Chapter 27

Only when those two characters entered their ears did everyone wake as if from a dream. They immediately searched through the crowd, and in the end, all their gazes landed on Jiang Zao.

Jiang Zao, who had become the focus, looked calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

A soft laugh pulled everyone’s attention back. Rong Jingcheng walked to the side of the painting and reached out to touch it, his fingers landing right on the lips of the person in the painting.

His tone was gentle, like a whisper between lovers. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Voices of agreement sounded one after another.

Rong Jingcheng lightly stroked the outline of the person in the painting with his finger and introduced, “As you can see, the person in the painting is Teacher Jiang Zao. A few days ago, when I was teaching art class, I happened to invite Teacher Jiang to be my model and painted this painting. Later, I heard that the Lin family’s little young master was celebrating his birthday, and I heard that he had a very good relationship with his older brother, so I simply went along with it and chose this painting as the birthday gift.”

“However, it turns out that the older brother Little Young Master Lin has such a good relationship with is not Teacher Jiang.” Rong Jingcheng withdrew his hand. His gaze swept one by one over the anxious faces of the four members of the Lin family. Smiling, he said, “It seems I gave the wrong gift.”

The four members of the Lin family shivered uncontrollably under that glance. Hearing his words afterward was even more like being slapped across the face, leaving their cheeks burning with pain. In those brief dozens of seconds, they experienced the feeling of falling from heaven into hell. If the word “dignity” had not been carved into their very bones, they would probably have already lost their composure.

Jiang Zao.

Rong Jingcheng had painted Jiang Zao.

No matter what the truth was, this was at least an ironclad fact. Compared to them, Jiang Zao had a deeper connection with Rong Jingcheng. Although Rong Jingcheng’s reputation for being hard to fathom was well known, since he had painted Jiang Zao, it meant he did not dislike him. He might even have a favorable impression of him.

The Lin couple exchanged a glance. Their dissatisfaction with Jiang Zao had stemmed from his personality. That unlikable personality brought no benefit to the Lin family’s business. But if Jiang Zao had a relationship with Rong Jingcheng, then that was another matter entirely. Perhaps they could follow this thread and build a good relationship with Rong Jingcheng. Even the slightest resources slipping through the Rong family’s fingers would be enough to feed them for a long time.

Father Lin even secretly felt some regret. In the room earlier, his words had been rather harsh. In the end, he had even argued with Jiang Zao, making things somewhat unpleasant. He wondered whether Jiang Zao would hold a grudge.

Madam Lin thought of how coldly she usually treated Jiang Zao, then of the birthday gift she had given Jiang Zao last time, which had not been taken away. Her expression turned subtle for an instant, but she controlled it well. Only her smile seemed to dim a little.

As for the two brothers, Lin Ran and Lin Tang, they had other thoughts entirely.

Lin Ran was somewhat dazed and dispirited. He was embarrassed and humiliated, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. So everything had been his own wishful thinking. How could Rong Jingcheng possibly paint him? Perhaps the other party did not even know his name. Yet he had actually fantasized that without realizing it, he had been noticed and thought of by Rong Jingcheng. Compared to Jiang Zao, who had already been painted by Rong Jingcheng at some unknown point, his fantasies seemed pitiful and tragic.

For the first time in his life, he felt envy toward Jiang Zao from the bottom of his heart.

Lin Tang was both angry and wronged. He clenched his fists tightly. No matter what, he had never expected that the gift he had been full of anticipation for would actually have something to do with Jiang Zao, the person he hated most! He had thought he was receiving face, but in the end, it was a living slap to the face, striking him until his head spun and his vision blurred.

Clearly, Rong Jingcheng had been the one to make the mistake, yet unfortunately, he could not act up. Because this was in front of everyone. Because this was a painting everyone praised. Because this was a gift given by Rong Jingcheng!

Lin Tang nearly ground his teeth to pieces. He did not want this painting at all!

Thoughts turned rapidly. In only an instant, Father Lin, who had weathered countless battles, had already adjusted his state.

Father Lin smiled calmly. “Family Head Rong, you have seen something laughable. Because Lin Tang was raised by Lin Ran from childhood, his feelings for him are naturally deeper. But his relationship with his biological older brother Jiang Zao is also very good. This gift was not given wrong.”

Beside him, Madam Lin nodded with a restrained smile.

When everyone present heard this, their first reaction was that this old fox really could lie with his eyes wide open. If they had not personally seen how Lin Tang treated Jiang Zao earlier, they might have believed it.

Rong Jingcheng looked half-believing, half-doubtful. “Is that so?”

