Take the Initiative in Everything

Every move of Qin Yu was within Su Chen's expectations. He had now become the villain forcing Lin Qingyan into marriage. It was time for the male lead, Qin Yu, shrouded in the aura of justice, to make his appearance.

As long as he helped the Lin family through this crisis, the family would be completely free from the Su family's grasp. It would also signal the end of the relationship between Lin Qingyan and Su Chen. Given Lin Qingyan's proud nature, after such a forceful act, she would definitely retaliate fiercely against Su Chen.

Moreover, Lin Qingyan had just shown genuine trust in Su Chen, but he turned around and chose a path of coercion. Lin Qingyan had no reason to remain close to Su Chen. By then, he would be the villain that Lin Qingyan had abandoned. None of the people present would feel any pity for him.

Though pleased, Su Chen glanced at Lin Qingyan uneasily. Su Chen thought to himself, "Actually, if Lin Qingyan genuinely didn't want to annul the marriage tonight and the plot didn't go wrong, it might be a good thing. Today, he'd flirt with Su Xian'er and tomorrow, pursue Lin Qingyan." Even if Lin Qingyan eventually chose Qin Yu due to desperation, he wouldn't let this good girl be ruined by him.

On the other hand, if Zhao Menghan knew Su Chen's thoughts, she'd definitely tell him not to worry.

Elsewhere, though Qin Yu made bold claims, those present were reluctant to believe that an external force could challenge the Su family. But Elder Lin believed, for he was aware of the strong force behind Qin Yu.

The Chen family of Shanghai was akin to the legendary reclusive major families. It was only by chance that Elder Lin learned of such a powerful existence, on par with the Su family. Many actually wanted a piece of the Su family's enormous influence and power, and all they needed was the right opportunity.

With these thoughts, Elder Lin's wrinkled face revealed an unsightly smile. "Young Master Qin Yu, would you be willing to assist the Lin family?" "Of course, I felt an instant connection with Miss Lin Qingyan. I'd be happy to help," replied Qin Yu, seizing the opportunity to mention Lin Qingyan. This was firstly to endear himself to her and secondly, to show the Lin family that he expected compensation for his assistance.

Elder Lin, stroking his beard, laughed heartily. "Very good." He hadn't anticipated that Lin Qingyan could bring him such benefits, from the domineering Su Chen to a young man with endless potential backed by a force rivaling the Su family's might. "It's indeed fortunate for Qingyan to have met a young friend like Qin Yu," Elder Lin said with genuine joy.

Seeing Elder Lin's approval, a smile broke out on Qin Yu's face. He then sneered at Su Chen, "The Su family might be powerful, but I can't stand their bullying nature."

"Have any of you heard of the Chen family from Shanghai?"

Shanghai's Chen family? They had naturally heard of this clan, though they didn't operate in the same region. However, Shanghai was no less renowned than Beijing, so people were obviously familiar. But could the Chen family of Shanghai really stand against the Su family? There was a palpable air of skepticism. The reach of a family from Shanghai extends all the way to Beijing? It was clear that those present were reluctant to believe in the Shanghai Chen family.

Damn it!

Su Chen noticed the murmuring and discussions among the crowd; it seemed they were hesitant to trust the so-called Chen family. Damn it! Such a useless protagonist. Can't handle even this small matter. Su Chen was getting anxious, sneaking a glare at Chen Tong, hinting her to step forward and say something. But she clearly ignored him. 

Her face revealed a beautiful smile, one that obviously hid a deeper scheme. Her lips moved, "Solve it yourself." She paused before continuing, "I never promised to help." Though Chen Tong didn't make a sound, just moved her lips, no one noticed. All attention was fixated on Qin Yu, basking in the protagonist's halo.

In this dilemma, Su Chen realized that Qin Yu, being the male lead, was failing to take charge. This can't go on. He then noticed Chen Fan on the side, gritting his teeth in anger. Clearly, Chen Fan was disgruntled by the comments belittling their family. 

Recognizing this, Su Chen stepped up, "What nonsense about Shanghai's Chen family! Who's the head of the family? Daring to oppose our Su family? Where are the people of the Chen family? Stand out! A puny clan, daring to stand against our mighty Su family?"

Su Chen's current demeanor was entirely that of an antagonist, spewing sarcastic and mocking remarks. 

"Frogs in a well, do you really think no one can check the Su family?" As he anticipated, his comments had indeed provoked Chen Fan. Even though Chen Tong had explicitly advised him not to step forward, his anger clouded his judgment. 

Su Chen sneered, "I guess you're from the Chen family, coming to our Beijing turf and acting so audacious."

Without any hint of fear, Chen Fan stepped forward, mockingly saying, "Young Master Su can choose not to believe, but a simple phone call will let you know if what I say is true or false."

Su Chen certainly believed, because he never intended to genuinely confront the Lin family. Hence, it was natural for the Su family to fail. Moreover, due to Chen Tong's intervention, the entire Su family's business even made a significant profit. Chen Fan's statement greatly agitated Old Master Lin, prompting him to immediately order an investigation. Silence descended upon the attendees. 

