Moreover, the construction project was already nearing completion, requiring little additional investment, and all that remained was to clear out the underground forces entrenched in the Guhua District. Once that was done and some promotional work was carried out, the properties could be put straight on the market.
However, none of this was enough to make Lin Ce fully commit to purchasing the land in Guhua District. He estimated that it wouldn’t be long before the official word came down from the capital.
After the auction concluded, Lin Ce left by car, while Ye Xiangsi returned to Beiyu Group. She remained dejected throughout the journey, her mood at an all-time low. As soon as she returned to the office, the senior executives swarmed around her.
"Ms. Ye, how did it go? Did we get the land?"
Ye Xiangsi took a deep breath and said with some difficulty, "We... we got the land."
"Whoa!" The room erupted in excitement. "Really? That’s fantastic! Ms. Ye, now we can finally roll up our sleeves and get to work."
"Ms. Ye, Lin Ce didn't let us down after all! Which plot of land did we end up securing?"
But the words that followed from Ye Xiangsi plunged the entire room into a deathly silence.
"It’s the land in the Guhua District of North City..."
"Dammit!" Several executives cursed aloud.
"Ms. Ye, do you have any idea that Guhua District is a wasteland? Lin Ce just got back to Zhonghai and doesn't know a thing about it, but you should have known!"
"I told him, but... it was no use." Ye Xiangsi felt a sense of guilt as well. "I’ve let you all down. It looks like we’ll have to weather the storm together for a while."
Fortunately, they had only spent one hundred million, and hadn't yet touched the main capital of Beiyu Group. But just a moment later, her secretary rushed in, shouting with joyful surprise:
"Ms. Ye, you have to come see this!"
Ye Xiangsi and the other executives were stunned.
"What’s going on? Why are you making such a scene?" one executive asked, sounding annoyed.
"An important notice has been issued on the official Zhonghai government website! They’re launching the 'Landscape City' project. 'Golden mountains and silver mountains are not as good as clear waters and green mountains!'"
"Zhonghai is seriously implementing the spirit of the recent directives from above, with a new focus on urban planning in the North City District! This means that from now on, North City will be the direction of Zhonghai’s future development. All resources will be tilted toward the North City."
"Furthermore, the Zhonghai leadership has announced they will strike with an iron fist to clear out the malignant tumors within North City."
Boom! It felt as if everyone's brains had been struck by an earthquake. This news was both sudden and absolutely shocking. Ye Xiangsi, in particular, understood exactly what this document meant: from this day forward, land in the North City would be worth its weight in gold.
The plot of land Lin Ce had just purchased covered one thousand acres. The residential area was already built, and all other supporting facilities could be launched at a moment's notice. The wasteland they had originally thought they were stuck with had transformed into a prime piece of real estate in the blink of an eye. If developed correctly, it could easily become the central hub of the entire North City region! By then, the value of this land would be worth far more than just a few hundred million.
Thinking of this, Ye Xiangsi’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest, and the other executives became incredibly excited. Had Lin Ce known about this news beforehand, which was why he insisted on buying the North City plot? No wonder he had been so calm; he had foreseen it all along. He was truly brilliant.
Ye Xiangsi clenched her fists in excitement, eager to dive into action.
Soon, the Chu Family and the Huang Family received the news, as did all the major groups in Zhonghai. The entire city was in an uproar. Meanwhile, the Chu and Huang families were in a state of silent misery, feeling as if they had just swallowed something foul. They had just spent over a billion in capital betting on the South City and East City districts. Now, Zhonghai was shifting its development focus to the North?
Are you kidding me? You can't just play like that!
When they scrambled to pivot and enter the North City market, they realized they no longer had enough cash flow on hand. It was then that the Chu and Huang families realized just how ruthless Lin Ce really was. Not only had he secured a massive advantage for himself, but he had also effectively stripped them of their entry ticket to the North City.
***
**Chapter 26: Younger Sister, Lin Wan'er**
At the Huang family villa, Huang Xiaotian was so furious he smashed an expensive vase on the floor.
