The banquet hall on the third floor.
“You said Su Hua is here?” Wu Wenqing widened his eyes.
“Yes, she's already seated in the banquet hall.”
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, excitement filled Wu Wenqing's face.
He was, after all, only a distant relative of Su Hua, connected by a thin thread of blood. When he sent the invitation to Su Hua, he hadn't held out much hope that she would attend.
To his surprise, Su Hua had actually come.
Wu Wenqing hurried over, “Ms. Su.”
“The time and location of the banquet are well chosen,” Su Hua said indifferently, glancing at him.
This left Wu Wenqing puzzled.
This was the first time someone had complimented him like this.
Jiang Qing’s face displayed a profound expression. What a well-chosen opportunity, indeed.
It had just so happened to give Ms. Su a legitimate reason to meet Lin Xuan, while also conveniently helping Lin Xuan distance himself from the Lin family.
“I recall your company is short on funds,” Su Hua said, lifting her glass of red wine.
Wu Wenqing's eyes lit up.
Was Ms. Su...planning to invest in their company?
The next second, Su Hua said, “Would ten billion be enough?”
Wu Wenqing was so excited that his voice trembled, “Yes, yes!”
Ten billion from Su Hua would be enough to save their company from this crisis.
Unable to contain himself, Wu Wenqing pulled Jiang Qing aside and asked, “Secretary Jiang, what’s going on with Ms. Su today? Not only did she attend my birthday banquet, but she also proposed to invest in my company.”
This was highly uncharacteristic of Su Hua.
Jiang Qing smiled, “Because you helped Ms. Su.”
“What did I do?” Wu Wenqing was filled with confusion.
Jiang Qing smiled faintly, “You don’t need to know the specifics.”
On the first floor, the banquet hall.
Lin Chang stood on the stage, introducing, “This is my son, Lin Li, who just turned twenty-one.”
This grand birthday celebration for Lin Li was primarily to showcase his impressive son and, by extension, the promising future of the Starlight Group.
It was also a subtle hint to everyone that the company would likely be inherited by Lin Li in the future.
The surrounding audience burst into enthusiastic applause.
Lin Chang, beaming with pride, said, “Now that Li has started interning at the company, after gaining some experience, I’ll assign him an important position. Please show him your support.”
Lin Li smirked.
The company would undoubtedly be his.
He glanced triumphantly at Lin Xuan, seated below. Lin Xuan would be his loser.
Although Lin Xuan was being kept by Su Hua, someone of her status would never marry him. Lin Xuan could only be Su Hua's secret lover.
It wouldn’t be long before Lin Xuan was discarded by Su Hua.
Lin Xuan couldn’t be too arrogant for long.
Clad in a white suit, Lin Li appeared refined and polite.
The audience beneath the stage couldn’t help but marvel.
“Lin Chang really raised an outstanding son. Since he’s severed ties with Lin Xuan, the company will undoubtedly be inherited by Lin Li.”
“My daughter is also a student at Yundu University. She’s a fan of Lin Li. She told me Lin Li is majoring in both computer science and management, ranking top in both.”
“That impressive? Seems the Starlight Group has a bright future ahead.”
Listening to the compliments for Lin Li, Qin Ruoyao felt a sense of pride.
She was filled with anticipation. Lin Li would inherit the Starlight Group, and she would become the female leader of this billion-dollar company.
Shen Qianqian, on the other hand, was propping her chin, staring intently at Lin Xuan, her expression dreamy.
Shen's Father asked curiously, “Qianqian, what are you looking at?”
“Dad, who is that?” Shen Qianqian pointed at Lin Xuan.
Having stepped out earlier, she was unaware of Lin Xuan's identity. The moment she returned to the birthday banquet, she couldn't help but be drawn to him. He was too striking, instantly capturing all her attention.
“Him? He’s Lin Chang’s other son, a good-for-nothing with poor character,” Shen's Father replied, shaking his head. “Your mother and Lin Chang’s wife arranged a marriage contract between you and Lin Xuan.”
“Having twins, Lin Xuan is no match for Lin Li. That’s why I chose Lin Li as your future husband.”
“A good-for-nothing, with bad character?” Shen Qianqian frowned. “Is there some misunderstanding?”
His demeanor and every move were indeed captivating.
How could he be so undesirable?
“Qianqian,” Shen's Father’s eyes turned wary. “Have you taken a liking to Lin Xuan?”
Shen Qianqian's cheeks flushed.
She had always thought Lin Li was handsome, but seeing Lin Xuan, she realized Lin Li couldn’t hold a candle to him.
Lin Xuan was far more handsome than Lin Li.
Also, several girls had tried to talk to Lin Xuan, but he had ignored them completely, not even sparing them a glance.
Such a disciplined and aloof man was truly rare.
She felt herself drawn to Lin Xuan.
“Dad, can’t we change my fiancé to Lin Xuan? He’s also Lin Chang’s son, it shouldn’t affect anything, right?” Shen Qianqian asked shyly.
“Don’t even think about it,” Shen's Father said coldly. “Lin Xuan is beneath you. Besides, he’s been kicked out of the Lin family, and he already has a woman he likes, even went and married her.”
“Married?” Shen Qianqian turned pale. “Who?”
Shen's Father replied, “A girl named Qin Ruoyao, from the same school as Lin Xuan.”
He had looked into Lin Xuan’s background, discovering his flaws, and decided on Lin Li without hesitation.
“Qianqian, don’t entertain such thoughts.” Shen's Father’s tone softened. “Lin Li is talented and capable, with a promising future. You’re my only child, and every decision I make is for your own good.”
Shen Qianqian was in a daze, “Dad, I understand.”
On the stage.
Lin Chang continued with a smile, “Today, I’m gifting Li the 8% shares of the Starlight Group and a special short film I made as a birthday gift. It chronicles Li’s journey from childhood to now.”
Of course, Lin Chang had made this video to showcase Lin Li’s talents.
Lin Xuan sneered, “The real show is about to begin.”
Lin Chang made a gesture, and the large screen behind him lit up. The lights in the banquet hall were dimmed, focusing all the attention on the screen.
With a smile, Lin Chang introduced, “This was his seventh birthday. Back then, he was still very young. He made a wreath for his mother, saying that his birthday marked the day she had faced the gates of death.”
Lin Xuan scoffed.
No wonder Jiang Shuqin was so fond of Lin Li. This kid knew how to play the game.
The footage gradually moved on to Lin Li's high school years.
“This photo was taken when Li scored third in the entire Yundu region in the college entrance exams and received commendation from the authorities.”
“Here’s the award for ranking second in the computer science exam at Yundu University.”
“And this, the award photo from winning the first place in the National Computer Competition.”
Lin Chang was brimming with pride.
This was his outstanding son! A son who had brought him endless honor.
Thankfully, his wife had given him Li.