Chapter 10: The Show Begins

“Could it really be another birthday gift?”
“I always knew the Zhao family was wealthy, but I never expected them to be this extravagant.”
“Maybe Zhao Minghui embarrassed himself at Tianlan Hotel earlier and now wants to regain some face.”
“That actually makes sense. It’s possible.”
Everyone was deep in discussion, and as Hong Yu saw the convoy of luxury cars approaching, his anger dissipated considerably.
Lin Shuyu noticed Hong Yu was no longer agitated and immediately pulled him aside.
At this moment, no one was paying attention to them anymore.
“Hong Yu, let’s leave now. Otherwise, it’ll be much harder to get away later.”
Hong Yu smiled, “Not just yet. Let’s wait a bit longer. Who knows, maybe there’s still a good show to watch.”
Lin Shuyu was somewhat annoyed. “Is this really the time to be thinking about entertainment?”
“No matter how dazzling those birthday gifts are, they’re not something we’ll ever own.”
Seeing Hong Yu unmoved, Lin Shuyu spoke earnestly, “Hong Yu, you can watch, but don’t let greed get the better of you.”
“It’s not a problem if you can’t make money, but you must never stray from the right path.”
Hong Yu didn’t find Lin Shuyu’s words nagging. Instead, he nodded sincerely, “Don’t worry. I’m just watching; I don’t have any other thoughts.”
Just as before, the burly men in suits quickly stepped out of the luxury cars.
But this time, they didn’t move toward the armored van, nor did they carry any boxes from their vehicles.
Crowds were puzzled, and Zhao Minghui grew anxious at this sight.
He’d always felt something was off about these gifts; it just didn’t seem like something his father would do.
He hurried over and respectfully asked, “Sir, are you here again to deliver birthday gifts?”
“Birthday gifts? What birthday gifts?” the elder replied, confused, but not wanting to waste time here. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “No, I’m here to take back the gifts just delivered.”
“What? Did I hear that right?” The crowd was stunned.
“What’s going on? Why take back the gifts just given?”
“There must be more to this! The Zhao family is rich, but not so rich as to give away gifts like this.”
“True. Look at how respectful Zhao Minghui is to that old man—he seems not to know him at all.”
Lin Shufeng was incredulous, “Sir, you must be joking. Who gives birthday gifts and then immediately takes them back?”
The elder, anxious to retrieve the gifts and still upset from Hong Yu’s earlier scolding, had no respect for the Lin family. He barked, “Enough! Who do you think you are? What status do you have? I told you to return the gifts—didn’t you hear? Or do you want me to send someone to take them by force?”
With that, the suited men stepped forward in unison.
Their synchronized movement and imposing presence made Zhao Minghui’s face turn pale.
Lin Shufeng, unwilling to see the roast goose slip away, was frightened but still shouted, “Don’t think you can intimidate me like this! We live in a society governed by law now. If you dare use force, you’ll end up in jail!”
The elder looked at Lin Shufeng as if she were a fool. “Jail? Ask anyone in Fengzhou who would dare meddle in my master’s affairs.”
“Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself.”
“My name is Da Gong, second steward of the Hong family in the Capital. You’re welcome to come find me afterward if you want trouble.”
“Damn! I thought he was some big shot, but he’s just a steward!” The relatives and guests’ opinions of Da Gong changed instantly.
“A second steward, not even the chief. Why is he so arrogant?”
“Maybe his master is powerful. Haven’t you heard the saying: ‘Even when beating a dog, you must consider its master’?”
“Hmph, no matter how powerful, he’s still a servant. Who would risk offending the Lin and Zhao families for a servant?”

