Chapter 106: Boundless Sin?

"Mr. Qin, congratulations on your grand opening! May your wealth flow as endlessly as a river!"

Lin Qingxue’s words sent a shockwave through everyone present. All eyes were fixed firmly upon her. She was still holding the luxuriously prepared flower basket she had brought, every bloom a symbol of her well-wishes.

Was she truly here to congratulate Qin Mu? The crowd was bewildered, unable to believe their eyes. After all, Xie Donglin was sitting right there, watching. Was Lin Qingxue out of her mind?

"Very well, please take a seat," Qin Mu said with a smile.

Aside from the many small merchants connected to the Lin family, there were also members of the Chu family, whom Qin Mu had personally crushed at the Lin family estate. People like Xie Donglin, of course, were unaware of the connection between Qin Mu and Lin Qingxue.

Lin Qingxue had her attendants place the flower basket beside Qin Mu’s seat of honor before she sat down calmly.

"Is she really here to bless that kid?" the crowd whispered in astonishment. The Lin Group was currently at the peak of its development. By any logic, currying favor with Xie Donglin and the Jiang Alliance would ensure a far more promising future.

"Vice-Director Xie, what should we do?" someone asked.

While a single Lin Qingxue might not change the overall situation, her presence provided enough legitimacy to weaken their pressure.

"Since Lin Qingxue doesn't know what's good for her, then destroy her," Xie Donglin murmured coldly, signaling for his men to act.

Soon, a group of people walked in. Lin Qingxue focused her gaze and recognized them all. They were business partners of her Lin Group. Leading them was a middle-aged man in glasses named Gao Juncai. He had been associated with the Lin family for over twenty years; he had not even defected back when Lin Zhengxing offended the Jiang Alliance by speaking up for that woman.

"Why are you here?" Lin Qingxue asked. Her decision to support Qin Mu was entirely her own; she had not invited anyone else.

"President Lin, I advise you to take back that flower basket and leave," Gao Juncai said, his opening words cold and heartless.

"What do you mean by that?" Lin Qingxue frowned.

"Do you really not understand, President Lin? Look at the big shots here, and the officials from various provinces and cities. Do you really dare to show support for that reckless man? The Lin Group’s stocks have already hit the limit down! If you don't stop now, the entire Lin Group will become history!"

After Xie Donglin’s phone call, the terrifying influence of the Jiang Alliance had weighed heavily upon them. Gao Juncai was no fool. He had stayed with the Lin family twenty years ago only because the Jiang Alliance had not yet consolidated its power and the Lin family still had utility. Now, with the Jiang Alliance and Xie Donglin explicitly applying pressure, he could discard the Lin family as easily as one might cast off a worn garment to protect himself.

"I’ve heard this kind of threat too many times over the last twenty years!" Lin Qingxue shook her head. "My father was wrong to think you were a reliable man; you are nothing but a sycophant."

Only at times like these could one see the true faces of such people. Gao Juncai’s eyes twitched. Seeing Lin Qingxue’s indifference, he said furiously, "If you insist on choosing sides, President Lin, we have no choice but to make a difficult decision. We are canceling all cooperation with the Lin Group and withdrawing all capital!"

Gao Juncai and his group delivered their final ultimatum. Their collective weight was significant; if they were to leave, the Lin Group would surely collapse in an instant.

Xie Donglin sat to the side, sipping his tea with a calm, triumphant smile, watching the show. Surely, with Lin Qingxue caring so much about the Lin Group, she would eventually have to yield and stand on his side, right?

But Lin Qingxue’s expression remained unchanged. With a wave of her slender arm, not even glancing at them, she said clearly, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

Gao Juncai and the others were stunned. "You! You ungrateful wretch! Just wait for your downfall!"

Gao Juncai twitched, helpless, and after leaving a harsh parting remark, he retreated in humiliation to sit by Xie Donglin’s side. Even Xie Donglin was surprised that Qin Mu had such a loyal subordinate.

"Do you think you’ve managed to turn the tables?" Xie Donglin asked, looking at Qin Mu with a sinister glint in his eyes.

"Who knows?" Qin Mu replied with a nonchalant smile.

It was only then that Xie Donglin noticed with surprise that Qin Mu’s expression had not changed from the very beginning.

"Don't be so anxious. The main event is still to come," Xie Donglin said, relaxing. He was fully prepared; he had no doubt he would destroy Qin Mu. Once Qin Mu fell, he intended to seize the White Emperor City for himself without paying a single cent.

Ten minutes later, a man resembling a secretary hurried onto the scene, walked up to Xie Donglin, whispered something in his ear, and handed him several documents. The reporters outside, seeing this, grew tense, anxious to know what had happened.

After listening, Xie Donglin assumed a grave expression and slowly stood up.

"Vice-Director Xie, what is the matter?" someone nearby asked.

Xie Donglin put on a look of regret, his eyes flickering toward Qin Mu as he spoke. "My men have just finished an investigation. It turns out that while some people appear glorious on the surface, they are, in reality, riddled with heinous crimes and evil deeds!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room gasped!

"Vice-Director Xie, what exactly is going on?"