Chapter 218: Everything is Ready

Ling Wu returned to the Jin Family the next day; the living room was very lively, and one could hear conversation and banter from the entryway.

Xiao Yu was wearing a form-fitting wine-red qipao with a fur coat draped over it; she took a light sip of coffee, a proper smile on the corners of her mouth, as she looked at Mrs. Feng opposite her: "I've heard recently that Heng has taken over several companies; truly, the younger generation is formidable."

Besides the two noblewomen, there was a young man in the living room, sitting sprawled on the sofa, head lowered as he fiddled with his phone, looking quite arrogant.

Mrs. Feng was flattered; her fingertips brushed her pearl necklace unintentionally, her eyes full of pride: "Not at all, not at all, it's just the young man wandering about casually, and he's not one to put one's mind at ease; compared to your Yun Chu, he's truly far behind."

"Didn't she just open two new art galleries?"

The two of them went back and forth with the polite pleasantries and reserve of high society.

When Ling Wu changed into slippers and walked in, his gaze swept over the few people on the sofa; just as Mrs. Feng was about to speak, Xiao Yu couldn't hold back: "Why did Ah Wu only just return? If you're tired, hurry upstairs and rest."

Clearly looking as if she didn't want him to stay long.

Xiao Yu then took Mrs. Feng's hand and said: "Never mind the juniors, where were we just talking?"

From the moment he entered and changed his shoes until now, Ling Wu had heard a bit of their conversation; the woman talking with Xiao Yu was the matriarch of the Beidu Feng Family, and although the Feng Family didn't rank as a top-tier noble family, they were still a proper aristocratic one.

He had no interest in knowing anything else, so he went upstairs.

Just as Ling Wu reached the corner of the stairs, he saw Jin Shaoyu, who had his arms crossed and looked for all the world like he was watching a good show.

"Shao Yu?"

Ling Wu called to him softly.

Jin Shaoyu dressed very trendily on a daily basis, wearing baggy jeans paired with a limited-edition designer top, the belt with the logo printed on his waist particularly eye-catching, his whole person radiating a casual and cynical air: "Brother."

Ling Wu placed his hand on the banister and pointed downstairs, whispering to him: "You're eavesdropping on them?"

"What eavesdropping?" Jin Shaoyu's collar was slightly open, revealing his well-defined collarbones: "It's the New Year, they came to my house to chat; the fact that I didn't have the housekeeper sweep them out with a broom is already an act of great mercy."

"?" Ling Wu knew his own younger brother's temper, so he was even more puzzled: "Then why?"

Jin Shaoyu's eyes tilted upward, teasing: "Brother, don't you think watching a matchmaker work is interesting?"

A matchmaker?

Ling Wu poked his head out, his eyes even flashed by the ruby ring Xiao Yu was wearing, and he felt it was absurd: "Is she always this brainless?"

Jin Shaoyu shrugged: "Brain? Brother, if you hadn't said that, I would have thought it was a tumor on her neck; in short, it's just that the daughter is grown, so hurry and sell her for a good price."

He lifted his chin slightly: "The Feng Family is indeed a decent destination; their status is neither high nor low, and the circle recognizes their aristocratic identity. This woman Xiao Yu has eyes higher than the top, thinking that marrying into our Jin Family is like flying onto a branch to become a phoenix, but in reality, she's just a chicken with phoenix feathers stuck in."

"She looks down on those with low family backgrounds, and as for those with slightly higher ones, with me pressing down from above, who would dare have close private dealings with her? So she can only resort to these crooked ways."

Ling Wu knew this was indeed the case.

Then he heard Jin Shaoyu say: "Truly, birds of a feather flock together; this Mrs. Feng is even funnier, bragging about her son in every way, talking as if he were a god."

"That young man on the sofa is the Second Young Master of the Feng Family, I think his name is... Feng Heng? Never mind how I know, he's famous for 'servicing 7 men a night,' his kidneys are already weak, and there are few in the top circles who can look upon him with any regard."

"He's only in his early 20s, and the little lovers he keeps could hold hands and circle Beidu City."

Ling Wu knew that Jin Shaoyu's words certainly had elements of exaggeration, but they were also close to the truth.

Jin Shaoyu hit the nail on the head: "Xiao Yu is planning to marry Jin Yunchu off to him."

He hated Xiao Yu and Jin Bei to the bone, and as for Jin Yunchu, one could only say they were like strangers; since their paths were different, they could not work together, and if there was anyone to blame, it was that she had such a mother.

Jin Shaoyu remembered the kindness of Jin Yunchu bringing him food when they were young, and he hadn't deliberately made things difficult for her after growing up, but as for giving her a pleasant look, that didn't exist either; sometimes, because of Jin Bei and Xiao Yu, she was implicated and suffered along with them.

