C109 Gongsun Qiuyu

"What? You're heading out of town on a business trip?" Zhang Qimo asked with a hint of confusion. "I'm your boss; how come I wasn't informed?"

"It's a private matter arranged by the Board of Directors," Lin Yin explained.

"Humph!" Zhang Qimo let out a cold snort. "So General Wu and the Board of Directors decided to assign you the villa project without even notifying me. Do you think you're being clever?"

Lin Yin replied with a smile, "Well, your work on the jewelry research is just too critical. The Board of Directors didn't want to distract you with such minor issues. Naturally, they'd leave it to me, your humble assistant."

Zhang Qimo gave Lin Yin a sidelong glance. "You have such a slick tongue."

She said this, but inwardly, she was quite pleased.

"Anyway, where is your business trip to? What will you be doing?" Zhang Qimo inquired, more seriously this time.

"I'll be heading to Imperial City to meet with clients," Lin Yin responded.

"Oh." Zhang Qimo nodded, not probing any further into Lin Yin's affairs.

It was probably for the best that Lin Yin was traveling out of province, away from the temptations of Wang Hongling in Qingyun City.

"How long will you be gone? Are you leaving tomorrow? Make sure to give me a call to check in once you've arrived," Zhang Qimo instructed.

Lin Yin nodded, "Yes, I've booked a flight for tomorrow. I'll be away for about ten to fifteen days."

"Right, take these two numbers with you; they belong to some very good friends of mine. If anything comes up, don't hesitate to call them." Lin Yin said earnestly, passing a slip of paper to Zhang Qimo.

The numbers belonged to Shen San and Jiang Qi.

He had made sure that Shen San and Jiang Qi had an extra phone set up specifically for calls from him and Zhang Qimo.

Lin Yin was also concerned that if he was tied up with work in Imperial City and couldn't answer his phone, Qimo might need assistance, and he wouldn't be able to coordinate help immediately.

With the resourcefulness of Shen San and Jiang Qi, he trusted they would handle any situation appropriately and communicate effectively with Qimo.

"Oh, understood," Zhang Qimo replied nonchalantly, yet she carefully tucked the note into her purse.

She was clueless about the extent of Lin Yin's social circle in Qingyun City, but it was clear that he had established some valuable connections.

Lin Yin gave a slight nod, and they resumed their conversation about family and friends, enjoying their meal and drinks.

Zhang Qimo, who hadn't spoken with Lin Yin in quite some time, was more talkative than usual. She eagerly shared her experiences since being promoted to Vice Chairman at the company, expressing her excitement when interacting with many employees, and discussed the jewelry designs she had recently created.

Lin Yin engaged in a serious discussion about the jewelry designs with Zhang Qimo, offering her thoughtful suggestions.

After the meal, Zhang Qimo explored a luxurious bedroom she had selected, admiring the opulence of the villa, which she found breathtakingly beautiful.

Lin Yin stepped out onto the third-floor balcony, hands clasped behind him, and gazed out over the rolling Qingyun River and the moonlit skyline of bustling Qingyun City, with its forest of skyscrapers.

"Young Master, must you really go to Imperial City?" Lee Pu asked with a respectful bow from behind Lin Yin, his face etched with complexity.

"Truthfully, Young Master, your life is quite enviable now. You have a successful career and a wise and virtuous wife," Lee Pu continued. "Even the old master and the great master would be pleased with your current life. They would never wish for you to venture into the dangerous Imperial City for the sake of revenge."

Lee Pu's words were heartfelt, betraying his deep concern for the Young Master, who had indeed demonstrated exceptional presence and skill.

But the Young Master had spent the last decade in Qingyun City, and no matter his capabilities, once he set foot in Imperial City, he would be just another face in the crowd, especially when confronting the formidable Wen Family.

Consider the Qi Family, with its vast wealth, innumerable branches, and legions of talented individuals. Their influence was immense, yet they were ultimately eradicated, their lineage severed by the Wen Family.

The Young Master, after all, is but one man. How could he possibly overturn the established order of Imperial City?

"A man of stature has his principles, things he will do, and things he will not," Lin Yin stated calmly.

"If he can't even protect his ancestral hall from being tormented by others," Lin Yin said with a calm gaze to Lee Pu, "then what's the difference between him and a dead man?"

Lee Pu's lips quivered, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back. He could no longer attempt to persuade the young master, whose tranquil eyes might have been hiding a storm of epic proportions.

"I wish the young master victory!" Lee Pu declared earnestly. "I will ensure that everything in Qingyun City is well taken care of for the young master."

Lin Yin gave a slight nod, choosing to remain silent.

...

The following day, at noon.

Qingyun International Airport.

Lin Yin boarded a plane bound for Imperial City.

His travel was unassuming—no motorcade, no entourage to bid him farewell. He sat in a standard seat, indistinguishable from any sightseeing tourist.

Nobody would suspect that this young man in a white shirt, traveling alone, was about to unleash a tempest of blood and fury in Imperial City.

Lin Yin had not disclosed his true intentions to anyone, nor had he called upon any manpower or hidden allies.

He hadn't even informed the Ning Family of his arrival in Imperial City.

Lin Yin was acutely aware that this trip was not about annihilating the Wen Family in one fell swoop. His mission was to strike decisively and avenge with a display of power.

Mobilizing the might of Dragon Mansion to obliterate the Wen Family would not pose a challenge.

However, as the reigning Mansion Lord of Dragon Mansion, Lin Yin would not lightly summon the dormant power of the five gates and twelve halls, or the Dragon Guards.

The affairs of Dragon Mansion, once set in motion, could send shockwaves around the globe. The implications were far-reaching, potentially destabilizing the world's balance of power. He could not afford to act without careful consideration.

Even with martial prowess nearing its zenith, Lin Yin was reluctant to stir international tensions...

In his airplane seat, Lin Yin rested with his eyes closed, carrying nothing with him, devoid of any luggage.

"Hey, are you from East Sea Province?"

Out of nowhere, a melodic and pleasing voice reached his ears, speaking in English.

Lin Yin slowly opened his eyes to see a woman standing beside him, clad in a light yellow sundress. She was slender, with an oval face, delicate features, and creamy skin. Her gold-framed glasses added to her intellectual aura, exuding a scholarly vibe that was both cultured and attractive.

"Are you trying to hit on me?" Lin Yin inquired, his tone even.

The young woman appeared mildly surprised, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. Far from being upset, she responded with a smile, "My name is Gongsun Qiuyu. And you are?"

Gongsun Qiuyu continued in English, her voice playful.

Lin Yin understood her perfectly. He offered a smile but remained silent.

Gongsun Qiuyu's lips curled slightly as she turned her head and muttered under her breath, "Shit."

Had she not been so bored flying solo, she wouldn't have bothered engaging with this young man who seemed about her age and rather handsome in his white shirt. She had hoped he would be interesting, but his apparent lack of understanding of English was a letdown.