All that talk about popularity—it was nothing more than a ruse to deceive the other party.
In truth, this was merely a scheme to earn some extra money on the side.
He'd pulled tricks like this many times before.
Yet Sun Lin knew nothing of it.
In his heart, he truly believed that Zhang Feng was facing a difficult situation, a dilemma beyond his control.
After all, Zhang Feng was the assistant to the manager of a billion-dollar corporation.
So, deep down, Sun Lin convinced himself—this man must be reliable.
"Mr. Zhang… five million is far too much," he pleaded,
"Can't you reduce it, perhaps… to four million?"
There was a tone of desperation in his voice, subtle yet unmistakable.
Five million.
That glaring number left Sun Lin utterly helpless.
His factory had been turning a profit in recent years, and he had entertained the idea of opening a branch.
He had already paid hundreds of thousands in administrative fees.
And now, Zhang Feng wanted to increase the price by another two million.
It far exceeded the budget Sun Lin had in mind.
"Xiao Sun, you're making this really difficult for me,"
"You know I don't have much authority in the company. Everything is controlled from above."
"If my superiors found out I sold that land for under a million, I'd be shown the door immediately," Zhang Feng said, crossing his legs and putting on a face of feigned difficulty.
He had Sun Lin right where he wanted him.
Even if Sun Lin backed out of the deal, he could still pocket a kickback—perhaps save himself tens of thousands.
As for whether Sun Lin would dare oppose him—Zhang Feng doubted it.
The thought amused him. He hummed a carefree tune, barely concealing his smugness.
But Zhang Feng's words only deepened the furrow on Sun Lin's brow.
Five million—for a single plot of land?
That was a massive leap beyond expectation.
Add the costs of construction and machinery to that figure,
And he'd likely have to mortgage his entire factory just to stay afloat.
"Uncle, my dad is sick, and we don't have money for treatment.
Could I… borrow a little?"
As Sun Lin fell into deep thought, a timid yet anxious voice reached his ears.
A girl appeared before them—skin fair as snow, a ponytail cascading down her back, her figure delicate and graceful.
She radiated a youthful energy that seemed to brighten the air around her.
She wore the black-and-white school uniform of Modu No. 5 High School.
At this moment, she stood nervously at the doorway, her gaze shy and uncertain.
"Damn it, what is she doing here?"
Sun Lin's expression darkened instantly.
Every time Lin Yunhan showed up, it was always to borrow money.
That worthless father of hers clung to life in bed day after day—why wouldn't he just die already?
These thoughts remained locked inside Sun Lin's heart.
Outwardly, he forced a warm smile.
"Niece, how much do you need this time?"
His voice was kind, his expression unreadable.
"Uncle… the hospital fees… we're still short thirty thousand,"
"My mom told me to ask you."
Lin Yunhan's voice was meek, her demeanor as gentle and reserved as ever.
She had always been shy around strangers.
And this uncle of hers—at least in name—she feared him deeply.
What? Thirty thousand?
Good grief, she opens her mouth and asks for thirty thousand!
Sun Lin nearly exploded.
He'd told his sister long ago to leave that man.
He was a bottomless pit—no amount of money would ever fill it.
But she never listened.
Now she was sending her daughter to beg?
Ridiculous.
Though his heart fumed, Sun Lin held his tongue for Zhang Feng's sake.
He frowned slightly, pulled two thousand yuan from his pocket, and handed it to Lin Yunhan.
"Uncle's short on cash these days. Take this for now,"
"I'll give you the rest… later."
He waved her off, half polite, half dismissive.
"Uncle, this isn't enough,"
"Please, just a bit more. If we treat my dad, I promise—we'll pay you back when he recovers."
Though the amount was small, Lin Yunhan's eyes shone with a fragile yet stubborn resolve.
The medical fees were due.
Two thousand wasn't even close.
But Sun Lin had run out of patience.
He snapped.
"I don't have money. And even if I did, I wouldn't lend it."
"I told you long ago—your father is a money pit. No matter how much you pour in, it'll never be enough."
"Now get out."
