Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

The banquet hall of Yuncheng Mansion was deathly silent.

Only the scratching sound of the pen nib gliding across the paper seemed particularly jarring in the air.

Li He's hand was trembling; his usually elegant and flowing signature was now crooked and messy, like a dying earthworm.

If we don't sign, that swindler Charles will vanish with three billion tomorrow, and once his embezzlement is exposed, his father will definitely not hesitate to depose him and put those two illegitimate sons in power.

If we sign it, even though we lose 1.5 billion and lose face, at least... the hole will be plugged.

"Smack."

Li He threw down his pen, his spine seemingly ripped out, and slumped into the leather sofa.

His back was soaked with cold sweat, and his burgundy suit clung to his body, making him look utterly disheveled.

Lin Lanfeng adjusted his glasses, deftly put away the contract, checked it to make sure everything was correct, and then nodded slightly to Bai Jingyou.

This priceless piece of land, destined to become a core hub, was sold for a pittance.

The rich kids who had been watching the spectacle were now too afraid to even breathe.

Their gazes toward Bai Jingyou shifted from initial disdain to deep apprehension.

This isn't a banquet; they're clearly here to ransack the house.

"Uncle Lin, transfer the money." Bai Jingyou didn't even glance at the contract, as if it were just a piece of waste paper.

"Okay, boss. The finance department is ready. The funds will arrive within three minutes."

"bite."

Li He's phone, which was on the table, vibrated.

That was a bank notification that the money had been deposited.

Although it was only 1.5 billion, in Li He's eyes at that moment, it was even closer than his own father.

"Cash on delivery." Bai Jingyou picked up the glass of Louis XIII that he had just asked the waiter to open, and gently swirled it. The amber liquid reflected a charming halo under the light. "Young Master Li, this wine is good, it's just right."

Li He raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed, glaring at the man who had just stabbed him in the heart with gritted teeth: "Bai Jingyou, you win. The land is yours, and you've slapped me in the face. Now, can you get lost?"

"Get lost?" Bai Jingyou chuckled. Instead of leaving, he leaned forward and pushed the expensive glass of foreign liquor in front of Li He. "Young Master Li, you have a narrow mind."

"What do you mean?" Li He looked at him warily.

"Fifteen billion in tuition fees, a lesson learned, it's expensive, but at least it saved your life and your position as the heir of the Li family." Bai Jingyou's tone was calm, as if stating an objective fact. "Have you thought about what would happen to you tomorrow if I hadn't come tonight, if you had really signed that contract with the Metaverse?"

Li He froze.

The scene was too beautiful for him to imagine.

Betrayed by everyone, imprisoned for life, or even possibly sunk into international waters by loan sharks in the dead of night.

"So..." Bai Jingyou extended a slender finger and tapped the table lightly, "You should thank me. This drink is my toast to your survival."

Li He looked at the wine glass in front of him, his expression shifting between light and dark.

The anger of being humiliated lingered, but there was also a deep-seated fear.

Bai Jingyou was right. Although the method was ruthless, it was indeed a life-saving blow.

"Bai Jingyou, stop with your crocodile tears." Li He picked up his glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. The pungent alcohol burned down his throat, making his eyes water. "You took the land, you made a killing. We're even."

"Even even? No, no, no." Bai Jingyou shook his finger, his eyes turning playful. "Li He, are you satisfied with this?"

"What?"

"Your two illegitimate brothers, the second son Li Jiang, controls the new energy sector, and the third son Li Hai manages overseas trade. They're both waiting to see you fail." Bai Jingyou's voice was deep and seductive. "Although you've filled the hole this time, in Old Master Li's eyes, you're still just a good-for-nothing who squanders money. Without this land, what will you use to fight them?"

This sentence struck Li He squarely on the heart.

Why is he in such a hurry to get the project started? Isn't it just to prove that he's better than those two bastards?

Now that he's lost the land and the funds, what does Li He have left besides this empty shell?

Li He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh: "This is none of your business."

"What if I said I could help you?" Bai Jingyou suddenly threw out the bait.

Li He was stunned, then sneered: "Help me? You just swindled me out of 1.5 billion, and now you're saying you'll help me? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Times have changed." Bai Jingyou leaned back on the sofa, his posture languid. "Buying land is a business transaction, and as a businessman, I naturally had to negotiate a lower price. But now that the land is mine, how to develop it next will require partners."

He looked at Li He, his eyes gleaming with a light that seemed to gleam with ambition.

"I'm not building any warehouses or some damn metaverse on this land. I'm building the largest smart logistics hub and cross-border e-commerce bonded zone in all of Asia. The infrastructure, energy supply, equipment procurement involved... Young Master Li, this is your family's traditional business."

Li He's pupils suddenly contracted.

As the eldest son of the Li family, although he was a playboy, he was still very familiar with the family business from a young age.

For projects of this scale, the revenue from infrastructure and equipment procurement alone would be astronomical!

"You...you're going to give the project to the Li family?" Li He was somewhat incredulous.

