Chapter 107
Xu Ke returned to the villa with two injured people, the atmosphere gloomy on their side. Meanwhile, Vice President Huang, looking as if a storm was brewing, brought his nephew and niece-in-law to the hospital.
Their faces were so disfigured that skin grafts had to be taken from other parts of their bodies, and their noses needed reconstruction.
Although these things weren’t expensive for Vice President Huang, what pained him was that his nephew, whom he loved like his own child, had ended up in this state. Even though the opponent had the backing of Imperial Kitchen, he couldn’t just let it go. Looking at his unconscious nephew lying in the hospital bed, he was so enraged that he nearly ground his teeth to dust.
Lin Mengyao had taken a month’s leave from the Lin Group and had applied some ointment Xu Ke had gotten from who knows where. In less than a month, not only had the wounds on her face healed, but her skin was even smoother than before. Yet, Xu Ke’s eyes still carried an unshakeable guilt when he looked at her.
He took Lin Mengyao to the company entrance. Watching her, handbag in hand, about to go to work, Xu Ke couldn’t help but grabbed Lin Mengyao’s wrist, a sense of unease inexplicably rising within him. It seemed that everything from a month ago hadn’t truly gone away. He knew clearly that he didn’t want Lin Mengyao to leave his sight; it made him feel very uneasy.
“I have to go to work.”
Lin Mengyao understood Xu Ke’s anxiety and had tried to comfort him, but to little effect. Whenever she was out of Xu Ke’s sight for more than ten minutes, he would become restless, teetering on the edge of agitation. The psychologist said Xu Ke was experiencing a post-traumatic stress response; fortunately, it wasn’t severe, he didn’t need medication, and it could be gradually forgotten over time, eventually achieving a curing effect.
However, Xu Ke had indeed become somewhat clingy. It was alright at home, but going out, and especially at work, was quite inconvenient. Yet, Xu Ke got this condition because of her; she couldn’t just leave him aside. Besides, she had gradually gotten used to Xu Ke’s presence over the month. If she suddenly had to keep him away, she would feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Sure enough, not even a minute passed before Lin Mengyao surrendered, “Alright, come in with me.”
Xu Ke quietly curled up the corners of his mouth, his eyes carrying some triumph.
In fact, his post-traumatic stress disorder had been resolved a week ago. In theory, he should have shared this good news with Lin Mengyao, but he couldn’t bear to let go of Lin Mengyao’s indulgence and accommodating nature, so he continued to conceal it.
After some time, he’d tell her the truth. Xu Ke thought as he watched Lin Mengyao walking in front, letting him hold her hand.
When entering the Lin Group, Lin Mengyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had expected a lot of attention and gossip when she brought Xu Ke in, but now the people in the company just glanced at her and then busied themselves with their work. No one came over to engage in annoyances, allowing Lin Mengyao’s tense heart to relax.
Xu Ke walked behind Lin Mengyao and looked at the employees in the Lin Group. Each appeared busy as if they could never finish their work. He couldn’t help but frown. Just at this moment, Lin Mengyao received a message notifying her of an emergency meeting. Xu Ke’s suspicions were confirmed.
“Something might have happened to the Lin Group. Be careful when you attend the meeting.” Xu Ke said cautiously as he held Lin Mengyao’s hand while entering the elevator.
“Okay, I’ve got it. Find a place outside to sit and wait for me. Our meetings usually take quite some time.” Pulling Xu Ke’s hand, Lin Mengyao replied in a similarly low voice.
Without Lin Mengyao even realizing it, she had started to get used to Xu Ke’s presence and was getting increasingly close to him.
In the meeting room, Grandma Lin’s lips were blistered, her face aged more than ten years as she looked at everyone present. Lin Mengyao was surprised to see this woman, who had always been strong and proud in her memory, showing such a disheveled appearance, not knowing what kind of events had occurred to cause this.
“Everyone should be aware of the recent events in the Lin Group. If we can’t secure this 100 million loan, the money we’ve previously invested in the land in the Western Suburb will be wasted, and the Lin Group will suffer unprecedented losses. I don’t care what thoughts you may have had while in the Lin Group before, but now I hope our stance is united and that we can all band together to get through this difficult time.” Grandma Lin coughed a few times, her expression solemn as she looked at everyone in the meeting room.
“We’ll advance and retreat with the Lin Group; President Lin, if there’s anything you need us to do, just say it. As long as we can manage, we definitely won’t refuse.” One of the board members spoke up voluntarily to show loyalty, drawing agreement from other board members, making the internal atmosphere of the Lin Group harmonious and united for the first time.
Grandma Lin waved her hand to quiet the slightly noisy meeting room, her face showing a bitter smile as she spoke, “I’ve brought everyone here today because I can’t think of anything better. I can only ask everyone to come together and come up with a strategy to get through this crisis.”
“I’ve been to Huaxia Bank several times, but I can’t see any of the relevant leaders. Even if I find their homes, it’s useless; I still can’t meet them. I’ve tried every method, but it’s like they’ve decided on this and refuse to show up. I’m at a loss.” Lin Shixian said, massaging his forehead with one hand. The blisters on his lips and his rapidly thinning face showed that Lin Shixian hadn’t had it easy lately either.
“It’s not just Huaxia Bank; other banks have also refused to give us loans. I tried asking acquaintances, spent quite some money, but came up with nothing.” Lin Shide also spoke heavily, his proud double chin reduced significantly, indicating that every member of the Lin family was running around for the 100 million loan, each showing signs of weariness.
“Grandma, let me try.” Lin Mengyao stood up from her seat. She initially didn’t know what was going on, but when she heard Huaxia Bank, she realized this matter might be aimed at her, with the Lin Group suffering from it without reason.
Grandma Lin looked at her granddaughter, who took the initiative to say she wanted to give it a try, with a complicated expression. “Do you have a good plan?”
“I don’t yet, but plans are always devised by people. I hope you’ll let me handle this matter.”
“Grandma, since cousin wants to do it, let her try. Anyway, we don’t have a good solution now; an additional person means more power.” Lin Zihua quickly said as he noticed Grandma Lin’s hesitance.
He wasn’t trying to scheme against Lin Mengyao; they simply didn’t have a better plan, only treating the dead horse as if it were still alive, and Grandma Lin thought the same. So she nodded, “You can handle this matter, but I can only give you up to a week. If you fail, I’ll have to hand it to someone else. The Lin Group can’t afford to delay. Do you understand? If you’re acting just out of impulse to prove yourself in front of everyone, you should sit down, and I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”