Lin Yuan turned to find Luo Bo, the gate attendant, standing near the entrance with his usual impatient look.
The man's eyes swept over him once before narrowing slightly, as if already anticipating trouble.
"Morning, Luo Bo. You seem busy today."
"When is it ever not?" Luo Bo snorted, folding his arms. "Old Man Yi says he'd rather let the whole building collapse than turn down coin."
As if recalling something, Luo Bo's expression tightened, and his voice dropped slightly. "You know you shouldn't be here… Old Man Yi hates you down to the bone."
"Hate is a strong word," Lin Yuan said with a faint sneer, though his tone remained calm.
Luo Bo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Not strong enough. If he knew you were coming, he'd have locked the front doors and pretended the place was on fire."
"That would be a first," Lin Yuan replied, brushing past him with an easy nod.
He stepped through the entrance without hesitation, leaving Luo Bo behind. The moment he crossed into the hall, the noise of the outside world shifted into something denser and more contained.
The first-floor hall was already crowded, filled with dock overseers arguing over shipments, merchants bargaining loudly, and sailors slumped over bowls of broth. It was the usual scene, chaotic yet strangely ordered.
But the moment Lin Yuan entered, a few voices lowered, and a few heads turned.
"…Isn't that Twin Shores?"
"…Why's he here?"
"…Old Yi's gonna explode."
Lin Yuan ignored the murmurs and walked straight toward the counter, his pace steady. The thin clerk behind it froze mid-motion, clearly caught off guard.
"Lin Yuan… why are you here?"
"Breakfast," Lin Yuan said calmly. "And a conversation."
The clerk swallowed. "I'll… inform the owner."
"You do that."
Lin Yuan took a seat at a nearby table, his posture upright and composed. He did not look around, yet he could feel the attention settling on him from all directions.
A serving boy approached hesitantly. "Tea?"
"Please."
The boy hurried away almost immediately, as if afraid of being caught in the middle of something dangerous.
Around him, the whispers did not fade.
"…You remember what happened last year?"
"…Who wouldn't?"
"…That loan thing?"
Lin Yuan remained still, his expression unchanged, though his ears caught every word.
"Old Man Yi thought he picked up an easy lamb," one of the merchants muttered under his breath. "Kid barely had coin, signed a loan, and not even a full day passed before collectors showed up."
Another man chuckled quietly. "Standard Harbor trick. Pressure early, double the interest, trap them before they even stand."
"Yeah, but that's where it went wrong."
A sailor leaned closer, lowering his voice. "That kid didn't panic. Next morning, he stood right here and started selling goods cheaper than Yi's own supply line."
The first man frowned. "Cheaper? With what money?"
"He didn't need much," the sailor replied. "Just enough to undercut a few shipments. Said his goods were 'fresh stock from outside the harbor routes.' People rushed in."
Another voice joined in, amused. "Turned out the 'fresh stock' was just the same goods Yi sold… but Lin Yuan bought small batches and flipped them fast."
"Forced Yi to lower his own prices just to compete," someone added with a low laugh. "Lost face and coin at the same time."
"And the best part?" the sailor smirked. "Lin Yuan paid off the loan early—with Yi's own losses."
A few quiet chuckles spread through the nearby tables.
"Old Yi didn't take that well."
"Of course not. He sent people after the kid that same week."
Lin Yuan's fingers paused briefly against his cup, though his expression did not change.
"Heard they tried to drag him into an alley at night."
"They failed."
A short silence followed.
"Not just failed," one of them said quietly. "The kid walked out the next day and spread the story across the Tide Line."
"Bold move."
"Smart move," the sailor corrected. "Once everyone knew, Yi couldn't act again without risking his reputation."
"Harbor runs on coin, but it survives on trust," another added. "Lose that, and even your own people start questioning you."
"That's when they made peace."
"More like forced peace."
The murmurs faded slightly as footsteps echoed from above.
Heavy, deliberate steps descended the staircase, each one drawing attention. The room quieted almost instinctively.
Old Man Yi appeared, his stocky frame and ring-covered fingers impossible to ignore. His sharp eyes locked onto Lin Yuan instantly, fury rising without restraint.
"Well, look what washed in with the morning tide."
Lin Yuan lifted his cup and took a calm sip of tea, completely unbothered. "Good morning to you too."
"You're bold to walk in here, considering the last time you did, half my shareholders demanded compensation for the rumors you spread."
