Chapter Fifty-Two: The Family’s Schemes

"That's right, Grandfather, my mother is telling the truth. The glory the Yao family enjoys today is all thanks to those who have poured their hearts and souls into it. Some freeloading pretty boys have no right to share this honor with you!" Yao Xingye followed up on his mother's words, his tone directly targeting Lin Feng. His venomous eyes fixed unwaveringly on Lin Feng.

For as long as he could remember, he had delighted in humiliating Lin Feng. Yet at the last birthday banquet, not only had Lin Feng beaten him soundly, but his mother had been publicly shamed because of him. In the Yao family, he had always held himself above others—how could he possibly tolerate this live-in son-in-law lording over him?

Yao Xingye's words quickly resonated with the rest of the Yao clan, and soon all eyes were on Lin Feng.

Lin Feng remained unconcerned, sipping his wine with serene composure, his thoughts occupied with the source of spiritual energy within the Hualong Villa District.

Old Master Yao, of course, heard the implicit message in his grandson's words. His clouded eyes swept slowly over Lin Feng, his brows knitting together. The scene from that fateful birthday banquet replayed in his mind, and his right hand clenched into a fist. At seventy, dignity sometimes matters more than life itself. Lin Feng had struck him hard in the face that day—especially with the words, "One lacking in virtue is unworthy of such flawless jade." That line was seared into his memory.

"Yes, my eldest daughter-in-law is right. Merit should be rewarded accordingly," Old Master Yao nodded in agreement.

"Master, forgive my bluntness, but I truly believe the third branch doesn't deserve to move into the villa. I hope you'll reconsider," the eldest aunt chimed in at just the right moment.

After a moment's thought, Old Master Yao seized on her suggestion, his verdict swift: "Yes, the third branch will be exempted—otherwise, the others will feel slighted."

"What! Master, how can that be? Qianqian works late into the night every day, and my husband performs his duties with utmost diligence. Why are we unworthy of moving into the villa? If you're angry at Lin Feng, then punish him directly—we're innocent!" Lin Feng's mother-in-law, realizing in an instant that her chance to live in such luxury was slipping away, could not hold back. Her words laid bare the old master's unspoken intentions for all to see.

She turned on Lin Feng, shrieking and flailing at him, grabbing and striking as she cursed, "It's all your fault, you wretch! Lin Feng, you damned scoundrel, your posturing has offended everyone and now you're dragging us down with you! Why don't you just go and die!"

The mother-in-law's hysterics disrupted the entire banquet as she chased after Lin Feng, so much so that her husband could not restrain her.

Yao Qianqian, meanwhile, sat in her chair in a daze. Seven years had passed since she graduated. She had started at the lowest rung of the Yao Group, enduring five arduous years as a lowly saleswoman before finally earning a chance at a leadership role.

During these seven years, she had given her all. As the Yao family's heiress, she even had to endure the indignity of being harassed by clients, all in hopes of achieving something within the family, to make her grandfather view her differently.

But now, all of it was ruined. Seven years of effort meant nothing in her grandfather's eyes—utterly worthless.

And who was the root of all this? Lin Feng.

Because of Lin Feng, she had been suppressed at every turn within the Yao Group; every promotion was a struggle. Because of Lin Feng, the argument at the birthday banquet had angered her grandfather, and now she had to bear the consequences too.

It was too much. This marriage was nothing short of a catastrophe for her life.

Yao Qianqian, her spirit broken, could do nothing but drown her sorrows in wine.

In an instant, Lin Feng and his party became the center of attention, the laughingstock of the entire Yao family—the true jesters of the evening. Not far off, Yao Xingye and his family sipped their wine, watching Lin Feng's humiliation with glee.

Just then, Lin Feng's phone rang. The caller ID showed Wang Jisheng.

Lin Feng answered, and Wang Jisheng's excited voice came through, "I've found it! Master Lin, I've found it! The Millennium Shark Pearl—the top spiritual item on your list—I've found it for you!"

"The Millennium Shark Pearl—it's found!" Lin Feng's mind raced. The pearl was the main material for the Sanqing Spirit Gathering Array. With it, he could set up a simplified version of the array, making future cultivation twice as effective for half the effort.

"Good. Bring the Shark Pearl to me at once. Meet me at Villa One in the Hualong Villa District—I'll be there shortly."

"Absolutely, Master Lin! I'll bring the pearl right away!"

Hanging up, Lin Feng felt a surge of satisfaction. He turned to leave for Villa One.

But just then, Yao Xingye suddenly appeared, blocking his path with a sneer.

"Where do you think you're going, Young Master Lin? The banquet isn't over yet. Planning to leave so soon? The show hasn't even finished—how can the monkey leave before the act is done?"

"Where am I going? Villa One, Hualong Villa District. Why, is that not allowed?"

Lin Feng's brow furrowed. The Millennium Shark Pearl was crucial for his array and future cultivation; Yao Xingye's obstruction was infuriating.

"Well, well, look at you glaring, Young Master Lin! Off to Villa One in the Hualong Villa District? Think I don't know what's going on? You just cozied up to Tang Yunyun, the Tang family's heiress, didn't you? You really think you're something now?"

"Wang Jie told me everything. You were flirting openly with Tang Yunyun at the Tang family auction. You're nothing but a kept pretty boy—Villa One isn't yours, is it? Tang Yunyun lent it to you, right? If you're going to act big, at least use your brain! Idiot!"

Yao Xingye's words sent a jolt through everyone present, and tongues began to wag:

"I knew it! How could a low-level employee afford a house in the Hualong Villa District? Turns out he's just a kept man for a rich heiress!"

"My god, doesn't that make Yao Qianqian a cuckold?"

"More than that! I bet Yao Qianqian got something out of it too—how else could they have hidden it this long?"

The Yao family could hardly bear to see an outsider like Lin Feng living better than them; their words grew ever more spiteful.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Lin Feng. I let it slip that you're someone else's kept man. What will you do now? At Grandfather's birthday banquet, you publicly humiliated him by leveraging the Yao family's heiress. If Grandfather finds out, you're finished!"

Yao Xingye's tone dripped with mockery and malice—he was clearly set on expelling Lin Feng from the Yao family for good.

Even Old Master Yao's gaze grew fierce. To him, Lin Feng had become a thorn in the flesh, someone he longed to destroy to vent his anger.

Striking his cane on the floor, Old Master Yao thundered, "Lin Feng, is what Xingye says true? What do you have to say for yourself?"

A hush fell instantly over the hall; everyone knew that Old Master Yao was about to punish Lin Feng. The boy was surely doomed tonight.

“Heh…” Lin Feng let out a cold laugh, sweeping his gaze over the Yao family before saying lightly, “Yao Xingye, I never wanted to stoop to the level of an insect like you. But since you keep calling me a kept man, why not come with me to Villa One and see for yourself? I was just heading there.”

“Fine! I’m eager to see how long you can keep up this charade!” Yao Xingye sneered, his eyes gleaming with spite and triumph. Inwardly, he gloated, “Ha! Lin Feng, once it’s proven you used Tang Yunyun’s influence to humiliate Grandfather, you’ll never have a place in the Yao family again. After that, you’ll be a rat on the street, reviled by everyone!”