Chapter 003: Insidious

Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu held each other for a few minutes before letting go.

Because Lin Shuyu received a call from her father, her mood, which had just barely calmed, darkened again after she hung up.

Hong Yu asked softly, “What is it? Did something else happen?”

Lin Shuyu shook her head. “It’s not a big deal. We were supposed to hold Grandpa’s birthday banquet at home, but Zhao Minghui said there wasn’t enough space, so he invited everyone to the Tianlan Hotel instead…”

Hong Yu frowned. “Is that the five-star hotel? If you don’t want to go, just say you’re not feeling well. There’s no need to make things hard on yourself.”

“Sigh. Do you think I’d dare?” Lin Shuyu sighed. “We’ve never been well regarded by Grandpa’s side of the family. If I don’t even show up for his birthday banquet, the relatives will never let it go, and Grandpa… well…”

She paused a moment before continuing, “Forget it. It’s not the first time Lin Shufeng and Zhao Minghui have wanted to show off. Let’s go.”

Knowing how conflicted Lin Shuyu felt, Hong Yu didn’t try to persuade her further and followed her back to the Lin family’s old house.

The house, bustling just a moment before, was now empty save for a few maids cleaning up.

Seeing this, the two exchanged a glance.

Clearly, no one cared enough to wait even a few minutes for them; everyone had already left.

Worried about being late, Lin Shuyu drove her own car, taking Hong Yu straight to the Tianlan Hotel.

They had just parked and walked up to the hotel when, unexpectedly, they ran into Second Aunt and Lin Shuqing at the entrance.

Damn it.

Why did they have to run into these two gossips again?

Hong Yu knew full well that nothing good ever came from these two, so he exchanged a glance with Lin Shuyu, intending to skirt around them.

The mother and daughter were only here because they’d been put in their place inside a moment ago. Now, seeing Lin Shuyu and Hong Yu arrive, how could they possibly let these two easy targets off so easily?

“Hong Yu, you two really know how to make an entrance, don’t you!”

“Did you know that the whole family and all the guests are waiting for you? Today’s Grandpa’s birthday—do you even care about him?” Lin Shuqing began with mockery, immediately pinning a heavy accusation on them.

Lin Shuyu didn’t want to argue at the door. She gently tugged Hong Yu’s arm. “Come on, don’t bother with them.”

“Argue? Who’s arguing with you?” Second Aunt’s face was sour as she spat, “You’re the ones who are late, and you think that’s fine? When you get inside, you’d better kneel and apologize to the old man straight away, got it?”

Lin Shuyu’s face immediately clouded over.

On the surface, Second Aunt seemed merely annoyed about their lateness and wanted them to admit fault, but Lin Shuyu knew her real intent was vicious. She and Hong Yu were only minor figures—if they hadn’t come, only someone like Second Aunt would have noticed. But if they arrived and immediately went to apologize, wouldn’t all the relatives and guests know about it?

And really, what lateness was there? Lin Shuyu had driven fast; at most, Second Aunt arrived a minute or two before them—she probably hadn’t even warmed her seat.

“Well? Why are you just standing there? Didn’t you hear what my mother said?” Lin Shuqing urged when they didn’t move.

Hong Yu frowned. “We were only delayed by a few minutes. Don’t you think you’re taking this too far?”

“Too far?” The mother and daughter exchanged glances and burst out laughing. “Ha! You, a live-in son-in-law, think you have the right to speak? Yes, we’re taking it out on you—what are you going to do about it?”

Hong Yu, furious, pointed at them. “You—”

“Point at me again and see if I don’t have someone chop that finger off!” Lin Shuqing shouted like a little thug. “Damn it. Don’t you know your place? You dare point at me? I’ll kill you!”

Their quarrel drew a bit of a stir. After all, Tianlan Hotel was the only five-star hotel in Fengzhou, frequented by the city’s elite. Second Aunt, being older and wiser, knew causing trouble here would bring no good, so she dragged Lin Shuqing away.

But as she left, Second Aunt threw out a final warning, telling Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu that this wasn’t over.

Lin Shuyu, her energy spent, said, “Let’s go. Zhao Minghui probably couldn’t book a private room, so it’s likely in the main hall.”

Hong Yu nodded and followed her in.

Tianlan Hotel was worthy of its reputation as Fengzhou’s only five-star hotel. Not only was it spacious, but a red carpet ran several hundred meters through the lobby, and everything gleamed with gilded dragons and intricate carvings.

Even for a family as well-known as the Lins, holding a birthday banquet at Tianlan was something to boast about.

Zhao Minghui was certainly resourceful. Usually, you needed a reservation just to dine here, and yet, though he hadn’t booked in advance, today he’d managed to secure ten tables in the main hall—something the Lin family couldn’t dream of without influential connections.

“Incredible. Little Feng’s husband really is something. To be honest, this is my first time eating at Tianlan.”

“I’ve been here once, but only as someone’s guest. I heard they booked two weeks in advance.”

