Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 389 Lin 2's "Revenge"

When Lin Yan returned to the Deep Water Bay villa, the morning light had just dispelled the thin mist on the sea.

He walked into the living room covered in night dew, and was about to go upstairs when his internal energy suddenly stirred.

Upon introspection, he saw that the solidified mortal body within his sea of ​​consciousness had quietly advanced after he severed the last vestige of worldly attachment.

What is this?

Could it be the legendary... parents offering sacrifices to heaven, granting boundless magical power?

He shook his head, dismissing the absurd thought.

Footsteps came from the stairs.

Lin Er walked downstairs with a cup of coffee and was taken aback when he saw Lin Yan standing in the center of the living room, his suit slightly wrinkled and his brows furrowed with weariness.

"Young Master?"

He put down his coffee, strode over, and his face showed undisguised surprise and a hint of mockery.

"Where did you go all night? You look so..." He carefully chose his words, then cautiously asked, "So... desolate? Could it be... you've broken up with someone?"

Lin Yan slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Lin Er's face, which was filled with gossip and feigned concern.

He narrowed his eyes, the blankness he had felt moments before instantly replaced by a vicious emotion, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Lin Er," his voice wasn't loud, but it sent a chill down Lin Er's spine, "I don't know yet whether I'll be heartbroken."

He took a step forward, gently patted Lin Er's shoulder, and spoke in a tone that was so "gentle" it was unsettling:

"But I know your 'spring' might be just around the corner. Enjoy... this little bit of leisure time."

After saying that, he ignored Lin Er's terrified expression and turned to go upstairs.

Lin Er stood alone in the living room, holding a cold coffee, repeatedly pondering the words "spring" and "leisurely time." The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

Young Master, this is definitely... retaliation! And it sounds like the methods of retaliation might be very "humanitarian" and quite a headache!

Lin Yan returned to the bedroom, closed the door behind him, and shut out Lin Er's wails.

Lin Er quickly came to understand what it meant for people to be treacherous.

Over the next two weeks, Fok Ying-tung arranged for him to meet twelve women under various pretexts. From afternoon tea to dinner parties, from gallery openings to charity cocktail parties, each event was a disguised blind date.

Just before Lin Er was about to break down, Huo Yingdong patted him on the shoulder with a smile and revealed the truth: "Little Lin, don't blame me. This was something your Xiao Yan specifically mentioned. He said you're not young anymore, and he feels sorry for you being all alone."

After hearing this, Lin Er's molars ground together with a grinding sound.

He immediately went to find Henry Fok and asked for two front-row tickets to TVB's grand year-end program. He also personally contacted Sir Run Run Shaw.

"Mr. Shao, do me a small favor." He smiled exceptionally kindly, "For the year-end party, regarding the seating arrangements... please make sure to seat the most beautiful Miss Zhao Yazhi next to our young master."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Er snorted.

Young master, you should also experience what it's like to be arranged like this.

Two days later, Lin Er strolled into the living room with a smug grin, carrying some things in his pocket. His smile was like that of a cunning fox who had just succeeded in his scheme.

He carefully pulled out two beautifully printed admission tickets from the inside pocket of his suit and handed them to Lin Yan.

"Young Master, Mr. Run Run Shaw has sent two tickets to TVB's year-end programs. Good front-row seats."

His tone was solicitous.

"Since you're free anyway, shall I go with you to have a look? It'll be a good way to relax."

Lin Yan leaned back on the sofa, not even lifting his eyelids.

"Lin Er,"

His voice was flat.

Are you very free at the end of the year?

"I'm innocent, young master!" Lin Er immediately cried out, his expression exaggerated. "This was personally delivered by Master Shao. It's a matter of courtesy and social obligation. Not going... wouldn't that be a bit impolite?"

"Oh?" Lin Yan finally lifted her eyelids and glanced at him indifferently. "So you think I'm a very polite person?"

Lin Er was momentarily speechless, but quickly rallied, leaned closer, and earnestly advised, "Young Master, you're always cooped up inside, aren't you? Why not go out for some fresh air and see what's going on?"

"Get some fresh air?" Lin Yan finally put down the book in his hand and looked at him with a half-smile. "Lin Er, have you forgotten? Last time you went to that party, you also said it was to 'clear your mind'."

Lin Er shrank back, chuckling sheepishly, "Last time was last time... this time will be different! I'm just going to watch the show, listen to the music, and see the dancing. It'll be absolutely peaceful!"

He patted his chest to assure them, but his eyes darted around for a moment.

Lin Yan glanced at him for a few seconds, then picked up the book again.

"Fine," he replied lazily.

"But let me make this clear first, I won't sit in the front row. The cameras absolutely cannot film me. I'll leave after the show."