"Damn it! How do you people do your jobs? A piece of trash like him could get the news in advance, and yet with all the funding I give you every year, you can't even dig up such vital information?"
The men in suits standing before him were terrified, shivering in silence.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" Huang Xiaotian’s eyes were icy. "Hmph, 'the python swallows the dragon,' is that it? A mere Beiyu Group, I doubt you can swallow a plot in North City that easily."
"Just an adopted son of the Lin family—do you really think you can flip the heavens?"
Meanwhile, at the Chu residence, the entire family had gathered. The head of the family, Chu Shoucheng, sat at the head of the table. Chu Xinyi sat to his left, followed by her younger brother, Chu Weilong, and other younger relatives.
Chu Shoucheng’s face was grim, filled with anxiety. He had originally wanted to stay out of the business at the Lin family wedding. But there was no help for it; that person’s background was simply too formidable. To him, the Four Great Families of Zhonghai were nothing more than chicks. He had hoped that would be the end of it, but then this Lin Ce had emerged. First, he reclaimed Beiyu Group, and now he had secured the Guhua District plot. Every move was a masterstroke, hitting exactly where it mattered.
"Dad, I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. I’ve looked into that guy. There's almost no record of him in the Northern Territory. He’s definitely not anyone important," Chu Weilong said indifferently.
"Then how do you explain him getting the news in advance and snapping up the North City plot?" Chu Shoucheng frowned.
"That... well, he just got lucky. A blind cat meeting a dead mouse," Chu Weilong dismissed.
Chu Xinyi’s eyes glinted with a sharp light. Was it really just blind luck? She didn't know who Lin Ce really was, and she didn't want to know. Regardless, her Chu family had the backing of that powerful figure—what was there to fear?
"Dad, leave the development of the North City to me. Only by going head-to-head with Lin Ce will we know how much substance he really has, wouldn't you agree?"
Chu Xinyi had become genuinely interested in Lin Ce. She wanted to see just how much that "bookworm" she once despised had grown.
Chu Shoucheng hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Very well, let’s do that. Weilong, the South City plot is yours. Remember, you must seize the initiative and get the project moving quickly. Otherwise, once North City develops, the value of the South City will plummet."
Hearing this, Chu Weilong’s face lit up. This project used to belong to Chu Xinyi. In the Chu family, he had always played second fiddle to his sister. To have such a major responsibility handed to him now?
"Don't worry, Dad! I won't let you down!" Chu Weilong boasted, thumping his chest.
***
After the auction, Lin Ce returned to Villa No. 1 on Longyun Mountain to rest. An hour later, Bahu appeared at the door.
"Dragon Head, after a thorough investigation by the Hidden Dragon Guards, we have found the girl you were looking for."
Lin Ce opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them. "Efficiency is good. Where is she now, and how is she... doing?"
Bahu said in a deep voice, "She is at the Third Middle School attached to Zhonghai University. Their family circumstances are not good; she lives with her mother in a shanty town in South City."
A trace of guilt welled up in Lin Ce. "Let's go. We're going to the Third Middle School."
"Yes, sir!"
The two men headed downstairs and departed. Upon arriving at the school, Lin Ce went to the office. Sitting across from him was Lin Wan'er’s homeroom teacher.
"Sir, you say you are Lin Wan'er’s older brother?"
After Lin Ce introduced himself, Wang Xuanxuan was quite surprised. She had conducted home visits several times but had never heard that Lin Wan'er had a brother.
"I was in the military for the past few years and hadn't returned until now, so it’s natural you wouldn't know."
"Oh, I see." Wang Xuanxuan nodded, understanding.
"Ms. Wang, can you tell me how Wan'er is doing at school?"
At the mention of this, Wang Xuanxuan shook her head, feeling very sorry for her. "Actually, Wan'er is very smart. When she first started high school, she was at the top of her grade. All the teachers and school leaders thought she was a bright prospect."
"But who would have thought? Starting in her second year, her grades began to slip, going from first in her grade to the bottom. The once clever and lively little girl stopped talking as much."
Lin Ce frowned. "Ms. Wang, did something happen to her?"