Those cold words made it abundantly clear—this uncle would lend her nothing.
Crushed, Lin Yunhan had no choice but to leave the office.
Meanwhile, Zhang Feng watched her retreating silhouette, his eyes glinting.
A filthy smile crept across his lips.
"Old buddy, that girl—is she your relative?"
Zhang Feng leaned forward eagerly the moment Sun Lin sat down.
His tone had changed—from 'Xiao Sun' to 'old buddy.'
"Mr. Zhang, she's no real relative of mine. Just a poor girl from a poor family. I want nothing to do with them."
Sun Lin snapped, his frustration clouding his judgment.
But Zhang Feng's eyes twitched with calculation.
After a dramatic sigh, he slapped the table and spoke.
"Brother Sun, don't say I don't take care of you."
"I'll sell you that land for four million—just like you asked."
"But… I have one condition."
"What condition, Brother Zhang?"
Sun Lin perked up, his eyes gleaming with hope.
"It's simple,"
"I want that little niece of yours to accompany me to KTV… for a couple of songs."
As the words left Zhang Feng's mouth, he wore a knowing smile.
Songs?
Sun Lin understood immediately—this wasn't about music.
This man wanted to sleep with her.
He was pushing his niece into the fire.
He knew that Lin Yunhan wasn't just beautiful—she'd never had a boyfriend, and she was still pure.
But… it was a million yuan less.
And with that money, he could build another factory.
Sun Lin hesitated.
Then, clenching his teeth, he agreed.
"Alright, Brother Zhang. I'll do it."
"Please help me with the land."
"Of course, of course," Zhang Feng beamed.
"But since you've made up your mind, and the girl just left,
Why not catch up to her now and seal the deal?"
So eager.
Sun Lin frowned, but soon let it go.
Better to settle things quickly—he could start building sooner.
And as for his niece… he'd just give her twenty thousand for her father's treatment.
She'd surely agree.
He nodded, and walked out.
Outside the electronics factory, along the street,
Lin Yunhan stood dejected, her steps heavy with worry.
She had failed.
Her father's illness—what now?
She looked at the two thousand yuan in her hand, utterly disheartened.
She knew clearly—this money was nothing more than hush money, thrown at her by Sun Lin to silence her mother.
Sure enough, her mother's voice burst from the phone.
"That damn ingrate! When he started the factory, I lent him fifty thousand!"
"Just the interest would be more than two thousand by now!"
"Forget it, Yunhan. Come home."
Beep… beep… beep…
The call ended, and Lin Yunhan finally let out a breath.
At least she no longer had to beg that uncle.
But… what about her father's illness?
Worry once again clouded her brows.
Forget it—she'd talk to her mother.
Even if she had to take on a night shift or two, she would get him treated.
Determination glinted in her eyes as she turned toward the bus stop.
Just then, a tall, handsome figure appeared in her line of sight.
His clothes were strikingly expensive.
Though she was poor, Lin Yunhan recognized the brand embroidered on his sleeve—AhNeeMah.
Just one of those shirts would cost thousands, maybe tens of thousands.
But there was no envy in her eyes.
Only disgust.
At school, she had been pursued by many wealthy heirs.
One even declared her his girlfriend without consent, flaunting it daily.
She had long since grown tired of these pampered fools.
Nothing but hay between their ears, she muttered inwardly, lifting her chin and walking on.
But Chu Yi's eyes sparkled with delight.
There she was.
At last, after waiting in the sun for over an hour—he had found her.
The campus belle in modest clothes, the heroine of this story: Lin Yunhan.
With a glint in his eye, Chu Yi strode toward her.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?"
His voice was warm and gentle, reaching her ears like a breeze.
Lin Yunhan turned her head.
In her gaze, the handsome Chu Yi appeared.
But unlike the swooning girls at school,
She didn't find his looks captivating.
Instead, a flicker of disdain crossed her face.
"What do you want?"
Her tone was soft but flat.
Inside, she only wished to leave.
To her, Chu Yi was no different from the arrogant rich boys at school—
Superficial, entitled, and hollow.