Chapter Fifty-Five: Why Seek Me Out

Lin Yi glanced at Wang Tong and asked Yao Likun, “Who is he?”

Yao Likun dared not conceal anything and quickly replied, “Mr. Lin, he is Wang Tong, the second son of Old Master Wang. He once did business in Jiang Province, but his judgment was poor—every venture he took ended in loss.”

“Now that the Wang family has risen in status, he relies on the family’s reputation, idles about all day, and frequents high-end clubs.”

Lin Yi’s gaze remained indifferent. For the Wang family to truly become the top clan in Jiang Province, it would need not only deep foundations but also sound management of all family affairs.

When a family rises suddenly, it’s unavoidable that some minor members will become arrogant.

Every family must face this challenge, but if it isn’t managed well, the blame falls on Wang Yang.

“It seems I’ll have to teach the Wang family a proper lesson,” Lin Yi mused inwardly.

Then he asked, “Can we leave now?”

How could Yao Likun dare say otherwise? At this point, he wished he could carry Lin Yi out on a sedan chair himself.

Every encounter with Lin Yi brought nothing but trouble, and fortunately, this time he hadn’t been blamed; otherwise, he might meet a fate as miserable as Fan Fei and Song Qi.

“Of course, Mr. Lin. You and your friends are free to leave at any time,” Yao Likun replied with an obsequious smile.

“Oh, by the way, this is my… friend,” Lin Yi said, pointing at the stunned Dong Wenwen.

Earlier, during the toast, Dong Wenwen had come to his and Li Yang’s aid.

Whether she acted intentionally or not, for the sake of their old camaraderie, Lin Yi was willing to extend her a helping hand.

“Understood, Mr. Lin,” Yao Likun responded immediately.

“Let’s go, Li Yang,” Lin Yi called out.

“Oh, right,” Li Yang replied, still dizzy. Weren’t we supposed to be the poor duo? How did you suddenly rise to fortune?

Wang Tong, seeing his opportunity slipping away, grew anxious and said angrily, “Yao Likun, do you want your hotel to go out of business?”

Yao Likun shot him a contemptuous look and, passing by, whispered, “You’d better take care of yourself. This man is Mr. Lin.”

“What nonsense! I’d like to see who dares let them leave today,” Wang Tong blustered.

Yao Likun raised an eyebrow and signaled the two security guards.

They immediately restrained Wang Tong, who shouted and struggled in vain.

Lin Yi and Li Yang exited the hotel first, followed by the others.

Even Yuan Zhekai rushed out. Compared to his earlier arrogance, he now looked like a beaten dog, filthy from head to toe.

“Lin Yi, who are you really? Why does Young Master Yao treat you like that…?” Dong Wenwen hesitated, curiosity in her eyes.

“I once helped him,” Lin Yi said, not revealing much.

After all, he and these classmates had never truly been close. After today, whether they would ever meet again was uncertain.

Yuan Zhekai breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, he really thought Lin Yi was some big shot. So it turned out he had just helped Young Master Yao before.

She was simply envious.

Lin Yi and Li Yang had always been her targets of mockery—how was it that they suddenly turned the tables?

This left Jiang Xiaoning deeply unsettled.

Dong Wenwen frowned and said, “Jiang Xiaoning, if Lin Yi hadn’t spoken up for us, who knows what would have happened to us just now.”

“Heh, you little hussy, isn’t it just because Lin Yi helped you with a word to Young Master Yao? With how protective you’re being, you two must have already slept together,” Jiang Xiaoning sneered.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Dong Wenwen’s eyes grew cold.

“I’m talking nonsense—”

Before Jiang Xiaoning could finish, Yuan Zhekai came over to smooth things over.

“Alright, let’s just put this unpleasant episode behind us,” Yuan Zhekai said on purpose, hoping everyone would forget about the stir Lin Yi had caused.

Besides, Lin Yi was still a country bumpkin. Even if he had some connection with Young Master Yao, with his cold attitude today, he would surely wear out his welcome soon enough.

When that happened, who would remember Lin Yi’s deeds today?

“Hah, he has a mountain of gold and doesn’t know how to use it. Indeed, a bumpkin is always a bumpkin—shortsighted and ignorant,” Yuan Zhekai sneered inwardly.

“Kai,” Jiang Xiaoning pouted unhappily.

“There, there,” Yuan Zhekai coaxed her, then addressed the group, “Everyone, there’s a large equestrian club here in Jiang Province. Most of you have probably never ridden a horse. As an apology, let’s all go together.”

Cheers and excitement erupted, and the earlier unpleasantness was soon forgotten.

“I have work, so I’ll pass,” Dong Wenwen declined, not wanting to deal with Jiang Xiaoning.

That woman’s sharp tongue had been infamous since school.

