Lin Yu was somewhat unaware of the circumstances. In truth, the relationship between Li Tianyu and his wife had long been estranged. They each pursued their own affairs, but they remained married because Li Tianyu's money and his wife's wealth were now intertwined. If they were to divorce and split everything evenly, Li Tianyu's wife would feel a sense of injustice.
After all, it was her family's initial support that aided Li Tianyu, and with Li Tianyu's shrewd mind and her own assistance, they accumulated their wealth. Even if they were to divorce, she intended to claim the lion's share.
Now, with these photos in her possession, she could easily take Li Tianyu to court. Whether in moral justice or practicality, she held a significant advantage in property division.
After a while, having finished viewing the photos, she carefully packed them back into the leather envelope. Relieved, she turned to Lin Yu and nodded, "Good, very good. How much do you want?"
"I don't want money. However, I've heard that the fat guy—no, I mean, your beloved husband—still owes a substantial amount in wages to the workers at Phase Two of Jinxiu Huafu. Pay them off, and that'll suffice as payment for me." Lin Yu chuckled, having learned this information from Zhao Guangtou.
Li Tianyu's wife fixed her gaze on him for a while, looking bewildered, as if she couldn't fathom his unexpected magnanimity.
"Don't look at me like that. It's merely an incidental gesture. I haven't reached that level of greatness," Lin Yu joked with a wry smile.
"You're a strange young man," Li Tianyu's wife shook her head. Then, she picked up the phone, "Accountant Chen? Yes, it's me. Pay the wages of the workers from Phase Two of Jinxiu Huafu... What do you mean it requires Mr. Li's approval? My words aren't valid? Are you trying to avoid doing it? Alright, settle it now. It must be done within an hour, or you'll immediately write a resignation letter. That's it." She hung up with evident satisfaction.
No attachment to the bread when it's not from one's own harvest; since the project was funded by Li Tianyu's own money, it had nothing to do with her. Doing a favor was also a good deed.
Lin Yu didn't realize that this woman was actually so efficient, devoid of any procrastination, and incredibly decisive in her actions.
"Um, should I say thank you?" Lin Yu watched her turn towards him and promptly straightened up, assuming a demeanor as solemn as a national leader, and inquired respectfully.
"If this actually leads to that scoundrel Li Tianyu losing everything, on the contrary, I should be thanking you," the woman smiled provocatively, running her fingers through her short hair, exuding the allure of a mature woman.
Though in her forties, on closer inspection, she was quite attractive. Moreover, her foot began to deliberately or unintentionally touch Lin Yu's leg. Judging by the situation, if Lin Yu had been more open to the suggestion, she wouldn't have minded a public rendezvous – both she and Li Tianyu were incredibly audacious.
"There's no need. I have something else to attend to. Please carry on; I won't disturb you further." Lin Yu hastily intervened; these lascivious pleasures were not within his thoughts.
"What's your name? You seem quite capable. You managed to acquire these photos. How about coming over to help me? What do you say?" The woman smiled flirtatiously, extending her hand teasingly to touch Lin Yu's chin, engaging in further harassment.
Lin Yu immediately blushed, seemingly innocent and naive, and quickly opened the car door, darting out, leaving behind the car's unrestrained laughter.
The BMW drove away, and Lin Yu stood behind, taking a long breath, watching the car vanish into the distance. His face had already reverted to its usual calm and composure. He sighed lightly, turned around to leave but felt a pricking sensation on his back. Turning back, he was stunned to find the female warrior still there, staring at him from afar with an intense and furious gaze, resembling a long-neglected woman suspecting her husband of infidelity.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have flowers on my face?" Lin Yu felt uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze, subconsciously touching his face. Although he considered himself handsome, he didn't expect roses to suddenly sprout from his skin.
"Are you even a man?" The female warrior suddenly appeared very angry, pointing at him and scolding loudly, attracting the attention of several passersby who sneaked peeks in their direction.
Lin Yu was dumbfounded by her sudden accusation. He scratched his head, seriously contemplating, and replied solemnly, "Yes, I am absolutely sure I am." As if to prove his statement, he added, "Shall I show you?"
"Ah? You... How shameless of you to say such hooliganism..." The female warrior didn't expect such shamelessness from him and blushed furiously. However, as she looked at the identity card, containing three words, Lin Yu, male, she hesitated. Before she could read further, Lin Yu had already taken back the ID.
"Show what?" Lin Yu earnestly inquired, looking quite naive and innocent.
"Show... Are you crazy? You're a grown man with hands and feet, why act this way? Want to live off a woman? Do you find it so enjoyable to be kept by a rich woman? Beware of ending up in a mess, not knowing how you got there." The female warrior couldn't continue this conversation, hurriedly changing the subject, wearing a stern and indignant expression.
"No, she seems quite healthy." Lin Yu grinned
, seemingly shameless in the eyes of the female warrior.
"Pah!" The female warrior had no more words, spat in disgust, turned around, and walked away. Lin Yu shrugged and didn't want to entangle further, heading in the opposite direction. Yet, he occasionally glanced back, reluctantly watching his lost coat. It had been with him for nearly three years. Although not as good as new, he was still attached to it. Seeing it taken away made him somewhat regretful.
The two of them walked away in different directions quickly. In no time, they had distanced themselves, their silhouettes fading away, resembling intersecting lines that, after a brief encounter, continued forward in their respective directions, perhaps never to intersect again.
However, from the corner of the street emerged a construction worker dressed in work clothes, looking at Lin Yu's departing figure with a puzzled expression, suspicion flickering in his eyes.