Xu Wen Jing had been closely monitoring her reputation online lately, trying to improve it as she was about to marry Lin Yi Chen. So when this Weibo post went viral, she naturally noticed it.
She clicked on it and after reading the blogger’s words, Xu Wen Jing’s mind buzzed for a moment. She then tightly clenched her phone, displaying an incredulous expression.
Up to this point, Lin Yi Chen didn’t even have a single share of Lin Group?
How could that be?
Wasn’t he the current CEO of Lin Group?
How could he not have any shares?
As for the comments suggesting that Lin Group would eventually be inherited by Lin Yi Chen, Xu Wen Jing didn’t believe a word of it!
In high-society marriages, it was all about interests. In this circle, it was common for husbands to draft prenuptial agreements to protect their wealth from their wives.
Some even set their salaries at one yuan to prevent their wives from getting a share of their earnings!
And now, it seemed that even the Lin family was guarding against her!
The reason she chose to marry Lin Yi Chen was for the Lin family’s wealth, right?
Otherwise, with so many handsome men in the world, why would she give up a whole forest for Lin Yi Chen?
And yet, in the end, he didn’t even have a single share of Lin Group.
Even if it was just one percent of the shares, it could yield dividends of over a hundred million each year. Xu Wen Jing couldn’t help but feel more and more upset.
So, she called Xu Shi Chang, “Dad, how much dowry did the Lin family offer for my marriage to Yi Chen?”
Hearing this, Xu Shi Chang was momentarily taken aback and then replied, “Dad doesn’t know for sure, but it should be quite substantial, right?”
With Lin Group’s market value already in the tens of billions, it was impossible not to offer a significant dowry for the marriage of their heir.
However, Xu Wen Jing was determined to find out the details, “Dad, why didn’t you inquire about such an important matter? Now, there are rumors online that Yi Chen doesn’t have any shares in Lin Group, is that true?”
Seeing her concern, Xu Shi Chang felt uneasy, “I’ll ask. Dad isn’t very clear about it either.”
For Xu Shi Chang, Lin Yi Chen was Lin Haowei’s only son so in his eyes, Lin Yi Chen was undoubtedly the sole heir to Lin Haowei. Therefore, Lin Group would eventually belong to Lin Yi Chen.
But he wasn’t a fool.
He knew how wealthy families guarded themselves against outsiders.
What if the Lin family didn’t give any shares to Lin Yi Chen, all to protect against Wen Jing?
With this thought, Xu Shi Chang’s expression became serious, and he immediately called Lin Haowei.
He wasn’t stupid, and he didn’t directly ask if Lin Yi Chen had any shares in Lin Group.
Instead, he said in a troubled tone, “Mr. Lin, considering the impending marriage between Wen Jing and Yi Chen, shouldn’t we start preparing the dowry and trousseau? There are rumors online that the Lin family isn’t planning to provide a dowry for Wen Jing!”
Lin Haowei narrowed his eyes.
In the next moment, he replied in a firm tone, “Who is spreading such nonsense? How could the Lin family marry off their son without providing a dowry? Rest assured, I’ve already prepared one billion in cash and several properties. All of them will be transferred to Wen Jing’s name before their wedding!”
However, Xu Shi Chang didn’t seem satisfied and said, “So Mr. Lin, are you saying that the Lin family will only offer this much, and Yi Chen’s side won’t contribute anything? I’m planning to give Wen Jing 7% of Xu family’s shares as her dowry. It doesn’t seem appropriate if the Lin family doesn’t match this.”
He was no fool, and he wouldn’t give his daughter so many shares!
These shares meant that Wen Jing could only benefit from the dividends but couldn’t buy or sell them.
With so many shares in her hands, once Lin Yi Chen married her, wouldn’t he be compelled to help expand Xu family’s business?
After Xu family’s business grew, the value of the shares remaining in Lin Yi Chen’s hands would undoubtedly be more valuable than all the shares combined now.
Lin Haowei immediately understood Xu Shi Chang’s intention. However, the idea of giving away even a fraction of Lin Group’s shares was too much for him to accept.
He quickly said, “I didn’t expect Xu to be so generous. In that case, I can add another billion in cash, but I’m not sure about Yi Chen’s contribution. You can ask him.”
He was firm in his belief that Lin Yi Chen’s marriage was his concern, not his father’s. As a father, he had already prepared a significant dowry for Lin Yi Chen. Anything more depended on Lin Yi Chen’s abilities.
Xu Shi Chang clenched his phone tightly and said, “I understand. I’ll ask Yi Chen.”
Lin Haowei added, “Well, since I’ve already prepared so much money, the rest is up to him.”
If Lin Yi Chen couldn’t prepare much, then that was his problem. Xu Shi Chang couldn’t help but force a smile and said, “I know. I’ll check with Yi Chen first.”
