Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: He Shares a Bond of Heart and Mind with His Brothers, While They Engage in Mind Games with Him

“No matter how much you calculate, how could she possibly know that Panhai is just as unreliable?”

At the mention of Panhai, Ling Dongyan couldn’t help but think of Qin Che, his eyes instantly darkening. “Get to the point.”

Men often competed silently among themselves.

Even without Ling Dongyan saying it outright, Mu Yuan understood why.

He snapped his fingers and swiped down on his iPad. “Third Brother, look, in the past two years, the chairman of Panhai and your father…”

Before he could finish, Ling Dongyan’s sharp gaze swept over him, a silent warning.

He just wanted to tease a little, so he quickly corrected himself. “The chairman and Ling Jianfu often frequent casinos in Las Vegas, and mostly lose…”

High-definition photos filled the screen, including clear shots of Ling Jianfu entering and leaving the casino.

The glaring red and green neon signs were impossible to ignore.

“What’s even more interesting is here.”

A mocking smile curled at Mu Yuan’s lips.

His hands moved swiftly as he grabbed a paper bag from the other side of the sofa and spilled out a heap of photographs.

Ling Dongyan casually picked one up, narrowing his eyes to scan it.

“360 degrees with no blind spots, each close-up clearer than the last, poker chips stacked right in front.”

As he examined one photo, Mu Yuan thoughtfully explained another.

Judging by the chips, it was no casual gambling; the stakes were in the tens of millions.

Seeing him toss the photos aside, Mu Yuan continued, “Everyone around the casino is blurred out, but the chairman’s face is crystal clear.”

“Such high-quality candid shots only happen in one scenario—collusion. Looks like the targets were very clearly identified,” Ling Dongyan said coldly, expression unreadable.

Mu Yuan gave him a thumbs-up.

“He went with the Panhai big boss, who is Qin Che’s father. Panhai stayed in the shadows, letting him take the fall.”

Mu Yuan sighed. “They’re brothers who trust each other, playing a game of wits. Ling Dongyan probably never imagined these photos were leaked by his own brother.”

“That’s the real meaning of being sold out, and still helping count someone else’s money!”

Mu Yuan knew a bit about the feud between Third Brother and his father.

There were many ways to make things difficult for Jianfu Jewelry, but Third Brother chose the most piercing, ruthless approach.

Once these photos went public, combined with the atrocious financial reports of Jianfu Jewelry, the Ling family wouldn’t have a good day ahead.

Moreover, since Ling Dongyan also bore the Ling name, this kind of self-destructive tactic would make people think he was insane.

It might even drag down Youxing’s stock price overseas.

Just imagining the losses made Mu Yuan wince.

“Keep the photos for now. For gamblers, where there’s one, there’s always another. He won’t stop here.”

In the low-key yet luxurious room, the lighting dimmed and flickered; he seemed like a god of death descended among mortals, able to snatch life with ease.

The murderous intent in his eyes needed no hiding.

Mu Yuan felt the temperature around them drop several degrees but still tried to reason, “Third Brother, aren’t you playing too big here?”

As Ling Dongyan’s longtime close friend, having battled together in the business world for years, Mu Yuan knew exactly what he was thinking.

Planning meticulously before acting, Third Brother was aiming for a fatal blow.

When dealing with them, one must strike at the heart of the snake.

Ling Dongyan’s gaze darkened, already full of killing intent. “Are they teaming up to bully Yan Yan? Then I’ll return the favor tooth for tooth, eye for eye.”

“How Huai Bei Street ended up in their hands, I’ll make sure they return it the same way.”

Every time he recalled that day when Nie Xingyan buried her head in his chest, silently holding back tears, his heart shattered.

What was all this money for?

Was it not so the people he wanted to protect could live freely and without fear?

Losing some money was nothing. As long as Yan Yan was happy, nothing else mattered.

Mu Yuan understood Ling Dongyan’s determination and said no more.

Since Third Brother had spoken, there was only one word to describe their course of action: Go for it!

“Huai Bei Street is officially said to be in Panhai’s hands, but even if they want to demolish it, I doubt they have the funds.”

Especially with gambling involved.

Claims about poor market conditions or investment mistakes were nonsense.

Once someone is addicted to gambling, even immortals can’t save them.

Especially rich bosses like them—small bets for leisure, served with dedicated rooms and staff to let them feel the thrill of throwing away fortunes.

When winning, they want more; when losing, they chase losses, sinking deeper with no way back.

No wonder they became in-laws, bonded by shared misery.

“The rumors that Huai Bei Street was acquired by Panhai are just smoke screens. Panhai is barely surviving themselves, how could they afford such a huge demolition fee?”

“It’s just triangular debt being shuffled around to polish their image, then finding some sucker to take over.”

Between their conversation, Ling Dongyan had finished half a bottle of wine, a faint flush coloring his handsome face.

“Let them jump around for a few more days.”

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Jiang Junmei had schemed her whole life, yet never imagined that the Huai Bei Street she thought sold for billions was mortgaged by her gambler husband to pay off debts.

Mu Yuan thought the same.

“But Sister-in-law caused quite a timely stir, making the Ling family believe they sold a prized asset, saving us a lot of publicity.”

Mu Yuan blurted out “Sister-in-law” behind her back, the words becoming easier to say.

Sure enough, Ling Dongyan’s lips twitched, but he quickly suppressed it. “Don’t call her that. Not yet at least.”

Having been brothers for so long, Mu Yuan knew what Ling Dongyan was thinking and made a gesture, palm to temple: “Don’t worry, Third Brother.”

By the time they finished talking, it was nearly ten o’clock at night.

The wine bottle was nearly empty.

Ling Dongyan staggered as he walked.

Outside, a torrential downpour cascaded from the eaves, punctuated by muffled thunder.

It didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon.

“You’re sober. Take me back to Xi Mansion,” Ling Dongyan slurred, his consciousness blurring.

Xi Mansion was the sea-view penthouse.

“But didn’t you say you wouldn’t go back?”

There was a property not far away, his own; why not just crash there?

Ling Dongyan felt the alcohol’s effects hit harder than usual. Normally three bottles wouldn’t faze him, but today just one bottle made him dizzy.

He sensed something was off.

Mu Yuan began nagging again.

“Third Brother, I haven’t caused trouble or offended you recently. You don’t have to treat me like this on such a rainy night, do you?”

Xi Mansion was in the east of the city, a round trip by car taking over half an hour, and with the rain, traffic might be a nightmare.

Ling Dongyan staggered, pressing his thumb and forefinger to his brow, exhaling the scent of wine. “Yan Yan is afraid of thunder. I have to go back and keep her company.”