Chapter 108: Thick-Skinned

The newcomer was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Yi, seeing that he didn’t immediately turn and leave, grew even angrier. “Damn it, are you an idiot? If you don’t get out of here right now, do you believe I’ll teach you a lesson?”

In the past, Zhang Yi would never have dared to make a scene or lay a hand inside Pengzhan Restaurant. No! He wouldn’t even have dared to shout.

After all, Zhang Yi had to grit his teeth and spend an entire month’s salary just to come here. Who knew what kind of people frequented this place?

Perhaps they were here just for a simple meal.

Among the diners at Pengzhan Restaurant, Zhang Yi knew he was among the lowest tier.

But now, things were different.

Chen Yingying was right here. She was the woman Liang Jiajie was pursuing. The owner of Pengzhan Restaurant was merely the son of Liang’s steward—a true servant compared to Liang Jiajie himself.

Their beloved woman was here; what did Zhang Yi have to fear now? He had long wanted to try wielding power through others.

Still, Zhang Yi was soon disappointed. Lin Shuyu quickly stood up and shouted, “Hey! What do you think you’re doing? This is my husband!”

“Oh?” Zhang Yi turned around in surprise and glanced at Wang Qi.

Seeing Wang Qi’s uneasy expression, he thought for a moment and then sat back down.

At this moment, Chen Yingying, growing impatient, snapped, “Why are you coming over again? We’re just having a meal. Are you trying to freeload?”

Hong Yu completely ignored Chen Yingying, pulled over a chair, sat beside Lin Shuyu, and smiled, “Why didn’t you tell me you were eating? I looked for you for a while.”

Lin Shuyu replied irritably, “I thought you were so busy with business you forgot about me.”

Hong Yu chuckled, but before he could respond further, Chen Yingying suddenly stood and shouted, “Hong Yu, what the hell do you think you are? What important business could you possibly have to abandon my sister like this? You’re a real bastard!”

“If Wang Qi were my brother-in-law, he’d never do such trashy things. Get lost! I don’t even want to see you anymore.”

Lin Shuyu frowned. “Yingying, aren’t you overreacting? I was just complaining a little.”

Then she muttered, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the wife.”

“Heh, I don’t have a wife like that,” Hong Yu whispered in Lin Shuyu’s ear with a smile, then feeling a bit hungry, he picked up Lin Shuyu’s chopsticks and began to eat.

Hong Yu wasn’t after the lavish food. Mainly, with Lin Shuyu here, and the two men—including Chen Yingying—already having drunk quite a bit, he needed to stay and keep an eye on Lin Shuyu.

This was a private room; once the door was closed, no one outside would know what happened inside when people were drunk.

“Damn it, Hong Yu, are you shameless or just thick-skinned?” Chen Yingying shouted.

“I’ve already cursed at you. How dare you still sit here and eat?”

“Do you even know who’s paying for this meal? They never invited you to sit down. What right do you have to eat? Is it just because you’re shameless?”

Chen Yingying, flushed from anger and a bit of wine, was furious.

She really couldn’t understand why Hong Yu would sit and eat after being insulted and humiliated like this. If it were her, she would have left long ago; how could she still eat?

Lin Shuyu frowned. “Yingying, he’s at least your brother-in-law. How can you speak to him like this?”

“If you mind so much, I can pay for the meal myself. Just stop calling him your brother-in-law.”

Chen Yingying’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Sister! What do you mean? Why are you defending this pathetic freeloader?”

“I really feel sorry for you. You’re my sister, so what do you think I am?”

“Do you think I care about this food or the money? What I care about is your attitude towards this loser!”

“Why? What exactly does he have to deserve this from you?”

“Could it be just because of that lousy ring?”

Chen Yingying gritted her teeth fiercely. “Sister, don’t think this loser suddenly became successful just because he gave you a cheap ring!”

“Wang Qi just said it: Hong Yu is nothing but a pawn of the son of the richest man in Zhang’s family, just a tool to test whether others respect him or not!”

“You really don’t need to act like this. Look at him—such a loser, as if he’s never eaten a decent meal in his life. You’ll never be able to change him!”

Chen Yingying’s tone was filled with disdain. People were like this—first impressions mattered immensely.

In Chen Yingying’s eyes, Hong Yu was always just a pathetic, burdensome son-in-law who had married into her family. Moreover, her aunt, Lin Shuyu’s mother, had just called a few days ago and was even harsher in her condemnation. Chen Yingying was just following her aunt’s strict orders; she had nothing to fear.

Speaking of which, her aunt and Hong Yu had lived together for years. Chen Yingying was certain her aunt knew Hong Yu’s true nature better than anyone. If Hong Yu were really as impressive as he claimed, her aunt would be fawning over him instead of cursing him so viciously.

Lin Shuyu was so angry she didn’t know what to say, while Hong Yu, uninterested in Chen Yingying’s tirade, continued eating.

Nearby, Zhang Yi had pieced together the entire situation.

He smiled at Wang Qi, whose face had turned grim. “Qi, I thought you had a formidable rival, but it turns out to be like this!”

“No wonder you look so bad. If my competitor were this weak and useless, I’d be ashamed to show my face.”

After saying this, Zhang Yi didn’t wait for Wang Qi’s reply. He stood up and walked over to Hong Yu.

“Brother, we all know what’s going on. There’s no need for you to be so thick-skinned.”

“This meal is on me. As the host, I must ensure everyone’s appetite. You need to leave this seat.”

After putting on this act, Zhang Yi even made a polite gesture, clearly wanting Hong Yu to leave the private room immediately.

Wang Qi smirked inwardly and gave Zhang Yi a thumbs-up.

Hong Yu put down his chopsticks, glanced coldly at Zhang Yi, then smiled. “Fine! I’ll leave this seat.”

Chen Yingying smiled too. She had thought Hong Yu wouldn’t back down so quickly, but seeing how decisively he gave in, she despised him even more.

She believed Hong Yu was just a bully at home—he knew their relatives would only scold him and never take it further. But the outside world was different.

If Hong Yu dared treat Zhang Yi like this, Zhang Yi would never let it slide.

“All right, my dear, pass me the chopsticks. I’m going to keep eating!”

Unexpectedly, Hong Yu moved his chair to the other side of Lin Shuyu and had her pass him chopsticks.

His audacity was simply unmatched.

Everyone present was stunned, including Lin Shuyu herself.