LNTSWJLY Chapter 9

Yu Zhi didn’t expect Yin Xu to always be obedient. Someone who blindly follows others’ orders and acts according to others’ desires is unlikely to truly succeed.

Although it wasn’t necessary for the task, he didn’t want Yin Xu to become the kind of puppet manipulated by others.

But now wasn’t the time for his stubbornness.

Afterward, Yin Xu never came to him again to talk about returning to school for self-study. Every day, he went to the study as usual to listen to him lecture, as if their conversation that day had never happened.

Yu Zhi went to work at the Yu Group, but upon reaching the company’s main hall, he heard a loud commotion.

“Let me in! I want to see Mr. Yu!” Lin Youde shouted, attracting the attention of passing employees.

“Sir, you don’t have an appointment, Mr. Yu doesn’t have time to see you. Please make an appointment first,” the receptionist said urgently, sweating on her forehead, fearing that today’s commotion would cost her salary.

“Does that Mr. Yu, who did such a thing, have the face to ask me to make an appointment? Let him come out and see me!” Lin Youde exclaimed angrily.

Yu Zhi, who had just entered, stopped in his tracks. Behind his assistant, he called out, “Sir? Why don’t you go upstairs first? I’ll have security escort this person out.”

As security guards were also arriving in the lobby, Lin Youde, upon seeing them, became even more agitated, shouting even louder.

Lin Industries was almost bankrupted by the Yu Group, so what did Lin Youde care about saving face? He wanted everyone to see what kind of person Mr. Yu was!

Yu Zhi vetoed his assistant’s suggestion. Instead of staying downstairs to handle Lin Youde, he turned and walked towards him.

“Mr. Lin, such a grand entrance,” his deep voice reverberated in the ears of those present, causing some employees to lower their heads in embarrassment.

Lin Youde, upon seeing him, widened his eyes in anger. “Mr. Yu, you dare to show up and see me?”

He intended to make a scene and tarnish Yu Zhi’s and the Yu Group’s reputation. But he didn’t expect Yu Zhi to approach him. Wasn’t he afraid of losing face in public?

Yu Zhi smirked faintly. “What makes you think there’s anything I wouldn’t dare to do?”

Lin Youde’s face flushed with anger as he pointed and cursed, “You shameless bastard! Setting traps for me, malicious acquisitions, and forcing me to sell my shares!”

Yu Zhi remained calm and composed. “It’s a fact that the Lin Industries has been cutting corners. My acquisition is aimed at ensuring its better development in the future. All my actions are legitimate. If Mr. Lin is dissatisfied, he’s welcome to take me to court. Of course, I’m also willing to accept Mr. Lin’s supervision of Yu Group. If there’s any wrongdoing, you’re welcome to come back and address it.”

His words were reasoned and deliberate, leaving Lin Youde gasping for air, his heart pounding, clutching his chest in distress.

Yu Zhi quickly signaled for the security to step forward, supporting Lin Youde, and expressed concern, “Since Mr. Lin is feeling unwell, why bother coming here personally? If Mr. Lin is reluctant to spend money on hospitalization, I’m willing to be charitable and send you to the hospital for a check-up.”

Lin Youde was genuinely furious this time. He glared at Yu Zhi with eyes ablaze, attempting to rush forward and strike, but he was held back by the security. He couldn’t move at all and could only vent his anger through his words.

“You… you have no respect for the elderly! You’ve taken my son as a plaything! You targeted me and Lin Industries just to hide the truth. Everyone, take a look, this President of the Yu Group is such a shameless old bastard! At his age, he’s sleeping with boys barely in their teens. Not only is he homosexual, but also a disgusting one!”

Yu Zhi’s previously calm expression instantly darkened. His gaze was piercing as he stared at Lin Youde, sending shivers down his spine. He wished he could escape right away!

This man was dangerous!

That was the only thought in his mind. Any previous desire to engage in a life-or-death struggle with the other party had vanished.

He couldn’t win against him, nor could he gain anything good from him!

Whispers started to spread among the bystanders, occasionally glancing towards Yu Zhi.

It seemed they were surprised to discover that their President Yu turned out to be such a person.

Yu Zhi paid no heed to this, steadily approaching Lin Youde, who was being restrained by the security, with calm and composure.

Approaching closer, his gaze landed on Lin Youde’s vulnerable neck, and he spoke leisurely, “Mr. Lin seems confused. I have not seen your two sons, and as far as I know, they are still well at home in the Lin family, not missing. Why would Mr. Lin fabricate such lies to deceive others? Or perhaps… you wish for them to go missing? Hmm?”

