I am your father.

Song Qingzhu looked at Lin Qi with some surprise.

In her understanding, Lin Qi was one of Tang Long’s men; at a time like this, he should be secretly enjoying her predicament, not taking the initiative to shoulder trouble for her. But after a moment’s thought, she understood. If he wanted to gain her trust, how could he do so without paying a price?

“And who do you think you are? Is this any of your business?” Gong Jun cursed outright, his anger boiling over and finding its outlet in Lin Qi.

“Fine, I’ll leave it to you. If you succeed, you’ll be handsomely rewarded,” Song Qingzhu replied coolly.

Gong Jun stared at her in astonishment, not yet grasping her intentions. Meanwhile, Lin Qi had already turned and left.

Luohu Commercial Plaza.

The construction site, once bustling with activity, was now desolate; hardly any workers remained. Old Qiu had parked several large trucks at the entrance, blocking the way, and patrolled the grounds with his men. Anyone who dared to work was beaten without hesitation.

With the project at a standstill, most of the staff had already withdrawn, but Manager Zhan had yet to receive orders to return and remained on site, now the highest authority in the deserted camp.

Inside the prefab dormitory, Manager Zhan lay on his bed, blissfully playing a mobile game. He had nothing to do, yet drew a high salary each day. Was there a happier life than this? When Song Qingzhu first transferred him to the site, he was disgruntled and resentful. But now that work had stopped, he had become completely idle, his pay unchanged, and he began to enjoy the pleasures of doing nothing.

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open with force.

Old Qiu stormed in with several men.

“What do you think you’re doing, Old Qiu?” Manager Zhan sat up at once.

“Who do you think you are, calling me Old Qiu?” Old Qiu strode over and slapped Manager Zhan hard on both cheeks. “Tell me, why haven’t you started using my earthworks?”

Blood trickled from Manager Zhan’s mouth and nose, stars dancing before his eyes, but he had no choice but to answer. “I’ve already reported it to the head office. They’re discussing the matter…”

“Just some dirt—does it really need to go to head office? You’re a useless manager! Start using my earthworks, or I’ll beat you three times a day!” Old Qiu kicked him a few more times before he finally left with his men.

Manager Zhan, a grown man, looked at his miserable reflection and could not help but collapse onto the bed, wailing in despair.

“What did I do to deserve this?”

“Why did President Song send me here?”

“And Lin Qi, I’ve always treated your sister-in-law so well, why won’t you help me…”

The door creaked open and someone stepped inside.

“I could hear you crying from a mile away. What’s happened?” The newcomer greeted him cheerfully.

Manager Zhan looked up—it was Lin Qi! But Lin Qi’s appearance was bizarre: hair disheveled, face smeared with dirt, wrapped in a military overcoat. Little did Manager Zhan know, if Lin Qi hadn’t disguised himself this way, he wouldn’t have made it past the site gate.

“Come now, tell me, what’s going on?” Lin Qi sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze full of concern.

Manager Zhan recounted his ordeal in detail.

“Lin Qi, please put in a word with President Song for me. Let me go back as soon as possible!” Manager Zhan’s tears flowed freely, his face a mess of snot and blood, looking utterly pitiful.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible right now. Deal with Old Qiu’s business, and then I’ll have reason to speak up for you.”

“He’s a local thug! How could I possibly handle him?” Manager Zhan was frantic, but Lin Qi waved him off. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Just call him over.”

Half doubting, half trusting Lin Qi, Manager Zhan called Old Qiu.

Before long, Old Qiu arrived, bringing four or five of his men.

“So, Manager Zhan, you’ve come around? When are we signing the contract?” Old Qiu grinned, slinging an arm around Manager Zhan’s shoulders as he sat beside him.

Though Old Qiu noticed another person in the room, Lin Qi’s shabby appearance made him look like an ordinary worker, not worth a second glance. The other men stood guard at the door.

Manager Zhan glanced nervously at Lin Qi.

Old Qiu frowned. “What are you looking at him for?”

Lin Qi spoke as well: “Yes, Manager Zhan, why are you looking at me?”

On the verge of tears, Manager Zhan stammered, “Lin Qi, this isn’t funny. You told me to call Old Qiu over…”

Hearing this, Old Qiu’s face darkened. He stood and strode toward Lin Qi. “Who the hell are you, and why’d you call me—”

Before he could finish, Lin Qi suddenly sprang up and kicked Old Qiu hard in the stomach.

Caught off guard, Old Qiu toppled backward and crashed to the floor, arms and legs flailing.

Lin Qi lunged, planting a foot on Old Qiu’s chest.

“I’m your father!” Lin Qi roared.

Sensing trouble, the four or five men at the door rushed in.

“Nobody move, or he dies!” Lin Qi drew a steel blade from behind his back and pressed it to Old Qiu’s throat.