LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 82
Chapter 82
Meanwhile, on Ye Aotian’s end, Xiao Lan and Zheng Shaoyang had just arrived.
“Haha! Welcome, financial genius Zheng Shaoyang. With your help, I’m sure my company will soar.”
“It’s an honor to have earned your trust. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Ling Xiaoyun entered, carrying a tray of fruit—all green, a subtle hint of things to come.
“If I give you money, how quickly could you cause Chen Fan’s stock to drop?”
“Not long at all—I can start now.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Manipulating stocks isn’t that difficult. It just depends on what outcome you’re hoping for.”
“What if I want to bankrupt the company completely?”
“I can do that. But wouldn’t it be more interesting for you to acquire it and take a seat on its board?”
Ye Aotian laughed hard, clutching his side as his wounds reopened.
“Perfect! Go ahead. I trust you.”
Ling Xiaoyun watched Xiao Lan stand silently to the side, resigned to saying nothing. He’d overheard Xiao Lan and Zheng Shaoyang’s “encounter,” but felt there was no point in mentioning it. Even if he told Ye Aotian, he had no evidence. Besides, how does it matter to me?
It wasn’t all good news for Ye Aotian. After examining him, the family healer had grimly concluded that continued use of the Earth Core Technique would completely destroy his kidneys, leaving him unable to perform in the future. They advised him to take it easy, but Ling Xiaoyun knew that Ye Aotian would never settle down, always seeking out women, from Lin Qingyue to Jin Lan.
Today alone, he’d been musing about his many “conquests,” even commenting on Ling Xiaoyun’s sister. You’re about to lose everything that makes you a man, and here you are, acting like a stud.
Finally, Ye Aotian handed over a million dollars. “Take it and get to work.”
“You’re not worried I might run off with it?”
“I don’t doubt people I trust. I see ambition in your eyes, and I believe you have great potential.”
Ling Xiaoyun silently gave him a thumbs-up. You’re right—he does have ambition. Not just for your business, but for your women too.
Xiao Lan helped Ye Aotian stand, steadying him. “How’s your recovery going?”
“Perfectly fine. Don’t worry.”
Satisfied, Xiao Lan watched as Ye Aotian, now able to move, took slow, careful steps. Meanwhile, Zheng Shaoyang kept his ambitions hidden, watching Ye Aotian with a calculating gaze. You, Ye Aotian, are just another stepping stone. I will rise above all of you.
Later, around eight in the evening, Chen Fan had prepared some items in his room—all cheap imitations. In the novel, Chen Fan often destroyed things when angry, so he’d stocked up in advance, even picking up a knife to add a bit of “realism.” Now, to cut my hand a little.
But as he attempted to slice his palm, he found it was more challenging than expected. The blade can’t even break the skin. After some effort, he managed to squeeze out a few drops of blood, enough to create the intended effect.
He then started smashing things around the office, letting his frustration out. Soon, the butler rushed in.
“Young Master, what’s wrong?”
“What’s going on with the company? Why is the stock crashing? Call an emergency meeting now. I want answers.”
The butler nodded, and soon, the two were in the conference room with the company’s executives.
Chen Fan glared at them. “I want an explanation. Why has our stock plummeted?”
No one answered, though everyone knew the reason. The pharmaceutical company’s stock was tied to Chen Fan’s reputation. Any negative press about him would inevitably affect the share price, but no one dared speak up.
“If I don’t get an answer, you can all consider yourselves fired.”
One brave soul finally spoke. “Sir, it’s because of you. Your conflict with Ye Aotian has been a public spectacle, and now people think you’ve lost your edge.”
“You think I’ve lost my edge? You’re fired. Get out.”
The man glared at him. “You’re going to drive this company into the ground. Ye Aotian’s constantly releasing new products while we’re doing nothing.”
Good acting, Chen Fan thought. A perfect side character. Still, he had to play his role, firing key employees and shifting the blame. The perfect villain arc.
“Leave. Anyone else want to blame me?”
An older man stood up. “I don’t need to stay. Your mother worked so hard to build this company, and you’re going to destroy it.”
“Fine, you can go too. Anyone else?”
Another executive spoke up. “Sir, we can’t lose Mr. Huang. He’s our only certified TCM practitioner.”
“Out! If you’re sticking up for him, then you can go too.”
Chen Fan savored the sense of power as he fired employee after employee, relishing the villainy.
At that moment, his secretary entered the room. “Sir, Lin Group has offered to invest and help stabilize the company.”
Lin Qingyue, Chen Fan thought. This isn’t your moment. You shouldn’t be interfering here.
“I don’t need charity from a woman. If Lin Qingyue wants to help, she can keep dreaming. Tell her she’ll pay for this, and so will Ye Aotian.”
He smirked. “One day, I’ll grind him into dust.”
***
Chen Fan returned home and, without a word, immediately began to report the situation. Since the storyline seemed off, he might as well push it along himself.
As for Ye Aotian and Lin Qingyue’s trivial matters, Chen Fan no longer cared. He was genuinely exhausted and only wanted to keep the plot moving forward. Frankly, even if they became enemies, Chen Fan couldn’t be bothered to think about it.
The core idea was that he was the protagonist’s “experience feeder” — his role was to play this part well, as for how the two of them might develop, Chen Fan didn’t know. Just today, Lin Qingyue even actively gave him money and wanted to save his company.
This is absurd, right? Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t you be saving Ye Aotian’s company?
At this moment, Lin Qingyue looked at the money that Chen Fan had returned and sighed helplessly. It seemed he truly held a grudge against her. But Lin Qingyue didn’t believe that Chen Fan was heartless. She had already made such an effort, yet he hadn’t responded at all. She still believed Chen Fan had feelings for her but was only pretending due to the plot requirements.
Damn Ye Aotian, why doesn’t he go to hell already?
Just then, an email arrived. Lin Qingyue opened it.
“I know now that nothing happened between you and Chen Fan that night. I understand that you actually lied to me for my sake.”
For your sake, my foot! Lin Qingyue cursed inwardly, loathing herself for not having trained in martial arts and not knowing how to disable someone. If she’d learned, she’d castrate him next time, no question. Furthermore, Xiao Lan was someone she had truly misjudged; she hadn’t expected her to cheat on Ye Aotian.
Pfft. Thinking of this made Lin Qingyue laugh uncontrollably. This protagonist was indeed quite pitiful.
Continuing, Lin Qingyue’s anger flared up again.
“Wait for me. I will make Chen Fan fall completely, and then I will marry you. You will no longer have to suffer.”
I’m perfectly happy right now, okay? You should worry about your own betrayal. Utter narcissism.
“Is anyone here?” Lin Qingyue called out, and her new secretary walked in, saying, “What do you need, boss?”
“Contact the PR department and spread a rumor that Ye Aotian doesn’t have a medical license.”
The secretary froze for a moment before saying, “Boss, are you sure? If we do this, Ye Aotian is bound to find out.”
“I don’t care. I want him to know. If he couldn’t find out, I wouldn’t bother spreading it.”