Chapter 3: Damn It! I Crossed the Wrong Man
1217 Words
“Hey, isn’t that the Lin family’s newly brought-back illegitimate daughter?”
“From the countryside, of all places… why’s she even at our gathering?”
“Those parents of hers are so devoted—didn’t expect they’d be hiding a bastard child on the side.”
Whispers and snide remarks had been circling around Lin Shuwan since her arrival, and they didn’t stop.
She didn’t seem to hear them, quietly sitting in the corner, eyes fixed on her glass.
The amber liquid looked even deeper in the dim light, the ice cubes slowly melting in silence.
Tonight’s gathering had been organized by Lin Mucheng and Lin Yuyao, supposedly to introduce her to the social circle.
Originally, Lin Yuyao had been reluctant—no one knew how her mother had persuaded her—but in the end, the party went ahead.
It was meant to present her to the right people, but hardly anyone paid her any attention… except at the very beginning.
Lin Yuyao, all sharp sarcasm and thinly veiled mockery, pointed out that her status wasn’t good enough for this crowd. The looks of the others were a mix of derision and condescension.
A few of the girls grew bolder, voices rising, as if they wanted to point and insult her directly.
Annoying.
Lin Shuwan raised her head, offering only a gentle smile, her gaze calm and serene—yet somehow unnervingly steady.
“If either of you are curious about my background,” she said softly, “I can take you home, and you can ask my elders yourselves.”
The girls immediately fell silent, glancing away, guilty.
Her status might be awkward, but this was the Lin family—they could not afford to offend them.
Finally, the chatter quieted.
Throughout the evening, Lin Yuyao fluttered around like a social butterfly, yet her eyes kept flicking at Lin Shuwan.
Lin Shuwan understood. It was deliberate.
Outsiders entering a tightly-knit circle always inspire a little insecurity. Displaying an unbreakable bond in front of the intruder reassures them of their place.
Lin Shuwan found it mildly amusing—she had never intended to insert herself into their world, nor would she compete for anything.
Still, she could understand the reaction. Her presence was a shock to the Lin family, especially to Lin Yuyao, who had been spoiled and secure in her father’s devotion.
But that anger and unease inside her? Outwardly, it became a razor-sharp tongue that occasionally cut, piercingly so.
The surrounding crowd consisted either of the Lin siblings’ childhood friends or those trying to curry favor. Naturally, they looked down on her.
By the end of the party, Lin Shuwan had endured a full evening of thinly veiled mockery.
“She’s from the countryside, doesn’t know how to behave… we shouldn’t even bother with her.”
“She probably planned to stay here since she was eighteen! Who knows how she tricked my father into actually bringing her back!”
Lin Shuwan lifted her eyes slightly, observing Lin Yuyao continuing to prattle. Lin Mucheng had attempted to intervene a few times, but ultimately indulged his sister.
She spoke all evening, unfazed by parched lips.
Then a man entered through the doorway. Lin Yuyao, like a guided missile, launched herself toward him, eyes narrowing into slits, high cheekbones raised, voice syrupy sweet:
“Yanci-ge, you’re here~”
Lin Shuwan froze, eyes widening.
The man was tall, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, the casual drape of his suit jacket betraying effortless style.
A black shirt tucked into tailored pants, the top two buttons undone, a glimpse of firm chest muscles revealed.
Cold, composed features, exuding an air of lazy nobility.
The man from last night’s bed…
Her first thought: Oh no, a sugar daddy at my doorstep.
Seeing how everyone stood to greet him, plus Lin Yuyao practically throwing herself at him, she revised her thought: No… this is no ordinary sugar daddy.
Then she heard him called “Master Fu,” “Fu Ye,” “Yanci”—Fu Yanci.
Blackness clouded her vision.
She had just slept with the most expensive man in the world.
Even with her limited knowledge, she knew: Fu Yanci was the heir to the Fu family of Hashish.
Ruthless, unpredictable, and in just a few years had led the Fu Industrial Group to become a global industry leader.
More importantly, he was the head of Haishi’s four great families, his father a military commander, his mother a diplomat, and the Fu Group, a state-backed defense enterprise.
No one in Haishi held higher status than him.
And she… had tangled with him. Repeatedly.
Lin Shuwan wanted to die on the spot. She prayed Fu Yanci wouldn’t notice her.
Of course, luck was not on her side. Lin Yuyao launched yet another verbal assault:
“Yanci-ge, you must’ve heard about our family’s little visitor—the stubborn country girl who insisted on coming here!”
Lin Shuwan felt a searing gaze land on her. She raised her eyes slightly—Fu Yanci’s indifferent gaze had already turned away, expression neutral, as if she were insignificant.
Lin Yuyao kept babbling, like a desperate puppy vying for her master’s attention.
Fu Yanci’s voice cut through cold and sharp: “Nobody wants to hear your family scandal.”
Lin Yuyao shut up immediately.
Her mind had been so focused on belittling Lin Shuwan that she forgot this was her own family matter—and she was so proud of it she shared it with everyone.
Scandal or not, in everyone’s eyes, Lin Shuwan was the weakest link.
He Yunzhuo stepped in to smooth things over. “Young master, you’re finally here. I was waiting to play cards with you!”
Fu Yanci: “It’s easier if you just hand me the money.”
“Ha! I’ve been on a lucky streak—won’t lose to you again!”
The three of them—Fu Yanci, He Yunzhuo, and Lin Mucheng—shared a privileged history, knowing each other since youth.
Card games were their exclusive domain; if they didn’t invite someone, no other rich kids dared join.
“Brother, I’ll play a few rounds for you!” Lin Yuyao snatched Lin Mucheng’s spot, eyes constantly flicking toward Fu Yanci.
The waiter moved to pick up the cards, but Lin Yuyao stopped him.
“No need. We have someone idle here, Lin Shuwan—”
“There’s a waiter; let them do it,” He Yunzhuo frowned.
Slow as he was, even he could sense Lin Yuyao’s targeting of Lin Shuwan all night.
They’d grown up together; he sided with Lin Yuyao. But dealing cards was menial work—usually left to the staff or someone of lower status.
Even if Lin Shuwan’s status was awkward, she was still a Lin family heiress. This was excessive.
“Yuyao!” Lin Mucheng also intervened, but it only fueled her rebellious streak. She lowered her gaze at him, pouting:
“Brother~”
Lin Mucheng gave up.
Fu Yanci swirled his glass lazily, appearing disinterested in everything. His gaze lingered on the amber liquid, seeing a shadowy reflection within.
The waiter, unsure what to do, hesitated.
Lin Shuwan took the cards from him, her long, elegant fingers shuffling with ease, her expression calm.
“I’ll do it.”
- Writer
