Yang Mo remained seated in the corner, indifferent to the commotion around him. Lyn Andong, sensing the awkward atmosphere, cleared his throat and raised his glass of red wine. "Ahem, since it's a rare occasion for the entire Lynn family to be gathered like this, let's toast to our happy family."
One by one, the family members rose to their feet, lifting their glasses. Only Yang Mo remained seated, his expression unmoved.
"Shia Mo, you're also part of the Lynn family. Stand up and join us," Lin Ruan urged, eyeing him with a faint hint of frustration.
Yang Mo let out a chuckle, his voice dripping with irony. "How strange. I remember the first dinner I had in the Lynn family. Mister Lynn said the exact same thing, about clinking glasses together as a family. But, if I recall correctly, wasn't it you, Miss Lin Ruan, who declared that I wasn't qualified? I distinctly remember you saying that my status in this family was yet to be decided. So tell me, how am I now suddenly worthy to drink with you all?"
Lin Ruan flushed, her previous words coming back to haunt her. At the time, she had said those things without hesitation, completely convinced that Yang Mo was nothing but an unworthy outsider. Back then, Lin Cohen had painted Yang Mo as a delinquent, claiming he roamed with troublemakers and had no redeeming qualities. That had been enough for her to dismiss him outright.
"Ahem... Since Shia Mo doesn't want to drink, let's not force him. Let's eat," Lyn Andong interjected, attempting to smooth over the moment.
Joy Fong turned to Yang Mo with a gentle voice. "Mo, how have you been these past few days? Are you short on money?" Her concern seemed genuine, but it only made Yang Mo laugh bitterly.
"Short on money?" he repeated, his tone laced with mockery. "Honestly, it's been great. Leaving the Lynn family means I don't get beaten by Mister Lynn anymore, I don't have to be scolded by my dear sisters, I'm not constantly looked down on by Miss Zhou, and I no longer have to tolerate being treated like a pest by your precious son. Ever since I left, I've been eating well, sleeping well, and I've even gained some weight."
Silence fell over the dining hall. Everyone understood that Yang Mo was simply stating the truth, but acknowledging it out loud made them uncomfortable. The implication that the Lynn family had failed him was undeniable.
Lyn Shendong clenched his fists under the table, his temper barely restrained. If Joy Fong weren't here, he would have slammed his hand on the table and demanded to know why Yang Mo dared to speak so insolently. Did the Lynn family truly treat him that badly?
If Yang Mo could hear his thoughts, he would have scoffed in amusement. What had the Lynn family ever done right? They had lost him the day he was born, abandoned him on the streets, and if his adoptive parents hadn't found him, he would have died. Then, after they finally brought him back into the family, they pushed him to the brink of starvation and treated him like an outsider.
If Yang Mo had not been reborn, he would have died—twice—because of this so-called family.
Joy Fong, sensing the rising tension, quickly pulled out a sleek black bank card from her purse and placed it on the table. "Shia Mo, this is your exclusive Lynn family black card. All of the Lynn children have one. It was originally meant for you. There's ten million dollars in pocket money deposited into it every month."
She pushed it toward him, but Yang Mo continued eating, completely ignoring it.
Seeing this, she hurriedly added, "Oh, right. I know you and Uncle Lee don't get along, so how about we assign you a new full-time driver? Tomorrow, I'll take you to pick out a car. And about your college plans... your father and I have been thinking. What if you and Lin Cohen both attend Ching Bay University together? It's one of the best universities in China."
Yang Mo finally paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers. "No, I'm not short on money, and I don't need your help with college."
He had already taken thirty million from Lin Xia. He wouldn't be running out anytime soon. As for college...
Joy Fong hesitated before speaking again. "Shia Mo, I know you have high self-esteem, but Ching Bay University is the top-ranked university in the country. With your grades, getting in might be difficult."
Yang Mo's lips curled into a smirk. "My grades? What about them?"
She glanced at Lin Cohen, who sat stiffly beside her, clearly uncomfortable. It was Lin Cohen who had told her that Yang Mo's grades were poor, that he was barely passing at a second-rate school, and that he spent most of his time associating with gangsters. Naturally, Joy Fong had believed him without question.
Seeing her hesitance, Yang Mo let out a short laugh. "Let me guess. Your precious son told you that my grades are at the bottom of the school, right?"
Joy Fong nodded slowly, looking at Lin Cohen for confirmation.
Yang Mo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Figures."
Lin Cohen avoided his gaze, swallowing hard. He hadn't expected this conversation to turn against him so quickly.
The tension at the dinner table thickened, the family teetering on the edge of an uncomfortable truth they weren't ready to face.