The world of film and television begins in the ideal city

Chapter 27 In the Game

At 7:30 a.m., at a five-star hotel on Hong Kong Island.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the morning mist hangs over Victoria Harbour; the sea is calm, and the city is just beginning to awaken. Inside the suite, the temperature is pleasantly constant, and a simple yet exquisite breakfast is laid out on the long dining table.

Lin Chen, dressed in casual home clothes, sat at the head of the dining table, his fingertips lightly swiping across the screen of his mobile phone.

A short, anonymous message appeared on the screen, containing only one sentence: "The matter is settled, the person has been detained."

His eyes were calm and unwavering, as if he had only received a work progress report, rather than the conclusion of a major case that could ruin the life of a group's vice president.

Lin Chen looked up and dialed Shen Xuan's number directly.

The receiver rang for a long time without being answered, and finally it was transferred to a voicemail.

He smiled faintly and put his phone down. It was obvious that Shen Xuan had been in control, cleaning up, and eliminating all traces of the situation all night, working until almost dawn. He was probably fast asleep right now and wouldn't have heard the phone ring.

Lin Chen didn't press the matter and instead dialed another number—Li Xu.

The call was answered almost instantly. The voice on the other end was low, calm, and efficient: "President Lin."

"How's Lin Xiaomin's situation?" Lin Chen asked calmly. "Where is it at now?"

"Mr. Lin, Lin Xiaomin has been formally detained. He's been caught red-handed, and the chain of evidence is complete and tight." Li Xu's voice was calm and clear. "The on-site surveillance footage, witness testimonies, victim testimonies, and hotel records all match up perfectly, without any loopholes. Xiao Zhang was keeping watch from the outside the whole time, and he didn't implicate any of us at all. It's all very clean."

"Okay." Lin Chen said only one word, his tone devoid of emotion. "Keep a close eye on the follow-up procedures. If any unexpected situations arise, let me know immediately. If there are no surprises, there's no need to report anymore."

"Understood, Mr. Lin."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen casually placed his phone on the table and took a sip of his coffee.

Soft footsteps came from behind.

Li Wei, dressed in a silk nightgown with her long hair loosely tied up and a languid blush on her face from just waking up, walked over carrying a plate of steaming fried eggs and gently placed it in front of Lin Chen with tender and affectionate movements.

She leaned against Lin Chen, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Brother Chen, you're busy with work so early in the morning... I don't want to go out today. My legs are sore from all the walking around these past few days, I just want to lie in the hotel."

Lin Chen turned around and easily pulled her into his arms, letting her sit on his lap. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his tone doting and gentle: "Okay, I'll do as you say. We won't go anywhere today; I'll stay here with you."

"Wow, Brother Chen is so nice!" Li Wei's eyes lit up, and she hugged his neck and rubbed against him.

Lin Chen chuckled softly, gently supporting her with his hand, his tone both playful and earnest: "Since you're not going out, then stay indoors—and work out your body."

Before he finished speaking, he stood up and swept Li Wei up in his arms.

"Oh no!" Li Wei exclaimed, burying her head shyly in his chest and gently punching him.

Lin Chen carried the person, his steps steady, and turned to walk towards the bedroom.

The curtains were half-drawn, and the soft morning light cast long shadows of the two people.

The breakfast on the table behind me was still steaming, and everything was quiet and pleasant.

On Hong Kong Island, life is peaceful and serene.

Meanwhile, at the Yinghai Group headquarters, thousands of miles away, undercurrents were already surging and the world was in turmoil.

At 10:00 AM, Zhao Xiankun received an urgent call from the legal director in the chairman's office, only then learning that Lin Xiaomin was in trouble.

Yesterday afternoon's dinner party ended, and then he rushed to another one last night. He was still quite tipsy when he arrived at his office, preparing to review today's IPO plans, when his phone suddenly rang urgently.

"Chairman, something's happened!" came the phone from the general counsel.

"Vice President Lin Xiaomin was criminally detained by the police last night at a hotel in the city!"

Zhao Xiankun slammed the pen in his hand onto the document with a "thud".

"What did you say?!" He stood up abruptly, his voice rising sharply, his face instantly darkening. "Detained? For what reason?!"

