Chapter 7: Qin Monong Fails to Recognize True Worth

Murong Zhang had one son and two daughters. His son, Murong Ze, had no interest in business and entered government service instead, where he rose swiftly through the ranks and was now stationed in the provincial capital of the Southern Metropolis.

His second daughter, Murong Yun, known as the Queen of Commerce, now presided over the flourishing group Murong Zhang had founded. In just a few short years, she had multiplied the group’s scale several times over, making it one of the leading enterprises in Luo City.

That was why Murong Zhang had retired early, handing the entire company over to Murong Yun’s capable management.

The youngest daughter, Murong Wan’er, was spirited and bold, with a passion for martial arts and weaponry. She had apprenticed herself to Jiang Haisheng, one of the four great masters of Luo City.

Sitting in Murong Yun’s fragrant car, Lin Yang was surrounded by an elegant scent.

He found his mind wandering a little—after all, the woman beside him was none other than the untouchable Murong Yun!

“Dr. Lin, I truly must thank you. To have such miraculous medical skills and extraordinary ability at your age—your future achievements are beyond imagination.”

Murong Yun took the initiative to speak with Lin Yang.

“You flatter me, Miss Murong,” Lin Yang replied calmly, accustomed to such occasions.

“I rarely offer genuine praise, but my words just now came from the heart.”

Murong Yun tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, every gesture imbued with grace.

“Then I am most honored,” Lin Yang said, his tone modest and composed, unaffected by her compliments. He was a man who had seen the heights and depths of life, his spirit steadfast and mature.

“To know you is our good fortune, Dr. Lin,” Murong Yun said with sincere respect.

The car soon reached the Murong family estate, which lay beside the Luo River.

The estate spanned several acres, its buildings exuding classic charm—pavilions, towers, covered bridges, and waterside gazebos, each step revealing a new vista, the grandeur of an old and distinguished family on full display.

Upon arrival, Murong Yun handed Lin Yang a bank card and the latest model of a Fruit phone.

“Dr. Lin, there are three hundred million on this card—your consultation fee. Please accept it.”

Lin Yang made no pretense and took both without hesitation; he was in need of money.

Since ancient times, scholars have been poor and warriors rich. For ordinary people, study is the best path. But to practice martial arts requires vast amounts of rare medicinal herbs; without proper nourishment, hard work is for naught, and may even bring harm.

“Just call me by my name. Being addressed as Dr. Lin feels strange,” Lin Yang said.

“You are a great benefactor to our family. How can we be so casual? If you dislike that title, then we’ll call you Mr. Lin,” Murong Yun replied.

Murong Zhang picked up the thread of conversation, giving Murong Wan’er a meaningful glance.

“Mr. Lin… I apologize. Please forgive my ignorance and offense.”

Murong Wan’er, who had always struggled to lower her pride enough to apologize, now bowed her head sincerely to Lin Yang. As a martial artist, she had a strong reverence for strength—she looked down on those weaker, but deeply admired those stronger and more capable.

Lin Yang’s display of life-restoring medical skill and his effortless defeat of a seventh-rank expert had won Murong Wan’er’s wholehearted admiration.

But Lin Yang felt nothing special toward her; in her, he saw traces of Qin Yanran—so many similarities between the two women that he could not rid himself of a faint sense of discomfort.

He nodded slightly, but did not respond.

Murong Yun quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Mr. Lin, I heard you don't have a permanent residence. I have a house in Imperial Garden—if you don't mind, let me give it to you, as an apology on Wan’er’s behalf.”

Lin Yang had no wish to accept favors from the Murong family for nothing. Many things in this world appear free, but their price is marked silently behind the scenes; a small advantage today may bring a greater cost tomorrow.

Yet when he heard the words “Imperial Garden,” his heart stirred.

For that had once been his home.

“No need to gift it. Let me take a look first, and if I’m satisfied, I’ll buy it at market price.”

He did indeed need a place to stay.

“Very well. I’ll take you to see the house now,” Murong Yun offered, driving him herself.

Imperial Garden was one of Luo City’s most prestigious villa communities—its residents all rich or powerful.

It wasn’t far from the Murong estate; they arrived in a little over ten minutes.

When Murong Yun drove up to Villa 18 and the garden gates swung open automatically, Lin Yang’s expression shifted.

“This place?”

“Yes, Villa 18 in Imperial Garden. Is something wrong?” Murong Yun asked.

Lin Yang drew a deep breath. “This used to be my home.”

“Really? What a coincidence! It must be fate. Now it’s simply returning to its rightful owner,” Murong Yun said, delighted by the serendipity.

Before the car had even stopped, Lin Yang leapt out and hurried inside.

It had been two years—two years since he’d last returned.

The garden was almost unchanged from two years ago, and Lin Yang felt a sudden sting in his nose.

For two years, he’d suffered in the Qin household, living a life worse than a dog, enduring endless torment and humiliation. Now, standing again in his former home, how could he not be overcome with emotion?

Murong Yun opened the door, and Lin Yang stepped inside. The interior was entirely different—renovated, with new furnishings throughout.

“Mr. Lin, look around—has anything changed? I never lived here after acquiring the house, nor did I touch anything inside.”

“It’s all been redone—no trace of the past remains. I had hoped to find some of my parents’ belongings, but I suppose they’ve all been thrown out,” Lin Yang said with some regret.

“Did you buy this house?”

“No. Qin Menong wanted to work with the Murong family, so over a year ago, she gave this house to my father as a birthday gift. That’s how I agreed to cooperate with Starlight Group.”

Lin Yang let out a cold laugh. Qin Menong truly knew how to scheme—renovating his family’s house and presenting it as a gift to the Murongs in exchange for business.

“Qin Menong…”

Just the mention of that woman brought a surge of anger. Dealing with her earlier hadn’t been enough to quell his rage; it seemed he would have to teach her a harsher lesson yet.

Murong Yun noticed the coldness in his expression and tentatively asked, “I heard Qin Menong is your godmother?”

“That’s right, she is,” Lin Yang replied with a cold laugh.

“I’ve always admired her. Years ago, when she fled to Luo City with nothing, my mother took her in, never expecting to raise a traitor.”

“Now she has fame and fortune—her methods and cunning truly command respect.”

Just recalling these events filled Lin Yang with unrelenting resentment.

Murong Yun nodded. “I’ve dealt with her a few times. She’s certainly resourceful and decisive.”

“But now, it seems her judgment is poor—she failed to recognize your abilities. She’s truly blind!”

Murong Yun had made up her mind: as soon as she returned, all cooperation with Starlight Group would be severed, and the connection cut clean.