Then he hung up the phone, feeling determined. He called Lin Yi Chen immediately.
“Uncle, do you need something?” Lin Yi Chen answered the call politely.
Xu Shi Chang acknowledged with a grunt and asked, “Your marriage with Wen Jing is approaching. I want to know, how are you preparing the dowry? This way, I can make preparations for Wen Jing’s trousseau according to the Lin family’s arrangements.”
Lin Yi Chen seemed momentarily taken aback, and after a while, he replied, “Uncle, it seems like you should discuss this matter with my father, right? I only have a little over ten million in cash and a few downtown properties. I’m afraid I can’t offer a substantial dowry.”
This revelation shocked Xu Shi Chang to his core. “What did you say? After working in the Lin Group for so many years, you only have this amount of money?”
Lin Yi Chen seemed to be taken aback by his reaction and continued, “Uncle, I think there might be a misunderstanding. Although I am the current CEO of Lin Group, I’m just an employee drawing a salary. My annual income is around five million. My father is still the executive CEO of Lin Group, and regarding the marriage, shouldn’t it be discussed between both families? I assumed my father would prepare the dowry in advance.”
Xu Shi Chang’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t believe that Lin Yi Chen, a prominent CEO, was actually so financially constrained.
So even if Wen Jing married him, they would only receive a dowry of two billion? As for those properties, well, let’s generously estimate them at another billion. But even if you added them up, it was only three billion.
Three billion was nothing compared to Lin Group’s shares.
Even if they were given just one percent of the shares, it would have been substantial.
It was only now that Xu Shi Chang realized his mistake. When he had given up that opportunity to Lin Haowei, he had forgotten something important.
At that time, he had been focused on reestablishing Wen Jing and Lin Yi Chen’s engagement and had overlooked the chance to secure some shares from Lin Haowei. If he had insisted on this condition back then, there wouldn’t be this embarrassing situation now.
That opportunity could have greatly expanded Lin Group’s territory, earning the Lin family not just tens of billions but much more.
Yet now, Lin Haowei was only willing to offer a dowry of three billion.
This old fox was truly a master strategist!
At this moment, Xu Wen Jing called again. She asked, “Dad, how did your discussion go?”
Xu Shi Chang took a deep breath and said with a dark tone, “Wen Jing, I just asked, and that old fox Lin Haowei is only willing to offer a dowry of 2 billion and a few properties. As for Lin Yi Chen… he has just over 10 million, practically nothing!”
Moreover, even if Lin Yi Chen were to inherit Lin Group in the future, what difference would it make? He wouldn’t have any shares for Wen Jing!
All they could do was rely on the Lin family’s influence and try to develop on their own. But waiting for a share of Lin Group’s massive profits would be incredibly challenging and come with the risk of failure.
Hearing her father’s words, Xu Wen Jing was furious. She felt like her world was falling apart.
Then she exclaimed, “What? Are they only willing to offer this little money? That’s too stingy!”
She added, “Who cares about those 2 billion? I want Lin Group’s shares. Even if it’s just a fraction, it would be fine. I could earn more than 2 billion annually! Do they think I’m someone who can be easily satisfied?”
Xu Shi Chang remained determined and said, “It’s all your father’s fault. I never expected that old man Lin Haowei would still be on guard against us. But if he thinks he can get away with offering such a small amount of money, he’s mistaken!”
Xu Wen Jing asked, “Dad, what do you plan to do?”
“Wait and see, I’m not a fool either! If Lin Haowei thinks he can brush us off like this, he’s mistaken!” Xu Shi Chang replied.
With that, Xu Shi Chang hung up the phone and then said coldly, “Lin Haowei, since you’re not showing any kindness, don’t blame me for being unjust.”
He then gathered some evidence and submitted an anonymous report against Lin Group.
Do they really think that after all these years of collusion between me and Lin Haowei, there’s nothing left behind?
If Lin Haowei wants to dismiss our family like this, then don’t blame me for not showing mercy!
After Xu Shi Chang anonymously submitted the evidence, the supervisory department quickly launched an investigation into Lin Group.
This incident also gained traction thanks to Lin Yi Chen’s involvement and made it to the top trending topics.
“Lin Group Suspected of Tax Evasion Under Investigation by Authorities! CEO Lin Yi Chen Taken In!”
As the news broke, numerous netizens didn’t hesitate to voice their opinions, regardless of whether the allegations of tax evasion were true or not.
“Damn capitalists, exploiting us hardworking folks and now they’re evading taxes! The government must investigate them thoroughly!”
“Greedy capitalists! Ugh!”
“They used to hype Lin Yi Chen as a ruthless CEO, right? Come forward now!”
“A real CEO wouldn’t cheat the country out of its money. These selfish corporations have no sense of social responsibility. They should be shut down!”
