CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 34: CONFIDENCE

Lin Feng didn’t expect such a coincidence, running into his eldest sister at the restaurant, and even more so, didn’t expect her to be humiliated like this.

Through the vintage wooden carving screen, he could faintly see the embarrassment and paleness on his sister’s face. Despite this, she maintained a smile, that awkward yet slightly ingratiating smile, which made Lin Feng feel both heartache and anger.

Why be so humble?

Why try to please them like this?

For what?

Even so, what can change?

"Brother Feng, these dishes are so expensive, it’s really too extravagant?"

At this time, Gao Hai walked over, carrying two large bags in both hands, and sighed.

These two big bags of food cost nearly six thousand yuan, enough for their family’s living expenses for three or four months.

Gao Hai felt a bit of regret; he wouldn’t have recommended this place if he had known. He thought it wouldn’t be too expensive based on classmates’ talks, never imagining the prices here were, although not as costly as true five-star restaurants, much higher than most big restaurants.

When he saw the menu prices, he wanted to pull Lin Feng away; face is not as important as money.

But Lin Feng calmly started ordering. If not for him stopping, it might have exceeded ten thousand yuan.

Even six thousand made his heart ache.

"What’s wrong?"

After Gao Hai sighed, he saw Lin Feng standing still, face cold, and asked in confusion.

"Is it Sister Kerou?"

Lin Feng didn’t answer, just looked coldly at everything inside the private room. Through the screen, Gao Hai saw Lin Kerou. Before he could speak, Lin Feng had already knocked on the screen and walked in.

"Xiaofeng?"

Seeing Lin Feng appear, Lin Kerou, who was already restless, stood up in surprise.

There was some panic on her face because Lin Feng didn’t look happy, exuding a cold aura.

At this time, Chen Hao also stood up, glanced at his girlfriend, thinking it was Lin Kerou who informed Lin Feng about the gathering here.

"Feng, why are you here?"

Seeing Lin Feng’s cold face, standing silently, Chen Hao’s expression slightly changed. He knew Lin Feng had heard.

Having dated Lin Kerou for four years, although their relationship was average, it was not unfamiliar.

He knew Lin Feng, because of his father, was somewhat introverted from a young age, with strong self-esteem, never accepting gifts from him. Lin Feng was mature beyond his years, self-disciplined, strong, and very concerned about his family.

Their rare conversations were mostly about Lin Kerou; Lin Feng hoped he would treat her well.

He promised Lin Feng at the time that he wouldn’t let his girlfriend suffer any grievances, but now his mother has humiliated her like this, fearing that he must be both heartbroken and angry.

Chen Hao wanted to explain but didn’t know how to start.

There wasn’t much to explain; the situation was clear enough, his family and relatives didn’t look kindly on his girlfriend.

"Is that the brother?"

Chen Hao and his girlfriend’s reaction, coupled with the same surname Lin, based on age, the people in the room probably understood the young man before them was Lin Kerou’s younger brother.

Seeing the young man looking not to be messed with, it was evident he heard their conversation, making the atmosphere a bit awkward, but they didn’t take it to heart.

Just a high school student.

Lin Kerou wasn’t afraid, let alone her brother.

Though one shouldn’t underestimate a young man in poverty, if there was real potential, Chen Hao’s parents wouldn’t be so opposed.

No one spoke, they just watched Lin Feng, not knowing his purpose for entering.

Under everyone’s gaze, the young man surprisingly smiled slightly and said, "The food at home is too greasy, here to pack some light food."

The food at home is too greasy, here to pack some light food.

This one sentence changed the complexion of everyone present, and Chen Hao’s parents’ faces darkened, clearly realizing that the young man was here to stand up for his sister.

Mom Chen said: Normally, we eat too bland; we’re not used to greasy.

The young man directly retorted: The food at home is too greasy, here to pack some light food.

No extra words, directly hitting the face.

This made Chen Hao’s parents feel embarrassed, especially in front of all relatives; they were already very dissatisfied with Lin Kerou and now even more disgusted.

"Xiaofeng, let’s go home."

When her brother appeared, Lin Kerou foresaw trouble; she knew his temper and how much he cared for her. Before she reached Lin Feng, he had already fired a shot.

"Let’s go, let’s go home."

Lin Kerou held Lin Feng’s small hand, ready to leave the private room.

She didn’t want to offend Chen Hao’s parents, but even more, didn’t want her brother, already affected by the failed Awakening Day, to endure humiliation because of her.

"This kid talks big, ever eaten here? Saying it’s too greasy, how ridiculous."

A youth around twenty stood up, looking scornful.

The elders were embarrassed, not good to argue with a teenager, naturally leaving it to him.

"Brother Feng, Brother Feng, are you here?"

At this time, standing outside the screen, having understood everything that happened, Gao Hai called out a few times, knowing it was time for him to step in.

