“Miss Liu, don’t take offense at what we’re saying. That’s just how society works—different levels see things differently. You being able to come here today is me, Lin Yue, doing you a favor. Under normal circumstances, someone like you, from out of town, probably wouldn’t even get past the front door.” Lin Yue’s tone still carried that air of superiority.
Gao Min frowned and couldn’t help speaking up: “Yueyue, Liu Yutong is my... friend. She’s just visiting the capital for sightseeing and doesn’t need any help. Thanks for your kindness, though.”
Lin Yue glanced at Gao Min, a flicker of disdain in her eyes, though she kept a fake smile on her lips: “Min Min, I’m only thinking about what’s best for Miss Liu. Think about it—running a small business in Pearl City, when’s she ever going to get ahead? There are so many opportunities in the capital. If she can get to know a few important people, she could strike it rich and make a real name for herself, wouldn’t that be much better than struggling in some small town?”
With that, she deliberately sized up Liu Yutong: “There’s an important guest coming later—a real big shot in the capital. Zhou Heng. You know the Zhou family, right? True aristocracy in the capital, a step above even our Lin family.”
“If you can just get in good with Mr. Zhou, forget about making a name for yourself here—even if you want to open a shop or start a business, one word from him, and the funds and connections will all be arranged for you, plain and simple.”
Her words were extremely blunt, clearly treating Liu Yutong as someone to cling to the powerful or, worse, as a gift.
Liu Yutong thought to herself: The Lin family really is beyond saving. Even the younger generation is already playing matchmaker.
“Miss Lin, are you saying you want me to be a drinking companion?” Liu Yutong asked.
Lin Yue waved dismissively: “Oh, don’t put it so harshly. What do you mean, a drinking companion? It’s just making a friend, getting acquainted. Mr. Zhou is a very nice guy and generous, too. If you stick with him, you’ll have someone to look out for you in the capital.”
Liu Yutong: “And if I don’t want to?”
Lin Yue’s smile stiffened slightly before returning to normal, but her eyes turned colder.
“Miss Liu, you better think this through. This kind of opportunity doesn’t come along often. Do you know how many women line up just for a chance to get close to Mr. Zhou? And he doesn’t even give them a second glance. Today, it’s only out of respect for me that he’s willing to meet you. If you pass this up, you’ll never get a chance like this again for the rest of your life.”
Lin Feng, seeing her unmoved, couldn’t help chiming in: “Miss Liu, my sister really means well. Mr. Zhou is a good guy. Getting to know him can only help you, not hurt. Besides, it’s just a few drinks—it’s not like you’re losing a piece of meat. Why are you being so stubborn?”
Liu Yutong turned to look at Lin Feng.
“What did you just say?”
Lin Feng felt a strange knot in his stomach under her gaze but still forced himself: “I said... isn’t it just a few drinks?”
Liu Yutong: “Mr. Lin, how old are you?”
Lin Feng blinked: “Twenty-three. Why?”
Liu Yutong: “Twenty-three, and still this clueless—that’s quite a feat.”
“Your sister wants me to be a drinking companion, and instead of stopping her, you egg her on. What, is this how the Lin family raises its kids—by pushing guests into a trap?”
Lin Feng’s face flushed red, and he pointed at her: “You...”
Lin Yue slammed the table and stood up: “Liu Yutong, don’t be ungrateful! I went out of my way to take you out and show you a good time, and instead of being thankful, you’re being petty. Who do you think you are? A wild girl from some backwater. I could snap my fingers and make sure you can’t stay in the capital. Believe me?”
Liu Yutong looked up at her, a hint of amusement and defiance in her eyes.
“Oh? Snap your fingers and make me leave the capital? Go ahead, Miss Lin. Show me.”
“You—!”
Just then, Gao Min jumped up too. “Lin Yue, say that again if you dare!”
Her sudden outburst startled everyone in the room.
Lin Yue’s tone softened immediately: “Min Min, don’t get upset. We were just kidding...”
“Joking? Lin Yue, every word you said just now—what part of that sounded like a joke? Making my... best friend be a drinking companion—is that how the Lin family treats its guests? If that’s what high-class manners look like, then we’d better not go back to the Lin family at all!”
Lin Yue’s face changed, and she quickly put on a placating smile: “Min Min, you’ve misunderstood. Really, it’s just a few drinks and making friends...”
“My sister doesn’t drink with strangers, and she doesn’t need to meet any Mr. Zhou or Mr. Wang. This ends here. We’re leaving now.”
Gao Min grabbed Liu Yutong’s arm to pull her up.
“Hey, hey, don’t go!” Lin Yue rushed forward to block them.
She had been so eager to invite them out because she’d had an ulterior motive all along.
Although this Liu Yutong was clueless about etiquette and spoke irritatingly, there was no denying she had a stunning face.
If she could talk her into having a few drinks with Zhou Heng, she might be able to use that connection to get a foot in the door with the Cloud Mountain Circle.
This all went back to her older brother, Lin Shen.
As the eldest grandson of the Lin family, Lin Shen was unwilling to just coast on the family’s fading glory. In other words, he didn’t want to keep living under their third uncle’s thumb. He was determined to start his own business and investments, make a name for himself, and restore the Lin family’s reputation.
Unfortunately, his capital was limited, and he was a marginal figure in the west side of the capital’s social circle. No one was willing to let him in on their games.
For months, Lin Shen had run around, pulled every connection he could to get projects, only to be brushed off or openly humiliated. He couldn’t secure a single decent investment deal.
Just when he was about to give up, he happened to hear about the Cloud Mountain Circle.
The Cloud Mountain Circle was a secret group formed by top-tier wealthy heirs from the central-southern region. They kept a very low profile and rarely interacted with outsiders.
The group’s existence wasn’t unusual—both the capital and places like Magic City had their own circles; it was normal.
What really put the Cloud Mountain Circle on the map was their incredible knack for making money.
