Lin Haofei came up with a plan and forcibly inserted herself into Lin Haoyu and Xie Mingshan's little duo. Holding both Lin Haoyu and Xie Mingshan by the hand, she smiled with feigned affection: "Sixth Sister, when did you become so close with Mingshan? It's perfect that you two already know each other—saves me the trouble of introducing you."
"No need for your introduction. Haoyu and I hit it off the moment we met—we're destined to be great friends!" Xie Mingshan said bluntly, not even glancing at Lin Haofei.
Lin Haoyu explained briefly: "It was last time at the Guan residence. Fifth Sister, you left early, and I ran into Mingshan afterward."
Lin Haofei was dumbfounded. What a coincidence! She had just barely missed it.
"So it seems you two were meant to meet." Lin Haofei knew how to say the right thing.
Hearing this, Xie Mingshan's expression toward Lin Haofei softened considerably: "Now that's something I like to hear."
Lin Haofei's mouth twitched slightly as she silently cursed Xie Mingshan's weakness for pretty faces, but she said aloud: "Haoyu, let me introduce you to some people."
This was the task Lin Lizhen had assigned to Lin Haofei.
Lin Haoyu didn't resist. Meeting more people might mean getting more interesting gossip—that was one of the joys of attending a charity auction.
Xie Mingshan immediately insisted on tagging along, so the trio became a fixed group. Wherever they went, they drew stares—undeniably popular. After making a full circuit, Lin Haoyu had met a crowd of people and thoroughly accomplished the task Lin Lizhen had given her to shine in public.
"Is that the Sixth Miss of the Lin family who's been home recuperating all this time?"
"It is. Who knew she'd turn out so beautiful?"
"Think about it—the Lin family's Fourth Young Master, and Fourth Madam Sun Shuhui. Sun Shuhui's beauty caused a sensation in Hong Kong back in the day. For Lin Sixth to grow up looking like this, you could say she knows how to inherit—she picked only the best features from both her parents."
"Celestial Master Zhang did a physiognomy reading on Lin Sixth and said she has a natural Auspicious Countenance. That's an interesting verdict."
"Ha, born into a family like ours, who isn't naturally blessed with good fortune?"
"But Lin Sixth is different—she survived a life-and-death ordeal. How is that not natural good fortune?"
"Why does Miss Xie seem so close to Lin Sixth?"
"Everyone knows Miss Xie is famous for loving beautiful people."
In the charity auction hall, guests gathered in small groups, murmuring quietly, their conversations inevitably touching on Lin Haoyu—the Sixth Miss of the Lin family making her first appearance in social circles. Everyone had their own attitude, tacitly maintaining the unspoken rule of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
Lin Haoyu felt no discomfort in such an environment. She had the Lin family behind her, so no one would make things difficult for her. When Lin Lizhen called her over to meet some elders, she handled herself with poise.
Lin Lizhen was very pleased. Little Sixth had guts and didn't freeze up on stage. That was exactly what she wanted—truly a child of the Lin family. She regarded Lin Haoyu with even more favor.
This charity auction primarily featured jewelry, with all proceeds going to medical charity initiatives.
Lin Lizhen said to Lin Haoyu: "This charity auction has a special connection to our family, especially you, Little Sixth. Afterwards, I'll make an additional donation in your name."
Lin Haoyu was slightly surprised, then broke into a genuine smile: "Thank you, Grandmother."
Lin Lizhen smiled and patted Lin Haoyu's hand.
Lin Lizhen had indeed gone all out this time. Not only did she donate two valuable pieces of jewelry to the charity auction, but she also bid on and won a piece of jewelry each for Lin Haoyu and Lin Haofei during the auction, making a spectacular show of it and making it clear to everyone—the Sixth Miss of the Lin family was deeply cherished in the household.
Lin Haoyu's eyes sparkled: Grandmother is so rich! And her new necklace was so beautiful—she loved it.
However, the highlight of the day wasn't the Lin family. As the charity auction drew to a close, the not-so-unexpected surprise arrived. The final item was a very famous crown, adorned with diamonds and rubies that glittered brilliantly, dazzling and radiant. Moreover, the story behind the crown added even more luster to it, so plenty of people in the room wanted to get their hands on it.
The moment the auctioneer said "Let's begin," the bejeweled ladies immediately jumped into bidding. Soon, the crown soared to a price that made Lin Haoyu's jaw drop—everyone was so rich. In the end, only two people refused to give up. One would make a bid, and the other would immediately raise it. Back and forth they went, the tension thickening with each bid. The two competitors locked eyes, practically crackling with electricity, on the verge of coming to blows.
"Fifth Sister, who are those two? Uh, they're both wearing red dresses—even their styling looks the same? Now that I look closer, they even resemble each other a bit?" Lin Haoyu asked in bewilderment.
Lin Haofei answered: "It makes sense that they look alike. The one wearing pearl earrings is Mrs. Li of Li's Real Estate, and the one wearing jade earrings is Mrs. Liu of Liu's Real Estate. They're half-sisters from the same father, and both married men in the real estate business, so they're always trying to one-up each other."
