8 PM at night.
The crescent moon hung high, and the stars twinkled in the sky.
After finishing the last round of massage therapy for the girl, Lin Xuan stood up with a smile to bid her farewell.
"Qingge, I'm heading out."
Click!!!
Hearing the sound of the door closing.
Su Qingge couldn't help but feel a sense of concern.
She knew Lin Xuan was going to attend her father's birthday banquet.
And he had always been at odds with her father.
This trip was bound to be anything but peaceful.
'Let's hope everything goes smoothly.'
'After all, they are still father and son. I doubt Lin Jianjun would make things too difficult for Lin Xuan.'
....
Just as Lin Xuan walked down to the second floor, he ran into Liu Juan, who was hurrying by with a white bottle of medicine.
"Sister Liu, what's going on?"
"The chairman said he forgot his heart medication and asked me to find it and bring it to him."
Liu Juan frowned deeply, her face full of worry.
In recent days, due to the company's troubles, Su Shengtian had been overwhelmed with work, even staying directly at the office.
The prolonged late nights.
And the high-intensity workload.
These had made the already elderly Su Shengtian appear even older.
He looked like a candle flickering in the wind, evoking a heartbreaking sense of fragility.
And with Su Qingge now in a vegetative state.
The once-grand Su family was now left with a lonely old man struggling to hold it together.
This situation left the Su Group's internal members anxious and uneasy.
Many shareholders, sensing the stench of bankruptcy and collapse, began looking for escape routes...
"I see. Then take care on your way, Sister Liu."
Watching Liu Juan's hurried figure leave, Lin Xuan fell into thought.
In fact, based on the whispers among the household servants recently.
He had already deduced that the Su family was nearing the end of its rope.
"So the day of Su Yang's return isn't far off either..."
"To gain more favor from everyone in the Su family."
"I need to resolve this crisis for the Su family before Su Yang makes his triumphant return..."
Stepping out of the Su family villa.
Lin Xuan hailed a taxi and headed toward the Lin family estate.
In the back seat.
Staring at the scenery retreating outside the window, Lin Xuan suddenly smiled.
"And the key to breaking the stalemate lies within the Lin family..."
"I need to stick to the plan! First, I'll wrest control of the Lin family from Lin Jianjun and secure it firmly in my own hands..."
....
Outside the Lin family estate.
The area was bustling with people, luxury cars lined up like clouds.
All those present were wealthy magnates from various industries.
All had voluntarily come to attend Lin Jianjun's birthday banquet.
"Truly worthy of the Lin family..."
"Though they've been on the decline for years, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—they remain untouchable."
"The young man welcoming guests at the door—he's Lin Jianjun's illegitimate son, isn't he?"
"He drove his legitimate son out of the house but dotes on his illegitimate one. Fascinating, truly fascinating..."
Witnessing the grand occasion, some wealthy guests couldn't help but voice their thoughts.
But since it didn't concern them, they walked on with a mindset of enjoying the spectacle...
At the villa's entrance.
Lin Hao, dressed in a pristine white suit.
Was standing at the entrance with a wide smile, welcoming guests.
His face still bore the marks of the injuries Lin Xuan had inflicted a few days ago.
"Boss Wang, please, come in, come in!"
"Oh~ Young Master Ye, you're here too? Welcome, welcome!"
"Old Master Jiang! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend my dad's birthday banquet."
"Everyone, please come in. With all of you here to honor us, you've truly made the Lin family shine brightly today!"
"..."
Facing the many wealthy and powerful guests.
Lin Hao continuously cupped his hands in gratitude, performing his polite façade perfectly.
This made many of the guests nod in approval.
Moreover, everyone knew that Lin Hao was Lin Jianjun's most favored younger son.
So every guest gave him face, treating Lin Hao with courtesy and warm smiles.
At this moment.
The Lin family villa's entrance was buzzing with activity, a scene of host and guests enjoying themselves.
"No wonder Lin Jianjun favors this illegitimate son—his social skills are indeed impressive."
"Especially compared to that temperamental eldest son, he does seem more capable, with a gentler and more humble demeanor."
"I've heard Lin Jianjun plans to hand the company over to his illegitimate son. Seems like a wise decision."
"....."
Listening to the whispers of the various powerful figures from Magic City.
Lin Hao kept a calm expression, but inwardly, he was overjoyed, his vanity swelling to the brim.
'Hmph!'
'One day, I'll become the true master of the Lin family.'
'Lin Xuan, you'll never be able to compete with me.'
Just as Lin Hao's ambitions were swelling uncontrollably...
A guest asked him about the injuries on his face.
Hearing this.
Lin Hao's cheeks seemed to sting at the mention, and anger flickered in his eyes.
But outwardly, he put on a pitiful expression, his eyes turning red.
"It's all my fault—I upset my brother. But you can't blame him..."
"Because my brother can't control his emotions, and he didn't mean it. It's just... I really want to have a good relationship with him..."
These words, combined with his helpless and sorrowful expression.
And recalling Lin Xuan's "volatile" reputation in Magic City.
The gathered elite suddenly understood.
They got it!
They truly understood!!!
They all cast sympathetic and pitying looks toward Lin Hao.
Seeing this.
Lin Hao struck while the iron was hot, cupping his hands toward the wealthy crowd and speaking sincerely:
"I know my brother has a bad temper. Some of you here may have been offended by him in the past."
"Here and now, as his younger brother, I apologize on his behalf."
"Please forgive my brother!!!"
After speaking.
Lin Hao performed a full ninety-degree bow toward the entire crowd.
This display of sincerity immediately won over some of the more emotional guests.
Just then!
An untimely voice suddenly rang out.
"Apologize on my behalf? Lin Hao, do you even deserve to?"
Huh???
Who could be so bold as to openly diss the young master of the Lin family?
The abrupt voice immediately drew everyone's attention.
When everyone turned to look in astonishment.
They saw a young man in a white shirt and black pants walking through the doorway.
It was none other than Lin Xuan!
"It's him? Lin Jianjun's eldest son? Wasn't he kicked out of the Lin family?"
"This lunatic—rumor has it he likes to bash heads over minor disagreements. People used to hold back because of the Lin family, but now they might take their chance to retaliate!"
"Interesting! With this guy's fiery temper, he might just start beating up the illegitimate son right here!"
"....."
As the crowd murmured among themselves, ready to enjoy the show!
Lin Hao's jaw had already dropped in shock, and he stood frozen in place.
That damn guy?!
Why did he suddenly come back?
Since he's already left the Lin family, why doesn't he just stay far away?
Could it be that he's unwilling to let go and wants to come back to fight me for the inheritance?
Thinking of this.
A streak of ruthlessness flashed through Lin Hao's heart.
Not a chance!!!
After finally driving Lin Xuan out of the Lin family, he would never allow him to come back and stir up trouble!
But faced with so many wealthy and powerful guests.
Lin Hao maintained his "good little brother" persona, putting on a delighted expression as he quickly approached Lin Xuan.
"Brother, you're finally back. Brother!"
"Today is Dad's birthday. He'll definitely be thrilled to see you back."
"Actually, Dad, like me, only wants to care for big bro..."
Damn it!
Where is this green tea stench coming from? It's suffocating me!
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, looking disdainfully at his "good little brother" as he approached, then lifted his hand for a harsh shove against the wall.
Slap!!!
Scram, don't touch me!!!"