{Chapter: 200 Lean on your shoulder!}
"Okay, okay. Alright," Mei Yuxian said, waving her hand dismissively. Hearing Lin Yuan speak in riddles or what sounded like nonsense to her ears, she didn't feel like probing further. He was always like this—aloof and enigmatic—but this time, something about his demeanor made her feel it wasn't worth pursuing. At least, not yet.
She turned her attention back to the documents in her hand. Mei Yuxian had just finished thoroughly reviewing the plan that Lin Yuan had prepared. Now, she moved on to examine the attached contract, wanting to be certain of every detail.
But as she read, she quickly realized that this was far more than just a tactical blueprint to dismantle the Qingshan Gang.
It was an intricate arrangement for the distribution of future profits. The plan anticipated the complete collapse of the Qingshan Gang and the takeover of its assets and underground network. The revenue distribution model surprised her: Lin Yuan had allocated 70% of the income to himself, while the remaining 30% would be split between the Mei and Tang families—15% each.
Her eyebrows rose slightly when she saw the Tang family's name on the contract.
He even involved the Tang family?
Although the ratio seemed heavily tilted in Lin Yuan's favor, Mei Yuxian didn't feel even the slightest dissatisfaction. Not only did she accept it—she found herself somewhat impressed by his confidence.
The first and most obvious reason for her acceptance was that Lin Yuan was the primary architect of the plan. He was the mastermind who conceived the entire strategy from beginning to end, demonstrating both foresight and boldness. He had, quite literally, done all the thinking.
But that alone wasn't the only reason.
What truly made the proposal appealing was that their enemy—the Qingshan Gang—was no ordinary street-level organization. It was a deeply entrenched force backed by the Chen family, which had always been a thorn in the side of both the Mei and Tang families. Any opportunity to eradicate the Qingshan Gang and chip away at the Chen family's power was a prize worth more than gold.
And if Lin Yuan's plan could truly corner the Qingshan Gang into a complete collapse, it would be foolish to haggle over profit margins. Mei Yuxian understood that perfectly. This was not just about money. This was about leverage, positioning, and revenge.
Besides, Fengyu Port—an asset she had long coveted—was specifically included in her share of the spoils.
That alone would've been enough to seal the deal.
What startled her even more was that the Tang family's share also included something they'd long sought. This was no accident.
Lin Yuan had perfectly tailored the contract to suit the individual interests of both families. He hadn't just written a plan; he had clearly studied the people involved, anticipated their desires, and used that knowledge to create a proposal no one could refuse.
The more Mei Yuxian thought about it, the more disturbed she felt—in a good way. It was terrifying, really. This kind of precision in negotiation wasn't ordinary. It was the work of someone who understood people as deeply as he understood strategy. It made Lin Yuan feel even more mysterious and unpredictable in her eyes.
She stared at him across the table.
A man who could converse on equal terms with someone as powerful and elusive as Cui Yunrong… who could casually sit beside an old titan of the military and maintain his composure… who could discuss medicine, fortune-telling, classical business strategy, piano compositions, plum blossom paintings, and the nuances of blue-and-white porcelain…
And he looked that handsome while doing it?
How many layers does he have? she wondered.
Lin Yuan was no ordinary young man. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more he felt like a buried treasure she had just begun to unearth.
Mei Yuxian's eyes shimmered slightly as she stared at the man across from her. It was as if she had struck gold without even trying.
Without another moment of hesitation, she picked up the pen and signed the contract.
Despite all the unanswered questions swirling in her head, she felt no apprehension. Instead, a strange sense of excitement filled her chest.
This wasn't just about profit anymore.
She had the distinct feeling that cooperating with Lin Yuan would be a turning point—not only for her personally, but for the entire Mei family.
His abilities were far beyond what she could have imagined at first glance. And even though she had always been proud of her own intelligence, planning skills, and execution, she could not deny that Lin Yuan surpassed her in more ways than one.
"Xiao Yuan!" Mei Yuxian suddenly called out, her voice tinged with something different—warmth, perhaps.
"Hm?" Lin Yuan looked up, slightly puzzled.
"Happy cooperation." Her peach blossom-like face bloomed into a beautiful smile, one that softened her already elegant features. She stretched out her slender jade-like hand toward him, eyes glinting with sincerity.
Lin Yuan smiled too, reaching out to take her hand firmly in his own. "Happy cooperation," he echoed with a calm and confident tone.
Their hands lingered in the handshake just a little longer than necessary.
After signing the contract, Mei Yuxian didn't remain seated across the table. She gracefully stood up and walked to sit next to Lin Yuan instead. The shift in posture spoke volumes.
Lin Yuan instantly understood her intention.
That handshake had been symbolic. It wasn't just a greeting—it was a gesture of recognition. She now regarded him not just as a business partner, but as an equal.
A man worthy of respect.
The entire plan he had crafted was meticulous—so seamless and practical that even Mei Yuxian, who prided herself on her strategic mind, was left stunned.
She had once believed that few could rival her in this domain, but today, she met someone who exceeded her.
Still, she wasn't disheartened. In fact, she felt invigorated.
