C11 The Bargaining Chips

Lin Ci stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the tenth floor. With a ding, the doors opened to reveal a lavish restaurant with an elegant atmosphere. The men inside were impeccably dressed in suits, exuding charm, while the women were also uniformly attired in suits.

This establishment was conveniently located near both a school and the bustling commercial district. Naturally, it catered to high-end clientele who sought a sophisticated hotel that combined business, relaxation, dining, and entertainment. Beyond these offerings, it was also a hub for clandestine dealings.

Before her rebirth, Lin Ci had gathered some evidence, but at that time, her child, Linlin, had just been born. She was too absorbed in the joys of new motherhood to engage in a battle with Fu Yuanyi.

Now, however, these pieces of evidence served as perfect bargaining chips for negotiations with Fu Yuanyi.

Lin Ci picked some seafood and cake from a white porcelain plate and sat at the most prominent table, strategically positioned along a path Fu Yuanyi would likely take if he came to inspect. She had prepped some sand, washing it in advance, and discreetly sprinkled it into the already-opened shellfish, avoiding the camera's view.

Now, it was a matter of timing. After taking a bite of cake, Lin Ci noticed a figure and began to shout loudly, “What is this? Why is there sand in the crab? What kind of hotel is this? I demand compensation!” Her words immediately drew everyone's attention, including his.

At that moment, the waiter overheard the commotion and immediately came over to apologize, saying, "I'm sorry, ma'am. Our hotel's dining is always very clean..." He hadn't even finished speaking.

Lin Ci, leaning back in her seat with a calm demeanor, retorted, "So you're saying I'm making this up?" The waiter quickly bowed his head again, apologizing, "I'm sorry, ma'am. Can we bring you a new dish?"

Lin Ci, still relentless, replied, "What, that's it? Call your manager here. I want to have a word with them." The waiter looked troubled, as if he wanted to say something.

Just then, a large, firm hand rested on the waiter's shoulder, seemingly to reassure him, and gave a gentle pat. The waiter's expression finally returned to a calm state.

Lin Ci raised an eyebrow as she looked at him, slightly surprised to see Shen Yejin, the reputed carefree playboy. But how could he be so carefree? In a family like his, he would have been swallowed whole long ago if that were the case. Life sure is unpredictable.

His mother was the first wife, but she passed away when he was very young. His unreliable father remarried a few months later to a beautiful young woman and had another son, who turned out to be more promising. His father, Shen Rui, focused all his efforts on nurturing his younger brother, Shen Hanyu, while ignoring Shen Yejin. As the eldest son without a mother's love or a father's attention, the company's attitude shifted, assuming Shen Hanyu was the heir apparent, and naturally, they didn't treat Shen Yejin kindly.

Lin Ci knew that in ten years, the final person in charge of the Shen Corporation would be Shen Yejin. All these years, he had been playing the fool while secretly being incredibly shrewd. Lin Ci gathered her thoughts and pointed at Fu Yuanyi, saying, "Looks like you're the one in charge here. I need to talk to you about how to make things right."

Fu Yuanyi smiled knowingly and said, "After you, miss."

On the outside, Lin Ci appeared calm, but inside she was astonished. Fu Yuanyi could smile? After so many years of open and hidden struggles, she never knew his smile could be so charming.