He complained as he walked into the private room: "Even if you want to eat something light, there’s no need to come to Juewei, it’s a bit low-class."

Seeing Gao Hai, the young man who originally had a teasing look on his face suddenly became stiff. He had just said that Lin Feng had never tried it, and then a chubby guy appeared carrying two large bags of take-away meals. Wasn’t this a slap in the face?

Especially the words coming out of this chubby guy’s mouth were even more arrogant.

Too low-class?

Juewei Restaurant is too low-class?

Apart from the monthly family gatherings, even if they had some assets, they wouldn’t choose Juewei just for a meal on their own as it was truly unaffordable to eat there every day.

Everyone knew that this chubby guy said it on purpose, but looking at the bags he was holding, they were indeed from Juewei, with the restaurant’s exclusive logo on them, seemingly genuine, and packed full. Each bag had at least five or six dishes.

The room fell silent. Being slapped in the face like this, especially by a youngster, everyone wanted to regain some dignity, but for a moment, no one could find the words.

Mom Chen’s face was gloomy, while Father Chen, dressed in a suit with slicked-back hair, sat in the chair. From the start of the meal, he maintained a calm and collected demeanor, the posture of a successful person, though his face was also a little displeased now.

He glanced at his awkward son, then at Lin Kerou, who looked anxious with slightly red eyes, and finally shifted his gaze to Lin Feng.

He knew Lin Kerou had a younger brother who was in his third year of high school and had heard that he was quite talented. However, it was clear that the Awakening Day failed, and he did not become a Demon Spirit Master.

If he did, Chen Hao would have mentioned it by now.

But this young man, sticking up for his sister, had acted extremely composed from the moment he appeared in the room, his cold gaze seemingly indifferent to everyone there.

This confidence did not seem to be a facade; it felt genuine.

"Could there be a mistake?"

At this point, Father Chen had to question the information his son had provided.

Truly just an average family, truly living in Shore District.

Since when could people from Shore District afford to eat at Juewei Restaurant?

A dozen dishes, even they rarely indulged so extravagantly.

"Feng, these are all elders."

At this moment, Chen Hao, who had been silent, finally spoke, his tone was stern and somewhat reproachful.

Clearly, Lin Feng’s behavior put him in an extremely awkward position, and made his parents and himself look bad in front of all the relatives.

"Heh."

Facing Chen Hao’s reprimand, Lin Feng let out a cold laugh, sparing no face for Chen Hao.

He had always somewhat looked down on Chen Hao, who couldn’t even protect his own woman, relying on his parents to control his fate—how pathetic.

How could such a man be worthy of reliance?

If there truly is no future, it’s better to end it sooner rather than let his big sister sink deeper.

"Feng, you..."

With Lin Feng showing no regard, Chen Hao was shamed and slightly enraged.

"Xiaofeng, I’m begging you, let’s just leave!"

At this point, Lin Kerou was somewhat dazed. She dared not face her boyfriend or meet anyone’s eyes, unable even to imagine what she would have to face after today.

She just wanted to leave this troublesome place as soon as possible.

"Sister, do you remember what I told you yesterday?"

Lin Feng stood still, unmoved as his sister tugged at him. He lifted his right hand and gently brushed his sister’s hair aside with tenderness. At this moment, her enchanting eyes were moist with tears, filled with some panic and pleading.

"I said, in six months, the Chen family won’t be able to reach our level."

Lin Feng wiped the tears from his sister’s face and spoke each word distinctly.

In a calm manner, as if he was discussing a trivial matter.

At this moment, everyone looked at the boy in speechless astonishment, then turned their gaze to Chen Hao’s parents. Father Chen and Mother Chen’s faces were livid.

Unable to reach their level?

A mere high school student had the audacity to say such a thing?

"Your name is Lin Feng, right? What qualifications do you have to say such things?"

Finally unable to suppress it, Father Chen asked, his words dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

He made at least several million a year, owning three properties and a storefront in Jiang City, with total assets running into hundreds of millions.

There were many wealthier than them in Jiang City, many who they couldn’t match, but they definitely didn’t include families living in Shore District who couldn’t even afford a house.

"Why? Just because of me."

At this moment, Lin Feng had no intentions of being humble, even displaying a bit of wanton arrogance. He pointed to his face: "My name is Lin Feng, a senior at Jiangxin First Middle School."

No particular reason, it seemed that just a name sufficed, such arrogance exuded unparalleled confidence.

"In fact, it won’t even take six months, soon they won’t be able to keep up!"

Lin Feng looked at the somewhat bewildered Lin Kerou and smiled. His sister deserved the best things in the world; how could he allow these people to humiliate her?

The boy’s stance and words were so confidently absurd, yet at this moment, no one dared to mock him.

If the boy in front of them had the courage to say such things, naturally he had something to back him up!

Only, what was his backing?