Chapter Forty-Two: I Just Want to Mess With You

Chu Na glanced toward Lin Yi. Indeed, no matter how one looked, Lin Yi’s attire did not resemble that of a wealthy man. Besides, she knew his profession—he was merely a private tutor. Teaching was a noble occupation in name, but compared to employees of large corporations, it paled in status and pay. In today’s world, money and status were all that mattered. Because she was a graduate of a third-rate university, even her own relatives looked down on her, ridiculing her every New Year. This was the reality of modern society—family often resented each other’s success, constantly comparing and competing.

After some thought, Chu Na gritted her teeth and said, “Lin Yi, I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t trust you; I just can’t afford to miss this opportunity.” She had chosen to bow to reality.

“I understand,” Lin Yi nodded, saying nothing more. For him, Chu Na was but a passerby in his life; he helped her out of past acquaintance, and no one would blame him if he didn’t.

“Chu Na, you’re smart. I have a sheer lace outfit here—change into it in a bit,” Fan Fei said with a lascivious grin.

“I understand,” Chu Na nodded.

Next, Fan Fei looked at Lin Yi with disdain. “Lin Yi, you still dream of chasing after things beyond your reach? Have you even looked at yourself? Dressed like a country bumpkin, how dare you boast like that?”

Contempt dripped from every word. In Fan Fei’s eyes, Lin Yi was utterly insignificant, utterly unqualified to put on airs in front of him.

Lin Yi ignored him and turned to Chu Na. “I’ll be leaving now.”

Fan Fei’s face darkened with rage; this country bumpkin had actually ignored him! For someone as vain as Fan Fei, who lacked neither money nor women, such an affront was intolerable.

Suddenly, Fan Fei’s expression shifted. “Lin Yi, we’re friends after all. Don’t say I’m not giving you face—come in with us. Who knows, you might get an eyeful tonight.”

Chu Na’s expression changed. She understood Fan Fei’s intent—it was nothing more than an attempt to humiliate Lin Yi. These scions were unpredictable; in a good mood, they might offer you a drink; in a bad mood, they’d slap you across the face, and who would dare object? Now that Fan Fei had set his sights on Lin Yi, nothing good could come of it.

Chu Na pleaded quietly, “Fan Fei, Lin Yi has other matters. Didn’t you say your friends are waiting? Let’s go in.”

Lin Yi glanced at Chu Na, surprised she would speak on his behalf.

A trace of malice flickered in Fan Fei’s eyes. “Damn woman, you’re about to sleep with me and you’re still defending someone else?” He felt as if he’d been cuckolded.

Fan Fei raised his hand, striking at Chu Na. Startled, she instinctively shut her eyes.

But after a long moment, she felt no blow, no pain upon her cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Fan Fei’s wrist caught in Lin Yi’s grasp.

“Lin Yi, do you really intend to oppose me?” Fan Fei’s tone was icy.

Lin Yi shook his head. Frankly, someone of Fan Fei’s caliber wasn’t even worth looking up at, much less contending with.

“Come, I’ll go in with you,” Lin Yi said.

Chu Na exclaimed anxiously, “Lin Yi, are you crazy? Haven’t you figured out the situation yet?”

Although Lin Yi’s status was low, he was willing to help her. Chu Na was not ungrateful. At worst, she would suffer a few slaps; as long as she served Fan Fei well, she would get what she wanted. But Lin Yi, if he went in, would undoubtedly be humiliated.

“I know what I’m doing,” Lin Yi replied calmly.

Fan Fei shot Chu Na a glare, then sneered at Lin Yi. “Let’s go, Lin Yi. It’s been a while—my friends and I will give you a proper welcome.”

Lin Yi’s face remained impassive.

Inside the bar, deafening music thundered, but the room was sparsely populated—it was clearly reserved for a private event. Chu Na was obviously nervous; it was her first time in a place like this.

A young man with a crew cut approached. “Fan, what took you so long?” He turned and looked at Chu Na behind Fan Fei, grinning. “Is this the beauty from your high school class? She’s got some looks.”

As for Lin Yi, he was ignored entirely.

Fan Fei laughed. “Of course. I’ve had my eye on her for a long time.”

He then introduced Chu Na, “This is Yao Likun, son of the owner of the Golden Luxury Hotel.”

