Chapter 105: Then Let Me Become Your Meaning!

Gazing at the camera’s tracking shot, Xiao Ran sat down beside Lin Feng.

As the lens shifted to Lin Feng’s face, Chu Lingshuang narrowed her eyes. She had seen too many people compromise—whether actively or passively—for the sake of worldly gains, ideals, or mere survival. Everyone around her had a clear objective in life. For instance, Nanny Wang worked tirelessly for her pension; Chu Yunran practiced diligently from a young age due to her passion for dance and the stage; and she herself, in the three years since taking over the Chu family, had never stopped, calculating every step to solidify the family’s now-unshakable status.

Yet, on the screen, Lin Feng’s face remained completely serene, as if he were a person from another world, lying there quietly without a single trace of worldly desire. And yet, having been cast out of the Xu family, he was the one who should have had the most motivation. Could it be that he never once thought of revenge?

"Revenge? That is a meaningless endeavor; I won't do it."

Deep in her memories, Lin Feng’s words, spoken not long ago, echoed in her mind. Although she had awarded the Yihan Group’s contract to Xu Zhiqing, the Xu family’s decision to replace their board of directors had disgruntled several partners, and combined with Xu Zhiqing’s lack of competence, the Xu family had failed to secure any other contracts. The Chu family certainly wouldn't renew their own, and it could be said that the destruction of the Xu family now lay in the palm of her hand. She was merely keeping them on life support for the time being.

Had Lin Feng known from the very beginning that the Xu family would eventually fall, and only said those words because the matter held no significance to him?

Chu Lingshuang lifted her gaze slightly, staring intensely at Lin Feng on the screen.

"I have no interest in money."
"If you have nothing else, Miss Chu, I will be taking my leave."
"What happens to Xia Qingqing—what does that have to do with me?"
"It’s just a report. Can it replace the personal experiences of my past twenty-odd years?"
"All I have ever wanted is freedom..."
"Just as this program will eventually come to an end..."

The words Lin Feng had spoken in the past circled in her mind like a film. On the screen, she saw Xiao Ran lean in closer, lying beside Lin Feng, tilting her head slightly as she asked, "Brother, may I ask why you didn't want that gift?"

Was it the wrong timing, or did he simply not like it? Xiao Ran was curious. Although she had never lacked money since childhood, she generally understood its significance. The diamonds offered by the Chu family were worth hundreds of millions; for anyone else, they would be overjoyed. Even for a small family, such a sum would be cause for extreme excitement. Yet, Lin Feng didn't want them. He hadn't even spared them a second glance before getting up and walking away. She could not understand it.

Hearing Xiao Ran, Lin Feng squinted, resting his hands behind his head as he gazed freely at the sky. He didn't answer her directly, but instead countered, "Why did you assume I would want it?"

"Didn't you use this as a gift for someone else before?" Xiao Ran replied instinctively, completely unaware that she had exposed her identity once again.

However, for Lin Feng, who already knew who she was, it didn't matter. He smiled and said, "That was all in the past. Who hasn't been impulsive in their youth?"

So, the gifts back then were just impulses? Xiao Ran was stunned. A moment later, Lin Feng’s voice sounded again.

"No one can escape the allure of such things, but they always come with a corresponding price. I don't believe I have the equivalent value to justify receiving that gift." Or perhaps he did, but it would require sacrificing his freedom, and he didn't want to make that trade. Of course, he didn't say that out loud.

Meanwhile, the live broadcast chat was exploding once again!

"Factory boy... I take back what I said about you being full of yourself."
"He is so clear-headed."
"True, he just gave away such an expensive gift casually. Who knows what Xiao Ran is really after..."
"But, factory boy, are you really willing to work for someone else your whole life?"
"Stop acting cool; he just didn't want to accept it on camera, so he made it sound profound. Damn it..."
"Exactly. If he were broke, would he still act so high and mighty? Talk is cheap..."

The netizens' comments were mixed, but none of it concerned Lin Feng. At this moment, he was lying on the beach, listening to the waves, breathing in the sea breeze, and looking up at the blue sky, enjoying the cozy and free life he was meant to have. In this mood and under this sky, one feels as carefree as an immortal. Lin Feng even crossed his legs comfortably; it would be perfect if he had a blade of grass to chew on.

Watching this, Xiao Ran lost her composure. She couldn't grasp the meaning of his words; they were too profound for her. She didn't understand—it was just a gift, and accepting it wouldn't have changed his life at all. Why refuse? Was he not in need of money?

That thought crossed her mind, and she followed up, "But brother, what if you ran out of money?" That was the foundation of life. If the current Lin Feng were penniless, without even enough to eat, she didn't believe he could still hold such opinions.

On the seventh floor of the hotel, Chu Lingshuang straightened her back, staring intently at the screen.

"Then I’d go earn more," Lin Feng said leisurely. "Working a bit, slacking off a bit—isn't that just normal?"

"And what if you couldn't earn enough?" Xiao Ran pressed, her eyes fixed on him.

At this, Lin Feng chuckled, looked up, and said, "The amount of freedom you can have is proportional to your ability to earn. If you can't earn enough, then you have no freedom."

Undoubtedly, Lin Feng’s words were recorded, and the live stream erupted into unprecedented discussion!

"Why do I feel like he makes sense..."
"Makes sense my foot! I have a family of five to feed, elders above and children below. I can earn money, but do I have any freedom?"
"That is your weakness, then."
"And what about me? I’m a graduate student working as a security guard. Is it because I lack ability?"
"It’s because your perspective has been expanded..."

At that moment, the broadcast was forced to shut down. In the room on the seventh floor, the video feed remained frozen on Lin Feng’s face. The sunlight bathed him, making him appear like a free man, even if only for an instant.

Chu Lingshuang had never seen anyone like him. She suddenly felt that offering him diamonds as a gift was an insult—an insult to a soul that yearned for freedom. At that moment, she realized that some birds were simply not meant to be caged, because their wings were too strong.

Yet, even so, her heart could not suppress the growing, intense urge to trap him. Meaningless, was it? Chu Lingshuang’s lips curved slightly, her fingers uncontrollably stroking Lin Feng’s face on the computer screen, her eyes filled with an endless, bloodthirsty possessiveness.

Very well! Then let me become your meaning! Even if I have to break every one of your wings, I am determined to keep you by my side.