"Don't worry, Hua Bao, I won't let any other women get close to me." Lin Xuan couldn't help but think of Su Hua's intense possessiveness over the past few days. How could he dare to provoke any other woman?
"Mm." Su Hua's lips curved into a smile.
They returned to Night Garden.
The staff at Night Garden could clearly sense that the cold, oppressive aura around Su Hua had dissipated.
They were surprised.
Had the storm passed for Su Hua?
Young Master Lin was truly impressive, having managed to soothe Su Hua's temper.
On Qin Ruoyao's side, Lin Li had been extremely gentle with her recently.
Lin Li had even taken her to meet Jiang Shuqin and Lin Chang.
Lin Li's recent actions had lulled Qin Ruoyao into a dream of marrying into the Lin family.
She gradually let her guard down.
"Ruoyao," Qin's Mother cautioned with concern, "you must be careful and protect the child in your belly."
This child was the only hope for both mother and daughter; nothing could go wrong.
Qin Ruoyao, however, didn't take her mother's words to heart. She caressed her belly and smiled blissfully, "Mom, don't worry. The baby will be fine."
"Ruoyao..." Qin's Mother wanted to say more.
Qin Ruoyao reassured her, "Mom, Brother Li won't harm this child. I can tell he values the baby very much. His parents are also delighted and even gave me 100,000 yuan as pocket money."
"They care so much about this child; they would never do anything to harm it."
"This time, I will definitely marry into the Lin family through this child."
Qin Ruoyao's eyes sparkled with the dream of becoming a wealthy young mistress.
"Ruoyao, I understand what you're saying, but I can't shake this uneasy feeling in my heart," Qin's Mother sighed.
"Mom, maybe it's because of what happened in the past that you're feeling this way," Qin Ruoyao said with a smile.
"Perhaps."
A layer of worry clouded Qin's Mother's eyes. She hoped that Ruoyao and the child would both be safe and well.
"Mom," Qin Ruoyao rested her head on her mother's lap, "when I become Brother Li's wife, I promise to give you a life of comfort."
"Good, good," Qin's Mother smiled, "my daughter is so filial."
Lin Li stood at the door, listening to the conversation between Qin Ruoyao and her mother. A cold smile tugged at his lips.
Still dreaming of marrying into the Lin family?
How ridiculous.
It was almost time to close the net. Soon, he wouldn't have to pretend to be kind to such a disgusting woman like Qin Ruoyao.
Lin Li quietly closed the door and then knocked twice.
Qin Ruoyao opened the door, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Lin Li. "Brother Li, you're here!"
"Yes," Lin Li smiled, "I brought some supplements for you. My mother personally prepared them."
"Please thank Auntie for me," Qin Ruoyao replied sweetly.
Qin's Mother watched the scene with satisfaction.
It seemed Jiang Shuqin truly cared for Ruoyao and the baby, even preparing supplements for them. Perhaps she had been overthinking things.
At Starlight Group, in the chairman's office.
"Dad," Lin Qingwan said, "Palm Novel Website has sold the film and television rights of several of their novels to Star Entertainment."
Lin Xuan's company currently had limited resources, and Palm Novel Website's library was vast, with many novels suitable for adaptation.
Lin Xuan only kept the rights to the novels he believed would be hits.
The rights to the less profitable novels were sold off to earn some licensing fees.
"Star Entertainment?"
Lin Chang abruptly stood up from his chair, his fists clenched tightly.
"Every time we approached them to buy the rights, they refused. And now they sell them to Star Entertainment! Don't they know that Star Entertainment is Starlight Group's sworn enemy?" Lin Chang gritted his teeth.
"I always thought they simply didn't want to sell the rights. Turns out, they just didn't want to sell them to Starlight Group."
Lin Chang's eyes darkened.
"It seems Palm Novel Website is determined to oppose us!"
"Dad, how should we retaliate?" Lin Qingwan asked.
"Send people to investigate. Find out what Palm Novel Website is up to, and also look into who is behind Sky Curtain Group," Lin Chang said coldly.
"If they dare to oppose Starlight Group, they should be prepared for the consequences."
He had never paid much attention to Sky Curtain Group before, but now that they had crossed him, he would make them regret it.
He would make Palm Novel Website beg them to buy the rights.
"Understood," Lin Qingwan nodded.
Lin Chang glanced at his watch. "Qingwan, send people to investigate, and then prepare to accompany me and Lin Li to tonight's business conference."
Qin Ruoyao was dressed to the nines, her face heavily made up. She wore a white dress, looking every bit the part of a wealthy socialite.
"Ruoyao, where are you going?" Qin's Mother asked, puzzled.
"Mom, I'm going to my high school reunion," Qin Ruoyao replied.
"It's so late. Ruoyao, you should stay home," Qin's Mother said with concern.
"Mom, don't worry. The reunion is being held at the Cloud City Center. It's perfectly safe."
Some of the girls from her class had always looked down on her. This time, she would attend the reunion and show them all.
"Then be careful, Ruoyao," Qin's Mother urged.
"Don't worry, Mom. I will."
Qin Ruoyao left the small rental apartment. Several men in black suits discreetly followed her, watching as she entered a hotel.
"The employer said we must take care of the child in her belly within the next few days," one of the men in the car said.
"That's easy," another man smoking a cigarette replied. "Tonight, I can make the child disappear without a trace."
"I've already arranged everything. We just need the right opportunity."
An opportunity like her crossing a remote street.
He was already setting the stage for it.
Meanwhile, Lin Li was also being followed by Su Hua's people.
Lin Li and Lin Qingwan accompanied Lin Chang to the business conference.
It was a high-profile event attended by the top fifty entrepreneurs in Cloud City, along with some specially invited rising stars, such as Lin Xuan.
The hall was bustling with people, the air filled with the clinking of glasses and lively conversations.
Lin Chang introduced his children with a smile. "This is my eldest daughter, Lin Qingwan. She currently manages the entertainment division of our company."
"Youthful and talented, truly impressive," Mr. Wang praised without hesitation.
His gaze then fell on Lin Li. "Chairman Lin, is this your son?"
"Yes, this is Lin Li," Lin Chang replied, about to introduce him further.
"Lin Li?" Mr. Wang frowned. "That name sounds familiar. Wasn't he involved in that scandalous affair with someone named Qin Ruoyao? I heard she's even pregnant now."
He had heard this from his gossip-loving daughter.