Chapter 12: Between Qin Monong and Me, Who Is More Beautiful?

After purchasing the clothes, Lin Yang and Murong Yun went to dine at a restaurant on the top floor of Nine Cauldrons Shopping Center.

“Do you know who owns this restaurant?” Murong Yun asked after they settled into a private room.

“Of course. I used to be a rich kid myself, you know. I’ve eaten here before,” Lin Yang replied with a smile.

The owner of this establishment was Luo Hongyu, one of the four great masters of Luocheng.

“Have you ever met Luo Hongyu in person?” Murong Yun continued.

Lin Yang shook his head. “It’s said that Master Luo is the most senior among the four, but also the most low-key. Very few people have seen her in person.”

“The other three either start their own schools and take on disciples, or preside over their own domains with lofty status. Only she chose to open a restaurant, studying cuisine—rather unconventional, really.”

Murong Yun pressed on, “How old do you think Luo Hongyu is?”

“Judging by the name, she sounds like someone our age. But since she’s the most senior, she must be fifty or sixty, right?” Lin Yang analyzed.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I was fortunate enough to see her once—she looked to be no more than twenty-something,” Murong Yun said in a lowered voice.

“Impossible, isn’t it? Rumor has it all the great masters are old folks,” Lin Yang protested. For him to reach master status at his age was sheer luck; he had consumed a rare pill, but for ordinary people, it was almost impossible to achieve such skill in their twenties.

“You just said it yourself—those are rumors. Rumors can’t be trusted! Most people have never seen her, so they speculate. And Luo Hongyu is very beautiful too,” Murong Yun added playfully.

Lin Yang remained skeptical. “How beautiful? Could she be more beautiful than you?”

“If you’re going to ask, then of course I think I’m the most beautiful. I, Murong Yun, am the most beautiful woman in the world,” she said, arching her chest with pride.

“I agree,” Lin Yang replied, following her lead.

Murong Yun leaned in, blinking mischievously. “So, does this mean I’m more beautiful than your godmother Qin Menong?”

“Ah… well…” Lin Yang was momentarily speechless, caught off guard.

“Isn’t she your enemy?” Murong Yun feigned displeasure.

“An enemy is an enemy, it has nothing to do with aesthetics,” Lin Yang broke into a cold sweat, thinking he couldn’t possibly tell her that because he’d slept with Qin Menong, he couldn’t say she wasn’t beautiful.

Besides, Qin Menong was truly alluring, truly beautiful. Despite having a child, it hadn’t affected her figure in the slightest, leaving no trace and no impact on Lin Yang’s experience; she was still as tight and enticing as ever.

Because she had a child, Qin Menong’s temperament and charm only became more mature and attractive.

“Can’t you just lie to make me happy?” Murong Yun pouted, pretending to be annoyed.

“Ah… well… I suppose I could…” Lin Yang hesitated.

“Forget it, you’re not even trying,” Murong Yun turned away, but soon faced him again. “Is it true that men prefer women like Qin Menong, mature and experienced?”

“Huh… well…” Lin Yang was stumped again.

“Let’s just order food. I’m getting hungry,” Lin Yang quickly changed the subject; the conversation was becoming difficult, and Murong Yun’s questions were impossible to answer.

After their meal, Jiang Zuofeng arrived to drive Murong Yun home.

Murong Yun handed her car keys to Lin Yang.

“Take my car for now—it’ll be more convenient for you. Also, tomorrow is my father’s birthday. There will be a banquet, and I hope you’ll do me the honor of attending.”

“I’ll think about it. I don’t really like those kinds of events,” Lin Yang didn’t immediately agree.

“Qin Menong and Liu Chengzhi will be there. Don’t you want to embarrass them a little?” Murong Yun coaxed.

“Fine, I’ll be there on time,” Lin Yang agreed, thinking it was about time to confront Liu Chengzhi and Qin Menong.

