Although she appeared strong, she hadn't expected Ye Lin to be so powerful. They were around the same age, yet she was a martial arts grandmaster, while the other was merely a corporate boss, one who could be replaced by Ye Lin at any moment.
"Don't overthink it. Different backgrounds lead to different perspectives and knowledge. It's impossible to compare."
Ye Longlin glanced at Lin Tian'ai, sensing her thoughts from the light in her eyes, so he spoke.
Lin Tian'ai took a deep breath and asked, "What about you?"
Ye Longlin remained silent for a moment. "The higher one climbs, the colder it gets."
"......"
While there might have been some exaggeration, after the incident at Yunlan Mountain Villa, she knew their existence was far from simple.
On their way down the mountain, she had personally witnessed soldiers in black attire addressing Xuan Niao as Xuan Jiang.
Beneath the Dragon Pavilion, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, all three-star General Venerates, were called Xuan Jiang, so it seemed fitting.
"In reality, you've already touched upon another world."
Back in the office, Ye Longlin suddenly uttered this, causing Lin Tian'ai to pause and ponder.
"For ordinary people, we inhabit a different world. There's no overlap. For the Municipal Bureau Building and us, it's like the Audi rings – there's some intersection, but not much. Am I right?"
Lin Tian'ai was sharp and understood immediately, grasping Ye Longlin's meaning quickly.
He said nothing, merely offering a hint. How much she could achieve depended on herself. Some things didn't need to be explained explicitly.
She was quite intelligent, but because Lin Langsheng was around, she hadn't wanted to get involved in too much, content with her own happiness. This had fostered a proud disposition.
The harsh realities of society had now made Lin Tian'ai aware of certain truths, forcing a change.
"If that's truly the case, then it means I've accessed your level, even if only at the periphery. Is that right?"
Ye Longlin still didn't speak. Some things required her to figure out on her own, and the path needed to be walked by her. If his guidance were to be flawed, her world would face near destruction.
Lin Tian'ai looked curious, blinking, a smile forming on her lips. "Do you want me to reach your level, to truly be with you? Or do you just want to protect me? Or perhaps, I'm still your pawn? Of course, I favor the first option."
This statement caused Ye Longlin a slight surprise. In just a few words, she had thought so much. She wasn't foolish after all.
"The first option?" Ye Longlin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
This was the first time he had seen her smile since Lin Langsheng's death. Her smile was as pleasant as a spring breeze, unlike the assertive demeanor she displayed in the conference room.
Seeing his boss's reaction, Yuan Gang's heart skipped a beat. He began to regard this woman seriously for the first time. It seemed after Lin Langsheng's demise, she had been dormant for a period, but since the Tianlong Chamber of Commerce incident, her performance had diverged from before. Now, she was showing her fangs, though her wings were not yet fully grown.
"I once believed that as long as my father was alive, I would remain the little girl he protected. I've done a lot of thinking during this time. Since Mo Wudao arrived at the company and I learned the loan was because of you, my view of you changed. Later, when you had Mu Mu give me the card, Mo Wudao's attitude shifted, and I started paying attention.
Then, with the Yunlan Mountain Villa incident, I finally understood that your identity was not simple. Perhaps you were famous even in the capital, but I couldn't find any information about you. Either you were hidden, or you were part of a mysterious department.
What confirmed these two points for me was at the Dragon Investigation Bureau. Director Xu's attitude towards you – Director Xu is the head of the central bureau!"
Ye Longlin looked at her with surprise, though not excessive. These events all hinted at his extraordinary nature.
If Lin Tian'ai could deduce this, it meant others could as well.
"Now, you've even helped me acquire the Juying Group, and possibly the Meihua Group. And with this hint you just gave, I've formed this speculation. I wonder if I'm correct?"
Lin Tian'ai gazed at Ye Longlin with a smile, resting her elbows on the table, her hands cradling her chin as she blinked.
She appeared pure and lovely.
No wonder everyone wanted to treat her as a plaything. Who wouldn't desire such a woman?
"People are always like this. The more they can't have, the more they want it. Once they obtain it, they don't cherish it."
Ye Longlin sighed, shaking his head slightly, and continued, "If you can reach my expectations, it's not impossible."
Lin Tian'ai looked at Ye Longlin, her hands tucked into her suit pockets, giving her an air of defiance. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Yuan Gang rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe.
"Ye Longlin, you can only belong to me. No matter how high your status or position, I will one day reach that height and stand beside you openly, telling everyone that you are the man Lin Tian'ai has won!"
"Hiss!"
Hearing this, Yuan Gang immediately gasped. He hadn't expected Lin Tian'ai to say such a thing.
He then shook his head. Ignorance truly was bliss.
To truly stand by his boss's side... was difficult, harder than ascending to heaven!
Even he, Yuan Gang, a three-star General Venerate, was merely a subordinate. What made her think she could reach such a height?
"Since you have confidence, then do it."
Ye Longlin stood up and left the Juying Group.
In the parking lot, Yuan Gang couldn't help but ask, "Boss, do you really believe she can reach the pinnacle? In the business world, the only position that can truly equal yours is that one. Do you really believe in her?"
Ye Longlin shook his head, looking in the direction of the Juying Group, and chuckled, "If you were Lin Tian'ai, after facing the ruin of your family, and presented with such an opportunity, what would you do?"
Yuan Gang fell silent, his expression complex. He understood.
"Hope is still hope. If there's no hope, it becomes a mere wish, and then she's prone to falling into an abyss from which no one can pull her back. Boss, you're too ruthless.
If she succeeds, she can stand by your side. If she fails... "
He didn't finish the sentence, as it was unnecessary. Some things were better left unsaid.
Ye Longlin sighed. "Besides this, do you think she has any other goals?"
Yuan Gang blinked. It was true. Apart from this, she didn't seem to have any other aspirations.
"In life, one needs many goals and must overcome many mountains. Each path represents a choice. Life's journey is not the same as a road; a road can be retraced, but a person's choices cannot. Once chosen, one must walk it steadfastly, or they are a failure."
Yuan Gang replied, "But why don't you tell her your identity?"
"She would despair."