Well-crafted Persona, Can't Really Blame the Aunt

And yet they said Jing was there too.

Acting all high and mighty.

As if you didn’t know whether Jing was really there or not.

Chen Qimeng stole a glance at Lin Yu, noticing how Yi Haizhou had ignored him.

But with Yi Haizhou being a major client, it wasn’t the right time to say much.

Chen Qimeng stepped aside and said,

“Mr. Yi, please come in and have a seat. The flowers have all been packed.”

“If there’s anything else you need later, just let me know anytime.”

He Jing leaned against the flower counter, her words dripping with implication:

“A big businessman like Mr. Yi must have plenty of procurement tasks, right?”

“If you need anything, make sure to give our little shop first priority.”

Yi Haizhou responded with polite courtesy:

“Of course. The flowers from Qimeng’s shop are excellent in quality and fairly priced. Among the suppliers in the area, she’s a particularly outstanding partner.”

“But I apologize—I don’t have time to sit today. There’s still a lot waiting for me to handle.”

“Could you help load the flowers into the trunk? I’ll transfer the payment to your bank account.”

Yi Haizhou’s straightforward approach took Lin Yu by surprise.

So efficient?

Normally, according to the usual script,

shouldn’t he have played along with He Jing to further flaunt his big-shot status, trying to make Aunt Qimeng admire him?

Or, drawn to the single Aunt Qimeng, shown some concern and goodwill?

None of that happened?

The moment he showed up, he went straight to business, no beating around the bush.

Maybe the real scheme would start after the flowers were loaded?

Lin Yu didn’t have time to dwell on it.

For now, he just followed Aunt Qimeng and He Jing to carry the flower bundles to Yi Haizhou’s car.

To prevent the flowers from getting crushed during the drive,

Chen Qimeng thoughtfully prepared three small boxes, ensuring the bundles stayed upright in the trunk—everything arranged perfectly.

Once everything was done,

Lin Yu prepared to return to the shop, curious about what tricks Yi Haizhou would pull next.

But

Yi Haizhou didn’t even bother going back inside.

Instead, he said directly to Chen Qimeng:

“Qimeng, the money’s been transferred to your account.”

“Same time next week, the usual order—three hundred stems.”

Chen Qimeng quickly checked her phone and exclaimed,

“Mr. Yi, why did you transfer so much? There’s an extra two thousand!”

Yi Haizhou, already standing by the driver’s door, waved his hand with a humble smile:

“Consider it an advance for next time. Pleasure doing business.”

Just before getting into the car, he paused and added casually:

“Oh, Qimeng, that big contract for Damascus roses I mentioned—I’ll bring it over in two weeks.”

“You might want to start looking into suppliers. I trust you on this. See you next time.”

Chen Qimeng’s face lit up with excitement:

“Got it! I’ll get it sorted as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Yi. Drive safely.”

As the BMW X5 gradually disappeared into the distance, Lin Yu’s heart sank.

No wonder Aunt Qimeng would fall for it…

This “Faceless Owl” really knew his stuff!

Efficient, decisive.

Polite, businesslike.

The most impressive part? The extra two thousand, brushed off as a simple advance.

Effortlessly showcasing a successful man’s trust in a small shop owner eager to make money.

A masterclass in exploiting human psychology.

Truly high-level!

Lin Yu only had about two weeks left.

He had to act fast—find a way to avert the crisis threatening the sect’s grand plan.

Back in the shop,

He Jing seized the moment to start gushing:

“Qimeng, look at how effortlessly cool successful people like Mr. Yi are.”

“Too bad you’re not looking for a partner—I’d introduce you in a heartbeat.”

Chen Qimeng quickly dismissed it:

“Jing, stop teasing me.”

“Why would someone like Mr. Yi ever look at me? I’m just an ordinary working woman.”

“About that supplier for Damascus roses you mentioned last time…”

He Jing flashed an OK sign and grinned:

“Don’t worry, leave it to me. I know a wholesaler in Hotan—great prices.”

“With the volume Mr. Yi’s ordering, you’re looking at a solid 30% profit!”

Listening from the side, Lin Yu pieced together He Jing and Yi Haizhou’s scheme.

Yi Haizhou played the role of the respectable businessman, while He Jing fanned the flames from the sidelines.

A one-two punch that would be hard for most people to see through.

From Lin Yu’s judgment, Yi Haizhou’s big order and He Jing’s so-called wholesaler were both fake.

They were the key hooks to reel Chen Qimeng in.

The weekly orders of three hundred roses? Just sweet bait.

Once Chen Qimeng took it, that small change would mean nothing.

Not long after Yi Haizhou left,

He Jing excused herself, claiming she had a spa appointment.

Lin Yu didn’t bother tailing her.

There was no point—it wouldn’t solve the real problem.

Warning Aunt Qimeng now to be wary of He Jing and Yi Haizhou?

Equally pointless.

Without a shred of evidence, just gut feelings, how could he convince a woman desperate to earn more?

Worse, it might backfire and tip them off prematurely.

The one advantage was,

He Jing and Yi Haizhou didn’t see Lin Yu as a threat at all.

They had no idea their flawless plan had already been uncovered.

For now,

The best thing Lin Yu could do was…

Spend time with Aunt Qimeng!

If it weren’t for supporting a college student—buying him expensive film equipment—

she wouldn’t be so desperate for money, walking right into a trap.

After helping Aunt Qimeng clean up the packaging waste in the shop,

she slipped back into her usual overly grateful mode:

“Ah, with your help, everything gets done so much faster.”

“Good thing you brought me lunch—I’d have gone hungry otherwise.”

“Thank you, Xiao Yu. You’ve helped me so much today.”

“So much” amounted to:

Watering flowers in the morning, delivering lunch at noon, and helping pack some flowers.

The lunch was something Aunt Qimeng made herself, yet she kept thanking him.

It wasn’t that they weren’t close.

It was just that Lin Yu had never done these small, everyday things before.

Going from zero to 0.5 made him seem suddenly so much better.

When the full score was a hundred.

“Xiao Yu, you should go rest or hang out with friends.”

“Do you have enough money on you… wait a second—”

With that,

Aunt Qimeng moved to open the drawer for cash.

Seeing this,

Lin Yu gently held her arm:

“I’ve got plenty. Don’t worry about it.”

“And stop thanking me left and right.”

“If you keep this up, I’ll have to spend 24 hours a day just saying ‘thank you’ back to you.”

Chen Qimeng stared at Lin Yu, momentarily dazed.

He’s grown up… It’s not just my imagination…

Xiao Yu really has matured!

No longer annoyed by her, even appreciating her efforts.

For a fleeting moment,

Chen Qimeng forgot all the hardships of life.

As if everything she’d done was worth it.

[Ding!]

[Masterful move, Host. Your display of gratitude has filled the acting sect leader with joy!]

【Reward: 20 Spirit Stones】

Hearing the system's notification, Lin Yu sighed inwardly.

Auntie Chen Qimeng was way too easy to please when it came to him.

Just a couple of words from him, and she was already "overjoyed."

With nothing particularly important to do this afternoon, all he wanted was to spend more time with the "special loved one" he had deeply regretted neglecting in his past life.

"Auntie Chen Qimeng, don’t just ask about me—aren’t you tired?"

"Go sit on the recliner. I’ve learned a new trick—let me try it on you!"