## Chapter Four:
Lin Feng sat on the sofa in the living room of his newly rented apartment, contemplating the list of names and numbers before him. Not much time had passed since he left the hospital, but the sense of time felt different now. Every minute was precious, and every decision carried a weight he wasn't used to. He sighed quietly, holding the new phone Zhao Fu had bought him. The number he intended to call belonged to someone he hadn't spoken to in years, someone the original Lin Feng treated with disdain, but whom the current Lin Feng saw potential value in.
Her name was "Mei," or "Little Mouse" as the original Lin Feng and his companions mockingly called her. She was a former classmate, introverted and strangely adept with computers and networks, often hacking into university systems for fun or to change her grades. She wasn't a professional hacker in the full sense, but she possessed an innate talent and a wild curiosity in the digital world. Lin Feng remembered she was constantly struggling financially due to her mother's illness. Perhaps this was his way in.
He pressed the call button, his heart beating slightly faster. He wasn't used to asking for help, especially from someone he considered beneath him. The phone rang several times before a hesitant, cautious voice answered on the other end: "...Hello?"
"Mei? Is this Mei Lin?" Lin Feng asked in a calm voice, different from his previous arrogant tone.
There was a moment of silence, then she replied even more cautiously: "Yes... Who is speaking?"
"It's Lin Feng." He said it simply, waiting for her reaction, which he expected to be a mixture of surprise and suspicion.
"Lin... Feng?" Her repetition of his name carried clear astonishment. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted... to apologize." Lin Feng began, trying to choose his words carefully. "I know I wasn't kind to you in the past. I was foolish and immature. Things have changed now, and I've changed too." It wasn't a full apology, but it was a start. "I heard your mother... isn't doing well. I wanted to see if I could help in any way."
A long silence filled the call. Lin Feng could hear her slightly quickened breathing. "Why are you doing this?" she finally asked, suspicion evident in her voice.
"Because I can, and because I regret my past actions." Lin Feng said with partial sincerity. "But also, I need help with something. Help you can provide, and I'm willing to pay generously for your time and expertise." He revealed part of his true goal.
"Help? What kind of help?" Her tone began to change, perhaps due to the mention of money, or perhaps out of curiosity.
"I need some information. Information that's hard to get through normal channels. About a company... and a certain person." He didn't mention names over the phone. "Can we meet to talk privately? I'll pay you just for the consultation time, even if you decide not to take the job."
Mei hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay. Send me the address and time." She hadn't committed to anything, but she agreed to meet. Lin Feng felt a slight relief. This was a small first step, but it was in the right direction.
After ending the call, Zhao Fu arrived carrying some files. His face still held a hidden concern for his young master, but he maintained his professional composure.
"Young Master," Zhao Fu began, placing the files on the table. "I have some updates. First, the list of lawyers you asked me to research. I've narrowed it down to three candidates with good reputations in civil and commercial cases, and most importantly, they are relatively independent and don't have strong ties to the major families." He briefly explained each lawyer's background, strengths, and weaknesses.
Lin Feng took the file and browsed through it carefully. Names he hadn't heard before, which was good. "This one," he pointed to a name in the middle, "Lawyer Wang. He seems the most experienced in handling sensitive cases quietly. Check him out further, and arrange a secret meeting with him as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir." Zhao Fu made a note. "Second, the first installment of funds has been transferred to your new personal account. The amount isn't huge, but it's enough to cover your immediate expenses and initial legal fees." He provided him with the account details and a new bank card.
Lin Feng nodded. The feeling of having funds under his direct control, away from family scrutiny, was new and comforting. "Very good, Zhao Fu. Thank you."
"And there's one more thing, sir." Zhao Fu hesitated slightly. "I received unconfirmed information that Tian Long Capital recently rented an entire floor in the 'Golden Dragon' financial tower. This is a large and sudden investment for a relatively new investment firm like them."
Golden Dragon Tower? That was one of the most expensive and prestigious business addresses in the city. Tian Long Capital... Chu Fan. The pieces of the puzzle began to slowly fit together in Lin Feng's mind. This rapid and excessive expansion didn't make sense unless there was a huge, unexpected cash flow... or a large-scale money laundering operation. His suspicions deepened.
"Keep monitoring Tian Long Capital quietly, Zhao Fu. Any information, no matter how small it seems, could be important."
"Certainly, sir."
While Lin Feng was reviewing the lawyer files again, the doorbell rang unexpectedly. He looked at Zhao Fu in surprise. He wasn't expecting anyone.
Zhao Fu cautiously opened the door to find Lin Xiao, Lin Feng's younger sister, standing there with a worried smile. She was a girl in her late teens, dressed in trendy clothes and carrying a fruit basket.
"Brother!" she said loudly as soon as she saw Lin Feng, bypassing Zhao Fu and entering the apartment. "I heard you got out of the hospital and moved here. Why didn't you tell me? Mom and Dad are very worried about you!"
Lin Feng felt a slight twinge of annoyance. He didn't dislike his sister, but he knew she was often a messenger for his parents. "Xiao Xiao," he said calmly, rising to greet her. "I just wanted some peace and quiet. No need to worry."
"Some peace and quiet?" She looked around the relatively modest apartment compared to the luxurious family mansion. "Why are you living here? You can come back home whenever you want. Mom has prepared your room and everything."
"I'm fine here, Xiao Xiao. I just need some time to think and sort things out." Lin Feng maintained his composure. "Thanks for the fruit. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thanks." She sat on the edge of the sofa, her eyes examining him with feigned concern. "Brother, what exactly happened at that banquet? Everyone is talking about it, but no one knows the truth. Are you really...?"
"It's complicated," Lin Feng interrupted her gently. "And it's best you don't worry about it. I'm handling it."
"But Dad is furious, and Mom cries all the time. And the Xiao family... they say they want justice." She pressed him slightly.
"I'll resolve it, Xiao Xiao. Just trust me." He didn't give her any details.
After a short period of superficial conversation and failed attempts by Lin Xiao to draw him out, she finally left, leaving Lin Feng feeling exhausted. This was just the beginning. The family pressure wouldn't stop.
Indeed, barely a day passed before he received a call from Lawyer Zhang, the family lawyer.
"Young Master Lin," Lawyer Zhang began in a formal tone. "I received a call from Mr. Chu Fan's representative. They propose a meeting between you and Mr. Chu Fan, with representatives from the Xiao family present, to clarify the misunderstanding that occurred at the banquet and resolve matters amicably."
A meeting? With Chu Fan and the Xiao family? Lin Feng felt a chill run down his spine. This was faster than he expected. Were they trying to lure him into a trap, or were they trying to assess how dangerous he was now after the incident?
"Lawyer Zhang," Lin Feng replied after a moment's thought, keeping his voice calm. "I appreciate their efforts to resolve matters. However, I'm still recovering and need to review things with my personal legal counsel before committing to any meeting. Can you inform them that I'll need some time, perhaps a week or so, before I can set a suitable date?"
"Your personal legal counsel?" Lawyer Zhang sounded surprised for a moment. "Of course, Young Master. I will convey your message." He knew Lin Feng didn't have a personal counsel... until now.
Lin Feng hung up the phone, feeling the net tightening already. He had bought some time, but the pressure was mounting. He had successfully planted seeds of doubt and taken his first quiet steps towards building his own defenses, but the real battle had just begun. He looked at the number of Lawyer Wang he had chosen. The next step was clear: meet the lawyer, and follow the thin thread the "Little Mouse" had potentially offered him.