{Chapter: 254 A black Nokia?!}
After Lin Yuan finished telling his story, a heavy silence fell upon the room.
Everyone was stunned.
Some exchanged glances, their expressions filled with disbelief and unease. What they had just heard wasn't merely a story—it felt like a revelation, a thunderclap breaking the calm.
A creeping sense of fear began to settle in.
If what Lin Yuan had said was even half true, then Wang Qu wasn't just a capable man—they were dealing with a truly terrifying force. A man who could endure, infiltrate, and deceive for over a decade, only to rise like a venomous serpent in the heart of their family. That kind of hidden ambition was chilling.
Even though Lin Yuan's tale was framed as a fictional anecdote, it felt far too real to be dismissed. His tone, his confidence, and the accuracy of his words shook everyone to the core.
Why?
Because it didn't feel like a lie.
Lin Yuan had spoken with such clarity and detail that it resonated deeply with everyone present. There was a strange certainty in the air—as though the truth had been unmasked right in front of them.
Of course, Lin Yuan had good reason to believe it. In fact, he was sure of it.
He clearly remembered Wang Qu from the original novel. That name had appeared frequently.
Wang Qu wasn't just a minor character or a loyal servant.
He is also a villain.
In the plot of the original story, Wang Qu had successfully competed for power and ascended to become the head of the Chen family. Once in power, his first act was to drive out Chen Meng—someone who had trusted him—and seize full control.
By that point, however, Chen Meng had already connected with Ye Feng.
Ye Feng, who had amassed overwhelming influence and prestige in Yanjing by then, traveled to Jiangbei and confronted Chen Qu.
With a single devastating blow, Ye Feng obliterated Chen Qu—physically and politically—then supported Chen Meng in reclaiming his rightful place in the family.
All of Chen Qu's schemes, his sacrifices, his meticulous planning across a decade—none of it could compete with Ye Feng's power and support.
That was how things had originally unfolded in the novel.
Lin Yuan knew that if Chen Qu hadn't been so ruthlessly ambitious—if he hadn't aimed to overthrow the entire Lin family—he might have considered recruiting him. After all, a man of such capabilities could be a great asset under the right circumstances.
But Chen Qu's hunger for power was insatiable.
And the more capable a person like that is, the more dangerous they become.
Lin Yuan had already made up his mind: the moment Wang Qu—no, Chen Qu—showed his true intentions, Lin Yuan would strike without hesitation.
One clean move. No mercy.
As Lin Yuan observed the tense expressions of the people around him, he gave a small, satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, Wang Qu's expression remained eerily calm.
But inside, a storm was raging.
When Lin Yuan finally turned to him and asked, "So, Uncle Wang Qu, do you prefer Wang Qu or Chen Qu?"—it was a direct accusation, one that pierced through any mask he wore.
Despite the pressure, Wang Qu responded with a faint smile and a composed tone:
"Young Master Lin, that was an excellent story you told. With a talent for spinning tales like that, it's almost a shame you haven't become a novelist. But no matter how beautifully crafted it was, it's still just a story. A story without evidence is nothing more than a bedtime tale."
He paused, then continued with cold clarity.
"You claim I'm from the Chen family. That my real name is not Wang Qu, but Chen Qu? Then may I ask you, Young Master Lin—can you produce any solid proof to back up your accusation?"
Despite his composed exterior, Wang Qu's heart was pounding erratically.
He was rattled.
He had spent years burying his identity, operating silently within the Lin family. Other than himself, only three people in the world knew his true origin. He had long accepted his life within the Lin family, almost believing he had severed ties with the Chen bloodline for good.
But just days ago, he had received a message.
A message from the Chen family.
They had reactivated the plan.
He was ordered to resume his role as their hidden blade.
And now, Lin Yuan—someone who should have had no knowledge of any of this—had exposed nearly every detail.
Not only did Lin Yuan know about his roots, but he also knew about the future betrayal of Chen Meng.
