Chapter 353: Unexpected Ties

Pan Lin said, “Of course, Lily is the most talented singer at Zheng Shi Music. How could you not know?”

Jiang’s Uncle looked puzzled:

“Is Lily a singer for Zheng Shi Music? No, that can’t be right. Our Lily is signed to a studio in town. I even met the female boss there, surnamed Wang. She came by recently to talk about some competition.”

Jiang’s Aunt chimed in, knowing a bit more than her husband, and said to him:

“Well, that studio in town did relocate. I asked Lily about it, and she said they restructured into a music company. But she was in a rush to meet someone, so I didn’t get to ask more.”

Pan Lin nodded. “So it seems Lily mentioned it to you both. The Boss Wang you mentioned is Wang Lan, right? She’s now in charge of Zheng Shi Music. Two years ago, the town studio merged with our company—they’re one and the same now.”

Jiang’s Aunt caught on, excited. “Merged? So that means the music company where Lily is works under Zheng Shi Music?”

“Exactly, you can think of it that way.”

Jiang’s Uncle was starting to piece it together. “So, your company is helping us because of our daughter? Did Boss Wang find out about our situation? Wait, no, you mentioned Lin as the boss. Is Lin also part of the music company?”

Pan Lin glanced toward the distance, watching for any approaching cars, and emphasized, “Not at all. Lin is the general manager of the head office. Boss Wang runs the branch. There’s a big difference in their levels.”

Jiang’s Uncle frowned in shock. “The general manager of the head office?! So, what’s the relationship between our Lily and Lin?”

“I’m not sure about the details. You two probably know more than I do. But they’re definitely close.”

Jiang’s Uncle’s eyes narrowed suddenly as he asked, trembling, “Is this Lin a female boss?”

“No, he’s a man.” Pan Lin smiled and countered, “Why would you think that?”

As soon as she said that, Jiang’s Uncle stepped back abruptly, nearly falling until his wife steadied him. Pan Lin didn’t notice.

Jiang’s Aunt whispered to her husband, “What’s wrong? Why did you almost fall?”

Sweat suddenly beaded on Jiang’s Uncle’s forehead as he whispered back to his wife, “Come with me, I need to tell you something.”

Jiang’s Aunt was confused, but Jiang’s Uncle said to Pan Lin, “Excuse me, Pan, I need to make a quick call with my wife. We’ll be right back.”

Pan Lin smiled and nodded. “Take your time, you two.”

So, Jiang’s Uncle hurriedly pulled his wife aside.

Jiang’s Aunt lowered her voice. “What’s going on? You looked like you’d seen a ghost just now.”

Jiang’s Uncle, a grown man of his age, had tears welling in his eyes. “Haven’t you figured it out? From everything Pan said, our Lily went behind Zheng Ran’s back and became this Lin’s mistress just to help us!”

Jiang’s Aunt’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What are you talking about? Lily wouldn’t do something like that!”

Jiang’s Uncle’s eyes turned red as he continued:

“It’s my fault as her father—I’m the one who dragged her into this. How could you not see it? Didn’t you hear Pan say

that Lily is the most stunning singer at Zheng Shi Music and that she’s very close to this Lin? Think about it—our Lily is just a talented singer who’s beautiful. What else does she have? Lin is a big boss at the head office, worth millions. Why would he notice a young girl like her unless…”

Jiang’s Aunt found it strange too. “You’re right… I’m also wondering how Lily got involved with a head office bigwig.”

“More than involved—Pan’s words hint that they’re intimate. I bet Lin saw how young and pretty our daughter is and made a move. It’s common in the entertainment world!

He probably kept inviting her out for chats or meals, but since she’s close to Zheng Ran, she turned him down at first. Then, when you called Lily about our trouble, it scared her. As our daughter, she wanted to help, so… she agreed to be his mistress.”

Jiang’s Uncle felt worthless:

“Otherwise, why would a huge boss step in to fix our mess? It’s millions in debt! No one does that out of nowhere. It has to be because Lily…

Jiang’s Aunt’s eyes filled with tears too:

“So that’s what happened. No wonder such a big boss is helping us. We can’t accept this money! We’d never sell our daughter. We’ll borrow, we’ll beg if we have to, but we won’t let this ruin Lily!”

Jiang’s Uncle nodded firmly:

“You’re right! Before Lily and this Lin get in too deep, we have to fix this. Our lives are set, but Lily has a bright future ahead. She can’t throw it away for money. Lily will show up soon—we have to talk her out of it!”

As they discussed, a taxi suddenly pulled up.

Pan Lin perked up at the sight of the taxi.

The taxi stopped at the factory gate, and from the back seat, Lin Zheng Ran and Lily stepped out.

Pan Lin saw it was indeed Lin and started to go greet them.

But before she could move, Jiang’s Uncle and Jiang’s Aunt hurried over first.

The reason was, the moment the car arrived, Jiang’s Uncle had spotted Lin Zheng Ran and Lily through the front window.

He said to his wife, “Look, Lily’s here! Is Zheng Ran in the car too?!”

Jiang’s Aunt nodded. “It is her! Seems like Lily and this Lin haven’t made it official yet. Zheng Ran doesn’t know, and they haven’t broken up. There’s still time to set things right.”

Jiang’s Uncle pointed at the car. “Let’s go—before this Lin gets here, we need to talk to our daughter and stop her from making a mistake.”

So, the couple beat Pan Lin to the punch and reached Lin Zheng Ran and Lily first.

Lily rushed to her parents, eyeing them and the crowd at the factory. “Mom, Dad, are you okay?!”

Jiang’s Aunt said with red eyes, “We’re fine, Mom and Dad are okay. It’s you we’ve put through so much, Lily.”

Lily frowned. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with you two?”

Lin Zheng Ran noticed their red eyes and asked, confused, “Uncle, Aunt, what happened?”

He glanced up at the approaching Pan Lin, wondering what was going on. By now, with Pan Lin there, any issues should have been sorted.

But instead, they seemed even more upset.

“What’s going on?!”

Pan Lin had noticed the situation too and was baffled about why their eyes were suddenly red. She said haltingly, “I don’t know…”

Jiang’s Uncle thought Lin Zheng Ran was fired up and ready to step in, so he reassured him, “Zheng Ran! This is Pan from Zheng Shi Company. She’s here to sort everything out. Don’t worry, Uncle and Aunt are fine. Just stay calm.”

Stay calm? Lin Zheng Ran blinked. He looked at Pan Lin. “What’s the situation? Didn’t it go smoothly?”

Pan Lin looked apologetic. “It went fine. Everything was okay just a moment ago, and the workers are waiting. Lin, please don’t be upset. I’ll ask!” She turned to Jiang’s Uncle. “What happened? Weren’t you both just chatting normally?”

Jiang’s Uncle was anxious but heard clearly and saw how Pan Lin spoke to Zheng Ran—like a subordinate to a superior. “Wait… Pan, what did you just call him?”

Pan Lin was puzzled. “I said, what happened? You were chatting fine earlier. Why are your eyes red now?”

Jiang’s Uncle stared, glancing between Pan Lin and Lin Zheng Ran. “No, I mean, what did you call Zheng Ran just now? I didn’t hear wrong, did I?”

“What do you mean, wrong? Lin, of course! We’ve been waiting for Lin all along, and here he is.” Pan Lin replied.

“Lin? The Lin you’ve been talking about is Lin Zheng Ran?!”