Driving Murong Yun’s car, Lin Yang left Nine Cauldrons Shopping Center, heading not for Imperial Garden, but straight to Qin Menong’s home.

He remembered what Qin Menong had done—slandering him for drug addiction and gambling—and his anger still smoldered. He had to teach her another lesson.

Meanwhile, at Villa Nineteen in Imperial Garden, inside the Liu family residence.

Liu Fuyu entered Liu Chengzhi’s study.

“Dad, Mom, I saw Lin Yang today.”

“Oh? He’s back in the country?” Liu Chengzhi asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Liu Fuyu nodded.

“What a shame about Xiao Yang. His parents’ death was a huge blow—he never recovered, ended up addicted to drugs and gambling. Such a promising young man ruined. To be honest, I share some responsibility. I let Brother Lin down,” Liu Chengzhi sighed.

“What’s there to pity? He brought it on himself. Thank goodness he’s finished; otherwise, our daughter marrying him would be a disaster,” Liu Chengzhi’s wife, Yu Ping, said dismissively.

“My mother’s right—he chose to fall, it’s none of our concern,” Liu Fuyu scoffed.

“How is he now? Why didn’t you bring him home? Even if the engagement is canceled, he’s still family. We should take care of him, and certainly not let him stay with Qin Menong,” Liu Chengzhi said.

“I suspect Xiao Yang’s downfall was Qin Menong’s scheme. She deliberately indulged him, proposed breaking the engagement, then sent him abroad to gain sole control of Xingyao Group.”

Qin Menong had publicly claimed Lin Yang was hopelessly addicted to drugs and gambling, and had sent him abroad for discipline.

No one knew Lin Yang had spent the last two years locked and tormented in her basement.

“Dad, don’t worry about him. He’s doing just fine now, hooking up with a wealthy, influential woman, living as her kept man,” Liu Fuyu jeered.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Liu Chengzhi rebuked.

“I’m not making this up—I saw it myself.” Liu Fuyu proceeded to recount the afternoon’s events, omitting the part where Hou Guiwen appeared, since she came off badly and was embarrassed.

Liu Chengzhi listened, brows furrowed, and stood up.

“Liu Jie said Xiao Yang is a third-rank martial artist?! I remember he never practiced martial arts. How did he reach third rank in just two years?”

“How should I know? Anyway, he injured Liu Jie with just two moves, so he must’ve picked up some skills,” Liu Fuyu replied indifferently.

Liu Chengzhi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Whatever the case, it’s good if he learned some skills for self-preservation. Later, go find him and bring him home—I want to see him,” Liu Chengzhi said.

“I’m not seeing him again. He can play his kept man, I’ll be the heiress, and we’ll have nothing more to do with each other,” Liu Fuyu said, then slipped out of his study.

“That girl is getting more and more disobedient—all your doing!” Liu Chengzhi said with a dark expression.

“Xiao Yu’s right. He’s gone to be someone’s kept man, it’s not our concern. You should focus on the company. If the problems aren’t solved soon, things will get very troublesome,” Yu Ping said, never having thought much of Lin Yang.

“Hong Changhai is advancing against us relentlessly—we can’t compete with him! If we really can’t hold on, maybe we’ll have to give up the company and leave with some money,” Liu Chengzhi said wearily, rubbing his forehead.

“The Zhicheng Group is your life’s work—you can’t just hand it over! Hong Changhai isn’t all-powerful in Luocheng,” Yu Ping comforted him, then continued, “I remember tomorrow is Old Master Murong Zhang’s birthday. We should attend the banquet. If we can connect with the Murong family, everything will be resolved. It’s our only chance!”

“It’s difficult! We’ve tried to curry favor with the Murong family many times, never succeeded. Now that Qin Menong is partnering with them, she certainly won’t let us share the benefits.”

“But no matter what, I must risk my reputation and try,” Liu Chengzhi took a deep breath, his eyes determined.