Chapter 26 Are You Here Looking for a Rich Woman?

“Xiaoyang, I truly regret it. I never should have agreed to break off the engagement back then. If I hadn’t, you wouldn't have spiraled into gambling and even addiction—it’s my fault you ended up this way,” Liu Chengzhi said, his face full of remorse.

“You’re really something—so hypocritical! Wasn’t it you who went back on your word and insisted on annulling the engagement?” Lin Yang sneered.

“How could I possibly have broken off the engagement? It was Qin Menong who brought it up,” Liu Chengzhi replied.

“What did you say?” Lin Yang frowned.

“Not long after your parents passed away, Qin Menong came to me herself and said she wanted to dissolve the engagement. I refused, but she claimed it was your father’s dying wish—that you should acknowledge her as your godmother and marry her daughter, Qin Yanran.”

“She also told me you agreed to end the engagement and didn’t want to marry Xiaoyu. Thinking it was your father’s last wish, I finally relented,” Liu Chengzhi explained.

After hearing this, Lin Yang’s brow furrowed tightly as he pondered whether Liu Chengzhi’s words were true. Back then, it was Qin Menong who told him that Liu Chengzhi wanted to break the engagement and insisted on severing ties. Now, hearing Liu Chengzhi’s version, the story was entirely different. Could it be that Qin Menong had been playing tricks all along, deceiving both sides?

“Later, I heard you’d fallen into gambling and addiction, so I went to confront Qin Menong and demanded she let me take care of you instead. But she refused, claiming she’d already sent you abroad for further studies, and wouldn’t give me your contact information.”

“Looking back, I suspect it was all part of Qin Menong’s plot. She deliberately led you astray and sent you overseas, so she could, as your godmother and future mother-in-law, smoothly claim all your shares and control the entire Starshine Group.”

“Xiaoyang, Qin Menong is no ordinary woman—she’s cunning and resourceful. You must be on guard and not trust her too much,” Liu Chengzhi advised earnestly.

The muscles on Lin Yang’s face twitched slightly as sudden understanding dawned on him. So, from beginning to end, Qin Menong was behind it all. It was she who told him that Liu Chengzhi was ungrateful and had insisted on breaking off the engagement. Rage surged in Lin Yang’s chest once more. For the past two years, all of them had been toyed with in the palm of Qin Menong’s hand.

“Xiaoyang, I watched you grow up. Don’t you know what kind of person your Uncle Liu is? Your father was a great benefactor to me; how could I ever do something so ungrateful?”

“If you don’t believe me, I can swear an oath to the heavens that every word I just said is true—if I lied, may I die a terrible death…” Liu Chengzhi declared with agitation.

“Uncle Liu, I believe you,” Lin Yang replied.

He had indeed doubted Liu Chengzhi at first, finding it hard to believe he could be so ungrateful. But he’d placed too much trust in Qin Menong, and after his parents’ death, was emotionally vulnerable—making it easy for her to deceive him.

“I’m glad you do. Your Aunt Yu doesn’t mean any harm either; she just has some prejudice against you after hearing you’d gone astray.”

“As for Xiaoyu, she is a bit rebellious and spoiled. Don’t hold it against her—I’ll see to her myself,” Liu Chengzhi said.

Lin Yang let out a long breath, feeling a sense of relief for the first time in a long while.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Liu. I won’t take it to heart.”

“That’s good. By the way, I heard from Xiaoyu that she saw you yesterday with a woman?”

“That’s right,” Lin Yang nodded.

“Don’t blame me for being blunt, but as men we should rely on our own abilities and build a career. Depending on women doesn’t look good for us,” Liu Chengzhi admonished.

Lin Yang smiled, realizing Liu Chengzhi had misunderstood and thought he was being kept by a wealthy woman. He didn’t bother to explain. “You’re right, Uncle Liu.”

“You haven’t touched gambling or drugs again, have you? Those things will destroy you!” Liu Chengzhi suddenly turned stern.

“I never touched either. Qin Menong made it all up to defame me,” Lin Yang replied, already plotting in his mind to punish Qin Menong harshly tonight for her wickedness.

“I knew it! You were always an exemplary student—how could you fall into such vices? Qin Menong is truly venomous and scheming,” Liu Chengzhi said angrily.

“It’s just a pity she’s too powerful for me now. I can’t do anything to her and can’t help you get justice. It’s my own incompetence,” he sighed.

Lin Yang was secretly pleased. “Don’t say that, Uncle Liu. I’ll take care of my own revenge.”

“I’m glad you have that determination,” Liu Chengzhi replied with satisfaction. “Come back and join the company, then. I’ll hand over the entire Sincerity Group to you. Though it’s not as grand as Starshine Group, it’s still a solid enterprise.”

Lin Yang was deeply moved; at last, someone truly cared for him. In these past two years, after losing his parents and suffering under Qin Menong, he had lost faith in family and kept everyone at a distance.

Now, Liu Chengzhi’s warmth rekindled a sense of belonging in him.

“Uncle Liu, I’m not interested in running a company or doing business,” Lin Yang declined.

He had another mission now—to fulfill his master the Medicine Sage’s last wish and avenge him. Making money held no attraction for Lin Yang anymore.

“Interest can be cultivated. You’re smart—you’d pick it up in no time,” Liu Chengzhi said, clearly pinning his hopes on Lin Yang.

The two of them talked for a long time, and only then did Lin Yang learn that Liu Chengzhi was also struggling: Sincerity Group was in serious trouble, and only by securing the favor of the Murong family could they weather the crisis.

Lin Yang took note and resolved to help Liu Chengzhi.

It wasn’t until Yu Ping called to hurry them that their conversation ended, and they entered the elevator together.

When they stepped out, they found themselves at the entrance to the banquet hall, where a staff member awaited to greet guests.

“What could you possibly have to talk about for so long? Hurry up, don’t forget why we’re here today. Stop wasting time,” Yu Ping scolded impatiently.

“Let’s get inside, then,” Liu Chengzhi said, pulling out the invitation for inspection.

Liu Fuyu, seeing Lin Yang standing there without an invitation, mocked, “Didn’t the woman who keeps you give you an invitation?”

“No, she didn’t,” Lin Yang replied. Murong Yun truly hadn’t given him one.

Liu Fuyu snorted. “No invitation, and you still dare to come? What, did she dump you, so now you’re hoping to sneak in and find another rich woman to target? What do you think this place is?”

“Enough!” Liu Chengzhi snapped, then turned to Lin Yang. “Come, Xiaoyang, come in with us.”

“Are you crazy? Why bring him in? He doesn’t even have an invitation—what if he causes trouble inside? Will you take responsibility?” Yu Ping berated.

Liu Chengzhi was a gentle soul, somewhat henpecked, while Yu Ping was always forceful.

“Uncle Liu, you go in first. Don’t worry about me,” Lin Yang said.

Liu Chengzhi knew today was important and couldn’t risk any mishaps. He relented, “Alright, then wait out here. Don’t go far, don’t cause any trouble. When the banquet is over, come home with me.”