Chapter 89: The Return of the Meritorious Official

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Lin Enterprises, third floor conference room.

Due to matters over at the HappyDuo Group, Lin Jiahao, the head of the family, was unable to attend. Lin Jiarong, vice general manager of Lin Enterprises, remained in the conference room, as this was his daughter’s most important assignment to date.

The Jiarong family took this event very seriously; even Fang Rui had taken leave to be present.

“Fang Rui, the tea’s gone cold, hurry and pour another pot.”

“Fang Rui, arrange the tables and chairs!”

“The table’s dirty—what are your eyes for? Didn’t you see all that dust?”

Fang Rui was being ordered about like a dog. When he previously thought the Lin family was doomed and offended Lin Shuqi, he never imagined a day like this would come.

But Lin Shuqi wasn’t deliberately targeting him now. It was her first time handling such an important matter, and facing someone like Xia Yurong made her truly nervous.

Second Aunt comforted her, “Shuqi, don’t be so tense. The loan’s already been negotiated, this is just a formality. Whether you can befriend Xia Yurong depends on fate. Even that useless Hong Yu caught Xia Yurong’s eye—such an unbelievable thing, none of us would have imagined it before.”

Lin Shuqi nodded. Soon, representatives from Morgan Bank arrived.

A woman in professional attire and glasses, accompanied by two young assistants, entered the conference room.

Lin Shuqi quickly stood up. “Miss Xia, I am the manager of Lin Catering Group and the representative for today’s signing.”

The woman frowned and paid her no attention.

She glanced around, then said, “First, let me clarify: I am not Xia Xing, I am Xia Xing’s secretary, Long Xiaopei.”

“And... Miss Lin? Not you, Miss Lin, but where is Lin Shuyu?”

Lin Shuqi felt awkward; she hadn’t expected such a mix-up.

Even so, she dared not offend Xia Yurong’s secretary, regardless of her rank.

Lin Shuyu smiled and said, “Miss Long, I apologize for this rookie mistake. As for Lin Shuyu not attending the signing, that was a unanimous decision by Lin Enterprises. Lin Shuyu is not an employee of our company, and frankly, she lacks the ability to handle this signing, so she isn’t present. I was chosen instead.”

As she spoke, Lin Shuqi held her head higher and higher.

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Her words, though seemingly about Lin Shuyu, actually highlighted her own position and competence.

If Xia Yurong herself had come, Lin Shuqi might have been more restrained, but since it was only a secretary, she felt obliged to show respect but not to be overly cautious—she could just be herself.

“Oh, is that so?” Long Xiaopei nodded, appearing to understand.

Just as Lin Shuqi was about to seize the opportunity, Long Xiaopei unexpectedly stood up.

With a severe tone, Long Xiaopei said, “Since Miss Lin Shuyu isn’t presiding, I’ll take my leave.”

Lin Shuqi was shocked. “Why? Isn’t this just a signing ceremony? It’s only a formality—is it really necessary for Lin Shuyu to attend?”

Lin Jiarong also stood up, nervous. “Miss Long, please don’t be upset! Whether Lin Shuyu is present or not shouldn’t make any difference to the contract. I believe Lin Shuqi is perfectly suited for this signing ceremony.”

Long Xiaopei cast a cold glance at the Lin family. “Enough. Go tell your Lin upper management: this loan from Morgan Bank is for Miss Lin Shuyu. Frankly, Lin Enterprises isn’t qualified to borrow this much money from us.”

With that icy remark, Long Xiaopei left the conference room with her assistants, not sparing another look at Jiarong’s family.

Lin Jiaqi looked at her father; Lin Jiarong looked at Second Aunt; Second Aunt stared at the trash bin.

No one dared meet each other’s eyes—they knew they were in deep trouble this time.

...

Lin Family Mansion.

Everyone was drinking tea, and the patriarch was even playing chess with someone.

“Old Master, you’re really not worried at all?” someone suddenly asked.

The old master gripped a chess piece and slammed it down: “Checkmate!”

“You’re out of moves.”

He sipped his tea before replying, “Why worry? Unlike Shuyu, Shuqi’s heart has always been with our Lin family. The loan contract is already signed; we’re just waiting to exchange documents. Any fool could complete this task—of course Shuqi can handle it.”

Lin Shufeng, seated on the sofa, was annoyed as the old master praised Shuqi. “Grandfather, if any fool can do it, why not let Shuyu handle it?”

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“Enough!” the old master bellowed. “Don’t bring up what shouldn’t be mentioned! Didn’t I say? Shuyu handling this would be risky, but others wouldn’t face that.”

“And you! Since leaving the Zhao family, why do you laze around home all day?”

“If you have nothing to do, go help out at the company. I’ll let you be a supervisor for now.”

“No!” Lin Shufeng shook her head. “Why should I only be a supervisor? Grandfather, I’m not some silly girl like Shuyu. If you think you can fob me off with a supervisor position, you’re mistaken. Even Shuqi, who’s younger than me, is a manager—I should at least be a deputy general manager.”

The old master frowned. “Where would all these deputy managers come from? Your second uncle holds that post now. Should I let you take over and dismiss him?”

Lin Shufeng had been waiting for this. She quickly sidled up and wheedled, “Grandfather, I know you’re the best. Someone as filial and respectful as me would never steal Second Uncle’s position.”

The old master laughed. “So what do you want? Tell me, and if it’s possible, I’ll try to grant it.”

“Muah—”

Lin Shufeng shamelessly kissed her grandfather’s aged, bark-like face and exclaimed excitedly, “I want to be general manager of the new factory. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

The old master frowned. “General manager of the new factory? That’s an important position. I intended it for someone mature and steady...”

“Grandfather, didn’t you say you’d try to satisfy me?” Lin Shufeng protested. “Are you saying I’m not mature or steady enough? Honestly, I helped out at the Zhao family before. Their company is huge, and I managed things smoothly. The new factory is nothing.”

Of course, Lin Shufeng was boasting. In the Zhao family, she was nothing but a layabout. An old fox like Zhao Jianwei, who could squeeze oil from a stone, would never let her near his business.

In the end, the old master could only nod in resignation.

At that moment, Jiarong’s family hurried back from the company.

As soon as they appeared, the old master led the applause.

“Welcome, everyone—let’s welcome our heroes home!”