Chapter Thirty-Four: The Clever Liu Qianqian

Xiaoshan said a few words to Lin Qianqian, then left the shop to answer a call outside.

Before long, Xiaoshan returned to the store, stealing a glance at Lin Qianqian. With her senses sharpened by her inner strength, Lin Qianqian caught his expression and couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, amused.

“Boss, it’s a call from Zhang Xu,” Xiaoshan replied.

Lin Qianqian was puzzled, “Who is Zhang Xu?”

In truth, with Zhang Xu’s status, he could never directly approach the main branch of the Lin family. He could only reach someone like Xiaoshan, who served close to them.

“Boss, didn’t Zhang Kai, the village chief from Shacun, recently cooperate with us on medicinal herbs?” Xiaoshan explained.

“That’s right,” Lin Qianqian nodded.

“This Zhang Xu is Zhang Kai’s son. He called just now, saying he’d been beaten up, and he also said...” Xiaoshan hesitated.

“What else did he say?” Lin Qianqian pressed.

“He said the person who beat him claimed that our Lin family were nothing but a gang of thugs, oppressing the people and unworthy of being the top family in Lancheng,” Xiaoshan’s face darkened. Working for the Lin family, he knew his boss’s temperament—playful at times, but always kind-hearted, never once oppressing the common folk. It was, perhaps, the proverbial love for all under one’s roof.

“Some words aren’t worth believing; what matters is what we know in our hearts. Have someone look into the situation first,” Lin Qianqian said calmly.

“Yes,” Xiaoshan immediately set about the task.

A few minutes later, Xiaoshan returned, his expression grave. He spoke in a low voice, “Boss, you were right not to act rashly—our guest is still present.”

A spark lit Lin Qianqian’s eyes. “Let’s go visit in person. Also, bring out the thousand-year snow lotus.”

“Uh, Boss, that’s the gift you meant for Old Master Yang of Jiang Province,” Xiaoshan protested.

“Gifts can be chosen again, but if I miss this opportunity, I’ll regret it for a lifetime,” Lin Qianqian replied, her gaze distant.

Xiaoshan shrugged—well, she was the boss, after all.

---

Perhaps emboldened by the thought that the Lin family would stand behind him, Zhang Xu’s confidence returned.

“Hmph, a worthless teacher dares oppose me. Once the Lin family arrives, let’s see how arrogant you remain,” Zhang Xu stared darkly at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi, however, ignored him, sitting calmly and sipping the tea brewed by Lu Lu.

Time ticked by.

Suddenly, there was the screech of tires outside.

Everyone turned to look. A yellow Bumblebee car was parked at the entrance.

Zhang Xu’s face lit up—he had seen this car before when his father discussed business; it belonged to the Lin family’s little princess, Lin Qianqian.

“Haha, I can’t believe even the Lin family’s princess is here for me!” Zhang Xu’s mind began to wander, even feeling a desire to conquer Lin Qianqian.

---

If he could win Lin Qianqian, Zhang Xu would surely become famous throughout Lancheng.

The Bumblebee’s door opened, and Lin Qianqian stepped out, heading straight for the courtyard.

Zhang Xu grew more smug, watching her beautiful face. His followers fawned over him, “Xu, you’re amazing! One phone call and you got the Lin family’s princess here!”

“Yeah, and look—she’s carrying a gift!” someone remarked.

Zhang Xu raised his brows, “Heh, all thanks to my father. He’s got business dealings with the princess.”

Lu Lu looked anxiously at Lin Yi, “Lin Yi, the Lin family’s princess is here herself. This is serious trouble.”

Angel smiled gently, reassuring her, “Don’t worry; no matter how big the problem, Mr. Lin can handle it.”

“Sis Angel, you might not know how powerful the Lin family is,” Lu Lu sighed.

Angel only smiled.

Seeing Lin Qianqian arrive, Zhang Xu hurried over, ingratiating himself, “Miss Lin, you didn’t have to come—just send someone for such a small matter.”

