"Qianqian, it's already very late today. Be a good girl and go to sleep. Let Daddy tell you a story. If you stay up any longer, there won't be time for a bedtime story anymore."
Lin Xiaoqian nodded obediently.
Xu Mengyao quickly ended the video call.
She finally let out a sigh of relief.
About ten minutes later, Lin Xiaoqian had fallen asleep.
Xu Mengyao sent Lin Chen a message:
"Husband, how are things going over there? Is everything going smoothly?"
Lin Chen had booked a business suite.
There was a small living room outside the bedroom.
He walked into the living room and started a video call with Xu Mengyao. She had just finished showering and was sitting on the bed in silk pajamas.
"Husband~"
Seeing Lin Chen, Xu Mengyao called out sweetly.
Lin Chen stared at her with a "lecherous" grin.
Xu Mengyao pouted coquettishly.
"Husband, what kind of look is that?"
"The look of wanting to eat you up."
Lin Chen chuckled.
A faint blush immediately appeared on Xu Mengyao's face.
Shyly, she said:
"Husband, I'm talking to you about serious business. What's the current situation with the Song family?"
Lin Chen told her about the Song family's situation, though he didn't mention the contents of the will over the phone.
Xu Mengyao said:
"Husband, from the way you describe it, there's a high possibility that Song Shikang's wife was behind this. Song Shikang himself may also know about it."
"They're really horrible people."
"Old Master Song treated them well too!"
Lin Chen replied:
"Their family isn't like ordinary households. The Song family has assets worth three hundred billion. The利益 involved are simply too enormous."
"Husband, conflicts in wealthy families are brutal. Don't get too involved. After Old Master Song's funeral, hurry back home."
Xu Mengyao said worriedly.
Lin Chen smiled.
"Don't worry, wife. Nothing will happen to me."
The authority over Old Master Song's inheritance distribution was entirely in his hands.
Besides, the state wouldn't allow anything to happen to him either.
Song Shikang and the others might dare to play dirty tricks, but they definitely wouldn't dare use guns.
Once firearms were involved, the nature of the matter would completely change.
As long as guns weren't used, what danger could there be for him?
Could the Song family somehow get the police to arrest him?
"Husband, I know you're capable, but you still have to be careful."
Xu Mengyao reminded him.
Lin Chen grinned.
"Relax. We're not even married yet, and we still haven't had our wedding night. Of course I'll be careful."
"Hmph, good that you know."
Xu Mengyao snorted adorably.
The two chatted for quite a while before she reluctantly ended the call.
She had to get up early the next morning for a business meeting out of town.
Normally, meetings like this were handled by Xu Guofeng, but now that Lin Chen had taken Lin Xiaoqian away from Shanghai, she didn't mind going herself.
…
Late at night.
The mourning hall at the Song residence had been set up.
Buzz buzz!
Song Shize's phone rang.
He answered it, and the person on the other end said:
"President Song, the results are out. There really was a problem with the perfume. It contained an extremely rare substance."
"This substance evaporates over time, so eventually it becomes undetectable."
Song Shize's voice turned grave.
"This could trigger an allergic reaction?"
"Not necessarily. Everyone reacts differently. But after analyzing your father's condition, we've confirmed that this substance indeed caused his allergic reaction."
The person on the other end replied.
"I understand. Thank you."
Song Shize hung up.
He then told Song Shikang and Song Qingquan about the findings.
Song Qingquan angrily exclaimed:
"Big Brother, this was murder! And the mastermind even tried to frame Wan'er and Lin Chen for it."
Song Shikang said:
"Big Brother, Third Brother, I know you suspect me because I stand to benefit from this."
"But think about it—couldn't there also be a possibility that outside forces are deliberately trying to tear the Song family apart?"
"The enemy's goal may be to turn us brothers against each other."
Song Shize slightly nodded.
He knew the most likely culprits were Song Shikang and his wife, but what Song Shikang said was also possible.
The Song family had many enemies both domestically and abroad.
