Chapter 123: Mind Games
After being discharged from the hospital, Lin Chuyue naturally got busy with the matter of the plot of land.
The entire building had been destroyed in the fire and had to be rebuilt. This would require a significant amount of time and money—more than the Lin Clan could currently afford.
Lin Chuyue gazed at the blackened building before her, feeling more and more how lucky she'd been.
'If I hadn't run into the Ma Family, I might have really died in there.'
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind her. She turned to see the person who had saved her.
A still-healing scar was visible on one of his hands, clearly a burn mark.
Lin Chuyue thought back. She didn't quite remember Ma the Third's hand being injured, but then again, she hadn't been paying close attention at the time.
Ma the Third deliberately hid his hand behind his back. "How's your recovery coming along?"
Lin Chuyue's heart warmed at the gesture.
'He really is a good person. He got that scar saving me, yet he's trying to hide it.'
'And he hasn't shown his face all this time, probably because he doesn't want to seem like he's expecting a reward for his kindness.'
'Compared to Xiao Ye, this is a man who's truly capable, gentle, considerate, and has emotional intelligence.'
However, Lin Chuyue only felt gratitude toward him, no romantic feelings.
"I've made a full recovery."
Lin Chuyue looked at the blackened building, her heart filled with melancholy.
Ma the Third, of course, knew what she was worried about. He had thoroughly investigated Lin Chuyue before coming here. Next up was his play to win her heart and mind.
'Doesn't that Xiao Ye value Lin Chuyue?'
'Then let the two of them fight it out. The Ma Family will hide in the background, biding our time and regaining our strength, waiting for the day we make our comeback!'
"Are you worried about the subsidiary company?"
Lin Chuyue didn't hide her feelings and nodded. "Yes. The renovations with the eco-friendly materials were just one week from completion, and then we could have moved in."
"I never imagined this fire would destroy everything."
Ma the Third pondered for a moment. "You've also been a great benefactor to our Ma Family. How about this? We're willing to provide a building and the land!"
"You'll only need to pay rent. When your new building here is completed, you can move back. It won't be too late."
Lin Chuyue had been thinking the same thing, but the rent for an entire building was far from cheap. "Alright, then. How much is the rent per year? Let's draft and sign a contract right away."
She now had immense trust in the Ma Family.
"The annual rent... let's just make it ten thousand."
Lin Chuyue was stunned. 'Ten thousand? What's the difference between that and just giving it to me for free?'
Seeing her surprise, Ma the Third gave a faint smile. "Consider this our way of repaying you, and also of fostering a good relationship. In the future, you can just help our Ma Family out in return. That's all."
Since he'd put it that way, Lin Chuyue naturally had no reason to refuse. "Don't worry. If Xiao Ye and the Chu Family try to harm you, I'll be the first to stand against them!"
The Ma Family provided a perfectly adequate building. It only had twelve floors, but for a subsidiary company, that was more than enough.
Moreover, the location was excellent, not far from the city center.
Lin Chuyue immediately signed the contract with the Ma Family.
Stepping into the building, she found that everything inside was new; it had clearly been built just a few years ago.
'The Ma Family must have taken a significant loss by giving such a prime location to me.'
「Meanwhile.」
Chu Yan had also received the news. She sneered. "This Lin Chuyue is unbelievably foolish. I practically handed her the file on the Ma Family, and she still refuses to believe it."
She looked at her assistant and sighed. "Sometimes, misunderstandings are just that terrifying."
"She doesn't know it was Xiao Ye who saved her. She thinks it was the Ma Family, and she believes it's impossible for the Ma Family to harm her first and then rescue her. That's why she trusts them."
"Since this is a heaven-sent opportunity, how could I possibly not take it?"
As she spoke, Chu Yan dialed Ma Xinyue's number. She sighed. "I know Xiao Ye and Miss Lin are at loggerheads right now."
"But they have a history, and Xiao Ye asked me to keep an eye on things, so I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"Go and help her resolve this current crisis. She despises me, so don't let her know I was the one who arranged it."
Only after hearing Ma Xinyue agree did Chu Yan hang up the phone.
'With Ma Xinyue involved, Lin Chuyue is bound to trust the Ma Family even more.'
'At that point... the conflict between her and Xiao Ye will become even more irreconcilable.'
'And as the one stirring the pot, I'm only having Ma Xinyue help out. Xiao Ye won't be able to find any fault with my actions.'
'After all, I'm doing this for the Lin Family's good, for Lin Chuyue's good. The benefits I'm providing are tangible and real!'
'Let the storm rage even more fiercely!'
At the Ma Family Headquarters, Lin Chuyue arrived in person to express her gratitude.
The person who received her was Ma Xinyue. "Miss Lin, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ma Xinyue, the current Patriarch of the Ma Family."
Ma Xinyue hadn't wanted to get involved, and the other scheming members of the Ma Family wouldn't have allowed it.
But since Chu Yan had given the order, she had no choice.
"I remember you," said Lin Chuyue. "You withdrew from the bidding back then. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. To be honest, I was just trying to curry favor with the Chu Family."
The smile on Lin Chuyue's face faded slightly. 'So it's just as Chu Yan said; she doesn't like the Chu Family.'
Ma Xinyue continued, "Rest assured, Miss Lin. Since you are a friend of the Ma Family, I will naturally treat you with sincerity."
"If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Lin Chuyue had already troubled the Ma Family so much that she was reluctant to accept any more help. "I only came today to express my thanks."
With that, she set down a carefully chosen gift. "Thank you all."
"Don't mention it. Tell you what, I have some unused office supplies here. I'll have my people move them over for you. That should help the Lin's Subsidiary Company get up and running faster."
"Oh, right. You must be short-staffed, right? I'll give you the number of a headhunter. He's incredibly good and knows elites in every industry. Just tell him what you need."
"He can find suitable candidates for you in a short amount of time, and there are rarely any issues. Practically every company in South City goes to him when they need to hire someone."
This was a godsend for Lin Chuyue's urgent predicament. She thanked her immediately.
Afterward, Ma Xinyue always managed to help Lin Chuyue at the most opportune moments.
This allowed the Lin's Subsidiary Company, which was originally scheduled to open in two weeks, to have its grand opening a full week ahead of schedule!
「Outside the building.」
Lin Chuyue was cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
Her face was wreathed in smiles, completely unaware that someone was watching her from the building across the street.
This building was one of the Chu Family's assets, offering a crystal-clear view of the scene opposite.
Chu Yan stood respectfully to one side, reporting to Xiao Ye. "This is everything Miss Lin has been up to lately."
"I was the one who sent Ma Xinyue, mainly to give Lin Chuyue a helping hand."
"However, regarding Ma the Third... you said not to interfere, so I stayed out of it."
As expected, Chu Yan's proactiveness in mentioning Ma Xinyue didn't provoke any displeasure from Xiao Ye.
He just gazed quietly out the window. "Leave it. The Ma Family can't keep up this charade for much longer."
"But keep an eye on Lin Chuyue, just in case she runs into any real danger."