Chapter 23.1: The Live Stream Begins!

Lin Enterprises Headquarters, City S

　　After stepping out of the CEO’s office, Zhan Yang caught sight of someone pacing the corridor anxiously, clutching a stack of documents tightly in their arms.

　　“Why aren’t you going in, Manager Xiang?” he inquired.

　　As soon as Xiang Jia spotted Zhan Yang, she pushed up her thick glasses, which had slipped down her nose in her flurry of nervous energy. “Um… How’s CEO Lin’s mood today, Assistant Zhan?” she asked sheepishly.

　　Zhan Yang answered, “Just like yesterday.”

　　In a split second, a silent wail of distress erupted within Xiang Jia’s heart.

　　If today’s anything like yesterday, I’d be in for a serious tongue-lashing if I walked in now.

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　　Boohoo! I’m afraid to go inside, say the wrong thing, and get ruthlessly dismissed by CEO Lin!

　　Lin Enterprises promised enticing perks: generous salaries, no late nights, no overtime, holiday bonuses, and overseas company trips during the long breaks. These benefits painted a picture of an ideal workplace, one that many aspired to join. But the allure came with a catch — its selection process was notoriously tough, making each coveted position fiercely competitive.

　　With her troubled expression and downcast eyes, she wore her worries like a badge, making it impossible for Zhan Yang to ignore the sympathy welling up within him.

　　“What documents do you have there? I can help you bring them in.”

　　Xiang Jia’s eyes gleamed with joy as she hurriedly handed him the folder she was holding. “Here’s the proposal for our company’s anniversary celebration. Thanks, Assistant Zhan!”

　　Zhan Yang took it and chuckled, “Alright, but don’t let it happen again.”

　　“Absolutely!” Xiang Jia exclaimed, bowing deeply in response.

　　The moment he opened the door to the CEO’s office, a heavy cloud of tension enveloped him. He swallowed hard, steeling himself as he stepped inside with a calm demeanor.

　　Not only was Xiang Jia intimidated by CEO Lin’s cold demeanor, but he also shared the same fear himself. However, as his personal assistant, there was no escaping it.

　　At that moment, Lin Feng was on the phone.

　　To be precise, it was his mother, Rong Siqiu, on the other end of the line when he answered the call.

　　As he listened to his mother’s incessant nagging, his face remained expressionless, but the way he gripped the pen suggested it might snap at any moment.

　　Zhan Yang stood quietly to the side, his keen mind at work as he patiently awaited the unfolding events.

　　Rong Siqiu’s voice crackled with discontent over the phone. “What has Su Ling been up to lately? I can’t reach him by phone, and no one is at the villa at Mount Aromaterra. Where on earth has he gone?”

　　“Mm.” Lin Feng’s response was a terse, single syllable.

　　With a sigh of exasperation, Rong Siqiu could not shake the feeling that her son’s behavior might one day be the death of her. Lately, he had been avoiding questions about Su Ling, and the thought of a possible relationship crisis weighed heavily on her mind. Had Su Ling really become so upset that he left home?

　　“I heard that Su Ling’s looking to get a divorce?” Rong Siqiu inquired, her voice laced with concern.

　　Snap! Lin Feng’s pen shattered under pressure, ink spilling over his hands. Zhan Yang jumped in surprise, quickly setting down the folder to grab wet wipes and tissues to clean up the mess.

　　Lin Feng let him wipe his hands as a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. For once, he spoke in an unusually lengthy sentence, “Who told you Su Ling and I were getting a divorce?”

　　Zhan Yang froze, the tissue momentarily forgotten in his hand. Shock coursed through him as he processed what he had just heard.

　　Few were privy to the brewing divorce between CEO Lin and Madam Lin. Aside from CEO Lin, the only others in the loop were himself and Yunzhuo, both of whom were known for their discretion. It was unlikely that CEO Lin would spread such sensitive information, so who on earth had let the cat out of the bag?

　　“It doesn’t matter who told me,” Rong Siqiu stated. “What I want to know is whether it’s true.”

　　“No,” Lin Feng answered.

　　“Is that so? Then why does Su Ling keep disappearing for days on end?” Rong Siqiu challenged, her skepticism evident in her voice.

　　“… He’s currently in seclusion,” Lin Feng revealed.

　　“Seclusion? What seclusion?” Rong Siqiu questioned incredulously. Is he cultivating in closed-door seclusion?

　　“Master Zhang Qianyi’s art exhibition is coming up next month. As his last disciple, he’s required to showcase his works,” Lin Feng shared matter-of-factly, his expression unchanging.

　　Beside him, Zhan Yang watched in awe, marveling at how smoothly and calmly CEO Lin spun his web of lies.

　　On the other end, Rong Siqiu was utterly stumped by the response. Then, it dawned on her that artists always had their quirks. To prepare for his teacher’s exhibition, Su Ling not only had to seek inspiration but also go into seclusion to focus on his painting.

　　With that in mind, she sighed, “Since you were so adamant about marrying Su Ling back then, make sure to cherish your life together. The last thing I want is to see any news about the CEO of Lin Enterprises getting a divorce.”

　　Lin Feng furrowed his brows and declared resolutely, “There won’t be a divorce.”

