Chapter 536: Proud and Swift, Riding High

9:00 PM.

Brilliance Grand Hotel.

Tonight, Lin Kai had booked the entire hotel to celebrate his girlfriend Shanshan’s birthday.

The guests were prominent second-generation elites and some wealthy first-generation individuals wanting to curry favor with Lin Kai, or rather, the Lin Family.

The grand hall was brightly lit, everyone dressed to impress, exuding an air of sophistication.

Of course, beneath this glamorous surface, who knew just how much filth was concealed.

“This Third Young Master Lin really dotes on his girlfriend. He only introduced her to us yesterday, and tonight he’s throwing her a birthday banquet.”

“Yeah, despite having had so many women before, he’s never made such a public introduction like this.”

“Could he be running out of money and just looking to collect some gifts?”

Everyone was chatting within their own little circles.

“Second Young Master Lin is here.”

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, and everyone rushed in a crowd towards the entrance.

“Good evening, Second Young Master Lin.”

“Good evening, Second Young Master.”

In everyone’s eyes, with Lin Yao out of the picture, Lin Rong was the most likely successor.

No one considered Lin Kai seriously. After all, everyone knew what kind of person he was; he could never compete against Lin Rong.

So, seeing Lin Rong at this moment, of course, they couldn’t wait to make their presence known.

“Mm, good evening everyone.”

Lin Rong wore a confident smile, feeling extremely pleased.

He thought the same as the others—now that Lin Yao was out, he was the most likely successor.

Lin Kai inviting him to Shanshan’s birthday party felt like a concession to him, acknowledging that Lin Kai knew he couldn’t beat him and was therefore surrendering.

In fact, Lin Rong even felt a bit grateful to Xu Shaochen. If not for Xu Shaochen, how could he have gained such an advantage?

For a moment, Lin Rong was at the center of attention, like a star surrounded by moons.

“Good evening, Mr. Xu.”

Someone suddenly said this, and only then did the crowd realize that Xu Shaochen had also arrived.

Immediately, those who had been surrounding Lin Rong without hesitation abandoned him and smilingly hurried towards Xu Shaochen.

“Good evening, Mr. Xu. Let me offer you a toast.”

“Mr. Xu, here is my business card.”

Seeing this, Lin Rong’s face darkened, the bright smile from before had vanished completely.

Compared to Xu Shaochen, he was still far outclassed.

“Hmph!”

Lin Rong snorted coldly and then walked over to a sofa with a gloomy face, determined that in time, he would surpass Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen also noticed Lin Rong. Smiling slightly, he thought to himself, ‘The leading actor has arrived.’

Hmm, before the show starts, as the director, I should at least go have a word with the leading actor.

Thinking this, Xu Shaochen picked up a wine glass and walked towards Lin Rong.

“Second Young Master Lin, mind having a drink with me? Right now, you’re riding high, enjoying a good run of luck!”

Xu Shaochen said to Lin Rong with a cheerful expression.

“All thanks to Young Master Xu,” Lin Rong replied with a hint of sarcasm, still sitting on the sofa without getting up.

Xu Shaochen coming over to make a toast to him gave him a secret satisfaction.

It seemed this guy also recognized that Lin Kai was useless and that, now, he was the Lin Family’s only heir.

Xu Shaochen smiled faintly, “Second Young Master Lin, while everything’s smooth now, do be careful not to stumble.”

“Hmph! No need for you to worry. My horse is steady,” Lin Rong replied with a cold snort, full of disdain.

Xu Shaochen curled his lips, raised his wine glass in acknowledgment, and then downed it in one gulp.

“I hope Second Young Master Lin can always stay so steady.”

Lin Rong pretended not to see him, completely ignoring Xu Shaochen’s words, revealing just how poor his manners were.

“Everyone, let’s give a round of applause. Tonight’s main stars, Third Young Master Lin and Miss Shanshan, have arrived.”

Someone among the crowd playfully called out.

The crowd, showing their respect, began to applaud.

“Clap, clap, clap…”

Amidst the applause, Lin Kai walked in with Shanshan in his arms.

“Thank you, thank you all for coming. In the future, if any of you have a joyful event, be sure to let me know first thing.”

Lin Kai laughed heartily; he was genuinely happy.

After greeting everyone, Lin Kai brought Shanshan over to Lin Rong.

“Second Brother, this is my girlfriend, Shanshan.”

“Shanshan, greet your Second Brother.”

Undeniably, Shanshan looked very beautiful tonight. Her outfit was quite alluring, even surprising Xu Shaochen, let alone Lin Rong.

“Second Brother, let me offer you a drink.”

Shanshan said sweetly to Lin Rong, her voice melodious and enchanting.

Lin Rong forcibly suppressed the fire burning within his belly, clinking glasses with Shanshan, though his face showed a bit of discomfort.

Because, at the moment their glasses touched, he felt Shanshan’s pinky lightly brush against his palm.

This made his heart tremble. He glanced sideways at Xu Shaochen and Lin Kai, and seeing neither of them notice, he breathed a sigh of relief, but felt an odd sense of excitement.

“Xu Ge, I have something I need to discuss with you.” Lin Kai said, then turned to Shanshan, “Shanshan, take good care of Second Brother.”

“Got it, Kai Ge.”

Shanshan blinked playfully.

Lin Kai smiled and then left with Xu Shaochen.

Shanshan, carrying a lavender scent, sat down next to Lin Rong, seductively, “Second Brother, thank you for coming to my birthday tonight. I was worried you wouldn’t come, considering I come from a humble background…”

As she spoke, Shanshan’s eyes seemed to glisten as if on the verge of tears.

“Hey, Shanshan, don’t say that! Birthplace isn’t something anyone can choose. Besides, a beautiful woman like you only needs to find a good man to change her life.”

Lin Rong inhaled that unique scent. He didn’t know why, but the fire inside him seemed to burn stronger.

Of course, he didn’t realize that Shanshan’s perfume tonight was designed with strong aphrodisiac properties, meant to lure him into bed.

“Sigh, Second Brother, to be honest, Lin Kai doesn’t really like me. He’s always out fooling around with other women. I’m just his publicly known shield.”

As Shanshan spoke, she discreetly added some white powder to Lin Rong’s glass, swirled it a bit, and offered it to him.

“Second Brother, let me offer you another drink.”

Lin Rong held up his glass and drank it all in one gulp, righteously exclaiming, “That bastard Lin Kai! With a lovely woman like you by his side, not only does he not cherish you, but he still fools around? Don’t worry, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

He was truly angry. Such an enchanting woman and yet he couldn’t enjoy her, but Lin Kai didn’t appreciate her, which was simply unforgivable.