Chapter 20 - Identity Shift, Just Thinking About It Is Thrilling!

Chapter 20: Identity Shift, Just Thinking About It Is Thrilling!

One couldn’t blame Xia Yanshuang for being overly suspicious!

As the CEO of the Lin Corporation, a company worth hundreds of billions, she couldn’t have survived if she were just an ordinary person—she would have been pushed out long ago!

The Lin family was a massive clan, but internally, it was far from a united front. Letting an outsider take control? That was unthinkable!

Even if—

Her nominal identity was her elder sister, Xia Yanbing, the mother of Lin Xi, that still didn’t mean the rest of the Lin family would accept her.

The only reason she had managed to hold power was that she was a woman of exceptional capability—a true iron lady.

And now, because of a casual explanation from Lin Xi, Xia Yanshuang found herself harboring doubts.

“No, it can’t be. Xiao Xi shouldn’t know much about that project…”

Xia Yanshuang couldn’t help but analyze the situation.

After all—

What Zhang Chen revealed tonight was astonishing!

It just so happened to touch upon the biggest crisis the Lin family was currently facing.

She had no choice but to carefully evaluate it.

Xia Yanshuang was Xia Yanshuang—

Even though she was suspicious, she didn’t show it.

Lin Xi was nothing more than a naive and innocent heiress. How could she possibly think that far ahead?

Little did she know—

The moment she returned to her room, Xia Yanshuang immediately made a phone call.

She instructed her most trusted subordinates to start an investigation in secret.

“President Xia!”

“Find a few people to investigate the people around the young lady.”

After a brief moment of thought, Xia Yanshuang added, “Especially a young man named Ye Fan.”

“Understood, President Xia. I’ll arrange it immediately!”

Over the years, Xia Yanshuang had built up considerable influence within the Lin family.

It was no exaggeration to say that she was the one propping up the entire family.

She had numerous loyal subordinates and commanded immense authority.

Using her sister’s identity, she had taken control of the Lin Corporation as its matriarch.

After hanging up, Xia Yanshuang returned to her bedroom, exhausted.

She retrieved a file from her safe.

It was an investigation report on the ‘accidental deaths’ of her sister Xia Yanbing and her husband—Lin Xi’s father.

The accident happened ten years ago.

Both husband and wife perished together, but Xia Yanshuang had kept the truth hidden from everyone.

She had taken on her sister’s identity—Xia Yanbing!

“Sister, I really hope Xiao Xi isn’t behind this. Otherwise, even I won’t be able to protect her…”

Worry flashed in Xia Yanshuang’s eyes.

After all, the Lin family was a major clan where power struggles were inevitable.

No matter how well she protected Lin Xi, as the legitimate heiress, if Lin Xi ever did something that harmed the family’s interests—

Especially if she caused a major financial loss—

The consequences would be unimaginable.

“I hope it’s not that girl…”

But could things really be that simple?

Once the seed of suspicion was planted, it would only be a matter of time before it took root and grew.

Even if Xia Yanshuang refused to sit idly by, when the time came—

She wouldn’t just be facing the Lin family.

She would have to deal with the Zhang family.

The other investors.

And most importantly—

The new drug project was backed by

that

organization!

…

As for what was happening with the Lin mother and daughter—

Zhang Chen had no idea.

But to say his words tonight were said unintentionally?

That would be a joke.

He did it on purpose!

Deliberately!

His goal was simple.

“If nothing unexpected happens, the Lin family will soon start suspecting that kid Ye Fan.”

Zhang Chen returned to his villa in a great mood.

From securing the first heroine, Xing Lingyun, in advance—

To now beginning his setup to sever Ye Fan’s ties with the Lin family—

Everything was going according to plan.

Even more satisfying—

Under his design, Ye Fan had even taken off his most crucial golden finger, the

Qian Yuan Mirror

, which had the power to suppress all sorts of demons and ghosts.

All for the sake of suppressing his sister Ye Yiyi’s “illness.”

At this point—

Zhang Chen’s scheme against Ye Fan was already more than halfway complete.

“If I take action against Ye Fan now, my chances should be quite high, right?”

Fate was an elusive thing—

Invisible, intangible.

Zhang Chen only realized Ye Fan’s fate had been shaken after hearing that he had accidentally fallen and broken his leg last night.

“But it’s still not secure enough. Even if Ye Fan’s fate is damaged, as long as there’s a tiny sliver of luck left, he might still survive.”

With more than half a month left—

Zhang Chen had plenty of time to perfect his plan.

And when the time came—

He would strike with a decisive blow!

Leaving Ye Fan with no chance of turning the tables.

Sure enough!

As soon as he returned to his villa, he received news from the hospital.

“Young Master, that kid’s artifact is definitely supernatural!”

The call came from one of Zhang Chen’s bodyguards stationed at the hospital.

They had tried to steal the

Qian Yuan Mirror

from Ye Yiyi’s hospital room while Ye Fan was away—

But as expected, they failed!

Although Zhang Chen was slightly disappointed, he wasn’t surprised.

“Keep watching him.”

“Understood, Young Master!”

Zhang Chen hung up.

Stealing the

Qian Yuan Mirror

was only one part of the plan—it wasn’t a must.

The mirror’s greatest value was in helping Ye Fan subdue demons and spirits.

Without them, the

Qian Yuan Mirror

was nothing more than a talisman for warding off evil.

“Looks like this won’t be easy.”

Zhang Chen shook his head.

Despite his efforts—

His bodyguards, the hospital staff, and even the on-duty doctors and nurses—

None of them could take the mirror from Ye Yiyi.

Every time they tried, bizarre accidents happened.

It defied all logic.

It was simply impossible.

“That just means Ye Fan’s fate hasn’t been weakened enough!”

Zhang Chen pondered, wanting to consult the system.

Unfortunately, there was no response.

The system clearly wanted him to figure it out himself.

After all, the system wasn’t omniscient. How could it know everything?

So—

Upon returning to his villa, Zhang Chen wasted no time in spreading a crucial piece of information.

The Lin family’s multi-billion-dollar new drug project—

Had encountered a massive issue!

The research had been halted, multiple laboratories had allegedly been destroyed—

And all their investments were on the verge of going up in smoke!

“What you’re doing will push the Lin family into a desperate situation.”

Even Xing Lingyun felt a chill down her spine.

Though she was once a high-ranking judge of the Demon-Slaying Division—

And was now a powerful demon herself—

She still found Zhang Chen far more terrifying than any monster.

Zhang Chen merely chuckled.

Unconcerned, he replied, “If they don’t taste despair, how will they learn obedience?”

His reasoning left Xing Lingyun speechless.

Zhang Chen continued, smiling, “Only those who hit rock bottom will be truly grateful to the one who lends them a hand.”

After all, what’s the point of adding flowers to brocade?

Only those who bring warmth in the snow can win over hearts.

Zhang Chen knew this well.

His objectives were twofold:

Frame Ye Fan—

And make him enemies with the Lin family!

The second?

Xia Yanshuang.

Yes—

Not Lin Xi, but Xia Yanshuang!

Because in Zhang Chen’s eyes, Lin Xi was nothing more than a pretty face.

But Xia Yanshuang?

Not only was she beautiful, but she was also a formidable businesswoman!

And most importantly—

She was an

official

female lead.

Granted, he was the one who decided that…

A stunning CEO older woman?

Lin Xi calling him

Daddy

?

Just thinking about it was thrilling!