The results confirmed Qin Yu's words: the Su family had indeed lost, but the Lin family remained unbroken. A powerful force had emerged, protecting the Lin family in such a short time. Although the Lin family's finances had not fully recovered and had suffered heavy losses due to the Su family's offensive, this signified the Su family's failure. Everyone present was astonished. The Su family, a dominating force in Beijing, could truly be defeated one day?

"Su Chen, do you believe now?" Seeing everyone's reaction, Qin Yu realized it was the right moment to make his move. "The Su family isn't invincible." At that moment, Qin Yu exuded the aura of a victor. With a confident face and mocking eyes, he looked at Su Chen. Contrasting the triumphant male lead, Su Chen's expression was extremely grim, as if disbelieving the scene unfolding before him. 

He had truly become the laughing stock. Those who were ingratiating to him moments ago were now mocking him, siding with Qin Yu. Laughing internally, Su Chen wanted to laugh even more openly. His plan was on the brink of success. While this was just a small step, it illuminated a beacon of hope for his dark journey ahead. Successfully playing the role of the antagonist this time would boost his confidence in the days to come. 

Of course, to outsiders, Su Chen had indeed become the joke, wanting to threaten the Lin family into marrying Lin Qingyan to him, only to be preempted by someone else.

"Hahaha, well done, Qin Yu." Old Master Lin laughed heartily, radiating once more with vibrant energy. "Thanks to Qin Yu's friend's help, our Lin family weathered this storm." At that moment, Qin Yu appeared as endless wealth in Old Master Lin's eyes. Qin Yu's actions had shown that he had the capability to confront the Su family. 

The entire Lin family now regarded Qin Yu as someone to cozy up to. Naturally, this made sense as Qin Yu had not only saved the Lin family moments earlier but also halted the Su family's momentum. Such power was now highly valued by everyone. "Young Master Qin is truly impressive at such a young age, unlike some who, despite their influential family background, remain utterly useless."

"Very good, hahaha, that guy is just a joke. He thought that with a powerful backing, he could act domineering, but in the end, he was defeated by Young Master Qin." More and more people came forward to compliment Qin Yu. Originally, Qin Yu wouldn't care too much about such praises, but hearing people mock Su Chen made him quite pleased, and he began to get carried away. 

"Naturally, those pampered young masters who rely on family power are ultimately nothing in my eyes." These words immediately garnered agreement from many. However, in the face of this mockery, Su Chen wasn't angered. Instead, it was Chen Fan who felt cornered. The words of these people didn't seem to mock Su Chen but seemed to be ridiculing him. 

What's with the 'pampered young master'? Without family protection, he's nothing. Unable to tolerate feeling looked down upon, Chen Fan stood up and said, "With my sister's intervention, the Su family had no chance of winning."

"Sister?" Once this was spoken, everyone's attention shifted from Qin Yu. It seemed the one who assisted the Lin family wasn't Qin Yu but the aforementioned Chen family from Shanghai. And Chen Fan is from that Chen family. 

So, who is this sister he mentioned? At that moment, the housekeeper who had previously assisted Su Chen asked, "Who exactly is Miss Chen?" His intentions were somewhat selfish. If Qin Yu really became the Lin family's savior, then his earlier actions of mocking Qin Yu and aiding Su Chen would put him in a bad position. 

So if he could shift the credit to the Chen family, there might still be a chance for him to avoid punishment. Moreover, with his years of experience serving people, he realized that Chen Fan seemed keen to make a name for himself. 

Thus, winning Chen Fan's favor could certainly benefit him. Curiosity was sparked by the housekeeper's question. Everyone wondered just how formidable Chen Fan's sister could be to possess the ability to counter the Su family. And this adoration was precisely what Chen Fan hoped for.

"My sister isn't someone that people like you can comprehend," Chen Fan stated. "All I can tell you is that she's a true genius. Even the so-called business queen, Chen Qing, is nothing in front of her." As he spoke, Chen Fan mockingly glanced at Su Chen, "Kid, do you really think your Su family's reputation means anything? 

My sister is someone you can't afford to offend." Chen Fan's expression and eyes showed reverence and admiration for Chen Tong. However, to Su Chen, this taunting was meaningless. After all, he knew Chen Tong. 

The woman that Chen Fan described with such pride, as if she were heaven's chosen, was under his control just moments ago in the restroom. Seeing Chen Fan's smug expression, Su Chen felt that one day, he'd show Chen Fan just how intimate he and Chen Tong truly were.

"It must be quite stimulating." Thinking so, Su Chen shot a mischievous grin at Chen Tong. Meanwhile, Chen Tong's gaze never left Su Chen. In an instant, she detected Su Chen's wicked smile, realizing he was up to some mischief again. Recalling past events, Chen Tong felt an involuntary shudder, especially in her legs, nearly making her stumble. 