He looked up, his gaze calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.

"Once you've confirmed all of this, I'll decide whether or not to go."

Lin Er's heart tightened, but his smile widened as he nodded repeatedly, "Yes, young master! Don't worry! Leave it to me, I'll take care of everything!"

He answered decisively, but his eyes involuntarily darted away again.

That evening, the TVB annual gala was a dazzling display of lights and a gathering of celebrities.

As promised, Lin Er arranged Lin Yan's seat in the last row, in the shade near the emergency exit. This location was far from the main camera's field of view, secluded, and easy to access.

Lin Yan was fairly satisfied with the arrangement and quietly took his seat, accompanied by Lin Er.

However, when he looked at the other empty seat next to him, he frowned slightly.

On the other side of the empty seat, a woman was already seated. She turned slightly to the side, whispering and laughing with the person next to her. Her profile was beautiful, her skin glowed under the light, and her temperament was gentle and outstanding.

Just as she seemed to sense something and turned her face—

Lin Yan's pupils contracted slightly, and almost instinctively, he blurted out:

"The White Snake?"

The sound was very soft, but loud enough for Lin Er, who was nearby, to hear.

Lin Er's heart skipped a beat, realizing he was in trouble.

With a slightly surprised smile on his face, he strode forward and enthusiastically introduced:

"Young master, you have excellent eyesight! Come, come, please have a seat."

He solicitously led Lin Yan to sit down in the empty seat, right next to the lady.

Then, as if just remembering, he lowered his voice:

"Young master, let me introduce you. This is Ms. Zhao Yazhi, the most popular and beloved actress at TVB these past two years! Ms. Zhao, this is my younger brother."

Zhao Yazhi had already turned around, her face bearing the polite smile typical of celebrities. She gracefully nodded slightly to Lin Yan: "Mr. Lin, hello."

Lin Yan had regained his composure. He glanced at Lin Er beside him, who seemed innocent but was actually smug and knew exactly what was going on.

He turned to Zhao Yazhi and simply nodded indifferently.

"Miss Zhao."

His tone was distant, devoid of any emotion.

The party started quickly, with singing and dancing filling the air.

Zhao Yazhi sat next to Lin Yan. After the initial polite greetings, she found that this "Mr. Lin" was unexpectedly indifferent.

He lacked the usual attentiveness and enthusiasm of a typical man, and even seemed somewhat absent-minded. However, his profile appeared exceptionally refined under the interplay of light and shadow, and the noble aura emanating from him, seemingly naturally isolated from the surrounding noise, was inexplicably captivating.

She couldn't help but take the initiative to speak up several times during breaks in the program.

"Is this Mr. Lin's first time watching a live show like this?" she asked softly, choosing the safest topic.

Lin Yan kept his gaze on the stage, without turning his head, and simply replied, "Hmm."

"Do you usually like listening to music? The theme song of the TV series 'Shanghai Bund' is very popular recently..." She tried to bring up the most popular cultural topic at the moment.

"Occasionally." Lin Yan's answer was devoid of emotion.

After several encounters, even Zhao Yazhi felt slightly embarrassed, but the other party's attitude was not impolite, just extremely distant, which only aroused her curiosity more.

Lin Er, watching from the side, was both terrified and secretly delighted.

He glanced at Lin Yan's expression, and after Zhao Yazhi tried to chat again and Lin Yan only responded with monosyllabic words, he finally couldn't help but lean close to Lin Yan's ear and "remind" him in a very low voice, actually fanning the flames:

"Young Master, Miss Zhao is chatting with you. Couldn't you say a few more words? She's the dream girl of every man in Hong Kong… Old Master Huo even said last time that you should get to know more outstanding women…"

Lin Yan slowly turned his head and glanced at Lin Er. His gaze was calm and unwavering, but Lin Er felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up slightly.

"Lin Er," Lin Yan's voice was also very low, only the two of them could hear it, "you talked a lot tonight."

Lin Er immediately shrank his neck and chuckled dryly, "I was just... trying to liven things up for you."

Although Zhao Yazhi didn't hear what they were saying, seeing Lin Er's sudden change of demeanor and Lin Yan's unwavering composure, she smiled inwardly and became even more interested in this mysterious "Mr. Lin".

She no longer deliberately sought topics of conversation, only occasionally offering quiet comments on the performances on stage, her demeanor becoming much more relaxed and natural.

Lin Yan still didn't respond, but he didn't seem to send any more obvious rejection signals either.

Lin Er, standing to the side, was both secretly pleased with the initial success of his plan and secretly worried about his young master's unfathomable reaction. He was cautiously testing the limits of "courting death" as if walking on thin ice.