Chapter 323: Turning Clouds with the Flip of a Hand, Turning Rain with the Cover of a Hand!
"I seem to have warned you before."
Only after everyone else had apologized did Lin Mu look at Qiao Tianhao, his face an emotionless mask.
Qiao Tianhao knelt on the ground, saying nothing. But everyone could see that the richest man in River City was afraid.
"Your son deserved to die. You could have sought revenge against me," Lin Mu’s voice carried a hint of icy murderous intent. "But I told you, do not touch my woman!"
"Qiao Tianhao, tell me, how do you want to die?"
How to die?
Everyone’s eyes widened, staring at Lin Mu in disbelief. Was he really going to kill Qiao Tianhao? This was the richest man in River City! If he was killed, could Lin Mu possibly survive?
Yet, seeing the massive crowd kneeling before him, no one dared to speak.
"I... do not regret it!" Qiao Tianhao clenched his teeth, a hoarse voice escaping his lips. "My son is dead, and not even a complete corpse was left behind. I have failed as a father."
He looked up at Lin Mu, his eyes devoid of hatred, fear, or any intention of backing down. "So, I do not regret it!"
His son had been killed by Lin Mu, his funeral ruined by Lin Mu. Even his son’s body had been blasted to dust. Qiao Tianhao was filled with an immeasurable hatred for Lin Mu. He wished he could tear him limb from limb.
However, the moment Li Xiaotian appeared at his door, Qiao Tianhao knew it was all futile.
But he didn’t regret it. If he didn’t do something for his son, he would be failing his duty as a father.
"Lin Mu, I was responsible for everything. It has nothing to do with anyone else," Qiao Tianhao said with a deep sigh. "You... don’t involve the others."
Hearing this, the crowd was moved.
"To dare to act and take responsibility... Truly worthy of his title as River City’s richest man." Lin Mu said with a nod. "Since that’s the case, I can promise you this: as long as they don’t provoke me again, I can let bygones be bygones."
"Tha... thank you!"
Qiao Tianhao kowtowed to Lin Mu, his forehead touching the ground.
The others kowtowed even more fervently in gratitude. "Thank you, Divine Doctor, for your mercy! Thank you, Master Lin, for sparing our lives!"
As long as Lin Mu didn’t kill them, everything else was negotiable.
"But..."
However, Lin Mu suddenly spoke again, and everyone’s hearts, which had just begun to settle, leaped back into their throats.
"You may be spared death, but you cannot escape punishment," Lin Mu said blandly, looking at the crowd. "Qiao Tianhao was planning to hold a charity gala. Since all of you are here, why don’t you show a little goodwill?"
"My Fan family is willing to donate twenty million!"
"My Huadong Group is willing to donate thirty million!"
"My Xinglong Real Estate is willing to donate fifty million!"
"..."
Figure after figure was announced by the various magnates, leaving the Qin Family utterly shocked. In just a few minutes, these people had pledged donations totaling hundreds of millions.
"I..."
Just as Qiao Tianhao was about to speak, Lin Mu cut him off. "Rich Master Qiao, you’re so wealthy and influential, you should contribute a bit more. Donate your entire family fortune."
The crowd: "..."
Donate all of it?
How much money did Qiao Tianhao have? Nobody knew. Perhaps not even he himself knew. If such a vast sum were truly donated, it would be an astronomical figure! But would Qiao Tianhao agree? This was his entire life’s savings. If he donated it all, he would be left with nothing.
"Yes!"
However, Qiao Tianhao agreed without hesitation.
Lin Mu nodded with satisfaction. "I will establish a foundation with Qin Luoli as president, and you can be the vice president. If a single penny of the donated money goes missing, I will hold you accountable!"
Qiao Tianhao looked at Lin Mu in shock, stammering, "You... you’re not going to kill me?"
"Why would I kill you?" Lin Mu smiled. "It was your son who provoked me. While you sought revenge for him, your actions are understandable. I can spare you this once."
"Ma... many thanks, Master Lin!" Qiao Tianhao knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.
A smirk played on Lin Mu’s lips. "Don’t worry. A son can be replaced. Don’t forget, I am also the Divine Doctor."
Qiao Tianhao’s body jerked, and a flicker of life returned to his once-hollow eyes. Tears streamed down his old face as he cried, "Thank you, Master Lin! Thank you, Master Lin!"
However, a deep shiver ran down everyone else’s spines. Qiao Tianhao’s son had been killed, yet he now had to show gratitude and serve his son’s murderer. This outcome made everyone sympathize with Qiao Tianhao, but it also instilled in them an even deeper fear of Lin Mu’s methods.
Making Qiao Tianhao manage the foundation was a spur-of-the-moment idea for Lin Mu. After all, Qiao Tianhao was a tycoon with both ability and influence. Most importantly, a man like him would not betray someone easily.
If his desire to kill me truly hasn’t died, then there’s no reason to let him live.
I believe that, over time, Qiao Tianhao will only become more grateful to me.
With the matter more or less settled, Lin Mu waved a hand. "You may all leave."
Hearing this, no one dared to linger. They bowed deeply to Lin Mu and left in a hurry, not wanting to stay a second longer. They all promised that their pledged donations would be delivered as soon as possible.
Although Lin Mu hadn’t acted personally, the mere mention of any one of his identities was enough to ensure no one dared to refuse or object. Setting Lin Mu aside, Li Xiaotian alone was enough to make them despair. When that one-armed old Daoist had entered their companies or homes, he had killed many people without a second word. He had been accompanied by Cheng Bugui and other powerful figures. Therefore, while they were not entirely willing to come and apologize to Lin Mu, they didn’t dare resist.
***
Seeing everyone slowly depart, the entire Qin Family couldn’t help but breathe a deep, collective sigh of relief. They couldn’t help it. The scene they had just witnessed was simply too stunning.
But just as they breathed that sigh of relief, someone’s heart leaped into their throat once more.
THUD!
Qin Hao abruptly collapsed to the ground, his face deathly pale. He had watched the entire scene unfold. Even the city’s richest man, Qiao Tianhao, didn’t dare seek revenge for his murdered son and was now forced to work for Lin Mu. What about him? Could he dare compare himself to Qiao Tianhao?
He understood better than anyone why Qiao Tianhao’s son had died—it was because Qiao Zishan had coveted Qin Luoli and ordered his men to break Lin Mu’s limbs.
"Lin Mu, you’ve won," Qin Hongbo said, his expression one of dejection.
Everyone glanced at the thick stack of documents in Qin Luoli’s hands, a sense of powerlessness washing over them. With so many stock agreements, the Qin Corporation’s market value would rise to unimaginable heights. Not only would all their previous losses be recovered overnight, but they would also gain an unimaginable fortune.
Everyone could imagine that the future of River City belonged to the Qin Corporation, and to Qin Luoli.
The person who had created this miracle was none other than Lin Mu. Such methods were like playing God—he could turn the tide and reverse any desperate situation at will. Therefore, it was both rational and wise for Qin Hongbo to admit defeat.
"Alright, since Big Brother has admitted defeat, let’s just drop the matter," Qin Hongshu said with a nod, intending to close the subject.
"Drop the matter?" Lin Mu suddenly laughed, his tone indifferent. "I recall Second Uncle saying something quite different before, didn’t he?"
Qin Hongshu’s expression stiffened. Furious from the humiliation, he snapped, "Then what more do you want?"
"Nothing much," Lin Mu responded, his gaze sharp. "I’m just taking back what’s mine!"