Another bright morning with white clouds and blue skies.

At eight in the morning, Lin Zhiming stepped out of his room.

On the kitchen table, as always, were oatmeal, fried eggs made from farm-fresh eggs, some vegetables, and a slice of toast.

Every morning, Yao Jing would unerringly prepare breakfast for Lin Zhiming before heading to work. She would also come home to cook lunch and dinner unless she was on a business trip. Even when she was away, she would make arrangements for each meal in advance.

This routine had continued since the second day of their marriage. Even though Lin Zhiming had said he could cook, it seemed that for Yao Jing, she couldn’t physically be with him, so she had to prove her role as his wife in this way.

It was a lovely thought and action, at least in Lin Zhiming’s eyes.

He earnestly finished his meal and washed the dishes.

After completing these tasks, Lin Zhiming’s phone rang.

He pressed the speakerphone button.

“The shareholders' meeting has started. Where are you?” A cold woman’s voice came from the other end.

“I was just about to head to the company,” Lin Zhiming replied timidly.

“I give you twenty minutes to show up in front of me,” the woman on the phone shouted.

“Okay... okay,” Lin Zhiming responded.

After the call ended, a slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Yesterday had sounded the horn for a counterattack, and today he could begin his offensive.

Meanwhile, in the business district of Haixia City, in the Tianjiao Group building.

Yao Jing, dressed in an OL uniform, sat in her office.

In front of her were several trembling executives of Tianjiao Group.

These executives, each worth over ten million, dared not breathe in her presence, for she was known in the company for her iron-fisted leadership as the executive president!

Yao Jing held a document in her hand, which was the first quarter financial report of Tianjiao Group.

“Our profits for the first quarter have increased by 15% over expectations. Why do we have so little cash on hand?” Yao Jing asked, her face devoid of expression as she put down the report.

At that moment, a chilling aura of authority surrounded Yao Jing, making it hard for anyone to look her in the eye.

“Um...” The executives exchanged troubled glances, hesitating to speak.

“Is it again because family members took the money?” Yao Jing asked.

The executives nodded.

“Again?!” Yao Jing’s face turned cold as she threw the financial report onto the table, saying, “Didn’t I say that anyone in the family who wants to spend money must have my signature?”

“Uh, Ms. Yao, the chairman personally made the request,” one of the executives said.

“Again, it’s grandpa!” Yao Jing sighed helplessly and waved her hand, signaling them to leave.

“Yes!” The executives felt as if they had been granted amnesty and quickly left the office.

As soon as they left, a beautiful woman, also dressed in an OL uniform and around Yao Jing’s age, pushed the office door open and walked in.

The woman was about 1.65 meters tall, and with her high heels, she reached 1.73 meters. She had long, wavy hair dyed blonde, casually draped over her shoulders, exuding youthful vitality. Though her features weren’t as striking as Yao Jing’s, she always wore a sunny smile that gave off a refreshing feeling.

The woman walked straight to Yao Jing’s side, excitedly linking her arm with Yao Jing and saying, “Jingjing, congratulations! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations for what?” Yao Jing looked at her best friend, Song Siqing, and, as she was the closest person to her in the company, she put away her icy demeanor and curiously asked.

“Congratulations on escaping from the sea of misery! I heard that Lin Jia’s Lin Zhi Xing has been arrested, and the Lin family is facing huge fines and compensations, basically on the brink of bankruptcy!” Song Siqing exclaimed excitedly.

“My husband’s family is going bankrupt, and you congratulate me? Even though we are best friends, saying that would still make me angry!” Yao Jing said sternly.

“Come on, don’t act innocent. Who didn’t know that you married Lin Zhiming to leverage his family? Marrying that coward Lin Zhiming was really bad luck, but God has eyes; the Lin family is going down. They can’t threaten you anymore, so you can get a divorce now! If you don’t have the guts to bring it up, I’ll help you!” Song Siqing said, looking eager to help.

Hearing Song Siqing’s words, Yao Jing fell silent for a long time before saying, “I won’t divorce him.”

“Ah? Why?” Song Siqing asked in surprise.

“No reason. A couple should share both the sweet and the bitter. That’s all,” Yao Jing said calmly.

Song Siqing looked at Yao Jing in disbelief, and after a few seconds of silence, she reached out to touch Yao Jing’s forehead.

“What are you doing?” Yao Jing pulled back and asked.

“Just checking. You’re not feverish, so why are you talking nonsense?” Song Siqing muttered in confusion, then her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Yao Jing and said, “Could it be... you’re pregnant?”

“You’re the one who’s pregnant!” Yao Jing replied, not in the best mood. “You’re skipping work this early just to come here and babble. I’ll have to dock your salary!”

“Since you’re not pregnant, then you have no reason not to divorce him!” Song Siqing looked at Yao Jing, puzzled.

“Zhiming is a good person,” Yao Jing said, looking at Song Siqing. “When the Lin family was strong, people bullied him. Now that the Lin family is falling, how many of those who once looked up to them will kick him while he’s down? He’s already lost the Lin family. If he loses me, then he will have nothing left.”

“Yao Jing, you’ve gone mad. Even if he has nothing left, what does it have to do with you? You’re such a good girl; you deserve a better man!” Song Siqing looked at Yao Jing as if she were crazy.

Yao Jing shook her head and said nothing.

She was a stubborn person. Regardless of whether she had willingly married Lin Zhiming, the end result was that they had been husband and wife for four years.

