Lin Chen’s original intention in discussing these matters with the bodyguards was to inquire about reliable rental platforms, as he wasn’t a local and was afraid of being scammed.
However, the bodyguards reported this directly to Si Ang.
Upon learning that Lin Chen was moving, Si Ang generously had his assistant arrange a detached villa in the suburbs for him.
As for a pickup truck, he didn’t have one in his garage, so Lin Chen would have to buy one himself.
Lin Chen was at a loss, but what could he say to the bodyguards who were eager to take credit?
“Gentlemen, let me treat you to dinner,” Lin Chen invited with a smile.
He checked which upscale restaurants in the capital were good, and seeing that he had more than enough money, he confidently led the bodyguards there.
“Isn’t this place too expensive?”
“It’s alright,” Lin Chen said, “Brother Si Ang paid me quite well.”
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s change of address to Si Ang, the bodyguards smiled thoughtfully, “Okay, thank you then.”
They didn’t go to a private room, but ordered several dishes in the main hall and happily ate and drank.
The bodyguard gossiped, “Lin Chen, tell us quickly, what’s your relationship with our boss now?”
Even without Lin Chen saying it, they could tell that Si Ang took good care of Lin Chen and definitely liked this talented and kind-hearted younger brother.
Just like they liked Lin Chen too.
“Mr. Si and I are friends now,” Lin Chen said shyly.
The bodyguards looked surprised, then happy for him, “That’s great! We’ve always noticed you and the boss get along well.”
“There aren’t many people the boss acknowledges as friends. Don’t forget us in the future,” they toasted him.
“Yes, I definitely won’t forget.” Lin Chen smiled, accepting all comers.
“Lin Chen,” the bodyguard suddenly nudged Lin Chen’s foot as they finished eating, “Look, there’s a man around nine o’clock who’s been watching you. Do you know him?”
Lin Chen glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. It was Lu Wuyou, but what did it have to do with him?
“I don’t know him.” Lin Chen looked away and focused on his food.
Lu Wuyou was eating here with friends today. His friends were obviously from wealthy families, but why was Lin Chen eating here?
Where did he get the money?
Lu Wuyou knew best that, under his careful influence, the Lu family didn’t like Lin Chen at all and had never given him any money. Even if Lin Chen were still with the Lu family, he couldn’t afford the prices here.
Therefore, Lin Chen couldn’t possibly be paying for this meal himself. That poor guy was definitely freeloading off the two tall men at the table.
For some unknown reason, a flash of disdain crossed Lu Wuyou’s eyes, and he secretly snapped a photo of the scene.
He was delighted, thinking he could complain about Lin Chen later, but before he could even laugh, he saw the tall man opposite Lin Chen suddenly stand up, his sharp, eagle-like eyes fixed on him.
He froze instantly.
However, he remained calm. In public, what could the other man dare to do?
He was, after all, the son of an earl.
The menacing-looking bodyguard strode up to Lu Wuyou: “Did you just take a picture of us?”
Lu Wuyou’s heart skipped a beat, but he calmly denied it: “Who took your picture? Don’t accuse me of something.”
The bodyguard said coldly: “Are you questioning my professionalism?”
He was Si Ang’s bodyguard, and selected through rigorous screening. Lu Wuyou’s little trick wouldn’t fool him.
“Delete the photo, or I’ll call the police immediately.”
If it was a photo of their master, he would have already called the police. Since the person involved wasn’t a gentleman, and their identities weren’t sensitive, they settled privately.
Their commotion immediately attracted onlookers. Lu Wuyou remained unfazed: “I said I didn’t. You can check the security footage if you don’t believe me.”
He was confident; his movements were subtle, and even the security footage wouldn’t show him taking a picture.
These days, taking someone’s picture without permission not only incurs fines but also detention. Lu Wuyou certainly wouldn’t admit it.
Lu Wuyou’s friends, who hadn’t seen his subtle movements either, chimed in, “Wuyou didn’t take your picture. We can testify.”
Passersby whispered, “He dared to say he’d check the security footage, so he probably really didn’t take any pictures. It’s probably a false alarm.”
Lin Chen walked over suspiciously, asked what happened, and looked at Lu Wuyou with a half-smile: “Delete the photos and apologize now, and I might not pursue the matter. Otherwise, hand it over to the police.”