Lin Haoyu turned her head to look at her: "Liu's Real Estate? Isn't that our future second sister-in-law's family?"
Just at that moment, Mrs. Li bid ten million, and Mrs. Liu didn't follow. Finally, the auctioneer slammed down his gavel in excitement—ten million, sold!
Those in real estate were indeed wealthy—truly spending money like it was nothing.
"Exactly, but this time Mrs. Li has the upper hand. Li's Real Estate has confirmed a partnership with the Xie Group, so Mrs. Li has more confidence now. It's only natural she'd outshine Mrs. Liu. Next up, Second Brother's days won't be too comfortable." Lin Haofei laughed out loud.
Lin Haoyu quietly added, "Grandpa is planning to partner with Liu's Real Estate."
Lin Haofei stopped laughing. Family interests affected every member of the household.
"But Grandpa has his own plans—we don't need to overthink it." Lin Haoyu wasn't worried at all. Lin Zhenhua had navigated the business world for years; he didn't need anyone telling him what to do.
Leaning on Grandpa Lin Zhenhua as her towering tree of support, Lin Haoyu rested easy.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Lin Haofei said indignantly.
Lin Haoyu smiled. "Fifth Sister, tell me—was I speaking the truth or not?"
Lin Haofei was stumped, and could only say, "Sharp-tongued."
Lin Haoyu happily pressed her palms together. "Thank you for the compliment, Fifth Sister."
Lin Haofei: "…"
Lin Haofei now knew—this younger sister of hers was not to be trifled with! Why on earth had she provoked her before? A waste of time and effort with no benefit at all. How foolish!
Lin Haoyu chuckled to herself. She wanted to be a salted fish, but that didn't mean anyone could just step on her. That wasn't a salted fish—that was being a pushover. Hee hee.
After the charity auction ended, those with ulterior motives lingered in the venue to socialize and exchange pleasantries. The wives' diplomacy was important—some deals were brokered exactly that way. Mrs. Liu brought her daughter Liu Sanjin to see Lin Lizhen. There wasn't a trace of displeasure on Mrs. Liu's face as she spoke with Lin Lizhen naturally.
"Sanjin." Lin Haoyu and Lin Haofei greeted Liu Sanjin together.
The head of the Liu family always gave his children names containing the character for gold—said to be both rustic and refined, and to bring wealth into their destiny. So the Liu family had a string of "golds," and Liu Sanjin was one of them.
Liu Sanjin was polite to Lin Haoyu and Lin Haofei, making casual conversation. "What has your Second Brother been up to lately? He hasn't been getting into any trouble, has he?"
Lin Haoyu looked at Lin Haofei, who indeed spoke up: "Second Brother has been focused on work matters—where would he find the time for anything else? Sanjin, you see him every day. You know better than we do what he's been doing."
Hearing this, Liu Sanjin broke into a smile. "Kangyao wants to improve himself, and I fully support him. He's very capable. He says it's all for me—he's wonderful."
Lin Haofei secretly curled her lip.
"I don't get to see Sixth Sister often. Next time, your Second Brother and I will take you out to have some fun." Liu Sanjin said to Lin Haoyu.
Lin Haoyu had no intention of getting involved. "Sanjin and Second Brother should enjoy your time alone together—I wouldn't want to be a third wheel. Besides, I can't go out freely right now."
Liu Sanjin's smile became a bit more genuine, and she casually asked about Lin Haoyu's health. As they talked, the topic circled back to Lin Kangyao—"Kangyao" here, "Kangyao" there. Clearly, Liu Sanjin genuinely adored Lin Kangyao.
Lin Haofei's impatience was already showing; her lip curl grew wider and wider, and she secretly rolled her eyes several times.
Lin Haoyu glanced at Liu Sanjin, whose heart and eyes were full of Lin Kangyao, and silently shook her head. Miss Liu, a love-addled brain is a dangerous thing.
Lin Kangyao—this handsome, wicked man really had his ways.
Lin Haoyu could only wish Liu Sanjin well.
On the drive home, Lin Haoyu and Lin Haofei shared a car. Lin Haofei couldn't hold it in and vented to Lin Haoyu: "Did you see that? The way Liu Sanjin is head over heels—so stupid, it's hard to watch. She just hasn't been with enough men, that's why she's so hooked on Lin Kangyao."
Lin Haoyu: "Liu Sanjin has had a few relationships, hasn't she? So maybe—just maybe—Second Brother is quite skilled at this?"
Lin Haofei was sharp-tongued: "He's not just skilled—he's scheming."
"Second Brother has a great face and a great body." Lin Haoyu reminded her.
Lin Haofei: "A face and a body can't be eaten!"
Lin Haoyu said nothing, just quietly looked at her. After a long moment, she finally uttered, "You're not exactly in a position to say that either."
Lin Haofei thought of Dong Xing and was rendered speechless. A good face and a good body could indeed be eaten—she was eating hers right now.