C51 Rejected

"Qimo said she doesn't want to accept any gifts. Are you planning to force her?" Lin Yin asked calmly, his gaze fixed on Zhang Hongyu without betraying any emotion.

If Qimo were willing to accept the gift, he wouldn't have said a word to stop her.

However, he wouldn't tolerate anyone imposing their will on Qimo.

"How dare you talk back to me!" Zhang Hongyu fumed, glaring at Lin Yin. "Just because you say Qimo doesn't want the gift, she doesn't want it? It's you, the weakling, causing all the trouble. You just can't stand to see others do well? You're extremely devious!"

"Yeah, do you actually think you're Qimo's husband? Even Qimo's Second Aunt hasn't spoken up. What gives you the right to make such a fuss?" Qin Fei chimed in, his eyes fixed on Lin Yin.

"People like him are so repulsive, clearly just jealous of Brother Wang. If you're capable, buy your wife something better and stop interfering with others' generosity!" Wu Chuyu said scornfully.

"Are these gifts that valuable?" Lin Yin inquired, his tone remaining even.

"Haha! This is hilarious! He's such a bumpkin, completely clueless about the value of these items. He probably thinks they're worth just a few hundred bucks," Wu Chuyu laughed without mercy.

"Lin Yin, Ziwen's gift for Zhang Qimo is filled with thoughtfulness—a grand gesture worth millions! You could never earn that much in your lifetime, you know? Do you still not realize your own status and capabilities?" Zhang Hongyu sneered. "Qimo is about to join the elite circles of Qingyun City. You're worlds apart from her. Do you honestly think the Zhang Family would keep someone like you around?"

"Assistant Lin, this is merely a modest welcome gift for Qimo. Are you really that petty?" Wang Ziwen asked with a sardonic smile. "Or is it that, as a spineless man, you can't bear such humiliation?"

Lin Yin glanced at Wang Ziwen and suddenly chuckled. "Humiliation? No, no. What I'm trying to say is, Qimo isn't interested in your gift."

"Assistant Lin, I'd really like to know what you mean by that," Wang Ziwen retorted, unable to contain his anger, his face contorted with displeasure. "Do you dare to claim that's what Qimo thinks?"

Wasn't this a blatant slap in the face?

Wang Ziwen had made quite the spectacle earlier, presenting gifts with great fanfare, only for her to dismiss them outright. Where did that leave his dignity?

As the scion of the Wang Family, one of Qingyun City's most affluent families, he had offered gifts worth millions, and she had the audacity to look down on them?

In Qingyun City, few dared to snub him to his face!

Even Zhang Hongxuan and Zhang Hongjun of the Zhang Family probably wouldn't be so bold, right?

"Then you should ask Qimo whether she's willing to accept your gift," Lin Yin suggested indifferently.

Wang Ziwen gave Lin Yin a frosty glance, then turned with a smile to address Zhang Qimo.

"Qimo, I trust you won't refuse this small token of my affection?" Wang Ziwen inquired amiably.

"Right, Qimo. Don't bother saving face for that good-for-nothing. If you like it, take it," Qin Fei chimed in.

"Qimo, if that loser dares to object, just give me or Brother Wang a shout. We'll make sure he doesn't dare make a peep," Shen Hao declared confidently.

"Go ahead, Qimo. Don't let that guy embarrass you. Is he trying to provoke the Wang Family's honor? Don't turn this into a farce!" Zhang Hongyu urged sternly.

Everyone present was anticipating Zhang Qimo's response.

Wang Ziwen's face was filled with hope, eagerly awaiting Zhang Qimo's words of gratitude.

With the conversation having reached this point, the matter had become a question of pride for both parties.

If Zhang Qimo accepted the gift, then Lin Yin's previous remarks would be a resounding self-inflicted slap in the face. Should word get out, the Zhang Family's son-in-law would become an even bigger laughingstock.

Moreover, Wang Ziwen was supremely confident. He couldn't fathom Zhang Qimo refusing his generosity. How could she possibly disrespect him on account of Lin Yin?

With Wang Ziwen's status as a member of the illustrious Wang Family and his lavish generosity, he was certain he outclassed someone like Lin Yin.

Zhang Qimo, growing increasingly impatient, sighed and stated firmly, "Young Master Wang, I acknowledge your goodwill, but I cannot accept your gift."

As soon as Zhang Qimo spoke, the expressions of everyone present shifted noticeably.

"You mean to tell me that Wang Ziwen, a scion of a top-tier family, is ready to lavish you with gifts, and you actually refuse? And you're siding with that loser's words? You're not impressed?" Wang Ziwen was dumbfounded, feeling as though he had been struck by lightning, his face burning with embarrassment. Unable to contain his emotions, he demanded, "Why?"

He had offered her a gift, and yet she turned it down. How humiliating would it be if word got out?

"There's no particular reason," Zhang Qimo replied, shaking her head. It was a matter of principle for her.

"Qimo, has that loser threatened you?" Wang Ziwen asked, his voice tinged with a loss of control and a sense of acute embarrassment. He was desperate to save face. "Did he threaten you? Tell me, and I'll handle it. If you dislike him, I'll have him banished from Qingyun City so fast he won't dare return!"

"Young Master Wang, this is my personal affair. Perhaps you're being a bit too intrusive," Zhang Qimo responded firmly, her tone less than friendly.

Those gathered were incredulous, struggling to comprehend her motives. Zhang Qimo was actually risking offending Wang Ziwen, a man who had shown nothing but kindness and genuine interest, not to mention his impressive credentials!

And behind Wang Ziwen stood the prestigious Wang Family of Qingyun City. Was Zhang Qimo really willing to forgo the chance to join such an esteemed family just to stay loyal to someone like Lin Yin?

"Qimo, you're being utterly unreasonable!" Zhang Hongyu, sensing the tension, rose to her feet and scolded her, her disappointment palpable. "I've arranged a golden opportunity for you to expand your network, and you're snubbing both me and the Wang Family?"

"Do you actually take Lin Yin's word over mine? Whose advice are you following? Have you no respect for me at all?" Zhang Hongyu declared, exuding the authority of an elder.

"Second Aunt, I didn't mean any disrespect, I just..." Zhang Qimo faltered, clearly struggling to find the right words.

In the past, she might have heeded her Second Aunt's advice and accepted Wang Ziwen's gift without a second thought. But after teaming up with Lin Yin to design the King of the World and going through so much together, she couldn't bring herself to cause him any embarrassment, regardless of whether she acknowledged his status or not. After all, he was still her husband.

"Lin Yin, you're quite the character, aren't you!" Zhang Hongyu berated Lin Yin furiously, "With neither money nor talent, you still manage to charm Qimo. I can't imagine what kind of spell you've cast on her! You're such a devious little scoundrel, and mark my words, I will have you thrown out of the Zhang Family estate one of these days."

Turning to Zhang Qimo, Zhang Hongyu spoke with a stern tone, "Qimo, I've accepted Ziwen's gift on your behalf. I'll make sure it gets to your parents. Nobody dares to reject a gift from the Wang Family."