The others didn’t know their feud, but Lin Chen knew very well that since the bodyguard said Lu Wuyou had taken the pictures secretly, it was true.
As for why he took them, it was definitely another frame-up.
Hearing the word ‘police,’ Lu Wuyou panicked for a moment, but he was used to crushing Lin Chen and didn’t take it seriously: “I can’t be bothered with you lunatics.”
Just then, the manager arrived, and Lu Wuyou said, “Manager! These people are harassing me and making me very uncomfortable. Please deal with them immediately, or I’ll complain to your headquarters.”
Lu Wuyou was the son of an earl. Even though the capital was indeed full of nobles, he was still someone a commoner like the manager couldn’t afford to offend.
“Young Master Lu, I’m truly sorry for the trouble.”
“Hmph.” Lu Wuyou waited to see someone get kicked out.
The manager looked at Lin Chen and his group apologetically, “Gentlemen, I’ve checked the security footage. This young master definitely didn’t take any photos of you. If you don’t believe me, you can come with me to see.”
The bodyguard, arms crossed, stood motionless, his imposing physique making him look like a Buddha: “He did take photos.”
Everyone: “…”
Lin Chen trusted the bodyguard’s professional abilities and lazily said, “Both sides have their reasons, so let’s call the police.”
Seeing Lin Chen raise the terminal bracelet on his wrist as if to attack, Lu Wuyou panicked: “Lin Chen, stop!”
Lin Chen remained unmoved.
The other party continued to threaten him: “If you dare, I’ll expose your shameful deeds!”
“I’ll let all the teachers and students of Tyron University know what you’ve done!”
That only made things worse; Lin Chen acted even faster: “I’ve reported it.”
Lu Wuyou trembled all over. How dare Lin Chen!
“Who are you? Why are you bullying Wuyou?” Lu Wuyou’s friends stepped in front of him.
They didn’t know Lin Chen’s identity; this information was kept tightly under wraps by the Lu family.
Only the former Lin Chen had foolishly believed that his family was keeping it a secret for his own good.
The police had already been called; Lin Chen didn’t bother talking to them.
Lu Wuyou now only had two choices: wait for the police to arrive, or admit his mistake and apologize.
However, he didn’t want to choose either. He immediately sent a message to his older brother, Lu Zhibai, explaining the situation and pleading with him to complain.
“Big brother, come quick, save me! Lin Chen is bullying me again!”
Lu Zhibai saw the message at his company and was furious. Luckily, his company was in this business district, so he could get there in about ten minutes.
“Wait for me. Don’t worry, he won’t dare do anything to you.”
The police arrived faster than Lu Zhibai. After listening to the caller’s description, they looked at Lu Wuyou and asked to check his personal terminal’s camera footage.
Lu Wuyou kept looking towards the door while speaking politely to the police officers: “Please wait a moment. My brother will be here soon. I’ll cooperate when he arrives; otherwise, I’m scared, okay?”
He looked weak and young, and since the matter wasn’t settled yet, the police were lenient.
Five minutes later, Lu Zhibai arrived at the scene, immediately shielding Lu Wuyou behind him. Pointing menacingly at Lin Chen, he said, “Quickly withdraw the police report. We’ll settle this privately.”
Lin Chen glanced over and saw the fierce look in Lu Zhibai’s eyes. He guessed that if the police hadn’t been there, the other man would have slapped him again.
He murmured, “You’re sick.”
“You!” Lu Zhibai did want to slap Lin Chen, but with the police present, he couldn’t.
Lin Chen gently reminded him, “Officer, may I proceed with my duties?”
The police officer again addressed Lu Wuyou, “Sir, please cooperate so we can check your personal terminal’s camera footage.”
Lu Wuyou was truly panicked this time. He thought calling Lu Zhibai would subdue Lin Chen, but Lin Chen was so forceful. Wasn’t he afraid of offending the Earl’s Mansion?
If anything happened to him, the entire Lu family would not let Lin Chen off the hook.
“Big brother…” he clutched Lu Zhibai’s clothes coquettishly, “You need to control him.”