“Didn’t he say he’s from the Capital?”
“So what? This is Fengzhou.”
Most guests at today’s birthday banquet were Fengzhou’s local elite. The Capital was far away, and even the prominent provincial families were unfamiliar to them.
But some knew of the Hong family.
As soon as the old patriarch heard the elder was the Hong family’s steward, he threw aside his cane and hurried over to bow deeply.
Flustered, the old man pleaded, “Mr. Da, we failed to recognize greatness—please forgive us. The younger generation is immature, they might…”
The elder waved his hand to interrupt, “Don’t waste my time. You’re older than me, so I won’t hold it against you. Hand back the gifts.”
The old patriarch breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned to shout, “Hurry up and bring out all the gifts Mr. Da just delivered—don’t miss a single one!”
Lin Shufeng was stunned.
She had no idea how formidable Da Gong was and shouted, “Grandpa, what are you doing? Why are you siding with outsiders?”
“Hey, Da Gong, if you know what’s good for you, get lost! Just because you mention the Capital doesn’t mean you can scare me!”
“The mountains are high and the emperor is far away. Even if your master has some status in the Capital, in Fengzhou, even a dragon must coil!”
Zhao Minghui suddenly remembered the Hong family in the Capital. Hearing Lin Shufeng’s words, his legs went weak with fright.
He roared, “Damn it! Will you die if you stay quiet? Shut up now!”
“You dare curse me?” Lin Shufeng’s eyes widened, “Are you crazy to side with an old man like him?”
Zhao Minghui snapped, “You’re the crazy one! Don’t you know a single word from the Hong family could spell doom for both the Lin and Zhao families? If you want to die, don’t drag us all down!”
Lin Shufeng was fuming, but fear crept in as well.
Seeing her grandfather bowing to Da Gong, Lin Shufeng shuddered and turned to leave. Calming down, she realized Da Gong might truly be someone of great importance.
Second Aunt and Lin Shuqing watched the drama unfold. As Lin Shufeng stormed off and Zhao Minghui struggled, Lin Shuqing’s eyes gleamed and she walked over to Zhao Minghui.
Pretending to be gentle, Lin Shuqing coaxed, “Brother-in-law, let’s talk it out. Don’t be angry.”
“You know my sister’s temper—she’s been like that since childhood. If you want her to be gentle, it’s impossible unless you gift her millions; then she might treat you better.”
Zhao Minghui said angrily, “I should have listened to my father! Marrying her was nothing but trouble!”
Lin Shuqing laughed inwardly, but said, “Well, what’s done is done. You wouldn’t divorce over such a small matter, right?”
“You’ve been busy all day. Why not take a break?”
Zhao Minghui glanced around and saw the old patriarch had settled things with Da Gong, and the gifts were being loaded onto the armored van.
Deciding there was nothing left for him to do, and not wanting to stay and embarrass himself, he nodded.
Lin Shuqing was delighted, “It’s best if you rest at the hotel. My sister’s angry—no need for another quarrel.”
Though Zhao Minghui wanted to go home and question his father, Lin Shuqing’s subtle hints made him reconsider.
He was no stranger to such games and understood instantly what Lin Shuqing wanted.
The two exchanged a look, flames igniting in their eyes.
Lightning and fire.
They slipped away, ignoring the chaos around them.
Second Aunt had been watching all along.
Knowing her daughter’s behavior and character, she could guess what Lin Shuqing and Zhao Minghui were about to do.
But instead of caring, she nodded approvingly.
After all, she’d done the same in her youth.

As long as they weren’t caught in bed together, seducing a rich heir was a sure bet.
Relationships seldom withstand great temptation, but getting benefits out of Zhao Minghui was easy.
Second Aunt knew her son-in-law Fang Rui was facing difficulties lately, and believed he wouldn’t blame her daughter for this.
After all, her daughter was sacrificing for the family. As the ancients said, “Wear a little green on your head, and life will get easier.”
Her gaze shifted to Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu, who were about to leave.
She thought Lin Shuyu’s family were fools, not just for having a live-in son-in-law, but for choosing such a useless one.
Sure, Lin Shuyu seemed fond of Hong Yu, but reality was cruel.
Reality is bread!
And their family was so old-fashioned—Lin Shuyu’s prospects were far better than her daughter’s. If she’d been more open, she could have landed any rich man.
Sigh.
A little openness wouldn’t kill, right? Why accept being bullied by everyone?
Second Aunt sighed hypocritically, never realizing she and her daughter were the worst bullies themselves.
Hong Yu had no idea what Second Aunt was thinking—if he did, he’d have slapped her right then.
On the way back, Lin Shuyu could no longer suppress her curiosity. “How did you know there’d be a good show?”
Hong Yu pondered a moment. “A bit of guesswork. The Zhao family is wealthy, but would they really give away a Century Garden villa? Even the Lin mansion isn’t that nice.”
He smiled, “Who knows, maybe these gifts were meant for you.”
Lin Shuyu rolled her eyes, “Don’t joke like that. No one would give me such expensive gifts.”
She glanced at Hong Yu, worried he might take her words the wrong way, so she quickly smiled. “Don’t worry. No matter how valuable a stranger’s gift is, I wouldn’t even look at it.”
Hong Yu was touched, but as he tried to respond, Lin Shuyu had already opened the door and gone inside.
Chen Lan was preparing dinner. Seeing Lin Shuyu return, she called out warmly, “Shuyu, you’re back! Have you eaten? Come eat while it’s hot.”
But as soon as Hong Yu entered, Chen Lan’s expression darkened.
She snapped, “You worthless thing, you still dare come home? Where were you all day? Skipping the old man’s birthday, running off on your own—aren’t you ashamed enough?”
Lin Shuyu tried to defend him, “Mom, Hong Yu had something to attend to—it was me who asked him to go.”
Chen Lan retorted, “What could he possibly have? If he didn’t come, he’d be laughed at all day. Now he’s disappeared, making us the butt of jokes for nothing!”
“This kind of man is the most pathetic I’ve ever seen—abandoning his wife’s family. If something happened, would he save us? We’d have been dead for eight hundred years!”
Seeing Chen Lan wasn’t done, Lin Shuyu, frustrated, said she wouldn’t eat.
When she reached her room, she suddenly turned back to Hong Yu.
She knew if she left, Hong Yu would keep being scolded by Chen Lan. Thinking it over, she called out, “Hong Yu, come into my room for a moment.”
Hong Yu was stunned; Chen Lan was horrified.
Chen Lan exclaimed, “Shuyu, what’s gotten into you today? You never let Hong Yu into your room before!”
Lin Shuyu replied impatiently, “It’s my room—I’ll do as I please.”
“Hong Yu, pack up and move in later.”
What?
Hong Yu was shocked, thrilled, and trembling all over.