"The police report states that he is suspected of rape."

The legal director whispered, "Xiao Zhang has reviewed the evidence provided by the police. There's ample witness testimony and physical evidence from the scene, and Lin Xiaomin's DNA was also found in the underwear provided by the waitress. The situation is very unfavorable for Vice President Lin!"

Rape.

The three words struck Zhao Xiankun like a thunderbolt.

His mind went blank for a moment, as if it had gone completely empty.

Lin Xiaomin?

Zhao Xiankun's chest heaved violently, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

"Chairman, what should we do now?" the general counsel asked.

Zhao Xiankun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger and panic, his voice as cold as ice:

"Immediately activate all legal resources within the group, go to the police station and branch office to understand the case, and retrieve all available materials!"

"Go talk to that waitress. The company will give her a large sum of money, as long as she cooperates."

"No matter the cost, keep them calm and collected. We absolutely cannot let the case escalate to its worst possible outcome!"

"Understood, I'll personally lead the team there immediately!"

The phone hangs up.

Zhao Xiankun slumped back into his chair, his fingertips icy cold, and his vision blurred.

Zhao Xiankun closed his eyes and wearily pressed his brow.

Why did this have to happen at such a crucial moment? Was it a coincidence or was it deliberately orchestrated?

After thinking for a moment, he picked up the phone and dialed a number. After it rang three times, the other end answered.

"Chairman."

"Xiao Fang, what has Wang Mingyu been up to these past few days?"

"Mr. Wang is still vacationing in Sanya; his wife, sister, and brother-in-law are all there. Yes, nothing unusual!"

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Xiao Fang. Continue to keep an eye on Wang Mingyu for me, and report back immediately if anything happens."

Xiao Fang is Wang Mingyu's driver and also a spy that Zhao Xiankun specially planted next to Wang Mingyu.

If it wasn't Wang Mingyu, who else could it be? Was it really just a coincidence? He still felt uneasy. Suppressing his emotions, he picked up the phone again and called a familiar leader in the public security department. No matter what, the most important thing right now was to protect Lin Xiaomin.

Wang Mingyu's vacation villa in Sanya. This vacation villa is located on a hillside, facing the sea, with the sea breeze carrying a faint coconut scent, and is wrapped in warm sunshine all year round.

Wang Mingyu was wearing a loose white casual shirt, beach shorts, and slippers. His hair was casually combed back, and he looked at least several years younger than when he was in Shanghai.

Wang Mingyu picked up his bowl of porridge, took a slow sip, and watched his family members looking relaxed, a faint but genuine smile playing on his lips. He hadn't truly experienced this kind of life in many years.

You can either lie on a deck chair in the yard, wear sunglasses, enjoy the sea breeze, listen to the news, and occasionally close your eyes to relax for an hour or two; or take a walk with your wife in the garden, look at the bougainvillea and phoenix flowers in full bloom, and take a few photos; or go out with your sister and brother-in-law to visit tourist attractions.

Relaxed and comfortable.

Xiao Fang immediately reported to Wang Mingyu after hanging up the phone.

He went into the courtyard and whispered something in Wang Mingyu's ear.

"Mr. Wang, Zhao Xiankun just called to ask about your situation. As you instructed, I told him that you have been traveling with your family in Sanya and there has been nothing unusual."

"Okay, Xiao Fang, well done. Go and get ready, we'll go back this afternoon."

Xiao Fang acknowledged and withdrew, only able to apologize to Zhao Xiankun in his heart: "Chairman, the situation is beyond my control, I have no choice but to say sorry!"

Watching Xiao Fang's retreating figure, Wang Mingyu inwardly marveled at Lin Chen's methods. This nephew not only uncovered his own mole but also managed to make him work for him—truly a master strategist! No wonder he had achieved so much at such a young age! Along with his admiration came a touch of fear. Compared to Lin Chen and Zhao Xiankun, Wang Mingyu was still far inferior. Without Lin Chen, he didn't know what his fate would have been!

But then he thought about how he would soon be back at Yinghai Group, and how Zhao Xiankun would react, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Zhao Xiankun, in the end, I won.