"I promise you," Mother Lin repeated. "But you must keep your promise as well."
Lin Shi chuckled softly. "Of course."
"Mom, you need to understand something."
"In this world, there is no partner better suited to work with you than me."
He tossed the apple core into the trash, pulled out a wet wipe, and leisurely wiped his hands. He carefully cleaned every gap between his fingers.
"Or, if you want, you can write something like 'concubine's father' on Lin Rui's tombstone. I wouldn't mind."
"Or if you want to place his memorial tablet above the Lin Household ancestors', I can make that happen too."
He stood and leaned close to Mother Lin's ear. "Of course, those are rewards for if you truly manage to get rid of Grandpa."
"Being a drug test subject will only grant you limited freedom within this psychiatric hospital."
Mother Lin glared fiercely at him, but Lin Shi remained unmoved and straightened up again.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."
"Grandpa gave me limited time. Even coming to see you was something I traded for by agreeing to join Lin Corporation and help Grandpa suppress Lin Lang's growing influence."
Before Lin Shi could turn away, Mother Lin stopped him. "Wait."
"Hm?" Lin Shi stopped patiently.
"How is Lin Shuo?"
"Ha." Lin Shi let out a mocking breath. "You two really are... such a loving mother and son."
"Before he left, he asked me what would happen to you too."
"Lin Shuo—oh, no, he changed back to his father's surname. He's Li Shuo now."
"How ironic. The only time in his life he used the Lin Household's privileges was to help himself change his surname."
"But don't worry. I've already sent him abroad."
"I didn't take back the one million Lin Rui gave him,