Magic City's First People's Hospital.
Facing Lin Hao's anxious inquiry, Bai Yuelan also looked bewildered and helpless.
She hadn't forgotten — in order to scrape together 3.5 billion before, they had taken out a high-interest money from Master Hu.
Originally, with the popularity of the [Beauty Cream], paying off several hundred million in high-interest loans would have been more than enough.
But now the company was on the verge of bankruptcy — where would they get the money to repay it?
And knowing Master Hu's ruthless nature, if they can't repay, the consequences would be...
The more Bai Yuelan thought about it, the more afraid she became. She glanced at the man lying in the hospital bed, and a trace of vicious intent flashed in her eyes.
Husband and wife are originally like birds in the same forest, but when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways.
Anyway, the high-interest loan contract had Lin Jianjun listed as the borrower.
If things got truly desperate, she could just take Lin Hao and run off with the money...
"Hao'er, how much savings do we have left?"
Now that a different plan had formed in her mind, Bai Yuelan began calculating the family's assets.
"Ugh, not much! We did save quite a bit over the years."
"Even if the Lin Group goes bankrupt, we'd still have enough to live comfortably for a while."
"But last time, in order to win Daddy's favor, we gave it all to that bastard Lin Xuan."
"......"
Lin Hao sighed, full of regret.
If he could do it again, he definitely wouldn't have tried to impress others by pretending to be wealthy, which led to him losing all his cars and property.
But he wasn't the only one full of regret....
Bai Yuelan also gritted her teeth, deeply regretting her past lack of reservation.
If she had known things would turn out like this, she would've at least kept some property and funds to protect herself...
With nowhere else to turn!
Bai Yuelan eventually set her sights on the Lin Group itself.
"Hao'er, what about the company's account? How much is left?"
"If the company goes into bankruptcy and is liquidated, your dad, as the largest shareholder, should be able to take most of it, right?"
After Lin Jianjun announced in the company that Lin Hao was his only heir, he gave him the position of General Manager of the Finance Department.
He hoped Lin Hao could gain experience in the company to seamlessly take over in the future.
So, Lin Hao was quite clear about the company's financial situation.
He didn't think too much about it, and after a brief pause, he shared the information he knew.
"The company account has less than a hundred million left, maybe... we can get a few million?"
A few million?
A hundred billion group can only get a few million in the end? That's way too little....
That's not nearly enough, we'd spend it all in a year.
Bai Yuelan frowned, feeling helpless, but even the smallest mosquito is still meat!
It's better than nothing....
But things hadn't hit absolute rock bottom yet.
Bai Yuelan decided to hold off for now.
She would ask Lin Jianjun if he had any way to turn the situation around once he woke up....
If possible, she definitely wanted to continue being his rich wife.
After all, she had endured and played the dutiful wife for many years, and finally climbed to her current position — she really didn't want to give it up so easily.
Of course.
If things were truly hopeless in the end, then she wouldn't hesitate — she'd take Hao'er and flee with whatever funds they could gather....
But thinking Lin Hao might not agree, and might see her as too cold and ruthless.
Bai Yuelan thought to herself, maybe... it was time to take precautions and tell her son the secret in advance.
She placed her hands on Lin Hao's shoulders, stared into his eyes, her expression extremely serious.
What she was about to say...
Might shatter Lin Hao's long-held worldview, so she couldn't be careless.
To be honest!
If it weren't for the current crisis in the Lin family, she had planned to take that secret to the grave.
But man proposes, God disposes — nothing ever goes according to plan.
"Xiao Hao!"
"Mammy has a secret to tell you. After hearing it, you must stay calm, okay?!"
(???(??? ;) Huh???
Lin Hao had question marks all over his face.
It was the first time he saw his mother looking this serious.
But sensing the seriousness of the matter, Lin Hao nodded solemnly, signaling that he understood.
Inhale~~
Exhale~~
Bai Yuelan took a few deep breaths, speaking slowly:
"Xiao Hao, actually you..."
"What are you two doing?" |_?)
A familiar voice came from behind, nearly scaring Bai Yuelan to death.
She spun around and saw Lin Jianjun had somehow woken up, removed his oxygen mask, and was frowning at them.
"Hu-hu-honey. When did you wake up?"
Bai Yuelan stuttered, sweat appeared on her forehead out of nervousness.
