C59 Tea House

"It seems you're familiar with my name, Mr. Lin," Wang Hongling said with a slight smile, her eyes twinkling with allure. "I was aware of your expertise in antiques, but I didn't expect your martial arts to be on par."

"What is it that you want?" Lin Yin asked indifferently, unclear about the woman's motives.

"You thwarted my plans today, Mr. Lin. What else would I be here for?" Wang Hongling countered.

Lin Yin paused to think, then chuckled before asking, "Is Hu Mingren your underling?"

"Sharp," Wang Hongling remarked with a haughty air, giving him an appreciative look.

"I had orchestrated a scheme for my naive cousin," Wang Hongling said with a feigned sigh. "The plan was to expose the porcelain bottle he intended to present at the Old Master's birthday as a fake. Unfortunately, your meddling spoiled my elaborate scheme."

Lin Yin nodded, "A cunning plan."

He now understood the full picture. The Chenghua porcelain bottles from Hu Mingren were part of a plot to trap Wang Ziwen, to expose him during the Old Master's 80th birthday celebration in front of the Wang Family patriarch, ultimately destroying his credibility.

Her goal was to see Ziwen lose the Wang Family's trust. Such ruthless infighting for the heir's position in wealthy families was nothing new.

However, Wang Hongling was an exceptional figure in this intrigue. Always flanked by two top assassins and using a well-known antique expert like Hu Mingren as her pawn, she was indeed a rare breed of woman.

"Mr. Lin, since you've ruined my well-laid plans, how do you intend to compensate me?" Wang Hongling asked, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

"The internal conflicts of the Wang Family do not concern me," Lin Yin responded.

"Mr. Lin, my Second Brother may be foolish, but the Wang Family is not as simple as you might think. Do you honestly believe you can take on the entire family by yourself?" Wang Hongling's voice was rich and magnetic, with an undertone of warning.

"Do you really think my foolish Second Brother would let you off easily?" Wang Hongling spoke slowly, her tone commanding, "Mr. Lin, I've been keeping an eye on the situation at Mingbao House, and your collection is quite impressive. I'm offering you an opportunity to work for me. You won't need to fear Wang Ziwen anymore."

Lin Yin's interest was piqued. "Are you so sure I'll agree to work for you?"

"Could you really refuse?" Wang Hongling chuckled, her laughter rich with charm.

In her view, this was a golden opportunity for Lin Yin. Without her help, how could he ever contend with Wang Ziwen? No matter how foolish Ziwen might be, he was still the Second Young Master of the Wang Family, with wealth and power at his disposal. What use were Lin Yin's martial arts and appraisal skills against that?

"I'm not interested," Lin Yin replied, shaking his head.

"Mr. Lin, aren't you worried about Wang Ziwen's potential revenge?" Wang Hongling asked, her eyebrows knitting together.

Lin Yin simply smiled, remaining silent.

Wang Hongling persisted, "Mr. Lin, this isn't the best place to talk. Shall we find somewhere more private to discuss this?"

"No, thank you," Lin Yin declined, turning to walk away.

"You!" Wang Hongling's face reddened with frustration. She had never before been so bluntly rejected, especially after extending an invitation herself.

She wondered where he got his confidence from.

"Lin Yin, isn't it a bit ungentlemanly to treat a lady this way?" Wang Hongling complained with a hint of coquettishness. "I came here with good intentions to deal with the thugs Ziwen sent after you. Think about it—if it weren't for my careful planning, how could you have humiliated Ziwen today? Don't we at least deserve a moment to talk?"

The two usually stoic bodyguards in black were taken aback.

To them, Miss Wang had never been so amiable with any man. They had expected her to erupt in anger when Lin Yin refused her, ordering them to rough him up.

Why was she treating Lin Yin, rumored to be a complete loser, with such politeness?

Lin Yin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The bodyguards moved towards the stylish rose-colored sports car. Wang Hongling settled into the back seat, and Lin Yin followed suit.

Soon, the car left Antique Street, weaving through the busy city streets. The rose-red supercar was a spectacle, drawing the gaze of pedestrians and other drivers alike.

Lin Yin sat quietly in the luxurious back seat, taking in the lavish interior. A faint scent of rose perfume wafted through the air, hinting at Wang Hongling's penchant for roses.

Lin Yin sat silently in the back seat of the luxurious car, the opulence of the interior beyond compare, offering an exceptional experience. He could also detect a subtle, refreshing scent of rose perfume, suggesting that the woman beside him had a fondness for roses.

He stole a glance at Wang Hongling, then quickly looked away. He couldn't help but think of her as a dangerous beauty. Her alluring long legs and stunning figure commanded attention, and it was clear why she was held in the same regard as Qimo. Her looks and demeanor were top-notch, bearing the grace of a woman from a wealthy family.

"How do you like it? My car's pretty impressive, isn't it?" Wang Hongling asked with a self-assured air.

"It's alright," Lin Yin replied indifferently.

Wang Hongling let out a disdainful snort, her expression a blend of arrogance and flirtation.

She knew exactly who Lin Yin was—the son-in-law of the Zhang Family who was dependent on his wife's wealth. And yet, he had the audacity to describe her rose-red Buggati Veyron as just alright?

Twenty minutes later, the sports car arrived at a tea house that radiated ancient charm. Lin Yin and Wang Hongling alighted from the vehicle.

The sign above the entrance read "Honghui Teahouse."

A group of female attendants welcomed them and led them up to the third floor.

The interior of the third floor was traditionally decorated, with an aura of classical elegance. Lin Yin and Wang Hongling were escorted to a private room, while two men in black waited outside to stand guard.

"Mr. Lin, it's an honor to have you here. Please, have a seat and enjoy some tea," a familiar voice called out as Lin Yin walked in.

Hu Mingren smiled warmly as he handed over a cup of black tea.

Lin Yin accepted the tea without hesitation and took a seat, with Wang Hongling sitting opposite him.

"Miss Wang, everything for the banquet has been arranged," Hu Mingren said with reverence. After speaking, he smiled amiably at Lin Yin and stepped back to stand behind Wang Hongling.

The large round table was covered with an array of more than a dozen exquisite dishes, a visual and olfactory feast. Each dish was a culinary masterpiece, with a thoughtful balance of meat and vegetables, rich soups, refreshing salads, and delicate desserts, all arranged with precision.

"Lin Yin, I'll address you as such," Wang Hongling said, fixing him with an intrigued look. "I've heard of you before. You were dismissed as a good-for-nothing, but I didn't expect you to have such a keen understanding of antiques, nor that your martial arts skills would be so proficient. It's clear now that you also possess a sharp intellect."

"I'm offering you the opportunity to become Hu Mingren's deputy with an annual salary of one million yuan," Wang Hongling stated confidently. "I'll also handle the situation you've caused at Mingbao House. Considering your current predicament, I assume you're not in a position to turn down my offer, am I right?"