Chapter 109: Ding Lizhong's Promotion

After spending the whole day playing, she stood under the shade of the willow and got into the blue little car, blinking her eyes as she asked Comrade Lin Xiao Su, “The sun’s going to sleep, it’s about time to head home. Are you ready to cheer up my mom?”

“Cheering up your mom is easy. You pay for some jewelry, then slung over my shoulder, you walk in, and your mom will probably be happy. Of course, if you can’t help but smooch me right in front of her, my dear mother-in-law might even smile wider, and your account will be instantly replenished...”

Ding Ruoshui fell silent.

Lin Xiao Su caught a glimpse of an eye-roll from the side.

The eye-roll slowly closed, accompanied by a sigh: “Comrade Xiao Su, I must remind you, don’t get too carried away!”

“The director taught us that an actor who can’t immerse themselves isn’t a good actor.”

“The director can go to hell!”

With a step on the gas, the little car sped back into the Ding family villa.

The gatekeeper, an old man, smiled.

Two young maids smiled with a certain meaning.

Entering the hall, Ding’s mother came down from upstairs and immediately saw the familiar scene: her daughter, slung over a young man’s shoulder, smiling brightly.

Her smile couldn’t be contained: “Xiao Su, you have to rein in your girlfriend. She told me the other day you got kidnapped by a woman — sounded almost believable.”

“Auntie, did she say the woman was my cousin?”

“Nope, so she deserves a good scolding.” Ding’s mother said, “Come, sit here where it’s cooler... Juanzi, bring over the fruit we bought today. Huizi, change the tea, the silver needle from Chuannan...”

“Yes, madam!”

Everyone in the hall busied themselves.

Serving fruit, brewing tea, adjusting the air conditioning temperature and humidity, as if afraid this delicate son-in-law flower would wilt...

No need for clarifications or explanations. Just his stepping through the door eased the worry that had weighed on Ding’s mother for days.

In an ordinary family, the son-in-law wouldn’t receive such attention.

On the contrary, a son-in-law visiting usually gauges the mother-in-law’s mood.

But in the Ding family, it’s all reversed.

The root cause was Ding Ruoshui herself—always the disruptor.

Watching her grow, blossoming into a beauty, her bosom growing fuller by the day, and her age ticking closer to thirty, yet she stubbornly refused to see reason.

Her mother had asked her countless times: “Don’t you want to find a boyfriend?”

She could open those large Caseland eyes and ask back: “What’s the point of having a boyfriend?”

The question nearly choked her mother.

If she were clueless forever, Ding’s mother might have been disappointed but wouldn’t have such emotional swings.

But a few days ago, this girl suddenly came to her senses and brought a boyfriend home.

That time, Ding’s mother was overwhelmed with joy. It didn’t matter what kind of person he was or whether his family was dirt poor—as long as he was normal, that was enough.

After getting to know him, her impression of this son-in-law was soaring—sunny, honest, articulate, capable, and rather cultured (according to Old Ding).

But the happiness lasted only two days before her daughter came back saying Xiao Su had been kidnapped by a woman.

How could Ding’s mother not be furious?

Now Lin was back again, and her daughter was still as clingy as ever. Ding’s mother’s joy was like a river flowing endlessly.

Ding Ruoshui also brightened: “Dad’s not home yet?”

“He didn’t even go to the company today. He’s been in the study all day.”

“Really?” Ding Ruoshui was puzzled. “With that promotion, shouldn’t Dad be eager to make a big splash? Skipping work? Old Ding is really a disruptor...”

“You, stop promoting him so much. I mentioned it to him this morning, and he just refused to go, hasn’t spoken to me all day...”

Lin Xiao Su glanced here and there: “Uncle got promoted? To what position?”

“First Vice President! High status and leisure—how great! Many of my friends congratulated me...” Ding’s mother said. “Xiao Su, why don’t you go keep him company and cheer him up?”

“Okay!” Lin Xiao Su went upstairs. Ding Ruoshui wanted to follow but was stopped by her mother’s outstretched hand.

Lin lightly knocked on the study door.

No response.

She gently pushed it open. Ding Lizhong was sitting on the sofa, his gaze drifting toward her, clearly unfriendly. He was annoyed. It was proper for servants to knock, but for the owner to ignore them and have someone just push open the door? Where was the etiquette?

Suddenly, his expression softened: “Xiao Su!”

“Uncle, Auntie said you’re not in a good mood. I came to cheer you up.” Lin closed the door behind her and approached the sofa.

Ding forced a smile: “Listen to her... When did you get back?”

“Spent the day in Jiangcheng with Ruoshui, just got back.” Lin’s gaze shifted to the jade piece by the study wall. It was still there—but cracked.

Ding’s eyes followed: “The surveillance device you mentioned was indeed found inside.”

“You still keep this piece of jade.”

Ding said, “After this incident, I’m more convinced that the word ‘contemplation’ is worth heeding... Let’s go upstairs and talk.”