Chu Na’s heart skipped a beat. The Golden Luxury was a five-star chain, with three locations across the province and assets in the billions.

“Hello, Mr. Yao.” Chu Na quickly extended her hand.

Yao Likun squeezed her hand, lowering his voice, “So soft—how about joining me tonight?”

“I…” Chu Na was at a loss. These scions were even more direct than she’d imagined.

“Just kidding,” Yao Likun smiled politely and released her hand.

Fan Fei purposely left Lin Yi out, pointing to a booth nearby. “Chu Na, come on. Remember to dress up nicely later. I’ll make you a department manager.”

“Alright,” Chu Na replied, feeling a pang of sorrow. If she had better connections, she wouldn’t have to degrade herself or rely on her body to get ahead.

The group reached the booth, where a young man with dyed blond hair lounged, two scantily clad women draped on either side of him.

Fan Fei introduced him, “This is Tan Long, son of a Shan Province coal mine owner—assets over a billion.”

Chu Na hadn’t expected even a coal tycoon’s son to show up, confirming that Fan Fei did wield some influence.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Tan. I’m Chu Na,” she said.

Tan Long nodded—Chu Na was only of average attractiveness in his eyes.

Introductions over, Fan Fei pulled out a black bag from the booth and tossed it to Chu Na. She opened it and immediately blushed—a sheer outfit, nearly transparent except for a few strategic patches.

“Hurry up, department manager,” Fan Fei’s words dripped with devilish delight.

“I understand.”

Chu Na was about to leave when Lin Yi said, “If you don’t want to wear it, you don’t have to.”

“But I really need this job,” Chu Na whispered, biting her lip.

At this point, Tan Long and Yao Likun finally noticed Lin Yi. They’d assumed he was Fan Fei’s driver and didn’t care at first, but now it seemed more complicated.

Yao Likun deliberately remarked, “Fan Fei, your driver’s ill-behaved. Since when do dogs bark without their master’s command?”

He had openly called Lin Yi a dog.

Fan Fei grinned maliciously. “Yao Likun, you’re mistaken—he’s my high school classmate. I brought him here to broaden his horizons.”

At this, Yao Likun and Tan Long instantly understood—Fan Fei wanted to make Lin Yi a laughingstock. And that was just their favorite pastime.

Tan Long patted the two women beside him, who immediately kissed him on each cheek, then rose and stood behind him.

“Since you’re Fan’s old classmate, come join us,” Tan Long said.

Lin Yi took a seat without hesitation.

Tan Long’s eyes glinted with mischief. He slid a bottle of whiskey across the table. “If you can drink this whole bottle, whatever you need in the future, just say the word.”

“I don’t drink,” Lin Yi replied.

Tan Long’s smile vanished. He might not be famous here, but in his home province he was a big name. Few dared refuse his toast; many begged for one.

Yao Likun laughed, “Looks like you don’t command much respect here, Tan.”

“You really won’t drink?” Tan Long’s tone was chilling.

Chu Na interjected, “Mr. Tan, Lin Yi can’t drink. Let me do it for him.”

“You? Fan Fei, can’t you control your own people?” Tan Long laughed.

Fan Fei was burning with rage—this wretched woman!

“What are you still standing here for? Don’t you know what you should be doing?” Fan Fei barked.

“I…” Chu Na lowered her head.

Just then, Lin Yi spoke calmly, “Chu Na, sit here. Don’t worry—as long as I’m here, no one will dare harm you.”

Tan Long and Yao Likun burst out laughing—this was the funniest thing they’d ever heard.

Fan Fei sneered, “Lin Yi, who do you think you are? Do you even have the right to speak here? Look at your pathetic self. Let me be honest—tonight, I’m going to teach you a lesson.”

There was jealousy behind his words. Chu Na was almost his, so why was she still defending Lin Yi?

Lin Yi fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Your father’s a founding member of Linda Group?”

“Of course. My father is Fan Tianhang—he built Linda Group hand-in-hand with its founder,” Fan Fei declared proudly.

In truth, Fan Fei’s father was a founding member, but not of the elite inner circle. He was merely a department manager in the provincial branch. Even so, it made Fan Fei one of the top heirs in the city, and of average standing in the province.

Lin Yi said no more, but instead took out his phone and called Angel.