Originally, as competitors of Yongsheng Company, they believed their own companies were far superior and never took Lin Yongsheng's Yongsheng Company seriously. They considered it nothing more than a participant for show, with almost zero chance of winning the bid.
But now, they had no choice but to pay attention to Yongsheng Company.
They watched Lin Yongsheng leave the conference room with expressions full of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Lin Yongsheng followed the deputy general manager, feeling extremely uneasy as he entered the office of Li Jinglei, the chairman of Chunlei Group.
The office was over a hundred square meters in size, decorated in a classical style. The furniture was entirely made of solid wood, and the walls were adorned with several famous calligraphy and paintings—one of which was actually by Zheng Banqiao.
Lin Yongsheng glanced at the artworks and roughly estimated that just these few pieces were worth at least a hundred million. He couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. *This is truly extraordinary—an office decorated so luxuriously. It's clear just how wealthy and powerful the Li family is.*
Standing in this office as the general manager of a small company, he suddenly felt insignificant. A sense of inferiority welled up inside him, making him appear even more submissive.
Hunching slightly, he walked up to the large golden nanmu desk with an ingratiating smile. A spacious rosewood armchair was placed in front of the desk, but he didn't dare sit down.
By now, the deputy general manager had already left, leaving only Lin Yongsheng and Li Jinglei, who sat behind the desk, in the office.
Li Jinglei was reviewing documents, seemingly unaware of Lin Yongsheng standing across from him. Only after five minutes did he finally raise his head and glance at Lin Yongsheng, saying indifferently, "Sit, Manager Lin."
He showed no courtesy toward Lin Yongsheng. He was only planning to use Lin Yongsheng to deal with Zhou Yang. Otherwise, he would never have agreed to meet the general manager of such a small company.
This was Lin Yongsheng's first time meeting Li Jinglei in person. Before, he had only seen him a few times on TV and in newspapers. Up close, he immediately sensed the man's overwhelming presence—especially those deep, penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through him.
Nervously, he said, "Thank you, Chairman Li."
As he spoke, he carefully sat on the edge of the chair, barely letting half of his backside touch the seat.
Li Jinglei noticed Lin Yongsheng's unease and inferiority complex, but he wasn't surprised. In front of Lin Yongsheng, he felt an immense sense of superiority—like a wealthy man facing a beggar.
Casually, he said, "Manager Lin, I heard your Yongsheng Company is participating in the bidding for one of our group's projects?"
Lin Yongsheng quickly nodded. "Yes, I submitted the bid this morning. However, the competition is fierce, and our chances of winning are very slim."
In front of Li Jinglei, he didn't dare tell even the slightest lie.
Li Jinglei listened and then said, "It seems you're a perceptive man. Though your company's capabilities are average, I can arrange for Yongsheng to win this bid."
Hearing these words, Lin Yongsheng was overjoyed. He never expected Li Jinglei to say such a thing—it felt like he had just won the lottery.
However, as a businessman who had spent years navigating the corporate world, he still had some wits about him. He figured that Li Jinglei must have some conditions for this favor.
Suppressing his excitement, he cautiously asked, "Thank you, Chairman. If there's anything you need me to do, just say the word. As long as it's within my power, I'll go through fire and water to accomplish it."
He placed great importance on profit, and under its influence, he was willing to do anything.
Li Jinglei smiled. "It seems Manager Lin is a smart man. I like working with smart people. Indeed, there's a small matter I'd like you to handle. Of course, for you, it won't be difficult."
He continued, "I've heard your daughter, Lin Qinglu, is very close to her classmate Zhou Yang. She must be his girlfriend, right? And Zhou Yang is supposed to visit your home tonight, correct?"
He had already investigated Zhou Yang and Lin Qinglu's relationship thoroughly. He also knew that Xie Shiya was very close to Zhou Yang and had promised to lend him 100 million.
Just mentioning Zhou Yang's name made his blood boil with hatred. He truly wished he could kill Zhou Yang on the spot.
Lin Yongsheng was shocked. He hadn't expected Li Jinglei to know these details so well. In fact, this was precisely what worried him the most.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he quickly stood up, panicking. "Chairman, my Qinglu and Zhou Yang are just fooling around! I'll definitely make her cut ties with Zhou Yang and get together with your second young master, Li Qiang!"
He had misunderstood Li Jinglei's intentions, hence his response.
Li Jinglei was aware that his son Li Qiang liked Lin Qinglu, but that wasn't why he had summoned Lin Yongsheng.
To him, Lin Qinglu was just an ordinary girl. He didn't care about her relationship with Li Qiang. Besides, he believed Lin Qinglu wasn't even worthy of Li Qiang.
Calmly, he said, "Manager Lin, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant." He took out a small white porcelain bottle and placed it on the table. "This is *Huagi Powder*. Tonight, after Zhou Yang arrives at your home, all you need to do is put this into his water and make sure he drinks it."
Hearing this, Lin Yongsheng immediately relaxed. *So it's just a small task like this—really nothing difficult.*
He picked up the porcelain bottle, grinning from ear to ear. "Chairman, I understand. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's done."
He knew that *Huagi Powder* was a potent drug. Once consumed by someone who cultivated internal energy (*qi*), it would rapidly disperse all their *qi*, reducing even the most powerful martial artist to an ordinary person for at least an hour before their energy gradually recovered.
Normally, *Huagi Powder* didn't cause significant harm to the body, let alone death. So, he had no reservations about using it.
He was curious about Li Jinglei's motives but ultimately didn't dare ask.
Li Jinglei nodded faintly. "Good, very good. I believe you can handle this. As a token of my appreciation, the 50-million project you bid for will be awarded to Yongsheng Company."
Lin Yongsheng was ecstatic. Bowing deeply, he said, "Thank you, Chairman! Thank you so much!"
Li Jinglei waved dismissively. "You may leave now."
A sinister smile curled at the corners of his lips as he thought to himself, *Zhou Yang, tonight will be your end.*
Lin Yongsheng quickly exited the office, his steps light as if he were walking on clouds.
At this moment, he was filled with ambition. Once this project was secured, his Yongsheng Company would soar to new heights.
As for what would happen to Zhou Yang after consuming the *Huagi Powder*—he didn't give it a second thought. To him, it was completely insignificant.