269 Phony Sibling Relationship

Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, Handong University branch…

The waiter served three cups of coffee.

Apart from Lin Chang, another person was sitting opposite Pei Qian. She was a 27- to 28-year-old woman who looked similar to Lin Wan, except much more mature. She looked every bit the leader.

Lin Chang did not have to introduce her for Pei Qian to know that this was Lin Wan's older sister. She was Lin Yu, the one in charge of Shenhua's cell phone business.

One could only say that one's family background would determine the heights of one's career to a certain extent.

Assistant Xin was about as old as Lin Yu, but she did not come from such a noble background. No matter how hard she worked, she could only become the assistant to a company's president at best.

Lin Chang looked quite energetic and the same as before.

After they had introduced themselves to one another, Pei Qian and Lin Yu had exchanged a couple of pleasantries. Then, they took their seats.

"Boss Pei, it's been a long time."

Lin Chang smiled. "I heard from Ah Wan that Boss Pei owns a pretty good restaurant. It's very popular on Quanmin Reviews and has high ratings, too. It's now the most popular high-end restaurant in Jingzhou. I wonder if we will have the good fortune of trying it out soon. Boss Pei, don't worry. It'll be my treat."

Ming Yun Private Kitchen? Heh, don't even talk about it.

Pei Qian sipped his coffee sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, you have to wait until the 26th if you want to eat there. That's this Sunday. It's fully booked until then; even I cannot eat there whenever I want."

"Pfft—"

Lin Chang almost laughed out loud. "It's that popular? It's fully booked until Sunday?"

"No, I actually made a reservation in advance for this Sunday. To put it more accurately, the restaurant is fully booked until the middle of next month," replied Pei Qian, feeling even worse.

Lin Chang could not help but feel emotional. "You're amazing, Boss Pei.

"I remember that when we last met, you hadn't opened this restaurant. Only slightly over two months have passed, and yet the restaurant has already become this popular? Boss Pei, you are indeed something else."

Lin Chang was not sucking up to Pei Qian; he was genuinely impressed.

It was not enough to just pour money into a restaurant in order to make it in the food industry.

Lin Chang was surrounded by many bosses who opened restaurants with their spare cash, hoping to earn more money. However, most of them incurred losses from these ventures.

What's more, Pei Qian's was a high-end restaurant with such high prices. The chances of such restaurants incurring losses were much higher.

However, in just two months or so, Boss Pei managed to generate profits and get an influx of good reviews. His restaurant was even fully booked until next month. It was extremely impressive indeed.

However, Pei Qian could not help but feel disgust when he heard this. It was the same feeling he had when he read Teacher Qiao's encouragement on the epitaph.

Lin Chang did not get upset after Boss Pei told him that they could not eat at the nameless restaurant that night. "Alright! When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What's a couple of days to wait in order to eat at such a high-end restaurant? I'll stay in Jingzhou for a couple of days and wait until Sunday."

Pei Qian nodded. "No problem. It'll be my treat."

Lin Chang quickly shook his head. "No, no, no! Boss Pei, it'll be my treat."

Pei Qian was resolute. "It has to be my treat."

It was not a special treatment for Lin Chang. However, any treat would be paid for by the System Funds. Of course, Pei Qian would not give up any chance to spend a bit more money.

Wouldn't Pei Qian profit if Lin Chang paid for the meal?

All in all, he would be losing double the amount. That was unacceptable!

Seeing how firm Boss Pei was, Lin Chang stopped insisting. It was just a meal; it probably would not cost much.

"What brought the two of you over to Jingzhou? Could it be about Lin Wan?" Pei Qian asked casually.

He knew very well that something important brought Lin Yu and Lin Chang over to Jingzhou. He guessed that it likely had to do with Lin Wan.

Lin Chang nodded. "That's right.

"Our father looks like he doesn't care, but he's actually very worried. He made my older sister and I come over here for the same reason as the last time.

"What's more, compared to the last time, the problem seems much more difficult to resolve…"

Pei Qian, "…"

It seems like it. The situation has worsened.

Before this, Pei Qian thought that sending Lin Wan over to Shang Yang Games and putting her in charge of Bloody Battle Song would be a guaranteed failure. That was why he invested a huge sum in the game.

He hoped that the money would be lost, the game would fail, and Lin Wan's confidence would take a hit. For all he knew, she would have given up her career in the game industry and gone back to inherit her immense family fortune.

Logically, the plan should have been perfect.

However, it had evidently gone off track now. The mobile version of Bloody Battle Song was a huge success, and Lin Wan was more confident than she had ever been. Even if Pei Qian chased her away, he probably would not succeed.

What should he do?

Pei Qian sipped his coffee quietly. How sad!

Lin Chang was obviously quite upset as well. "Lin Wan can probably hold her head up high now.

"My father and my older sister vehemently objected to her decision. My second brother, Lin Zhou, and I supported Ah Wan. However, we only mentally supported her decision to go out and gain experience. We did not think she would succeed in the game industry.

