Chapter 24: The Weather Has Turned Cold; It Is Time for the Jiang Corporation to Go Bankrupt

Furthermore, according to this system, this is just one of Lin Xianxian’s many guises?

The so-called vicious cannon-fodder supporting female character of this world, the wilful and arrogant young heiress in the eyes of others... was she actually this formidable behind the scenes?

Then... the money she used to buy him cufflinks and watches... it must have been earned by her own hands, right? Listening to her inner thoughts, it seemed she chose to earn her own money precisely so she wouldn't have to rely on the "original host" or her family's wealth. Moreover, she was following the plot solely to... return home.

Shang Yang’s gaze dimmed slightly as he calmly watched the girl before him. Only he knew how complex his emotions were at this moment. It was far more distressing to him than the realization that their world was likely just a book in Lin Xianxian’s world—the fact that she might leave at any moment, and that she was laboring through the plot solely for the sake of her mission and to maintain her persona.

However, Shang Yang revealed nothing. He merely watched calmly as Lin Xianxian dutifully played her role as the supporting female lead, spending his money and picking out expensive clothes and jewelry without a hint of psychological burden. Yet, in her mind, she was silently calculating:

"System, I’ve spent so much of Shang Yang’s money, should I find a way to pay him back? But returning the cash feels awkward, and I can't possibly buy him gifts that expensive... Anyway, I know the future direction of this world, so maybe I can just provide him with some guidance?"

She really was trying to draw a clear line between them. Why wasn't she like this when she was coveting his body? Shang Yang’s expression turned even colder.

Lin Xianxian looked up at him halfway through her thoughts. Seeing his expression, she couldn't help but sigh in admiration:

"He truly is a younger uncle with more charm than the male lead! That icy, aloof aura, that sense of being a celestial being who keeps everyone at a distance... it just makes one want to ruin him so badly!!"

"Just imagine that cold, ascetic face, the uncontrollable gasps he might occasionally let out in certain moments... ahem, and the sweat dripping from his brow, his body intertwined with mine..."

Shang Yang’s mind was instantly flooded with images. In a flash, his foul mood vanished, and his body began to heat up. She... she really was...

For the first time, Shang Yang felt as though he had been defeated by Lin Xianxian. He stood up and pulled at the tie that was always knotted with perfect precision. Then...

"Holy crap, one-handed tie loosening! I’m seeing it again!"

"Damn, the veins popping on his arm are so sexy... *hiss-hah*..."

Shang Yang: "..."

"Host, you really are a master at ruining the mood." The system dropped a silent remark and went dormant.

A few days later, at the banquet.

Lin Xianxian appeared, looking arrogant, wearing the gown she had snatched from the original Lin Xianxian that day. Meanwhile, the female lead, Qin Xinxia, appeared on the scene wearing a uniquely designed dress that perfectly accentuated her flawless figure.

Lin Xianxian’s attire wasn't particularly eye-catching, yet many people still approached her to talk. Her engagement to Shang Yang was already common knowledge in their social circle. While many enjoyed the gossip—laughing at how the girl who had chased the nephew for years had ended up with his younger uncle—no one dared to gossip about the Shang family on their own turf. Furthermore, every family attending the banquet wanted to curry favor with Shang Yang. As his future wife, Lin Xianxian had been warned by the husbands and parents of these ladies to treat her with the utmost respect. Even if they couldn't please her, they absolutely must not offend this heiress. After all, she wasn't just Shang Yang’s future wife; she had the backing of the Lin family, and the status of her grandparents and parents was rock solid. As long as the Lin family didn't go bankrupt, Lin Xianxian would always have a place in their circle.

No one was foolish enough to cause trouble for her.

Conversely, as soon as Qin Xinxia entered, there was plenty of gossip about her and Shang Beiming.

"So this is the ordinary girl the Shang boy would rather marry than the Lin heiress? She’s quite pretty, but Miss Lin is also lovely; why would the Shang boy..."

"You don't understand what love is. Shang Beiming even signed a pledge with his grandfather. For the sake of marital freedom and to marry Qin Xinxia, he’s willing to live only on the money he earns himself and refuse any family funding."

The speaker sounded slightly mocking.

"It’s just like an idol drama. In those shows, a wealthy young master like Shang Beiming, born into a multi-billion dollar fortune, always falls for these plain, ordinary women with no background... and giving up family support? He’s definitely living in a drama. I bet he’ll regret this one day!"

"Indeed. Although Elder Shang is siding with his precious grandson and has defied public opinion to make him the president of the Shang Group, who doesn't know that his younger uncle is more capable?"

"By shutting out a powerhouse like Lin Xianxian, Shang Beiming has handed his uncle the support of the Lin family for nothing. The future of the Shang Group is definitely going to be Shang Yang's now!"

Everyone judged others by their own standards, assuming that Shang Yang could never be willing to give up such a lucrative piece of meat as the Shang Group. They believed that because Shang Yang had never joined the company and rarely lived in the main residence, it must be because the old man was biased toward Shang Beiming. They even speculated that the old man might be at odds with his own youngest son!

How could they know that Shang Yang had absolutely no desire to inherit the Shang Group, and that Elder Shang actually preferred him to be the successor? As for the favoritism toward Shang Beiming... Elder Shang did dote on his grandchildren, but when it came to the future of the family and the business, he still valued capability. If Shang Beiming failed, the elder wouldn't care what the world thought; he would hand the business to Shang Yang directly.

Of course, in the original plot, this was impossible. After all, Shang Beiming was the male lead. The male lead didn't just need ability; he had destiny and the help of noble benefactors—even the female lead had helped him significantly in the original story. Therefore, Shang Beiming would always find his footing and use his own competence to silence those who dared to gossip about his woman.

The female lead was also very capable. The dress she wore to this banquet, where she would shine brilliantly, was one she had designed herself. Naturally, it caught the attention of many.

"Still, this Qin Xinxia... the dress she’s wearing looks quite unique. It’s very flattering and makes her look quite refined—more like a lady of high standing than some others who are all dressed up like peacocks."

The person who said this clearly disliked Lin Xianxian. Lin Xianxian, possessing keen hearing, caught the words clearly and glanced at the speaker.

"Oh, it’s the Jiang heiress, whose thunder I’ve stolen countless times with my arrogant heiress persona."

"The weather is turning cold; it’s time for the Jiang family to go bankrupt..."

Lin Xianxian reviewed the plot in her mind. "If I recall correctly, the Jiang family is already facing capital issues at this point. They only came to the Shang banquet to look for partners."