Such occasions were rare.

But Jin Yunchu was also a smart person; she knew her mother was unreliable, but with the layer of hatred between them, she couldn't show favor to Jin Shaoyu, and when she was inevitably implicated, she would just accept it without fuss or noise.

At least Jin Shaoyu's superficial impartiality kept Jin Yunchu from being in an awkward position; on the surface, she was still Xiao Yu's daughter, but she didn't suffer the kind of crazy retaliation that Jin Bei did, so it could be considered living in peace.

Ling Wu thought about the stakes involved, his whole person very serious, and he didn't even notice what Jin Shaoyu said afterward.

He came back to his senses: "Shao Yu, let's go."

"There's nothing worth listening to."

The sunlight spilled brightly into the glass flower house; because of the indoor heating, Jin Yunchu had taken off her coat and placed it to the side, a delicate apron tied around her waist, holding small gardening shears, focusing on pruning the flower branches...

"Click!"

The excess branches were clipped off.

She picked up a silver watering can nearby to water them.

"Yun Chu!"

Jin Yunchu turned her head, and when she saw that the person who had come was Feng Heng, the smile on her face vanished completely: "What are you here for?"

"I've said it, it's impossible for me to like someone like you."

It was no secret that Feng Heng was bisexual, and naturally, Jin Yunchu couldn't be so ill-informed.

"Don't like me? We can cultivate it slowly."

Feng Heng rubbed his hands together: "Madam Jin has already agreed to marry you to me."

"Bang!"

The watering can slipped from her hand and smashed onto the ground; Jin Yunchu was left dizzy by his words, her lips trembling, feeling a thick sense of powerlessness rising from the bottom of her heart; she knew it, she just knew it...

What exactly had she done wrong?

All these years she had been diligent enough, doing everything to perfection, even Jin Liangjin had praised her for being excellent; why couldn't Xiao Yu see it?

The power of the Jin Family wasn't so easy to obtain; she was fully capable of taking her and Jin Bei out to establish their own household, which would be better than being pointed at behind her back all day.

Feng Heng reached out toward Jin Yunchu, and just as he was about to touch her face, he was grabbed fiercely by someone: "You are committing sexual harassment."

"What?" Feng Heng had just wanted to see who was so blind, when he met Ling Wu's cold and detached eyes.

He forced a smile: "Oh... so it's the Eldest Young Master."

Feng Heng was puzzled; Ling Wu was Jin Shaoyu's own brother, how could he step in to help Jin Yunchu? Originally, with Xiao Yu's cover, he was about to succeed; what bad luck.

Ling Wu let go of Feng Heng's hand: "You can get lost."

Jin Yunchu lowered her head: "Thank you, Big Brother."

After Feng Heng left the glass flower house, Ling Wu wiped his hands with a clean handkerchief and began to size up Jin Yunchu in earnest; those eyes carried a cold scrutiny, like a blade, capable of cutting through a person's disguise and seeing into the depths of their heart.

Jin Yunchu felt very nervous under his gaze, as if she had nowhere to hide.

This kind of deterrent force that made one's breath tighten reminded her of Jin Liangjin; this eldest brother, who had not been back to the family for very long, possessed the same methods and boldness.

"Eldest Brother?"

"You are a smart person; you know what kind of choice is most beneficial to yourself." Ling Wu handed over a business card: "Leave the Jin Family and go establish your own house. I will provide you with the necessary capital and connections, ensuring you thrive in Beidu City."

"You don't need to doubt my words; I have the ability to accomplish it."

Jin Yunchu naturally knew the methods of this eldest brother, a person who could negotiate with Jin Liangjin and still hold the upper hand.

Ling Wu did not have much time left. Within the entire Jin Family, Xiao Yu was foolish and Jin Bei was impulsive—neither could accomplish great things. Only this younger sister, who endured humiliation and bided her time, possessed a calm temperament when facing major events; she was someone who could succeed. Leaving her alone might pose a not-insignificant threat to Shao Yu.

He was willing to do a favor, to give Jin Yunchu a push, to provide her with a ladder to the clouds, and to help her grasp real power and reach high places.

Jin Yunchu had long wanted to leave the Jin Family; she had no reason to refuse, but there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world: "Eldest Brother, what do you want me to do?"

Ling Wu was decisive: "First, leave the Jin Family and establish your own house; I will ask the Elder Council to remove you from the family genealogy. Second, do one thing for me."

For the direct line of the Jin Family, only Jin Shaoyu needed to remain.

"I agree to the first point." Jin Yunchu asked: "As for the second point, what do you want me to do?"

Ling Wu did not answer directly: "A very small matter. You can consider it for a few days. I will tell you specifically what this favor entails later."

"If you agree, contact me, and I will transfer 20% of the assets under my name to you."

