Master Lin was so traumatized by the incident that he went without food for two consecutive days. Just when he finally regained his appetite, Lin Jiasi visited him, causing him to vomit his meal again, which frightened Lin Jiasi's mother into immediately calling the family doctor.
"My mom says Dad can't look at me now without thinking of Fu Jingtian, which then reminds him of being forcibly kissed by Fu Jingtian—hahahahaha!"
Lin Jiasi nearly laughed herself breathless. She paused before continuing, "At his age, being forcibly kissed by a man is truly humiliating. Besides, Dad has always valued face more than anything else. Now that his dignity's been shattered, he'll probably never want to go out again."
Lin Jiasi thought somewhat unfilially—was she actually taking pleasure in his misfortune?
After this incident, Master Lin would probably abandon any matchmaking plans for her.
[Is this what they call karma?]
[The more you value something, the more likely you are to lose it?]
[Indeed, Lady Justice is fair!!!]
Lin Jiasi burst into laughter again, nearly pounding the sofa beside her.
Bai Yaxin asked, "Does Dad know about the drugging incident?"
Lin Jiasi straightened up. "Dad says he didn't know. If he had known, he would've smashed that cup immediately. He's already cut off all ties with the Fu family."
But how much of that was for Lin Jiasi's sake, she couldn't be sure.
[Thank goodness. If he really had drugged Little Aunt, what difference would there be between him and a beast?]
Lin Jiasi wholeheartedly agreed. She ruffled Lin Tingyue's hair and said, "Little Aunt will be leaving in a few days. I want to transfer the villa in the east under your name."
The east side of City A, where the wealthy congregate, is considered prime real estate. Developed early with complete facilities, it's particularly coveted. Properties there are the most expensive in the entire city, let alone a villa.
[Isn't this equivalent to buying a courtyard house in Beijing?]
Where is Beijing?
So Lin Tingyue likes courtyard houses? She happened to own two herself. She'd find a suitable opportunity to gift them another time.
Lin Jiasi scratched Lin Tingyue's chin and asked, "Little money-grubber, do you like it?"
Lin Jiasi had been wanting to thank Lin Tingyue. If not for her, she might have fallen into Fu Jingtian's trap. However, since she was rarely home, she wasn't quite sure what Lin Tingyue liked.
For this reason, Lin Jiasi specifically asked Bai Yaxin and learned that what Lin Tingyue loved most now was money…
The Lin family never lacked money, and Lin Jiasi had long achieved financial freedom, with numerous properties under her name.
After much deliberation, Lin Jiasi felt the eastern villa was the most impressive gift she could offer.
"I like it. Thank you, Little Aunt."
[It's a villa!!!]
"Glad you like it."
"Um…"
Lin Tingyue hesitated to speak. Lin Jiasi said, "Yueyue, if you have something to say, just tell Little Aunt directly."
Lin Tingyue squirmed awkwardly. "Little Aunt, did you do this because of my charm too…"
Both Lin Jiasi and Bai Yaxin stifled their laughter. Bai Yaxin turned away, while Lin Jiasi laughed outright. "That's right, Yueyue is our Lin family's little lucky star."
[I'm the little lucky star!!!]
Lin Tingyue's heart swelled with joy.
After Lin Jiasi left, Lin Shengyan hesitantly approached Lin Tingyue.
Lin Tingyue was lounging on the balcony swing chair, snacking while watching TV, utterly content. Hearing a noise, she pricked up her ears warily and glanced back to see her romance-obsessed second brother.
[Oh no, has Second Brother's romance obsession flared up again?]
[Is he planning to go find Cheng Jinshuang?]
[Tsk tsk, I won't cover for Second Brother. I'll just—Mom…]
Bai Yaxin, who had been drinking tea in the living room, looked over. She would keep watching Lin Shengyan until he returned to his room.
Lin Shengyan: "…"
He cleared his throat and asked, "Lin Tingyue, do you want to get rich?"
[Why does Second Brother sound like a kidney-harvesting ringleader?]
Lin Tingyue said seriously, "Second Brother, never do anything illegal."
[Better to be romance-obsessed than risk a collapse of reputation.]
Lin Shengyan: .
Was he supposed to thank Lin Tingyue for that?
