C60 Excluding Him from the Family?

Lin Yin sipped his tea and shook his head.

"What's the matter? Do you think a million-dollar annual salary is too little?" Wang Hongling's eyebrows creased slightly before she spoke in a measured tone, "If you're capable enough, the sky's the limit for how much you can earn. Money is no object for me, and I always take good care of those who work with me."

She said this with an air of confidence, gesturing towards Hu Mingren. "A few years back, Hu Mingren was running a small shop in the collectors' market, struggling to make ends meet. I gave him a leg up, and now he's a well-respected figure in Qingyun City."

"I will never forget the help Miss Wang has given me," Hu Mingren stated earnestly.

Lin Yin gave Hu Mingren a sidelong glance. Hu Mingren had become well-known in the antiques circle about five or six years ago.

Did that mean Wang Hongling had such maturity and savvy at the age of sixteen or seventeen, when her peers were still in high school?

"Lin Yin, since you've mastered the art of appraising treasures, you must be a man with aspirations," Wang Hongling continued slowly, "I'm offering you the opportunity to showcase your skills. Within a year, I can assure you that you'll shed any negative labels and no one in the Zhang Family will dare to mistreat you again."

She finished with a wry smile, looking at Lin Yin.

The offer she presented to Lin Yin was an opportunity of a lifetime, an offer that seemed impossible to refuse.

"Sorry, but I'm not accustomed to working for others," Lin Yin replied coolly.

Wang Hongling burst into a radiant smile.

A son-in-law of the Zhang Family, clearly dependent on them for his livelihood, now acting as an assistant to his wife. And he claimed he wasn't used to working for others?

"Ha," Wang Hongling laughed, "Aren't you serving as an assistant to your wife right now? Do you disdain the Wang Family, or do you doubt my capabilities?"

Lin Yin responded, "I'm simply curious. With your esteemed reputation in Qingyun City, wealth, and influence, you could choose from countless candidates. Why me?"

Wang Hongling remarked, "You've really gotten to the heart of the matter. Sure, I have no shortage of talent to recruit, but there are few in Qingyun City bold enough to openly defy Wang Ziwen like that. And even fewer who could be of use to me."

With a slight sigh, she continued, "If it weren't for the fact that I'm a woman, that fool Ziwen wouldn't stand a chance against me for the Wang Family succession."

"Wang Ziwen is my rival. If he's targeting you, then I'll make it my business to protect you! It's as simple as that!" Wang Hongling said with a playful smile, exuding a whimsical air.

"I have no interest in getting involved in your Wang Family's power struggles," Lin Yin stated flatly.

"I admire your bravery," Wang Hongling replied, "but I have no patience for fools. If you can't even understand your own predicament, you're just wasting your talents."

"Here's my offer: join the Mingren Collection Group as Vice Chairman with an annual salary of five million. If you prove yourself capable, there's no reason you couldn't eventually surpass Hu Mingren," she said earnestly, with a magnanimous gesture.

Lin Yin simply shook his head, smiling.

"Lin Yin, Miss Wang holds you in high regard. Don't be unappreciative," Hu Mingren interjected, his face clouded with displeasure. "Opportunities like this don't come to just anyone. Consider your reputation in Qingyun City. Miss Wang is offering you a special promotion. You could at least show some gratitude instead of being disrespectful."

"Really? Lin Yin, you can't possibly be that foolish, can you?" Wang Hongling said, her gaze filled with incredulity.

"I've heard you've been married for over two years and your wife won't even share a bed with you. Are you content to stay with the Zhang Family and endure such humiliation?" Wang Hongling questioned, clearly puzzled. "I'm offering you an opportunity right now. With my support, you could have the run of Qingyun City. Why worry about wealth or women? The sky's the limit. Why would you choose to remain with the Zhang Family?"

Accustomed to her elevated status, Wang Hongling was not pleased to be repeatedly spurned by Lin Yin. She was determined to persuade him, no matter what it took.

"I'm hardly qualified for such a significant role," Lin Yin remarked calmly as he rose to his feet.

"Stop right there!"

Wang Hongling stood up, her glare at Lin Yin fierce and commanding.

"Lin Yin, you're aware of the trap I've set for Wang Ziwen, and that Hu Mingren is merely my pawn," Wang Hongling stated icily. "Don't you think you're privy to too many secrets?"

"Ever heard the saying? In life, you either remain ignorant of the inner workings or, once enlightened, you're obliged to partake."

"You do have a point," Lin Yin conceded with a slight nod, observing the shifting expressions on Wang Hongling's face. "However, these worldly rules don't apply to me."

"You talk as if you hail from ancient times," Wang Hongling retorted with a cold huff. "In Qingyun City, no one can defy me!"

Lin Yin chuckled, finding this woman quite intriguing.

"Are you suggesting you'd kill me to keep me quiet?"

A youthful fury crossed Wang Hongling's face as she narrowed her eyes and declared with authority, "What's your guess?"

Lin Yin watched her with an amused, enigmatic smile.

"Don't be so unappreciative, Lin Yin!" Hu Mingren snapped. "Are you really content with being a lowly son-in-law forever? I refuse to believe such people exist in this world!"

"State your terms. If you anger her, you won't like the consequences."

Lin Yin hesitated, almost revealing his disregard for the insignificant Wang Family.

"Think it over and come back," Wang Hongling said as she sat down, her mood visibly darkening.

"Here's my private number. Call me once you've made up your mind." Wang Hongling tossed a business card onto the table with an air of arrogance, sneering as she spoke, "I'm willing to give you time to think. But I fear my Second Brother might be too eager to make his move. I'd hate for you to only remember to call me when you're on your deathbed."

Lin Yin scoffed, not even glancing at the business card.

"What's the matter? Won't even accept a business card? Is that your way of showing contempt? Or are you simply unwilling to befriend me?" Wang Hongling said angrily, her stunning features marred by a look of deep offense.

She couldn't understand why, but with her usual temperament, she would have already dealt with someone so ungrateful.

Yet, the less Lin Yin acknowledged her, the more determined she became to earn his genuine respect.

"Make a friend?" Lin Yin scoffed, gazing at Wang Hongling with an impassive expression. "Do you think you're worthy? To be a friend of mine?"