Although they hadn’t had a genuine marital relationship during these four years, Lin Zhiming had fulfilled his responsibilities as a husband and had shown her enough respect.

Yao Jing often felt that for someone as strong-willed as her, marrying Lin Zhiming might truly have been the best choice.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Yao Jing’s secretary pushed the door open and said, “Ms. Yao, the meeting is ready to start.”

“Mm, okay!” Yao Jing nodded and stood up, walking out while saying to Song Siqing, “Go to work; if you keep slacking off, I really will dock your pay.”

As she watched Yao Jing leave, Song Siqing gritted her teeth in anger.

“Lin Zhiming, I have no grudge against you, but since Jingjing is my best friend, I can’t let her ruin her life because of you. So... I’m sorry for the days to come!” Song Siqing said to herself.

On the other side.

Lin Shi Group.

Compared to Tianjiao Group’s building, the Lin Shi Group building was much larger.

This building was the tallest in Haixia City and a symbol of the Lin family, the first family of Haixia City.

However, this tall building was now on the verge of collapse in the eyes of many.

In the top-floor conference room.

Lin Zhiming pushed the door open and entered.

Many people chatting momentarily paused, glancing at the door. Upon recognizing Lin Zhiming, they continued their conversations as if he were invisible.

Lin Zhiming looked around the conference room and saw that the round table was already filled with people.

“Hurry and sit down; the people from Yaokin Capital are coming soon,” a middle-aged woman at the head of the table said sternly.

This woman had frizzy hair, a thick layer of makeup, and unusually red lips, looking as if she had two fat sausages hanging from her face.

This woman was none other than Shen Hongyue, Lin Zhi Xing’s mother.

Shen Hongyue was not related by blood to Lin Zhiming since Lin Zhiming was the child of his father’s second wife.

However, within Lin Shi Group, Shen Hongyue was undoubtedly at a queen-like level, easily overshadowing Lin Zhiming, the second son of the Lin family with a secondary inheritance right.

Lin Zhiming smiled humbly and walked to a corner to find a chair to sit down.

Shen Hongyue cast a disdainful glance at Lin Zhiming. She had no goodwill toward this "bastard." If it weren’t for the need for Lin Zhiming’s signature to sign the contract later, she wouldn’t want him here at all.

“The people from Yaokin Capital will be here soon. They’re here to acquire our group. I think you all understand how difficult it is to find a buyer! If anyone dares to disrupt this acquisition, I’ll make them pay!” Shen Hongyue said with a grim face.

Everyone around nodded. They all knew the situation of Lin Shi Group and understood that if they didn’t cooperate with Yaokin Capital, the company might go bankrupt.

Lin Zhiming felt a twinge of bitterness in his heart.

He still clearly remembered that he had previously been a wealthy man, respected and proud, but now his family was facing collapse, and even his family members looked down on him.

The consequences of this downturn made him feel utterly helpless.

At that moment, a soft knock on the door attracted everyone's attention.

“Come in!” Shen Hongyue commanded.

The door opened, and two men in suits entered the room.

“Welcome, Mr. Wang and Mr. Zhao!” Shen Hongyue greeted them warmly.

The two men walked to the table and sat down across from everyone.

“Mr. Lin, thank you for inviting us to this meeting!” Mr. Wang, one of the two men, said.

“Mr. Wang, I believe you’ve already reviewed our Lin Shi Group’s current status. If you’re ready to acquire us, we’re very happy to cooperate!” Shen Hongyue stated confidently.

“Actually, we’ve been negotiating with you for some time. But before we finalize the deal, we want to clarify a few things about the company’s debt situation and future profitability,” Mr. Zhao said, adjusting his glasses and pulling out a document.

“Of course, we will cooperate with you. I believe we have a strong chance of resolving this together!” Shen Hongyue said enthusiastically.

As the meeting progressed, Lin Zhiming sat quietly in the corner, his thoughts wandering.

Suddenly, he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.

Lin Zhiming turned his head to see a woman standing beside him.

“Hello, I’m the assistant of Mr. Wang, and my name is Lu Jing. If you have any questions about our cooperation, please feel free to ask,” the woman said with a smile.

“Thank you, I’m fine,” Lin Zhiming replied softly.

Lu Jing took a seat next to him and, noticing Lin Zhiming’s indifference, didn’t press further.

Half an hour passed.

The meeting went relatively smoothly.

Suddenly, a loud crash broke the silence.

The door of the conference room was kicked open, and a group of people rushed in.

“Mom, the acquisition is off!” A man shouted, and everyone turned to see Lin Zheng, Lin Zhi Xing’s younger brother, covered in dust and panting heavily.

“Lin Zheng! What are you doing?!” Shen Hongyue shouted angrily.

“Mom! I just got the news that the Lin family has been officially investigated. They are seizing all assets under the Lin family name!” Lin Zheng exclaimed.

The room fell into a deafening silence.

Lin Zhiming’s heart sank as he looked at his mother. Shen Hongyue’s face turned pale.

“This is impossible! How can they seize our assets?! There must be a mistake!” Shen Hongyue shouted, clearly panicking.

“There’s no mistake! The news is confirmed. The Lin family has been accused of committing fraud, and they’re being investigated!” Lin Zheng said.

“You’re lying! You must be lying!” Shen Hongyue screamed, refusing to accept this reality.

But in the next moment, Lin Zhiming suddenly stood up.

He had a vague feeling that this might be the best opportunity for him.

A path that could lead to a counterattack!

“Wait!” Lin Zhiming shouted, catching everyone's attention.

“I can save the Lin family!”