"I just checked with the waiter about the hot water," Yango explained to Lingin Luo. "He's heating some up now, so it'll be brought over shortly."
"Ah, it's fine. I'm actually not that thirsty," Lingin Luo responded with a gentle smile.
Her warm expression was caught by Wang Le Chang, who observed the exchange with growing irritation. Just moments ago, she hadn't smiled nearly as brightly when addressing him. His gut feeling told him that there was something unusual between her and this so-called classmate. He knew her temperament well—Lingin Luo had always been reserved, especially around men. Yet here she was, casually spending time with a male classmate. It was suspicious, to say the least.
Trying to reclaim some presence in the conversation, Wang Le Chang forced a smile and asked, "Oh? I wonder what grade this student is in?" His gaze fixed on Yango as he sought a way to regain face.
Jang, who had been observing the interaction, immediately saw through Wang Le Chang's attempt at asserting dominance. With a smirk, he retorted, "Are you stupid? Didn't Luo just say we're classmates? And since we're in high school, wouldn't that mean we're all in the same grade?"
Jang's bluntness left Wang Le Chang momentarily speechless. His intent to undermine Yango had backfired, and now he found himself embarrassed. However, just as he was contemplating his next move, Yango unexpectedly directed a question toward him.
"What about you?" Yango asked casually.
Wang Le Chang stiffened. To him, this was nothing short of provocation. With his designer suit, luxury watch, and the latest brand-name attire, it should have been obvious to anyone that he was of a different class. These people should have been honored that he even engaged them in conversation. Instead, he was now being questioned as if he were the outsider.
Forcing his expression into something more amicable, he finally answered, "Oh, I just came back from abroad. I'm preparing to start my own company."
"Oh, is that so? That's nice. I'm planning to start a company myself someday too," Yango replied nonchalantly, sipping his drink without much care.
The casual response hit Wang Le Chang like a slap to the face. A poor kid like Yango, talking about starting a company? Did he really think entrepreneurship was as simple as picking up trash? If starting a business were that easy, everyone would be a millionaire by now. Suppressing his irritation, Wang Le Chang chuckled condescendingly.
"Wow, that's ambitious. What kind of company are you planning to start?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.
Yango shrugged. "Haven't thought about it yet. Maybe after I graduate high school."
Wang Le Chang nearly choked on his drink. This was infuriating. The sheer audacity of this poor student acting as if he were on the same level as him—it was ridiculous! Taking a deep breath, he decided to push further.
"Well, classmate," he said, emphasizing the word mockingly, "if you ever need advice, you can always come to me. My family recently established deep cooperation with the Lyn family. We've got a lot of experience in the business world, and I'd be happy to teach you a thing or two. Surely, you've heard of the Lyn family, right?"
He glanced at Lingin Luo, hoping to impress her with his connections. But to his dismay, she showed no reaction.
"Oh, I know them," Yango said flatly. "No one in the Lyn family is worth much, so I'd advise you to watch yourself."
The room seemed to freeze for a moment. Wang Le Chang's mind reeled in shock.
"What… did you just say?" he stammered, unable to believe what he had just heard.
The Lyn family was one of the most prominent families in Jinghai City. Anyone associated with them was considered to be among the social elite. Yet, this nobody had the nerve to dismiss them so casually?
"Classmate," Wang Le Chang said, barely keeping his anger in check, "I'd be careful with my words if I were you. The Lyn family is one of the most prestigious families in Jinghai. If they heard what you just said, you might not have a bright future ahead of you."
Yango merely chuckled. "Thanks for the warning, but trust me—no one knows the Lyn family better than I do. From Lyn Jinong to Qiao Ying, and all their daughters—they're all pretty terrible, in my opinion."
Wang Le Chang froze. His anger was suddenly replaced with a sense of unease.
How did Yango know those names?
The names he mentioned weren't something that just anyone would casually throw around. Could it be…?
Cold sweat began to form on Wang Le Chang's forehead. His mind spun as he recalled the many stories of hidden heirs and exiled young masters who later returned to reclaim their status. Could this Yango actually be someone powerful?
Just as Wang Le Chang was spiraling into panic, Lingin Luo spoke up, delivering the final blow.
"Oh, he's the only young master of the Lyn family."
Boom.
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck Wang Le Chang. His entire body went rigid, his thoughts in complete disarray. He had been ridiculing, belittling, and mocking Yango—only to find out that he had been disrespecting the heir of the very family he had been trying to flaunt his connections with?
Dread seeped into his heart as he realized the gravity of his mistake. He had unknowingly walked straight into disaster, and now, there was no way to back out without consequences.