If they were serious, they might actually manage to carve out a piece of the pie for themselves. After all, without the support of the Su family, the Tan family in this lifetime couldn’t possibly compare to their previous incarnation. However, Yi Lingfan would naturally “escort” them through it.
After all, if others took a share of the pie, how could they maximize the losses for the Du and Tan families? Moreover, no matter what, Yi Lingfan couldn’t let Pei Zhaohe or his own family get dragged into that quagmire.
So, while no one was paying attention, Yi Lingfan quietly began pulling strings.
First, he subtly altered the funding flow from the Su family’s company that supported the orphanage where Yi Lingfan grew up. Because of Yi Lingfan’s involvement, Kong Qintong, who was deeply invested in charity work, noticed these irregularities. To prevent any mishaps, she meticulously investigated the matter, dedicating all her attention to it, and then informed her husband and son.
Since it involved financial flows, Su Jun and Su Boxiao had no extra energy to engage in large-scale projects requiring massive investments. As a result, the Su family kept a notably low profile recently. Naturally, they also lost interest in the major project involving the Tan and Du families.
Though it was a pity to miss out on such an opportunity without knowing what the future held, Su Jun and his family weren’t the type to aim too high without solid foundations. They believed in securing their base before reaching for greater heights. After all, the Su family’s influence was already substantial, and they preferred a more laid-back approach.
As for Pei Zhaohe, things were even easier. Yi Lingfan played the role of the charming troublemaker, throwing himself into Pei Zhaohe’s arms and cooing, “Zhaohe, I don’t like Tan Shengjun. Can you not work with him?”
Yes, it was that simple—*I don’t like him, so I don’t want you to collaborate with him or get involved in that mess.* The logic was flawless.
Pei Zhaohe’s defenses crumbled instantly. He struggled to maintain a stern expression for a few moments before surrendering helplessly, “Alright, alright, whatever Fanfan wants. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it.”
The project was significant, but for Pei Zhaohe, it wasn’t indispensable. If Yi Lingfan disliked it, he wouldn’t give it another thought. Sure, he might lose out on a massive profit, but Pei Zhaohe didn’t care—he could afford the loss.
And if anyone called him reckless? Well, he had the means to spoil his beloved and earn their happiness. That was his privilege.
With Su Jun and Pei Zhaohe handled, Yi Lingfan relaxed. Then, from the shadows, he secretly collaborated with Tan Shengjun and Du’s father to ensure no outsiders interfered with the Tan-Du project, allowing the two families to maximize their share of the pie.
The Tan and Du families, desperate for this project, went all out, even resorting to reckless measures.
Tan Shengjun’s reputation had suffered because of Su Baiye, and internal strife had weakened the Tan family, exposing its vulnerabilities. This project wasn’t just Tan Shengjun’s lifeline to escape Su Baiye’s shadow and cleanse his tarnished image—it was also crucial for the Tan family’s survival.
After indulging in a life of luxury, how could they bear to return to poverty? As the saying goes, *it’s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to go back.* This was especially true for those with inflated egos.
As for the Du family, Du Shi’s father and his mistress—a former rising star in the entertainment industry, now a celebrated actress—had a son who had developed a gambling addiction in his youth. He recklessly squandered money and eventually racked up massive debts.
Out of paternal obligation, Du’s father gritted his teeth and paid off the debt for his prodigal son. But even for the Du family, such a financial blow was painful.
More importantly, the illegitimate son’s standing among the company’s senior executives—who knew exactly what had happened—plummeted. This was disastrous for his future succession plans.
The mistress had schemed tirelessly for the Du family’s wealth. She couldn’t let this setback stand, so she manipulated Du’s father into letting her take charge of the lucrative project, giving her son a chance to redeem himself.
Clutching this lifeline, the mistress and her son spared no expense, hoping massive investments would yield even greater returns.
If Du’s father had been in charge, Yi Lingfan and Du Shi’s plan might not have gone so smoothly. But the illegitimate son? He was far easier to handle.
By the time Du’s father and the Tan patriarch realized what was happening, the Du and Tan families had already poured an unimaginable amount of resources into the project. Reviewing the final reports, Yi Lingfan and Du Shi exchanged satisfied smiles—everything was going perfectly.
One day, as Yi Lingfan stepped away from his lab bench, stretching and reaching for his phone to call Pei Zhaohe for a cozy chat, a news notification popped up—a report about a massive natural disaster.
Fortunately, the area was remote, and due to the Tan-Du project, the only people present were construction workers. Miraculously, there were no casualties.
Those workers had been treated to a banquet by Du Shi, who happened to be traveling nearby on business. She had acted as a representative for the Du and Tan families, encouraging the workers to stay motivated.
As the daughter of the Du family head and a close friend of Tan Shengjun, she was the perfect spokesperson.
Ironically, her goodwill gesture had inadvertently saved the workers from the disaster.
But while lives were spared, the financial losses were devastating. The Tan and Du families had invested heavily, expecting enormous returns—only to lose everything.
The news only reported the disaster and the fortunate lack of casualties. The industry, however, knew exactly how much the two families had poured into the project. With the project collapsing, their financial chains would inevitably snap.
Yi Lingfan nodded in satisfaction, forwarded the necessary instructions to Du Shi, then switched to his call with Pei Zhaohe. “Zhaohe, do you miss me? Because I miss you so much…”
In his office, Pei Zhaohe multitasked effortlessly, reviewing documents while talking on the phone. “Of course I miss you. I think about you all the time—while eating, resting, even when *sleeping*.”
He emphasized the last word, making Yi Lingfan blush. But after years together, Yi Lingfan had built up some resistance.
Rolling his eyes, Yi Lingfan changed the subject. “Enough sweet talk. I heard First Tower has new pastries and dishes—supposedly delicious.” Though he didn’t outright say he wanted them, Pei Zhaohe understood perfectly.
If his beloved craved something, what else could he do but indulge him?
First Tower was wildly popular, with limited-edition items selling out instantly. But its owner was a childhood friend of Su Boxiao. When Pei Zhaohe first visited and Yi Lingfan revealed his identity as the Su family’s second son, they had met the owner—a free-spirited gourmet who had started a small restaurant that unexpectedly grew into an internationally renowned establishment.
The owner got along famously with Yi Lingfan and Pei Zhaohe. Securing a reservation wasn’t an issue—Pei Zhaohe had VIP privileges, and the owner always reserved slots for influential figures.
After all, even the most carefree entrepreneur had to play the game.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage