Chapter 62: As Long as I'm Here

“Wow!”
“So this is the Sky Number One private room at the Sky Blue Hotel? It really stands out, just as expected with the ‘Sky’ in its name!”
“We owe it all to Xiao Hui. Without him, we probably would never have set foot in this room in our entire lives.”
“Where is Xiao Hui? Come on, lead the way.”
The Lin family members called out to him one after another. Zhao Minghui forced himself to look lively, took Lin Shufeng’s hand, and walked at the front.
“What an enviable couple! This is truly a match made in heaven.”
“Luckily, our Xiao Feng married Xiao Hui, a real dragon among men. Look, even Chairman Zhang seems to be standing up.”
“Not only standing, look at Chairman Zhang’s eyes—they’re wide open. I bet he’s just as shocked as we are.”
Zhang Tian was making small talk with the elder of the Lin family, but when he saw Lin Shufeng and the others enter, he didn’t think much of it.
After all, he knew very well who tonight’s host was.
But he couldn't help being astonished, for his sharp eyes had recognized the diamond necklace around Lin Shufeng’s neck.
“Good evening, Chairman Zhang!”
Zhao Minghui remembered his father’s instructions well, still unaware of what had happened here. As soon as he saw Zhang Tian approaching, he respectfully reached out his hand.
Zhang Tian was a proud man. Normally, he would have slapped away Zhao Minghui’s outstretched hand without a second thought.
But after glancing at the diamond necklace on Lin Shufeng’s neck, he reconsidered and smiled as he shook Zhao Minghui’s hand. “Hello, you must be the son of the Zhao family from Jade Dragon, correct?”
“Did you see that? Chairman Zhang does know Xiao Hui!” The Lin family members exclaimed in surprise.
“I had my doubts before, since the Zhao family supposedly can’t get a foothold here in Fengzhou, but it looks like I was just narrow-minded.”
“The Zhao family has been in Jade Dragon for years, their power is extraordinary. It’s no wonder Chairman Zhang is wary.”
“Phew—now I can rest easy. Zhang Tian is famous for his temper in Fengzhou, but now he’s shaken hands with Xiao Hui. That means there’s nothing to worry about.”
The Lin family members let out a collective sigh of relief, and Zhao Minghui gained a bit of confidence.
Lin Shufeng quickly walked up to Zhang Tian and extended her hand. “Good evening, Chairman Zhang. I’m the eldest daughter of the Lin family, and Minghui’s wife.”
Zhang Tian shook her hand gently, paused for a moment, then asked, “Miss Lin, may I ask where you got the diamond necklace around your neck?”
“Where I got it?” Lin Shufeng frowned, thinking that since Zhang Tian seemed to fear the Zhao family, there was no need to be overly humble before him.

Lin Shufeng spoke with a hint of pride, “Chairman Zhang, your words are a little inappropriate, aren’t they? How could you say ‘got’? This diamond necklace was bought with real money just a few days ago.”
“Bought with real money?” Zhang Tian was slightly taken aback. “Miss Lin, is this necklace called ‘Unique Beauty’?”
Lin Shufeng was surprised. “Chairman Zhang, how do you know? Have you seen this diamond necklace before?”
Zhang Tian nodded. “I was at the Christie’s auction yesterday and saw this diamond necklace sold for twelve million.”
Lin Shufeng asked urgently, “Chairman Zhang, do you know who bought the necklace?”
Zhang Tian didn’t reply, his gaze at Lin Shufeng turning strange.
She didn’t even know who bought it—how on earth did Lin Shufeng come by this necklace?
As far as he knew, the relationship between Madame Hong and the Lin family wasn’t good, so she wouldn’t be generous enough to gift such a diamond necklace.
Moreover, even if Madame Hong wanted to give it, Mr. Hong would never allow it.
Zhang Tian realized there was a lot beneath the surface here, and it was best not to get involved in matters concerning Hong Yu without knowing the full story.
He shook his head. “Actually, I don’t know. The buyer wore a mask.”
As Zhang Tian said this, he inwardly sneered at the Lin family.
In fact, several people saw Hong Yu remove his mask that day, but anyone who could attend Christie’s had some status, and knew what could and couldn’t be said.
Among them, Huang Wenhua was one of the more decent ones—he was scared out of his wits, so how could the others dare speak up?
The Lin family probably knew only bits and pieces, but no one would tell them the crucial details.
After all, in this age, information and intelligence are worth money.
Lin Shufeng was slightly stunned, then laughed. “Heh, I knew that rascal Hong Yu was lying. He said he bought this diamond necklace for twelve million.”
“That pauper—he probably doesn’t even have twelve hundred, let alone twelve million! He’s just pretending to be rich.”
Zhang Tian wanted to retort, even considered slapping Lin Shufeng to curry favor with Hong Yu.
But after thinking it over, he merely let out a cold laugh and returned to his seat.
Chen Dayong had been talking to him about Hong Yu these past days, so Zhang Tian had learned a bit about his boss’s temperament.
Seeing Zhang Tian return, the elder smiled. “Chairman Zhang, all the Lin family members are here. Shall we start the banquet?”
“By the way, would you like to say a few words before we begin?”
Zhang Tian smiled. “No rush. Someone else hasn’t arrived yet.”
The old man was puzzled. “Who else? All our Lin family members are here. Unless Chairman Zhang invited a friend?”
Zhang Tian smiled mysteriously. “Not my friend, but an important figure. You know him as well.”
“I know him?” the old man exclaimed. “Is it someone who’s been in the news?”
“What? There’s an important figure coming tonight?” The Lin family members, with sharp ears, heard the conversation and started discussing it.
“Chairman Zhang is really thoughtful, inviting an important figure.”
“No surprise. Since it’s a banquet of apology, it makes sense to invite some high-profile guests to support it.”
“Say, is it possible the man who gifted the diamond necklace is this important figure?”
“Hmm, you might be right—there’s a good chance.”
“Haha, who cares, as long as it’s not that useless Hong Yu!”
While the Lin family chatted and laughed, Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu arrived at the entrance of the Sky Blue Hotel.
Lin Shuyu nervously tugged Hong Yu’s sleeve, stopping him.
She glanced up at the hotel’s sign and suddenly lost her nerve. “Hong Yu, let’s go back. This place is really beyond what we can afford.”
Hong Yu smiled. “Didn’t I tell you? Someone invited us tonight. We’re here to witness something.”
“And besides, do you still think I don’t have money?”
Lin Shuyu nodded hesitantly.
Hong Yu had bought a twelve-million diamond necklace; saying he had no money was a joke.
But after years with him, Lin Shuyu had unconsciously come to see Hong Yu as poor, and she couldn’t shake that feeling even now.
“Excuse me, are you Mr. and Mrs. Hong?”
A few men in suits who had just ushered the Lin family inside saw Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu talking at the entrance, sized them up, and immediately brightened, hurrying over.
“Yes, please take us inside,” Hong Yu nodded, seeing Lin Shuyu still uncertain. He smiled, “Let’s go, darling. I’m right here.”