Chapter Twelve: Tit for Tat

No one expected someone would call a halt at this moment. Everyone turned toward the voice and saw, in a corner, a man of unremarkable appearance. His clothes were ordinary, but his eyes shone with an unusual brilliance, as if holding fathomless secrets that could draw one in.

“Who is that?” someone asked, unaware of his identity.

“He’s just a country bumpkin who followed Yu Jia here,” Fang Qing said bluntly.

Yang Yu Jia’s expression darkened, feeling her reputation had been tarnished. Lin Yi had come with her, and now it was impossible to distance herself from him.

“If only I’d left this fool behind,” Yang Yu Jia thought resentfully. She shot Lin Yi a glare and said in an unfriendly tone, “Lin Yi, what are you trying to do?”

Du Liang hadn’t even made an issue of past events, and yet Lin Yi seemed to be pushing his luck. Now, he was stopping Du Liang from presenting a gift to Li Zhi Han—did he even realize what kind of occasion this was? Li Zhi Han, with her kind heart, had brought him to this birthday banquet. Not only did he show no gratitude, but he was also making a scene.

Lin Yi ignored the stares of those around him and slowly stood, saying, “This isn’t a Mermaid’s Tear at all. The genuine Mermaid’s Tear does have nourishing and calming effects.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but this is just a piece of blue crystal. If I’m not mistaken, it was recently dug up from a grave.”

Li Zhi Han was not a bad person; she had helped Lin Yi out of tight spots several times. For others, Lin Yi could remain indifferent, but he couldn’t turn a blind eye to someone who had aided him.

Du Liang looked at Lin Yi with mocking amusement. “Ridiculous. I spent over a million on this Mermaid’s Tear and had it brought in from abroad, but you say it’s fake? Just because you say so?”

“Exactly. Who do you think you are? Do you even have a say at this birthday banquet?” Fang Qing declared arrogantly.

The others looked down on Lin Yi, inwardly sighing at his overconfidence.

Li Ming Feng glanced at Lin Yi with a blank expression and said in a deep voice, “Young man, you must be responsible for your words.”

Lin Yi chuckled lightly. “I’m merely stating a fact.”

“That’s enough!” Li Ming Feng suddenly barked. “If you’re here for Zhi Han’s birthday banquet, you are welcome. But if you’re here to cause trouble, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Lin Yi fell silent for a few seconds, then looked at Li Zhi Han and said, “Miss, if you trust me, you’d best not accept it, and certainly not wear it.”

He left it at that, unwilling to say more.

Li Zhi Han stood there, bewildered and at a loss. She barely knew Lin Yi, yet for some reason, she found herself believing him.

Du Liang had been searching for a reason to trouble Lin Yi, and now the opportunity had fallen right into his hands—there was no way he would let Lin Yi off easily.

“My friend, I don’t recall ever offending you. Why do you keep going against me? Even a clay figurine has a temper. Unless you give me an explanation today, don’t expect to leave,” Du Liang challenged Lin Yi.

Li Ming Feng tacitly approved of Du Liang’s actions.

Lin Yi’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at Du Liang, half-smiling. “You truly want an explanation?”

“Absolutely.” Du Liang stepped forward, his gaze sharp and fixed on Lin Yi.

“Very well, since you demand an explanation, I’ll give you one.”

Lin Yi had only intended to warn Li Zhi Han and had no desire to confront Du Liang. But seeing Du Liang’s posture, he realized that if he didn’t clarify matters, he’d never be allowed to leave.

“The real Mermaid’s Tear feels warm to the touch. Try stroking yours carefully—isn’t there a chill?” Lin Yi said calmly.

At this moment, the elegant woman behind Li Ming Feng whispered, “Husband, I touched a Mermaid’s Tear once. It was warm, like mutton-fat jade.”

Du Liang’s heart skipped a beat. Indeed, the piece he held felt cold, and he’d assumed this was part of its magical properties. But hearing the woman’s words, even he began to doubt the authenticity of his Mermaid’s Tear.

