Chapter 123: Hongmen Banquet, show Yanyan photos - The Rich Second-Generation Villain With No Morals

At this moment, both Li Jiaming and Li Zhou turned their gaze towards Qi Lin. However, upon seeing the gift in Qi Lin's hand, they were all taken aback. Especially Li Zhou, whose face flushed a deep red, his blood pressure surging so high that he almost coughed up blood. This! This kid actually dared to! I invited him for dinner, and this boy shows up at the door with a bell, claiming it's a gift for me. A gift? It's clearly a curse wishing me a swift demise, sending me off to the afterlife! "Qi Lin, you—!" Li Jiaming's face was ashen as he stood, ready to rebuke Qi Lin. But the old fox Li Zhou, ever the schemer, held him back. Suppressing his anger, he said kindly, "No need to bring gifts when you come, Qi Lin, you're too courteous. Come in and sit; the meal is ready, just waiting for our guest." Hearing Li Zhou's words, Qi Lin looked at him with a playful expression. Li Zhou was testing Qi Lin, and Qi Lin was testing Li Zhou right back. In Qi Lin's view, a person who can accept a bell gift with such aplomb is either a great saint or a cunning fox. The latter category suited Qi Lin's style, albeit on a more challenging level. Once he understood Li Zhou's intentions, Qi Lin knew exactly what to do today. As Qi Lin entered, he removed his leather shoes, ready to switch to the disposable slippers the host had prepared. Yet after searching the shoe cabinet for a good while, the maid couldn't find any. After a moment, she apologized, "Mr. Qi, I'm sorry, but we've just run out of disposable slippers. You'll have to go barefoot." The first time a guest visits, and they let him go in barefoot? A simple-minded person might see nothing wrong with this. However, a sharp mind would recognize it as a blatant form of insult. Would anyone nowadays go out shoeless? Either they're uncouth or some sort of wild mountain dweller. This was Li Zhou's way of ridiculing Qi Lin. "Haha, interesting. It seems even if I hadn't brought a bell today, this father and son duo had a surprise for me," Qi Lin thought with a cold smile. To him, these small schemes were child's play. Let's not forget, Qi Lin was not only the heir to a rich family but also a rogue who never played by the rules. "I just turned 20, and I can't stand the cold. Naturally, I'm not picky about shoes, nor do I like wearing what others have worn. I see a pair of slippers here; I'll just wear these," he said. Qi Lin glanced at the shoe rack, spotting a pair of cute puppet slippers. He grinned, kicked off his shoes, and strode in wearing them. These slippers, naturally belonging to the beautiful Yan Yan, were a compromise she made. Her feet were a size 36, but Qi Lin's much larger size 42 feet squeezed in, almost causing the slippers to cry out in pain and fall apart. Ignoring the maid's stunned gaze and Li Jiaming's smoldering glare, Qi Lin made his way straight to the dining table and sat down. Li Zhou, at this point, remained silent, but his attention towards Qi Lin grew even more serious. Though Qi Lin's actions seemed erratic, akin to a scoundrel, his methods were crude yet clever in diffusing the situation, effortlessly taking advantage of Yan Yan's belongings. "This kid's a tricky one to handle," Li Zhou sighed inwardly. Just then, Yan Yan descended the spiral staircase, having changed into a long dress. Seeing that Qi Lin had come over, she brightened up considerably, but a light pink hue soon dusted her cheeks, shyness flickering through her eyes. Clearly, she remembered how Qi Lin's lips had dazed her when he performed CPR that morning. "Qi Lin, let me introduce you. This is my husband Li Zhou, and this is my son Li Jiaming. You saved my life the other day, and our whole family is indebted to you. That's why I specifically invited you over today to express our gratitude." Taking a deep breath, Yan Yan restored her calm smile as she introduced her family to Qi Lin. Watching the elegantly dressed young woman, Qi Lin nodded and smiled. Judging by Yan Yan's reaction, she likely didn't know about the father and son's secret attempt to humiliate him. "Such a delicate flower caught in a pile of dung," Qi Lin mused with an inner laugh. "It's lucky I caught on early. Rest easy, Yan Yan; it won't be long until I rescue you from this sea of bitterness." "No need for introductions, Yan Yan; we're already acquainted," Qi Lin