During its rise, they had offended plenty of forces, and after becoming powerful, naturally many people became jealous.
Even those who appeared friendly on the surface could secretly be enemies.
"Big Brother, did Father leave a will?"
Song Shikang asked.
Song Shize shook his head.
"Probably not. Father passed away too suddenly and may not have had time to leave one."
Song Shikang asked:
"No lawyers have contacted you yet?"
"Not yet."
Song Shize nodded.
Song Shikang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Since no lawyer had called after all this time, there was a high probability their father hadn't left any will at all.
Without a will, then it would depend on each person's own abilities.
His wife's family was very powerful, so even though Song Shize was the family head, Song Shikang wasn't afraid of him at all.
As for Song Qingquan…
Song Shikang had never taken him seriously.
"Big Brother, Third Brother, there's something I want to say."
"Although Father wasn't directly killed by Lin Chen, his condition only worsened after eating the food Lin Chen cooked."
"I suggest we distance ourselves from him in the future."
Song Shikang said solemnly.
Song Shize replied:
"Father valued Lin Chen because he deserved to be valued. Distancing ourselves from him wouldn't be good."
Song Shikang said:
"Big Brother, from what I know, Lin Chen's culinary skills are extraordinary. That allows him to build connections with many influential people, and he already has."
"Father valued him because of this, right?"
At this point, he had only investigated that much and still didn't know Lin Chen was Lin Yu.
The state's information blockade made digging deeper extremely difficult.
Song Qingquan frowned.
"Second Brother, if we distance ourselves from him, what about Wan'er?"
Song Shikang replied:
"Hasn't Wan'er been eating normally already? If that's the case, do you still need to stick so closely to him?"
"Third Brother, your relationship with him is good. What exactly are you planning?"
"Are you trying to use him to compete with Big Brother for the family head position?"
A strange glint flashed through Song Shize's eyes.
Lin Chen was very capable, and would likely become even more influential in the future.
His own relationship with Lin Chen was decent, but nowhere near as close as Song Qingquan's.
He definitely had no intention of becoming enemies with Lin Chen.
Given Lin Chen's calligraphy skills, he was undoubtedly already registered with high-level authorities.
What Song Shize wanted was to strengthen his relationship with Lin Chen.
As long as his relationship with Lin Chen remained good as well, there was no way Lin Chen would help Song Qingquan snatch away the family head position.
"Second Brother, stop talking nonsense."
"My relationship with Young Master Lin is also quite good."
Song Shize said sternly.
Song Qingquan looked at his second brother, disappointment visible in his eyes.
In the past, he had thought his second brother was a decent person.
But now, the man before him felt more and more unfamiliar.
"Big Brother, I'm just bringing it up casually."
"Third Brother, don't take it personally. I'm not saying that just because you're close to Lin Chen, you'll definitely try to seize Big Brother's position."
Song Shikang said calmly.
Inside, he sneered.
He refused to believe that once the seed of suspicion had been planted, Song Shize wouldn't eventually start harboring doubts.
Lin Chen's network and influence would likely continue growing stronger, which also meant Song Qingquan's support would grow stronger.
Even if the Song family became more powerful overall, if he himself wasn't the family head, what meaning would it have for Song Shize?
"Second Brother, enough."
"Let's first work together to properly handle Father's funeral."
Song Shize said heavily.
Song Shikang and Song Qingquan both nodded.
In the blink of an eye, morning arrived.
Lin Xiaoqian opened her eyes and adorably said:
"Daddy, yesterday's place wasn't fun. Can we go somewhere else today?"
"Of course we can."
Lin Chen kissed her forehead and replied.
The memorial service was tomorrow, so there was no need for him to go over today.
The last time he came, it was for Old Master Song's birthday banquet. This time was also because of the Song family.
He still hadn't properly taken Lin Xiaoqian out to have fun.
"Qianqian, where do you want to go play?"
Lin Chen asked.
Lin Xiaoqian grinned happily.
"Daddy, anywhere is fine. As long as I'm with Daddy, I'm happy wherever we go."
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)