"After all, the game industry is very cruel, and Ah Wan tends to be too idealistic. Thus, although Lin Zhou and I offered her mental support, we also thought she would experience major setbacks. We wanted her to see for herself how tough the road would be and come back of her own accord."

Pei Qian nodded in silence.

Yes, that's what I thought, too!

However, didn't that mean that Lin Wan's entire family thought she was bound to fail?!

Lin Zhou and Lin Chang had offered Lin Wan support, but they only supported her in pursuing her dreams. They did not think she would succeed.

Lin Chang continued, "Thus, it came as a shock to us that the mobile version of Bloody Battle Song succeeded.

"We did not even think Shenhua would profit from offering her the recommendation spots on its application store.

"Lin Wan has sent a lot of information about Bloody Battle Song to our Lin Family group over the last couple of days. These include gamers' comments, the official platform's recommendation, financial information, and the like. She even specifically mentioned our older sister.

"Although Shenhua's application store only gets 10% of the profits, this money was earned through Ah Wan's hard work. She's very proud.

"Thus, our father is getting antsy. He's rushing me to find a solution."

Pei Qian, "…"

Indeed, I'm getting antsy too.

Pei Qian could imagine how arrogant Lin Wan would be in front of her own family.

Back then, nobody had thought that she would be able to make a name for herself in the game industry. She left Guangzhou and came to Jingzhou on her own and persevered for such a long time in silence.

Now, she had finally produced a hot game that was even being praised by the official platform. This was a testament to her ability!

Could she stop herself from showing off?

Obviously, Lin Wan would work harder in the game industry from now on. The chances of her returning home to inherit her family business had greatly lowered.

At that thought, Pei Qian became indignant.

He glanced at Lin Yu, who was seated opposite him. His heart filled with curses.

At the end of the day, you were the one who insisted on giving Lin Wan recommendation spots.

If not for that, she would not have turned Bloody Battle Song into a mobile game. The game would not have become so popular.

Thus, you are 90% to blame for this mess!

Of course, Boss Pei could only think these things; he could not say them out loud. After all, everyone was a victim. They were all falling off the cliff together. No fleck of snow was innocent in an avalanche.

Strictly speaking, Boss Pei had made many mistakes as well.

At that thought, Pei Qian sighed.

He had to quickly think of a way to make up for his mistakes!

Pei Qian tried asking, "So what do the two of you think?"

Lin Yu, who had not spoken the entire time, finally said something. "My thoughts haven't changed. I still hope Ah Wan can come back as soon as possible.

"Although she has proven herself this time, I think chance played a big part in this. I don't think Ah Wan recognizes how cruel the industry can be. I don't see the point in her continuing on this path."

Pei Qian nodded.

That's absolutely right! Chance played a big part in her success. That's what I think, too!

Lin Chang added, "The main problem is that Ah Wan is living a free and easy life on the outside. My father can't do anything to her, and so he's pushing me to put pressure on her. Boss Pei, I'm in a difficult position."

Pei Qian remained silent for a second and said, "I remember you saying you regretted not becoming the lead singer for a band. That's why you supported Lin Wan as she pursued her dreams."

Lin Chang nodded. "That's right. That was the case.

"However, Ah Wan has already pursued her dreams. She already created a successful game! I didn't even get the chance to live my dream before it was completely destroyed!

"That's why I'm suffering emotionally and turning against her!"

Pei Qian, "…"

Indeed, their phony sibling relationship was breaking down under the pressure from Old Master Lin.

Lin Yu continued, "Of course, I know that Lin Wan is now your beloved general, Boss Pei. She's now the director of your newly-acquired Shang Yang Games. I can understand that you can't bear to see her go…"

Can't bear to see her go? No, no, no. On this point, I'm on the exact same page as Old Master Lin. I want her to leave as soon as possible!

Pei Qian immediately raised his hand. "Boss Lin, you're too courteous.

"Lin Wan's potential will be better nurtured in Shenhua Corporation; I'm not that selfish!

"Please, take her as soon as you get the opportunity!"

Lin Yu was overjoyed. "Boss Pei, it's great that you think that way!

"However, there's an existing problem. Ah Wan is way too stubborn. If we go too hard on her, it would backfire. I'm afraid we need you to think of a solution, Boss Pei."

Pei Qian sipped his coffee and remained silent. He could tell that Lin Yu and her father were at their wits' end with Lin Wan.

This problem stumps me as well! If I could persuade Lin Wan to go home and inherit her family business, I would have done so long ago! Would I have waited for both of you to come looking for me?

Pei Qian shook his head and said, "Honestly, I have no idea how to help you with this as well. I don't think I can offer any assistance."

Lin Chang quickly cut him off. "Don't worry! I believe a talented person like Boss Pei will be able to think of a solution. What's more, Ah Wan trusts you completely. You have a higher chance of success than we do.

"Boss Pei, don't worry. You're not in this alone. If you need anything, Shenhua Corporation will be behind you for sure!"

"Once you accomplish this, we will properly thank you!"

Huh? Properly thank me? Are you going to help me repel System Funds?

Looking at how sincere they both were, Pei Qian nodded reluctantly. "Since that's the case, let me think of something."