Lin Yi continued, “Ordinary blue crystal can serve as a protective charm, but the issue is this one has been kept too long in a place of darkness and death. If worn for an extended period, it not only brings nightmares but could even weaken a person’s mind.”

Li Ming Feng, seeing Lin Yi’s logical explanation, turned to Du Liang and said, “Nephew Du, may I examine your Mermaid’s Tear?”

“This…” Du Liang hesitated, then handed his Mermaid’s Tear to Li Ming Feng.

Li Ming Feng took it, feeling the cold immediately. He said nothing, instead passing the blue crystal to his wife.

The elegant woman touched it, then said softly, “It is indeed somewhat different from the Mermaid’s Tear I’ve seen before.”

Li Ming Feng’s eyes flickered. He smiled, patted Du Liang’s shoulder, and said warmly, “Nephew Du, your gift is thoughtful. Not like some people, who make a scene for attention.”

Everyone knew Li Ming Feng was siding with Du Liang. So what if the Mermaid’s Tear was fake? It was still a gift, and blue crystal was rare and coveted. As for Lin Yi, he was just a country bumpkin. Li Ming Feng was far too shrewd to fall out with Du Liang over such a trivial matter—there was nothing to gain.

Li Zhi Han pouted, wanting to defend Lin Yi, but she feared that speaking up would only put him in a worse position.

“All right, let’s end this little joke here,” Li Ming Feng said lightly, closing the matter. He wisely refrained from saying more before learning Lin Yi’s true identity.

“Yes,” Du Liang replied, feigning obedience.

Fang Qing sneered. “A country bumpkin who pretends to be important.”

Lin Yi shrugged indifferently. The others began to present their gifts.

Yang Yu Jia had bought a jade bracelet for a thousand yuan—not expensive, but heartfelt.

Soon, everyone had given their gifts. Only Lin Yi neither produced a present nor drew any attention, as if he’d been forgotten in the corner.

Lin Yi was content to relax. He tapped his finger, and a palm-sized gourd appeared on the table—the mysterious vessel. He poured out a cup of spirit liquid, sipped it, and sighed nostalgically, “This is the taste I remember.”

His friends who once drank spirit liquid with him were mostly gone, buried in the earth. He wondered how many in this world could still share a drink with him.

At that moment, Li Zhi Han stood at the center of the hall, like a princess surrounded by admirers.

Du Liang said, “Zhi Han, I know you love music. I specially prepared a piano piece for you.”

Girls are sentimental, and Du Liang said this deliberately to draw Li Zhi Han’s attention.

Sure enough, Li Zhi Han looked at Du Liang with a hint of emotion and replied gently, “Thank you.”

Du Liang smiled gallantly and, under everyone’s gaze, walked confidently to the stage.

A piano had been placed there for guests who wished to perform.

Du Liang sat and let his fingers rest lightly on the keys. The lights dimmed, and a beam of white light spotlighted him—like a concert.

He began to play Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” a piece easy to learn but hard to imbue with true feeling.

Du Liang’s skill was impressive. His refined demeanor and handsome appearance made him seem the sole protagonist of the evening.

The piece soon ended, and the lights returned to normal.

Du Liang stood and bowed slightly to the crowd.

“Bravo!”

Applause erupted, and many girls gazed at Du Liang with green-eyed admiration.

Yang Yu Jia was envious. If someone played a special piece for her on her birthday, how blissful that would be.

Li Zhi Han smiled sweetly. “Thank you, your piano skills far surpass mine.”

Du Liang laughed. “Zhi Han, you’re too modest.”

He then raised his brows and glanced toward the corner—at Lin Yi. “I recall someone hasn’t given a gift yet.”

Only now did the crowd remember there was another guest, all turning their eyes to Lin Yi, waiting for a spectacle.

No matter what, even if he was an outsider, it was improper to come empty-handed. It was a slap in Li Ming Feng’s face.

Lin Yi smiled gently. “In that case, I’ll present a song as my birthday gift.”