Hearing this, Wang Xuanxuan looked displeased. "You're her brother, don't you even know what happened at home?"
Lin Ce gave a slightly awkward smile, not offering an explanation. Naturally, he couldn't explain too much to an outsider.
Wang Xuanxuan sighed helplessly. "In her second year, Wan'er’s mother had her legs broken by someone. To pay for the treatment, our school even organized a fundraiser for her."
"From that time on, Wan'er started working part-time jobs outside of school, so naturally, her grades tanked. We told her to focus on her studies, but she seemed obsessed. She said she didn't need anyone's charity and that she would rely on her own efforts to heal her mother’s legs."
"No matter what we said, she wouldn't listen. It’s good that you’re back now. Wan'er has her college entrance exams in a few months. If she buckles down now, it might not be too late. Maybe she can still get into a second-tier university."
Having learned the full story, Lin Ce stood up, nodding with satisfaction. "Ms. Wang, thank you for your concern for Wan'er. By the way, her goal isn't just a second-tier university; it’s to be the top student in Jiangnan Province."
With that, Lin Ce turned and left the office. The teachers present shook their heads and smiled. It seemed he had no idea how intense the academic pressure was. Even if Lin Wan'er was brilliant, wasting a year of study and trying to catch up in the final months—let alone becoming the top student in the province—was harder than reaching the heavens.
Yet, Lin Ce had full confidence in his younger sister. Because she was Lin Ce's sister! The Lin family indeed owed Lin Wan'er far too much. Her mother was paralyzed in bed; he truly didn't know how they had survived all these years. But now that Lin Ce was back, he would do everything in his power to compensate for the last remaining bloodline of the Lin family.
"Dragon Head, should we take the young lady to the Northern Territory?" Bahu asked cautiously.
After all, the educational resources in the Northern Territory were far superior to those in Zhonghai, with a massive number of students sent to top universities every year. Since becoming the Northern Dragon Head, Lin Ce had prioritized education, which was the fundamental reason the Northern Territory could continuously inject fresh blood into its ranks.
"No, I will take care of my sister myself," Lin Ce said firmly. "Let’s go. It’s time to see this sister I’ve never met."
***
**Chapter 27: Refusal**
At this hour, Lin Wan'er should have been in class, but she had skipped. Lin Ce decided to head to her home first.
In a shanty town in South City, the ground was filled with potholes and mud after an autumn rain. Lin Ce’s military boots trudged through the mud until he reached a doorstep. Looking at the dilapidated door and low brick walls, Lin Ce frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Lin Wan'er and her mother, Xia Yu, to live in such poor conditions.
Bahu and Qili remained at a distance, but they were nearby, ready to appear at a moment's notice should Lin Ce give the word.
Lin Ce knocked on the worn-out wooden door. Soon, it creaked open, and a girl stepped out.
Lin Wan'er was only eighteen, but she had a lovely figure, curvaceous and slim, with her hair in a ponytail revealing delicate features. She would surely grow up to be a great beauty. But at this moment, she looked weary, her face pale. Although she looked as cute as a doll, she appeared to be suffering from long-term malnutrition.
Lin Ce felt a pang of heartache, and when he caught the look in her eyes, his heart twisted. A girl her age should have been innocent and lively, but all Lin Ce could read in Wan'er's eyes was premature maturity and indifference. What had she experienced over these years for a blooming girl to have such a cold gaze?
"Who are you, and who are you looking for?" Lin Wan'er’s eyes were guarded, and she specifically looked behind Lin Ce.
Lin Ce did not hide anything. "My name is Lin Ce. I'm from the Zhonghai Lin family. By family lineage, I should be your older brother."
Upon hearing "Lin family," Wan'er’s expression changed instantly.
"Someone from the Lin family? What are you doing at my house? Get out!"
Hatred blazed in Lin Wan'er’s eyes, her small teeth grinding together. Lin Ce understood her reaction and didn't get angry.
"I’m here to find out how you’re doing."
"I don't need any concern from your Lin family! I can make it on my own!"
"Even though I still carry the Lin surname, my mother and I have had nothing to do with the Lin family for a long time. And I ask that you, this so-called 'brother,' stop bothering my life from now on!"