There was something primal in human nature, not so different from the animal kingdom. The weak revered the strong. And in Mei Yuxian's world, strength wasn't just about power—it was about intellect, control, and vision.
And Lin Yuan had all three in abundance.
And Mei Yuxian's personality was no different.
She was proud, composed, and independent, yet deep down, she had always maintained a strong emotional boundary between herself and others.
Still, she had to admit—she had never encountered anyone quite like Lin Yuan.
Sitting quietly beside him on the plush leather sofa, Mei Yuxian could feel her heartbeat gradually quicken, as if stirred by an invisible force. It wasn't some exaggerated wave of romance, but a subtle throb—an unfamiliar rhythm long thought to have been buried by the passage of years and life's harsh realities.
In Mei Yuxian's perspective, just possessing an Adam's apple and that particular anatomical feature didn't qualify someone to be called a real man. That label, in her eyes, was reserved for someone who shouldered responsibility without flinching and who possessed the capability to overcome obstacles with unwavering calm.
And in that moment, she realized—Lin Yuan had become a real man in her eyes.
Because only a real man could make her heart skip a beat… after all these years.
Yes, Mei Yuxian had experienced fleeting moments of emotional stirrings in the past—but they had always been short-lived, easily brushed aside, never taken seriously.
If only we weren't so far apart in age…
Gui Qingtong…
I suppose, for us, it's just not possible. Not really.
It's such a shame.
We're not walking the same timeline.
If only I had met him ten, maybe fifteen years earlier… how different would things be now?
How different would I be?
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Mei Yuxian reached for the wine glass again and took several abrupt sips, trying to drown the sudden melancholy that was rising in her chest.
Then, in a moment of vulnerability, she turned her head slightly and softly asked, "Xiao Yuan… can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?"
Lin Yuan smiled, calm and unfazed. "Of course."
There was nothing complicated behind her request—not lust, not manipulation. Just a quiet yearning. A memory she wanted to preserve.
She had recalled a quote once: "When you know you can't have something, the only thing you can do… is try your best not to remember it."
And yet, ironically, she wanted to remember this moment for a lifetime.
Mei Yuxian gently leaned on Lin Yuan's shoulder, her head resting softly, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. His body was warm, his presence reliable—there was a quiet strength in him that made her feel safe, even if just for a fleeting moment.
And at that very moment, a system notification echoed in Lin Yuan's mind.
[Ding! Mei Yuxian's favorability +5! Reward: 1,000 counterattack points!]
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up faintly, though he remained calm on the outside. He knew now, without a doubt—the first stage of his plan had succeeded.
That first step was simple in theory, but challenging in practice: to get Mei Yuxian to view him as a man—not a boy, not a child, not a junior—but a man worthy of her attention and regard.
It was a crucial milestone. There were very few men in the world that Mei Yuxian could view this way, and even fewer who could truly move her heart.
But Lin Yuan had done it. He had broken the 60-point favorability threshold.
Still, this wasn't enough—not for what he ultimately wanted. He knew this was just the beginning.
If he truly wanted to reach "home base," as the he called it, he needed to take the next step—he needed to shake her heart.
And not through trickery, deception, or by exploiting her emotional weaknesses.
No, he would walk straight into her heart with dignity—letting her drop her own defenses willingly.
He knew Mei Yuxian had constructed thick emotional walls around herself over the years—walls built from past trauma, the pain of a forced marriage in her youth, and the exhaustion that came from fighting battles in a man's world.
Those walls were high, seamless, and fortified.
Most men would bounce off them without leaving even a scratch.
But Lin Yuan had no intention of breaking them down forcefully. He wanted her to lower them herself, to open the gates for him—voluntarily.
So, while the atmosphere remained soft and warm, the two of them chatted idly, allowing the moment to stretch on. The wine mellowed the silence, and the evening settled with a gentle intimacy.
Then, with an almost casual tone, Mei Yuxian suddenly asked, "By the way, Xiao Yuan… what are your plans with Qingtong? Are you thinking about pursuing her?"
There was a slight shift in her voice—like she was trying to steer things in a different direction.
She asked this not only to reestablish some emotional distance, but also out of genuine curiosity. After all, girls like Yan Ruyue and Cui Susu had shown clear interest in Lin Yuan. And who knows how many more were lurking around, ready to catch his eye?
Mei Yuxian thought the question was straightforward, expecting a simple yes or no in return.
But Lin Yuan's response stunned her into silence.
Looking at her with eyes full of calm intensity, he replied in a soft, serious voice—
"Compared to Qingtong… I want to do something with Sister Yuxian."
Mei Yuxian froze.
Her fingers trembled slightly around the wine glass.
She didn't expect it—didn't see it coming at all. Those words struck her directly, as if he had reached through all the protective layers she'd wrapped around her heart and placed his hand right on it.
Lin Yuan's gaze didn't waver, and his tone held no mischief—only sincerity.
In that moment, Mei Yuxian realized she had underestimated him again. Not just in skill, not just in intelligence, but in boldness.
She wasn't sure what to say.
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