**"Understood."** Xue Qin clenched her teeth, her tone laced with reluctance.

  With the company in crisis, she had no choice but to compromise. If this wasn’t resolved soon, the branch she’d worked so hard to build would collapse entirely.

  "Prepare gifts! We’re going to the He family to apologize in person!" Old Man Song said coldly.

  He called Lin Yu and, upon learning he was at the bun shop, immediately gathered everyone and headed over.

  Since it was mealtime, Lin Yu was wearing a sanitary cap and an apron, helping his mother sell steamed buns.

  The group couldn’t help but twitch at the sight, their expressions awkward. Strangely, they detected an air of domestic diligence about him.

  "Old Man Song, you’re here! Have you eaten? If not, try some buns." Lin Yu smiled, handing him two bamboo steamers.

  Given the urgency of Xue Qin’s company situation, none of them had eaten yet. Hungry, they accepted without hesitation, finding a table inside to sit and eat.

  Xue Qin glanced at the buns but didn’t touch them. She’d never eaten at a roadside stall in her life.

  "Cousin, try them! They’re amazing!" Song Zheng devoured his buns enthusiastically—it was his first time tasting something so delicious.

  Old Man Huang and Old Man Song also praised them unreservedly.

  The sight of everyone eating so heartily made Xue Qin’s mouth water. Finally, she couldn’t resist taking a small bite.

  A rich, savory flavor exploded on her tongue. Surprised, she realized these buns tasted even better than some five-star hotel dim sum. Without further hesitation, she began eating daintily.

  By the time they finished, Lin Yu had wrapped up his work and helped his mother pack up the stall before joining them inside.

  "You must be Xiao He’s godmother. He speaks of you often. You’re truly blessed to have such a son," Old Man Song said warmly to Qin Xiulan.

  "Old Man Song, the pleasure is mine. My son speaks highly of you too. Losing one son was hard, but heaven sent me another," Qin Xiulan replied with a smile, though her eyes grew wistful as she glanced at Lin Yu’s photo on the wall.

  "Mom, no need to bring that up," Lin Yu said gently, patting her hand. Then, turning to Old Man Song, he asked, "What brings you here today?"

  Of course, he knew why they’d come the moment he saw Xue Qin, but he played dumb.

  "Oh, I brought these two foolish children to apologize to you," Old Man Song said with a chuckle. "I heard they offended you at the company. I gave them a stern talking-to at home."

  With that, he shot Song Zheng and Xue Qin a sharp look. "Well? Apologize to Xiao He!"

  Song Zheng reluctantly stood. "He Jiaron, I’m sorr—"

  "What did you call him?!"

  Before he could finish, Old Man Song kicked him and glared. "Show some respect!"

  Song Zheng quickly scratched his head and corrected himself. "Brother He, I was wrong that day. Please don’t hold it against me."

  "Qin’er!" Old Man Song barked when Xue Qin remained seated.

  "Sorry!"

  Xue Qin shot to her feet, her tone still defiant, her face turned away from Lin Yu.

  "Xiao He, don’t mind her. I’ve spoiled her rotten. For my sake, please forgive them," Old Man Song said with an apologetic smile.

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  "Of course, I’ll respect your wishes. Truthfully, I hadn’t taken it to heart," Lin Yu replied.

  "Good, good. Today, another incident happened at Qin’er’s company. We’d appreciate your help," Old Man Song added.

  Seeing the old man’s pleading expression, Lin Yu felt a pang of guilt. It wasn’t right for someone of his age to mediate his grandchildren’s mistakes.

  "Old Man Song, it’s not that I refuse to help. But Miss Xue told me, 'A person needs dignity, a tree needs bark.' Since she asked me to leave, no matter how thick-skinned I am, I can’t just waltz back in, can I?"

  Lin Yu glanced at Xue Qin. He wasn’t trying to make things difficult for her, but her entitled attitude needed correcting. She and Song Zheng were cut from the same cloth—both unbearably arrogant.

  Old Man Song immediately understood: Lin Yu wanted Xue Qin to personally ask him. He shot his granddaughter a meaningful look. "Qin’er, speak up! This is your problem!"

  Xue Qin seethed inwardly. No man had ever dared speak to her like this, nor had she ever humbled herself before one.

  She never imagined all these "firsts" would be because of Lin Yu.

  "Sorry. I apologize for what I said. Please help me this once."

  Gritting her teeth, she forced the words out. Years in business had taught her to bend when necessary—but she swore to herself that if she ever got the chance, she’d make Lin Yu pay.

