Chapter 63: It Was Not So

“Do we really have to go in?”
Lin Shuyu could not resist the anxiety rising in her heart. Standing before the door of Room No. 1, she voiced her worries.
Hong Yu smiled patiently. “Darling, you truly don’t need to worry. I’ve already told you, we’re invited here.”
Lin Shuyu bit her lip. “Hong Yu, are you deceiving me? I just glanced at the family’s social circle, and everyone’s bragging, saying they’ll be in Tianlan Hotel’s Number One private room tonight.”
“And isn’t this the very room right in front of us?”
“Even if it’s real, as long as I’m with you, what’s there to fear?” Hong Yu declared firmly. “Trust me, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“But yesterday…” Lin Shuyu still felt uneasy.
She knew her words might hurt Hong Yu, so after a brief pause, she said, “I’ve always been invisible in the Lin family, someone easily overlooked. Now, arriving uninvited, isn’t this breaking the rules?”
“Rules? Rules are made by people. Right now, your husband is the one making the rules!” Hong Yu’s words were bold and domineering. He suddenly looked at Lin Shuyu with tenderness. “Darling, you’re not invisible. Ever since my mother passed away, you are the most important person in my heart, irreplaceable.”
“Your mother passed away?” Lin Shuyu was shocked. “Hong Yu, how come you never mentioned it before? No wonder, whenever I suggested visiting, you always found excuses.”
Hong Yu sighed. “That… I’ll tell you about it when there’s a chance.”
“Now, let’s go in.”
Room No. 1 was bustling with excitement.
Most members of the Lin family had never been to such a luxurious place; seeing so many exquisite wines, several had already started drinking.
“Haha, this really is a 1982 Lafite! Amazing, it tastes incredible!”
“Damn, I must’ve been swindled last time. The taste is completely different. I need to pack a bottle to take home later.”
“It’s tens of thousands a bottle, but since the Zhang family has booked the place tonight, he probably won’t mind a little extra expense.”
“Let’s all take a bottle or two home then.”
Zhang Tian frowned deeply at the Lin family’s vulgar behavior.
Zhao Minghui, sitting uneasily beside him, noticed Zhang Tian’s expression and hurried to appease him. “Chairman Zhang, please don’t blame them.”
“Every family has its less fortunate relatives. They haven’t seen much of the world—let them be.”
Lin Shufeng felt a pang of discomfort hearing Zhao Minghui talk about her family that way.
But as she played with the diamond necklace around her neck, she held her tongue.
Wearing a twelve-million-dollar diamond necklace, she was already on a different level from the rest of the Lin family—there was no need to lower her own worth by speaking up for them.
The old man had waited a long time, and though he was eager to meet this distinguished guest, he couldn’t help but grumble. “Chairman Zhang, why is this important person taking so long to arrive? Isn’t it said that the higher one’s status, the more punctual one is supposed to be?”

Zhang Tian longed to curse, to tell him to simply wait, but he held back.
He was footing the bill tonight, yet he wasn’t the host.
Zhang Tian forced a smile. “It should be soon…”
Just then, the door to Room No. 1 swung open.
The Lin family, who had been eavesdropping on Zhang Tian’s conversation, quickly turned their heads to catch a glimpse of the distinguished guest.
“What the hell! It’s you!”
The Lin family cried out in astonishment as they saw the newcomers.
Lin Shuyu had anticipated such a reaction; her palms were sweating as she quickly squeezed Hong Yu’s hand.
Hong Yu sneered coldly. “What? You can come, but I can’t?”
Lin Shuqing rushed over first, yelling, “Damn it, if you want to court death, could you pick another place? Do you even know what we’re doing here, who we’re dining with?”
Hong Yu replied with disdain, “We’re all people. Who do you think you’re scaring? Who can’t eat dinner?”
Lin Shuqing was momentarily stunned, surprised at Hong Yu’s sharp retort.
Second Aunt scolded from the side, “Hong Yu, are you still out of your mind?”
“This is Room No. 1. Not only you, even I am here for the first time!”
“Do you have an invitation? Who invited you?”
At that moment, Zhang Tian quickly stood up, intending to rush over and slap Second Aunt, then explain to the Lin family that Hong Yu was his guest—he was the one everyone had been waiting for.
But as soon as he stood, he sat back down.
After yesterday’s events and Chen Dayong’s warning, Zhang Tian always checked Hong Yu’s expression before acting.
Now, Hong Yu’s glance clearly signaled him to stay put. With the boss’s wishes so clear, Zhang Tian dared not act recklessly.
Having warned Zhang Tian, Hong Yu sneered, “Invitation? Oh, is there a rule that Room No. 1 requires an invitation? What about you? Do you have one? Can you show me and broaden my horizons?”
Second Aunt was at a loss for words. They indeed had no invitations; what they received from Zhang Tian was an apology letter, which was hardly used for entry to such an event.
Moreover, Second Aunt wasn’t stupid.
If she produced Zhang Tian’s apology letter now, it would be akin to slapping his face in public.
Some things can be written, can be sent, but voicing them aloud would only court disaster.

Hong Yu saw Second Aunt’s silence and laughed loudly, “Ha! If you can’t produce it, that proves you have no invitation either. If you can be here, why can’t we?”
“Is it just about money?”
“I have it!”
Lin Shuqing roared, “You’re nothing but a useless parasite! How much money could you possibly have?”
“Lin Shuyu, why stoop so low? You work so hard for so little, and you spend it on this useless man to play at being important?”
Before coming, Lin Shuyu was anxious and afraid. But now, since she was already here, she summoned her courage and shouted back.
“Do you have any respect? I have money, and I’ll spend it however I please. What business is it of yours?”
Lin Shuqing was stunned.
She never expected her cousin, whom she’d always manipulated, to say such things.
Lin Shufeng finally couldn’t bear it. She rose from her seat and strode over.
Standing before Lin Shuyu, Lin Shufeng sneered, “You want to compare status? What’s the use of comparing with me?”
Hong Yu snorted from the side, “Your head is big enough, but it’s a pity there’s nothing in it.”
“You… you…” Lin Shufeng was so furious she was speechless. Zhao Minghui, seeing his wife bullied, hurried over as well.
His face dark, Zhao Minghui said, “Hong Yu, do you even know where you are? How dare you act so arrogantly?”
“I’m giving you one last chance. Kneel and apologize, then get out!”
“Otherwise, the consequences of crossing me are more than you can bear!”
Second Aunt laughed, “Hong Yu, I advise you to kneel quickly. Even Chairman Zhang has to show Minghui respect. You, a worthless parasite, just need one word from him and you’ll be ruined.”
“Oh, is that so?” Hong Yu smiled, then looked at Zhang Tian.
“Chairman Zhang, is tonight’s banquet in honor of Zhao Minghui?”
“Not at all.” Zhang Tian stood and replied with a smile.