smiled. "Since you said you'd consider me a brother, I'll take the liberty of calling Mr. Li Zhou 'brother' as well. Jiaming and I are old acquaintances. Now that I'm your mother's brother, I suppose you should call me uncle?" His infuriatingly sharp tongue was at it again, baiting Li Jiaming for a reaction. Hearing Qi Lin mention his mother while demanding to be called 'uncle' nearly drove Li Jiaming to burst a vessel. "Qi Lin, what nonsense are you spouting? You're younger than me, so why should I call you uncle?" Qi Lin sneered, unfazed, "Jiaming, that's your oversight. Our ancestors taught us about filial piety, humility, courtesy, and shame. I, as your elder, should be greeted properly. Not acknowledging your mother's savior is unfilial. Inviting me to dine yet not personally welcoming me is discourteous. Making so many mistakes and still arguing back? That's shameless. You're old enough to know better; didn't your teachers educate you?" "You!" Each of Qi Lin's points struck hard yet true. Li Jiaming's face turned an unflattering shade of purple, and he was on the verge of lashing out when Yan Yan, aware of the rising tension, prepared to mediate. But Li Zhou acted first, faster than her. "Jiaming, Qi Lin is correct. Since he's your mother's godbrother, you should indeed call him 'uncle,'" Li Zhou stated calmly. "Dad!" Li Jiaming couldn't believe it. Even his father wouldn't stand with him. Catching Li Zhou's look, however, Jiaming understood the silent communication. To accomplish great things, one must endure small losses. If he couldn't swallow this bit of pride, how would he contend with Qi Lin? Especially considering the trap they planned for him later. With growing composure, Li Jiaming clenched his teeth and turned to Qi Lin. "Uncle Qi, I apologize for my earlier behavior." "Ah, my good nephew, that's better. Now, sit down so we can start the meal," Qi Lin replied, leisurely taking on the demeanor of a host. Meanwhile, Li Zhou discreetly signaled the maid, who understood and headed to the kitchen. Once she was gone, Li Zhou said with a smile, "Recently, I had some wagyu beef flown in from Australia. We've been enjoying it for several days, and it's nearly finished. In honor of your visit, Qi Lin, I had the chef prepare the last piece into steaks, one for each of us. I hope you appreciate it." Hardly had he spoken than the maid returned with the steaks. First, one for Li Zhou, then Yan Yan, and subsequently Li Jiaming. Finally, Qi Lin received his portion. Seeing the order of service left Yan Yan feeling uneasy; despite her awareness that something was awry, she couldn't quite grasp the extent. It was clear that serving Qi Lin last, especially as a guest, was meant as an affront. Yan Yan's eyes filled with sorrow as she realized their supposed hospitality was a thin veil for targeting Qi Lin. These thoughts only added to the growing sense of futility regarding her contributions to the Li family over the years. "Mr. Qi Lin, this steak is yours," the maid said, presenting a delicate plate to him. But whether out of clumsiness or intent, she stumbled just before reaching him. "Oh!" she cried, dropping the sizzling hot, tender steak onto the floor. Yan Yan watched, speechless. Nearby, the family's German Shepherd lunged at the fallen food, barking excitedly in anticipation. Observing the unfolding scenario, Qi Lin's eyes glinted coldly. In an instant, his leg struck the dog, sending it yelping and sprawling against the wall. Witnessing this turn, Li Zhou felt a shudder of respect. Damn, he's skilled too, he thought, almost apprehensively. Nevertheless, Li Zhou composed his features into a grin. "Qi Lin, it's just a steak after all, not worth competing with a dog over." The insinuation was a jab at Qi Lin. But Qi Lin, uninterested in further verbal skirmishes, rose to his feet with a chuckle. "It's food meant for people. Even if it means putting down a dog, it should never go to waste, right?" As Qi Lin spoke, he accidentally stepped on the steak, inadvertently splitting it in half. "Ah!" he exclaimed, pretending to lose his balance as he slipped on the steak pieces. Coincidentally, the trajectory of the two pieces of steak led them straight toward Li Jiaming and Li Zhou's seats. Before the two could react, the greasy steaks made a splat as they collided with their faces. "Oh, I'm truly sorry. I meant to pick the steak up but accidentally stepped on it and slipped. The