Class Reunion (4)

The noise in the private room continued. Zhang Chi seemed even more triumphant, having successfully "stepped on" Lin Feng and displayed his "knowledge" and "humor" in front of Zhao Yali and her husband.

He was speaking louder as he "consulted" Old Mr. Ma about an industry trend that he didn't really understand. He was very humble, but the smugness in his eyes and brows was undeniable.

Zhao Yali enjoyed being fawned over, occasionally interjecting with an even more imperious tone. Old Mr. Ma maintained his composure, answering concisely, but a hint of weariness and aloofness could be seen in his expression.

Some of the other students continued eating, drinking, and chatting, while others responded to Zhang Chi's "profound" remarks about lawyers and takeout with awkward but polite smiles. Some even secretly glanced at Lin Feng, their eyes filled with sympathy or curiosity.

The Monkey silently gnawed on a piece of pork rib, crunching the bone loudly as if it were Zhang Chi's. He occasionally glared at Zhang Chi, clearly still seething with anger about what had just happened.

Lin Feng had already turned his gaze away from the window. He picked up the damp towel on the table and slowly wiped his mouth and fingers. The touch of the cool, damp cloth on his fingertips brought a slight sense of clarity.

He was certainly not a "magnanimous" person. Magnanimity is the tolerance of the strong towards the weak, or the transcendence of the mundane by a saint. He was neither strong nor a saint. He was an avenger who had crawled out of despair and betrayal, a manipulator who walked in the shadows. In his world, the rules were simple and ruthless: give loyalty, receive protection; inflict malice, bear the consequences.

Zhang Chi's words, seemingly just a joke or boast between classmates, sounded to Lin Feng as an offense and belittlement based on superficial understanding, a despicable act of trying to elevate oneself by trampling on others. More importantly, he touched upon one of the core disguises of Lin Feng's current identity—a legal assistant. Although Lin Feng didn't care about this identity, he loathed this kind of baseless malice from a clown.

Since the other party likes to flaunt his status as a "manager at a big company" and uses this status to build a sense of superiority, then let's start with this point he's most proud of.

Lin Feng closed his eyes, shutting out the tedious ukiyo-e scene before him. His consciousness sank into the network that only he could access.

A point of consciousness codenamed "Sun Zhengming" quietly floated at a certain level of the network. This was one of the suicide agents summoned by the system. His identity was the senior vice president of a leading internet technology company, in charge of human resources and some core businesses. He held a high position and wielded great power, and was one of the decision-makers who could truly influence the company's personnel appointments and dismissals.

"Sun Zhengming," Lin Feng transmitted the message in his mind.

"Boss, please give your instructions." Sun Zhengming's response arrived instantly, respectful, direct, and without any unnecessary words.

"Does your company's business department have a manager named Zhang Chi?" Lin Feng asked. He remembered that Monkey had mentioned Zhang Chi was in a "big company," and Sun Zhengming's company was one of the top companies in the country, so it was highly likely. Even if it wasn't the same company, given Sun Zhengming's status and connections in the industry, investigating someone or affecting someone's career wouldn't be difficult.

Sun Zhengming's mind barely paused, as if he always had a massive employee roster at hand. "Searching... Yes, boss. The company's Digital Marketing Business Group, Business Development Department Three, has a senior business manager named Zhang Chi, employee number HD73482. Last year's performance evaluation was B+, and he's currently responsible for some regional channel partnerships."

The information is accurate, and the job title matches perfectly. He's the one.

Lin Feng issued a second command in his mind, concise and clear, without any explanation or emotion. "Open him."

Without asking why, without assessing the impact, and without even the slightest hesitation.

"Understood, boss." Sun Zhengming's response was equally crisp and efficient. "Handle it immediately. It will be done in a compliant manner that leaves no room for future problems."

For a senior executive of a giant company with a market value of hundreds of billions, getting rid of a mere senior business manager is like brushing a speck of dust off their shoulder. Compliance investigation? Performance review? Job reassignment? There are too many methods, and they can all be done cleanly, leaving Zhang Chi with no idea which powerful figure he offended, only thinking it was just bad luck or a "company strategic adjustment."

