Chapter 270: A Fragile Sibling Bond
Moyu Internet Café, Handong University Branch.
The waiter brought over three cups of coffee.
Sitting across from Pei Qian were two people—Lin Chang, and a woman who looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. She bore a slight resemblance to Lin Wan, though she seemed much more mature and composed, radiating a natural air of authority.
Even without an introduction, Pei Qian could already guess that this woman was most likely Lin Wan's eldest sister—Lin Yu, the one in charge of Shenhua Corporation's mobile phone division.
It could only be said that one's family background often determined the ceiling of one's career.
Xin Hailu was about the same age as Lin Yu, but without such an impressive family, no matter how hard she worked, her upper limit would always be "the president's assistant."
Lin Chang still looked the same as before—energetic and in good spirits.
After exchanging introductions, Pei Qian and Lin Yu traded a few polite remarks before sitting down.
"President Pei, it's been a while," Lin Chang said with a warm smile. "I heard from Lin Wan that you opened a rather popular restaurant. It's blowing up on AllReviews, with incredibly high ratings—supposedly the hottest fine-dining spot in Jingzhou right now. I wonder if I'll have the honor of tasting it for myself? Don't worry, it'll be my treat."
Mingyun Private Kitchen?
Heh, don't even bring it up.
Pei Qian took a sorrowful sip of his coffee. "Sorry, but if you want to eat there, you'll have to wait until the 26th—this Sunday. It's fully booked. Even I can't just walk in whenever I want."
"Pfft."
Lin Chang nearly spat out his coffee laughing. "It's that popular? Booked out until Sunday already?"
"No," Pei Qian sighed, looking even more miserable. "Sunday's reservation is one I made for myself a long time ago. Technically, the bookings are full until mid-next month."
Lin Chang couldn't help but be impressed. "Amazing, President Pei."
"I remember the last time we met, you hadn't even opened that place yet. It's only been a little over two months, and it's already this successful? President Pei, you really do have some serious skill."
He wasn't just flattering, he meant it sincerely.
After all, the restaurant business wasn't something that could be conquered by money alone.
Lin Chang knew plenty of business owners who, after making a bit of cash, tried to open restaurants on the side—most ended up losing money.
Especially fine-dining establishments with steep prices—those were notorious money pits.
But somehow, in just two months, Pei Qian had turned his restaurant profitable, and not only that—it was overflowing with good reviews and booked solid for weeks. That was truly impressive.
However, hearing all that praise only made Pei Qian feel a deep, indescribable ache.
It was that same feeling he'd had when reading Qiao Liang's "You can do it" on his mock tombstone—pure, helpless bitterness.
When Pei Qian said they couldn't eat at Mingyun Private Kitchen tonight, Lin Chang didn't seem upset. "No problem. I'll just do as the locals do—for a restaurant this high-end, waiting a few days is nothing. I'll be in Jingzhou for two days anyway; I'll wait until Sunday."
Pei Qian nodded. "No problem. I'll treat you then."
Lin Chang quickly waved his hand. "No, no, President Pei—I insist, it's on me."
Pei Qian's tone turned firm. "Absolutely not. I must be the one to treat."
It wasn't because he wanted to show special courtesy to Lin Chang—not at all.
It was because company expenses covered meals like these. The more he spent, the better. Pei Qian never let a single spending opportunity slip away.
If Lin Chang paid, that would mean Pei Qian saved money—which was the same as losing money. That would be double the loss! Absolutely unacceptable!
Seeing that Pei Qian was adamant, Lin Chang didn't argue further. After all, it was just one meal—not a big deal.
"So, what brings the two of you to Jingzhou?" Pei Qian asked casually. "Could it be because of Lin Wan?"
He already had a good idea. For both Lin Yu and Lin Chang to show up in Jingzhou together, it definitely had to be something serious—most likely related to Lin Wan.
Lin Chang nodded. "That's right."
"The old man might look indifferent on the surface, but in truth, he's still worried. This time, he forced me and my sister to come here—for the same reason as before."
"But compared to last time… things have gotten even harder."
Pei Qian: "…"
That did seem to be the case, the situation had indeed taken a turn for the worse.
Previously, Pei Qian's idea had been simple: assign Lin Wan to Shangyang Games to take charge of Blood War Anthem: Enhanced Edition, a project that was doomed to fail, and then pour an absurd amount of money into it.
That way, the money would be lost, the game would flop, and Lin Wan's confidence would take a serious hit.
Maybe then she'd give up on the game industry altogether and obediently return home to inherit her billions.
By all logic, it had been a perfect plan—flawless, airtight.
But somehow… things had gone completely off the rails.
The mobile version of Blood War Anthem: Enhanced Edition had turned into a massive hit, and Lin Wan's confidence was now at an all-time high.
At this rate, even if he wanted to chase her away, she probably wouldn't leave.
What a disaster.
Pei Qian took a quiet sip of his coffee, his expression full of melancholy.
Lin Chang looked equally wistful. "This time, Lin Wan really made a name for herself."
"In our family, our grandfather and my eldest sister were firmly against it. My second brother Lin Zhou and I supported her—but only in spirit. We didn't actually believe she could make a real mark in the gaming industry."