The tone rose at the end, sending shivers down Lin Youde’s spine. He was certain, this was a threat.

Yu Zhi was threatening him, implying that if he continued, the other party would take his two sons away!

Lin Youde forced a smile uglier than crying, his voice strained, “President Yu, you must be joking… I misspoke. My sons are all at home, they are all at home!”

Yu Zhi didn’t even touch him, showing disdain. “Since it’s a misunderstanding, let me clarify. Apart from my son, there’s only one child in my household, who comes from an orphanage. I found him pitiable, so I sponsored him to accompany my son as a playmate. Don’t make the mistake again; he’s not surnamed Lin and has no connection to the Lin family.”

“U-understood… Understood!” Lin Youde forced a smile.

All he wanted now was to flee, unable to recall where he found the courage and impulse to come to Yu Group to cause trouble, to confront Yu Zhi. As he looked at Yu Zhi’s eyes, which seemed capable of swallowing everything like an abyss, he felt nothing but fear and extreme danger!

Yu Zhi gestured to the security, “Escort Mr. Lin out.”

“Yes, sir!”

The security escorted Lin Youde out, who didn’t resist at all, even cooperating excessively, leaving the security guards puzzled.

Yu Zhi scanned the surroundings; the bystanders, having finished their gossip, resumed their activities, pretending they hadn’t heard or seen anything.

He called his assistant over.

“Sir?” The assistant marveled inwardly at how well the sir treated Young Master Yin Xu, even defending his reputation outside.

“Go and catch the paparazzi lurking outside. I don’t want any video footage or recordings leaking out today, neither do the people in the company.”

So, Lin Youde planned to hire paparazzi to spread the news. The assistant’s expression turned serious. “Yes, sir!”

After speaking, he hurried out, accompanied by security to apprehend the paparazzi.

With the situation resolved, Yu Zhi casually entered the elevator and went upstairs. As for any rumors circulating in the company, he wasn’t concerned. After all, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble in front of him.

After finishing a normal day of work, at half past six in the afternoon, Yu Zhi had just gotten into his car, preparing to head home when he received a call from the chauffeur assigned to pick up Yin Xu and Xiao Pang.

“Boss, a young man just came to see Young Master Yin Xu. He claimed to be his younger brother and wanted to talk to him. Since it’s not easy for Young Master Yin Xu to refuse in public, they’re currently at a milk tea shop talking.”

Since the last incident when Lin Youde suddenly appeared and was reported to Yu Zhi by security, Yu Zhi has requested to be informed immediately of any unexpected visitors or incidents.

After a brief thought, Yu Zhi knew who the person was and frowned slightly, telling his assistant, “Don’t go home yet. Go to the school.”

Yin Xu looked at the charming and delicate young man in front of him, with a hint of impatience in his eyes. “Is there something you need from me?”

Lin Nuan pretended to be hurt. “Why is Second Brother speaking to Xiao Nuan like this? Xiao Nuan will be sad.”

Yin Xu raised an eyebrow, showing not just impatience in his eyes but also a hint of disgust. He disliked the pretentiousness of the person in front of him.

“Is it related to me?”

“And also, it was just an adoption initially. Now, it’s been annulled. Please remember that my name is Yin Xu, and I have no relation to the Lin family. Understand?”

Perhaps from spending so much time with Yu Zhi, even Yin Xu himself hadn’t realized that his mannerisms had taken on a bit of Yu Zhi’s flavor.

Lin Nuan’s attempt to maintain a facade of sibling harmony fell apart, and his expression soured. “Second Brother, I know you dislike me, and I don’t expect you to like me. But regardless, Dad, Mom, and you are all blood relatives. How could you conspire with outsiders against them? Second Brother, is your heart made of iron?”

Yin Xu found it ridiculous. Members of the Lin family dared to accuse him of having a heart of iron.

Where did they get the nerve?

He still remembered Lin Youde’s remarks about finding him a ‘good match’ and what this seemingly gentle and obedient brother had said.

“Dad wants to find Second Brother someone to entrust his life to? How enviable! Dad, you’re so biased.”

A sarcastic smile crept onto his lips. “Isn’t this what you wanted? Finding me a ‘good match’? Well, I’ve found one now. Thank you very much. Aren’t you happy for me?”

Lin Nuan’s face briefly contorted but quickly returned to normal. “It seems Second Brother is determined and unyielding. Little Brother has no other choice but to let Second Brother’s classmates and teachers know just how ‘loyal and righteous’ Second Brother truly is!”