But Lin Qianqian didn’t spare him a glance. She went straight to Lin Yi’s side and respectfully offered, “Mr. Lin, I brought this thousand-year snow lotus especially for you. I hope you won’t find it lacking.”

Shock.

Zhang Xu’s excitement froze on his face; he felt as though he’d been slapped repeatedly. The Lin family princess had come, not for him, but for this home tutor—and brought a gift, asking him not to disdain it.

He was bewildered. Was this a hallucination, or was the world simply mad?

Lu Lu, too, stared at Lin Yi in surprise. Ever since he’d taught Sun Lei a lesson, Lin Yi had grown more and more inscrutable.

Chen Xiaohong hid nearby, her eyes darting as she considered whether to curry favor.

Lin Yi didn’t directly accept the flower. He glanced at it coolly, asking, “Are you his backer?”

Lin Qianqian immediately clarified, “Mr. Lin, we only have some business with the Zhang family.”

She turned to Zhang Xu, “From today, our Lin family will no longer purchase any medicinal herbs from your household.”

Zhang Xu’s eyes grew vacant. He hadn’t expected this outcome.

The more he thought, the more unwilling he became. His chest, already aching, now burned fiercely. Finally, with a gasp, he vomited blood and fainted.

“Xu! Xu!” his followers scrambled to carry him off.

Lin Qianqian’s gaze was indifferent. Then, shifting her tone, she said, “Mr. Lin, let the snow lotus be my apology. I never imagined someone would flaunt our Lin family’s name so brazenly.”

Lin Yi looked at her thoughtfully—she was a clever woman. It seemed she already knew of his deeds in Jiang Province.

“I’ll accept the snow lotus,” Lin Yi said.

Lin Qianqian finally breathed a sigh of relief. She’d feared he might refuse—not for pride, but for matters of life and death.

---

If Lin Yi were displeased, a single word could shatter the Lin family overnight.

Lin Qianqian then offered a compliment to Angel, “Miss Angel, I have long admired your name—you are indeed beautiful.”

Angel’s name meant little to ordinary people, but in elite circles, it represented Linda Group.

Angel smiled graciously, “You’re just as lovely, Miss Lin.”

At that moment, Chen Xiaohong emerged from the room, eyes aglow, addressing Lin Yi, “Son-in-law.”

For Lin Yi to command such respect from the Lin family princess, he must have a remarkable identity. If she could latch onto this connection, her future would be assured.

Lin Yi looked at Chen Xiaohong, “I am not your son-in-law. I’m here today to stand up for Lu Lu—hand over her money.”

Chen Xiaohong’s expression darkened at the mention of money. But with the Lin family princess present, she couldn’t be aggressive and could only protest weakly, “Son-in-law, what are you doing?”

“I won’t repeat myself,” Lin Yi said calmly, his words leaving no room for argument.

“I—I’ve spent the money,” Chen Xiaohong stammered.

“I don’t care if you borrow or steal; today, I want to see you return Lu Lu’s money,” Lin Yi demanded.

Lin Qianqian quickly added, “Mr. Lin, let me supervise this matter.”

“Alright,” Lin Yi nodded.

Chen Xiaohong looked pleadingly at Lu Lu. She could scold and beat her daughter at will, but before the Lin family princess, she dared not.

Lu Lu, though reluctant, turned away.

Lin Yi asked Lu Lu, “Do you have any plans?”

“I want to open a cake shop,” Lu Lu replied—anything to escape this house.

“Very well, I’ll give you that chance,” Lin Yi said.

“Really?” Lu Lu looked at him in delight.

Lin Yi turned to Angel, “Arrange it. If anyone causes trouble, deal with them decisively.”

The last words were clearly meant for Chen Xiaohong.

Lu Lu was a filial girl—despite her independence, she struggled with her parents.

“Yes, Mr. Lin,” Angel nodded.

“Lin Yi, who are you really?” Lu Lu asked cautiously.

Lin Yi smiled gently, “It doesn’t matter who I am. Just remember one thing—we are friends.”

He didn’t want status to create barriers between friends.