“Little Feng’s so lucky—she’s the most accomplished of the Lin family’s next generation.”

Lin Shufeng played host, welcoming relatives and guests, her pride swelling at their endless praise until her chin lifted ever higher.

Her parents laughed along, though they put on a humble front, insisting she still had room for improvement and asking everyone not to flatter her too much.

At that moment, Zhao Minghui, who had just gone to greet the hotel manager, returned. He shook hands with the guests one by one before smiling. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I just spoke with the manager—he’s in a tough spot, too, apologizing to guests with reservations.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have! Little Hui, you didn’t need to book Tianlan at all—it must be expensive, isn’t it?” Lin Shufeng’s mother said, all the while lifting her head a little higher.

Zhao Minghui replied with a grin, “It’s not too bad—just twenty thousand per table. For Grandpa’s birthday, only the best will do. I hope Grandpa’s pleased?”

“You’ve done well, Little Hui. I’m very pleased.” The old man, usually taciturn, broke into a rare, beaming smile.

Zhao Minghui’s family was indeed far better off than the Lins. Just being able to host a birthday banquet at Tianlan Hotel was something the Lins couldn’t achieve without pulling strings.

“Not bad—Little Hui is becoming more capable by the day.”

“With a son-in-law like this, the Lin family’s future is bright.”

“Little Feng is truly blessed. With a husband like that, what’s left to worry about?”

Having enjoyed the food and favors, the relatives and guests offered another round of flattery, though only Lin Shuyu’s parents sat in uncomfortable silence.

“Is everyone here now? Grandpa, should we have them start bringing out the dishes?” Zhao Minghui looked around and asked suddenly.

The old man nodded. “It’s about time. Everyone’s hungry. Little Hui, tell them to serve the food.”

“Wait!” Second Aunt, who had just arrived, shouted. “Father, Xiaoyu and her live-in husband aren’t here yet.”

The old man’s expression darkened. “They’re still not here? It’s been over ten minutes—do they not want to come, or did they forget?”

Seeing Second Aunt about to say more, Chen Lan hurriedly spoke up, “They’re here—just went to the restroom.”

“The restroom? I was just there and didn’t see anyone,” Second Aunt sneered, unfazed by her own brazen lie.

Behind her, Lin Shuqing gave a silent thumbs-up, delighted.

Still, the mother and daughter found it odd. Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu had been right behind them, so why hadn’t they shown up after two or three minutes?

But they didn’t have time to ponder it—this was a golden opportunity to make things difficult for Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu, and they were going to seize it.

As the bickering continued, Lin Shuyu hurried in, dragging Hong Yu along.

“Grandpa, I’m sorry. We were delayed by something,” Lin Shuyu said, seeing her mother and Second Aunt in a heated argument, and bowed to apologize immediately.

“No, it’s my fault,” Hong Yu stepped forward. “I had to make a call home, and that’s what held us up.”

The old man’s look was unfriendly, but remembering it was his birthday, he couldn’t bring himself to scold them.

He was about to nod and let the matter pass when Second Aunt stepped forward.

She sneered, “Oh? What call did you have to make? Did you just want to show off to your family that you were eating at Tianlan Hotel?”

Hong Yu wanted nothing more than to slap her, but he merely smiled and said, “That’s right. Second Aunt, you really are sharp—I did call home to say I was at Tianlan Hotel.”

“Ha! Country bumpkin! You should have stayed on the phone longer—did you tell everyone in your village? If not, go ahead and call them all,” Second Aunt laughed.

Zhao Minghui, for his part, was also annoyed with Hong Yu. He folded his arms and watched, waiting for the drama to unfold.

But at that moment, several waiters hurried over.

Seeing Zhao Minghui, they rushed to him. “Mr. Zhao, there’s a situation. Tianlan Hotel is about to clear the premises.”

Zhao Minghui couldn’t believe it. “Clear the premises? What’s going on? You’re a five-star hotel, not a nightclub. What, are the police coming to clear everyone out in broad daylight?”

The waiter leaned in and whispered, “Of course not. A very important person is coming—our manager just said you’ll need to reschedule. They’ll give you half off next time, Mr. Zhao…”

“Damn it! What’s that supposed to mean?” Zhao Minghui roared. “This is a birthday! Why don’t you ask your manager if he can reschedule his own birth? Right now, get him out here and let’s see if he dares say that to my face!”

The relatives and guests, sensing something was wrong, began whispering among themselves.

Lin Shufeng’s parents hurriedly asked, “Little Hui, what’s going on? Today is Father’s birthday…”

Zhao Minghui cut them off impatiently. “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. If your son-in-law can’t handle something this small, how could he survive in society?”

“Everyone, come with me!”

With a wave of his arm, Zhao Minghui led the relatives and guests toward the front desk.

At the back of the crowd, Hong Yu was quietly amused.

It looks like you really won’t be surviving in society much longer.

When it comes to the Hong family, could anything possibly be a small matter?