Suppressing the Protagonist at the Start to Seize the Heroine

Chapter 148: A Pledge of Allegiance

Su Lin spent the morning playing games in an arcade with Qin Jiuyue, surprised at how much she enjoyed it. It was evident that she had been cooped up too long.

He wondered what she was like at school, remembering her guise as the obedient girl, and chuckled at the thought of her revealing her true nature.

After dropping Qin Jiuyue off at Cangzhaobai, Su Lin went to meet Luo Sihai at Sihai Hotel. Luo Sihai treated Su Lin with high regard, personally greeting him downstairs.

“Sorry, Young master Su, I really couldn’t get away, or else I would have visited you in person,” Luo Sihai sincerely apologized.

Su Lin observed Luo Sihai, who seemed to have aged a decade overnight. He had lost the arrogant demeanor he had the day before. Su Lin already knew from Su Zhenguo about the events that had transpired in the meeting room last night.

He had a new understanding of Luo Sihai – a man who could adapt to changes quickly. Yesterday, he was the respected President Luo, and today, he was humbling himself to offer his services.

Throughout their walk, Luo Sihai kept talking, while Su Lin listened silently, used to such flattery.

In the upstairs office, Luo Sihai hurriedly pulled out a chair for Su Lin. Sitting down, Su Lin smiled at Luo Sihai, “Siye, I recall we weren’t friends before.”

Luo Sihai nodded, “Indeed, there were some misunderstandings with Young master Su before.”

“Misunderstandings? I’m not so sure about that.”

Not dwelling on this topic, Su Lin asked, “Why choose to pledge allegiance to me? There are many families and bosses in Donghai.”

“Although I have some assets, I don’t think President Luo needs to work for me. You must understand the difference between cooperation and allegiance.”

Luo Sihai wasn’t mentioned much in the book, only known as a cunning figure. If not for the unexpected death of Lin Tian, he would have mutually benefited with Lin Tian and become a tycoon.

But now, with Lin Tian gone, without finding a new backer, Luo Sihai would soon be devoured by Donghai’s families, especially the Qin and Li families.

Previously unaffiliated with these families, his forced connection with Lin Tian and the latter’s subsequent death had created a storm. Luo Sihai must be in trouble, and a serious one at that.

Luo Sihai appeared conflicted. He had intended to cooperate with Su Lin, but considering Su Zhenguo’s current popularity in Donghai, with both the Qin and Li families extending olive branches, he felt he lacked the standing to partner with Su Lin. Therefore, he chose to pledge loyalty and work for Su Lin.

Luo Sihai nodded with a forlorn look, “Ah, I’ve been through a lot since I was sixteen, but this time… I didn’t even get a chance to breathe. That woman from the Li family is trying to crush me to death.”

Su Lin, surprised, said, “Siye, I heard from my dad that you could just lose some money to solve the problem. How did it turn into a life-threatening situation?”

Luo Sihai gave a bitter smile, “Lose money? If it were just that, it would have been better. The woman from the Li family made me sign a transfer agreement without paying a dime. She didn’t say a word, but the signal was clear. Now, every big and small family in Donghai wants to swallow me whole.”

“She’s powerful. Without saying or doing anything, she’s pushing my billion-dollar company towards destruction.”

Su Lin realized, “That makes sense. With Li Ziyu’s character, she wouldn’t let you off. So, this is why you’re seeking refuge with me?”

Luo Sihai nodded, “Although I don’t know Young master Su’s role in this, I can guess it’s significant, maybe even pivotal. So I thought to try my luck with you.”

“You’re quite candid. But, Siye, let me remind you. Working for me requires absolute loyalty. You can’t ask questions, only act, and must deliver results.”

“If investigated, you bear all consequences. It’s a thankless job. Still want to pledge allegiance?”

Luo Sihai thought of last night’s events, still somewhat dazed. Even Qin Deshu, the Qin family’s decision-maker, was eagerly pleasing Su Zhenguo, and Li Ziyu was exceptionally polite to him, inviting Su Zhenguo to visit the Li family.

“…I can agree, boss…”

“Hey, hey, don’t rush to call me boss. I haven’t agreed to take you yet.” Su Lin interjected. Although he urgently needed manpower, Su Lin felt that someone like Luo Sihai should be fully committed or not taken at all to avoid backfiring.

“What other conditions do you have, Young master Su?”

Su Lin smiled lightly, “No specific conditions, but President Luo still needs a gesture of commitment.”

Hearing “gesture of commitment,” Luo Sihai was taken aback, then realized. Indeed, mere words of loyalty, especially in their unequal relationship, weren’t enough. Why should Su Lin trust him to work earnestly?

“A gesture? What do you want me to do?”

“Old Luo, it’s simple. I don’t want to see Li Ziyen ever again,” Su Lin said flatly.

Luo Sihai’s pupils shrank, “Li Ziyen… If I deal with him, my feud with the Li family will be irreversible. Li Ziyu is unforgiving. Boss, are you sending me to my death?”

Su Lin nodded, “Exactly. I’m putting you in a position with no way out. If found out, death is certain. The Li family has martial arts masters.”

Luo Sihai hissed in shock. The mention of a martial arts master left Luo Sihai paralyzed in his chair. At his level, he had encountered some martial artists practicing qinggong martial arts, but masters were rare and formidable, capable of incredible feats like sending a car flying with a single punch.

Su Lin knew he couldn’t just intimidate Luo Sihai. He demonstrated his own strength by pressing a finger on the marble table, which immediately cracked and crumbled into a pile of grey powder.

“Qinggong martial arts masters are not that big of a deal, Old Luo. You’re not scared, are you?”

Luo Sihai stared in shock at the pulverized stone caused by Su Lin’s touch, utterly stunned.

“A qinggong martial arts grandmaster… An eighteen-year-old grandmaster!!!”

After a half-minute of silence, Luo Sihai stood up and bowed deeply to Su Lin, “Boss, from today onwards, I’m your dog. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

Before meeting Su Lin, Luo Sihai’s plan was to rely on Su Zhenguo’s influence to stay unshakable. But now, his intentions had completely changed. An eighteen-year-old martial arts grandmaster was a formidable ally.

Su Lin chuckled, “Old Luo, I really admire your decisiveness and your lack of principles. Aren’t you afraid I might lose?”

“Following a martial arts grandmaster is worth it, even if we lose. Besides, you’re only eighteen, so young and full of possibilities,” Luo Sihai said with shining eyes.

Who would have thought that Su Lin, a harmless-looking eighteen-year-old, was a grandmaster of qinggong martial arts?

The difference between a master and a grandmaster might be just one word, but it signified an entirely different level of capability.

“With Su Lin protecting me, I can live freely and unbothered, even by Li Ziyu herself.”

“Good! By tonight, I want to hear that Li Ziyen is dead.”

“No problem, I can do it right now.”

Jokingly, Luo Sihai thought, with Su Lin, a qinggong martial arts grandmaster, who could he fear? He believed Su Lin needed manpower and would definitely use him.

By killing Li Ziyen, he would be irreversibly tied to Su Lin’s boat, becoming a sharp weapon in Su Lin’s hand, ready to strike whoever Su Lin targets.