Changlin Community, under the busy efforts of the demolition team, had most of the houses torn down. However, the original trees inside were all preserved.

Zhou Rui drove Lin Chuan to the construction site of Changlin Community. Many workers on-site were surveying and protecting some of the more ancient trees inside.

"Not bad," Lin Chuan said with a smile, "Your environmental consciousness is strong."

"You don't know, I've specifically allocated ten million to protect the greenery here," Zhou Rui sighed with a smile, "After all, every plant at the Changlin Factory is part of our childhood memories. I don't want to lose these memories in the future."

"That's right!" Lin Chuan nodded, saying, "Moreover, if these trees are destroyed now, it'll cost more than ten million to restore the greenery later. It'll take at least twenty million to bring these trees back."

"Exactly!" Zhou Rui nodded, "Look at your house."

Curious, Lin Chuan walked over; the house was demolished, but an old locust tree at the entrance still stood tall and unmoved. Zhou Rui smiled and said, "I'm planning to build a small villa on your plot, making the lush green areas in the front and back into gardens. What do you think?"

"Great," Lin Chuan laughed, "I'm already used to living here, so if I can continue to stay, that would be wonderful."

"Hehe," Zhou Rui laughed, "When you marry me, this will be our wedding house. So, I want to design this villa by hand—everything inside... needs my personal touch. That's how I'll feel accomplished."

"Haha..." Lin Chuan laughed heartily.

Many transport trucks, with their rear eight-wheelers, traveled back and forth between the Changlin Factory, hauling away the construction waste. In about half a month, this construction site would officially begin laying the foundation for the first batch of buildings. Not far away, workers were already starting to install safety fences around the site. The blue metal fences had painted words: "Work joyfully, return home safely."

"By the way, Yang Zi has come to see me several times," Zhou Rui said.

"What does she want from you?" Lin Chuan frowned.

"She's talked to me about wanting to invest in Sichuan University Group several times," Zhou Rui smiled, "Perhaps she's seen Shichuan University Group's promising future."

"Hmph, if that's the case, then fine," Lin Chuan snorted, "But I'm afraid this woman's intentions aren't that simple."

"What do you mean?" Zhou Rui looked at Lin Chuan in confusion.

No matter what, they're still classmates, and assuming such things about someone, especially a woman, might seem inappropriate. Zhou Rui looked at Lin Chuan, who smiled and said, "Anyway, Yang Zi isn't a good person; you should be cautious."

Although Yang Zi hadn't done anything wrong to Lin Chuan, this woman wasn't simple. Her ambition and madness were clear from her daring act in a fit of anger—killing Liu Shaoqi and the driver, which proved she wasn't ordinary.

"Why do you say that?" Zhou Rui frowned, "You shouldn't slander Yang Zi."

"Did I slander her?" Lin Chuan laughed and asked.

"This..." Zhou Rui hesitated for a moment and said, "Do you have any evidence for saying that?"

"Do you know about Liu Shaoqi's death?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Yes," Zhou Rui nodded, "Wasn't it due to a car accident? Ah, mentioning this makes me feel even sorrier for Yang Zi; she's widowed so young, managing such a big company alone."

"Haha, if you think so, then you're mistaken," Lin Chuan snorted.

"What do you mean?" Zhou Rui glared at Lin Chuan, "Just say what you want without holding back."

"I actually hesitate to tell you," Lin Chuan looked at Zhou Rui helplessly, "After all, we're all classmates, and if too many people know about this, it's not good for Yang Zi."

"Hurry up and say it," Zhou Rui grew anxious, feeling very uncomfortable being kept in suspense.

"If I tell you that Liu Shaoqi was killed by Yang Zi, what would you think?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"Huh?" Zhou Rui was dumbfounded immediately. She looked at Lin Chuan in shock and said, "No... that's impossible, right?"

Zhou Rui, being a classmate of Yang Zi, knew a bit about her character. She was aware of Yang Zi's ambitious and occasionally scheming nature. However, committing murder, especially the murder of her own husband, seemed out of character. The idea that Yang Zi was connected to Liu Shaoqi's death seemed inconceivable to Zhou Rui.

Lin Chuan smiled slightly and said, "That's the fact. If you don't believe it, you can confront Yang Zi about it."

"No, I won't!" Zhou Rui immediately shook her head, "Anyway, I can't believe this. Yang Zi may have her flaws, but she wouldn't kill her own husband."

