Chapter Thirty-Five: Your Reputation Precedes You

Lin Meimei immediately chimed in with deep agreement, saying, “That Lin Yuxin is nothing but a hypocrite, pretending to be so pure—like some kind of white lotus. The more seriously you take her, the more she puts on that act. Lin Yufei isn’t just cheap, she’s got honeyed words too—ten out of every eleven things she says are lies. Sooner or later, someone’s going to cut out her tongue.”

Chen Feiyang frowned slightly. Lin Yuxin was the woman he desperately wanted, and hearing Lin Meimei insult her made him quite uncomfortable.

Lin Huihuang was far shrewder than the empty-headed Lin Meimei. Noticing Chen Feiyang’s displeasure, he immediately realized Lin Meimei had spoken out of turn. Eager to please, he lowered his voice and said, “Young Master Chen, let me tell you a secret. Actually, Yuxin and her useless husband have slept in separate beds for their entire two-year marriage. This came straight from Yuxin’s mother—it’s absolutely true.”

Chen Feiyang glanced at him, his frown fading and his expression relaxing. This was precisely why he’d been pursuing Lin Yuxin with gentlemanly restraint for half a year now. The information matched what he’d heard from Lin Meimei and his own judgment: Lin Yuxin was almost certainly still a virgin.

In a city awash with desire, a beautiful woman who kept herself untouched was as rare as a giant panda—like a lotus emerging unsullied from the mud. For a man of status, taste, and higher aspirations, conquering such a woman with his own charm and winning her willing affection was far more rewarding and satisfying than simply taking her by force.

Unfortunately, Lin Yuxin had rebuffed him time and again, wearing away his patience bit by bit. Until the time she’d agreed to pose as his girlfriend for a visit to the Liu family, he’d thought it would be a turning point in their relationship. It was like those online stories where fake relationships always become real. But cruel reality had shattered his hopes.

Within a week, he’d invited Lin Yuxin to dinner three times. She’d refused him three times. The third time, she even used her useless husband as an excuse over the phone.

It was that third rejection that truly wounded Chen Feiyang’s proud heart, making him feel humiliated and foolish. His anger rose, and his last bit of patience vanished completely.

“You don’t need to worry about Lin Yuxin,” Chen Feiyang said. “Just help me push Lin Yufei into the trap. I’ll prepare the pit; all you need to do is lure her to the edge and give her a push. The details…”

He paused for a moment, then outlined his plan. In the end, he added calmly, “When it’s done, besides the fifty thousand in business I promised each of your companies, I’ll personally give you each two hundred thousand more.”

Lin Huihuang and Lin Meimei exchanged glances, seeing the greed in each other’s eyes. They hesitated only a moment before Lin Meimei giggled, “Feiyang, don’t worry. I’ve disliked that little tramp for ages. Leave it to me—I’ll get it done.”

Lin Huihuang quickly echoed, “No problem for me, either.”

Chen Feiyang nodded in satisfaction and raised his glass to the two of them.

...

Wednesday.

Hong Chen spent the afternoon loitering in an internet café until four, then drove his old Santana to pick Lin Yuxin up from work at Linfeng Trading.

At precisely five o’clock, Lin Yuxin emerged from the office building. Today, she wasn’t dressed in her usual business attire. Instead, she wore a pale lavender dress, her hair swept up into a neat bun, a light dusting of makeup on her cheeks, and a pale gold shoulder bag in her hand. Though she hadn’t gone for elaborate styling, she looked especially fresh and spirited, less businesslike and more elegantly refined.

“Where to?” Lin Yuxin asked as she settled into the passenger seat. Hong Chen glanced at her clothes with surprise. “Isn’t it supposed to be a business event tonight?”

“When did I ever say it was a business event?” Lin Yuxin replied, pulling out her phone. “Today is Chen Feiyang’s birthday. He was my high school classmate, and he organized a class reunion under the pretense of a birthday party. I’ve been so busy lately, I hadn’t planned to go, but my best friend from high school just got back from abroad two days ago—she’s only here for three days and leaves tomorrow night. It’s been over three years since I’ve seen her, so tonight’s a rare chance to catch up.”

Hearing this, Hong Chen smacked his forehead in regret. “If you’d said it was a private gathering, I wouldn’t have dressed so formally. Now I feel all uncomfortable.”

Lin Yuxin shot him a dramatic eye-roll. His jeans were faded from washing, his casual blazer was pilling at the collar—this was formal? If it really were a business event, would I dare bring you dressed like this?

“Lin Xin Road, Paradise Club—I’ve got the navigation set up. I’m going to rest a bit. Wake me when we arrive.” Without further comment, Lin Yuxin placed her phone on the stand, reclined in her seat, and closed her eyes to rest.

...

Rush-hour traffic was heavy, stretching the half-hour drive to forty-five minutes. Still, Hong Chen drove steadily, and Lin Yuxin slept soundly.

After parking in the plaza outside the club, Hong Chen gently woke her.

“Yuxin.” After getting out, the two of them walked toward the club entrance. Suddenly, a delighted shout rang out from the lobby. A tall, voluptuous woman with flowing waves of hair hurried toward them.

She wore a vibrant gown, her round face bright with lip gloss and eye shadow, a chicken-heart crystal pendant at her throat—a clear sign she’d dressed with care. Even if she wasn’t quite as naturally stunning as Lin Yuxin, she’d easily score at least eighty-five out of a hundred.

“Keren!” Lin Yuxin’s smile burst forth, radiant and sincere—a fleeting beauty like an ephemeral blossom. She didn’t refuse the other woman’s outstretched arms, and the two friends embraced warmly.

Lu Keren had sat behind Lin Yuxin in high school—their friendship had always been close.

After Lu Keren, five men and two women came out from the lobby. They were all high school classmates—each well-dressed and seemingly successful.

It was no surprise. Qingshi First High was the city’s top school. Anyone admitted had either top grades or a wealthy background. Most went on to elite universities or studied abroad, starting their careers with a significant advantage. Those who’d faded into mediocrity probably wouldn’t show up, or hadn’t been invited at all.

Standing out among them was Chen Feiyang, clad in a custom white suit, strikingly handsome, hair meticulously styled. He stood ramrod straight, radiating confidence, with a charming smile that made one instinctively think of a prince from a fairy tale.

Lin Yuxin and Lu Keren had barely exchanged a few words when someone else cut in. The group clustered around Lin Yuxin, exchanging friendly greetings—there was no need for formality among old classmates, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Whether by accident or design, everyone seemed to overlook the man standing quietly at Lin Yuxin’s side. At last, Lu Keren’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Hong Chen with a smile. “Yuxin, who’s this?”

“My husband, Hong Chen,” Lin Yuxin introduced.

She’d mentioned beforehand that her husband would be coming, so no one was surprised. A fair-skinned young man stepped forward and offered his hand. “Mr. Hong, I’ve heard so much about you.”

His name was Li Chen. He wore a genial smile, but Hong Chen caught a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Heard so much about you. Indeed, Lin Yuxin was famed as the city’s most beautiful businesswoman; her name was well known in social circles. As her husband, Hong Chen naturally drew some attention—though in his case, it was as a notorious good-for-nothing.

Hong Chen shook his hand, smiling. “A pleasure, truly.”

Next, a tall man named Shi Jie came forward to shake hands, the corners of his mouth curving with amusement. “Mr. Hong, your reputation precedes you. It's an honor.”

His tone was exaggerated, as if he were truly meeting some long-admired celebrity.

Third was a round-faced woman named Liu Qian, who was far less restrained. Scorn shone openly in her eyes as she extended a delicate hand, sneering, “So our school’s most beautiful flower found her ideal match. Hong Chen, you’re certainly famous among our classmates.”

Lin Yuxin was no fool; she could tell that Li Chen and Shi Jie were mocking Hong Chen, albeit subtly. But Liu Qian’s ridicule was almost overt—she wasn’t going to stand by in silence any longer.

With a cool tone, she said, “My husband and I aren’t anyone special. We’re all classmates here—‘your reputation precedes you’ is just too formal and only makes things awkward.”