The competition was about to begin, and volunteers started clearing the field.
Thus, Lin Shengyan, who had just escaped the encirclement of fans and hadn't even had the chance to greet Cheng Jinshuang, was promptly escorted off the field.
Lin Shengyan sat down beside Lin Tingyue with a grim expression.
Lin Tingyue curved her eyes and asked with concern, "Second Brother, what's wrong? Why do you look so upset?"
[Second Brother, you need to learn to get used to it. Keep losing and losing, and eventually you'll lose forever.]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
He clenched his fists. "It's all because of you…"
Damn it, the words he wanted to say next were cut off again by an invisible force.
Feeling powerless, Lin Shengyan said, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had the chance to see Jinshuang."
"No need to thank me," Lin Tingyue seized the opportunity to shove her binoculars into Lin Shengyan's hands. "Here, take these and watch, Second Brother."
[Second Brother, make use of your advantage as the second male lead. Gaze at your goddess with your deep, affectionate eyes. Even though the goddess isn't yours, your eyes are still yours to use.]
Lin Shengyan was speechless once again. He looked at the binoculars in his hand—he really did need them. Ignoring Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts, he hesitantly asked, "Then what about you?"
"Me?" Lin Tingyue linked arms with Lin Xiawan. "I'll watch with Sister Xiawan."
[Come on, Sister Xiawan is fragrant and soft, and she achieved absolute victory at the engagement banquet. She's free from her love-struck brain. Anyone with a brain would stick with her. As for Second Brother… yikes, who knows if I might catch something if I get too close to him?]
Lin Shengyan was filled with helpless rage and resentfully raised the binoculars. Meanwhile, Lin Xiawan smiled and patted Lin Tingyue's hair, then lifted the binoculars to her own eyes.
The competition began. Fluent English echoed through the speakers, and Cheng Jinshuang's voice was exceptional, carrying a strangely captivating accent when she spoke English. Lin Tingyue was utterly delighted.
[Damn, I love it so much.]
[I wouldn't mind having a pretty sister like that either.]
[But come to think of it, why are all the people around Cheng Jinshuang such rotten suitors?]
Lin Tingyue glanced at the senior brothers, childhood friends, and the second son of the Yun family, before finally settling her gaze on Lin Shengyan. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt that Second Brother was looking at her with eager anticipation.
[Sigh, and there's one sitting right beside me.]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
The moment was completely ruined.
Lin Tingyue had just praised him a moment ago!
The exhibition match ended, and Cheng Jinshuang unquestionably became the champion. Although it was a small competition, there was an award ceremony. Cheng Jinshuang received a 5,000-yuan cash prize and a bright red Certificate of Honor with gilded lettering on the cover.
Lin Tingyue was practically drooling with envy.
[Actually, I could do it too.]
Lin Tingyue struck a pose.
[Ahem, ahem, let me think carefully… how are you…]
Everyone covered their ears in unison. No, you absolutely cannot.
Even Lin Xiawan, sitting beside Lin Tingyue, very tactfully tugged at her sleeve.
Lin Tingyue was happily lost in her inner dramatic performance and looked at Lin Xiawan in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Lin Xiawan couldn't very well say that everyone could hear her. She shifted her focus to Lin Shengyan, who was getting up, and said with a smile, "Second Brother seems to be heading down now."
Lin Tingyue tilted her head. The award ceremony was almost over, and it was clear Lin Shengyan was about to go down to see Cheng Jinshuang.
But since when had Lin Xiawan become interested in these things?
Lin Shengyan made his way to Cheng Jinshuang's side as hoped, but others moved faster than him. Cheng Jinshuang was surrounded in the center—they had all come to invite her to lunch.
But Cheng Jinshuang politely declined every invitation.
What kind of crowd was this? Cheating men, greasy men, backup men, and one who loved but couldn't have her—all the low-quality males of humanity were gathered here. Just thinking about it made Cheng Jinshuang feel like vomiting; how could she possibly eat with them?
If she had to choose, she would pick the girl who had revealed the whole truth to her.
Cheng Jinshuang quickly walked away from these people.
As excited as Lin Shengyan had been on the way there, he was equally dejected on the way back.
Lin Tingyue comforted Lin Shengyan, "Second Brother, there will be more opportunities in the future."
[Second Brother, although your love life is rough, your love life is still rough.]
Was this nonsense literature? Lin Shengyan's face darkened even more. He crossed his arms and leaned against the car window alone, thinking he looked cool, and prepared to ignore everyone else.
But seeing this, Lin Tingyue thought:
[Doo doo doo doo duang, doo doo doo doo duang.]
Before long, Lin Shengyan was seeing stars. Who could tell him why there were so many speed bumps here!
Couldn't a man even be sad in peace anymore?
[Sigh, leaning against the car window to act cool really isn't practical.]
Lin Shengyan silently sat up straight.
Lin Tingyue seized the chance to take out her phone and sneak a photo, planning to sell it to Lin Shengyan's fans later.
[This is an absolutely stunning close-up; it should sell for at least a few hundred bucks.]
Lin Shengyan stretched out his hand with a cold expression. "Hand it over."
Lin Tingyue had no choice but to give him the phone. Lin Shengyan quickly deleted the photo amid her agonized screams and said, "If this kind of photo got out, you'd be accused of being a sasaeng fan."
