The strikingly handsome man in a formal suit outside the glass window was none other than Lin Shengyan.
[Tsk tsk tsk, look at Second Brother strutting like a peacock. Did he come back for his goddess again?]
[An absolute love-struck fool. Even zombies would spit him out if they tried to eat him.]
Just as Lin Tingyue was thinking of an excuse to go find Lin Shengyan, she saw Bai Yaxin stand up first. "I want to see what nonsense Second Son is up to!" Bai Yaxin declared.
After saying this, Bai Yaxin picked up her purse and marched out with great momentum, followed by the others in succession.
With Bai Yaxin leading the way and Lin Tingyue bringing up the rear, their little tracking team looked… utterly unprofessional.
[Second Brother's awareness is way too low, isn't it? How hasn't he noticed us yet?]
[No wonder he's a love-struck fool!]
Lin Shengyan hadn't noticed at first, but then he heard Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts.
He hadn't told anyone in the family about his schedule today, so how did Lin Tingyue end up here?
Or had her inner thoughts already developed a long-range mode?
No, no, no—he still wanted some peace and quiet. Couldn't Lin Tingyue just leave him alone? Just as he thought this, Lin Shengyan turned around, and for a moment, everyone fell silent.
Lin Shengyan: "…Mom, Dad, what are you all doing here?"
Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong—one dressed in an elegant purple cheongsam, looking dignified and luxurious, the other in a sharp black suit, handsome and steady—were both hunched over, looking incredibly suspicious!
Bai Yaxin straightened up, casually fiddled with her hair, and tried to appear graceful. "We're here to attend a banquet."
"Where is the banquet?"
Lin Shengyan had clearly just seen them coming from the direction of the Western restaurant. If they were going to lie to him, they could at least come up with a better excuse! He might be love-struck, but he wasn't brainless!
Bai Yaxin pointed to the hotel across the street, where the exterior was still in disarray.
Lin Shengyan: "…"
He seemed to understand what was going on. His eyes met Lin Tingyue's, and he couldn't help but think that from now on, any banquet Lin Tingyue attended would probably end in chaos.
"Second Brother, why are you looking at me?" Lin Tingyue blinked innocently.
[Second Brother's plans have been foiled! Getting caught by Mom and Dad means he's done for now, hahaha.]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
You ask why I'm staring at you? Lin Tingyue, you're so noisy!
Lin Rusong asked, "Lin Shengyan, did you come back to see Cheng Jinshuang?"
Lin Shengyan sighed helplessly. "Dad, in your eyes, am I really that kind of person?"
Even a love-struck fool can change, you know!
Lin Rusong looked at Lin Shengyan. After all, in the Lin Family, Lin Rusong was quite open-minded and feared hurting his children's feelings. Hearing Lin Shengyan's words, he hesitated and asked, "So you don't like Cheng Jinshuang anymore?"
Lin Shengyan replied without hesitation, "How could that be possible?"
Lin Rusong: "…"
Fine, fine. Lin Shengyan really had grown bold, daring to mess with him like this. Lin Rusong said angrily, "Lin Shengyan, go home right now, immediately!"
Sensing Lin Rusong's anger, Lin Shengyan became subdued. "Dad, I can't go home yet. I'm here to attend an event."
Lin Rusong asked, "Really?"
He found it hard to believe.
Lin Shengyan was exasperated. "Dad, can't people have a little more trust in each other?"
Lin Rusong snorted. Lin Tingyue asked, "Second Brother, is the event you're attending being held at this hotel?"
【If it is, it's probably already doomed.】
"Not exactly."
【Though I don't know why, I still feel relieved.】
Bai Yaxin remained uneasy. Just in case, she said, "Let's go with you. When the event ends, you can come home with us."
【Let the heavy rain fall~】
【Second Brother, not only does Dad not trust you, but Mom doesn't either.】
【Is Second Brother about to cry?】
【Ah, why is Second Brother glaring at me? Was my schadenfreude too obvious?】
Lin Tingyue hid behind Bai Yaxin's back.
Whether they believed him or not, Lin Shengyan was genuinely here for work and had nothing to feel guilty about. He said, "Alright, Mom and Dad, I'll take you there."