Lu Zhibai glared at Lin Chen: “Do you know what you’re doing? Don’t think you can take advantage of…”
“What?” Lin Chen shrugged nonchalantly: “I’m all alone, I don’t have a family to worry about. What do you think you can use to threaten me?”
“And, threatening me in front of the police, Lu Zhibai, the eldest son of Count Lu En, you’re so powerful.”
The policeman frowned upon hearing this: “Sir, this is the third time I’m asking you, please cooperate!”
Lu Zhibai’s face was grim with veins bulging on his forehead from anger, but he had to consider the Earl’s reputation and couldn’t harm Lin Chen here: “Fine, you’re very good.”
Lu Wuyou cried in fear: “Big brother, I don’t want to…”
“Wuyou, don’t be afraid,” Lu Zhibai looked at Lu Wuyou with much gentler eyes, like a true older brother, then turned to the police officer: “We can cooperate, let’s go back to the police station first, okay? They can come along too.”
The police officer looked at Lin Chen.
“Okay.” Lin Chen agreed.
The group went to the police station. Lu Zhibai had already thought of a plan on the way. He told the police officer: “Officer, actually we’re family, he’s my younger brother, this is just a conflict between brothers.”
The police officer was shocked, his younger brother?
Lu Zhibai: “It’s true, we’re related by blood.”
The police officer figured no one would lie about something so easily exposed, so he looked at Lin Chen with a complicated expression and began to try and smooth things over: “So you’re all family. Taking a photo isn’t a big deal. Why don’t you have your brother apologize and that’s it?”
Lin Chen chuckled: “I’ve severed ties with your whole family. You’re all clinging to me like this just to get away with it. Don’t you feel ashamed?”
Lu Zhibai said coldly: “Don’t forget, your life was given to you by your parents.”
Lin Chen: “I almost drowned in the water. Turning a blind eye shows you don’t value my life much either. Consider it my repayment.”
Lu Zhibai’s face turned ashen at the mention of this. He had only revealed his relationship with Lin Chen today out of necessity, not wanting it to become public knowledge: “Shut up! Don’t make false accusations!”
Lin Chen lowered his eyes: “I wasn’t the only one photographed. I won’t agree to a settlement.”
The bodyguard echoed, “That’s right. We insist on pursuing this to the end. We will never settle.”
It sounded like Lin Chen had connections with this family. They were furious after hearing just a few words and were determined not to let Lin Chen be bullied.
Lu Zhibai suppressed his emotions and said to them, “Gentlemen, we can discuss how much settlement money you want. There’s no need to offend the Lu family.”
“Following Lin Chen in this mess won’t do you any good.”
“He’s a despicable and cunning person. He just wants to use you to take revenge on the Lu family.”
“Don’t be fooled by him.”
Would a brother say such things?
The bodyguard angrily said, “We don’t want a settlement. We just want the person who took the photos to be dealt with according to the law. Fine them if they deserve it, and detain them if they deserve it.”
Detention would leave a record, and if it didn’t get out, it would be a stain on their life.
Lu Wuyou was terrified. He hated Lin Chen to the core, but could only plead pitifully, “Third Brother, I apologize! Please forgive me. I just acted impulsively.”
Lin Chen: “Have some shame. I’m not your third brother.”
He had the original owner’s memories and knew Lu Wuyou was faking it. This man had been framing the original owner for a year, constantly injuring him and framing him, leaving him unable to speak out.
The original owner was clearly an excellent student, yet Lu Wuyou falsely accused him of being a vicious and despicable scoundrel, making him hated by everyone.
It’s hard to say the original owner didn’t die from depression and torment.
Lu Wuyou bit his lip, tears streaming down his face: “Mom and Dad will be heartbroken if they know you’re like this.”
Lin Chen laughed angrily: “Of course your parents are heartbroken because you committed a crime. They raised such a good son, and you’ve disgraced them.”
Lu Wuyou couldn’t argue, and Lu Zhibai, feeling sorry for him, scolded: “Lin Chen! That’s enough!”
Lin Chen told the police: “This matter cannot be settled amicably. We’ll deal with it as it comes.”
The police officers, of course, wanted to persuade him, but seeing Lin Chen’s attitude, they knew they couldn’t change his mind. They could only say to Lu Wuyou: “Mr. Lu Wuyou, please cooperate with our work. This is my last request. If you refuse again, we have the right to apply for a direct search of your personal terminal.”
