Chapter 23 Part 3

Besides, he knew nothing about running a business. If he tanked it, what then?

So many employees depended on the company.

No way.

He couldn’t accept it.

Lin Juan refused. “I’m not. Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

Cheng Xiaoyu could tell the long-haired youth had an extraordinary relationship with Lu Yanzhou. He raised an eyebrow. “That stuff you had me organize earlier—was it for this?”

“Mm.” Lu Yanzhou affirmed.

Cheng Xiaoyu tutted in amazement. “Anyway, it’s your company—you can give it to whoever. I’ll go get Director Ke. You brought him to sign the papers, right?”

“Just to meet everyone.” Lu Yanzhou neither confirmed nor denied.

Cheng Xiaoyu went to fetch the man. Lin Juan poked Lu Yanzhou’s shoulder as he reviewed some documents. “What did you mean just now? Are you really giving me a company?”

“Yes.” Lu Yanzhou set the documents aside. “I talked it over with Director Liu. He said he’d only partner if you’re the full owner.”

That was his explanation for why he was giving Lin Juan the company.

“Why would he do that? It’s your company—I can’t take it.” Lin Juan picked up his phone. “I’ll call him.”

Lu Yanzhou had said it precisely because he feared Lin Juan wouldn’t accept. He certainly couldn’t let him actually call—and besides, it wasn’t Director Liu demanding the chairman change.

It was just his own selfish motive.

“The deal’s already done, Xiao Juan. It’s just in your name for now. You don’t have to do anything different from before. Your reputation will greatly benefit the company’s future R&D on weird phenomena-related tech.”

Lu Yanzhou’s silver tongue wove from business logic to personal sentiment, making it sound like refusing would be a huge loss for the company.

Lin Juan got dizzy from it all and vaguely agreed.

Right then, Cheng Xiaoyu brought the documents, and Lu Yanzhou smoothly had him sign.

After signing, Lin Juan snapped back to reality. He held the pen and eyed Lu Yanzhou. “You said it’s just in my name.”

“Yes.” Lu Yanzhou nodded.

Just like that, a massive fortune was handed over—through sweet-talking, no less. Cheng Xiaoyu couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Rich people in love were on another level.

Under Lu Yanzhou’s lead, Lin Juan met all of Radiant Star’s top brass, and Lu Yanzhou introduced him to them.

“What’s the deal with this Lin Juan? Worth President Lu going to such lengths to coax him?” one executive wondered.

“You don’t know? President Lu got married recently.” Cheng Xiaoyu dropped the bombshell.

“You mean, he’s President Lu’s marriage partner?!” Director Ke was shocked.

“Yeah, they come and go together, accompanying each other to work every day. Our President Lu, that iron tree, has finally flowered.”

For a moment, the executives didn’t know whether to be shocked by President Lu marrying young or surprised by how affectionate he was with his new partner.

And wasn’t it affectionate?

If he wasn’t in love, why go to such great lengths to coax the other into signing the transfer agreement? This was Radiant Star Technology, the tech company with the strongest momentum—not some irrelevant little firm or a business on the brink of collapse.

“Rich people dating… is it like this?”

The executive who spoke looked dazed.

“Wake up. It’s not just President Lu. Every rich family I know signed prenups before marriage, terrified the other would take half in a divorce.”

Thanks. Instantly disenchanted with the wealthy.

After acquiring a company, Lin Juan’s life didn’t change much. He still shuttled between Lu Garden and the company, with occasional trips to the Research Institute.

Once the business cards were finalized, Lu Yanzhou had some printed. When Lin Juan visited the Research Institute, he handed out two or three to each Ability User he knew. They didn’t need them themselves and could pass them to friends and family.

“Mr. Lin, you’re really not coming to our Anomalous Affairs Bureau?” The young Ability User who received a card was thrilled at first but couldn’t hide his disappointment.

The strong tended to be arrogant and hard to get along with, but Mr. Lin wasn’t like that. He was powerful yet amiable, making him easy to be around. Everyone hoped one day they could work together.

“If you need help with something, feel free to ask me. If I have time, I’ll definitely assist.” Lin Juan didn’t answer the question about joining the Anomalous Affairs Bureau.

The Ability User wanted to say more but was tugged by the person next to him. Realizing he’d overstepped, he swallowed his words.

The night before the last patient was discharged, Zhuang Yufeng got into a heated argument with Professor Zhou from the Research Institute.

It started because Professor Zhou knew Zhuang Yufeng was close to Lin Juan. He wanted Zhuang Yufeng to act as a go-between and ask if Lin Juan could come help out at the Research Institute for a couple of days.

Though Professor Zhou spoke vaguely, Zhuang Yufeng caught the implication. They called it “helping,” but really they wanted to study Lin Juan under that pretext.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you really mean. I’ve said it before—some bottom lines can’t be crossed!” Zhuang Yufeng was resolute.

They were human, and humans had lines that shouldn’t be touched—like experimenting on Ability Users.

Not long before, someone from the Research Institute had proposed measuring data from Ability Users, but Zhuang Yufeng had rejected it outright.

He knew there were people in the Research Institute trying to experiment on Ability Users. No matter their goal, he wouldn’t allow it!

As long as he was there, they wouldn’t lay a hand on humans—Ability Users or ordinary people alike!

“Doctor Zhuang, we’re just curious. Why does he have such a strong deterrent effect on Weird Phenomena? Aren’t you curious? If we can figure out the reason, couldn’t we replicate that ability? Then our casualties fighting Weird Phenomena would drop dramatically.” Professor Zhou argued his case.

They’d tried contacting superiors directly, pressuring from above to greenlight Ability User research. With enough samples, they could uncover the secrets of evolution and create more Ability Users!

Unfortunately, their proposal had been rejected.