"Perhaps she had her reasons," Lin Chuan smiled and said, "That's also one reason I haven't taken her to court. I hope that she, through this ordeal, will realize her mistakes and not continue down the wrong path."

"Lin Chuan, this... this can't be true, can it?" Zhou Rui looked into Lin Chuan's eyes, with no hint of deceit.

"I investigated it fully last year, and she admitted it herself," Lin Chuan smiled.

"Oh my God!" Zhou Rui exclaimed, seemingly unwilling to accept this reality. She gradually came to terms with it, but internally, she was still resistant, mumbling, "How could this happen, how could this happen..."

"Xiao Rui, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself." Lin Chuan comforted her, "Actually, Yang Zi killing Liu Shaoqi was something she was forced into. Despite Liu Shaoqi's normal appearance, he had a split personality, was domestically violent, sexually impotent, and often abused Yang Zi. You can see how severe the domestic violence was by the shocking scars on Yang Zi's body."

"But it shouldn't lead to murder." Zhou Rui remained unable to understand the act of killing, gritting her teeth, "Yang Zi could have applied for legal aid, gotten a divorce, even... there were so many ways, but why did she take such an extreme step?"

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Maybe it was just accidental manslaughter."

Lin Chuan dared not reveal the truth that Yang Zi, with the chauffeur, had killed Liu Shaoqi, nor dared he tell her that Yang Zi had personally killed Liu Shaoqi's chauffeur.

"Really?" Zhou Rui was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes, it must have been an accidental killing, otherwise she wouldn't have done it."

Having finally calmed Zhou Rui with this explanation, he sent her back to the Sichuan University Group. The group had also expanded in size; the previously empty public office area was now filled with quite a few people, with half of the cubicles occupied. The number of employees in the group had increased from double digits to three digits. The receptionist was still there.

Seeing Lin Chuan and Zhou Rui come in, the receptionist, who was applying nail polish, hurriedly put it away and said awkwardly, "Mr. Zhou, you're back."

"Yes, get back to work." Zhou Rui smiled.

"Got it!" the receptionist giggled.

Zhou Rui was always friendly with employees, so they were quite satisfied with her, and the company's fighting spirit was strong. Everyone worked together to build towards a brighter future.

Not long after sitting in her office, Zhou Rui got busy.

Seeing Zhou Rui busy, Lin Chuan took his leave.

As Lin Chuan exited Jiangbei Building, he saw Mu Bai with a few kids shopping on the street, piquing his curiosity, and he quickly walked over.

"Mu Bai." Lin Chuan waved from a distance.

"Lin Chuan?" Mu Bai was stunned for a moment, her eyes lit up, and she quickly ran toward Lin Chuan. She looked at him in surprise and said, "You... you're in Jiangbei City?"

"I just got back," Lin Chuan replied.

"I thought so," Mu Bai giggled, "I tried calling you a few days ago, but I couldn't get through."

"I was abroad all this time," Lin Chuan smiled, "Our company is expanding overseas, so as the company's representative, I had to personally oversee the market expansion."

"So... how did it go?" Mu Bai asked.

"Everything is fine," Lin Chuan nodded, then said, "The business expansion is pretty much done, so I'm back for a holiday."

"Lucky you!" Mu Bai giggled.

"What are you doing?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"Buying clothes and backpacks for some kids." Mu Bai turned to look at the timid kids, wearing thin, outdated clothing. She said softly, "They're impoverished yet hardworking in their studies, so I don't want them to feel inferior. I'm buying them clean, pretty clothes and checking if they need any daily supplies."

"I see," Lin Chuan laughed heartily.

"Why, is Mr. Lin interested in sponsoring some?" Mu Bai teased with a giggle.

"Sure," Lin Chuan nodded, "I'll cover the school bags for the kids. Also, let's have two sets of uniforms made for each of them."

"Really?" Mu Bai rejoiced, "I've always wanted to have uniforms made, but... considering the kids' family situations, I haven't implemented the idea. You know, there are hundreds of students in the school, and making uniforms costs tens of thousands, which isn't a small expense."

"Isn't there a charity fund?" Lin Chuan frowned and said, "With the initial five million investment, and then Song Ming's ten million donation. The fund has a total of fifteen million now."

"True, but we use it sparingly," Mu Bai playfully said, "I've entrusted the fund management to ensure an annual profit of ten percent, which is about over a million a year. That million goes towards so many things: school event funds, maintenance of teaching buildings, and over two hundred thousand just for scholarships alone... There's a lot needing funding."

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