C64 Hand over the Key!

"She asked me to take on the role of vice president at a collector's company, with a million-dollar annual salary. But I turned it down," Lin Yin stated truthfully.

"Oh, please, the lies just keep getting bigger!" Lu Yahui burst out laughing in disbelief. "You? And Miss Wang from the Wang Family personally approached you to offer the vice president position with a million-dollar salary? And you had the gall to refuse?"

"Don't act like we're naive, Lin Yin," Zhang Xiufeng said sternly. "Would Miss Wang really make a personal appearance for a vice president role with a million-dollar salary? Your story doesn't add up!"

"Do you take me and your mother-in-law for fools?" Zhang Xiufeng continued, his voice filled with anger. "I may not be well-off, but I am still part of the Zhang Family. I've seen enough of the world to know better."

"You've just managed to offend Wang Ziwen, the only son of the Wang Family's fourth son. And now you expect us to believe that Miss Wang Hongling from the Wang Family asked you to be the vice president of their company?"

Zhang Xiufeng was seething. He felt that Lin Yin was insulting his family's intelligence.

"Let me put it bluntly. Lin Yin, you've become notorious in Qingyun City, akin to something no one wants to step in. No one dares to associate with you," Zhang Xiufeng said without mincing words. "Getting close to you now is tantamount to crossing Wang Ziwen. Who would risk antagonizing the Young Master of the Wang Family for you?"

Zhang Xiufeng and Lu Yahui were out of breath with frustration, sitting back on the sofa, fuming. They were utterly dismissive of Lin Yin's claims.

Of course, it wasn't that they lacked intelligence; they simply couldn't fathom such a scenario. No one could have imagined that someone like Miss Wang Hongling would personally seek out Lin Yin.

"Lin Yin, if you won't own up to your philandering, there's nothing more to discuss!" Zhang Xiufeng said gravely. "Do you have any idea how much pressure your actions have brought upon our family tonight?"

"Qimo's elder uncle! Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, Sixth Uncle, Seventh Aunt!" Zhang Xiufeng grew increasingly agitated as he spoke. "They've all been calling me, demanding to know why I allowed you to go to Mingbao House. Why did you provoke the Wang Family? Are you trying to drag them down with you?"

"Where can I even show my face now? It's all because of the absurd mess you've created, Lin Yin. I'm despised by everyone in the Zhang Family!" Zhang Xiufeng fumed, "They're all threatening and warning our family!"

"Lin Yin, Wang Ziwen has been spreading the word among the elite families," Lu Yahui stated gravely. "He's challenging the Zhang Family, questioning whether you're still one of them. They're pressuring Qimo's elder uncle and Third Uncle for a definitive statement. If they dare confirm you're still part of the Zhang Family, he'll have the whole family ousted from Qingyun City's circle of aristocrats!"

"The old Zhang Family members keep calling, pressuring us relentlessly."

Zhang Xiufeng sighed, shaking his head. "I'm old and feel powerless. I don't expect the Zhang Family to respect or assist me. But Qimo is still young; she's working at the company. Now that she's scorned by the Zhang Family, how will she manage to get by in Qingyun City?"

"Qimo earns her keep with her own talents, designing jewelry. Does she need to plead with anyone?" Lin Yin remarked indifferently. "And regarding the Zhang Family relatives, what help have they offered Qimo over the years? Why should you care about their opinions?"

"You make it sound so simple! Do you even realize that Qimo also carries the Zhang surname?" Zhang Xiufeng's dissatisfaction with Lin Yin grew as he rebuked him, "Not to mention the influence and connections of Qimo's elder uncle and Second Aunt. And the Wang Ziwen you've crossed—do you have any idea how much clout the Wang Family's Young Master wields in Qingyun City?"

"You're clueless! All you do is cause trouble and fool around with women. I've completely misjudged you. I thought you had improved since becoming an assistant, but it seems this is just who you are."

"Let it go, Zhang Xiufeng. There's no point discussing this with him. He doesn't care, or he wouldn't have done such a heartless thing," Lu Yahui interjected with dissatisfaction. "Can't you see what he's up to? He's trying to shirk his responsibilities. If trouble arises, they'll turn to the Zhang Family, not him."

"I've made myself clear, Lin Yin. From this day forward, you can forget about causing any more trouble under Qimo's name or using the Zhang Family's reputation!" Lu Yahui stated emphatically.

"We've come to an agreement tonight," Lu Yahui continued calmly. "Wang Ziwen seems to be a very understanding young man. He's expressed to Qimo and the Second Aunt his distaste for you, Lin Yin. He assured us that he has no quarrel with anyone else and relayed a message to us elders not to worry. He promised that as long as Lin Yin leaves the Zhang Family, he won't trouble anyone else."

"And just look at how attentive Wang Ziwen is towards Qimo. He's given her a luxury gift set worth millions. The watches and bags he's presented are all there." Lu Yahui gestured towards the array of elegant gift boxes on the table. "Now think about what you've done. What have you ever bought for Qimo? You've been with the Zhang Family for over two years. What have you contributed? You're not even on par with Wang Ziwen, a newcomer. How can you have the audacity to tarnish others' reputations?"

"Consider Qimo's situation. Since you've joined our family, has she even purchased a single piece of jewelry?" Lu Yahui sighed heavily, glaring at Lin Yin. "Qimo has been good to you, helping you secure a position as an assistant director in the company. And how do you repay her? By getting involved with other women after causing trouble! It just makes my blood boil!"

Lin Yin internally shook his head, choosing to remain silent.

Wang Ziwen really knew how to infiltrate every aspect; he even used his parents to achieve his goals.

"The Old Master has no intention of following through with his previous plans now," Lu Yahui remarked, turning to Zhang Xiufeng. "What do you think, Zhang Xiufeng? We should proceed as we discussed with Qimo and the Second Aunt."

Zhang Xiufeng's brow furrowed as he glanced at Lin Yin, his irritation growing.

"I'll leave this matter to you and your daughter to decide," Zhang Xiufeng sighed. The Old Master had arranged for Lin Yin to marry into the family, and as his son, he couldn't just overturn his father's decisions, could he?

"Fine! Qimo, you don't have a say in today's decision," Lu Yahui declared firmly, denying Zhang Qimo the opportunity to speak.

She gave Lin Yin a frosty look and delivered her scorn with biting sarcasm. "Lin Yin, if you have any shred of decency, stop being a burden to our family. You bragged about Miss Wang from the Wang Family offering you a vice president position at her company, didn't you? Well, go ahead. Our home is too small to accommodate a 'big Buddha' like you."

"You seem to enjoy your affairs with other women, so I'll grant you that freedom. Go and live with the woman you're seeing tonight," Lu Yahui said bluntly. "After all, you've come into your own and no longer need to depend on Qimo for your livelihood, right? This will make everyone happy since you and Qimo are nothing more than a couple in name only."

"Lin Yin, it's time to hand over the keys to the house," Lu Yahui demanded firmly.