Chapter Eighty-Two: Fortunately, We Are Rivals

“Ah…” Xiaoxiao instinctively drew in a sharp breath, then, afraid of revealing herself, hurriedly clamped her hand over her mouth. Her widened eyes simply refused to believe that the person on the other end of the line was Xi Mintang.

Xi Mintang spoke with utter certainty. “Since President Lin is so concerned about me, how could I possibly make a hasty exit? Rest assured, I’ll last far longer than you anticipated.”

Lin Shuo leaned forward slightly, exuding an air of rebellion. “What if this project collapses in your hands?” He looked down at the phone with an imposing dominance, and the terror-stricken look on Xiaoxiao’s face caught by the corner of his eye was precisely as he’d expected. Xi Mintang was trying to use Xiaoxiao as his breakthrough to seize the initiative, but if she were to waver or switch sides at the last moment, there would likely never be another willing to take the lead so boldly. As long as Xiaoxiao felt Xi Mintang harbored ill intentions, the matter of the land would be as good as dead. From the very beginning, he had suspected that Xi Mintang’s appearance was no coincidence, and subsequent events had only confirmed his suspicions. In truth, he had asked himself more than once whether it was Xi Mintang’s underhanded tactics to steal business that irked him, or if it was the pretense of friendship used to draw Xiaoxiao into the game. Whatever the reason, it was time to tighten the net.

“President Lin’s concern moves me to tears, but the project is progressing far more smoothly than either of us expected,” Xi Mintang replied coolly. Receiving a call out of the blue from Maoyuan was already surprising enough. He’d met many sons of privilege like Lin Shuo—men whose competitiveness was only provoked when someone tried to snatch their toys, but who never cherished what they had, always believing that what they couldn’t have was best, and discarding whatever fell into their grasp. Such was their view of objects, and of people too. He was determined not to see Xiaoxiao ruined in Lin Shuo’s hands, so he decided to keep playing the game with Maoyuan. He would fight for the land, but fight for the woman even more!

“Is that so?” Lin Shuo laughed. “It’s been a long time since I met someone as arrogant as you. Interesting!”

Xi Mintang held the receiver, calm and unruffled. “Whether it’s confidence or arrogance, it’s too early to draw conclusions.”

Lin Shuo whistled and, feigning seriousness, said, “Luckily we’re rivals, or I might have admired you even more.” Before he finished speaking, he glanced at Xiaoxiao, as if seeking her opinion. Yet she was so stunned by the entire turn of events that she sat there ashen-faced, like a withered leaf drifting on water, tracing faint ripples as the cool breeze carried her along. She couldn’t help but wonder—had things really devolved into a mere transaction, or was this now a contest between two men?

Hearing Lin Shuo’s words, Xi Mintang shook his head, almost amused. In the world of fleeting romances, he stood no chance against Lin Shuo, but in business, that was another story. He had never indulged in meaningless battles, so he maintained his composure. “I’m sure you’re busy, President Lin. I won’t take up any more of your time.” Hanging up, he was left with an inexplicable feeling—perhaps it was just the air-conditioning set too cold, but a chill seeped into his heart.

The busy tone echoed through Lin Shuo’s dimly lit office. Xiaoxiao collapsed into a chair, while Lin Shuo perched himself on the desk and slowly reached out to end the call. Silence settled over the office. Lin Shuo crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. After a long while, he sighed, “I’d rather you held your heart tightly and gave it to no one.” Seeing her stupefied, he asked again, “Why let yourself be so foolish? If I’d just forced him to choose between the person and the land, what do you think he would have done?”

She had never considered making Xi Mintang choose—no matter his decision, she would not have thought him wrong. On the contrary, it was Lin Shuo’s actions that left her heart pounding with unease.