"What did you say!" Lin Changyun turned his head and roared at Xiao Yang.
Xiao Yang hooked his finger at him. "If you're not convinced, let's step outside and settle this one-on-one. The loser has to bark like a dog. Do you dare?"
Lin Changyun, of course, did not dare. Beyond glaring at Xiao Yang, there was nothing he could do.
"Coward. You’re all just gutless spineless wretches who can only bark like dogs but lack the guts to throw a punch," Xiao Yang mocked fiercely before turning to leave.
No one dared to stop him, and no one even dared to open their mouth to retort.
Once they were out of the Lin Family Estate, Lin Yufei said worriedly, "Xiao Yang, you need to be extra careful lately. The Pang family and the Ye family won't take your insults lying down. They will certainly retaliate against you."
Xiao Yang smiled indifferently. "It doesn't matter. If they dare to come after me, their tragic end is already sealed. Instead, you all need to be careful; if they can't handle me, they’ll turn around and target you."
Lin Zhengrong said, "Don't worry about us. The status I, Lin Zhengrong, hold today was not built on kindness."
On this point, Xiao Yang did not argue.
The business world is like a battlefield, but different from a real battlefield, it is a war without smoke. You don't need a knife to kill, but the final result is the same: the loser will never have a chance to rise again.
Inside the Lin Family Estate.
After someone pressed on her philtrum, Old Madame Lin finally regained consciousness. Although she was still very weak, her rage had not subsided in the slightest.
Pang Qing’s face was livid, and there were few people present whose anger had diminished. He said coldly, "An explanation! You must give us an explanation!"
Ye Dongyan added, "And an explanation for my Ye family as well!"
Ye Dongyan was second in the Ye family, known as the Second Master. The Ye family’s status in Jing City was beyond compare; people often joked that the Ye family were the uncrowned kings of Jing City.
To be repeatedly insulted by a wet-behind-the-ears brat was intolerable. If the Lin family did not give them a satisfactory explanation, the Lin family would never be able to maintain a foothold in Jing City again.
Old Master Lin took a deep breath, never imagining that things would reach this point. "Speak plainly. What kind of explanation do you want?"
Pang Qing said coldly, "I want thirty percent of the shares in the Lin company, and hand over that Xiao Yang!"
"Impossible!" Lin Jiang rejected it instantly. "Thirty percent is too much!"
Pang Qing snorted. "Lin Jiang, you had better think clearly before you answer. Compared to your Lin family being driven back to square one, do you still think thirty percent is too much? Don't forget what kind of life you were living before!"
This remark left the members of the Lin family silent. Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury—luxury cars when they went out, villas to return to, and exotic delicacies at every meal—if they were forced back into a life of poverty, the immense sense of loss would likely drive several of them to choose suicide out of the pressure.
By comparison, thirty percent of the shares really didn't seem like all that much.
Lin Jiang did not answer immediately, instead looking toward Ye Dongyan. "And what about the Ye family?"
Ye Dongyan said coldly, "Have Lin Yufei marry Shao Cheng, and give us the tongue of that brat called Xiao Yang. Then, this matter will be considered settled."
Lin Jiang fell into deep thought; he was wavering over the conditions offered by the Pang family.
Just then, Lin He pulled Lin Jiang to the side, and the rest of the Lin family immediately swarmed over.
"Big brother, you’ve seen it too. The Pang family has their eyes on our company's assets. We have to let them take a bite out of this meat, otherwise, they won't let go," Lin He said.
"That may be true, but thirty percent of the shares is truly too much," Lin Hai said, shaking his head helplessly.
"Compared to losing everything we have now, thirty percent is still acceptable," Lin Changyun said after a moment of thought. "Besides, our combined shares already exceed those of Third Uncle. We might as well take this opportunity to sideline him and acquire his shares."
"I agree," Lin Hai said. "This whole affair was brought about by his family, so we should just let them be responsible for compensating the Pang family’s losses. We won't have to pay a single cent."
The more they discussed, the clearer their plan became, and in the end, they were all in agreement to proceed this way.
Once the plan was settled, the group returned to the main hall.
Lin Jiang said, "We accept the Pang family's compensation, though transferring the shares will take some time. As for Xiao Yang, we will not interfere."
Hearing this, Pang Qing’s complexion improved slightly. "That’s more like it!"
Ye Dongyan said indifferently, "And the Ye family?"
Lin Jiang replied, "Naturally, no problem. As a daughter of the Lin family, Lin Yufei has no say in her own marriage. As for that boy named Xiao Yang, do with him as you please; we will not interfere."
"No," Ye Dongyan said, his sudden remark making Lin Jiang freeze.
"Are you dissatisfied?"
Ye Dongyan tapped his armrest lightly and said, "I want you to hand the person over to me with your own hands. Don't think we’ll be the ones to go catch him. Understand?"
Lin Jiang hesitated only for a moment before agreeing. "Fine."
Only then did Ye Dongyan nod with satisfaction. "I will wait for you."
Having said that, he left the Lin residence with his two bodyguards.
Pang Qing had obtained the compensation he wanted and did not linger. He had his other bodyguard hoist Hu Er up, and followed them out.
With the outsiders gone, Lin Jiang spoke without restraint. He called Lin Changyun to his side and said, "Changyun, convene a shareholders' meeting immediately."
Lin Changyun knew his father was beginning the coup. Even though he knew this moment would come, he still couldn't help but nod excitedly when it finally arrived. "Fine, I'll take care of it right away!"
Old Madame Lin suppressed her rage and said viciously, "Lin Jiang, don't hold back. Take them down for good!"
"Don't worry, Mother, I know what to do." Lin Jiang nodded slightly.
From start to finish, Old Master Lin remained silent. His attitude was clear: he was tacitly approving of Old Madame Lin's words.
Lin Zhengrong's actions had disappointed him far too much—disappointed him to the point where he wouldn't even say a single word in his defense.
To openly turn against his own family for the sake of an outsider, showing favoritism to someone on the outside—this son was not worth keeping!
...
Not long after arriving home, Lin Zhengrong received news that a shareholders' meeting was being convened.
As a self-made business elite, he naturally understood what a shareholders' meeting meant at a time like this.
He gave a cold smile and said, "Lin Jiang’s actions are truly swift. He couldn't even wait a moment."
"What's wrong?" Qing Xiuxin asked curiously.
Xiao Yang and Lin Yufei both looked toward him.
Lin Zhengrong said, "He has called a shareholders' meeting. If I’m not mistaken, he’s looking for trouble with me. There is even a very high possibility that he intends to kick me out of the company."
Lin Yufei frowned slightly. "That's impossible, right? Father, your shares account for half of the company. You are the largest shareholder and have the power of a one-vote veto."
Lin Zhengrong shook his head and smiled. "Silly girl, emperors in ancient times could be sidelined, let alone in a company where interests come first? Besides, I am no longer the largest shareholder."
Lin Yufei was stunned. "How did that happen?"
Lin Zhengrong said, "Last year, I gave some of my shares to them. If they choose to unite, my one-vote veto becomes meaningless."