Love and choices across time and space

It was a bright, sunny morning, the golden sun filtering through the thin clouds, softly scattering across every corner of the bustling city. Li Yifeng awoke in his small, dark, rented apartment. The room was filled with a stale air, and the lime on the walls was peeling, revealing mottled marks.

He sat on the creaky single bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes and looking out the window at the busy streets, his heart filled with anxiety and anticipation. Today could be a day that would change his destiny.

Li Yifeng put on his only decent suit. Although it was a bit worn, he still carefully adjusted the collar and cuffs. He looked in the mirror and forced a confident smile, trying to hide his inner uneasiness. His hair was slightly messy, and his eyes revealed confusion and longing for the future.

Li Yifeng walked out of the rental house and joined the bustling crowd. He looked up at the towering office building and secretly encouraged himself: "I must succeed today. This is my only chance."

Meanwhile, Father Lin sat in his spacious, bright office. Sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a shadow over his serious and pensive face. He wore a beautifully tailored black suit and a dark red tie, every detail revealing his authority and status. His gaze fell on the documents in his hands, his brow furrowed slightly, as he plotted how to expose Li Yifeng's true colors in this test.

"We'll soon know whether Li Yifeng is sincere or not." Father Lin muttered to himself with a hint of coldness in his voice.

Li Yifeng arrived at the Lin Group building at the appointed time. The building was magnificent, its glass curtain walls reflecting the dazzling sunlight, making him feel dizzy. Entering the lobby, the luxurious decorations and busy staff made him feel a little uneasy.

"Hello, how can I help you?" the receptionist asked politely with a professional smile on her face.

"I, I'm here to see Director Lin. My name is Li Yifeng." Li Yifeng stuttered, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Please wait a moment. I'll let them know." The receptionist dialed the number and said after a moment, "Mr. Li, Director Lin wants you to go up to the 18th floor."

Li Yifeng took a deep breath and walked into the elevator. As the elevator rose rapidly, his heart rose to his throat.

When Li Yifeng came to Lin's father's office, Lin's father was standing in front of the window with his back to him.

"Uncle Lin, I'm here." Li Yifeng said cautiously.

Father Lin turned around with a kind smile on his face, "Yifeng, come and sit down."

Li Yifeng sat down on the sofa, his body tense, his hands unconsciously placed on his knees.

"Yifeng, I called you here today because I have something important to discuss with you." Father Lin said, staring at Li Yifeng closely.

Li Yifeng nodded quickly, "Uncle Lin, go ahead."

Father Lin sat down and said slowly, "There is an investment project recently that has great prospects, but it requires a large amount of capital investment. I am considering asking you to participate."

Li Yifeng's eyes lit up, but he quickly tried to hide his excitement. "Uncle Lin, this is great. But, I, I'm afraid I don't have that much money."

Father Lin smiled and said, "It's okay. As long as you are determined, we can find a way to solve the funding problem."

Li Yifeng hesitated for a moment and said, "Uncle Lin, is this project risky?"

Father Lin frowned slightly. "There are certainly risks, but the rewards are also considerable. As long as we operate properly, we can reap huge returns in the short term."

Li Yifeng fell into deep thought, a fierce struggle in his heart. On the one hand, he longed to seize this opportunity to escape poverty; on the other hand, he was worried that if he failed, he would be in an irretrievable situation.

"Yifeng, think about it carefully. I'll give you two days." Father Lin said.

Li Yifeng nodded, "Okay, Uncle Lin, I will definitely consider it seriously."

After leaving the Lin Group, Li Yifeng couldn't calm down for a long time. He walked on the street, and the noise around him seemed to have nothing to do with him.

Back in the rental house, Li Yifeng lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling, and what Lin's father said kept appearing in his mind.

"Is this an opportunity or a trap?" Li Yifeng said to himself.

Over the next two days, Li Yifeng inquired about this investment project. He contacted some so-called industry insiders, but the answers he received varied. Some said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, while others said it was a huge scam.

Li Yifeng's heart became more and more conflicted. Sometimes he felt that he should take a risk, and sometimes he felt that he should act cautiously.

Finally, the day to give Lin's father an answer arrived. Li Yifeng came to the Lin Group again.

Walking into Lin's father's office, Li Yifeng's face was pale and his eyes were full of hesitation and uneasiness.

"Yifeng, what have you thought about it?" asked Lin's father.

Li Yifeng bit his lip and said, "Uncle Lin, I, I want to participate."

Father Lin smiled and said, "Okay, then how much money are you planning to invest?"

Li Yifeng hesitated for a moment and held up three fingers, "Three million."

Father Lin shook his head, "Too little, at least five million."

Li Yifeng's face turned even paler in an instant, "Uncle Lin, I really can't come up with five million."

Father Lin's face darkened. "Yifeng, this is a rare opportunity. If you don't have the courage, forget it."

Li Yifeng hurriedly said, "Uncle Lin, I, I'll think of a solution."

Father Lin stood up and walked to the window. "Yifeng, I'll give you a day to think it over carefully."

Li Yifeng walked out of the office with heavy steps, as if every step was filled with difficult choices.

Back at his rental house, Li Yifeng frantically started calling to borrow money, calling his friends, classmates, and even some people he hadn't contacted for a long time.

"Hello, Lao Wang, I'm Li Yifeng. I have an investment project now. Can you lend me some money?"

"What? Investment? I don't have any money, don't ask me."

"Hey, Xiao Li, we are classmates, please help me."

"Yifeng, I really don't have any money, please find someone else."

One rejection after another made Li Yifeng's heart sink to the bottom.

Just when Li Yifeng felt desperate, a mysterious phone call came in.

"Mr. Li, I heard that you are looking for funds. I can lend it to you." A deep voice came from the other end of the phone.

Li Yifeng seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw, "Really? That's great, but how much is the interest?"

"The interest rate is a bit high, but since you're in such a hurry, I can give you a discount."

Li Yifeng hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.

After borrowing the money, Li Yifeng came to the Lin Group again.

"Uncle Lin, I have collected the money." Li Yifeng said with a hint of fatigue in his voice.

Father Lin looked at him, a barely perceptible sneer flashing in his eyes, "Okay, then we'll start this project right away."

However, just when Li Yifeng thought he was about to embark on the road to success, Lin's father suddenly received a call.

"What? There's a problem with the project?" Father Lin's face turned very ugly.

Li Yifeng's heart instantly rose to his throat, "Uncle Lin, what's going on?"

Father Lin turned around and looked at him coldly, "Li Yifeng, you've been deceived. This project is simply a scam."

Li Yifeng's face turned pale in an instant, "Impossible, impossible!"

Father Lin threw a pile of documents in front of him and said, "Take a look for yourself."

Li Yifeng picked up the document, his hands shaking constantly, and his eyes gradually changed from initial disbelief to despair.

"Uncle Lin, I, I..." Li Yifeng stuttered, not knowing how to face this situation.

Father Lin stood up and said, "Li Yifeng, I knew your intention from the beginning. You are a greedy guy who will do anything for money. Now, you will bear the consequences yourself."