Lin Ce said calmly, "I know the Lin family owes you a lot over the years. I’m back this time to compensate both of you."
"Compensate?" Wan'er’s voice spiked, and she gave a mocking laugh. "Forget it. You rich people just want to show off your superiority. Do you enjoy the thrill of handing out charity?"
"When my mother was raising me, where were you? When my mother's legs were broken by someone, where were you?"
"And now you come here with this compassionate face? Hmph, you rich people all have such disgusting faces!"
Lin Ce was slightly stunned; he hadn't expected the little girl to harbor such deep resentment toward the Lin family. After a moment of silence, he said, "Wan'er, I’m not here to give charity, nor am I feeling overly sympathetic. I came to give you a good study environment so you can succeed through your own efforts, get into a top university, and make something of yourself."
Lin Wan'er was momentarily taken aback, but then she scoffed. "Funny. Whether I succeed or get into university has nothing to do with you."
"Because you are a member of the Lin family, and you are the only bloodline left. The future of the Lin family will need you to take the lead," Lin Ce said, enunciating every word.
Wan'er was about to reply when she realized the implication of his words. "What do you mean, the only bloodline?"
"That’s right. The Lin family was annihilated a month ago."
Wan'er’s eyes widened. As a high school student, she wouldn't have known about the power struggles in the upper echelons of Zhonghai. But looking at Lin Ce’s expression, he didn't seem to be joking.
Lin Ce stared at her earnestly. "As long as you are willing, from today on, no one will ever be able to bully you again. I can make you a princess admired by thousands, where wealth and luxury are within your reach."
Lin Ce’s words were exceptionally domineering, as if all of this were within his easy grasp. For a fleeting moment, she actually believed him, but then her expression returned to indifference.
"Big brother, you really know how to joke. Your Lin family is already finished, and you want to make me a princess?"
Lin Ce was about to speak when he heard a voice calling from inside the house.
"Wan'er, why don't you come inside? Is it those people again?"
The curtain was pulled back, and a weak middle-aged woman pushed a wheelchair out.
"You are..." Lin Ce paused. "Hello, my name is Lin Ce. You must be Lin Wan'er’s mother. I am Lin Wan'er’s..."
"Ah, he—he’s my teacher!" Lin Wan'er quickly interrupted, shooting Lin Ce a threatening glare.
"Oh, so you're Wan'er’s teacher! Why haven't I seen you before? The teacher who came for a home visit before was Ms. Wang."
Lin Wan'er quickly explained, "He... he’s a new one. Mom, you go back inside; Mr. Lin is leaving soon."
Xia Yu’s expression grew stern. "Wan'er, the teacher came all this way; how can you just send him off? Teacher, please, come inside. It’s cold out here."
Although Xia Yu had been bedridden for years, she spoke with a refined, graceful manner, suggesting she had been a well-educated woman.
Lin Ce agreed and began to walk in, intending to bring in the gifts he had prepared. However, Lin Wan'er blocked him and, glancing toward her mother, whispered, "I’m warning you, don't you dare say a word about the Lin family to my mother. She won't be able to handle it, understand?"
"I’ll let it slide this time, but if you come back to my house again, I’ll kick you out. Our life is chaotic enough as it is."
Lin Ce didn't know what had happened to their family, but the mother and daughter seemed suspicious and frightened, as if they were worried about seeing someone.
Once inside the room, Lin Ce began to chat with Xia Yu, trying to understand how they had lived all these years. Suddenly, a noisy commotion erupted outside the yard.
Lin Wan'er was startled. "Mom, I’m going to go see what’s happening."
The girl rushed outside. "Auntie Liu, what's going on?" she asked, blocking a middle-aged woman carrying a vegetable basket at the door.
"Those guys are back. Hurry up and hide! Oh, what a nightmare," Auntie Liu said before rushing back into her own home.
At that moment, a car pulled up at the corner, and a man with slicked-back hair stepped out, followed by several burly men in suits.
Lin Wan'er’s pupils contracted, her gaze fixed on the man like a needle.
It was him!