Lin Fang didn’t want to be so harsh, but this kind of matter couldn’t be handled with hesitation. Since she had this opportunity, she had to resolve it decisively. Otherwise, if she considered both parties’ feelings for the moment, even if it wouldn’t lead to endless trouble, it would still hurt Sun Siyuan himself.
Before long, Sun Siyuan caught up with Lin Fang on his bike, riding alongside her. He said softly, “Lin Fang, don’t feel awkward. From now on, I’ll treat you just like Lin Yong and Lin Tuo do. I won’t think of anything else.”
Lin Fang sighed inwardly, *I’m not the one feeling awkward—it’s you. Do you really understand what I meant?*
*Forget it. You grew up following Uncle Cheng, a grown man. You’re good at fighting and scheming among men, but when it comes to matters of love and the petty grievances of women, what do you know?*
Nodding, Lin Fang and Sun Siyuan hurried toward the villa together.
The villa was located in the county’s development zone. In an era where land prices were skyrocketing and housing prices were doubling, a villa was something ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to dream of. Yet, Lin Guicheng had chosen the best location for Sun Siyuan—a villa community with jaw-dropping prices. It was clear how much Lin Guicheng valued Sun Siyuan. If not for the sudden incident with Pi Xinhong, Lin Guicheng would have arranged everything for him.
Following the disguise recipe Lin Guicheng had provided, Lin Fang had Sun Siyuan buy all the necessary materials. She then spent half a day meticulously applying the disguise to Qin Ran.
Qin Ran looked at her reflection in the mirror, then at Lin Fang’s delicate beauty, and grumbled, “I feel like you made me look like this just to make yourself look prettier.”
Lin Fang laughed. “Haha, though you’re not as good-looking as before, I guarantee your brother will be scared stiff if he sees you like this.”
Qi Biao had once mentioned he had a twin sister who died young. Lin Fang had disguised Qin Ran to resemble Qi Biao, who was average-looking with dark skin. Compared to her original appearance, the disguised Qin Ran was naturally much plainer.
“Hmph, when I go out later, I’ll scare a few people to death. That’ll make this whole act worth it,” Qin Ran said, pretending to be dissatisfied. But as she examined her new appearance, she found it amusing.
“I’ve got something even more fun,” Lin Fang teased.
“What is it?” Qin Ran had been bored at the Lin Family Talent School, teaching yoga to the teachers and having little else to do. She had already explored all the fun spots in Qiyue County. Now, hiding for safety, she was feeling stifled. The mention of something fun immediately piqued her interest.
“Disguising ourselves to catch a traitor.” Lin Fang explained that she planned to investigate her own company, Caixing, in this disguise and conduct a thorough internal cleanup.
After hearing the details, Qin Ran shrugged. “Pfft, I thought it was something exciting. I’ve seen this kind of thing a hundred times. I’ve even dealt with people who betrayed my family and played dirty tricks. This is child’s play, not worth mentioning.”
“Since you’re so experienced, I’ll count on you for this.” Qin Ran had studied economic management, and her family had prospered early. She was naturally more adept at handling such matters than Lin Fang. With her help, things would go much smoother.
Before returning to the company, Lin Fang called Guo Hongping, saying that with the year-end approaching, it was time to audit the company’s accounts. She was too busy to do it herself, so she had Sun Siyuan bring two new, trustworthy accountants from the provincial capital to handle it.
This was her way of hinting to Guo Hongping that she was aware of the embezzlement. If Guo Hongping wanted to avoid embarrassment, she should leave quietly. Lin Fang didn’t want to confront her directly—it would be unnecessary.
Qin Ran also called Principal Wang, saying she had urgent family matters and had gone home.
Though the names “Lin Family Bookstore” and “Lin Family Sports & Culture” bore the Lin surname, they were actually Lin Fang’s private businesses under Caixing Company. Based on their initial investments, labor contributions, and original assets when they started with a small bookstore, Lin Fang now owned 75% of the company, Rouqiu (Meatball) held 24%, and Guo Hongping had 1%.
Rouqiu felt his 24% stake was practically a freebie. Without Lin Fang, his initial investment would have long been spent on snacks. He didn’t care much about the money and simply followed Lin Fang’s instructions. Otherwise, he focused on his dream of opening a snack shop after graduation.
