Chapter Fifty-Two: Hope Shattered

When Lin Yuxin took over Linfeng Trading, the company had just over two hundred thousand yuan in its accounts, but owed more than five hundred thousand. Aside from office equipment, there were no fixed assets. The previous year’s revenue barely exceeded two million, and there were only seven employees. The company was solidly in the red, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

Now, with twenty-seven employees, last year’s revenue had surpassed ten million, and year-end profits reached 1.2 million. At its peak, the company’s bank balance exceeded five million. In just two years, Linfeng Trading had swung from loss to profit, its earnings closing in on those of its parent company, the Lin Group. As CEO, Lin Yuxin had poured her heart and soul into this transformation; it was her relentless effort, her every calculated move, that had brought the company to where it stood today.

This company carried her deepest feelings and embodied her hopes for the future.

Even with her family’s peace at stake, her father’s shares in the Lin Group lost, and their house sold, none of it mattered—as long as she could become the majority shareholder of Linfeng Trading and hold real decision-making power. She believed that in no time, she could recoup their losses, and life for her family would only improve.

The key to everything lay in securing a partnership exceeding thirty million with the Hongcheng Group in the next two weeks, thereby earning the twenty percent share in Linfeng Trading promised by the old matriarch.

Today was crucial. The company had long since prepared a memorandum of understanding for the partnership. The only reason they hadn’t yet approached Hongcheng Group’s business department for substantive negotiations was the company’s current lack of liquid assets.

For a deal worth thirty million, without at least five million in available funds, Linfeng Trading would fail the financial review at the first hurdle. To address this, Lin Yuxin had already pledged several projects as collateral and applied for loans from two finance companies.

Today, the results of those loan applications would come.

At eight o’clock sharp, Lin Yuxin was already seated in her office, brewing a fragrant cup of coffee. She absentmindedly scrolled through online news, stirring her cup with a silver spoon.

Over an hour passed, yet she made no move to start work. When her secretary brought in two documents, she merely said, “Just leave them there.”

As ten o’clock drew near, a call came in from one of the finance companies. Hope flickered in her eyes as she answered, only to hear, “President Lin, we’re very sorry—your loan application was rejected by the risk control department.”

No matter what, Linfeng Trading was a client—successful application or not, basic courtesy was owed. Yet the caller’s tone was flat, their apology devoid of sincerity.

But Lin Yuxin had no energy to dwell on it. She wasn’t surprised the loan was denied; she could always reapply for a smaller amount. She asked, “Manager Du, what loan amount did your company assess as feasible?”

There was a pause on the other end. “President Lin, haven’t you communicated with your parent company? Linfeng Trading has already been used as collateral for a loan by the Lin Group.”

A thunderclap exploded in her mind.

How could this be?

“President Lin, submitting multiple loan applications and concealing material facts—if you’d applied at a bank, Linfeng Trading might have been blacklisted.”

The man’s tone grew somber. “To expedite your application, I pushed several departments and even got a special approval from the deputy director. Now this happens. My boss just tore into me and suspects I was helping a client commit loan fraud. I can’t explain my way out of this!”

Lin Yuxin didn’t even know when she hung up. She hadn’t heard a word of his complaint, only muttered apologies and “Sorry for the trouble…”

She sat in a daze for ten full minutes before her mind cleared. Eyes blazing with fury, she picked up her desk phone and dialed her uncle’s number.

Trying to control her anger, she asked, “Uncle, did the Lin Group use Linfeng Trading as collateral for a loan?”

Her uncle replied with an apologetic chuckle, “Ah, I meant to let you know earlier, but things have been hectic. The Lin Group’s cash flow was tight, so I had the finance department borrow three million from a finance company for turnover.”

Lin Yuxin finally lost control. “Uncle, I am the CEO of Linfeng Trading. You used the entire company as collateral without telling me—isn’t that going too far?”

Her uncle’s tone hardened. “Yuxin, what is this attitude? Don’t forget I’m the Lin Group’s CEO. You only manage a subsidiary. The Lin Group is the controlling shareholder. Do I need your permission for every decision?”