"It's not for the Li family, it's for you," Bai Jingyou corrected. "Deep Blue Technology provides the technology and planning, and you, Li He, represent the Li family by providing the engineering team and equipment. This achievement will be credited to you. Think about it, if this project succeeds, what weight will you carry in front of Old Master Li? What can those two younger brothers, still playing in the mud, compare to you?"

Li He's heart began to pound violently.

This pie... it's drawn too big, it smells too good.

But he still maintained his last shred of rationality: "Why did you come to me? There are so many construction companies in Beijing, why do you insist on giving me a piece of the pie?"

"Because you are the eldest son of the Li family, the only legitimate heir." Bai Jingyou stood up, walked to Li He's side, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke with a sincerity that almost brought tears to one's eyes. "In this industry, bloodline is very important. I don't lack technology or money, but I lack an ally who can hold the fort and have a voice in the heavy industry. Those two illegitimate sons are too shrewd and difficult to control; I don't like them. But you, Young Master Li..."

Bai Jingyou paused, then gave a meaningful smile: "I admire this straightforward personality."

Straightforward?

Lin Lanfeng's lips twitched slightly.

Boss, you call this straightforward? This is clearly being easily fooled!

Li He was overjoyed to hear this.

From childhood to adulthood, everyone around him has said that he is reckless, impulsive, and brainless.

Only Bai Jingyou, the man who had just humiliated him, actually said he appreciated his straightforwardness!

What kind of spirit is this?

This is a sentiment of heroes appreciating heroes!

"Mr. Bai... Mr. Bai." Li He's form of address had unconsciously changed, and his tone had lost its previous impetuousness. "You're not lying to me?"

"The contract is right here." Bai Jingyou pointed to the briefcase in Lin Lanfeng's hand. "Tomorrow morning, bring your engineering team to DeepBlue Technology. We'll sign a strategic cooperation agreement. The initial prepayment is 300 million. Is that enough for you to buy some supplements for the old man to show your filial piety?"

A prepayment of 300 million!

The last trace of doubt in Li He's eyes vanished.

These aren't enemies, they're practically brothers from different fathers!

Although he was just tricked out of his land, as long as he can secure the engineering rights for this major project, his position in the family will be absolutely secure.

As for the land... well, it was wasteland anyway, so selling it is fine!

Li He suddenly stood up, grabbed Bai Jingyou's hand, and stammered excitedly, "President Bai! From now on, you're like a brother to me! I was blind to your worth before. I'll take this project! Don't worry, the Li family's construction team is absolutely the best in Beijing! Anyone who dares to trip us up on the construction site, I, Li He, will be the first to cripple them!"

Looking at his beloved younger brother, whom he wished he could open his heart to immediately, Bai Jingyou's smile grew even gentler.

"Good brother, let's make money together."

Bai Jingyou squeezed his hand back tightly, but inwardly he was marveling at how high the self-cultivation of this generation of leeks was. They couldn't wait to fertilize and grow taller after just one harvest.

The development of this land definitely requires an engineering team. Instead of hiring an outside company, it would be better to use the Li family's.

This approach ensures quality while allowing Li He to act as a shield, resolve various problems, and also allows the project to gradually erode the Li family's core business.

Three birds with one stone.

Such a sucker is indeed a rare sight these days.

"Then I won't disturb Young Master Li's celebration any longer." Bai Jingyou released his grip, straightened his collar, and said, "See you tomorrow."

"Take care, Brother Bai! Let me see you off!"

Under the stunned gazes of all the wealthy second-generation heirs, Li He, who had just been acting as if he were going to die, now acted like a dedicated doorman, smiling broadly as he escorted Bai Jingyou to the entrance of the banquet hall.

Li He straightened up only after Bai Jingyou's car disappeared into the night, his smile still lingering on his face.

"Young Master Li... are you alright?" The blond-haired man cautiously approached. "Did the land really sell?"

"Sold!" Li He waved his hand triumphantly, "That's a strategic adjustment! Understand? From now on, I'm Deep Blue Technology's strategic partner! I'll be doing big things with Brother Bai!"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, feeling a chill run down their spines as they looked at Li He's excited expression, as if he were being sold out and still helping to count the money.

What kind of bewitching potion did Bai Jingyou give to people?

……

A black Maybach sped through the night.

Inside the carriage, Lin Lanfeng couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Boss, although the Li family's project quotes aren't low, we don't have much profit margin. Is it worth helping Li He like this?"

Bai Jingyou leaned back in the back seat, closed his eyes to rest, and gently tapped his knees with his fingers.

"Lan Feng, you can't calculate it like that."

Bai Jingyou's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet carriage, "Although Li He is stupid, his identity is the best passport. If we relied entirely on our own connections to develop that land in the Northwest, the approval process alone would take half a year. But with Li He, with the Li family's name on our side, many green lights will naturally come our way."

"and……"

Bai Jingyou opened his eyes, looked at the receding neon lights outside the window, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Binding him to our cause is like planting a nail in the Li family's heart. If we want to enter the energy and heavy industry sectors in the future, Li He will be the best springboard. This kind of employee who brings his own food and is grateful to me is worth it, even if we have to give him some benefits."

Lin Lanfeng listened with complete admiration.

This is the boss.

While others take things one step at a time, he has already drawn the finish line before even taking a single step.