What nonsense about humanitarianism? This was humanity’s moment of life and death—who cared about that?

Especially Director Liu, who relied on his father in the highest echelons to outright reject their plan and give them a scolding.

If not for that, why bother schmoozing with Zhuang Yufeng?

“Whether it’s for humanity or your own selfish desires, you know the truth in your hearts.” Just thinking of their schemes filled Zhuang Yufeng with disgust from the bottom of his heart.

He knew the researchers of the future went down a dark path, but he hadn’t expected signs this early.

Fortunately, he’d made preparations this time. He absolutely wouldn’t let the tragedy of his previous life repeat.

“This is non-negotiable. I warn you and your backers: don’t provoke Mr. Lin, and don’t lay a finger on Ability Users.”

Zhuang Yufeng no longer hid his loathing.

Professor Zhou’s face turned ashen from the rebuke, and he slunk away in defeat.

“How’d it go? Will he make the introduction?” Their plan was to lure Lin Juan over first. Once he was there, they had plenty of ways to handle him.

If not for Zhuang Yufeng’s tight defenses, why hadn’t they studied a single Ability User after all this time?

“Forget it. He won’t budge,” Professor Zhou said darkly. “I might have alerted them. Lay low for a while—don’t give Zhuang Yufeng any excuse to ship us out.”

Thanks to his backers, Zhuang Yufeng had parachuted into the Research Institute and sent several of their people packing.

Those were just minor underlings, but without them, everything was restricted. Things weren’t as smooth as before.

“Right, didn’t Lin Juan hand out business cards to everyone? I snagged one. How about we set up a trap and call him for help?”

“Not yet. Zhuang Yufeng will definitely tell Lin Juan about Old Zhou approaching him, putting him on guard. If we stage a crisis and cry for help now, it’ll look too contrived. We need to plan it carefully.”

“Makes sense.”

And sure enough, Zhuang Yufeng immediately told Lin Juan about it, urging him to be careful.

“I have a feeling they won’t let it go. Mr. Lin, stay vigilant.”

How had he ended up targeted too?

Lin Juan hated being on people’s minds.

“Let them come. If they dare scheme against me, don’t blame me for hitting back.” Lin Juan propped his cheek. “If they strike first, beating them up should count as self-defense, right?”

“Of course it does.” Seeing Lin Juan was prepared, Zhuang Yufeng set aside his worries.

Indeed, with Lin Juan’s power, all schemes and plots were useless before absolute strength.

“You’re just going to let them run loose?” Lu Yanzhou was displeased.

“No choice. The Research Institute is critically understaffed, and they act cautiously. Without hard evidence, we can’t tip our hand early.”

Any action had to wait until they knew exactly how many were involved. Otherwise, cutting out one tumor would just leave deeper ones behind, creating bigger risks down the line.

Both were cunning as foxes; Lu Yanzhou understood at once.

“Don’t drag Xiao Juan into it.”

“I know.” He’d originally wanted to hide Lin Juan’s existence, but Lin Juan was too strong—there was no concealing what he’d done.

Since they couldn’t hide him, better to thrust him into the spotlight. Under the eyes of the crowd, anyone scheming would have to think twice.

Lin Juan didn’t know or care about these twists and turns. “All the patients are cured. What are you planning to do with the 【Water Tower】?”

The 【Water Tower】 was another object of desire for everyone at the Research Institute. After all, it was the only live Weird Phenomena brought back—priceless. Before, Zhuang Yufeng could deflect research requests in the name of saving patients. Now that they were saved, it would be harder to refuse.

But.

Without Lin Juan, studying the 【Water Tower】 wasn’t easy at all.

After all, without Lin Juan around, the 【Water Tower】 was no harmless little Water Baby.

“The 【Water Tower】 is the one you brought back. Any ideas?” Zhuang Yufeng solicited Lin Juan’s opinion.

“Can’t just release it, and smashing it outright feels wrong. What if it’s useful later?” Lin Juan pondered.

“Then we’ll keep it for now?”

No other choice.

“What does the 【Water Tower】 eat normally?” Lin Juan hadn’t paid attention before. Since they were keeping it, he asked offhand.

“Water is usually enough.”

A very low-maintenance Water Baby.

“That’s reassuring.” After all, he’d caught it himself—Lin Juan couldn’t completely ignore it. “Contact me anytime if there’s any issue with the 【Water Tower】.”

On his way out, Lin Juan ran into several familiar Ability Users.

“Mr. Lin!”

A sharp-eyed Ability User spotted Lin Juan and jogged over. “Mr. Lin, I’ve figured out a new use for my Supernatural Ability. Can you take a look?”

Damn it, beat to the punch.

The Ability Users who’d arrived a step late shot dagger-like glares at the one who’d spoken first.

“Not today. I have something to do.”

“Eh? What does Mr. Lin need to handle? Can we help?”

“Yeah, Mr. Lin, anything you need—just say the word. We all have time.”

The Ability Users chimed in enthusiastically.

“Nothing major.” Lin Juan thanked their kindness. “I need to head to the company with Mr. Lu. I’m his assistant now.”

With that, Lin Juan flashed his badge at the Ability Users surrounding them.

!!!

The Ability Users were dumbfounded.

Who could tell them how Lin Juan had ended up as someone’s assistant?!

Whoever managed to recruit Mr. Lin must have saved the galaxy in a past life!

Envy, jealousy, and hate-filled stares landed on Lu Yanzhou.

“Why——” The Ability User who’d recently asked Lin Juan why he wasn’t joining the Anomalous Affairs Bureau let out a wail.

“Mr. Lin, if I may be so bold… what’s your relationship with Mr. Lu?”

“We’re…” Lin Juan hesitated. “On the same household registry?”