Guo Hongping, however, had worked diligently. After Lin Fang and Rouqiu went to college, she handled most of the business. As the company expanded, she became even busier. Yet, because she had only invested 30 yuan initially, her annual earnings were pitiful compared to Rouqiu’s, who did nothing.
She didn’t dare compare herself to Lin Fang—without Lin Fang, she wouldn’t be where she was. But seeing Rouqiu earn dozens of times more while doing nothing infuriated her. That’s why, as partners, she and Rouqiu still bickered whenever they met. Though Lin Fang gave her extra subsidies for her hard work, she still resented the unfairness.
When not busy, Guo Hongping usually stayed at the Lin Family Sports & Culture store in Qiyue County—her base of operations.
When Lin Fang and Qin Ran, led by Sun Siyuan, arrived at the store, the staff said Guo Hongping had dropped off a pile of account books for the people accompanying Sun Siyuan and then left without saying where she was going.
Sun Siyuan called Guo Hongping, but her phone was off.
“Forget it. Let’s go visit the young boss’s parents,” Lin Fang decided instantly.
Compared to the issue with Guo Hongping, which was troublesome but not critical, the matter she had in mind was far more important.
When Lin Fang arrived at Lin Family Restaurant, Dong Huixin was teaching Lin Tuo’s wife about ingredient combinations, while Lin Yuanmin drilled Lin Tuo on knife skills. The elderly couple wanted to hand over the business to their son and daughter-in-law soon, acting only as advisors—a practice they’d learned from Lin Fang. They’d offer guidance when they could, but otherwise stay out of it.
The couple mainly managed the culinary side of the family business, so they were eager to pass on their skills to their son and daughter-in-law, along with the art of teamwork in cooking.
When Lin Tuo was young, Lin Yuanmin worked while Dong Huixin raised the children at home. Both Lin Yong and Lin Tuo knew how to cook, but back then, the family was so poor they could only make a few simple dishes. After Lin Fang’s rebirth, the family gradually prospered. Lin Yong went to college, and Lin Tuo focused on business, leaving no time to learn their parents’ culinary skills.
Lin Fang had warned that Fu Hongxia might target the Lin family. Though the elderly couple pretended not to worry, they kept their son, daughter-in-law, and grandson close to minimize risks. It also gave them a chance to train Lin Tuo and his wife in cooking.
Yan Ping still remembered Lin Fang’s suggestion years ago about tailoring clothes. Now, with money to open a shop and her child in kindergarten, she had free time. But fashion had changed, and her old skills were outdated. Taking advantage of this hiding period, the elderly couple hired an expensive fashion designer to tutor her daily, keeping her busy and happy.
In this household, little Yuan Yuan was the busiest.
The boy was sharp-witted, with a near-photographic memory, much like Lin Fang in her childhood. Inspired by his admiration for her, he showed keen interest in musical instruments, calligraphy, and chess at a young age.
Though confined indoors these days, Yuan Yuan never got bored. He practiced calligraphy, pestered his grandfather and uncle to play chess, read books, or played with the instruments his aunt had given him. His rudimentary musical skills, however, drove the family crazy with noise.
Lin Fang met Lin Yuanmin and Dong Huixin in the restaurant’s reception hall. The couple had once lived above the restaurant, but as business grew and the place transformed into a hotel-like establishment, they moved to a nearby house.
As Lin Fang and Qin Ran exchanged polite greetings with the elderly couple, Qin Ran struggled to suppress her laughter. Seeing the biological daughter play the guest was absurdly funny.
“Wow, this auntie is so pretty! I’ll marry you when I grow up!”
“Pfft—”
Lin Fang had heard Yuan Yuan running toward them but didn’t expect such a remark. She spat out her tea, nearly choking, and muttered, “Damn Meatball, always teaching him nonsense. Instead of focusing on being handsome, he’s already thinking about finding a pretty wife.”
“HAHAHA! Little guy, by the time you can marry her, she’ll be an old lady!”
The room erupted in laughter at the child’s words. Qin Ran, finally free to laugh, teased him.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Yuan turned to her. “Huh? This auntie is so ugly. Well, that’s good—you can marry Uncle Sun! He always scowls and scares everyone. If you marry him, you can scare him back so he won’t dare scare others anymore!”
Qin Ran’s smile froze. Lin Fang burst into laughter, while Sun Siyuan turned away, shoulders shaking.
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