Yin Xu’s eyes darkened slightly. He restrained the urge to lash out, pressing down on his trembling hands. No, he couldn’t act impulsively, couldn’t resort to violence. That would only bring more trouble to Mr. Yu.

He was already causing enough trouble for him. He couldn’t… he couldn’t do it anymore…

“Yin Xu’s loyalty and righteousness, naturally, should be something I know about. What relationship does the Lin family have with him? Why does he owe them such loyalty and righteousness?”

“If Second Young Master Lin continues to be disruptive, I wouldn’t mind letting others know just how ‘brotherly’ the two young masters of the Lin family are,” came a deep voice from behind.

Yin Xu turned to look and saw the tall figure of the man walking towards them. A sense of relief washed over him. The afternoon sun bathed the man’s figure, and for a moment, he felt as though the man was some kind of divine being sent to rescue him.

Elegant and unparalleled, one of a kind in the world.

There was no trace of the passage of time on him, only the weight and stability that time had bestowed upon him.

With just one glance, he felt at ease.

Lin Nuan stared blankly at Yu Zhi, listening to his words. “You… you…”

How could this be? Wasn’t it supposed to be an older man? How could it be the man standing there, exuding such a powerful aura?!

Compared to him, Lin Heng, who had always seemed mature and powerful in Lin Nuan’s eyes, looked like an immature child.

There was simply no comparison.

Lin Nuan was shocked and stunned, but after a moment, Yu Zhi walked over to Yin Xu’s side, his gaze falling on Yin Xu’s clenched hand. He reached out, took it in his own, gently patting it, and spoke in a gentle tone, “Don’t worry.”

Yin Xu indeed felt relieved. It seemed that as long as this man was present, he didn’t have to fear anything that might happen.

“Lin Youde caused trouble at the Yu Group, and you came here to threaten Yin Xu. Although you two aren’t related by blood, you truly live up to being father and son with your equally despicable and inept methods.”

“I wonder, when they find out that you, underage, were involved with their biological son, will they still acknowledge you as their son?”

“How do you know?!” Lin Nuan felt a chill run down his spine. The man in front of him seemed even more terrifying and powerful in his eyes.

“That’s not important. What’s important is that I don’t want to see you near Yin Xu again, unless you want to end up with nothing.”

Yu Zhi had no particular feelings towards the protagonist of this world; if anything, he felt disgusted, and if he had to act, he wouldn’t hesitate.

With that said, he took Yin Xu and left, getting into the car he had arrived in.

Xiao Pang didn’t see Yin Xu in the car when he came out of school. He asked the driver, “Where’s my Litt… I mean, where’s Brother Xu?” Yin Xu didn’t allow him to call him “Little Dad,” so Xiao Pang could only settle for “Brother¹” instead.

Driver: “Young Master Yin is in Mr. Yu’s car.”

Xiao Pang quickly opened the window and looked around. Sure enough, he saw his old man’s car.

He smirked, “And you say it’s okay? Trying to deceive a kid?”

Once inside the car, Yu Zhi smiled faintly and said to Yin Xu, “I’ll teach you something else today.”

“When facing unpleasant people, there’s no need to compromise yourself. Reputation is just superficial; when you’re strong enough, you don’t have to care about anyone’s opinion.”

The assistant driving the car: “…”

It seemed that the boss had forgotten how he defended Yin Xu’s reputation that morning.

Another case of double standards.

He silently raised the partition, indicating that he didn’t want to witness any lovey-dovey scenes.

After observing for so long, he had figured out one thing: when it came to the boss’s attitude towards Yin Xu, it was either fatherly or intriguing. Either way, he couldn’t afford to offend either of them.

The woes of a working man.

In the backseat, Yin Xu looked at the partition that had been raised, feeling the presence of the man next to him, and faintly catching a whiff of lavender.

The man didn’t seem to like wearing cologne; it was more likely the scent of shower gel or laundry detergent.

He lifted his head and met a pair of eyes that seemed perpetually calm and composed, feeling a flutter in his heart as he quickly lowered his gaze.

“Thank you, sir,” Yin Xu said.

Yu Zhi smiled, “You’re welcome. After all, you’re like a child to me.”

Yin Xu felt even more flustered.

His heart was beating irregularly.

He couldn’t help but wonder, could he bring himself to reject someone like him?

As he thought about the words “reject” and “refuse,” his heart hesitated for a moment.

His mind hadn’t made a decision yet, but his heart had already answered.

——He couldn’t bear to.

……………………………

Author’s Note: