As for Lin Li, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
Lin Xuan hadn’t exposed him—it seemed Lin Xuan still didn’t know he was the real Jiang family descendant.
For now, he was safe.
Old Master Su returned from the restroom.
"Master, your son-in-law was just here," the butler reported to him.
"Where is he now?" Old Master Su asked eagerly.
He quite enjoyed chatting with Xuan.
But Hua had been monopolizing him lately, even restricting access to the night garden, claiming she wanted to spend time alone with Xuan.
Ah.
His granddaughter—who knew where she got her temperament from? She was even jealous of an old man like him.
The butler replied, "He said he was going for a walk, probably outside the hotel."
Old Master Su nodded. "Then we’ll talk when he returns."
Lin Li also spotted Old Master Su and realized he had attended the banquet as well.
His recently eased tension surged back.
Old Master Su was Su Hua’s grandfather. Earlier, he hadn’t revealed Lin Xuan’s identity to everyone.
Now that Lin Xuan was here, would he introduce him publicly?
Lin Xuan was both a member of Tianmu Group and Su Hua’s boyfriend.
He would undoubtedly be the center of attention.
Lin Li, the supposed star of this family recognition banquet, would be overshadowed.
He didn’t want people to know about Su Hua and Lin Xuan’s relationship. Once their identities were exposed, even if they broke up later, Lin Xuan would still reap countless benefits just by being Su Hua’s boyfriend now!
Lin Li’s palms grew clammy with sweat, his anxiety mounting.
The hotel was vast, surrounded by gardens and a swimming pool.
Lin Xuan wandered aimlessly through the garden.
A bodyguard assigned to protect him discreetly contacted Su Hua. "President Su, Young Master Lin has left the banquet and is now in the garden."
"Good. Understood."
Su Hua’s lips curled slightly.
She had been waiting in the car the entire time since Lin Xuan entered the banquet hall.
After receiving the report, she stepped out, her striking appearance immediately drawing the eyes of passersby.
Dressed in a white qipao embroidered with red plum blossoms—elegant and alluring—the perfectly tailored dress accentuated her captivating figure.
Onlookers couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.
"Who is she? She’s stunning."
"I don’t think I’ve seen her before, but with that aura, she’s definitely not ordinary."
"Looks-wise, I can’t imagine anyone matching her except Lin Xuan..."
"Hearing you say that, they’d make such a perfect pair. I wonder if they’ll end up together?"
Su Hua’s crimson lips curved further at their words.
She loved it when people said she and Xuan were a perfect match.
Her fingers tapped lightly on her phone screen.
[Is anyone with Xuan right now?]
She messaged the bodyguard.
The reply came swiftly: [Yes, Butler Wang is accompanying him.]
Su Hua: [Got it.]
In the garden, Butler Wang asked curiously, "Young Master Lin, when do you plan to expose Lin Li’s identity?"
Lin Xuan replied, "Let’s wait a little longer. It’ll be more fun to crush his hopes just when he thinks he’s about to succeed, don’t you think?"
"Excellent, excellent!" Butler Wang chuckled gleefully. "Then I’ll just sit back and enjoy the show, Young Master Lin."
In his half-century of life, he’d never witnessed such drama firsthand.
But in just over a year of serving Lin Xuan, he’d already seen three major scandals unfold. Truly remarkable.
Just then, Butler Wang received a message.
Glancing at his phone, he saw it was from Su Hua:
[Find an excuse to leave Xuan’s side. I want to be alone with him.]
A knowing smile flickered in Butler Wang’s eyes.
The young miss really was inseparable from Young Master Lin.
She couldn’t even bear to stay apart for a short while.
He replied with a simple "Yes" and put his phone away.
"Young Master Lin, my stomach suddenly feels a bit off. I’ll excuse myself to the restroom," Butler Wang said, fabricating an excuse.
"Alright."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"Take your time, Young Master Lin," Butler Wang said with a grin before leaving.
Watching Butler Wang’s retreating figure, Lin Xuan frowned.
Something about that smile felt... off.
Not long after Butler Wang left, Lin Xuan continued strolling alone through the garden.
These banquets were essentially networking events—business tycoons exchanging pleasantries and currying favor with those above them.
Lin Xuan disliked the atmosphere.
If not for the chance to humiliate Lin Li and enjoy the spectacle, he wouldn’t have attended this so-called recognition banquet.
Lin Xuan’s guard around Su Hua wasn’t particularly high, and her footsteps were light. He remained oblivious as she approached—until a warm, soft body embraced him from behind.
Instinctively, he moved to push her away.
But the moment his hands touched hers, he stopped.
That touch—it was Hua’s.
"Xuan." Su Hua’s voice, thick with affection, reached his ears from behind.
"Hua, why are you here?" Lin Xuan asked, frowning.
"I missed you, so I came."
After a long pause, Su Hua fell silent.
Lin Xuan sensed her unease. "Hua, what’s wrong?" he asked gently.
"Are you planning to expose Lin Li as a fake Jiang family descendant?" Her voice carried suppressed tension.
"Yes," Lin Xuan admitted.
"How did you know?"
He’d only told her about attending the banquet, not his specific plans.
He’d intended to explain everything after resolving the matter.
"Have you done it yet?" Su Hua pressed.
"Not yet. I was going to do it soon," Lin Xuan answered honestly.
"Is there a problem with that?"
Su Hua pressed her lips together.
She just didn’t want the Jiang family to know Xuan’s true identity.
She had always envied the Lin family and Qin Ruoyao for receiving Xuan’s love.
Now, after finally gaining his undivided affection, the Jiang family had appeared.
And they seemed to like Xuan—especially Jiang Yutong. If she learned Xuan was her cousin, she’d be overjoyed.
They wouldn’t treat Xuan poorly like the Lin family had. Instead, they’d dote on him.
They would try to take him from her.
She wanted Xuan’s heart to belong entirely to her. She refused to share his love with anyone else—not even their future children...
(Author’s note: The water’s been cut off for a day, and with no elevator, I had to flee my 10th-floor apartment. Staying at a hotel is draining my already thin wallet. T_T
Thanks to the desert ants of Hengshan and other lovely readers for the gifts!
Goodnight, everyone~)
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
shall grant"] ["Inscribing the glory of our race upon tombstones"] ["All that is threatened, I shall protect"] How his younger sister sees her brother: A brother who only makes eye contact once a day, mostly fading into the background as he tinkers with who-knows-what in his room all day. Their life paths should have remained largely separate. Until one day. Su Qi created an equipment card for his never-met "online girlfriend." His sister fell into silent contemplation upon receiving the "white stockings." [Card can be upgraded] [Upgrade by fulfilling any of the following conditions] [Condition ①: Consume one hundred higher-tier cards] [Condition ②: Complete one 'Heart-Pounding Adventure'] What constitutes a Heart-Pounding Adventure? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Beginner Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to admire it.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Easy Level): Equip the card, invite 'Su Qi' to touch it, and analyze the equipment's texture.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Entry Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to...] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Challenge Level): Freely combine the words 'Brother' 'Out' 'Brother' 'Me' 'Please' into a complete sentence...] "Please help me analyze both teams' mistakes in this match, brother..." His sister exhaled in relief—surely... surely there couldn't be anything more difficult? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Suicide Mission Level): Sneak a peek at the names of the galgames in 'Su Qi's' hidden E-drive folder]
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!