{Chapter: 253 Ten years of dormancy only to rise one-time big time one day!}
Lin Yuan's sudden accusation shook the room like a thunderclap.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly. Shock rippled through the faces of the key officials, each person stunned into silence. If they had to vote on who they believed was the least likely to be a spy among them, almost all of them would have chosen Wang Qu without hesitation.
After all, Wang Qu had always been a pillar within the Lin Group—committed, composed, and consistent. His work ethic was impeccable, and his performance records were flawless. Though he may have made a few minor missteps over the years, none of them had ever been serious or damaging. His loyalty had never been questioned.
So how could he possibly be a spy for the Chen family?
Impossible!
Yet, no one dared to voice their doubts aloud.
The situation with Ding Fan was still fresh in their minds. His dramatic downfall had served as a grim warning to all present. Speaking out of turn or defending someone without knowing the full truth could lead to immediate ruin.
Even if they inwardly disagreed with Lin Yuan's accusation, not a single soul dared to stand up and speak on Wang Qu's behalf.
Compared to the stunned and tense crowd, Wang Qu remained astonishingly calm.
His expression didn't change. He didn't flinch. Instead, he calmly adjusted the collar of his tailored suit, as if smoothing out a wrinkle after a long day at the office. He then looked directly at Lin Yuan and spoke in a composed, almost paternal tone.
"Young Master Lin," he began, his voice smooth yet firm, "you're still young. It's understandable that you might not yet grasp the full complexity of how things work in this company—or in life. But it's still wise not to throw around accusations so lightly."
"I'm easily two or three decades your senior. I watched you grow up, and I dare to say I've played some role in the development of the Lin Group as you know it today. So allow me to still call myself your 'Uncle Wang Qu.'"
"You claim that I'm a spy? A traitor planted by the Chen family?" He chuckled lightly, without malice. "I won't argue much about why you've come to think that way. But allow me to remind you, respectfully, of a few facts."
He took a step forward, his eyes calm and unwavering.
"The Menglong Project—one of the most profitable ventures of the past few years—I was the one who secured that deal single-handedly. I've managed over half of the projects in the Maple Leaf District during my tenure, with consistent and profitable results. Those weren't small accomplishments."
"Over the years, I may not have generated tens of billions for the Lin Group, but I can confidently say that I've brought in several billion. That's not an exaggeration; it's a verifiable fact."
"And when you began setting up your own company—venturing into entrepreneurship with the backing of your family—I was the one who stepped forward and helped oversee more than half of your startup's operations."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"I don't claim to be the shining jewel of the Lin Group. But if we were to compare this company to a grand structure—brick by brick—I, Wang Qu, have at least laid down one of those bricks with my own hands."
"Now, Young Master Lin, you accuse me of being a traitor. A spy for the Chen family?" His tone didn't rise in anger. He didn't scowl or shout. Instead, he remained dignified and respectful.
"I'm not angry," he continued. "I understand that youth is easily misled. But let me ask you this—from now on, how are the other key officials supposed to continue their duties if anyone among them can be accused without concrete proof?"
His words were calm, but they carried a heavy weight.
Many of the other officials began to shift uncomfortably.
Lin Jianjun, the head of the Lin family, stood silent. His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced between his son and Wang Qu, but he gave no opinion yet.
However, Meng Yuelan couldn't stay quiet any longer. She stepped forward slightly, looking at Lin Yuan with concern.
"Yuan'er," she said gently, "your Uncle Wang makes a valid point. You may not have the full picture yet. When your father and I first took over the Lin Group, Uncle Wang was by our side. He's been through every high and low alongside us. Even now, he's still here."
One of the senior officials, emboldened by her words, added, "It's true. And let's be honest—if friend Wang only laid one brick for the Lin Group, then I've contributed no more than a grain of sand."
A few others nodded, whispering to one another in cautious agreement. None of them dared to question Lin Yuan directly, but the respect they held for Wang Qu was obvious.
Even Yan Ruyue, who had been silently observing, felt uncertain. Her gaze drifted between Lin Yuan and Wang Qu, struggling to make sense of the situation. Judging from everyone's reaction, Wang Qu's credentials were genuine. His past contributions were significant, even undeniable.
Could he really be a spy?
She studied his composed face and then looked at Lin Yuan's expression—calm, yet watchful.
She began to doubt.
And just as tension reached a peak and several officials looked like they might speak further in Wang Qu's defense, a sudden sound cut through the room.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause.
Heads turned, startled.
It was Lin Yuan.
He was clapping slowly, his smile cold and sharp.
