229 The Challenge 4 (2/2)

After he arranged his thought, Lin Kang was about to say something but Elder Lin stopped him by saying, ”At the end of the day, this does not directly concern you.” Then he turned away from Lin Kang to face his daughter-in-law. ”Well, Xiu Ling, what do you think? Are you up for the challenge?”

There was a determination on Xiu Ling's face when she answered, ”Yes, father. I shall take on the challenge.”

The board of directors was surprised. They did not expect Xiu Ling to accept the challenge extended by Elder Lin. Elder Lin had already provided her a way to excuse herself from the company with grace and humility by denying the challenge but she seemed to misunderstand Elder Lin's intention. However, if she was intent on banging her head against the wall and making a show of herself, they were not going to stop her. If anything, they would sit back and enjoy the show.

No one was more surprised than Lin Kang. It was one thing if his father was acting crazy, he did not understand why his wife was acting crazy with him as well. They could have settled it in private but now that Xiu Ling had announced her desire to accept the challenge before other people, it would have harmed her reputation severely if she decide to bow out of it later.

Only Elder Lin nodded imperceptibly. When he met Xiu Ling's gaze, the latter could see approval in them.

”Good,” Elder Lin nodded. Then, he turned back to Lin Kang to warn him in a stern voice, ”Lin Kang, I know what you're thinking. You could have siphon some money into Xiu Ling's business account and achieve the target easily but if I catch you doing something like that, the challenge will be canceled and Xiu Ling will be considered as losing the challenge.”

Based on the pained expression on Lin Kang's face, it seemed like Elder Lin had guessed his thought. In a much softer voice, Elder Lin added, ”But you can help her in any other non-monetary way, I will not take issue with that.”

Elder Lin then stood up from the chair and announced, ”Now that all the groundwork has been laid, it is time for us to leave.” He then ushered the whole board of directors out of the room. ”I'm sure they have plenty of things to discuss, let's not disturb them any longer.”

The door closed and Lin Kang crumbled back down into his seat. He shook his head and after some time, he turned to ask Xiu Ling, ”Well, do you have the confidence to do this? If you don't, we can still back out of it, we'll just go talk to father later at home.”

Xiu Ling just looked at him and smiled, ”I will figure a way out, don't worry.”