Communication cut off.

Lin Feng opened his eyes again, and it felt like only a second or two had passed. The scene in the private room remained unchanged. Zhang Chi was still talking animatedly, Zhao Yali was still playing the role of a wealthy lady, Old Mr. Ma was still dealing with things with a gentle smile.

Lin Feng picked up the glass of beer in front of him, which had almost no bubbles left, and gently swirled it. The amber liquid left brief streaks on the glass.

As for Zhao Yali... Lin Feng's gaze lingered for a moment on her exquisitely made-up face.

Originally, based on his style of handling things, this woman who repeatedly tried to provoke and flaunt her power, and the business of the husband she relied on, should have paid a price. A little "attention" from Wei Guanglin, a few bureaucratic delays, and a tax check would have been enough to give that Old Mr. Ma a headache, and enough to make Zhao Yali understand that some people were not to be trifled with.

but...

Lin Feng's gaze fell back on Old Mr. Ma, who had maintained his composure throughout, even showing a hint of disapproval when Zhang Chi mocked him, and who had just spoken up to stop Zhao Yali.

This elderly man possessed excellent manners and cultivation, clearly someone who had truly weathered storms and accumulated experience. His choice of Zhao Yali may have had its own reasons and considerations, but at least during this gathering, he did not show any malice, and even attempted to maintain basic decorum.

Lin Feng's code of conduct includes a ruthless and precise side, as well as a principle of "avoiding involvement" based on his own judgment. Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. Zhao Yali's shallowness and Zhang Chi's opportunism are their own problems. Old Mr. Ma, at least for now, is an "unrelated person."

To punish a noisy sparrow and then jeopardize a reasonably pleasing old tree nearby? Not worth it.

That's enough. The coldness Lin Feng felt towards Old Mr. Ma quietly dissipated.

He turned his head and saw that the Monkey was still sulking there, with bones piled up almost like a small mountain in front of him. Lin Feng picked up his wine glass and gently touched the Monkey's wine glass on the table.

"Bite."

The crisp sound of glass colliding, though not loud, brought the Monkey back to its senses.

The Monkey raised its head and looked at Lin Feng, its eyes still filled with lingering anger and bewilderment at Lin Feng's "swallowing his anger."

Lin Feng met his gaze, the corners of his mouth curving upwards almost imperceptibly, forming a faint, almost imperceptible arc. He leaned closer and spoke in a low voice, audible only to the two of them, his tone as calm as stating a physical law:

"Monkey, as a human being... you should be magnanimous."

After saying that, he raised his glass and downed the remaining half-glass of beer in one gulp.

The cool liquid slid down my throat, carrying the slight bitterness characteristic of fermented malt.

The Monkey froze, staring at Lin Feng's calm, expressionless face, then at Zhang Chi, who was still boasting not far away, and Zhao Yali, who looked smug. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. He simply imitated Lin Feng, picked up his own wine glass, and took a big gulp.

The wine, when poured into my sorrowful heart, transformed into a deep sense of frustration and bewilderment.

He always felt that the look in his brother's eyes when he said "magnanimous" was excessively calm, even... a little cold.

Lin Feng put down his empty cup, picked up his chopsticks, took a fried peanut from the table, and put it in his mouth.

"Click."

A soft sound, barely audible amidst the surrounding noise.

He chewed slowly, his gaze returning to the window. The sunlight was still bright, streaming warmly through the glass.

Inside the private room, Zhang Chi's phone suddenly vibrated. He frowned, took out his phone, glanced at the screen, and his smug smile froze instantly. His brows furrowed tightly, and he hurriedly said to Old Mr. Ma and Zhao Yali, "Excuse me, I need to take this call," before getting up and walking quickly towards the quiet corridor outside the room.

Lin Feng did not turn around to look.

He knew roughly what the phone call would contain.

The peanuts are fragrant and crunchy.

One should indeed be magnanimous in life.

He picked up the teapot and poured himself another cup of hot tea. The rising steam blurred his calm features.