steaks aren’t lethal, but how are your faces?" Qi Lin asked, feigning concern. "Hmph!" Li Zhou was growing weary of constantly trying to defuse Qi Lin's antics, now openly showing his disdain for him. Tossing the steak from his face, Li Zhou stood and instructed the maid, "Go upstairs and prepare a change of clothes; I need to clean up." The sensation of his skin and clothes smeared with grease was intolerable to someone as fastidious as Li Zhou. Li Jiaming also rose immediately, casting a venomous glare at Qi Lin. "I knew inviting you for dinner was a mistake. Someone like you is better suited to eating dog food." But Qi Lin, unfazed by Li Jiaming's weak taunts, lounged casually, unaffected. The father and son duo exited upstairs, followed by their maid, leaving Qi Lin and Yan Yan alone in the room. "Yan Yan, do you have anything to say for yourself?" Qi Lin's voice was calm. "I saved your life, yet your husband invites me over only to play all these tricks. Is this how your family treats guests?" Yan Yan bit her lip, her eyes filled with remorse. She hadn't anticipated that while her husband Li Zhou had talked of courteously dining with Qi Lin, he instead laid out numerous traps for him. "Also, you can see this for yourself." Qi Lin extended his foot toward Yan Yan. "I couldn't even get slippers and had to walk around barefoot until I found and wore yours." Yan Yan stifled a laugh at the sight of the adorable puppet slippers barely containing Qi Lin's size 42 feet, transforming the little rabbit design into a plump one. Despite the frustration, even Yan Yan couldn't deny that Li Zhou and Li Jiaming had gone overboard with their antics. Somehow, Qi Lin had sidled up beside Yan Yan. Before she could react, he slipped an arm around her waist. "Qi Lin, what are you doing? This is my home. Please let me go," Yan Yan protested, her face flushing as she tried to push him away. She was caught off guard by Qi Lin's boldness, daring to flirt even under such circumstances. "As the saying goes, debts are often repaid by the partner," Qi Lin smirked. "Your husband insulted me numerous times, and if he doesn't at least act the part, I might have to make him pay by taking his wife." "Qi Lin, you're too much! My husband made mistakes, and I can compensate you, but we're friends—you said you wanted to treat me as a sister. Is this how a brother behaves towards his sister?" Yan Yan, unable to wrest free from Qi Lin's hold, blushed as she pleaded her case. But reasoning with someone like Qi Lin seemed a futile endeavor. He reached for the photos Lan Yuxi had taken, documenting Yan Yan's CPR on him. "Ding! I've noticed that the leverage over female protagonist Yan Yan is now in the host's hands. Please choose your next action," the system prompted: "Option one: Return the photos to Yan Yan to show you're a gentleman, unwilling to take advantage. Reward: Yan Yan's favorability +1." "Option two: Show the photos to Mr. Li Zhou to tarnish Yan Yan’s reputation. Reward: Ownership of a shop at 122 Wuchang Avenue." "Option three: Warn Ms. Yan Yan not to let her husband see these photos. Reward: Detailed design plans for ten world-famous buildings." Faced with these choices, Qi Lin found his decision easy. "I opt for the third choice," he declared to the system in his mind. "Ding! Congratulations, host. You’ve received detailed design plans for ten world-famous buildings. The plans include comprehensive design data for structures like the Canton Tower, Water Cube, Bird's Nest, and more. Please use them wisely." "Wow," Qi Lin mused, "this system really knows how to deliver exactly what I need." Thoughts racing toward the future, Qi Lin couldn't help but grin. Securing contracts or offering these plans could potentially elevate his company to the pinnacle of the decoration industry in just a few years, earning him titles he had only dreamed of. But there was still work to be done. "Yan Yan, I meant to pursue you earnestly, but your husband and son have driven me to impatience. Here, take a look at this," he said, showing her the photos from his phone. At first, the photos were straightforward, showing Yan Yan administering CPR to a pale Qi Lin. But later, as Qi Lin's arms circled Yan Yan, she appeared sheepish but did not resist. Would Li Zhou believe her explanation if he saw these photos? Yan Yan knew the answer, her face draining of color as she took in the implications of such an exposure.