Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Invitation

Shuiyue Community, Unit Three, in front of Door Sixteen.

Lin Feng unlocked the security door, set the invitation letter he held down on the shoe rack, changed into slippers, and walked into the living room.

At that moment, the living room exuded a peaceful atmosphere. His mother-in-law, carrying an exquisite LV designer bag, was striking various poses in front of the full-length mirror, snapping selfies to post on her social media. His father-in-law sat on the sofa, caressing a jade inkstone with an intoxicated expression, murmuring endless praise.

Meanwhile, Wang Jie and Yao Qianqian sat facing each other by the coffee table, enjoying tea and conversation, clearly at ease with one another.

It seemed they, not Lin Feng, were the real family, while he was nothing more than an insignificant outsider.

"Lin Feng, you’re back? Come, take a look at this! It’s a Ming dynasty white jade inkstone Wang Jie gave me. Look at the patina, the texture of the jade. I estimate it’s worth at least half a million!" his father-in-law enthused, his love for antiques evident as he showed off the inkstone.

"Uncle, as long as you like it. Though this inkstone is only worth eight hundred thousand, for a miscellaneous collectible, its condition and age are ideal—it’s worth adding to your collection," Wang Jie replied graciously.

"Eight hundred thousand! That’s not just worth collecting; it’s priceless!" The price made his father-in-law even more excited, stroking the inkstone as if it were his own child.

The instant his mother-in-law saw Lin Feng, her smile vanished, replaced by a sour expression as she sneered, "Wang Jie is just Qianqian’s college senior, yet when he visits, he knows to bring a gift. Some people, however, have been a son-in-law for three years and haven’t brought a single thing—just leeching off us at home."

"Lin Feng, look at him. CEO of a startup, worth millions. And you? Just a poor nobody, still a junior employee. Seriously, how do you have the face to stay in this house, or to expect Qianqian to call you her husband?"

Her triangular eyes glared in open disdain.

After lambasting Lin Feng, she turned to Wang Jie with a beaming smile, her voice honeyed, "Wang Jie, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight? I’ll make my specialty dishes to treat you well."

"Auntie, thank you! Qianqian told me your skills surpass those of a hotel chef. I’ve been wanting to taste your cooking!"

"My, what a sweet talker. All right, Auntie will cook right now. You and Qianqian chat a bit; it’ll be ready soon," she said, swinging her LV bag with pride, shooting Lin Feng a parting glare—a master at changing faces.

Lin Feng, that’s my college senior, Wang Jie. He looked after me a lot back then and now he’s the CEO of Binhai Zhisheng Technology. We ran into each other by chance today, so I invited him over. Wang Jie, this is my husband, Lin Feng," Yao Qianqian introduced quickly, sensing the awkwardness.

"So, you’re the famous son-in-law of the Yao family. People say a real man would never be a live-in son-in-law. Must've been tough for you, looking after Qianqian all these years," Wang Jie remarked with a sigh, as if he were the true husband and Lin Feng had merely been keeping the seat warm.

Lin Feng shot him a cold glance, his tone even and indifferent: "No need to thank me. After all, President Wang, you’re a busy man—too busy lending money at usurious rates and driving people to desperation. Aren’t you afraid of vengeful souls coming for you at night?"

Wang Jie’s heart skipped, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Lin Feng, his gaze sharp enough to kill.

How does he know about this? Is there a leak inside the company? Young Master Long was right—this man must be eliminated!

Before Wang Jie could retort, Yao Qianqian spoke first, her face stern. "Lin Feng, what do you mean by that? I used to think, however cowardly you were, at least you acted with some dignity. Now you’re jealous because my senior is more successful, so you curse him to his face? That’s just too much!"

Wang Jie smirked, crossing his legs with arrogant ease, mouthing silently to Lin Feng: "See? You’re just a useless, good-for-nothing son-in-law. What do you have to compete with me?"

Lin Feng read his lips but had no intention of arguing with such a contemptible worm.

Instead, he turned to his wife, his voice calm: "Yao Qianqian, so this is how you see me? Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. I no longer care."

"Lin Feng, you—" she stammered.

He shrugged nonchalantly, turned, and sat on the sofa, picking up a cup of tea and taking a sip.

...

"Wang Jie, dinner’s ready! Come, Auntie made her best dishes for you to try!"

"Thank you, Auntie!" Wang Jie replied, rising and heading to the dining room. As he passed the shoe rack, he caught sight of an exquisite red-and-gold invitation letter lying quietly there.

Curious, he picked it up and examined it, and his heart nearly stopped.

Isn’t this a Tang Family Auction invitation? How did it end up here? And it’s for the inner circle—only people worth at least ten billion get invited to that private event!

As Wang Jie stood there in shock, the father-in-law noticed the invitation in his hand and exclaimed, "Isn’t that a Tang Family Auction invitation? Wang Jie, is this a gift for me?"

News of the Tang Family’s high-level auction had already spread throughout the collector’s circle. It was said that all of Binhai’s top movers and shakers would attend—only the extremely wealthy or powerful could get in.

Collectors had been flaunting their invitations for days. The father-in-law had been yearning for one, convinced he would never get the chance.

Who could’ve guessed the invitation would fall into his lap?

"Uh... Uncle, this invitation is indeed my gift to you," Wang Jie said after a brief hesitation, gritting his teeth as he handed it over.

This was an inner circle invitation—far more exclusive than the public auction. Only the true elites transacted in the inner circle; not even Young Master Long had qualified for one.

Wang Jie’s heart ached as he surrendered it.

"Hahaha! Wang Jie, you really are thoughtful. Old Wang, see? You’re not the only one who can show off. An invitation? I have one too!" he crowed.

"Wife, come see—Wang Jie really is resourceful! He got me a Tang Family Auction invitation!" he boasted to his wife, snapping photos to post on social media, drawing a flood of likes and comments.

"I knew it! Wang Jie is a big shot worth millions. How could the Tang Family not invite him? Not like someone who wasted a life-saving favor and got nothing in return," his mother-in-law fawned over Wang Jie, not missing a chance to take a swipe at Lin Feng.

"Auntie, you flatter me. It’s just an invitation—a mere trifle for someone like me," Wang Jie replied, straightening with self-importance.

"Wang Jie, thank you so much. My father’s been dreaming of attending the Tang Family Auction, and now his wish has finally come true. Cheers to you!" Yao Qianqian beamed, raising a glass of red wine.

Wang Jie watched her radiant smile and beauty, his heart fluttering as he toasted her in return.

For a moment, the four of them seemed a happy family, basking in harmony—everyone except Lin Feng, who seemed utterly out of place, the odd man out.

Yet just then, Lin Feng stood up, glanced at the invitation in his father-in-law’s hand, and said calmly, "Excuse me, but that invitation is mine."

Instantly, silence fell over the dining room. Everyone stared at Lin Feng, their faces twisted in ridicule.