Chapter 72 Shameless Deadbeat

Shen Youwei’s mother was an excellent cook, but Shen Youwei herself had never learned; she couldn’t cook at all.

“Don’t look down on me! A person changes after three days apart—you should see me with new eyes. These past two years, with my mother ill, I’ve already learned to cook. One day I’ll have to let you taste what I can do.”

“You mean your actual cooking skills, right?” Lin Yang grinned.

“Of course, my food is really tasty now,” Shen Youwei replied seriously.

“All right! It’s getting late, you should go rest.”

The night passed without incident. The next morning, as usual, Lin Yang rose early and went to practice his skills at Zixia Mountain, sparring with Luo Hongyu. When he returned, Shen Youwei was just getting up.

“Let’s go out for breakfast, then I’ll take you to buy some clothes, and afterward we’ll visit Aunt Liu at the hospital.”

Obediently, Shen Youwei followed Lin Yang to Jiuding Shopping Center, where Hou Guiwen owned three luxury brand stores. One of them was a women’s boutique with major international labels.

When Lin Yang walked in, Shen Youwei hurriedly pulled him back.

“Brother Lin, aren’t we in the wrong place? This is a luxury brand shop—the clothes inside are too expensive.”

“We’re not in the wrong place. This is exactly where we should be. I’ll pay, so don’t worry,” Lin Yang said.

“That won’t do, it’s too extravagant. You earned your money through hard work. A simple dress for a hundred or two hundred will do,” Shen Youwei insisted, her thriftiness shaped by years of hardship.

“How could a hundred-yuan dress be good enough for my dear Youwei? Besides, I have a VIP card for half-off discounts.”

Lin Yang led her inside, and immediately a shop assistant came over to greet them.

“Please help her pick out and match a few outfits.”

“Of course! With such a good figure, she’s perfect for our clothes,” the assistant said enthusiastically, pulling Shen Youwei over to start recommending and measuring her for outfits.

Lin Yang sat to the side, sipping the store’s coffee.

Shen Youwei tried on a dress; the moment she put it on, her whole aura changed. The saying was true: clothes make the person, just as gold adorns the Buddha.

“Not bad, very pretty. Wrap this one up, and pick out a few more,” Lin Yang said.

“One dress is enough, this one costs over eighty thousand—it’s too expensive,” Shen Youwei exclaimed, startled by the price tag.

She had never worn such an expensive dress before, though she had to admit it was beautiful and she liked it very much.

“One set isn’t enough for a change of clothes. Pick as many as you like, don’t try to save money for me.”

The shop assistant was delighted, recognizing a big customer and hastened to flatter her.

“Miss, your boyfriend is so generous and wealthy—how enviable! You look so beautiful in our clothes, go ahead and try more.”

Shen Youwei blushed and clarified, “He’s my brother, not my boyfriend.”

The assistant quickly apologized, and Shen Youwei tried two more outfits, both of which looked stunning.

“The dress on the mannequin looks nice—bring it over for her to try,” Lin Yang pointed at the gown in the window display.

“Sir, that dress is a limited edition and all have been sold. This one’s just for display, not for sale.”

“Take it down. Or should I call your boss Hou Guiwen and ask if he’s willing to sell it?” Lin Yang said.

At that, the assistant, realizing she couldn’t make the decision, hurried off to inform the manager.

“Let it go, brother. Limited editions like this are very expensive—at least two hundred thousand for a dress,” Shen Youwei said.

“I think you’d look fantastic in it,” Lin Yang smiled.

The manager soon came over to explain, “I’m terribly sorry, sir, but our store’s policy is that limited-edition display items are not for sale, unless the customer holds our diamond VIP card.”

Lin Yang had a black diamond card personally given by Hou Guiwen and was about to produce it when a man and a woman walked in from outside.

“Weiwei, what are you doing here?” Liu Qian sneered, “Can you even afford the clothes here?”

Lin Yang recognized Liu Qian as well—she was Shen Youwei’s cousin. She had tried to cozy up to him before, even throwing herself at him, but Lin Yang had rejected her. She was somewhat attractive, but nothing more.

“Well, if it isn’t Young Master Lin, missing for more than two years,” Liu Qian said. She secretly envied Shen Youwei; after all, she had thrown herself at Lin Yang, only to be dismissed, while he treated Shen Youwei with the affection of a true brother.

“I imagine you can’t afford the clothes here either. Your parents are gone, and you still act like some rich kid?”

“Two years have passed, but you’re every bit as sharp-tongued as ever,” Lin Yang replied coolly.

“Lin Yang! Don’t get cocky in front of me—I’m not the same person I was two years ago, and you’re no longer the high-and-mighty Lin family heir. You’re just a pathetic gambler now, not even fit to carry my shoes,” Liu Qian snapped.

“Liu Qian, what right do you have to speak about my brother Lin Yang? Your whole family of deadbeats owes ours more than three million and refuses to pay it back, yet you have the nerve to pretend you’re wealthy in front of me,” Shen Youwei said furiously.

“What three million?” Lin Yang asked.

“Two years ago, Aunt Qin gave us three million, saying it was Uncle Lin’s dying wish for my parents’ retirement. But my uncle borrowed it all, saying he’d invest in business and give my parents shares and dividends.

“You know my mother only has one brother, and she’s too soft-hearted, so she lent them the money. Who could have guessed they’d deny the debt after borrowing it, and never pay it back,” Shen Youwei said, her face contorted with anger and frustration. “My mother is gravely ill, waiting for that money for treatment. But you? Driving luxury cars, living in a mansion—you’ve got no shame!”

Hearing this, Lin Yang finally realized Qin Monong had indeed given the three million, and he’d misunderstood her. Still, what Shen Youwei said filled him with rage.

“Shen Youwei, stop spouting nonsense and slandering people! When has my family ever owed yours money? Do you have proof or an IOU? If you’re going to make things up, then I might as well say you owe me five million—are you going to pay up?” Liu Qian sneered.

“Three million lent, and you’d just give it without any IOU? If you have any proof, I promise to pay it back.”

“You’re shameless!” Shen Youwei was trembling with rage. Since it was her uncle’s family, they had occasionally borrowed money before, always repaying it, and the families had been close, so no IOU was written. At the time, her uncle had given a partnership contract, saying the three million was for shares. Only when they tried to ask for the money back did they realize the contract was forged and legally worthless. The Liu family simply refused to acknowledge the debt.

Shen Youwei had been utterly desperate, kneeling at her uncle’s door to beg, only to be thrown out. From that moment on, she had lost all hope in that side of her family.

“Little girl, be careful what you say. If you have no evidence, don’t make wild accusations. If Qian Qian’s family really did owe you three million, I’ll pay it,” Liu Qian’s boyfriend, Hou Xiaoqiang, interjected.

Shen Youwei was furious and helpless, but there was nothing she could do in the face of such shamelessness.

Lin Yang now understood the whole story, his eyes flashing coldly. People as despicable and shameless as this deserved punishment—or else, what justice is there in the world?

“Weiwei, don’t be upset. I’ll see to it that they pay back every penny, with interest.”