Two days later, at the Imperial Capital International Airport.
As Liu Yutong stepped off the aerobridge, a warm breeze swept toward her, gently lifting the stray hairs on her forehead.
She had deliberately chosen a light apricot-colored cotton and linen dress today, the hem falling just above her knees, revealing a section of fair and slender calves. A thin belt in the same shade cinched her waist, accentuating her delicate figure, and she wore a pair of white canvas shoes.
Her makeup was minimal—just a touch of clear lip gloss and a faint hint of blush. She looked fresh and understated.
But her face was simply too beautiful.
So beautiful that it was hard to look away.
Her beauty was like a gardenia flower damp with morning dew.
Beside her, Gao Min was dressed in a light blue cotton shirt, sleeves casually rolled to her elbows, revealing toned forearms. She paired it with a slim-fit pair of dark blue jeans, her shoulder-length hair tucked behind her ears, radiating a sharp, confident air.
Standing together, the two of them looked like a pair of enviable sisters.
“Miss, the Lin family’s welcoming party has arrived at the airport.”
“Quite a few people. Besides Lin Feng, there are several young men and women—looks like the younger generation of the Lin family. They seem to have come specifically to… see Miss Gao.” Yun Cheng had left the terminal early and reported the situation by phone.
Hearing this, a playful smile curled at the corner of Liu Yutong’s mouth.
“Come to see my sister? That’s fine. Let me take a good look at these children of the Imperial Capital’s noble families and see what they’re really made of.”
Gao Min looked a little worried. “Sis, you’d better…”
“Don’t worry. Although I’m playing your best friend today, here to broaden my horizons with you, if they try any tricks in front of me, they’re not up to par.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
Gao Min opened her mouth, but what she really wanted to say was: I’m not worried about you, sis—I’m worried about them.
Having spent so long in Pearl City, she knew her younger sister’s capabilities too well.
If those arrogant young masters from noble families thought Liu Yutong was just some naive country girl to be bullied, they wouldn’t even know how they died.
She just wanted to remind her sister not to go too far.
“Let’s go.”
They headed toward the exit.
From afar, Liu Yutong spotted the group waiting at the arrival gate.
Lin Feng stood at the front, wearing a white T-shirt under a light gray thin jacket. His hair was neatly styled, giving him a slightly handsome look.
Behind him stood four young men and women—three men and one woman, all dressed in stylish clothes with haughty expressions, whispering among themselves and occasionally glancing toward the arrivals area.
“Lin Feng!”
Gao Min raised her hand first.
Lin Feng hurried over. “Sister Min, Tongtong, you’re here. Uh… my parents asked me to pick you up, and I brought a few cousins along. They said… they wanted to get to know you both.”
Liu Yutong looked at him with an amused smile. “Get to know us? Or are they here to see what we look like?”
Lin Feng: “…”
He opened his mouth, trying to explain, but didn’t know what to say.
Because Liu Yutong was right.
This morning, those Lin family members had insisted on coming to pick them up. Fourth Aunt Wang Jiangyao said something about “since she’s Jiang Lu’s daughter, we Lin family members need to show sincerity,” but in the end, she didn’t come herself and instead sent all the younger generation.
She even told them specifically: “Take a good look and see just what kind of goods that girl really is.”
Lin Feng had wanted to curse right then.
What kind of goods?
She was the descendant of a martyr and a first-level police superintendent—a hundred times better than these useless partygoers!
But he couldn’t say that out loud.
After all, they were his elders, and he didn’t want to create an awkward situation right from the start.
“Let’s go. Don’t just stand here.” Liu Yutong walked straight ahead.
When those four saw Liu Yutong, their expressions shifted.
Especially the three young men. Their gazes lingered on Liu Yutong for several seconds, undisguised admiration flickering in their eyes.
This girl… was she really that beautiful?
Her outfit looked ordinary, not any famous brand, but her face and her aura were simply unmatched.
Even at the Imperial Capital Film Academy, where beauties were everywhere, it would be hard to find a girl with such an ethereal temperament.
Lin Feng unconsciously swallowed, his eyes slightly dazed.
The eldest, Lin Shen, quickly withdrew his gaze, pushed up his glasses, and put on a warm smile.
As for Lin Yue, the moment she saw Liu Yutong, a hint of hostility rose in her—this girl was stealing the spotlight a bit too much.
But seeing her simple outfit, Lin Yue figured her whole look probably cost less than a thousand yuan.