Lin Tingyue nodded. "Second Brother, thank you for caring so much about me."
[Couldn't it just be because he's my second brother and a top star, instead of a sasaeng fan?]
Lin Shengyan secretly gloated.
[Second Brother, Second Brother, my love-struck Second Brother.]
Lin Shengyan: "."
Lin Tingyue, do you even realize you have two faces!
"Young Miss, Second Young Miss, Second Young Master, we've arrived."
Lin Tingyue was the last to get out of the car. She noticed there was already a car parked in the villa's courtyard.
[Oh? We have guests?]
[Oh no, are they here to fight over the family fortune?]
This was usually the pattern in these wealthy family stories—either fighting over the inheritance or troublesome relatives causing drama.
When they had left, Lin Rusong had gone out too, and she didn't know if he was back yet. Worried that Bai Yaxin might not be able to handle it alone, Lin Tingyue quickened her pace.
[Mom, Mom, your beloved daughter is here to help you!]
Although Lin Shengyan and Lin Xiawan didn't know who might be coming to fight over the family fortune, influenced by Lin Tingyue, they also quickened their steps.
Uncle Zhang, who had just gotten out of the car, felt a gust of wind blow past him.
The three of them stormed through the entrance hall. Bai Yaxin was entertaining guests in the living room and waved them over when she saw them return. "You're back. This is your Aunt Zhao and her youngest son."
Lin Tingyue took a closer look and her eyes instantly lit up. Wow, it's Brother Good Fortune—an old acquaintance.
Yun Mingning seemed equally surprised to encounter them here, especially Lin Shengyan, his competitor. The atmosphere instantly grew tense and confrontational.
Lin Tingyue sipped her juice while watching the drama unfold, mentally cheering them on.
[Fight, fight!]
Zhao Ru paused. Where did that voice come from?
She glanced at Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan, saying, "Yaxin, you're truly blessed to have gained another daughter."
Zhao Ru was beautiful; even though time had left traces at the corners of her eyes, she remained strikingly attractive. Her voice was calm and unhurried, pleasant to the ear.
Zhao Ru handed two boxes to Bai Yaxin. "These are what I picked out for Tingyue and Xiawan. I was abroad during Xiawan's recognition banquet and couldn't attend. This is just a small token of my affection."
Under the circumstances, Bai Yaxin couldn't refuse. After accepting them, she passed the boxes to Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue, who obediently said, "Thank you, Aunt Zhao."
Lin Tingyue sneakily opened her box. Inside was a sapphire necklace that nearly dazzled her eyes.
[Auntie, you're actually a good person! From now on, you're my real aunt! I'll stand by you through thick and thin. Your enemies are my enemies, your friends are my friends, your necklace is my necklace!]
Taking advantage and grabbing freebies, huh? Lin Shengyan snorted in disdain.
Bai Yaxin felt displeased, thinking Lin Tingyue had no ambition to be swayed so easily by a necklace.
But Lin Tingyue was looking down at her phone and missed Bai Yaxin's gaze.
Although Lin Tingyue knew this book inside out, it was simply too long. If she wasn't careful, she'd forget some minor details. So, she had specifically created a chart for all the characters.
Lin Tingyue was currently scrolling through her chart.
Over there, Zhao Ru continued speaking, "I brought Mingning here today to deliver a wedding invitation."
"A wedding invitation?"
Not only was Bai Yaxin surprised, but even Lin Tingyue, who had been buried in her phone, alertly lifted her head.
[Getting married? Aren't you still pursuing Cheng Jinshuang?]
Lin Shengyan rubbed his hands together eagerly.
Yun Mingning smiled warmly and said, "Yes, Aunt Bai, I'm getting married to Miss Song next weekend."
Bai Yaxin nodded repeatedly. She looked at Zhao Ru and said, "That's truly wonderful news."
[Then what about Cheng Jinshuang? Weren't you planning to ask her out for a meal?]
Lin Shengyan couldn't hold back at all. He remarked sarcastically, "Young Master Yun, do you still remember Jinshuang?"
Unexpectedly, Yun Mingning's smile didn't falter in the slightest. He replied, "Of course I remember. Aren't we all here to attend Jinshuang's exhibition match today?"
Lin Shengyan lost his composure. "You're about to get married, yet you're still bothering Jinshuang?"
Bai Yaxin frowned. "Shengyan."
After all, Yun Mingning was the son of her good friend Zhao Ru. What if there was a misunderstanding?
"It's alright, Aunt Bai," Yun Mingning said politely, waving his hand. "Regarding Jinshuang, I'll compete with you fairly."
Lin Shengyan: "Huh?"
Everyone present was utterly bewildered.
Zhao Ru also sensed something amiss, but since they were at the Lin residence, she had to maintain her composure.
Lin Shengyan: "You're getting married soon. What's there to compete for?"
Yun Mingning looked innocent. "Why not? Someone as exceptional as me—limiting myself to liking only one person and marrying only one person—wouldn't that be a loss?"
[Oh my god, isn't the Qing Dynasty long gone?]
[Is there no one here to save my ears?!]
["What a huge disadvantage! Quite the outlaw, aren't you? Do you even know this counts as bigamy?"]
Zhao Ru's elegant composure shattered as she demanded, "Yun Mingning, do you have any idea what you're saying?"
["Aunt Zhao, he has no clue. He's planning to make you cough up blood in anger at the wedding."]