"After all, it's a brutal line of work, and Lin Wan's personality is a little too idealistic. So even though Lin Zhou and I supported her chasing her dreams, we mostly just wanted her to experience some setbacks—get a taste of reality and come home sooner rather than later."
Pei Qian nodded silently.
Yeah, I thought the same thing.
But now that he thought about it, didn't that mean Lin Wan's entire family never really believed she could succeed?
Lin Zhou and Lin Chang might have encouraged her, but it was the kind of support meant to teach her a lesson—not out of actual faith in her abilities.
Lin Chang continued, "So the success of Blood War Anthem: Enhanced Edition mobile version caught all of us completely off guard."
"Even the recommendation slot from the Shenhua Mobile App Store—we never thought it would actually turn a profit."
"These past couple of days, Lin Wan's been posting Blood War Anthem: Enhanced Edition updates in our family group chat—player reviews, official platform blurbs, revenue charts, she even tagged my eldest sister."
"She said she only got ten percent of the revenue share from Shenhua, but it was money she earned on her own, and she's really proud of that."
"So now, Grandfather's getting restless. He's been pushing me to figure something out."
Pei Qian: "..."
Honestly, he was restless too.
He could perfectly picture Lin Wan showing off in the family chat.
Back when everyone had doubted her—when she'd run off to Guangzhou, then Jingzhou, quietly grinding away while no one paid attention—and now, she'd made a hit game praised even by official channels.
Could anyone blame her for wanting to brag a little?
But that also meant she'd be even more determined to stay in the game industry, making it practically impossible to lure her back home now.
And the more Pei thought about it, the more annoyed he became.
He glanced at Lin Yu sitting across from him, grumbling silently in his heart.
Let's be honest, isn't this all your fault?
If you hadn't insisted on giving Lin Wan that prime recommendation slot, she never would've thought of turning Blood War Anthem: Enhanced Edition into a mobile game—and it never would've blown up.
So really, at least ninety percent of this mess is on you!
Of course, Pei Qian would never actually say that out loud.
After all, they were all victims here.
When an avalanche happens, not a single snowflake is innocent.
And truth be told, Pei himself had made plenty of mistakes.
He sighed inwardly.
Better start thinking about how to fix this.
He asked tentatively, "So… what are your positions on this matter, then?"
The usually quiet Lin Yu finally spoke up:
"My stance hasn't changed, I still want Lin Wan to come home as soon as possible."
"Although she's proven herself this time," Lin Yu said calmly, "I think there was a great deal of luck involved. I don't believe Lin Wan has truly come to understand how ruthless this industry is, nor do I think there's any point in her continuing down this path."
Pei Qian nodded silently.
Exactly right! There really was a lot of luck involved—he couldn't agree more!
Lin Chang added with a bitter smile, "Lin Wan gets to live freely and happily out there, but Grandfather can't control her, so he's been taking it all out on me. President Pei, you have no idea how tough this has been for me."
Pei Qian paused for a moment before saying, "If I recall correctly, you once regretted not becoming a band's lead vocalist yourself, and you supported Lin Wan in chasing her dreams because of that."
Lin Chang nodded. "Yeah, that was before."
"But now, Lin Wan's already fulfilled her dream! She's made a successful game! Meanwhile, my dream never even had a chance to succeed—it completely went up in smoke!"
"So of course I feel bitter about it! I've switched sides!"
Pei Qian: "..."
As expected, the so-called sibling bond was as fragile as cheap plastic—completely shattered the moment family pressure came into play.
Lin Yu continued, "Of course, I also understand that Lin Wan is now one of your most trusted subordinates, President Pei. She's serving as a director at your newly acquired Shangyang Games. You must find it hard to part with her…"
Hard to part with?
No, no, no—on that point, my attitude is perfectly aligned with your grandfather's!
I'd be thrilled if she left right this second!
Pei Qian immediately raised his hand. "President Lin, you're far too polite."
"Lin Wan's talent could be put to far better use at Shenhua Corporation. I'm not a selfish person!"
"Please, by all means—take her back as soon as possible!"
Lin Yu's expression brightened. "President Pei, it's wonderful to hear you say that!"
"However, we're still facing the same issue as before—Lin Wan's too stubborn. If we try to force her, it'll only backfire."
"So I'm afraid, President Pei, we'll have to trouble you to come up with a plan."
Pei Qian sipped his coffee in silence.
He could tell that both Lin Yu and the old patriarch were completely at their wits' end with Lin Wan.
But honestly… what could he do about it?
If he'd been able to convince Lin Wan to go home and inherit her fortune, he would've done it long ago—why would he still be sitting here?
Pei Qian sighed and shook his head. "To be honest, I really don't have any good ideas. I'm afraid I won't be of much help."
Lin Chang quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I have faith in you, President Pei. Someone as brilliant as you will definitely think of something! Besides, Lin Wan trusts you more than anyone else—your chances of success are way higher than ours."
"Don't worry, President Pei, you won't be fighting alone. Shenhua Corporation will support you in every possible way!"
"And once it's done, there'll be a special reward waiting for you!"
Hmm?
A special reward?
The kind that isn't tied to the system's finances?
Seeing the two of them looking at him so earnestly, Pei Qian reluctantly nodded.
"Well, in that case… I'll see what I can do."
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