Instead, he supplied Yang Gang with a lot of 'lost memories'.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination.
The Rolls-Royce stopped in the parking lot outside the KTV.
"Young Master, you go in, I won't follow." Zhao Wei said.
Yang Gang nodded.
At this moment, at the reception desk of the KTV.
"Liu Cui, I've been working non-stop for a month, and I've already been standing for eight consecutive hours today. Can't you find someone to cover for me while I eat something to regain my strength?" Lin Yueyao said, her legs shaky from exhaustion.
Liu Cui, heavily made up and dressed in a flamboyant fashion, looked at Lin Yueyao and revealed a devilish smile: "Only eight hours and you're tired? Women like you with no education, no ability, and a love for playing the innocent can only survive by hard work. If you can work non-stop for six months, working fourteen hours a day, I might consider proposing a hundred-dollar raise to Mr. Chen. I heard your parents are not in the best of health, and your younger sister is in college; they all need money. Look at me, how benevolent I am."
Head slightly bowed, Lin Yueyao bit her lip: "Liu Cui, I've done nothing to you. Why are you picking on me?"
Liu Cui laughed and then her face turned cold: "Okay, I'll tell you plainly why I hate you."
She paused, smirked, and looked at Lin Yueyao: "Because I hate women who play innocent. Tell me, Lin Yueyao, what advantage did maintaining your integrity bring you all these years? Oh, after much effort you did not have to sell your body to rise to a position of influence, but look, it turned out to be a sham. Ha."
Lin Yueyao stayed silent, percolating over Liu Cui's words for a while before she finally replied: "What do I have to do for you to leave me alone?"
Liu Cui laughed: "It's simple. Discard your so-called integrity and sleep with the guest who has taken a liking to you."
Lin Yueyao blushed: "I'm not a prostitute!"
"Look at you playing innocent once again. Okay, let me cut to the chase. There's a young man interested in you. Sleep with him once and he'll pay you ten thousand. That's your salary for several months, right? If he's satisfied with your performance in bed, he might even marry you." Liu Cui beckoned, and a sleazy looking young man approached.
"He's one of the heirs to Jingyang Supermarket, his family assets are worth tens of millions. Although it's not extravagant wealth, it should be enough for you!"
There was deep resentment in Liu Cui's voice as she said this, true bitterness.
She was more attractive and seductive than Lin Yueyao, a male magnet. But...
She had bedded many men and was now the mistress of a Silver Moon executive. Yet, including that executive, no one had ever proposed marriage to her. And on the contrary, Lin Yueyao, who always held men at arm's length, had a man willing to marry her.
Unfair!
To Liu Cui, this was absolutely unfair!
That's why she despised Lin Yueyao.
That's why she sought revenge on Lin Yueyao.
As the young master approached, Lin Yueyao instinctively stepped back.
Seeing this, Liu Cui chuckled: "Lin Yueyao, best be a bit more respectful. Society isn't as simple as you imagine. Think for your parents and sister, they all need money."
Hearing Liu Cui mention her parents and sister, Lin Yueyao's steps withdrew.
Liu Cui was right. Her parents were unwell and medical treatment cost money; her sister's college fees also needed to be paid. With her meager salary, she could barely support the family. If she lost her job, the family's situation would be even worse off.
Instinctively, she glanced at the young master, her mind filled with helplessness.
"This man might not be handsome, but if he's willing to pay for my parents' medical expenses and my sister's education, then…"
Lin Yueyao bit her lip hard, a resolute look flashed across her face.
Seeing the change in Lin Yueyao's expression, Liu Cui smirked inwardly: "Humph! The saint ultimately succumbs to money. Haha. Lin Yueyao, I've told you this before, in this world, no woman can resist temptation. Remaining virtuous is simply because the price is not high enough!"
"Mr. Li, there's a private room upstairs. Please enjoy your evening." Liu Cui smilingly said to the sleazy looking young master.
The youth seemed quite excited, grabbing Lin Yueyao and heading upstairs.
At first, Lin Yueyao resisted a bit, but after shedding a single tear, she gave up struggling.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Hold on."
Recognising the voice, Liu Cui turned her head, her face turning red with anger: "You dare to come here impersonating an heir again? Get him, he still owes us eight hundred yuan!"
Before the security guards could react, a chubby man suddenly appeared, his face beet red with anger.
"This impostor dares to come back. Get him!"
It was Chen Niankang, the manager of the venue.
Having been swindled out of a hundred thousand by Yang Gang and severely scolded by the chairman, Chen Niankang was extremely frustrated.
The security guards circled Yang Gang.
Yang Gang was calm and collected.
"Impersonator? Who says I'm an impersonator?" Yang Gang calmly replied.
"Who said it? Hmpf! You really don't know how to admit defeat!" sneered Chen Niankang.
Liu Cui added with a sense of schadenfreude: "Mr. Chen, this guy is impersonating a rich heir, tarnishing the heir's image. Don't waste words on him, just have him beaten up first."