Section 13: Opportunity to Turn Over

At noon, the restaurant was bustling with customers.

Shen Yue spoke slowly but very clearly and confidently. He was not a man of many words, but since he had asked, he expected an answer.

Jin Xin stared at Shen Yue for a while before saying, "I've never shared my story with you."

Shen Yue nodded in response.

"You never asked." Jin Xin added, "I know you, you're the type of person who could see straight through others, but you'd never pry into anyone's privacy unless necessary." After a pause, Jin Xin sighed, "But your intuitive analysis of people, like my own suspicion, makes you wonder if a girl like Hai Mingzhu shows up at your doorstep, whether she is genuinely friendly or has something else in mind."

"That must be exhausting," Shen Yue sympathized.

"Yes, it is, which is why I usually act nonchalantly, just to ease my own burden." Jin Xin muttered, "You must know that it takes time to nourish a habit or a character, and they are often influenced by the environment one lives in."

His hand gripped the chopsticks a bit tighter, and his usually jovial expression revealed a trace of pain, "My previous survival situation forced me to be suspicious. If I hadn't been, I'd probably be dead by now."

Shen Yue looked at Jin Xin for a moment, "I understand, you don't have to continue."

"I still want to continue," Jin Xin insisted, "You're my most trusted friend and I don't want any misunderstandings between us. So I promise you, that if the day comes, I will tell you everything."

"The day?" Shen Yue wasn't sure when Jin Xin meant.

"The day I can finally hold my head high!" Jin Xin declared, looking straight at Shen Yue, "I know for you, everything is subject to negotiation. But for people like me, it's either success or death!"

Finally releasing his grip on the chopsticks, Jin Xin took a breath as if he had been suppressing something for years. "That's why I've been waiting for an opportunity. Cooperation with the Li Family is an ideal opportunity I've been preparing for, for years, it's a chance for me to turn my life around."

Seeing that Shen Yue was about to say something, Jin Xin added promptly, "But I promise you I will not resort to any means, I want to turn things around fair and square. You know I make a living on my own merits."

Shen Yue nodded slightly.

He believed what Jin Xin said. Even without deliberately prying, having spent enough time with Jin Xin, Shen Yue could sense the indignation hidden beneath his jovial demeanor.

Did Jin Xin's family situation make him suspicious? Without his suspicion, would he be in constant danger? What exactly was the horrifying environment he was in? Did Jin Xin escape from something? Was he preparing for years to achieve success, or was it for revenge?

Regarding these questions, Jin Xin remained silent. Was it because he thought the timing was not right, or did he consider them his own affairs he didn't want his friends to worry about? Shen Yue wondered quietly.

After a moment of silence, Jin Xin continued, "Actually, as early as six months ago, there was a crisis within the Li Clan, and I got wind of it at the time."

"The Li Clan?" Shen Yue frowned, "Not Giant Industries?" In his view, if it was related to Giant Industries, it meant Giant Li was having business trouble. If it was the Li Clan, it could possibly involve personal grudges.

Despite Shen Yue's words being seemingly inapparent to others, Jin Xin would understand, "Yes, the Li Clan! Apparently someone wants to take revenge on the Li Clan!"

Shen Yue was somewhat surprised, "Who would do such a thing?"

"I don't know." Jin Xin replied with a bitter smile, "I'm afraid those who do know aren't many. Even my insider can't make heads or tails of this highly confidential matter."

"Who is your informant?" Shen Yue inquired tentatively.

Jin Xin shook his head, "Shen Yue, it's not that I don't trust you, but I've sworn not to disclose anything about my informant."

Shen Yue did not press further, he just muttered, "Someone wants to take revenge on the Li family, and apparently the Li's couldn't handle this issue. If they could, there wouldn't be a tender today."

"Exactly. A revenge that was to be taken half a year ago, yet has been delayed until now, clearly indicates a huge problem." Jin Xin confirmed, "Right after I received the tip-off, I never lost track of this case. I have been always ready for an opportunity since then."

"Recruiting people by Giant Industries this time is different from before. Not only are they looking at records and procedures, but they're also looking for those who can really get things done. No wonder…" Shen Yue mused, "I felt you were behaving a bit aggressively today. You could have easily bribed Manager Liao, instead of provoking Wang Xinghai."

"The way I handled things today firstly, I have some grudges with Manager Liao from before, I don't fancy begging him with my tail between my legs. Second, just like you said, I want to show the Li's what we're capable of!"

Jin Xin emphasized the word "we" with strong self-confidence. He trusted his own abilities, and even more so in Shen Yue. Then he assuaged Shen Yue, "Don't worry, Wang Xinghai is a small fry. As long as we prove our worth and win the trust of the Li's, he'd instead try to cozy up with us. He won't harbor a grudge over a minor conflict. In people like him, career prospects matter more. But if we fail...."

He didn't continue, but the implication was clear – if we fail, we would obviously have nothing to do with Wang Xinghai anymore, and so, we don't need to be concerned about him.

However, Shen Yue furrowed his brows, "Have you thought about this? The Li family is wealthy and influential, money can get them anything. They have both official channels and private connections. If they could indeed find the person seeking revenge, they could solve 99% of their problems with these two methods."

"The person seeking revenge against them must be extremely secretive, they may not be able to trace them down, living under the shadow of revenge every day, that's why they have to seek external help." Jin Xin affirmed, "There is no rich or noble family without some risk. Otherwise, I wouldn't stand a chance."

Jin Xin was clear in distincting between 'I' and 'we'. He knew Shen Yue would help, mostly because of their friendship.

"Right now, everything seems calm, but this is just the peace before the storm. I've shared everything with you, and you must know that this is very dangerous. So, if you decide not to get involved, I won't blame you." Jin Xin sincerely said.

Shen Yue smiled and stood up, signaling the end of their conversation, "Then you get ready, and we'll see each other tomorrow night."

Jin Xin knew that when Shen Yue said that, he would definitely help, and he felt deeply moved. As Shen Yue was about to leave, Jin Xin suddenly said, "There's one more thing I want to ask you."

Seeing that Shen Yue didn't turn around, Jin Xin hesitated, "I noticed that you were slightly distracted today. You kept looking at reflective objects, like mirrors, glass panes, even shiny tiles.. Can I ask why? And why did you ask me if you could be seen through a mirror this morning in front of the camera studio?"

Shen Yue was silent for a moment, "Let me observe for a while longer, then I'll tell you."

"If there's a problem, you must tell me!" Jin Xin said with concern, "While I may not be able to solve many problems, when it comes to you, I won't delay."

Shen Yue chuckled, "You just prepare for your Li Family matter. I also want to tell you, there will be many opportunities in life, but there's only one life. You don't need to worry about me, you should be more careful yourself." And with a wave of his hand, he left the restaurant.

Jin Xin remained seated in the restaurant, a look of gratitude on his face.