A country bumpkin.
That’s what she thought, but her face bloomed with an enthusiastic smile as she quickly stepped up and naturally took Gao Min’s arm.
“Sister Min, right? I’m Lin Yue. We’re about the same age, just call me Yueyue!”
“I’ve been so excited since I heard you were coming. You must have had a tiring journey, right? It’s been a bit hot in the Imperial Capital these past two days. How about I take you shopping for some cooler clothes later? I know a few stores at the International Trade Center that would really suit you…”
She chattered on without stopping, her warmth as if they were long-lost sisters.
But her eyes secretly scanned Gao Min’s clothes, and when she saw she was also wearing ordinary street-market stuff, a barely noticeable sneer flickered in her gaze.
Gao Min, uncomfortable with such excessive enthusiasm, declined. “Thanks, but no need. I brought a few changes of clothes.”
“Sister Min, we’re all family now, why be so polite with me?”
Then Lin Yue pointed at Liu Yutong. “Oh, and who’s this?”
Up close, the girl was even more beautiful.
Too beautiful.
An inexplicable discomfort welled up in Lin Yue’s heart.
She had grown up as the jewel of this generation in the Lin family. Pretty enough, she was always the center of attention wherever she went.
But now, with this girl standing there, everyone’s eyes turned to her.
Why should they?
Some country girl from who knows where—what right did she have to steal her spotlight?
“She’s my… well, my best friend. She happened to be coming to the Imperial Capital for fun, so I asked her to keep me company for a few days,” Gao Min explained.
Though a bit jealous of Liu Yutong’s looks, Lin Yue still extended a hand with a bright smile. “Welcome, welcome! Since you’re Sister Min’s friend, you’re a friend of the Lin family too! Later, let’s hang out together—my treat! First time in the Imperial Capital, right? You’ve got to have some fun!”
Liu Yutong shook her hand, her tone neither warm nor cold. “Liu Yutong.”
The other three also gathered around.
Lin Shen introduced himself first, maintaining a proper demeanor. “Xiao Min, I’m Lin Shen, your eldest cousin. My father is your second uncle. We’ve heard you were coming, and it’s great to finally meet you. You must have had a tiring journey.”
“Hello, Brother Lin Shen,” Gao Min replied politely.
Lin Shen gave Liu Yutong a brief nod as a form of greeting, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment before looking away.
Lin Feng kept his hands in his pockets, all nonchalant and cocky, his eyes constantly drifting toward Liu Yutong, a smirk playing at his lips as if he thought he looked charming.
“Hey there, beauty. I’m Lin Feng,” he said.
Liu Yutong took one look at his slick, borderline aggressive attitude and decided to ignore him.
Lin Feng’s smile faltered, a flicker of awkwardness and irritation flashing in his eyes.
The last boy stepped forward. He looked the youngest—maybe eighteen or nineteen—his face still carrying a hint of innocence, his eyes clear and honest.
“Hi, Sister Min… I’m Lin Mian.”
He greeted her a bit shyly, then glanced quickly at Liu Yutong and whispered, “Hello, miss.”
His voice was soft, a touch embarrassed.
Liu Yutong’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment longer before she nodded at him.
This kid was a bit interesting, much more pleasant than the others.
After Gao Min exchanged all the polite formalities with them, she walked back toward the car.
“Come on, come on! The car’s waiting outside!”
Lin Yue immediately latched onto Gao Min’s arm, bubbling with enthusiasm.
“Sister Min Min, let me tell you, there are so many fun places in the capital! Wangfujing, Sanlitun, Houhai… and that new shopping mall. In the next few days, I’ll take you out to see the sights, show you what real metropolitan life is all about…”
She paused, then threw a pointed glance at Liu Yutong. “And this best friend of yours, she’s coming too. First time in the capital, right? She’s got to open her eyes wide and soak it in—wouldn’t want her going back without seeing anything.”
Liu Yutong gave a faint smile. “Sure, thanks for the trouble.”
That calm smile unsettled Lin Yue more than she’d like to admit.
What was up with this small-town girl? No reaction at all?
By all rights, a first-time visitor to the capital like her should be thrilled to be greeted so warmly by the Lin family. Shouldn’t she be overwhelmed?
But this girl’s face showed nothing.
Fine. Maybe she hadn’t cottoned on yet, or maybe she was just pretending to be cool.
Once they reached those places, there’d be plenty of chances to open her eyes.
