Chapter 54: The Banquet (3)

Jin Million shifted his right hand, which had grown numb and sore from Lin Fan’s grip, and shot Lin Fan a mocking glance. Speaking in a tone as if granting charity, he said, “Mr. Lin, you certainly have ambition. Very well, if your company really achieves that one day, for Ying’er’s—no, for Officer Zhao’s—sake, I’ll make sure Hai Tian Group works with you. No, I’ll even hire your company to handle our security. After all, what’s the harm in sharing the wealth?”

As soon as he said this, several people nearby looked at Lin Fan with envy. After all, to collaborate with a company as prominent as Hai Tian Group—a name known worldwide—would instantly elevate any company several notches and, more importantly, bring in substantial profits.

Yet Lin Fan didn’t seem to be aware of this at all. The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile as he replied softly, “I appreciate Young Master Jin’s kindness. But there’s an old saying in China: fortune turns like a wheel—thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Or is it three years now? The economic situation these days isn’t what it used to be. If Hai Tian Group ever falls on hard times, don’t worry. For the sake of today’s acquaintance, I’ll be sure to give you a hand and let you work as a humble security guard at my company. How’s that for generosity?”

“You—” Jin Million’s brows shot up in anger, his composure forgotten, ready to lash out.

But Lin Fan gave him no chance. With Zhao Ying in his arms, he suddenly raised his voice, “Young Master Jin, the party’s starting. Ying’er and I have things to attend to, so we won’t keep you.” He bowed his head slightly to the two women, smiling gently. “Ying’er, Feifei, let’s go.”

Zhao Ying returned his smile and, taking his arm, walked with him toward a quiet corner. Feifei hesitated for a moment, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes, then quickly followed. Lin Fan’s display had surpassed anything she’d expected—she’d never seen this side of her brother before. Facing such a scene, and someone as important as Jin Million, Lin Fan’s lips still held that faint, confident smile, as if everything was under his control. If she had to describe him, she’d say he was as unshakable as a mountain—calm even in the face of disaster.

Wei Liang glanced at Feifei, uncertain if he should follow shamelessly. Jin Million trembled with rage, his eyes fixed on Lin Fan, malice burning in their depths. Through gritted teeth, he spat, “Death God… Hmph. One day, I’ll send you straight to hell and make you a real death god.”

Unfortunately for Jin Million, he didn’t know that Lin Fan had survived countless brushes with death, earning the moniker “Death God” from the people of Dragon Soul—and as that “Death God,” it had always been Lin Fan who decided the fate of others.

Most people at the gathering didn’t recognize Lin Fan or Feifei. Although Feifei was Su Zhennan’s daughter, she rarely appeared in public. Even so, her demeanor and attire made it clear to all that her family was anything but ordinary.

Zhao Ying was a different matter. Jin Million had just announced her identity, and many people present knew her—after all, her father was the Party Secretary of T City.

As the three walked through the crowd, most people raised their glasses to Zhao Ying in greeting, their eyes often darting to Lin Fan, who walked between Zhao Ying and Feifei.

In those gazes, Lin Fan could read contempt, ridicule, or surprise—as if he were some gigolo clinging to a wealthy woman. No, two wealthy women, since both Zhao Ying and Feifei walked on either side of him. While Feifei wasn’t as intimately close as Zhao Ying, it was clear to all that her connection to Lin Fan was far from ordinary.

But Lin Fan cared nothing for their judgments. These people saw only money and profit. Since they looked down on him and didn’t want to greet him, he saw no reason to bother with false pleasantries. As long as they kept to themselves and didn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t trouble them.

Finally free from the crowd, Zhao Ying let out a long sigh of relief.

Lin Fan took three glasses of red wine from a passing waiter, handing one each to Zhao Ying and Feifei, then gently clinked glasses with them.

“Brother, when did you start a company?” Feifei asked as she accepted the wine.

“Yes, when did you start a company? Why didn’t I know?” Zhao Ying’s tone was skeptical, clearly doubting his earlier claim.

“That was a spur-of-the-moment decision,” Lin Fan replied, sipping his wine calmly and adding with mock reproach, “You didn’t tell me about your matters either.”

In truth, Lin Fan had long since made plans. If the Dragon Soul’s influence was to move openly into China, he’d need a legitimate identity. So he intended to set up a security company—Dragon Soar Security—symbolizing a dragon soaring to the heavens, which would eventually become a subsidiary of Zhentian Group.

As for his last words, they were clearly meant to tease Zhao Ying. Having a woman so considerate of him was something Lin Fan cherished; how could he possibly be angry?

Zhao Ying, hearing the hint of coldness in his tone, thought he was truly upset. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you…” she began to explain, only to catch sight of his mischievous grin. Realizing she’d been tricked, she reached out and, right in front of Feifei, pinched him with a swift, precise twist. Lin Fan sucked in a breath, grumbling to himself, “A woman’s sense of vengeance is terrifying!”

He’d lost count of how many times Zhao Ying had pinched him that day—and always in the same spot. He wondered if she had some special talent; if she threw hidden weapons, she’d never miss.

Watching her brother and Zhao Ying flirt, Feifei felt a pang of disappointment. She now realized her feelings for Lin Fan weren’t simply those of a sister for a brother, but something more, something she thought of as love at her age, and her heart ached.

Of course, Lin Fan, being a man, hardly noticed. He’d always thought of Feifei as his little sister, so he didn’t pick up on her feelings. But Zhao Ying noticed. She’d seen how quiet Feifei had been since arriving, and the flicker of sadness in her eyes a moment ago didn’t escape her. When it came to matters of the heart, women’s instincts were rarely wrong.

“Feifei, if you see something you like at the auction later, just tell me,” Zhao Ying said, shooting Lin Fan a sharp look, clearly blaming him for neglecting Feifei.

Lin Fan realized he’d been too careless—he hadn’t really said much to Feifei since they’d arrived. “Yes, if you want anything, tell your brother. I’ll buy it for you,” he said quickly, picking up Zhao Ying’s cue.

“Do you even have money? And you dare talk so big,” Zhao Ying retorted, rolling her eyes at him.

Lin Fan chuckled, “I don’t, but you do. And what’s yours is mine, isn’t it?”

“Thank you, Sister Ying,” Feifei replied with a sweet smile, quickly composing herself so as not to worry Lin Fan. Still, Zhao Ying’s comment about Lin Fan being broke surprised her. She thought to herself, “Does Ying not know my brother’s real identity?”

Watching Lin Fan leisurely sipping his wine, Zhao Ying voiced her concern, “Hai Tian Group is a world-renowned enterprise, but Jin Million isn’t known for his generosity. You were so harsh with him—aren’t you worried he’ll hold a grudge?”

Lin Fan took a small sip of wine and smiled, “When the soldiers come, we’ll hold the pass; when the water rises, we’ll build a dam. And even if I can’t handle it, I’ve got you, my rich lady.”

With that, he tipped his glass back and downed the wine in one gulp, a wicked grin on his lips. “Actually, I hope he does come looking for trouble. I’ve been waiting for a reason to teach him a lesson.”

The way Jin Million had looked at Zhao Ying earlier had thoroughly annoyed Lin Fan. Just for that, even if Jin Million didn’t make trouble, Lin Fan would have gone to knock him down a peg himself. After all, Zhao Ying was now his woman.

Indeed, sometimes a man’s backbone is harder than steel…

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