Even parts of the plan that Wang Qu hadn't yet finalized were mirrored almost exactly in Lin Yuan's version of events.
How was this possible?
Was Lin Yuan a mind reader?
Could he see into the future?
Panic swirled beneath the surface of Wang Qu's calm expression, but years of living as a spy had trained him to conceal his inner chaos.
He forced himself to breathe steadily.
Around the room, others began to shift uncomfortably.
Wang Qu made a valid point.
What Lin Yuan had said was powerful, even persuasive—but it was still just a story. A terrifying, highly detailed story with no actual evidence.
The mood shifted again.
Now people were starting to look at Lin Yuan with uncertainty. Their fear was turning into doubt.
Lin Yuan had managed to unmask Ding Fan before, and the proof was easy to find. That was why Ding Fan had broken so quickly and confessed everything.
But in Wang Qu's case?
There was no confession.
There was no concrete proof.
And in the eyes of many, if the Lin family truly wanted to accuse someone of being a traitor, then they needed hard evidence—not speculation.
No matter how detailed Lin Yuan's story was, if it couldn't be verified, it would be dangerous and unjust for the Lin family to condemn someone on suspicion alone.
After all, who would feel safe in such a family if accusations could be thrown around so casually?
And Wang Qu knew this as well. He had always been extremely cautious in every move he made—precise, meticulous, and thorough to the point of leaving no flaws or traces behind. That was why he stood tall and confident, challenging Lin Yuan without fear. He genuinely believed there was no way Lin Yuan could possibly have any hard evidence to expose him.
But to Wang Qu's surprise, Lin Yuan's expression remained unchanged. That same faint, knowing smile lingered on his lips—as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had expected.
Without saying anything more, Lin Yuan calmly pulled out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Hello? Is that Xiao Meng from the third floor? Oh? It's Xiao Yu? Ah, no problem. I just need you to do a quick task for me," he said in a relaxed tone. "Can you go to Manager Wang Qu's office and check the second row of drawers on the left side of his desk? There should be a black Nokia phone inside."
"A black Nokia," he emphasized. "Yes, that's the one. It probably won't power on. That's fine. Just bring it up here to the seventh floor. Don't worry, the directors are present, and Manager Wang Qu has already given his approval. Isn't that right, Uncle Wang Qu?"
Lin Yuan turned to glance at Wang Qu with a casual smile, but his words were like daggers.
Wang Qu's eyebrows twitched ever so slightly, but he didn't say a word.
Everyone around them was puzzled. What was Lin Yuan doing? What significance could there be in retrieving an old, seemingly useless Nokia phone? Could that really be the evidence he mentioned?
Moments later, a plump female employee from the third floor arrived, holding the black Nokia phone in her hands. She was clearly nervous, especially with all the important directors and key staff gathered around. Her eyes darted around anxiously, unsure of what she had walked into.
But when she saw Lin Yuan's calm and handsome face smiling reassuringly at her, she relaxed slightly and quickly handed him the phone.
As Lin Yuan accepted the phone, Wang Qu's expression changed again—subtle, but noticeable to a trained eye.
Holding the phone up, Lin Yuan gave it a slight shake and smiled. "Chen Qu," he said softly but clearly, "why don't you tell us the password?"
Wang Qu paused for a moment before composing himself. He responded in a level voice, "What password? That phone is from an older generation. Phones like that don't even have lock screens. Besides, it's completely broken. That phone was a gift from my first love. It no longer works, but because it holds sentimental value, I kept it as a memento. That's all."
The plump female employee, standing beside Lin Yuan, nodded earnestly. "Young Master Lin, what Mr. Qu said seems to be true. I tried to turn on the phone earlier, but it didn't respond at all. It really seems broken."
Everyone turned their attention to the phone in Lin Yuan's hand. With its cracked screen and worn-down keys, it certainly looked like an old, useless relic from the past. Was there really anything valuable in it?
*****
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