Lin Shengyan looked at Lin Tingyue's innocent face and explained, "A variety show director approached me, wanting to invite you as a guest."
Lin Tingyue: "?"
"What does that have to do with me?"
It had nothing to do with Lin Tingyue, except this director had taken an unconventional approach by proposing a format mixing celebrities with ordinary people. While the idea was good, celebrities were easy to find, but ordinary participants were not.
Coincidentally, the director knew Yun Xixue, who recommended Lin Tingyue.
Lin Shengyan suspected Yun Xixue wanted everyone on the show to suffer, hence recommending a troublemaker like Lin Tingyue, but he had no proof.
"Variety show pay isn't low, you know."
[Hah, am I that shallow?]
[In ancient times, some wouldn't bow for five bushels of rice, and now…]
Lin Shengyan said with a smile, "One million per episode."
Lin Tingyue: !
[How much, did you say how much???]
[Now there's me, Lin Tingyue, dropping to my knees.]
Lin Tingyue waved her arms and even jumped up from the swing chair. "Second Brother, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go!"
Lin Shengyan: Hah!
…
"Living is All About Love" was a dating show broadcast live, different from traditional dating shows as it had no studio guests—since the comments were real-time, all viewers essentially served as the studio audience.
[Tsk tsk, if someone's reputation collapses here, there's no delay.]
Collapse today, and you're out today. Plus…
[People live for money! This name sounds doomed!]
The staff member fitting Lin Tingyue with a mic was briefly confused—had this lady spoken just now?
After getting miked, Lin Tingyue got out of the car. Her surprise appearance was during a group activity where everyone had gone to a fruit base dozens of kilometers from the dating villa. Lin Tingyue's drop-off point was also the fruit base.
Looking up, Lin Tingyue saw vibrant green plums hanging from the branches.
Before starting, the staff had told her they'd arranged with the fruit base that participants could pick and eat the fruit freely.
So Lin Tingyue went ahead… "How can they be so sour!!!"
Her face contorted from the tartness.
[Is this the new guest? So cute.]
[Hahahaha that's totally me! Who cares if it's good, just take a bite first.]
Lin Tingyue's outburst drew the attention of others who had been playing in the plum grove.
[Surely an ordinary participant wouldn't crash and burn already?]
With such expectations, Lin Tingyue approached the guests.
Just as Lin Tingyue was walking over, a beautiful woman noticed her and enthusiastically waved, "You must be today's new guest, right?"
"Yes," Lin Tingyue shook Huo Ting's hand, "My name is Lin Tingyue."
"Huo Ting."
After shaking hands with Huo Ting, Lin Tingyue went to greet the others. A male guest leaning against a plum tree appeared indifferent. When Lin Tingyue greeted him, he merely stated his name without any intention of approaching.
[Ah, who still mistakes rudeness for coolness?]
[Wait, what was that guy's name again?]
Lin Tingyue pondered hard while those around her were startled by the sudden voice.
At that moment, Wan Hong, who had earlier refused to greet Lin Tingyue, approached Huo Ting and whispered, "A-Ting, you will be my only choice."
But with his live microphone, no matter how softly he spoke, everyone nearby heard him clearly.
[Seriously? Starting with cringe right off the bat?]
[This isn't unwavering devotion—this is pure insanity! Does making a choice mean all other women become invisible? What about your mother then?]
Huo Ting also felt awkward. She merely had a favorable impression of Wan Hong, not some binding commitment. While Huo Ting remained momentarily stunned, Wan Hong stormed off with a dark expression, followed closely by his cameraman.
Lin Tingyue: ?
[What's this guy acting out?]
[I don't get it—is he fermented vinegar given human form?]
Lin Tingyue scanned the surroundings.
[Saying he's leaving, but probably hiding behind some tree?]
[Does he expect female guests to go coax him?]
[No wonder the name sounded familiar—Dating Show Stage, Come if You Have Gossip!]
Lin Tingyue rubbed her hands, actually feeling somewhat excited.
[Scammed his ex-girlfriend out of three million, gaslit her into suicide… So he's here to fish for new targets on a dating show?]
Huo Ting, who had been about to chase after him, hesitated upon hearing this.
[Hey, his ex-girlfriend is actually here today too.]