Tea Bag

Lin Xingye's face was full of pity.

What a shame. So young, and already blind.

Beside him, Lin Xingmo was stunned by the gossip. Was Qin Ke really that impressive? He had hooked all Four Young Masters of the Capital by himself?

All four looked baffled. An Shi, the most skeptical of anything supernatural, turned to An Ning. "Did you hear someone talking?"

An Ning rolled her eyes at him. "There are people talking everywhere."

What a stupid question. He had better not tell anyone he was her brother.

Why are they coming over here? Don't tell me they found out I was trash-talking them in my head?

That made Lin Xingmo nervous too. Surely not. Could someone else hear him?

You can't blame me, can you? You four fish of the capital are happy to get reeled in, but I'm not even allowed to make a few comments?

Now An Shi was certain. He really could hear a voice no one else could. His staunch materialism was crumbling.

"Lin Xingye, say something." Bo Xi walked up to the two of them with a cold expression and got straight to the point.

Lin Xingye froze for a moment. "Huh? Little fish, you..."

Lin Xingmo abruptly clapped a hand over his brother's mouth and gave Bo Xi an awkward smile. "Heh, Mr. Bo, did you need something? If not, we'll head over there!"

With that, he dragged his brother away.

Bo Xi did not follow. His eyes were unreadable.

The other three were naturally watching Bo Xi. The Lin Family's young master sounded rather like that voice in their heads.

As if to confirm their suspicions, the voice rang out again.

Little bro, what are you doing? Let me look at him a little longer! He's even hotter up close!

Bo Xi had been about to turn away, but he froze in place. After a long moment, he let out a quiet laugh despite himself, his ears bright red.

Lin Xingmo was exasperated. Why did his brother only remember the treats and never the beatings? That hopeless romantic!

The four noticed the changes in one another's expressions, a suspicion taking shape in their minds. Without coordinating, they gathered together.

In unison, they asked, "You can hear it?"

Understanding dawned on Cheng Yu's face. "So what we've been hearing are Lin Xingye's thoughts?"

Of course, someone still managed to stumble onto the crucial point first.

Qi Sijing said, "Then those little fish... are us?"

The other three: ...

Lin Xingye had no idea why his brother had suddenly covered his mouth. Puzzled, he asked, "What's wrong? Am I not allowed to talk to him?"

Lin Xingmo rolled his eyes. "Bro, you called him a little fish!"

Lin Xingye said, "I said that out loud?!"

Lin Xingmo played dumb. "What? Give people nicknames if you want, but don't say them to their faces. And-and stop falling for every guy you see."

He nodded obediently.

What are you thinking? This time, I'm going to be free as the wind, book every male model in the world, and enjoy a happy life!

Lin Xingmo pressed a hand to his forehead.

Over on the other side, Qi Sijing nearly burst out laughing without a thought for his image. An Shi was left speechless, while Cheng Yu still had the leisure to remark, "Interesting."

Bo Xi, however, did not look particularly happy.

Soon, the host appeared onstage.

He walked up and announced in a booming voice, "This seminar is now officially open!"

The moment he finished, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Meanwhile, an assortment of exquisite desserts was brought into the banquet hall.

The seminar was hosted by the Cheng Family, whose major businesses included tourism. Cheng Yu had therefore chosen the development of hotel chains as the seminar's topic.

Li Hanwen had previously offered quite a few good ideas and suggestions on the subject, which had greatly pleased Cheng Yu and the others.

It had given him a chance to steal the limelight.

Lin Xingye was not surprised that Li Hanwen had such insights. After all, he frequented those places. In the old days, a long illness could make someone a doctor; nowadays, enough hotel visits could make someone a scholar.

The previously quiet banquet hall instantly came alive. People scrambled to speak, hoping to catch the attention of the big shots present and win their approval.

Cheng Yu's location became the center of attention, with people crowding around him.

Lin Xingmo had long since gone off to discuss business with someone. Left alone, Lin Xingye felt sorry that all this delicious food was going to be wasted again.

He simply could not bear it. He ate each dish as it arrived.

Beside him, several young ladies from prominent families were exchanging compliments. They picked up food not to eat it, but to take photos and show off that they could attend a banquet like this.

Qi Sinian was about to take a dessert for a photo, only to find that there was not a single one on the table. "What's going on? Where's the server?"

At that moment, the server bringing out the food stood beside Lin Xingye with an elegant little serving cart, handing him food while clearing his plates.

Hearing her call, the server quickly turned around. "Miss Qi, well... Mr. Lin was eating rather quickly, so we handed the food to him first. We haven't put it out over there yet..."

Qi Sinian did not mince her words. "Lin Xingye, are you a pig? Does the Lin Family not feed you?"

To her, the Lin Family was merely a minor family, not worth her notice.

Although those young ladies' fathers thought highly of him, the young ladies themselves had always looked down on him. Never mind that he had handed his company over to his brother-what damn use were kindness and filial devotion in a place like this?

Lin Xingye ignored her. He generally did not insult girls.

Qi Sijing is so adorable. Why is his sister only adorable on the outside?

Far away, Qi Sijing wondered, Was that a compliment?

Seeing that Lin Xingye was ignoring her, Qi Sinian was about to fly into a rage when he handed her a pretty little cake. "Sorry. You can have this."

The words on the tip of Qi Sinian's tongue were forcibly swallowed back down. She could not quite manage it and choked twice.

Ahahahahahahaha!

Startled by the wild laughter that suddenly exploded in their heads, the others looked toward him, only to find him holding the little cake with a perfectly innocent expression.

Lin Xingmo pressed a hand to his forehead. Seriously, what is wrong with you? You'll laugh at anything!

Before Qi Sinian could speak, a server beside them suddenly rushed forward. Not only did he knock the cake down, but he did not even glance at Lin Xingye, whom he had bumped into. He simply kept apologizing to Qi Sinian.

"I'm sorry, Miss Qi! Please don't be angry. It's all our fault. We'll make sure it never happens again!" The server had a face that invited sympathy, with tears glistening at the corners of his eyes.

Everyone knew Qi Sinian was arrogant and overbearing, but they had not expected her to go this far in public.

Those farther away who had not seen what happened wore looks of disdain at the sight.

Murmurs broke out all around them.

Qi Sinian was dumbfounded. Wait, I haven't even yelled at anyone yet?!

Lin Xingye, however, looked as though he had discovered a priceless treasure.

Isn't that Qin Ke? The tea bag delivered himself right to our doorstep! Little fish, come look! Your wife is here!

The little fish: ...?

Lin Xingmo craned his neck. Where? Where? Let me get a look at this legendary guy!

The four saw that the server looked both innocent and seductive, his tears making him seem especially pitiful. His clothes appeared to have been specially tailored, unlike everyone else's, accentuating his slender waist and long, slim, straight legs.

He really was like a tea bag: beautiful packaging, dreadful quality inside.

Others might not know whether Qi Sinian had just bullied anyone, but they had all heard what happened inside their heads. That piercing laughter hardly sounded like it came from someone being bullied.

Besides, he was not even as good-looking as Lin Xingye. Why would they ever fancy him?

Bo Xi glanced at Qi Sijing beside him and blurted out, "Your wife."

Qi Sijing instantly flew into a rage and gestured at Cheng Yu. "Your wife!"

Cheng Yu's face darkened as he pointed at An Shi. "His wife!"

An Shi: "..."

Are you elementary schoolers?

An Shi quietly turned his head away. "Well, he's not my wife."