She didn't know how much Lin Jianjun might've overheard...
"Daddy, you're awake! You really scared me, Xiao Hao was so worried about you!"
Compared to the sweaty, nervous Bai Yuelan.
Lin Hao was genuinely delighted, almost as if seeing the pillar of support. He quickly ran to Lin Jianjun's side, his face full of concern.
For a moment, he'd even forgot his mother's odd behavior just now.
"Oh! I just woke up and saw you two standing by the window with serious faces. What were you whispering about?"
Lin Jianjun's face was pale, but when he looked at his beloved son, he smiled and nodded.
Hearing this.
Bai Yuelan's heart raced — she was terrified Lin Hao might say something he shouldn't.
Luckily, Lin Hao wasn't stupid and played the role of dutiful son to perfection, making Bai Yuelan breathe a secret sigh of relief.
"Nothing! We were just trying not to disturb Daddy's rest, so we stood a bit farther away."
"By the way, Daddy. How are you feeling? Are you hungry? Want something to eat? I'll go get it for you!"
Hearing the concern in his dear son's words.
Lin Jianjun felt warmth in his heart, as if he was filled with boundless strength.
My little Hao is indeed my most filial son!!!
"No need, I'm a bit thirsty. Just some water will be enough. Wait a moment, let your mom pour it for me!"
He stopped Lin Hao from getting up.
Lin Jianjun looked toward Bai Yuelan, who was still spacing out by the window, and frowned in dissatisfaction:
"Yuelan? Are you not happy that I woke up? Why are you standing so far away? |_?)"
"Why don't you hurry up and pour me a glass of water? Hmph!"
Sensing the displeasure in his tone, (＃￣～￣＃) Bai Yuelan quickly snapped out of her daze.
She had just carefully observed Lin Jianjun's expression and finally confirmed that he hadn't overheard anything.
Feeling relieved, she put on a smile again, quickly grabbed a disposable cup, and filled it at the water dispenser.
She walked to Lin Jianjun's bedside and said coyly:
"Honey~~~ don't misunderstand~~"
"How could I not be happy you woke up?"
"I was just so excited to see you awake that I kind of froze for a moment."
"Here~~ ah~~ open your mouth, I'll feed you some water~~"
"......"
As the ancient saying goes: even the strongest man struggles with a woman's charms.
Under his little wife's coaxing, Lin Jianjun's dissatisfaction quickly vanished.
He happily opened his mouth, enjoying the "water-feeding" service from his little wife.
If it weren't for his son being around, he would have definitely made Bai Yuelan feed him mouth-to-mouth.
"Is it good? Honey~~"
"It's good, very sweet! With a wife like this, what more could a man want? The water you feed me tastes so good~~"
"Dad~~ Mom~~ I'm still a child! Please don't corrupt my pure heart!"
"Hahaha....."
At this moment, the VIP room was filled with laughter.
The family of three was harmonious and joyful, the very picture of happiness....
Soon, after Lin Jianjun finished drinking his warm water.
Lin Jianjun gradually put away his smile and began asking about the current situation of the company.
Even though he was mentally prepared, upon hearing how bad things were, Lin Jianjun almost blacked out and fainted from anger again.
"Daddy, the situation is really bad. Our Lin family has become the target of public outrage. Countless forces are kicking us while we're down."
"All of the company's business operations have stalled. The HR manager keeps sending messages — many employees have submitted their resignations..."
Lin Hao's face was anxious as he detailed the current dire situation of the Lin Group.
"Dad, you need to make a decision quickly."
"If we don't figure something out, the company really will be left with nothing but bankruptcy and liquidation."
Bankruptcy and liquidation?
No way, I absolutely cannot let that happen!!!
Hearing that the Lin Group was on the verge of collapse, Lin Jianjun clenched his fists, his face becoming darker and more sinister.
He had finally gained full control of the company, becoming the sole master of the Lin family, and now the throne was about to collapse before he even got comfortable?!
"Yuelan, where's my phone? Give it to me quickly!"
"Here it is! Honey, here you go!"
Bai Yuelan quickly pulled the latest iPhone out of her purse and handed it over to him.
Taking the phone, Lin Jianjun immediately started checking things.
The more he saw, the more nervous he became.