Looking at Chen Tong, who bit her lustrous lips and maintained a subtle distance between them, Su Chen chuckled, "Being in a relationship between a man and a woman is quite ordinary. And after all, we're adults. Whatever happens, we need to see it through. Why be angry?" 

Without guessing, Chen Tong knew what mischief Su Chen had in mind. She simply turned her head away, not wishing to engage. Chen Tong thought, "If you were more proactive, our child would be in school by now."

Seeing that Su Chen didn't respond to Chen Fan's words, the crowd became even more convinced that this so-called Chen family from Shanghai was a powerful clan that even the Su family wouldn't dare to offend. They began showering more praises. 

Suddenly, Chen Fan, the pampered young master, became the center of attention, overshadowing Qin Yu, the main character. Su Chen was exasperated, thinking how could a trashy protagonist like Qin Yu let Chen Fan steal the limelight? 

Yet, Su Chen wasn't worried, knowing someone like Qin Yu wouldn't let that happen. As expected, once Qin Yu noticed Chen Fan stealing his thunder, he took action. Approaching Elder Lin, Qin Yu said, "Since it's your birthday feast, there's no need to discuss these matters, don't you think?" "Agreed!" Elder Lin exclaimed, his aged face beaming with joy. "Young Master Qin, we're indebted to you. 

Thanks to your help, the Lin family overcame its challenges. Let's not dwell on this topic for now." Although the Lin family suffered significant losses in the recent conflicts, he wasn't overly concerned. As long as the foundation remained, any lost assets were insignificant. 

With Qin Yu's aid, the Lin family finally broke free from the Su family. In time, as the Lin family regains its strength, no one would dare to label them as a subsidiary of the Su family.

The audience below adjusted their emotions. The events of this night might not have been enormous, but they caused quite a stir. The power structure in the city might change again. As everyone calmed down, the current head of the Lin family took center stage. 

Watching this unfold, Su Chen knew the real drama was about to begin. He was actually quite excited. So far, every turn of events tonight was under his control. Su Chen was confident that the unexpected events from before wouldn't repeat.

"Thank you all for attending my birthday banquet. Due to some scheming individuals, we had some issues to address earlier. Fortunately, with Young Master Qin's assistance, we resolved the difficulties smoothly."

"The reason Qin Yu chose to step in and help is actually because of my granddaughter, Lin Qingyan." Saying this, he paused deliberately. Those below the stage, of course, understood the implication behind those words. It became clear to everyone. The Lin family has simply found another support and intended to sideline the Su family. 

At this moment, people began to pity Su Chen. Silently, he had done so much for the Lin family, only to end up with such an outcome. It seems there's truly no good ending for the sycophants. Many wanted to mock Su Chen, even the entire Su family. 

It was evident that the Su family would become a laughing stock in the future. Once the mood was set among the audience, a significant announcement was made. "From today onwards, Lin Qingyan will be the head of the Lin family. I officially abdicate." Following this, a pile of documents was placed in front of Lin Qingyan. 

However, she didn't sign them immediately but moved to the central position. "Hello, everyone, I am Lin Qingyan. I presume everyone is aware of the drama that just unfolded." With these words, murmurs spread among the audience. They speculated that Lin Qingyan was about to take action. 

All eyes turned to Su Chen. For someone like Su Chen, a pampered young master, the most painful thing might be to be betrayed by the woman he adores. The anticipation was palpable. Su Chen was even more curious, thinking, "What's she about to do? 

  The female lead is about to assert herself!" On stage, Lin Qingyan spoke with righteous indignation, "The events that just took place angered me. And the person responsible for it is among you. Hence, I intend to drive him out." 

Laughter erupted. Everyone was well aware of whom Lin Qingyan was referring to. Just moments ago, it was the Su family attacking the Lin family. Among the attendees, only Su Chen could earn such animosity from Lin Qingyan, warranting direct expulsion.

  Qin Yu looked at Su Chen with a mocking smirk. "Worthless fool. Today, I will show you how the woman you love falls into my arms. And I'll watch you crawl out of here like a defeated dog." Su Chen's face turned incredibly grim. 

Not because he was about to be driven out, but because Lin Qingyan had just slyly shot him a flirtatious glance in front of everyone. "What the... is this some kind of trick?"

"Is this woman planning something unreliable for me? Does she harbor resentment towards the Lin family from the bottom of her heart? Is she planning to run away from home and elope with me?" Su Chen thought, "It's impossible. Lin Qingyan still has her parents; she shouldn't dare to betray and leave the Lin family."

Su Chen prayed inwardly, hoping that nothing would go wrong. "Damn it, Lin Qingyan, if you truly dare to drive Qin Yu out, I'll make sure you pay the price tomorrow. I always keep my word."

However, the outcome was contrary to his wishes. Lin Qingyan's indifferent voice instantly silenced everyone present, leaving them all with expressions of utter shock.