Chapter 30: Returning to the Capital

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the floor shimmer. The oppressive atmosphere from moments ago dissipated instantly, as if nothing had ever happened.

Recalling what Lin Ting had said to him the night before, Shang Moting remarked, "The hotel owner is a friend of mine."

Lin Ting took a sip of soy milk and replied, "Who says you can’t be your own friend?"

Shang Moting continued, "I’m done negotiating. Let the owner come and talk."

Lin Ting chuckled. "Exactly. And the owner coming to talk is still me. Are you happy, President Shang?"

"Then how does Boss Lin intend to negotiate?" Shang Moting asked.

Lin Ting thought for a moment. "Why don’t you come and be the person in charge of Jiangcheng Interstellar Hotel? That way... you’ll have a share in the hotel's profits. It’s pretty much the same as the request you made yesterday."

"You really don't like to lose out, do you?" Shang Moting said. "You're getting me to drop the lawsuit and making me work for you at the same time."

Lin Ting looked at him, full of anticipation. "Can you?"

Shang Moting spoke two words slowly and leisurely: "Dream on."

Lin Ting lost all desire to speak. She took a small sip of her soy milk, paused, and then said, "Maybe you should sue Xiang Zheng instead."

Shang Moting looked at her. Before he could say anything, two knocks sounded at the door. "Boss, are you in?"

It was Wei Zhishu's voice.

"Yes," Lin Ting said. "Come in."

Fang Cheng and Wei Zhishu entered together.

"Those two idiots didn't even close the door behind them when they left," Lin Ting muttered. "Bastards."

Wei Zhishu and Fang Cheng looked at Lin Ting, then at Shang Moting. Lin Ting looked at them too, noticing the injuries on their faces. There were purple and blue bruises at the corners of their mouths and near their eyes—clearly the marks of fists. It looked like injuries from yesterday.

"Are you two hurt?" Lin Ting asked.

At her question, all three men in the room fell silent.

Lin Ting looked at the trio. "What’s wrong? Is there actually someone out there who could hurt you two?"

No one spoke. Lin Ting was full of question marks, but her curiosity grew stronger. "What happened?" she asked, looking at Shang Moting.

Shang Moting watched her face, which was brimming with gossip. Lin Ting leaned in closer. "What went down?"

Shang Moting met her gaze for a moment and said, "Ask them."

Lin Ting looked at the two men. Wei Zhishu and Fang Cheng didn't want to talk. Lin Ting observed their wounds. "These injuries of yours... they look like they were caused by a brawl between the two of you."

Wei Zhishu and Fang Cheng exchanged a glance, glared at each other, and then looked away.

Lin Ting understood immediately. "Why on earth were you fighting? Infighting?"

"They were also targeted in their room last night," Shang Moting said.

Lin Ting glanced at Shang Moting, paused for two seconds, and then her eyes widened. "You two!"

Her shout startled all three men.

Shang Moting: "..."

Lin Ting stood up, stroked her chin, and scrutinized them before giving Fang Cheng’s arm a pat. "I never would have guessed it. You two..."

Wei Zhishu suddenly realized what she was thinking and said, "It’s not what you think."

"Oh?" Lin Ting’s smile faded halfway. "Then what is it?"

As if they didn't want to bring it up, no one spoke again. Lin Ting sauntered over to Shang Moting, rested her elbow on his shoulder, and looked at them. "If you don't talk, I’m going to start spreading rumors."

Shang Moting looked at Lin Ting, who was using him as a leaning post. Fang Cheng watched them, wondering how many seconds it would take for his boss to push Lin Ting away.

To prevent her from spreading rumors, Wei Zhishu explained, "After we were drugged last night, we went swimming. It was cooler in the pool, you know."

Lin Ting thought that was a decent method; it could even speed up the expulsion of the drugs from their systems.

"Then, we started arguing about who was the best swimmer, and we ended up fighting," Wei Zhishu said, his voice trailing off. "The owner of the swimming center called the police."

"I went to the police station to bail them out last night," Shang Moting added.

Wei Zhishu lowered his head, wishing he could disappear. Fang Cheng was still counting the seconds.

Lin Ting looked at Shang Moting. "So, when I saw you coming back in the early hours, it was because you had gone to the station to bail them out?"

Shang Moting nodded.

Lin Ting was silent for two seconds, then began to laugh, patting Shang Moting’s shoulder as she did. Wei Zhishu wanted to hide his head. Because Lin Ting had straightened up, Fang Cheng stopped counting and began to process the information.

Shang Moting watched Lin Ting laugh; the sound was soft but persistent.

Lin Ting said, "Your people?"

Shang Moting: "..."

Lin Ting laughed until her shoulders shook. "President Shang, *your* people?"

Shang Moting took the hand that was patting his shoulder and squeezed it. "Ask again, and they’ll be yours."

Lin Ting’s laughter ceased abruptly. She stood up straight, smoothed her hair, and cleared her throat, pretending that nothing had just happened.

Wei Zhishu’s mouth twitched. What was that supposed to mean? Did he really want to get rid of them that badly?

Fang Cheng watched his boss holding the young lady’s hand. The action was natural; it didn't look like the first time. Fang Cheng analyzed it silently for a moment before saying, "Boss, when are we departing?"

They had received a call from the capital early in the morning, and they should have left long ago. But their boss had come here instead.

Lin Ting froze for a moment and looked at Shang Moting.

Shang Moting held her hand, pulled her from behind him to his side, and looked down at her. "Returning to the capital."

"Today?" Lin Ting asked.

Shang Moting nodded. "We’re leaving in a while."

"So sudden?"

Shang Moting looked at her.

Lin Ting said, "I really do think it’s too sudden, and I’m not trying to fish for information. Of course, if you want to tell me, I’m all ears."

Shang Moting didn't speak.

Lin Ting didn't ask further. "Shall I see you off?"

Shang Moting stood up, but he didn't let go of her hand, leading her toward the exit. Lin Ting told the young woman to wait in the room while she saw Shang Moting off.

The car was already parked at the hotel entrance. Wei Zhishu opened the door.

Lin Ting asked, "Will you come back after you’ve handled your business?"

Shang Moting looked at her. "To sue the Interstellar Hotel?"

Lin Ting replied, "Then you'd better not come back."

Shang Moting chuckled and patted the top of her head.

Lin Ting said, "Fine. If we meet again, it’ll be fate. Have a safe trip."

Shang Moting got into the car. Wei Zhishu and Fang Cheng followed.

"Miss Lin, we’re off," Wei Zhishu said.

Lin Ting replied, "Mm, and stop fighting with your friend."

Wei Zhishu fell silent instantly and drove away. Lin Ting waved at Shang Moting, watched the car drive off, and then headed back upstairs.

The young woman was sitting on the sofa in the living room waiting for her. She stood up immediately upon seeing her. "Boss Lin."

Lin Ting looked at her. "The hotel will provide you with a severance package and three months of paid leave. After three months, it’s up to you whether you want to return or go somewhere else."

The young woman stared at her blankly.

Lin Ting continued, "This is the hotel's compensation. As for Song Zhiyuan, whether you want to settle privately or call the police is up to you."

The young woman nodded.

Lin Ting said, "The woman outside will escort you home. They won't bother you again; that is the hotel's promise."

"Okay." The young woman nodded again and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she bowed to Lin Ting. "Thank you."

"Go on," Lin Ting said. "The compensation will be transferred to your payroll card. Keep an eye out for it, and get some rest."

"Yes."

After the young woman left, Lin Ting took out her laptop, looked up some information, and sent everything she had found to Shen Anyu.

[Send both Song Zhiyuan and Xiang Zheng in.]