Chapter 154 Adventure

Don't those beauty pageants in the port city prefer women with delicate features and outstanding temperament?

With a little packaging and a bit of networking, it's not difficult to make someone famous.

All we need to do is bring her back there, find a professional stylist, hire the best agent, dress her up nicely, and create a buzz around her.

They can definitely make a name for themselves in high society, and even become famous overnight, gaining both fame and fortune!

Thinking of this, his eyes unconsciously brightened a little.

Before Qiao Wanyin could refute him, he took another step closer.

"Ah Qing, you've been to Hong Kong and seen its prosperity. Skyscrapers, bright lights, women dressed smartly, respected wherever they go. Look at you now, living a life of hardship, pinching every penny, unable to even afford a decent piece of clothing. Don't you want to try again? Don't you want to try your luck again?"

Qiao Wanyin couldn't help but laugh, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

She looked at Lin Zhiming as if he were a joke.

"Lin Zhiming, do you think that now that I have money in my pocket, I should be as foolish as before, believing all your nonsense and following you down the same old path?"

Lin Zhiming didn't take it seriously, and instead shrugged, adopting a matter-of-fact attitude.

"People strive to rise higher, while water flows downhill."

He said dismissively, "Who doesn't understand this principle?"

Who wouldn't want a good life?

Anyone would choose a better life.

After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Fu Lian standing to the side, his eyes full of contempt.

"Come with me, live in a big house, wear gold and silver, travel in a car, and have servants by your side. It's a hundred times better than staying in this small place with a poor soldier, worrying about firewood and rice every day."

Fu Li'an's eyes turned cold, and his pupils contracted slightly.

Qiao Wanyin noticed his emotional fluctuations and calmly reached out to gently press the back of his hand.

She looked away and turned her gaze back to Lin Zhiming.

"Lin Zhiming, stop daydreaming. I'm not the little girl you used to fool with a few sweet words anymore."

“My husband is a soldier, and I am a military dependent. We live a stable life. Although we are not rich, we are at peace with ourselves, trust each other, and support each other. This kind of life does not need your guidance, nor does it crave your charity of ‘opportunities’.”

Lin Zhiming stared at her, remained silent for a few seconds, and then suddenly chuckled softly.

“Ah Qing,” he slowly shook his head, his tone meaningful, “Don’t make any definitive statements. I’m not just passing through this time; I’m going to stay for a while.”

He paused meaningfully, his gaze lingering on her face.

"We...have plenty of time."

"Heh, I suggest you leave now. I don't tolerate any nonsense. Anyone who tries to play tricks on me will be met with a cold shoulder."

Lin Zhiming's face darkened, his brows furrowed, and a shadow of gloom swept across his face.

But it was fleeting; he was still smiling, a fake smile.

"Aqing's temper is still as fiery as ever, she hasn't changed at all, it really makes me miss her."

After speaking, he slowly stood up, his movements calm and unhurried, and reached out to straighten his crisp suit and tie.

Then, he looked down at Fu Li'an with a contemptuous gaze.

"Commander Fu, let's talk another day. We... will meet again sooner or later."

Fu Li'an looked back at him coldly.

"Mr. Lin, this is not a place for you to cause trouble. It's best to know some rules."

Lin Zhiming understood the implication in those words, and his expression stiffened slightly.

But he quickly regained his composure, still smiling, but with a hint of coldness in his smile.

"Thank you for the reminder, Commander Fu. It's very thoughtful. I will keep it in mind."

What is he afraid of?

He sneered inwardly.

If he didn't have some background or confidence, would he dare to come to the mainland again?

Dare to speak on this land?

He's no longer the nobody who used to be bossed around.

Fu Li'an was just a regimental commander, with a gun in his hand and a position on his shoulders.

He can manage matters within the military, but he can't get involved in the undercurrents of the business world.

Those power-money transactions and transfers of benefits were completely outside his jurisdiction.

As the old saying goes, money can move mountains.

As long as you have money, you can get in no matter how high the threshold is.

With enough money, a path can be forged between right and wrong.

His purpose in coming this time was clear.

The point is to let Qiao Wanyin see and experience firsthand just how powerful money really is.

She needs to understand what kind of world she rejected back then.

After Lin Zhiming left, the sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Silence finally returned to the room.

Qiao Wanyin's tense shoulders slowly relaxed, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She turned to look at Fu Lian, only to find that his brows remained furrowed.

“Li An, ignore him,” she said softly. “He’s not worth your time. He’s not worth even a second glance.”

She reached out and gently grasped Fu Lian'an's hand; her palm was slightly cool.

"I won't be foolish again, I won't be deceived by his feigned affection again. Trust me."

Fu Li'an remained silent for a moment, then his gaze slowly fell on her face.

Then, he whispered, "Qingqing, I'm not afraid you'll be deceived."

Why is that?

Qiao Wanyin was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt appearing in her eyes.

"He appeared out of nowhere."

Fu Li'an's tone was solemn.

"After not seeing him for a few years, he went from a street hustler, an unemployed bum who made a living by swindling and cheating, to a big boss? Owning a company, driving luxury cars, and wearing designer brands? The ins and outs of this are definitely not simple."

Qiao Wanyin was stunned for a moment, and her heart suddenly trembled.

"Yes! Where did he get so much money? What did he do to make his fortune? There must be something fishy going on here; it can't possibly be a legitimate business."

The more she thought about it, the more horrified she became, and her voice involuntarily lowered.

"Someone like him has always been a cunning and manipulative person, cheating people out of money. Who knows what shady things he's done over the years! Money laundering, smuggling, or even worse..."

Fu Lian nodded, his expression solemn.

“I have to get to the bottom of his past. I can’t let him run wild here, and I can’t let him use business as a cover to disrupt the peace of this place.”

Qiao Wanyin looked at his profile, feeling both relieved and worried.

"Yes, be careful. Don't let him realize you're investigating him; things done in secret are most likely to go wrong."

She paused, then added, "Be careful in everything you do. I don't want you to take risks for me."

Fu Lian gently squeezed her hand.

“You need to be careful these next few days, and whatever you do, don’t go to see him alone. He may seem gentle on the surface, but who knows what he’s up to behind the scenes.”

Don't worry.

Qiao Wanyin tilted her head slightly.

"I don't have time to deal with scum like that. I'm too busy avoiding them to even think about going near them."

A few days later, Qiao Wanyin had almost completely forgotten about Lin Zhiming.

The mutual aid center was constantly dealing with problems.

The children have just gone through another poisoning incident.

Although my body has recovered.

But the psychological shadow lingered for a long time.

She not only needs to arrange for professional psychological counselors to take turns intervening.

I also have to personally monitor each child's condition.