C41 Water Garden

"Jiang Qi? You know Jiang Qi?" Faang Ping's demeanor shifted dramatically, his face a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"Faang Ping, who is Jiang Qi?" Li Zhen inquired, noticing the odd look on Faang Ping's face.

"Jiang Qi is..." Faang Ping struggled, his face a blend of shame and fury, at a loss for words.

He couldn't just blurt out that Jiang Qi was the general manager of the Marine Real Estate Company, could he? That would be tantamount to admitting his own deceit.

He had intended to inflate his achievements, never anticipating that a country bumpkin like Lin Yin would actually know the name of the general manager at Marine Real Estate Company.

But then he reconsidered. What did it matter if Lin Yin knew?

Even without embellishment, he was still infinitely more capable than a nobody like Lin Yin!

"Jiang Qi is my superior, the head of the Marine Real Estate Company, the General Manager," Faang Ping finally said.

Lu Yahui chuckled, grasping the situation instantly. "Oh? So the claim that you were the general manager of Marine Real Estate Company was just a fabrication?" she asked.

"I didn't make it up! I am the general manager of Marine Real Estate Company!" Faang Ping insisted, though visibly mortified, and clarified, "I am the general manager of the North City branch of Marine Real Estate Company."

In reality, he was merely the manager of one of the company's branches.

However, he had wanted to impress his in-laws, so naturally, he had exaggerated a bit to intimidate Zhang Qimo and her rustic family.

"Exactly! Faang Ping isn't wrong. What's the issue with being the general manager of a branch company?" Li Zhen chimed in. "Lin Yin, surely you don't think you can ridicule him just because you stumbled upon the name of his company's head?"

"Let's speak in terms of actual accomplishments," Li Zhen added with a sneer. "Faang Ping's financial strength is evident. His capabilities are genuine. Even if he isn't the head of the main company, as the manager of the largest real estate branch in North City, doesn't that still command respect?"

"I really can't fathom your logic. You get ahold of some information and suddenly you're acting like an expert," Li Zhen said with a derisive laugh.

Lu Yahui fell silent and gave Lin Yin a cold glance.

Indeed, even if their son-in-law had embellished his achievements somewhat, his capabilities were evident. He was far superior to Lin Yin!

"I'm somewhat curious," Faang Ping regained his composure and looked down at Lin Yin with an air of superiority. "You talk as if you're well-acquainted with our general manager. How does someone like you, a complete bumpkin, come to know Director Chiang? Surely you didn't just find a business card somewhere and pretend to be connected?"

"Young people these days lack real skills and seem to think that knowing someone capable is a big deal. They then act as if they're very powerful," Li Zhen added mockingly. "In reality, they're just deluding themselves!"

"I'm not close with Jiang Qi," Lin Yin stated plainly. "I only learned of him when he assisted me with the paperwork for my house purchase at Water Garden."

"What? You're claiming you bought a house at Water Garden?" Li Zhen laughed smugly. "You make it sound so believable. Can you even afford it? Do you have any idea how expensive the houses there are? And yet you insist on boasting about your grand achievements!"

"Hahaha!" Faang Ping joined in the laughter. "You're such a country bumpkin, you don't even know how to make a proper boast. Your story is riddled with holes the moment you open your mouth!"

"Director Chiang is the top executive of our company. Do you realize the caliber of person he is? Even high-status bosses visiting the headquarters are only received by his secretary," Faang Ping said scornfully. "And you expect Director Chiang to personally handle your housing paperwork? Who do you think you are?"

"Lin Yin! Is it going to kill you to keep quiet instead of spouting such nonsense?" Lu Yahui snapped, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Lin Yin's lies were so transparent, anyone could see right through them. How could he be so foolish?

"Let it go, Old Lu. There's no need to scold your son-in-law. He's young and eager to prove himself, which I can understand," Li Zhen said with a peculiar inflection. "But you have to be realistic about who you are. Bragging like that will only make you the subject of ridicule."

"Don't be so sure," Faang Ping said with a smug smile. "He might have actually bought a house from Water Garden. Director Chiang personally took care of him, after all."

"It's the perfect time, we're almost done with our meal," Faang Ping remarked with a mischievous look. "Let's all take a trip to Water Garden. I'm curious to see what kind of place Lin Yin has bought and just how upscale it is."

Li Zhen also laughed and added, "Faang Ping's idea isn't bad at all. It's a good opportunity for you all to check out my new house too."

Lu Yahui and Zhang Xiufeng's faces turned ashen as they shot resentful glances at Lin Yin. How were they going to get out of this one?

"Let's not bother, uncle and aunt. It's too much trouble; we really shouldn't go," Zhang Qimo interjected, attempting to defuse the tension, though her own expression was strained.

"No, we must go," insisted Li Zhen, his tone light but insistent. "We've talked it up so much, if we don't go see my new house now, wouldn't that be a slight to me? And who knows, maybe Lin Yin really did buy a house? Then our families might become neighbors."

"Then let's go have a look," Lin Yin said nonchalantly.

"That's the spirit," Li Zhen said with a grin, standing up and heading downstairs.

Faang Ping and Lee Lan followed suit, getting up to go downstairs and get the car.

"You country bumpkin, why do you act so high and mighty in front of me?" Faang Ping sneered as he walked past Lin Yin.

Lin Yin remained silent, simply rising to follow them downstairs.

"Qimo, why did you even bring Lin Yin to dinner? What are you going to do now?" Lu Yahui complained bitterly as she and Zhang Xiufeng left the Eight Immortals Restaurant with sour expressions.

Zhang Qimo approached Lin Yin with a look of concern. "Lin Yin, did you really buy a house in Water Garden?"

He nodded in response.

Zhang Qimo, still puzzled, decided not to press further, and the family got into their car.

...

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Water Garden. The area was lined with towering skyscrapers and featured beautifully maintained residential amenities, complete with gardens and ponds that were a feast for the eyes.

Lin Yin sat alone at the base of a 40-50 story building, lighting up a cigarette.

By the time he finished his cigarette, Zhang Qimo's family and Li Zhen's family emerged from the main entrance.

Lee Zhen wore a smug expression as he boasted, "Old Zhang, Old Lu, my new house is something else, isn't it? I bought it for a cool 1.2 million in cash, and it really stands out. That old place of mine in Jiangchi Residence, from over a decade ago, would probably fetch no more than three thousand yuan per square meter now. It's barely worth three hundred thousand yuan, right?"

Lu Yahui and her spouse looked visibly displeased.

"The house is quite nice, Old Li. Your son-in-law has done well for himself," Zhang Xiufeng said, managing a strained smile.

"You shouldn't say that. My son-in-law isn't nearly as successful as yours. He even called this the lowest grade of house," Lee Zhen retorted with a hint of irony. "Come on, Old Zhang, let's go have a look at what kind of place Lin Yin has bought. It'll be quite the eye-opener."

"Let's not, Old Li. There's really no need to compete with Lin Yin," Zhang Xiufeng replied, his face awash with discomfort.

Faang Ping let out a scornful chuckle, eyeing Lin Yin. "Come on then, bumpkin, which building is your purchase? Or are you too ashamed to show us? Afraid to lead the way?"