Chapter Eleven: Tears of the Mermaid

Fang Qing glared fiercely at Lin Yi. After all, Du Liang was her boyfriend, and now that he had lost face, she naturally felt humiliated as well.

The few young men who had come along with Du Liang also looked at Lin Yi with obvious hostility.

Lin Yi was just an outsider, yet he dared to act so arrogantly. If it weren’t for the fact that today was Li Zhihan’s birthday, they would have made sure Lin Yi understood why flowers bloom so red.

Yang Yujia hadn’t expected Lin Yi to have such a personality, directly refusing Du Liang’s gesture. She wasn’t sure whether to call it individuality or ignorance.

This birthday party was no ordinary child’s celebration; most attendees were the young heirs of Lan City, each worth at least tens of millions.

Especially Li Zhihan’s father, who was a branch member of the Li family—one of Lan City’s ten great families—worth hundreds of millions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have generously booked three floors of the Royal Hotel.

“That woman doesn’t even know where she found this reckless guy. With his caliber, he thinks he can be my home tutor?” Yang Yujia was thoroughly disappointed.

A person incapable of reading the situation, no matter how talented, is ultimately useless.

Noticing the tension in the air, Li Zhihan gently coughed and said, “Everyone, it’s getting late. Why don’t we head to the Royal Hotel now?”

“Alright.”

The group gathered around Li Zhihan, and the three girls, including Yang Yujia, left Starbucks.

Lin Yi followed quietly behind; he really had no interest in these children's birthday gatherings. However, since he had promised Yang Junqi to help look after Yang Yujia, he wouldn’t break his word.

These heirs were all wealthy. In no time, four cars pulled up—at minimum, a BMW costing six hundred thousand, and the priciest, a Cayenne worth over one point eight million.

“Du, you got a new car?” Fang Qing looked at the impressive Cayenne with excitement.

Her family was wealthy too, but strict with her upbringing, and her monthly allowance was just over ten thousand. Riding in a million-dollar Cayenne would surely boost her status.

“Yes, just picked it up yesterday. Didn’t get a chance to tell you,” Du Liang smiled.

Fang Ya kissed Du Liang and eagerly climbed into the car.

Soon, everyone had chosen their rides.

Yang Yujia got into a white Maserati, which belonged to Li Zhihan.

Only Lin Yi stood there, conspicuous and out of place.

“Well, country bumpkin, what’s wrong? No seat for you?” Fang Qing leaned her head out the car window, sneering.

Du Liang, sitting in the driver’s seat, smirked and said, “All our seats are taken. How about I give you ten bucks for a cab?”

Since Lin Yi had shown him no respect, he felt no obligation to speak up for Lin Yi.

He had thought Lin Yi might be someone, but he was just a narrow-minded, somewhat arrogant rural boy.

After Du Liang spoke, Fang Qing took a hundred yuan from her purse and tossed it out the window. “No change, so take this hundred as charity.”

The other rich kids laughed heartily, clearly seeing Lin Yi as nothing more than a clown.

Li Zhihan didn’t want things to get too awkward and said, “Lin Yi, why don’t you ride with me?”

Her words surprised everyone.

Li Zhihan was the daughter of the Li family’s branch, and even as a branch, their influence was formidable. Yet she invited an unrelated person into her car, making the other young men envious and resentful.

“Zhihan, why let him in?” Yang Yujia frowned.

“A guest is a guest, after all. Besides, more people make it livelier,” Li Zhihan replied playfully.

She beckoned to Lin Yi, “Take the back seat.”

Lin Yi thought for a moment and nodded.

Du Liang watched Lin Yi get into Li Zhihan’s car, his expression darkening.

“Du, Li Zhihan is just too kind. People like that country bumpkin should be kicked out,” Fang Qing pouted.

“Enough, stop talking,” Du Liang said irritably.

“Fine, I won’t,” Fang Qing replied, pursing her lips.

Du Liang headed off first, with everyone else following.

Midway, Yang Yujia had the car stop at a jewelry shop and spent ten minutes picking out a gift. She didn’t say what it was.

