## Chapter Three:
Lin Feng didn't have to wait long. Zhao Fu returned after about an hour, holding a tablet displaying some information. His expression still held caution, but he seemed slightly calmer, perhaps because he saw that his master was no longer acting with the reckless anger he used to.
"Sir, this is the preliminary information I was able to gather on Mr. Chu Fan," Zhao Fu said, handing the tablet to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng took the device and began scrolling through the file. The information was largely as he expected: Chu Fan, the eldest son of the Chu family, a family with significant influence in Jinhai City, albeit slightly less than the Lin family. Excellent academic record, good reputation managing some small family projects, extensive social connections, and highly respected among his peers. A perfect image of a successful and upright young man.
"Nothing overtly suspicious," Lin Feng thought as he swiped his finger across the screen. "Almost too perfect, which raises suspicion." He remembered well how Chu Fan in the original novel used this perfect facade to hide his great ambition and sometimes devious methods in dealing with opponents, especially the original Lin Feng.
He reached the end of the file and noticed a small piece of information in the business relations section: "Has a close working relationship with an investment firm called 'Tian Long Capital', and is rumored to hold an indirect stake in it."
'Tian Long Capital'? Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. This name wasn't familiar from the beginning of the novel, but it later emerged as a front for some shady activities Chu Fan got involved in to rapidly boost his financial power. Had Chu Fan started his hidden moves earlier than he remembered?
"Are there any more details about this 'Tian Long Capital'?" Lin Feng asked, pointing to the name on the screen.
Zhao Fu seemed slightly surprised by his master's interest in this detail. "It's a relatively new investment firm, sir. Not much is known about it publicly, but it has grown rapidly in the past year. I will try to gather more information about it."
"Good." Lin Feng handed the tablet back to Zhao Fu. "Continue the search quietly. Focus on any inconsistencies, any information that doesn't match this perfect image. And don't raise any suspicions."
"Understood, sir." Zhao Fu nodded.
"Alright, I'm tired of staying here," Lin Feng said, leaning back against the pillows. "Arrange for my discharge from the hospital. I want to leave today."
"Today? But sir, are you sure you've fully recovered? The doctor..."
Lin Feng cut him off with a calm but firm look. "I'm fine. Staying here won't help me. Just make the necessary arrangements. And I want to avoid any media attention if possible. Use the back door and a regular car."
Zhao Fu hesitated for a moment, then bowed. "Very well, sir. I'll do it right away."
The discharge process took a few hours. Lin Feng had to sign some papers, while Zhao Fu quietly settled the hefty bill. As Lin Feng had expected, a few curious reporters were waiting at the main entrance, but Zhao Fu managed to get him out through a side door unnoticed, into a plain black sedan that was waiting.
"Where to, sir? Shall we return to the family mansion?" Zhao Fu asked as he sat in the front passenger seat, while Lin Feng settled in the back.
"No," Lin Feng said, looking out the window at the receding hospital building. "Take me to my apartment at 'Riverside Manor'."
'Riverside Manor' was a luxurious residential complex overlooking the river, where the original Lin Feng owned a penthouse apartment he used as a hideout away from his parents' eyes. It was a decision the current Lin Feng made after some thought. Returning to the family mansion now meant a direct confrontation with his angry parents and more restrictions. He needed space and quiet to think and plan.
They arrived at the apartment about half an hour later. The apartment was luxurious and spacious, as he remembered from the original body's residual memories, but it was also somewhat messy, reflecting the neglect of its previous owner. Lin Feng ignored the mess and went straight to the study.
He opened his laptop again, this time starting a deeper dive into his online bank accounts and investment apps. The original Lin Feng spent lavishly, but he received a huge monthly allowance from the family, and it seemed he also had some small personal investments, possibly managed by someone else. He needed to know the extent of his actual personal wealth and financial independence.
While engrossed in the numbers, his phone rang. It was an unregistered number, but it looked familiar. He hesitated for a moment, then answered.
"Mr. Lin Feng? This is Lawyer Zhang from the family law firm." A middle-aged man's voice, calm and formal, came through.
"Hello, Lawyer Zhang," Lin Feng replied just as calmly.
"I'm calling to update you on the latest developments regarding the banquet incident, sir. Fortunately, the Xiao family has not filed a formal complaint so far, and it seems they are inclined to settle the matter amicably. However, the police still consider the case open for investigation based on the initial report. The Old Master is concerned about the negative impact on the family's reputation and strongly recommends reaching a swift and quiet settlement with the Xiao family and avoiding any escalation."
"I understand," Lin Feng said. "I agree on the need for a quiet settlement. I'll just need some time to review the details before taking any steps."
"Of course, sir. But the Old Master hopes it won't take too long. He also urges you... to avoid any actions that might complicate matters further during this sensitive period." There was a clear, veiled warning in the lawyer's tone.
"Message received, Lawyer Zhang. Thank you for informing me." Lin Feng ended the call, feeling some pressure. His father was watching him closely, and settling with the Xiao family likely wouldn't be easy, especially with Chu Fan in the picture.
He summoned Zhao Fu, who was waiting in the living room.
"Zhao Fu, I want you to start looking for a personal lawyer for me. Someone competent and trustworthy, and most importantly, not directly affiliated with the family law firm. I want an independent legal opinion."
Zhao Fu's eyes widened slightly again. This was an unprecedented request. "A personal lawyer, sir? But the family lawyers..."
"I know what the family lawyers do," Lin Feng interrupted calmly. "I want someone who represents my interests first. Search quietly and don't tell anyone for now."
"Yes, sir." Zhao Fu bowed, seeming to get used to his master's new, more decisive and secretive nature.
"One more thing," Lin Feng added, looking at the computer screen. "I have some stocks in small companies here and there. I want you to start quietly liquidating some of them, the ones that won't attract attention. I need some extra liquid cash under my direct control."
"I'll take care of it, sir."
"You may go now," Lin Feng dismissed him.
After Zhao Fu left, Lin Feng leaned back in his office chair and closed his eyes. He was out of the hospital, had moved to a more private location, gathered new information, and taken initial steps to handle the legal and financial situation. He felt exhausted, but he also felt something he hadn't felt before in his previous life or in the past few days: a small sense of control. He was still just a pawn in a larger game, a villain destined for defeat in the original novel, but now, at least, he was holding some of the strings himself. He looked at the contact list on his phone again, stopping at a particular name. Maybe it was time to make a call that could change things.