Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

Zhao Shufang left the meeting room, her heart still pounding. The man's words echoed in her ears, like an invisible pressure, making her feel trapped in an invisible web. She knew she could no longer trust anyone, especially in this world filled with lies and calculations.

After leaving the building, she habitually called Lu Lingyuan. After the phone rang a few times, his low voice came from the other end: "Zhao Shufang, what's wrong?"

"I need to talk to you." Her voice was calm, but there was an unspeakable urgency in her heart.

"Come to see me now?" Lu Lingyuan's tone was hesitant, as if he was considering something. "Okay, come to the company, I'll wait for you."

After hanging up, Zhao Shufang didn't waste any time and took a taxi straight to Lu Lingyuan's company. The scenery along the way passed by quickly, but her thoughts lingered on the man's words. Every word stirred ripples in her heart, and the feeling of powerlessness was a bit difficult to adapt to. She didn't want to admit it, but a voice deep in her heart told her that this game had far exceeded her imagination.

Arriving at Lu Lingyuan's office, Zhao Shufang looked up at the towering building after getting out of the car, and her heart sank slightly. She took a deep breath, quickly walked into the building, and took the elevator to Lu Lingyuan's office. She knew that today she had to confront him and make everything clear.

The office door was pushed open, and Lu Lingyuan was sitting behind his desk, seemingly looking through some documents. When he saw Zhao Shufang come in, he smiled slightly and motioned for her to sit down.

"What do you want to talk about?" Lu Lingyuan put down the documents in his hand and looked at her. There was some concern in his eyes, but there was also a hint of unfathomable light.

Zhao Shufang walked to the table and sat down. She looked at him deeply, then got straight to the point: "About that man, about the truth hidden behind all of us, have you known about it for a long time?"

Lu Lingyuan's expression instantly grew serious, his gaze meeting hers without a shred of averted glances. "Is that the man you're talking about, the 'chess player' who claims to be in control of everything?"

Zhao Shufang nodded, her heart full of doubts, "What exactly do you mean by his words? He said we are just chess pieces on the chessboard, and you..." She didn't continue, but her eyes said it all.

A complex emotion flashed across Lu Lingyuan's eyes. He was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "You're right, there are some things I already knew."

Zhao Shufang's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Lu Lingyuan to admit it so directly. He actually knew so much? What was the relationship between them?

"Why didn't you tell me?" she said excitedly. "You knew so much, why didn't you warn me?"

Lu Lingyuan sighed slightly and rubbed his brow, as if considering how to speak. "Shufang, there are some things I don't tell you, not because I don't trust you, but because you are still too young and there are many things you are not ready to face."

A hint of anger flashed in Zhao Shufang's eyes. "Young? Do you think I'm ready to face it now? Do you think I can bear the weight of these secrets?"

Lu Lingyuan looked at her, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. "I know you can handle it. I've always believed you're capable, but..." He paused. "This game is too big, and the underlying interests are far more complex than you can imagine."

Zhao Shufang stared at him, feeling a mixture of emotions. She realized that Lu Lingyuan seemed to have seen through it all long ago, and she had simply lost her way in this complex game.

"What do you know? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Her tone became more urgent.

Lu Lingyuan sighed and spoke slowly, "From the moment you started investigating those things, I knew you were involved in this situation. That man is our common enemy and the representative of the power behind each of us. He controls certain dark sides of this world, and anyone who tries to escape his control will pay a heavy price."

Zhao Shufang's heart trembled violently. She had never imagined she would be drawn into such a deep vortex. That man, that self-proclaimed "chess master" who controlled everything, actually had such a deep connection with them. And Lu Lingyuan had actually known all this for a long time?

Her mind was in a mess. "What is your relationship with him? Are you also in his chess game?"

A trace of pain flashed in Lu Lingyuan's eyes, and he spoke slowly, "We used to be partners, but at that time I didn't realize his true purpose. Later, I discovered that he was not only controlling the fate of all of us, but the power behind him could even influence the political power of this country."

Zhao Shufang was speechless with shock. This man, could he manipulate everything so profoundly, even sway the fate of the nation? She suddenly realized that the so-called "conspiracy" she knew was just the tip of the iceberg, and the depth of the truth was far more terrifying than she had ever imagined.

"Then what should we do?" Zhao Shufang asked in a low voice, a hint of despair in her eyes.

Lu Lingyuan looked at her, and after a moment's silence, he slowly spoke: "We have no choice but to move on. Now that you know the truth, you must be prepared to face all possible consequences."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath. Although her heart was filled with fear and anxiety, she knew she had no way out. No matter how difficult the road ahead, she had to go on, uncover this mystery and find the truth behind it.

"I understand." Her voice was firmer. "But I also want to know, what exactly are you going to do?"

Lu Lingyuan smiled slightly, his eyes a little cold, "The only thing we can do is to unite and fight against that man together, break the conspiracy behind him, and protect ourselves."

Zhao Shufang nodded. She knew that the war had begun and she was already standing at the center of the storm.

She looked at Lu Lingyuan, a surge of determination in her heart. No matter how difficult the road ahead, she would fight alongside him and uncover this invisible darkness.