The event venue was not far from the hotel—today was the grand opening of a new real estate development there.
Lin Rusong whispered to Bai Yaxin, "I think this is Lao Du's development. He invited me, but…"
Although Bai Yaxin wasn't close to Wen Jie, there might still be gossip to uncover—and indeed, there was!
Lin Rusong had decisively declined the invitation.
New property launches were common, but a wedding banquet with such juicy drama was rare.
Bai Yaxin said, "You made the right call."
After all, Lin Rusong and Lao Du weren't that close anyway.
As soon as Lin Shengyan arrived on site, he went to get his makeup done. Seeing Lao Du approach, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong immediately put on smiles. Lao Du said, "Old Lin, I didn't expect someone as busy as you to still make it."
Lin Rusong replied, "It was a scheduling conflict. I came as soon as the other event ended."
"I heard something happened at the Nian Family's wedding banquet. What was it exactly?"
"It's a long story."
While Lin Rusong and Lao Du were talking, the reception staff, seeing their familiarity with the boss, seated Bai Yaxin and the others in the front row.
The event was originally scheduled to start at 2:30, and though it was almost time, there was no sign of it beginning.
Lao Du kept checking his watch. Being superstitious, he believed that missing the auspicious timing would bring bad luck, so he sent someone to hurry things along.
Meanwhile, Lin Tingyue also noticed something amiss.
【That's odd, why hasn't this event started yet?】
【Did something happen?】
Again!
Were both places hiding drama?
Bai Yaxin and Lin Xiawan moved closer to Lin Tingyue with gleaming eyes, and even Lin Shengyan, waiting backstage, pricked up his ears.
【Let me see… Besides Second Brother, Xingsheng Group also invited a female guest. She entered through another door and accidentally saw her boyfriend with a blonde, blue-eyed girl…】
【And this female guest's boyfriend is the heir of Xingsheng Group. So doesn't that mean the heir cheated on the day of the new property launch?】
Lin Rusong felt like laughing. He and Lao Du were only superficially friendly, and last time Lao Du had snatched a business opportunity from their company. Wasn't this guy superstitious?
Missing the auspicious time versus his son cheating—seemed like the latter was far more unlucky.
By now, Lao Du's face had turned ashen. He ordered his assistant to find the young master immediately. Lin Tingyue stealthily followed the assistant.
【Wait for me, gossip! Wait!】
At the grand opening of the new real estate development, the Xingsheng Group, with its immense wealth and influence, had set up a massive stage featuring an enormous display screen bearing the company's name.
The assistant bypassed the screen directly and headed toward the model display area of the commercial properties. Lin Tingyue noticed that the female guest, Yun Xixue, was also storming toward the commercial property models with an imposing demeanor.
【Wrong, wrong! They're not in the commercial properties at all.】
Yun Xixue halted abruptly. Where did that voice come from? Was it warning her? That wretched man was cheating on her behind her back—if he wasn't in the commercial properties, then where was he?
【No way, they actually chose a brand-new RV? They're quite creative. How should I alert her?】
Several RVs were parked beside the commercial property models. Though Lin Tingyue didn't understand why they were placed there—perhaps as a clever design choice.
Lin Tingyue was racking her brains on how to subtly hint at the truth without being obvious when she saw Yun Xixue, accompanied by her assistant, heading toward the RVs. Lin Tingyue's eyes lit up.
【A woman's intuition is truly sharp!】
However, after thoroughly searching all the RVs, they found no trace of anyone.
【Huh? They're not inside the RVs? Then where did they go?】
Just then, Yun Xixue heard some unsavory noises coming from behind a silver RV. She pushed open the window but saw nothing. Her heart sank, and she prepared to step out and investigate by circling around.
【Ahhh, no! Don't go over there, beautiful sister! It's too eye-searing!】
Yun Xixue stopped in her tracks. Meanwhile, the staff member controlling the surveillance system near the stage was so engrossed in the drama that, with a slip of the hand, they projected the scene from behind the RV onto the large screen.
Xingsheng Group's marketing for this development emphasized utmost safety, with 360-degree comprehensive surveillance coverage that not only captured clear footage but also broadcasted audio in real time.
And so…
【Could this be considered… outdoor combat?】