Chapter 071: Giving You the Best

A hallmark of high-potential individuals is their perpetual dissatisfaction with the status quo. Lin Yu was certain that, although Lian Jin had not yet bared his fangs, he was one such person—never content with where he stood. His potential was like water within a sponge; squeeze it a little, and it would inevitably trickle out. Ambition would guide Lian Jin’s choices.

On another note, with the bar incident behind them, Lian Jin owed him a favor. In his previous life, Lin Yu had heard that Lian Jin was a man who repaid every kindness and avenged every slight. If Lian Jin truly set out to target Zhang Yang, it wouldn’t necessarily be to Lin Yu’s advantage, for if anything happened, Lin Yu would surely be the scapegoat. Yet, Lin Yu was willing to shoulder that blame; he could not rest easy with a grudge unavenged.

Zhang Yang’s father, Zhang Kailai, had powerful connections, but Lin Yu had already devised a plan to strike at the heart of the beast. If handled correctly, the Zhang family’s influence would surely collapse. Of course, this strategy carried both opportunities and immense risks.

After returning to the dinner table, Lin Yu couldn’t help but gather his thoughts, considering not just his own position but also that of his friends. Zhang Chao was gravely injured, bedridden, and under police watch. Dai Peng had been detained at the police station. Key witnesses to the case remained unconscious, making it nearly impossible to clarify the facts.

Comparing their situations, Lin Yu realized that his own freedom was due in no small part to Hu Rongqiang’s help—otherwise, he would have been considered a suspect as well. In any case, Lin Yu believed that while clouds might occasionally cover the blue sky, the sky always remains above. His friends were upright and had nothing to hide; innocence could not be painted as guilt.

The entire Western-style dinner was far from dull. Qi Yue and Yang Zhilin would occasionally exchange jokes and laughter. At one point, a young woman performed a violin solo—Kreisler’s “Joy of Love,” brimming with exuberant, romantic, salon-like charm. Her unique use of double stops gave the violin a deeply expressive, elegant quality. The three of them listened, enraptured.

A little tipsy, Qi Yue tossed two hundred yuan as a tip without hesitation.

Close to midnight, their day-long, almost make-believe journey as “people of privilege” reached its conclusion. The meal totaled over three thousand three hundred yuan—a sum rather extravagant for high school students. Yet for Qi Yue and Yang Zhilin, it had been a perfect day.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Lin Yu discovered his bicycle, which he had ridden there, had been knocked to the ground. In its place was a black Cadillac—a car that looked exceedingly expensive.

With a cold sneer, Lin Yu removed his watch and, using the metal band, carved a deep semicircle into the Cadillac’s hood. Only then did he push his bicycle away, leaving the scene with the two girls.

On the way back, Lin Yu noticed a stronger fragrance on both girls than usual. He learned they had enjoyed an aromatherapy spa session. It was late, and the three had no choice but to return together to Wealth Center, Qi Yue’s home.

Once home, Qi Yue and Yang Zhilin left Lin Yu alone, hurrying to Qi Yue’s bedroom to examine their purchases from the day. All Lin Yu could do was feel a twinge of envy for these children of privilege. Left alone, he retreated to another room, quietly lit a cigarette, and felt a little neglected.

His wounds had not yet healed; cycling and walking had caused many to reopen, and some were still bleeding. Lin Yu knew that, for him, this would be a sleepless night.

After the lights were turned off, Lin Yu sat on the edge of the Simmons mattress, clothed and upright, resembling a lone beast licking its wounds at midnight. The quartz clock on the wall ticked steadily in the silence of the night. Time slipped by, and before he knew it, it was one in the morning.

It was a long night. Though he wanted to sleep, the pain was relentless. Lin Yu smoked a dozen Yellow Crane Tower cigarettes in a row. Just as he was feeling a trace of melancholy from Qi Yue’s neglect, he suddenly heard the sound of a doorknob turning. Looking up, he saw, to his surprise, Qi Xiaoyue herself tiptoeing in, furtively.

What made Lin Yu feel as though his blood was boiling was the sight—by the faint light from the living room, he could see Qi Xiaoyue was wearing nothing but a small white camisole, alluring beyond belief. Especially her long, bare legs—so straight, white, and smooth, radiating youthful suppleness.

“…What is she up to? Wasn’t it agreed that we couldn’t even hold hands in the future?” Lin Yu wondered silently. His usually calm heart began to race.

“Are you asleep?” she whispered softly as she approached the bed.

“Mm, I’m asleep,” Lin Yu teased. He felt a romantic encounter was at hand, but his injuries posed a serious problem—he couldn’t risk any strenuous activity.

“Liar. How could you talk if you were asleep?” Qi Yue retorted, then added with concern, “You didn’t look well today. Did something happen? I didn’t dare ask when Zhilin was here, afraid you’d feel awkward.”

“This little girl has learned to be considerate,” Lin Yu thought, a bit touched. He felt no need to hide anything from her, so he simply unzipped his tracksuit.

When Qi Yue saw the bloodied bandages on Lin Yu’s body, she immediately covered her mouth in distress, tears streaming down her face.

“Does it hurt, darling?” she asked softly, gently running her fingers through his dark hair.

Standing straight, with her legs pressed together, Qi Yue’s figure put all television starlets to shame in Lin Yu’s eyes.

“It hurts a bit, but it’s nothing—just some surface wounds. I’ve had worse,” Lin Yu replied with a smile.

“Who did this?” Qi Yue’s voice turned icy, sending a chill down Lin Yu’s spine.

“Is she thinking of murder?” Lin Yu mused.

“Yes! Murder! Tell me who bullied you, and I’ll hire a hitman myself!” Qi Yue declared stubbornly, her tears still flowing.

“It’s fine. I’ll handle it myself—I’ve already sent someone for payback,” Lin Yu said, then added mischievously, “Could you turn around and let me have a look?”

“Pervert! Even injured, you’re still so shameless!” Qi Yue pouted, her voice catching with emotion.

“Come on, just turn around, let me look for a moment!” Lin Yu cajoled, playing the part of a mischievous uncle tempting a little girl.

“You perv, I bought this camisole today because of our agreement—not to go any further. I just wanted you to feast your eyes a bit!” Qi Yue huffed.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Lin Yu felt a nosebleed coming on, even though he’d already seen her body before.

“No need to rush! Tonight, I want to give you everything good, to make you happy.”

[Thank you all for supporting authorized reading. Banruo extends heartfelt thanks.]