"Well said, Uncle Wang. Truly," Lin Yuan said with admiration that felt more biting than sincere. "Your eloquence is impeccable. You haven't lost your touch."
"With your ability, you are indeed an exceptional talent—calm under pressure, articulate, and composed in the face of accusations. It's no wonder you've been able to hide in plain sight all these years."
Lin Yuan paused and looked around the room before continuing.
"It's truly unfortunate," he said, his voice laced with finality, "that a man as talented and smart as you… will no longer be working for the Lin Group."
"This…"
Lin Yuan's words were like a thunderclap in a clear sky, leaving everyone momentarily stunned. The room fell into a tense silence.
To accuse someone like Wang Qu—without a shred of evidence—and then to suggest kicking him out on the spot? It was almost unthinkable.
Many of the key officials instinctively wanted to speak up, to argue, to stop this madness. After all, Wang Qu had long been seen as a pillar of the Lin Group. Surely this couldn't be happening?
But before anyone could utter a word, Lin Yuan raised his hand, his voice calm but firm:
"Don't speak. Let me tell you all a short story first."
His words, though soft, carried a strange weight, as if compelling everyone to listen. Perhaps it was the calm in his eyes, or the quiet confidence in his posture, but no one interrupted again—not even Wang Qu.
Even those who had been prepared to protest found themselves hesitating. One by one, they fell silent.
Lin Yuan didn't spare anyone a glance. He simply continued speaking, his tone slow and deliberate:
"This story takes place in Jiangbei. There was once a powerful and wealthy family there, known far and wide—let's call them the Chen family. Within that family, there was a young man named Chen Qu."
The audience shifted uneasily. Some looked at each other in confusion. A few raised their eyebrows in suspicion. What was Lin Yuan getting at? Was he implying that Wang Qu was this Chen Qu?
Surely not. It couldn't be that simple.
But Lin Yuan went on, unfazed by their confusion.
"Chen Qu was a bastard child of the Chen family. Though talented, smart, and full of potential, his status held him back. Because he was born to a maid, he couldn't enter the core leadership of the family, no matter how capable he was. He was always beneath the true heirs, even lower than heirs of the official concubines."
"In time, the Chen family began laying the groundwork for domination. They wanted to unify Jiangbei and eliminate the competition. So they devised a strategy—sending spies into every major family in the region. Most of these spies were mediocre talents, easily replaceable, meant to blend in without raising suspicion."
"But Chen Qu… was different."
Lin Yuan's voice dropped slightly, becoming colder.
"He realized something. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how loyal he appeared, he would never be accepted by the Chen family for who he was. So he made a choice. A dangerous one. He volunteered to be a spy. To leave the Chen family in name, to infiltrate another large family. A family not much weaker than the Chens."
"As soon as he left, his potential bloomed. Without anyone to suppress him, he soared. He made brilliant business moves, struck lucrative deals, and earned the full trust of the new family he joined. With tireless effort and impeccable skills, he brought them billions in wealth. He became their backbone… even part of their soul."
Lin Yuan let his words linger, letting the weight of the story settle over the room.
"But no matter how deep his loyalty appeared on the surface, he never truly forgot his mission."
"One day, the Chen family contacted him again. It was time. His orders were clear—bring down the family he had helped build from the inside. And so, Chen Qu began weaving his final web."
"He rose even further. He became a core executive. A shareholder. He gathered all the information he needed. And when the moment came—he struck. The family crumbled from within, betrayed by the man they trusted the most."
"And for his success, Chen Qu was rewarded. He returned to the Chen family, not as an outcast, but as a hero. A man who had done the impossible. He used his betrayal to buy his way into the very core of the family that once ignored him. Eventually… he even took full control of the Chen family itself."
Lin Yuan's eyes sharpened, his voice now carrying a razor's edge.
"Ten years. That's how long he waited. Ten years of loyalty, just to deliver a single, fatal blow. That's not just patience—that's ambition."
Then, with a slightly mocking smile, Lin Yuan added:
"There's an old poem. The first line reads: 'Where there is a will, there is a way. Cut off all means of retreat, and the Qin cities shall fall to Chu.'"
"The second line: 'To endure hardship sharpens the will; after years of toil, three thousand soldiers could swallow a kingdom whole.'"
(T/N: The two lines came from a famous Chinese couplet)
He paused and slowly turned to Wang Qu, meeting his eyes.
"And now," Lin Yuan said with a faint smile, "I have just one question left."
"Uncle Wang Qu… or should I say, Uncle Chen Qu? Which name do you prefer?"
*****
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