Before long, they arrived at the Royal Hotel.

The Royal Hotel was a five-star establishment, with an average spend in the thousands.

Li Zhihan parked and led everyone to the third floor.

The decor was truly luxurious and grand, befitting a five-star hotel. At the entrance, two hostesses, both class beauty level, stood in red cheongsams, showing off their smooth, fair legs.

The third floor had a dedicated area for birthday parties, and when they arrived, many of Lan City’s younger generation were already there.

“Zhihan, you’re here, and looking gorgeous,” people greeted her as she entered. A graceful lady is always admired.

Likewise, some people looked curiously at Lin Yi, since he was clearly not part of their circle and seemed unfamiliar.

Moreover, Lin Yi’s attire was too casual—just ordinary leisurewear.

“Liang, who’s that? Never seen him before,” someone asked Du Liang.

Before Du Liang could answer, Fang Qing laughed and said, “Of course you haven’t. Just a country kid, here to freeload.”

Upon hearing this, everyone understood.

Li Zhihan was known for her gentle kindness; she often helped poor students in class.

So, many present glanced at Lin Yi with contempt and promptly dismissed him.

“Do you regret coming now? I told you, you’re not part of this circle. You’ll only embarrass yourself,” Yang Yujia said coldly.

Lin Yi smiled. This was just a circle of rich kids; he didn’t even bother to look, let alone try to fit in.

Having nothing in common with these children, Lin Yi simply sat in a corner.

Yang Yujia pursed her lips and ignored Lin Yi, moving to Li Zhihan’s side.

“Aren’t you going to stay with Lin Yi? He did come with you,” Li Zhihan asked.

“I never asked him to,” Yang Yujia replied, clearly annoyed.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a suit strode over, followed by a beautiful middle-aged woman who resembled Li Zhihan—obviously her mother.

Li Zhihan quickly went to greet them, affectionately holding her mother’s arm. “Dad, Mom, didn’t you have things to do? How come you’re here?”

“It’s your birthday. No matter how busy we are, we had to make time,” her mother replied, gently stroking Li Zhihan’s hair.

“Mom, you’re the best,” Li Zhihan said cheerfully.

The middle-aged man radiated authority. He surveyed the guests and said in a deep voice, “Thank you all for coming. But if anyone causes trouble, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

“Uncle Li, we’re all Zhihan’s friends. If anyone dares make trouble, I’ll be the first to stop them,” Du Liang said, glancing meaningfully at Lin Yi.

“Ah, Du, you’re here too,” Li Mingfeng smiled.

“Uncle Li, this is the birthday gift I prepared for Zhihan,” Du Liang said, eager to impress Li Mingfeng.

He took out a palm-sized gift box, opened it gently, revealing a thumb-sized blue crystal.

“So beautiful.”

Girls loved pretty things, and their eyes were drawn to the blue gem.

Du Liang smiled and continued, “This is called Mermaid’s Tear. I spent a fortune abroad to buy it. It’s said to calm the mind and refresh the spirit.”

“Du, you’re very thoughtful,” Li Mingfeng praised. He was quite satisfied with Du Liang’s looks and background.

Lin Yi glanced at the crystal, then shook his head. This was no Mermaid’s Tear, just an ordinary blue crystal.

He had seen Mermaid’s Tears before. The genuine article could indeed improve a person’s magnetic field, clear the mind, and, with prolonged wear, even prolong life.

Moreover, this blue crystal was hardly valuable. Its aura was heavy and mingled with traces of dark energy—most likely dug up from a grave.

Such crystals, after prolonged exposure to places of death, if worn too long, would cause nightmares.

Du Liang presented the blue crystal to Li Zhihan like a treasure, saying, “Zhihan, happy birthday. May you be beautiful every year.”

Many girls looked at Li Zhihan with envy, wishing to trade places.

Even Yang Yujia felt the same.

“Thank you,” Li Zhihan replied sweetly, reaching for the blue crystal.

But then—

“If you don’t want to be plagued by nightmares every day, you’d better not take it,” a voice suddenly sounded from the corner.