Lin Yuan tapped the rim of his cup lightly. "They weren't rumors. You really were buying spoiled medicinal stock and diluting it."
Yi's face twitched.
"That little stunt cost me a fortune," Yi said coldly.
"You shouldn't have sent people to drag me into an alley," Lin Yuan replied with a faint sneer. "A bad business habit."
Nearby tables fell completely silent.
Yi stared at him with open contempt. "You ruined a ten-year supply network."
"And you tried to kill me for it," Lin Yuan said calmly. "Let's not pretend otherwise."
The silence deepened.
Yi straightened, forcing a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Lovely. You always did know how to embarrass a man in his own establishment."
"You make it too easy."
One of Yi's assistants hurried forward nervously. "S-sir, perhaps we should move this to the private rooms—"
"Yes," Yi snapped. "Before this brat poisons my morning any further."
Lin Yuan stood smoothly and gestured slightly. "After you."
Yi turned and led the way toward the back corridor without another word.
From the entrance, Luo Bo muttered under his breath, "Here we go again…"
Lin Yuan followed, the noise of the hall fading behind him with each step.
Whatever came next would not be pleasant.
But Lin Yuan hadn't come for something pleasant. He had come for answers, and Old Man Yi had more than enough of those locked away upstairs.
The room they entered was quieter than the hall below, its walls thick enough to swallow most sound. A faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mixing with the sharper smell of ink and old wood.
"What exactly brings you here, boy?"
Lin Yuan remained calm as he took the seat across from him, his posture straight and his expression composed. His gaze did not waver, even under Old Man Yi's scrutiny.
"I came to discuss a business transaction."
Yi raised a brow, clearly amused, though there was a trace of curiosity beneath it. "Business, is it? Considering the history between us, I doubt it will be pleasant. But speak your piece."
Lin Yuan rested his hands lightly on the table, his tone steady and direct. "I am prepared to offer you twenty percent of the Cold Restoration Pill market."
Yi's expression shifted ever so slightly, the reaction brief but unmistakable. It was not shock, but it was enough to show that Lin Yuan had managed to catch his interest.
"You are suddenly feeling generous? That does not fit your reputation."
"I keep my word," Lin Yuan replied without hesitation. "If we reach an agreement, you will receive exactly what was promised."
Yi leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping the armrest as he considered the offer. "That sounds acceptable. Tell me what you expect in return."
Lin Yuan tapped a knuckle lightly against the table, his gaze sharpening just a little. "You must have heard about the most recent medicinal review conducted by the Harbor Authority."
Yi gave a short nod, dismissing the matter with ease. "I heard enough. What else?"
"Someone has begun copying the spears I designed with Old Master Shi." Lin Yuan's tone remained calm, but there was a clear edge beneath it. "I want to know who is behind it."
Yi's eyes narrowed faintly, his earlier amusement fading into calculation. "That piece of information does not come cheaply. Twenty percent will not cover it. I want fifteen."
Lin Yuan looked at him in surprise, his brows lifting slightly. "You intend to give me five percent back?"
Yi's expression turned cold instantly, the air in the room tightening. "Do not play games with me. I want fifteen percent of your spear distribution."
Lin Yuan held his gaze for a long moment, weighing the demand carefully. His expression did not change, but his refusal was clear.
"You might as well snatch my coin purse on the street. I do not produce enough spears for a cut that large to make sense."
Yi shrugged casually, as if the outcome meant little to him. "Then the deal ends here."
Lin Yuan did not move, nor did he rise from his seat. Instead, he shifted slightly, recalculating in silence before speaking again.
"I can offer five percent."
Yi shook his head without hesitation. "That is far too low. I want fifteen."
Lin Yuan pressed his lips together briefly, then spoke again, his tone firm. "Ten percent. That is the limit. I will not negotiate further."
The old man studied him carefully, searching for hesitation or weakness. After a short silence, he nodded once.
"Very well. We have an agreement."
Lin Yuan leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "Then you can begin by telling me what I am paying for."
Yi did not answer immediately. Instead, he reached into a drawer and took out a thin contract sheet, placing it on the table between them.
"Before that, we should finalize our arrangement."
Lin Yuan understood the meaning behind the gesture and did not argue. He signed his name slowly and neatly, then pushed the contract back across the table.
Only after storing it away did Yi finally relax, his expression settling into quiet satisfaction.
"Now I will tell you what you want to know."
"You are being targeted."