She was left speechless, her cheeks flushed with indignation. The company had been mortgaged and the CEO hadn’t even been informed—if word got out, they’d be a laughingstock in the business world.

But this was simply how the Lin family operated. Her second uncle and third aunt, too, treated their domains within the Lin Group like private fiefdoms, often bypassing the CEO’s signature when one was required. Now, her uncle did the same, making decisions on behalf of the board in his capacity as CEO.

He changed the subject. “Yuxin, I heard about what happened in your family. Yuan returned and spoke to me earlier. He’s anxious to cash out his ten percent stake. I can’t come up with a million right now, but if you’ll accept eight hundred thousand, I’ll guarantee you’ll have the cash by tomorrow afternoon. Talk it over with Yuan tonight and call me. I have things to do—let’s leave it at that.”

The line went dead. Lin Yuxin gripped the receiver, veins standing out against her fair skin, her whole body trembling with rage.

The Lin Group was reputed to be worth twenty million, but by her estimate, it was more like twelve to fifteen million. She’d only asked for a million in exchange for a ten percent stake, yet her uncle insisted on slashing it by twenty percent. To kick someone when they’re down to this extent—let alone family, even a stranger in business wouldn’t be so ruthless!

Angry as she was, she had to face reality. In the end, she set the receiver back down. Curling into her chair, she stared into the bright sunlight streaming through the window, but it felt as though a shadow had settled over her.

Her uncle’s actions hadn’t just cut off Linfeng Trading’s access to loans—they had also destroyed its prospects for collaboration with Hongcheng Group. Who would partner with a company already mortgaged, especially someone as sought-after and selective as Hongcheng Group?

Her hopes were dashed before negotiations had even begun.

For once, her mind was utterly blank. She didn’t know how long she sat there before her phone vibrated on the desk. She picked it up without checking the caller ID and answered, “Who is it?”

“Yuxin, have you really erased all trace of me—even deleted my number?” a familiar male voice teased, making her brow knit.

It was Chen Feiyang.

“There’s nothing strange about it. I told you—we have no reason to be in contact, either professionally or personally.”

“So I was the only one being sentimental.” Chen Feiyang sighed. “Your sister called me earlier and told me about your situation. Three million is no small sum—selling shares, selling your house… Out of goodwill, I wanted to meet you tonight, see if I could help. Even if you’re indifferent to me, I can’t be indifferent to you.”

Normally, she would have refused outright, but now her lips twitched. She didn’t agree, but she didn’t say no.

Sensing her hesitation, Chen Feiyang added, “Yuxin, I admit I have intentions toward you. But you’ve known me long enough to know my character—I won’t force you into anything.”

That finally made her relent. It was true—whatever his motives, Chen Feiyang had always been something of a gentleman.

“All right, you name the time, I’ll pick the place.”

“I can’t say for sure yet—I already have an appointment tonight. Wait for my call.”

After hanging up, Lin Yuxin let her arm drop, feeling as though every ounce of strength had drained from her body.

She believed Lin Yufei had reached out to Chen Feiyang for help and didn’t blame her. She knew Chen Feiyang wouldn’t help without expecting something in return. But she was cornered. With the Hongcheng Group deal dead, her monthly salary barely covered the two-year personal loan repayments. If her father’s shares were sold for a pittance and the house was gone, where would the family live? How would they survive?

At a time like this, she had no choice but to accept the olive branch Chen Feiyang offered. If it turned out to be poisoned, she could always let go later.

Her phone vibrated again—a single message this time. She didn’t want to look but checked anyway. It was a Yunxin message from Hong Chen: “I’m back,” followed by a smiling emoji.

The smile was radiant, but to Lin Yuxin, it was glaringly harsh, reigniting the fury she’d just managed to quell.

She quickly replied: “Are you working this afternoon?”

Hong Chen answered: “No, I’m on my way to an internet café.”

She sent another message: “Come to Linfeng Trading now. I need to see you.”