043 : The First Strike.

"The people behind this?" Xu Wei said. "It's not just Zhou Jianhong. He's just a middleman."

Lin Tian's eyes narrowed. "Then who is he working for?"

Xu Wei's gaze darkened. "Su Yun's father."

Lin Tian's entire body stilled.

"Her real father?"

Xu Wei nodded. "Yeah. Zhou Minghai. One of the most powerful businessmen in the country. And someone who will do anything to keep his past buried."

Lin Tian clenched his fists.

"So he's the one who erased her mother."

Xu Wei exhaled. "Most likely. And now, he's making sure Su Yun never finds out the truth. That's why you're a problem, Lin Tian. You're getting too close."

Lin Tian's golden eyes burned.

Zhou Minghai.

A man who had abandoned his daughter, erased her mother, and was now trying to control the future.

Lin Tian had dealt with men like him before.

And he had destroyed them all.

Xu Wei glanced at him. "So? What are you going to do now?"

Lin Tian smirked.

"Win."

Lin Tian didn't wait.

He had been reacting long enough.

Now—it was his turn to make the first move.

That night, he sent a message to the same unknown number that had threatened him before.

Lin Tian: You tried to scare me. Now it's my turn.

There was no immediate response. But Lin Tian wasn't done.

He sent another message.

Lin Tian: Tell Zhou Minghai this—he failed to erase the past. And now, I'm going to make sure Su Yun learns everything.

This time—there was a response.

Unknown Number: You're making a mistake.

Lin Tian's smirk widened.

Lin Tian: No. You are.

Then he turned off his phone and leaned back in his chair.

The storm was coming.

But Lin Tian had never feared the storm.

He was the storm.

And now—Zhou Minghai would learn that no matter how much power he had, no matter how deep he buried his secrets—

Lin Tian would uncover them all.

No matter what it took.

The city lights flickered outside Lin Tian's window as he leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the wooden desk. His mind was calm, his thoughts clear.

The game had changed.

Zhou Minghai, Su Yun's real father, had been pulling the strings all along. He had erased Su Yun's mother, erased Su Yun from his life, and now, when the past threatened to resurface, he was trying to silence her again.

But there was one thing Zhou Minghai had failed to realize—

Lin Tian wasn't someone who could be erased.

This wasn't just about protecting Su Yun anymore. This was a war.

A war of information. A war of manipulation. A war that Lin Tian had every intention of winning.

And the first step?

Making sure Zhou Minghai knew exactly who he was dealing with.

Lin Tian didn't waste time. He pulled out his phone, opening a new message.

To: Unknown Number

Lin Tian: You tried to scare me. Bad move.

A moment passed. Then, a reply.

Unknown Number: You still don't understand. This isn't your fight. Walk away while you can.

Lin Tian smirked.

Lin Tian: I don't walk away. I walk over people who get in my way.

There was no immediate response this time. Lin Tian could imagine the hesitation on the other end. Whoever was receiving his messages wasn't used to being challenged. They were used to control.

But Lin Tian was going to break that control.

He sent one final message.

Lin Tian: Tell Zhou Minghai that the past doesn't stay buried forever. I'm going to make sure Su Yun learns everything.

The phone remained silent.

Then—

Unknown Number: You're making a mistake.

Lin Tian's smirk deepened.

Lin Tian: No. You did. Now let's see how you handle it.

He put his phone down.

The first move had been made.

Now, it was time for the next step.

Lin Tian knew one thing—he couldn't fight this war alone. He had intelligence, instincts, and an unshakable will, but in this world, power wasn't determined by strength. It was determined by connections.

And so, he went to find Zhang Rui.

Zhang Rui was the kind of person who knew everything about everyone. He wasn't powerful, but he was resourceful. And right now, Lin Tian needed information.

He found Zhang Rui in the school courtyard, leaning against a tree, scrolling through his phone. The moment he saw Lin Tian approaching, he let out a low whistle.

"Wow, you actually came looking for me," Zhang Rui said, smirking. "What's the occasion? Need answers again?"

Lin Tian didn't waste time. "I need everything you can find on Zhou Minghai."

Zhang Rui's smirk vanished instantly. His entire body stiffened, and he lowered his phone. "…You're serious?"

Lin Tian's golden eyes didn't waver. "Dead serious."

Zhang Rui glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening. Then, in a quieter voice, he said, "Look, man, I don't know what you're planning, but Zhou Minghai isn't just some businessman. He's… dangerous."

Lin Tian smirked. "Good. So am I."

Zhang Rui groaned. "You're insane."

Lin Tian crossed his arms. "Do you have what I need, or not?"

Zhang Rui sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It won't be easy. Zhou Minghai controls a lot of media. He's buried most of the scandals tied to his name." He hesitated. "But there's one thing—something that almost got leaked a few years ago before it disappeared."

Lin Tian's eyes sharpened. "What was it?"

Zhang Rui hesitated again before lowering his voice.

"A story about his wife's disappearance. The official report says she left on her own. But the truth?" He looked at Lin Tian seriously. "Some people think Zhou Minghai made her disappear."

Lin Tian's fists clenched slightly.

So it was true.

Zhou Minghai had gotten rid of Su Yun's mother.

And if he had done it once, he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Lin Tian exhaled, his voice calm but firm. "I need proof."

Zhang Rui hesitated, then nodded. "I'll see what I can find. But be careful, Lin Tian. You're stepping into something deep."

Lin Tian's smirk returned. "I never liked shallow waters anyway."