Since the old lady of the Lin family publicly enlisted Lin Xiao Tian into the Lin family's fold at her birthday banquet last time, Dong Lin's Dong family had completely lost the courage to contend with Lin Xiao Tian.
The Lin family was no ordinary family; even their Dong family was constrained by the Lin family.
Under normal circumstances, a family would not simply vanish. After all, they were supported by hidden families and served many purposes for various families.
Therefore, when facing external forces, they had an invisible barrier. Even if they fell on hard times, they would never be replaced by new forces.
The Xia family was a perfect example of this.
The Xia family had previously faced a crisis. Not only was their future heir crippled, but the family's business also plummeted. Yet, even so, they remained the second most prominent medical family in the Xia Kingdom, all thanks to the support of the hidden families.
To the hidden families, these ordinary families were akin to tamed beasts, readily available for their command. If these beasts were gone, each family would have to tame new ones, and they would also have to worry about whether these new beasts would be obedient.
Thus, as long as the ordinary families remained submissive, the hidden families generally wouldn't do much to them.
However, the situation changed drastically when internal matters of the hidden families were involved.
The families had an agreement in the past that any disrespect shown by their supported families could be met with punishment, including being replaced by other families!
This had always been a consensus among the hidden families.
Therefore, when they learned how much the Lin family's old lady valued Lin Xiao Tian, the Dong family panicked!
Although they controlled the National Medical Hall, the vast majority of its original shares were actually held by the hidden families. What remained in their hands was less than one percent. If the Lin family were to get angry and expel them from the National Medical Hall, they would lose everything!
Dong Lin lowered his head, his previous arrogance completely gone.
People came and went at the entrance of the National Medical Hall. Everyone who saw the scene before them couldn't help but cast peculiar glances.
"Isn't that Young Master Dong? Why is he acting like that towards Lin Xiao Tian? He looks... so humble!"
"Aren't they sworn enemies? Didn't Young Master Dong specifically send people to investigate Lin Xiao Tian last time?"
"Heh, it's a matter of 'this time is different.' In my opinion, Young Master Dong has offended someone he shouldn't have. Haven't you noticed? Dr. Lin has an unusual background!"
"What? Do you know something?"
"How could I know everything? However, I heard that those reporters who came for interviews a few days ago were all called back by a single phone call. Did you know about this?"
"Of course, we know. I remember that the paparazzi who usually dig up celebrity gossip were also here. They were usually fearless, but surprisingly, they left dejectedly last time and even apologized to Dr. Lin in person."
"Exactly! Dr. Lin has a powerful backing. In my opinion, Young Master Dong... oh no, the Dong family is likely in trouble this time."
"The Dong family? What does this have to do with the Dong family?"
"Alas! You wouldn't know this. For Young Master Dong to humble himself and apologize, such a significant matter would only concern the future safety of the Dong family for them to go to such lengths."
Upon hearing this analysis, everyone's eyes widened.
They were unaware of what had transpired at the Lin family's birthday banquet, but based on the current situation, they had already pieced together a rough picture.
Many people who had always disliked Dong Lin couldn't help but snicker when they saw him in such a predicament. Since Dong Lin didn't dare to look up, they could laugh to their hearts' content. Perhaps the Dong family would crumble along with him?
Lin Xiao Tian casually glanced at Dong Lin and then said in a light tone,
"Hmm! I understand." Lin Xiao Tian finished speaking and turned to leave.
Dong Lin was completely stunned.
Had Lin Xiao Tian forgiven him or not?
However, he dared not chase after Lin Xiao Tian, fearing he might inadvertently enrage him again.
For the next few days, Dong Lin was in a daze.
Apart from him, Dong Chen also looked exhausted, not due to work, but because of Lin Xiao Tian's matter.
This continued for a week, and no major incident occurred.
Dong Chen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It seemed the Lin family was not displeased to the point of wanting to oust them.
Just as he was secretly congratulating himself on escaping disaster, a knock came from the door.
Immediately after, Xia Ming, the current head of the Xia family, walked in with a beaming smile.
"Old Xia? Why are you here so suddenly without informing me?" Dong Chen asked with slight displeasure.
Xia Ming's unannounced visit made Dong Chen feel seriously disrespected!
His Dong family was now stronger than the Xia family. How could Xia Ming dare to be so impolite?
But he was an experienced veteran and didn't lash out. Instead, he looked at Xia Ming coldly, expecting him to provide an excuse for letting him off.
However, he didn't expect that Xia Ming utterly disregarded him.
"Oh! Old Dong, I'm truly sorry for disturbing you. Please sit down, I have my own business to attend to."
After speaking, Xia Ming gestured to the outside.
Soon, several movers entered and began to carry furniture out of the office.
Dong Chen was enraged. "Xia Ming, what are you doing? This is outrageous!"
"Heh, Old Dong, don't be angry. Am I bothering you? But I can't help it; time is tight, and I want to get this office set up as soon as possible."
"This is my office, what are you setting up here? Get out now!"
Seeing Xia Ming's blatant disregard for propriety, Dong Chen swore.
But Xia Ming chuckled rather than getting angry. "Old Dong, this was your office before, but it isn't now. It's my office now."
Looking at Xia Ming's smiling face, Dong Chen suddenly felt a sense of unease.
"What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly!" Dong Chen demanded.
Xia Ming looked at Dong Chen with a sympathetic expression and sighed helplessly.
"I didn't expect that the Lin family wouldn't inform you of such an important matter. It seems you've been completely abandoned!"
Hearing the words "Lin family," Dong Chen's heart sank by half.
"Are the families reclaiming control of our National Medical Hall?" Dong Chen asked.
Xia Ming nodded and then added, "To be precise, the Lin family doesn't want to see your Dong family at the National Medical Hall anymore."
"As for the reason, you know it yourself!"
"Lin Xiao Tian!" Dong Chen exclaimed, then sat heavily on the ground.
Xia Ming looked at him coldly. "By the way, we've found some issues that occurred during your management of the National Medical Hall, such as embezzlement of company assets. We plan to announce this to the media next."
"We are going to blacklist you!"