Chapter 51: The Yao Family Residence

After the turmoil at the White Cloud Pavilion, Lin Feng continued both his work and cultivation. During this time, he refined over a dozen jade talismans for Wang Jisheng to auction. Over the next ten days, Wang Jisheng’s Spiritual Treasure Auction flourished, not only drawing the wealthy elites of Binhai City but also attracting magnates from surrounding cities and counties such as Chuzhou and Tianhai, all flocking eagerly to attend.

Among all the treasures, the defensive and longevity-extending jade talismans sold best, with the highest price even reaching five hundred million yuan. As for the creator of these treasures, Wang Jisheng remained evasive before the assembled tycoons, only revealing that the craftsman was “Master Lin,” and refusing to disclose even a single word more about his true identity.

Thus, from the “Master Lin” who made his name at the Treasure Duel Conference to the “Master Lin” who crafted the spiritual treasures, rumors abounded. Both bore the surname Lin, both resided in Binhai—could there be a connection between the two? Speculation about this mysterious figure’s identity spread like wildfire throughout Binhai and the neighboring regions, with all manner of theories swirling in the air. Even street vendors had heard the talk, aware that a great man surnamed Lin had emerged in Binhai City.

—

That day, as Lin Feng returned home from work, he found his parents-in-law and Yao Qianqian all dressed up, as if ready to attend some grand event.

“Lin Feng, why are you only just getting back? Don’t you know the Yao family is moving into their new residence today? The Old Master and the entire family are gathering at the new manor in Hualong Villa District!”

“I never imagined that, after so many years, the Yao family would finally have the means to buy a place in Hualong Villa District. At last, we’ve made it into Binhai’s upper-class circles!”

His parents-in-law were overjoyed. For them, the new family manor meant the possibility of finally leaving behind their old apartment in Shuiyue and moving into the grand villa. His mother-in-law, especially, was in high spirits—wearing a newly bought luxurious coat and proudly carrying the designer handbag Wang Jie had given her.

The larger the family, the greater the rivalry and hidden strife among the women. As the least favored of the three wives, Lin Feng’s mother-in-law often found herself at a disadvantage in these struggles, frequently ridiculed by the others. Now, with a rare chance to move into a grand home and change her fortunes, she spared no effort to dress up.

Lin Feng himself was indifferent to all this. However, it suddenly occurred to him that Old Tang had also given him a villa, apparently located in Hualong Villa District, which he had yet to visit. Today seemed as good a time as any to take a look.

So, Lin Feng took the keys Old Tang had given him and, together with Yao Qianqian and his parents-in-law, set off for Hualong Villa District. When their taxi reached the entrance, security stopped them—taxis weren’t allowed inside. The four had no choice but to get out and walk.

As they walked, Lin Feng’s mother-in-law grumbled, “If you hadn’t lent your Lamborghini to a colleague, Lin Feng, would we be suffering like this now? You just lend out such a valuable thing on a whim—are you careless, or just out of your mind?”

Lin Feng ignored her complaints. What truly caught his attention was a faint ripple of spiritual energy—a remarkably pure water-element aura. In this end-of-dharma age, Earth had long been depleted of spiritual energy, so this abundance was highly unusual, causing Lin Feng to frown slightly. He looked around, trying to sense the source of the aura.

But to his mother-in-law, Lin Feng’s behavior was an eyesore. She raised an eyebrow, crossed her arms, and sneered sarcastically, “Lin Feng, have you never seen such an upscale neighborhood before? Do you know the price per square meter here is over a million? The annual property management fee alone could buy you another rundown apartment in Shuiyue!”

“Can you stop acting like a country bumpkin who’s just arrived in the city? It’s embarrassing! Soon you’ll make a fool of yourself in front of your sisters-in-law again, and we’ll all end up being looked down on because of you.”

Frustrated, she tugged at Lin Feng, trying to keep him from wandering about. By coincidence, this scene was witnessed by his elder aunt and her family, who had just arrived.

With a few loud beeps, their BMW A6 stopped in front of them, the window rolled down, and the heavily made-up elder aunt leaned out, eyes blazing at Lin Feng—clearly still smarting from the humiliation at the recent birthday banquet.

“Well, well, who do we have here? I thought someone was out walking their dog, but it’s just you, little sister-in-law, out taking your man for a stroll! Never mind, Lin Feng is young, his family’s bankrupt, and he’s never seen a place as grand as this—it’s understandable.”

“Just make sure you keep a tight hold on that leash. If Lin Feng runs off and upsets the property management, you’ll be the ones in trouble!”

With a smirk, she drove off, leaving Lin Feng’s mother-in-law fuming.

“It’s all your fault! I warned you a thousand times to be careful and not embarrass us, and now you’ve given your sister-in-law another excuse to humiliate us! Why don’t you just drop dead, Lin Feng?”

“I’m so angry I could explode!”

While his mother-in-law was on the verge of a fit, Lin Feng remained calm and unruffled, continuing to search for the source of the energy. Yao Qianqian watched his odd behavior with growing suspicion. Could the Tang family heiress truly be interested in a man like him? Or was there something else going on? Yes, it was time to meet with Tang Yunyun and talk things over. After so many disappointments, Yao Qianqian was numb, too weary even to try calming her mother.

The four of them, quarreling all the while and taking several wrong turns, finally reached Villa 69 at the very edge of Hualong Villa District. This was the least expensive part of the neighborhood—a three-story duplex villa of over three hundred square meters, priced at 110 million. The old patriarch had gritted his teeth and paid half up front, barely managing to secure a foothold on the fringes of Binhai’s elite society.

When Lin Feng and the others entered the villa, his mother-in-law’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She had just finished berating Lin Feng for his lack of decorum, but now, standing before the luxurious home, she was practically drooling with envy.

“A swimming pool, a huge lawn, three stories—how much must this have cost! Wonderful, we finally don’t have to live in Lin Feng’s shabby little apartment anymore!”

She marched straight inside. In the living room, a long table had been set up for a buffet in the Western style, complete with elegant music and waiters circulating with wine—an atmosphere of refined ease.

Before long, the music stopped abruptly as Old Master Yao descended from the second floor. Dressed in a black tailcoat, he looked invigorated and commanding. With a smile, he strode to the center of the room, raised his glass, and declared loudly, “Today is a day of great joy for the Yao family. After decades of effort, we have finally entered the upper circles of Binhai. I believe that before long, the Yao family will achieve even greater glory and become a first-class family! Cheers!”

“Cheers!” echoed the assembled family, raising their glasses in celebration.

But just then, his elder aunt suddenly spoke up, “Father, while moving into Hualong Villa District is indeed something to celebrate, this villa has limited rooms. It’s impossible for the whole family to move in. I think we should reward merit—whoever has contributed the most to the family should be allowed to live here. Otherwise, they have no right to share a roof with you!”

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Lin Feng’s group, a cold smile playing on her lips.

“Lin Feng, you dare challenge me? I’ll see to it that you never lift your head again for the rest of your life!”