Chapter Thirty-Two: Xu Damao Reports Wang Lin

Li Huaide returned to his office in high spirits. He had just sat down when a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Upon receiving permission, Xu Damao walked in with a sycophantic grin. "Director Li, I have a major contribution to report. Would you be interested?"

Curious at the mention of a contribution, Li Huaide looked at Xu Damao and asked, "What kind of contribution? Let's hear it."

Seeing that he had piqued Li Huaide’s interest, Xu Damao quickly spoke up: "Director Li, you know our factory’s Deputy Director Wang Lin, right? That guy has taken two wives."

Xu Damao looked at Li Huaide expectantly, waiting for praise. To his surprise, Li Huaide’s expression darkened instantly at the mention of Wang Lin’s bigamy. How could he not know about this? He had been the one to play matchmaker for Lou Xiaoe; otherwise, how could Wang Lin have gotten together with her so quickly?

"I advise you to forget about this matter," Li Huaide said coldly, his tone heavy with a threat.

"Director Li..." Xu Damao wanted to say more, but after catching the icy glint in Li Huaide's eyes, he shut his mouth immediately.

"Understood, Director Li."

Xu Damao retreated hastily. Just as he reached the door, Li Huaide added a stern reminder: "If you don't want to die, don't provoke Wang Lin ever again."

Although Xu Damao was incompetent, he was a useful clown for pleasing superiors at the dinner table, and Li Huaide was not yet ready to discard him.

"Yes, of course, Director Li, I understand."

Stepping out of the office, Xu Damao’s face turned grim for the first time. *Just who exactly is this Wang Lin?* he wondered. He was a man who knew when to retreat. The only reason he had tried to report Wang Lin was because Wang Lin had snatched Lou Xiaoe away from him. But what was he, Xu Damao? He was a man of many conquests; a mere woman wasn't worth the trouble of inviting such disaster upon himself.

*Looks like I'll have to start sucking up to Wang Lin from now on,* he thought.

"Oh, Xu Damao, what are you doing here?"

Just as he was about to leave, Liu Haizhong walked up. Liu was currently feeling more triumphant than ever. He was a member of Li Huaide’s faction, and with Li now the head of the Revolutionary Committee and Factory Director Yang sent away for labor reform, the entire rolling mill was under Li’s control. His own status had risen along with his patron's.

"Isn't this Director Liu? Are you here to see Director Li as well?" Xu Damao didn't dare mention he had been there to report Wang Lin. He knew Liu Haizhong had curried favor with Wang Lin and had been promoted the very next day.

"Hahaha, I’m just here to see how I can better serve the people, so I came to ask Director Li for instructions."

Xu Damao felt nothing but disdain for Liu, but he was more surprised than anything. The change in Liu Haizhong’s demeanor was so drastic that he barely recognized him.

"Right, then I’ll let you get to it. I’ve just finished reporting to Director Li and need to go check the projection equipment."

"Go on then, keep up the good work." Liu Haizhong patted Xu Damao on the shoulder, very satisfied with his respectful attitude.

"Hello, Director Li, it’s me, Liu Haizhong." After Xu Damao left, Liu knocked gently on the door.

When Li Huaide heard the name, he paused for a moment before remembering that this was the man Wang Lin had placed in the first workshop to deal with Yi Zhonghai.

"Come in. What is it, Director Liu?" No matter how little Li thought of him, he was Wang Lin’s man, so he had to show some respect.

"Hehe, Director Li, I was just thinking... I want to serve the people better. Could you assign me some more work?"

Li Huaide gave him a scrutinizing look. "Does my brother Lin know about this?"

Liu Haizhong scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "N-no, I don't know."

Li Huaide pondered for a moment before speaking calmly. "From now on, you will serve concurrently as the head of the inspection team. Help me keep a close eye on the people in your courtyard. You must not let anyone upset my brother Lin. Do this well, and you will be well rewarded."

Liu Haizhong thought this was simple enough. Besides, he wasn't the same man he used to be; he clearly understood how much Li Huaide valued Wang Lin. "Rest assured, Director Li, I guarantee I will complete the task."

"Good. And remember, the Lou family is off-limits."

"Understood."

Liu Haizhong left the office triumphantly. This trip had been incredibly fruitful, and it only solidified his resolve to grovel before Wang Lin. *This Wang Lin is truly something else—even Director Li has to kowtow to him.*

Liu Haizhong’s mind was sharp these days. He thought back to bringing the Deaf Old Lady to the factory early that morning, then how quickly Shazhu and Xu Damao were released, and finally, the downfall of Factory Director Yang. Once he connected the dots, it was clear that Wang Lin was behind everything. He just didn't know exactly what role Wang Lin had played.

Back in his office, Wang Lin had just finished his dual cultivation practice with Qin Huairu and Lou Xiaoe.

After gaining internal energy, Lou Xiaoe’s face looked even more refined, her skin softer and more supple. Wang Lin smiled faintly at her. "The storm has already begun to blow ahead of schedule, and many people are about to fall. Let’s head over to your family’s place together."

Hearing that they were going to her home, Lou Xiaoe was overjoyed. The only reason her father, Lou Zhenhua, had been so anxious for her to become Wang Lin’s woman was because of their problematic family background. Although they lived in comfort, she lived in constant fear every day that the authorities would come for them.

"Thank you, husband." She planted a kiss on Wang Lin’s cheek.

After Qin Huairu and Lou Xiaoe finished dressing, Wang Lin pulled them into his arms. The scenery shifted instantly, and they appeared at the gate of the Lou residence.

Experiencing the marvel of teleportation again, Qin Huairu looked at Wang Lin with yearning. "Husband, when will we be able to teleport like that?"

Wang Lin chuckled and tapped her on the nose. "You haven't even learned how to walk, yet you’re already trying to run."

Qin Huairu stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. Lou Xiaoe opened the door and pulled them inside. "Mom, Dad, I’m home!"

Hearing her voice, Lou Zhenhua emerged from his second-floor study. When he saw Wang Lin, his tense expression immediately transformed into a beaming smile.

"Wang Lin, you’re here! Sit, sit quickly."

At that moment, Lou Zhenhua only had eyes for Wang Lin, automatically ignoring his own daughter and Qin Huairu.

"Father-in-law, I’ve come today because there are some things I need to discuss with you," Wang Lin said, appearing suddenly at Lou Zhenhua’s side. "Let’s talk in your study."

Lou Zhenhua’s eyes gleamed. Though he had long known Wang Lin was no ordinary man, the sight of the teleportation still made his heart skip a beat.

"Very well."