“Waaah…” At this point, crying was useless for Lu Wuyou.
The police still checked his personal terminal.
It turned out that Lu Wuyou had indeed taken the photos, and since the person involved refused to settle, he would be fined and detained for fifteen days according to the law.
Upon hearing this result, Lu Wuyou’s heart sank, his face turned deathly pale, and he seemed about to faint.
If he were really detained, how could he ever face the elite circles again?
Seeing his beloved younger brother like this, Lu Zhibai glared fiercely at Lin Chen, still with that arrogant attitude: “I’ll give you one more chance…”
Lin Chen interrupted him: “Don’t give it to me, nobody needs it.”
After signing the papers, Lin Chen didn’t leave. Instead, he watched as the police officers processed Lu Wuyou’s detention paperwork, thanked the officers, and then left.
At the door, Lu Zhibai’s gaze was murderous, his menacing expression a chilling warning to Lin Chen: “I won’t show you any mercy this time. You wait.”
Lin Chen’s expression was cold and aloof: “I’m scared.”
Leaving the police station, he immediately apologized to the two bodyguards: “I’m so sorry, I ruined a perfectly good meal like this.”
“Don’t mention it, don’t be so polite.”
The bodyguards weren’t angry with Lin Chen; they were more concerned for him. They asked, “Was that person the one who kicked down your door last time?”
Lin Chen nodded.
“What’s your relationship with him?”
They had all heard him.
Lin Chen pursed his lips. “He’s my blood brother.”
He didn’t hide anything anymore, letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m Count Lu En’s lost youngest son. I was only found a year ago, but I couldn’t adapt to their environment, and we recently severed ties.”
“The one who took my picture is the son they adopted after I went missing. He makes things difficult for me at every turn and almost murdered me.”
“Outrageous!”
“It’s better not to go back to a family like that.” The bodyguards were indignant.
“No wonder the boss was so good to you but didn’t help you find your family.” So he already knew.
Lin Chen nodded. “Let’s not talk about them anymore. Do you two have some time? Shall we go to the secondhand market together?”
With a car, he could drive back in a little while.
“Of course we have time, let’s go!”
On the Lu family’s side, they quickly learned of Lu Wuyou’s detention. Earl and Madam Lu En were furious, wishing they could skin Lin Chen alive and tear him apart.
“He’s a bastard! We didn’t wrong him at all!”
“My Wuyou, poor Wuyou, how could he have ended up with such a… we shouldn’t have brought him back in the first place!”
Shen Qiuyi pulled Count Lu En: “Husband, you must find someone to get Wuyou out quickly. How can he stand being detained? That place is no place for humans.”
“I’ll try.” Count Lu calmed himself down and immediately contacted someone.
It was just a minor administrative detention; he felt it shouldn’t be a problem. Indeed, the person he contacted told him it wouldn’t be a big issue.
The family finally felt a little relieved, but they were still furious, and cursed Lin Chen incessantly.
“We were too soft-hearted before, and always hesitant to teach him a harsh lesson.”
“We will never tolerate him again.”
Lin Chen was just a poor student with nothing to his name. They were determined to control him and didn’t take him seriously at all.
While cursing Lin Chen, they waited for news, only to receive the reply: “Old Lu, no, you can’t come pick him up in fifteen days.”
Count Lu frowned and pressed, “What happened?”
The other person said coldly, “Your son offended someone, and you didn’t even tell me. Don’t come to me for this kind of thing again.”
Count Lu was stunned. He wanted to ask for more details, but the call had already ended.
Lin Chen, an ordinary person, wasn’t fully aware of the intricacies of the capital, but the bodyguard, being someone close to Si Ang and well-informed, feared the Lu family might try to bail him out, so they reported it to Si Ang and, incidentally, played the victim for Lin Chen.
“Sir, the Lu family is going too far! They almost slapped Lin Chen in the face!”
“Judging by their posture, they definitely fought before.”
Si Ang’s gaze darkened slightly. Amidst his busy schedule, he took a moment to greet them.
He wanted those who needed to know to know that Lu Wuyou had secretly photographed his bodyguard, which, in effect, was equivalent to secretly photographing him.
No one could bail him out.
This had to be handled strictly according to the law.