Lin Mo sat down on the sofa and looked at Lin Shanshan, "Shanshan, why didn't you and your aunt come over to the family gathering yesterday?"
"My mom said there was overtime work in the company, and she didn't come back until very late, so I stayed at home waiting for her and didn't come," Lin Shanshan said innocently and cheerfully.
Lin Shanshan was well-behaved and kind-hearted, naturally unaware of Lin Mei's concerns.
"I see, by the way, there's a temple fair tonight, how about I take you there to have fun?" Lin Mo said with a smile.
At these words, an excited expression appeared on Lin Shanshan's pretty face as she clapped her hands and called out, "Yes, Brother Mo, it has been a very long time since you took me to the temple fair."
In the past, Lin Mo and Lin Shanshan had a very good relationship, especially during the Hong City Temple Fair, when Lin Shanshan would always follow Lin Mo around like a shadow, excited to browse the temples together.
A gentle smile crossed Lin Mo's face.
Now that he had gained significant strength, it was these emotions and his family members that were the most precious to him.
At this moment, Lin Mei had already arrived at the office of a real estate company under the Lin Group. The office wasn't very big, yet it was elegant and refined, which suited Lin Mei's personality well.
"President Lin, that person has come again, waiting for you in the office," the secretary said with a furrowed brow as she saw Lin Mei approaching.
Although the secretary didn't know what had happened, she had overheard a fierce argument coming from the general manager's office yesterday. Having worked closely with Lin Mei for the longest time, she knew Lin Mei's temperament; she rarely got angry.
Lin Mei furrowed her brows, "Alright, go attend to your work."
"Yes, President Lin." Having said that, the secretary left.
Lin Mei opened the office door and saw an old man dressed in a black robe with short hair as stiff as steel needles, sitting on the sofa in the office, with a cup of clear tea in front of him from which wisps of white smoke were curling up.
"President Lin." When the old man saw Lin Mei enter, he did not rise, his face carrying a hint of a smile.
Lin Mei sat down on the sofa, a trace of hatred in her eyes, "Why have you come again? Go back and tell that person, I'm not handing Shanshan over to him."
"President Lin, both you and Mr. Du are friends, and Lin Shanshan is his biological daughter. Mr. Du has sent me to take Shanshan home for the New Year. It doesn't seem appropriate for you to obstruct this," the elder said, lifting his head with squinted eyes, a smile in his tone.
Lin Mei snorted coldly, "He has ignored Shanshan for eighteen years, and now he suddenly wants her back home, why?"
"Because he is Shanshan's biological father. Don't you think Shanshan should never find out who her father is?" the elder asked.
Lin Mei, grinding her silver teeth, anger showing on her face, snapped, "He's not worthy."
"He's nothing but a traitor who pursues profit over loyalty. He drove Ru Meng to her death; what right does he have to be Shanshan's father?"
The elder sighed, "It wasn't what Mr. Du wanted. There are many reasons which are not easy to explain to you."
"Fine, even if he doesn't want to explain, why send you? Is he afraid to see me himself, or is it because he did something shameful and can't face people?" Lin Mei clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"Mr. Du is very busy, so he sent me to handle this. He also instructed me to tell you that the Du Family will certainly compensate you for the good care you've given to Shanshan these past eighteen years," the elder stated.
"I don't need his compensation. I just want him to come to me personally, to explain everything, both to me and to Ru Meng." Lin Mei, fuming with anger, breathed heavily, her face flushed with emotion.
People in the entire company likely had never seen President Lin in her current state, verging on crazed. It took an extraordinary person in terms of ability, capability, and mental strength to manage a company with hundreds of employees.
It was hard to imagine what had made her so angry.
"President Lin, I have said all I needed to say. The choice is yours," the old man said, shook his head, stood up, and left the office.
Lin Mei watched the old man leave, and her strength seemed to drain from her body. Leaning back in her swivel chair, her eyes reddened, "Ru Meng, that heartless person actually wants to take back the child, ha, I will surely get justice for you."
After the old man left the company, he got into a Mercedes-Benz van.
"Mr. Huang," the driver displayed a respectful demeanor upon seeing him.
"Women are always too emotional, failing to see reality clearly. Initiate the second plan; we must bring the young lady back," the old man instructed, then closed his eyes to rest.
"Yes, Mr. Huang," the driver nodded in acknowledgment.
At night, by the Qingjiang River, the lights were bright, and the festivity was unmatched. The south side of Qingjiang rested against a tall mountain, with a small temple halfway up. The temple fair was primarily held in this area, with rows of red lanterns hanging beside the river and a bustling crowd of pedestrians.
On either side were various street vendors selling sugar figurines, candied hawthorns, various small toys, and booths where you could toss rings to win prizes. On the river, hundreds of Wish Lanterns floated, decorating the water, like a dreamy illusion.
Lin Mo walked with a beautiful woman and a little girl, drawing envious glances from many men.
Lin Shanshan was pulling Lin Mo's arm, her big, glossy eyes looking around, "Brother Xiao Mo, I want to eat candied hawthorn sticks."
"How old are you, acting just like a kid?" Lin Mo said with a resigned smile.
When she was younger, Lin Shanshan always followed him around, clamoring for candied hawthorn sticks.
Xia Mengdie also said with a smile, "I want some too. I haven't strolled around in such a long time. I didn't expect it to be so lively."
"Alright, let's get some for you both," Lin Mo bought two candied hawthorn sticks for them, and then the trio continued to stroll forward, with Lin Shanshan wanting to check out every little trinket along the way.
Xia Mengdie was also very happy. She came from a home with a disappointing father and had developed a self-protective personality. It was Lin Mo who, over the past two years, had gradually changed her personality. Otherwise, the former Xia Mengdie would certainly not join such festivities.
Seeing the two women enjoying themselves, Lin Mo felt a surge of happiness.
However, at that moment, Lin Mo suddenly felt as if someone had set their sights on him.
"Could it be that the Green Dragon Gang, Joy Sect, and Black Witch Sect still haven't given up?"
Lin Mo frowned and, pulling the two along, headed towards the temple, "Let's look up ahead. I hear the Wish Lanterns in the temple are very effective."
"Great, I also want to release a river lantern," Lin Shanshan nodded eagerly, like a pecking chick.
Lin Mo led the two women toward the temple, then excused himself to use the restroom and slipped into a secluded spot near the temple, his face immediately displaying a chilling intent, "Sneaking around after me, are you here to find me?"
As soon as he uttered those words, the four men in black suits who had followed them frowned, the leader, a middle-aged man, stepping forward and addressing him, "Kid, this has nothing to do with you. If you don't want to die, get out of the way."
No sooner had he spoken than Lin Mo threw a punch, and the man had no chance to react, being sent flying with a single blow, crashing to the ground.