Chapter 203

In the temporary lounge of the Starfire Group headquarters, the family of three, Lin Guodong, sat on a crude wooden bed,

the atmosphere silent. Liu Mei was combing Lin Xiaoxiao's tangled hair, and Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes were still red and swollen,

looking toward the door from time to time, her eyes full of unease. Lin Guodong leaned against the wall,

his hands crossed over his chest, his brows locked tight—he didn't know how Lin Chen would deal with them, whether it was true acceptance, or treating them as pawns like Zhou Bao.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knock on the door sounded, and Lin Chen pushed open the door and walked in, followed by a team member responsible for recording.

Seeing Lin Chen, Lin Guodong stood up immediately, and Liu Mei also stopped her movements, looking at him nervously.

"I called you over because there is something to notify you about." Lin Chen pulled over a chair and sat down,

his gaze sweeping over the three, "Tomorrow we are going to have peace talks with the Iron Hand Group, and we need you to participate as negotiation representatives."

"Negotiation representatives?

" Lin Guodong was stunned, subconsciously asking back, "How can we be negotiation representatives?

We are just..." He didn't finish his sentence before being interrupted by Lin Chen: "You know the internal situation of the Iron Hand Group best,

and also know their weaknesses and demands; having you come forward can make the peace talks go more smoothly.

And Zhou Bao pushed you out as scapegoats, so you also have the right to explain the truth in the peace talks and take back what belongs to you."

Liu Mei hesitated: "But we have never participated in negotiations; what if we mess it up?

And Zhou Bao is so cunning; maybe he will frame us during the peace talks." Lin Chen took out a document,

placed it on the table: "You take a look at the negotiation points we have drafted first;

it is mainly to confirm the quantity of supplies the Iron Hand Group compensates, the delivery time, and their promise not to harass nearby survivors in the future. As for Zhou Bao, we will send people to protect you throughout the process and won't let him hurt you."

Lin Xiaoxiao pulled Liu Mei's hem and said in a low voice: "Mom,

I don't want to see that bad uncle (Zhou Bao); he drove us to the ruins before,

and didn't give us food." Liu Mei touched her daughter's head and didn't speak, her eyes full of entanglement.

Lin Guodong picked up the document on the table and flipped through it quickly, his fingers turning slightly white from the force—he knew that

this was their only chance to get rid of the "disaster star" label and stand firm again; if they refused, they might only be able to live in the exclusion and suspicion of others forever.

"We agree." Lin Guodong put down the document, looked up at Lin Chen, his tone firm,

"But we have a condition: after the peace talks end, we want to stay in the Starfire Group; we will work hard,

won't add trouble to you, and will also prove that we are not disaster stars." Lin Chen nodded: "As long as the peace talks go smoothly,

and you are willing to stay, we welcome you. But I'll say the ugly words first: if you play tricks in the peace talks, or hide important information, you will bear the consequences yourselves."

For the rest of the time, Lin Chen explained the negotiation points to Lin Guodong's family in detail,

and the team member recorded the questions and supplementary suggestions they raised on the side.

Lin Guodong combined his experience in the Iron Hand Group and pointed out the loopholes that might exist in the document—for example, the Iron Hand Group might use expired canned food to make up the numbers,

or deliberately delay the delivery time of supplies; these all needed to be clearly specified in the peace talks to avoid subsequent disputes.

Liu Mei also suggested hoping to add a clause of "the Iron Hand Group must not spread rumors about their family again" in the peace talks,

and Lin Chen agreed and had the team member modify the document immediately. Although Lin Xiaoxiao didn't understand much, she also sat quietly on the side, occasionally helping Liu Mei pass pens or paper, without making a fuss.

The sky darkened, and Lin Chen stood up to leave: "You familiarize yourselves with the document again; tomorrow morning at eight o'clock,

we will gather at the entrance of the headquarters and go to the peace talk location together. Remember, no matter what Zhou Bao says tomorrow,

don't be provoked by him; with us here, we won't let you suffer losses." Lin Guodong nodded,

sent Lin Chen to the door, and watched his back disappear at the end of the corridor; the stone in his heart finally fell halfway—he didn't know what the result of tomorrow's peace talks would be, but at least they had a chance to prove themselves.

Returning to the lounge, Liu Mei looked at Lin Guodong: "Do you think Zhou Bao will really frame us in the peace talks tomorrow?

For example, saying that we took the initiative to leak information, or saying that we stole things from the Iron Hand Group."

Lin Guodong held her hand: "Don't worry, we have preparations, and Lin Chen will help us.

Tomorrow, as long as we tell the truth and produce evidence, we can let everyone know that

we are not disaster stars, nor are we traitors." Lin Xiaoxiao leaned between the two and said in a low voice: "Dad, Mom, I believe you, and I also believe Uncle Lin Chen; we will definitely succeed tomorrow."