“Hmph, what’s the act for? Doesn’t Lin Yi know Young Master Yao? Let him ask for time off for you,” Jiang Xiaoning mocked.

Yuan Zhekai’s gaze grew dark. His intentions today were to flaunt his wealth, belittle Lin Yi, and, if possible, win over Dong Wenwen.

“Wenwen, we’re a group. It’s not right for you to skip out,” Yuan Zhekai said, frowning.

“Yeah, Wenwen, come along. Who knows when we’ll meet again after today,” the boys chimed in.

Dong Wenwen hesitated, then finally nodded, “Alright, I’ll go ask Young Master Yao for leave.”

Li Yang muttered softly to Lin Yi, “Lin Yi, why don’t we go to the stables too? I’ve only ever seen horses on TV.”

Lin Yi considered it and nodded.

He felt a tinge of nostalgia—it had been a long time since he’d touched a fine steed, not since the foreign invasion.

Soon, Dong Wenwen returned, though her gaze at Lin Yi was a bit strange.

Yuan Zhekai drove a black Camaro—a car worth over five hundred thousand, and, more importantly, very flashy.

“Kai, this car looks amazing. Must be worth a million, right?” someone asked.

“It’s a Bumblebee—over half a million. Much pricier than my Volkswagen,” Yuan Zhekai replied.

Jiang Xiaoning eyed the car greedily, then cast a mocking look at Lin Yi and Li Yang. “Kai is so generous, unlike certain people who came here by taxi.”

Everyone snickered, knowing exactly whom she meant.

But after Lin Yi’s earlier display, none of them dared be as brash as Jiang Xiaoning.

Yuan Zhekai turned to Dong Wenwen, “Wenwen, want to ride with me?”

“I have a car,” she replied with a gentle smile, pressing her key fob as the headlights of a red Hyundai flashed nearby.

“Oh, I see,” Yuan Zhekai said, a little disappointed.

Soon, everyone had chosen their rides.

Only Lin Yi and Li Yang stood off to the side. Yuan Zhekai sneered, “Too bad—my car’s too small for a big shot like you.”

He had barely finished when Dong Wenwen invited, “Lin Yi, Li Yang, ride with me.”

Yuan Zhekai’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected Dong Wenwen to oppose him so openly.

More than twenty cars set off in a grand procession toward the equestrian club.

Half an hour later, the group arrived at their destination.

It was obvious Yuan Zhekai was a regular here.

As soon as they entered the lobby, a beautiful hostess greeted him warmly, “Mr. Yuan.”

“Yes, I brought some friends to enjoy themselves today,” Yuan Zhekai replied with a smile.

The hostess explained, “Our horse rentals are three hundred per hour. If you need a coach, that’s extra—fifty an hour. A handler is twenty an hour. Gloves are three, leg protectors are twenty…”

“So expensive,” someone exclaimed in shock.

With over forty people, even without coaches or handlers, the cost would run into the tens of thousands per hour.

“No need to worry, everyone—today it’s my treat. If you need a coach or handler, just ask for one,” Yuan Zhekai said generously.

Then, looking pointedly at Lin Yi, he added, “Sorry, Lin Yi, my budget just covers our group. If you want to ride, you’ll have to pay for yourself.”

Lin Yi gave Yuan Zhekai a cool glance, then turned and made a phone call.

“Worthless mutt,” Yuan Zhekai cursed under his breath.

Lin Yi reached Wang Yang, “Wang Yang, your family needs to take a good look at itself.”

“Teacher, what happened?” Wang Yang asked, panic in his voice.

“Wang Tong,” Lin Yi replied, then hung up.

Wang Yang heard the dial tone and broke out in a cold sweat.

He knew his second son’s character all too well.

“That idiot—can’t even watch where he’s going,” Wang Yang fumed. He was a clever man; how had he fathered such a fool?

…

After hanging up, Lin Yi saw that only Dong Wenwen remained in the lobby. Even Li Yang had already headed for the stables.

“You didn’t go in with them?” Lin Yi asked.

Dong Wenwen smiled and shook her head, recalling the words Young Master Yao had said when she asked for leave earlier.

“Wenwen, Mr. Lin is a man of real influence. If you can build some connection with him, wealth and status will be yours. There are things I can’t say, but you know what I mean.”

If even Yao Likun said so, Dong Wenwen knew where her loyalties should lie.

As for Yuan Zhekai, she’d had a bit of a favorable impression at first.

But his cowardice and silence in the hotel lobby made her laugh at herself.

She hadn’t become a lobby manager by being a fool—she could see Yuan Zhekai’s intentions clearly.

But if a man can’t even protect a woman, what good are pretty words?

Dong Wenwen brushed back her hair and said, “Lin Yi, would you keep me company for a stroll?”

Lin Yi asked, “Why me?”