Chapter 32: The Battle to Rebuild

After that conversation at the Yun City Café, Lin Wanning finally found inner peace.

She understood now—some people couldn't be relied on, and some wounds had to heal on their own. And now, she was the Chairwoman of the New Lin Group, the last guardian of the Lin family.

"All department heads, please be in the conference room by ten o'clock sharp."

No sooner had Lin Wanning returned to her office than she issued a company-wide notice.

At the New Lin Group headquarters—a building that had long teetered in the storm—order was finally returning under her command.

Inside the meeting room, more than a dozen department heads gathered, some with anxious faces, others with glimmers of hope.

Standing at the head of the table, Lin Wanning's gaze was firm.

"Today, we officially launch the rebuilding plan for the New Lin Group." Her tone was calm, but carried undeniable power. "This time, we will no longer rely on outside capital. No one will pull our strings again."

Everyone looked at her. Some clenched their fists; others' eyes turned red.

They had waited too long to hear those words.

"In Phase One, we will restart from our pharmaceutical R&D division," Lin Wanning said as she opened her slide deck. "This has always been the foundation of the Lin Group—and the easiest sector to rebuild trust."

"But Wan President, our core tech team was already poached," said Technical Director Lin Gong with a frown. "Without talent, R&D is just empty talk."

"I've already reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Dihe Laboratories. They're willing to support us through the first three phases of R&D. But—only if we secure seed funding from Xinghai Capital."

The room immediately broke into murmurs.

Xinghai Capital was notoriously tough in An City. Their investment conditions were strict, and they only backed projects with "explosive return potential" within five years.

"President Wan, are you sure we can get their funding?"

Lin Wanning's lips curled slightly. "I'm not sure. But I'll be negotiating with them myself."

She picked up the project proposal she had long prepared.

"This is our trump card. And our only hope."

—

Two days later, at Xinghai Capital headquarters.

In a minimalist yet modern office, Lin Wanning, dressed in a sharply tailored navy-blue suit, sat across from the investment manager.

"President Lin, I'm genuinely interested in the direction of your proposal," said Wang Yue, the manager, as he looked over the documents. "But your team lacks hands-on experience in data integration and market assessment. Our firm has a policy: no investing in 'comeback shells.'"

"I understand." Lin Wanning replied calmly. "But this isn't a hollow shell. It's a warrior rising from the ashes. Every single data point, every report, every KPI—was restructured by our team from archived projects over the past two months."

She paused, then met his eyes directly.

"You can continue investing in perfectly packaged ventures—or you can bet on us. A company that has survived a real crisis, and is willing to risk everything for the future."

The room fell silent.

Then Wang Yue suddenly smiled.

"You're very much like Shen Sihan back in the day."

A flicker crossed Lin Wanning's eyes, but she quickly regained composure. "I'm not him."

"But you're the same—you're willing to gamble. And to lose."

Wang Yue stood up. "We'll get back to you within three days."

—

The following days felt like walking through fire.

Every morning at six, Lin Wanning arrived at the company. She worked with her team revising project details, and stayed up past eleven rehearsing execution strategies.

"You think... they'll really invest?" Su Wan asked, dozing off at her desk.

"They will. Even if they don't want to." Lin Wanning said softly.

She knew all too well—if they failed this time, there would be no more chances for New Lin Group.

—

Meanwhile, Shen Sihan was also watching the bidding process closely.

He sat in his office, holding Wang Yue's preliminary report.

"She negotiated personally?"

"Yes. President Lin was very firm, and very professional," Wang Yue nodded. "She even called out flaws in our past failed projects—bluntly and precisely."

Shen Sihan raised an eyebrow.

Lin Wanning... had truly transformed.

"Don't interfere with anything she does," he ordered calmly. "The future of New Lin—she decides it."

"But if they don't get Xinghai's investment, they'll collapse."

"They won't." Shen Sihan said firmly. "She won't let herself lose."

—

On the fourth morning, just as Lin Wanning stepped into her office, the phone rang.

It was Xinghai Capital.

"President Lin, congratulations." Wang Yue's voice came through, cheerful and clear. "Xinghai Capital has decided to invest twenty million in your first-round seed funding. The agreement can be signed tomorrow afternoon."

Holding the phone, Lin Wanning was silent for a long time.

"President Lin? Are you still there?"

"I'm here." Her voice was steady, but choked with emotion. "Thank you."

"You earned it. We're betting on your underdog comeback."

After hanging up, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

For once, she had won.

Not because of someone else. Not because of Shen Sihan's name.

But because of herself.

—

That afternoon, news of Xinghai Capital's investment in New Lin Group swept through An City's business circle.

The once-skeptical media scrambled to report the story. Those who once looked down on Lin Wanning began to reevaluate her.

At the Shen Corporation office, Shen Manman smashed a glass when she saw the news.

"She actually pulled it off?!"

"Sis, should we strike back now? She's at her weakest right after receiving the investment."

"No." Shen Manman's eyes turned cold. "The stronger she gets, the more enemies she'll attract. Let others tear her apart on the real battlefield."

A chilling smile played on her lips.

"The real war hasn't even started."

—

That night, Lin Wanning stood in front of the office window, gazing at the city lights.

She knew this was just the beginning.

Ahead of her lay endless games, negotiations, compromises, and sacrifices.

But at least—she had taken her first step.

And it wasn't for Shen Sihan, or for the Lin family.

It was for herself.

She, Lin Wanning, would finally become the queen of her own destiny.