In this digital age, even the smallest scandal spreads like wildfire.
The incident with the "Beauty Cream" causing disfigurement is now well-known, and the internet has become a playground for trolls and keyboard warriors.
Countless influencers, bloggers, streamers, and content creators had all jumped on the bandwagon, stepping on the Lin family and riding the wave for traffic.
The entire internet was cursing them!
Someone had even turned his apology video into a bunch of meme clips and parody games.
His personal Weibo was flooded with vile insults, many cursing his ancestors, causing Lin Jianjun to breathe heavily and his blood pressure to rise sharply...
"Honey, say something! Quickly come up with an idea!"
Seeing Lin Jianjun remain silent after browsing the phone, Bai Yuelan couldn't help but ask.
Upon hearing this.
Lin Jianjun gave a bitter smile, tossing the phone aside, his face full of desolation.
"Sigh! There's no hope left... this matter has gotten too big, it's beyond saving."
"Especially since the product to counter the side effects of the cream hasn't been developed yet. The customers who were disfigured will never forgive the Lin family."
As unwilling as he was, the harsh truth was right in front of him — he had no choice but to accept it.
The most important thing for a company is its reputation and credibility.
Once the public spontaneously boycotts you, that company is basically done for.
"Ah... what?!"
Mother and son looked at each other — Lin Jianjun had been their last hope.
But now that he was in despair and had given up on himself, the Lin Group was truly beyond saving...
"At this point, all we can do is find a way to scrape together some money. Then we'll immigrate to the U.S."
After thinking it over, Lin Jianjun finally made up his mind.
Although he was reluctant to give up the Lin Group, there was no other way now.
If they delayed any longer, things would only get worse — in the end, they might even lose everything.
"Then Daddy, how do we get the money? With the news spreading so fast, our original plans definitely aren't feasible now."
"And now, there is not much money left in the company's account..."
Lin Hao reported the general financial status of the company, which made Lin Jianjun so worried he could go gray on the spot.
Damn it!
If only we hadn't spent that 3.5 billion back then — with a few billion on hand, we could live comfortably abroad for a long time.
Wait, the 3.5 billion!!!
Suddenly, Lin Jianjun slapped his forehead, his eyes lighting up.
He picked up the phone again and began dialing.
"I'm going to sell the shares... back to that unfilial son."
Hearing Lin Jianjun's words.
Lin Hao and his mother both lit up with joy, but quickly frowned again and sighed.
Unless Lin Xuan was an idiot, he wouldn't possibly agree to take over.
After all, who would pay a huge sum to buy a company doomed to collapse? Only a moron would do that!
"But will big brother really buy it? With how things are now, anyone who takes over is basically signing their own death warrant!"
Hearing that, Lin Jianjun frowned. He was worried about that too.
But know aside from that unfilial brat, no one else would even come close, let alone give them cash to flee.
Either way, they had to try. Lin Jianjun began psyching himself up.
"Hmph! The Lin family was created by that brat's mother. I don't believe he'll just watch it collapse!"
"Even if he doesn't buy, I am still his father. Can he really watch me suffer without doing anything? It wouldn't be too much to give some financial help!"
"As they say: the body, skin, and hair are all gifts from your parents."
"That unfilial son was raised by me, so he has to listen to me — otherwise, he's unfilial."
"Even Nezha in fairy tales gave back his flesh and bones to his parents. I'm not asking for his life — just a bit of money. That's not too much, is it?!"
"........"
Hearing Lin Jianjun's self-righteous arguments.
Lin Hao and Bai Yuelan nodded in agreement, thinking it all made sense.
After all, even if they signed a severance contract, blood ties couldn't truly be cut.
Now that his biological father is in trouble, even a person with a heart of stone can't remain indifferent, right?
After all, even if they signed a severance contract, blood ties couldn't truly be cut.
"Shh~~ don't say anything yet. I've figured it out — that kid responds to soft, not hard."
"If we want to get money out of that unfilial brat, we'll have to pretend to be submissive for now."
Lin Jianjun raised a finger to his lips, signaling Lin Hao and Bai Yuelan to stay quiet.
Beep beep beep——
Soon.
The call connected, and Lin Xuan's cold voice came through.
"Hello."
"Sonny~~ save your daddy, save the Lin family! Daddy knows he was wrong, sob sob sob...."