  A smirk tugged at Lin Yu’s lips. Seeing the high-and-mighty Xue Qin eating humble pie gave him an odd sense of satisfaction.

  Without further delay, he accompanied the group to buy four copper coins, a small peachwood sword, and some spirit money before heading to Xue Qin’s company.

  After hearing Old Man Huang’s explanation, Lin Yu finally grasped the situation. The death had occurred outside the window—so the malignant energy lingered there. No wonder he’d found nothing inside the office earlier.

  Entering the employee office, Lin Yu handed the four coins to Old Man Song and the others, instructing them to place one in each corner. Then, standing at the center, he silently enchanted the peachwood sword with a soul-dispelling incantation.

  Planting his feet firmly, he gripped the sword with both hands and struck its tip against the floor.

  Instantly, the four coins stood upright and began spinning rapidly.

  "How is this possible?!" Song Zheng gasped, astounded.

  Even Xue Qin paled. She’d heard of strange phenomena but had never witnessed anything like this firsthand.

  Old Man Huang watched Lin Yu with admiration. A true master.

  Lin Yu skewered the spirit money with the sword, walked to the window, and pointed outward. The papers fluttered into the air, spontaneously combusting before vanishing.

  At that moment, the coin near Song Zheng’s feet snapped in half with a crisp *crack*, falling to the ground. The other coins ceased spinning and lay still.

  Song Zheng swallowed hard, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  Lin Yu collected the coins, examining the broken one. To Xue Qin, he said, "It’s done. Call those employees—their madness should be cured."

  Xue Qin, still shaken, reached for her phone on reflex. But before she could dial, her secretary called first.

  "President Xue! Old Wang suddenly recovered! The doctors were about to examine him when he just... woke up!"

  Xue Qin’s jaw dropped. She stared at Lin Yu, her expression unreadable.

  Calls to the other two employees’ families confirmed the same: they’d returned to normal, remembering nothing, as if waking from a long dream.

  "Young man, you’re extraordinary. Today, I witnessed something remarkable. If I’m not mistaken, that was the 'Broken Coin Evil-Dispelling Technique,' wasn’t it?" Old Man Huang said, his admiration evident.

  "You flatter me, Old Man Huang. To recognize such a trivial trick—I’m embarrassed," Lin Yu replied humbly.

  "The younger generation surpasses the old!" Old Man Huang sighed inwardly. Compared to Old Man Song’s grandchildren, this He Jiaron was exceptional. Such humility was rare among the youth.

  "Qin’er, thank Xiao He properly," Old Man Song urged.

  The more he saw of Lin Yu, the more he liked him. What a perfect match for Qin’er! A shame he was already married. Heaven was truly blind!

  "Thank you," Xue Qin said, her tone less stiff, though she still avoided looking at him.

  At Old Man Song’s insistence, Lin Yu joined them for tea at Jishitang. Xue Qin and Song Zheng stayed behind to stabilize the company after the ordeal.

  At the teahouse, Old Man Song brought out his prized Xinyang Maojian tea leaves. "Xiao He, this is the 'Jade Leaves of the Blue Sky'—the king of Xinyang Maojian. Only for you would I brew this."

  "You old fox!" Old Man Huang laughed, shaking his head. "Xiao He, I’m benefiting from your presence. Otherwise, I’d never even see this tea."

  He knew Old Man Song too well. This was clearly an attempt to curry favor with Lin Yu.

  "Nonsense! I was planning to give you two taels when you left," Old Man Song retorted, his face reddening.

  Once the tea was served, Old Man Song couldn’t hold back. "Xiao He, Zheng mentioned you examined Qin’er the other day. Did you find anything?"

  "No," Lin Yu admitted, puzzled. "Her pulse was normal. Perfectly healthy."

  At first, he’d wondered if Old Man Song was testing him. But the old man’s grave expression suggested Xue Qin truly was ill.

  Perhaps his skills weren’t advanced enough to detect it.

  "Oh, but she is ill—and seriously so," Old Man Song insisted urgently. "Some ailments don’t require pulse-reading. Observation and interaction can reveal them."

  "I observed and interacted. The only issue might be her temper, but that’s not an illness," Lin Yu said, baffled.

  "Old Song, we’re all friends here. Just say it outright," Old Man Huang interjected.

  "Yes, Old Man Song, please tell me directly. What’s her condition?" Lin Yu agreed.

  Old Man Song flushed, covering his face with a sigh. "Ah, this is so embarrassing. How do I even say this?"