## Chapter Five:
A few relatively quiet days passed in Lin Feng's rented apartment. He used this time to review the little information he had on "Mei Lin," the girl he had nicknamed "Little Mouse" in the past, and Lawyer Wang, the man he had chosen to be his first line of defense. The information wasn't much, but it was enough to sketch out a preliminary plan for each meeting. More importantly, he focused on adjusting his mental state. He was no longer the arrogant Lin Feng he used to be; now, he had to be cautious, persuasive, and capable of reading people.
"Zhao Fu," Lin Feng said, looking out the window at the busy street below, "make sure the meeting places are completely separate from anything related to me or the family. A quiet café in a different district for the meeting with Mei, and Lawyer Wang's office seems suitable for the second meeting. Secrecy is paramount right now."
"That has been arranged, Young Master," Zhao Fu replied calmly. "I have taken the necessary precautions."
Lin Feng felt some relief having Zhao Fu by his side. This old man was the only constant in his currently turbulent life. But he knew that relying on just one person was a strategic mistake. He needed to build his own network, a web of allies loyal to him personally, not to the Lin family.
The meeting with Mei came first. Lin Feng chose a small café located in a side alley, far from the areas he usually frequented. Mei arrived on time, wearing simple clothes and thick glasses that hid much of her face. She looked nervous and skeptical, sitting on the edge of her seat and avoiding direct eye contact with Lin Feng.
"Thank you for coming, Mei," Lin Feng began in a calm, respectful voice, completely different from his previous tone. "I appreciate you giving me this opportunity."
She looked at him with slight surprise, then mumbled, "No problem... You said you wanted to talk."
"Yes. First, I wanted to apologize again for my behavior in the past. There was no excuse for it, and I truly regret it." He said it with sincerity that seemed evident this time. He placed a small envelope on the table. "This is a small amount as a token of appreciation for your time today, regardless of whether you accept my help or not."
Mei hesitated, then reluctantly took the envelope and put it in her bag without opening it. "Thanks... What exactly do you want from me?"
"I need information," Lin Feng said directly. "Information that is difficult to access through traditional means. It concerns a company called Tian Long Capital, and a person named Chu Fan." He watched her reaction carefully.
No obvious expression showed on Mei's face, but her eyes behind the glasses widened slightly at the mention of Tian Long. "That's... a relatively large investment company. And Chu Fan... I've heard his name before," she said cautiously.
"I know. What I need is any information about their financial activities, their dealings, anything that seems unusual or suspicious. I don't need you to breach their main systems right now, just preliminary reconnaissance, gathering information from open sources, perhaps searching some less protected databases. I want to know if there are any vulnerabilities that can be exploited later," Lin Feng explained, presenting the task as preliminary reconnaissance to ease her concerns.
Mei fell silent, thinking. The need for money was clear, but so was the hesitation. "This could be dangerous..."
"I understand the risks," Lin Feng said. "That's why I'm prepared to pay generously for your time and expertise. And we will take every necessary precaution. There will be no trail leading back to you or me. This is just preliminary research for now. If you find something interesting, we can discuss the next steps. If you don't find anything, or feel it's too dangerous, you can stop at any time, and you will be fully compensated for your time."
Mei looked at Lin Feng for a long moment, trying to read his intentions. Maybe his change was real, or maybe it was just an elaborate act. But the offer of money, combined with the technical challenge that seemed to pique her curiosity, was tempting. "Alright," she said finally. "I'll do some preliminary research. But no promises. And how will we communicate?"
Lin Feng felt cautious relief. "I have a secure method. I'll send you the details later." They agreed on some initial details before Mei left quickly, still looking uncomfortable.
The next meeting was with Lawyer Wang in his elegant and quiet office. The lawyer was a middle-aged man, wearing a carefully tailored suit and exuding confidence and calm. He listened attentively as Lin Feng presented his version of the events at the banquet, focusing on portraying himself as a victim of a conspiracy designed to frame him and ruin his reputation, hinting at Chu Fan's role without making direct accusations that couldn't be proven yet.
"Things have been greatly exaggerated, Lawyer Wang," Lin Feng said in a calm, measured tone. "There was a misunderstanding, perhaps some reckless behavior on my part, but the situation was exploited to level serious accusations against me. I believe someone is trying to get me out of the way... or perhaps seize what belongs to my family."
He presented some inconsistencies he and Zhao Fu had noticed in the testimonies of some attendees, and some information about the past animosity between him and Chu Fan. "That's why I need an independent legal counsel, someone who can look at the case objectively and protect my personal interests away from family politics."
Lawyer Wang asked several precise questions, assessing the story and Lin Feng's credibility. He made no easy promises. "The case seems complex, Mr. Lin. Building a defense based on a conspiracy theory requires very strong evidence. But your account warrants investigation. The first step is to gather all possible facts and secure any evidence that might support your position. I will need your full authorization to investigate and speak on your behalf."
Lin Feng agreed, feeling that this lawyer was the right choice. They discussed the fees, and Lin Feng paid the initial retainer immediately.
Lin Feng had barely returned to his apartment when his phone rang. It was Lawyer Zhang, the family lawyer.
"Young Master Lin," Lawyer Zhang said, his tone carrying barely concealed curiosity. "Have you managed to consult with... your personal legal advisor? Mr. Chu Fan and the representatives of the Xiao family are still hoping to set up a meeting soon to resolve the misunderstanding."
Lin Feng felt the pressure mounting. "Lawyer Zhang, I'm still reviewing things. My advisor needs more time to fully assess the situation. I will call you back as soon as I have an update." He ended the call quickly, feeling the noose tightening.
He looked at Zhao Fu. "Zhao Fu, I want you to conduct a discreet and subtle investigation into Mei Lin and Lawyer Wang. Their history, their connections, anything that might indicate they aren't as independent as they seem."
"Certainly, Young Master."
Lin Feng sat alone again. He had successfully planted two seeds, potential allies in his new network. But trust was a rare commodity, and time was not on his side. This was just the beginning, and he knew the road ahead was still long and fraught with danger.