　　Rong Siqiu instructed curtly, “Let’s hope not. In any case, make sure Su Ling comes out of his… seclusion sooner and joins us at the main residence for your grandfather’s ninetieth birthday party at the end of next month.”

　　After saying her piece, she hung up the phone, feeling absolutely drained and done with her son’s indifferent tone.

　　Lin Feng set his phone down and grabbed another fountain pen before diving back into the stack of documents.

　　“CEO Lin…” Zhan Yang had been close enough to overhear Old Madame’s words. She expects CEO Lin to bring Madam Lin to the main residence for Grand Old Master’s ninetieth birthday at the end of next month? Boy, is that going to be a challenge! If we don’t find him by then, where will Lin Feng find a Madam Lin to bring home?

　　“Have you tracked down the man in the video?” Lin Feng pressed.

　　“No,” Zhan Yang answered. The video only showed a vague silhouette of the stranger, making it nearly impossible to track him down. The CEO of Fu Lin Group is indeed a tech genius! He’s even managed to wipe all traces of Madame Lin from the airport surveillance footage. 

　　However, one thing was certain: Madam Lin was in City H.

　　Once they narrowed down the scope, finding the person would be much easier.

　　Despite that, Lin Feng’s face contorted into a dark scowl, and an even colder chill emanated from him.

　　Zhan Yang scratched his nose, gathering his thoughts as he prepared to hand over the anniversary celebration proposal he held in his hand. It was definitely a smart move for Xiang Jia not to come in. Otherwise, CEO Lin’s terrifying presence right now would likely have sent her running in tears.

　　“CEO Lin, here’s a proposal from the Planning Department…”

　　Bang!

　　The office door was flung open as a man in his sixties or seventies stormed in with blatant rudeness.

　　Zhan Yang’s eyes snapped to the newcomer, his face contorted with shock.

　　He was… Lin Lihao, CEO Lin’s second uncle and the father of Department Head Lin.

　　“Lin Feng!” After barging into the CEO’s office, Lin Lihao strode purposefully toward the desk, slamming his palm down with a resounding thud. “On what grounds did you remove Zhiyuan from his position as department head? He’s your cousin, who’s dedicated twenty years to the company, far longer than you have. Did you bother to consult the other shareholders or even think to ask me?”

　　Lin Feng regarded him calmly as he erupted in rage, his eyes revealing not a flicker of disturbance.

　　Lin Lihao’s question hung in the air unanswered, his rage building up with no outlet as he continued banging the table. “You’re far too young for this job and don’t have the necessary experience. Not to mention, you’ve been stepping on toes left and right! I told your father you should have started at the bottom and worked your way up for a few years. But no, he wouldn’t listen and just had to hand you the CEO position. And now look at the mess you’ve made! You’ve sacked those of the high-level positions without justifiable reasons and thrown the entire company into chaos. Is this how you honor the Lin family’s legacy after all these years?”

　　Having vented his anger with a thunderous outburst, Lin Lihao fixed a piercing stare on Lin Feng, waiting expectantly for a response.

　　After a thoughtful pause, Lin Feng turned to Zhan Yang and instructed, “Get a chair for my uncle and make him a cup of tea.”

　　“Yes, CEO Lin.” Zhan Yang quickly set a chair in front of the desk for Lin Lihao, then went to the office pantry to brew some tea.

　　Lin Lihao pulled the chair to his right, his voice cold and unyielding. “If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, I’m not leaving.”

　　Lin Feng’s eyes cast downward at the document as he flipped through the pages. “Suit yourself,” he added dismissively.

　　Now in his seventies, Lin Lihao nearly choked on his breath at the words, his blood pressure spiking as veins pulsed visibly on his forehead.

　　Once the tea was ready, Zhan Yang set the steaming cup down on the table in front of the elder before stepping back to observe quietly from the side.

　　Lin Lihao knew all too well that his nephew was notoriously taciturn and never one to win people over. If it had been anyone else treating him with such disregard, he would have slapped them across the face by now. However, Lin Feng was different — he was the CEO of Lin Enterprises, commanding respect from everyone in the Lin family, young and old alike.

　　Today, he had come to demand an explanation, so he delivered a scathing tirade that seemed to have no effect whatsoever. The other’s indifferent response only fueled Lin Lihao’s ire further. Slamming his hand down on Lin Feng’s document, he snapped coldly, “Is this how you show respect to your elders?”

　　After setting his pen down, Lin Feng gazed calmly at his second uncle. “Have you asked my cousin why he was dismissed, Second Uncle?”

　　Once he got a response, Lin Lihao released his grip, straightened his suit, and raised his chin with a trace of arrogance. “Isn’t it just a minor issue? Just deal with the subordinates and move on. Is it really necessary to strip Zhiyuan of his department head position over this?”

　　Lin Feng’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, a subtle signal to Zhan Yang. “Hand the investigation report to my uncle.”

　　“Yes, sir.” Zhan Yang retrieved a blue folder from the cupboard and handed it to Lin Lihao with both hands.

　　Lin Lihao’s eyes narrowed with skepticism as he scanned through the two pages. Each page deepened his frown, his brow furrowing more with every unsettling detail.