This jade was a gift from Huang Chengwang.

It recorded a friendship and a history of betrayal.

For people at their level, the jade’s value was trivial—the ‘Thinker’ it represented was the meaningful symbol.

Especially after such a complicated ordeal, it reminded him to always contemplate when facing difficulties...

The study used to be the safest place in the entire villa.

But now, apparently, even that was no longer secure.

The rooftop looked open and accessible, but it was there that he felt safest—perhaps the most evident change since Lin Xiao Su entered the Ding family.

The setting sun cast golden light over South Lake.

A gentle breeze had dispelled the day’s heat, and a cold air machine by the tea table blew a soft chill. This place was more comfortable than the enclosed study, though comfort came at the cost of using air conditioning as a fan in the open rooftop.

Luckily, no one cared about the electricity bill.

The teapot kept water at a constant temperature. Lin brewed tea and poured a cup for each of them.

Handing the tea to Ding: “Uncle, you’re now the First Vice President of Changsheng Group?”

Ding’s face twitched, reluctant to speak.

“To most people, a promotion should be joyful, but clearly, Uncle, you’re feeling down.” Lin said, “I understand how a scientist feels when removed from the front lines.”

Ding strategically sipped his tea.

“Who leads the research now?”

Ding slowly raised his head: “That’s no longer important. Perhaps... after a lifetime of research, it’s time for me to step back and let the younger generation bear the burden. Seeing the scientific process through a fresh perspective is also a scientific attitude.”

“The new waves push the old to the shore; one generation replaces another. That’s the law of the world and of science. Normally, Uncle, your stepping down would be natural. But do you really think this is a normal situation?”

Ding furrowed his brow: “What do you mean?”

Lin said, “You were suppressed before. We teamed up and found Huang Chengwang. Do you really think he’s the mastermind behind it all?”

Ding slightly trembled: “What do you know?”

“I’m still unfamiliar with Changsheng Group and don’t know much, but I know one thing: Huang Chengwang is definitely not the biggest black hand!”

“Why?”

“There’s evidence showing he was pushed into the spotlight as part of someone else’s scheme! He’s a scapegoat sacrificed to save the main player!”

“Is that the provincial department’s conclusion?” Ding’s voice trembled.

“The source of the conclusion doesn’t matter. What matters is—until this black hand is removed, your crisis isn’t truly over. It’s not just your personal crisis; millions of people in Daxia will face ruin because of this black hand!”

Ding asked, “What... what are you planning to do?”

“Plan carefully before acting! First, we must plan! And planning is based on understanding the situation.” Lin said, “So today, I want to ask you some questions...”

“Okay, ask.”

Lin and Ding talked on the rooftop for two hours.

For the first time, his perspective truly penetrated Changsheng Group.

The information was high-level, some even highly confidential and chaotic, but Lin integrated it swiftly. As night fell, he put on his Dragon Eye glasses.

Perhaps to use night vision to admire the night scenery.

Or to monitor if anyone was spying.

At least Ding didn’t mind.

He certainly had no idea these glasses weren’t just night vision or sunglasses—they were a supercomputer linked to a vast system...

At eight o’clock.

A sumptuous dinner awaited them.

Lin once again accompanied Ding in finishing a bottle of wine and even pretended to greatly enjoy the stir-fried tomatoes.

Ding’s mother was so delighted her eyes nearly became slits.

“My daughter is so ungrateful, always says even dogs won’t eat my cooking, but my son-in-law loves it!”

“From now on, I’ll cook it every day...”

Had Lin known that indulging this preference would have such serious consequences, he might have regretted getting too deeply into character...

Night fell. Lin lay in the guest room of the luxurious villa.

His gaze swept the surroundings.

His mental silverfish seemed to scan the room with his vision.

This confirmed there was no surveillance equipment in the room.

He put on his Dragon Eye glasses.

With a thought, the Dragon Eye activated.

In the room, a holographic projection appeared.

Chang Ye stood vividly above the bed, holding a glass, still dressed in a low-cut nightgown.

Such a scene was invisible to ordinary people—only Lin Xiao Su and Xinyue had ever seen it.

“Where are you?” Chang Ye looked around. Under the hologram, Lin’s environment was visible to her.

“Do I need to ask? Who did you sell me to?” Lin said.

Chang Ye chuckled: “You’re pretty straightforward, telling you everything... Got any juicy news?”

“Go ahead!”

Chang Ye said: “The spoils have been delivered to headquarters. They’re overjoyed. Your reward was approved immediately—150,000 in three days! Enough to get you a wife, right?”

“Marry you?”

“I’m off the table. As long as you’re not afraid of death and confirmed unkillable, the door’s open. You can visit anytime, no big deal. But it definitely doesn’t count toward your wife quota.” Chang Ye said, “Changing the subject—any gains from entering the Ding family?”