A few days later.

The call connected.

"Hello?"

Jin Yunchu said: "Eldest Brother, I agree to your proposal."

Ling Wu's efficiency was high; that very evening, both parties met in a private room to sign the transfer agreement.

Jin Yunchu fell into deep thought after seeing the countless zeros following the amount on the asset transfer agreement...

This eldest brother of hers was truly wealthy.

Ling Wu crossed his fingers and sat with his legs crossed, looking exceptionally languid: "Do you know about our Jin Family's Weapon Research Institute?"

Jin Yunchu had lived in the Jin Family since she was a child, so she naturally knew: "Eldest Brother, is the matter you want me to help with related to this? If so, I am very likely unable to help; without Father's permission, one cannot enter."

"Rest assured, I am only asking you to lead the way for my person." Ling Wu sipped his coffee: "I have the highest level of authorization to enter the Research Institute. When the time comes, I will issue an order for you, and you just need to go there and show your face as a young lady of the Jin Family."

"Then bring him into the Research Institute."

"Jin Liangjin will not know."

Jin Yunchu felt relieved: "Father won't know?"

She found it inconceivable; everything in the Jin Family was under Jin Liangjin's control, yet Ling Wu could evade his eyes and ears without him knowing.

Ling Wu said: "Yes."

"He does not have the time to know."

These words were spoken with profound ambiguity.

Jin Yunchu did not press further: "I understand."

But deep down, she felt a vague anxiety, like facing a volcanic eruption; it felt as if what she had just signed was not an asset transfer agreement, but a contract for murder and arson.

Fu Family.

Ling Wu and Chu Yi sat on the sofa, while Ming Tan was the one who arrived late. He placed his web of the thumb on the scar around his neck and smiled at Ling Wu: "A rare guest."

"The wound on your neck, it hasn't healed yet?" Ling Wu asked.

Ming Tan did not care, feeling that keeping such a wound was convenient for scaring people. He rubbed the raised area with his fingertips: "This is a badge of honor; how could it disappear so easily?"

Ling Wu's lips curled into a faint arc, noncommittal.

Chu Yi poured him a glass of plain water and placed it by his hand.

"You came just in time."

Ming Tan drank the hot water, feeling warmth in his stomach, which even dispelled much of the cold air he had brought in from outside: "That's a coincidence."

"Speak, what are you two discussing?"

Ling Wu pushed the blueprint toward Ming Tan: "The plan is decided; we act on January 15th. The defense map of the Yu Family might not be ready in time, but the odds of success remain unchanged."

He tapped with his knuckles: "This is the map of the Jin Family's Weapon Research Institute. Take a look first. Chu Yi has already shown his face in high society, and his identity would cause unnecessary trouble for this task. You are currently our best choice."

"I have arranged for a guide; she will bring you into the Research Institute. There is a Central Console in C District. I will go there in advance to confirm the commands are correct; Ming Tan, you only need to initiate it."

Chu Yi listened without speaking.

Ming Tan let out a "Hmm."

"It sounds very simple."

Ling Wu nodded slightly: "It does indeed sound very simple."

"But it is truly the most important link in the plan."

Ming Tan's gaze moved away from C District on the blueprint: "What is this thing?"

"A newly developed weapon." Ling Wu's voice was steady, permeated with a certain murderous aura: "Its power is immense, but it hasn't been perfected yet; it can be considered a semi-finished product. It can directly 【bypass/breach】 their defense systems and conduct precision strikes on the Military Bases of the Yu, Jing, and Yin families, reducing their military strength."

The room fell silent.

Ling Wu straightened up: "I will only help you up to this point."

"As for the rest, I am powerless. Whatever you want to obtain, you must pay the corresponding price to strive for it."

"This is a long-term struggle."

Chu Yi was sensitive: "What do you mean by you will only help us up to this point?"

Ling Wu had a fleeting illusion of being seen through, but he quickly returned to normal: "I mean, the world outside is left to you. I am responsible for helping you trap the leaders of the great families at sea."

"Buying you sufficient time."

Chu Yi still felt something was wrong; he felt that Ling Wu had suddenly relaxed, as if facing a road that was about to come to an end. But people cannot foresee the future, and this sudden relaxation was somewhat abnormal—it did not look like laying down a burden from one's shoulders, but rather like self-destruction without any desires.

"Ling Wu." Chu Yi asked him with a grave expression: "Is there something you are keeping from me?"

He did not want Ling Wu to lie to him, yet he clearly knew that he and Ling Wu were nothing to each other, and he did not even have the standing to ask for a straight answer.

Ling Wu spread his hands: "What could I possibly keep from you?"

"Are you doubting the sincerity of my cooperation?"

Chu Yi pressed his lips into a thin line: "You know that is not what I meant."