He seemed to have the intention of looking to Jiang Zao for confirmation. Lin Tang suddenly shouted loudly, “That’s right! My relationship with Brother Jiang Zao is very good. Right, Brother Jiang Zao!”

Jiang Zao, who had already placed himself outside the matter, was pulled back into the dispute again. He saw a pleading expression appear on Lin Tang’s always arrogant face and tugged up a fake smile. “Whatever you say.”

Hearing this, the four members of the Lin family finally felt their suspended hearts settle. They had been worried Jiang Zao would take the chance to kick them while they were down, but he did not. Although his words were not sincere at all, it was fine as long as he had not denied it. There was still room to maneuver.

Lin Tang braced himself and said to Rong Jingcheng, “You heard that. Brother Jiang Zao agreed. Our relationship is very good!”

Rong Jingcheng looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile and did not express his stance.

Father Lin gave a light cough and said, “Jiang Zao is a treasure our Lin family lost and regained, and Family Head Rong happened to choose this painting as a birthday gift. Perhaps this is fate.”

“Oh?” Rong Jingcheng raised a brow. “Fate…”

He said nothing more, so Father Lin could only continue talking to himself. “May I ask if Family Head Rong is willing to let us hang this painting in the main hall? Such an excellent work of art, if it were not displayed and were instead stored away, would that not be too much of a pity?”

Lin Tang stared at his father with eyes widened in disbelief. Hang this painting in the main hall?

His original plan had been that accepting the painting was one thing, but when the time came, he would directly throw it into storage, out of sight and out of mind. Yet now Dad was actually saying they would hang the painting up. In the future, he would see it every time he lowered or raised his head, and every time he saw it, he would have to remember today’s humiliation. Were they trying to disgust him to death?!

He did not agree!

Rong Jingcheng still did not speak.

Father Lin frowned. After a little thought, he looked toward Lin Tang. “Lin Tang, this painting was given to you. What do you think?”

Lin Tang’s face turned pale again and again. The entire room’s gazes concentrated on him, like fine little needles stabbing his whole body. Lin Tang’s body and mind were full of resistance, but he could not resist. He could not afford to offend Rong Jingcheng, nor could he rebel against his father’s command.

In the end, Lin Tang gritted his teeth and said, “I agree to hang it up.”

Father Lin said to Rong Jingcheng, “Family Head Rong, look, even Lin Tang is full of expectation. Today is his birthday. Could you bear to disappoint this child?”

Rong Jingcheng finally spoke. “Naturally, I couldn’t bear to.”

Father Lin was delighted. Although the process had taken some twists and turns, they had finally managed, through persuasion and coaxing, to keep the painting. As long as the painting was here, it would prove that Rong Jingcheng valued the Lin family.

He impatiently said to Lin Tang, “Good child, go take your birthday gift.”

Urged by his father, Lin Tang unwillingly took his first step.

“Sorry,” Rong Jingcheng said. Then he took a step toward Lin Ran, who was standing there in a daze, and took the white cloth back from his hands.

The Lin family’s gazes fell on him again, filled with confusion.

Only after Rong Jingcheng covered the painting with the white cloth again did he say, “Although I can’t bear to, I am a perfectionist. If the gift is wrong, then it is wrong. Even if you are willing, I cannot tolerate this mistake.”

If not for the last string of reason still in his head, Lin Tang really would have exploded. He had finally managed to mentally prepare himself and convince himself to accept this painting. But now, Rong Jingcheng was the one saying he would not give it after all. Then had everything just now been playing with people?

Father Lin clearly also felt this was inappropriate. “Family Head Rong, this…”

Rong Jingcheng smiled and said, “Later, I will have someone send over another gift.”

His tone was as kind as ever, but Father Lin did not dare have any objections at all. This was Rong Jingcheng, the one who set the rules of the game. Whether he treated people kindly or arrogantly, whether he was willing to give or take back, all depended solely on himself and had nothing to do with others’ wishes. The only choice they had was—to accept, and submit.

“Yes.” Father Lin squeezed out a smile. “Thank you for your trouble, Family Head Rong.”

“It’s nothing.” Rong Jingcheng waved a hand, and the two bodyguards put the painting away.

“I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.” Rong Jingcheng turned toward Lin Tang, whose face was still pale, and smiled. “Little birthday star, happy birthday. Have fun.”

Rong Jingcheng left openly and grandly.

Lin Tang stood where he was, his entire body trembling. His breathing was heavy, and his heart was beating very quickly. A huge urge to destroy was brewing in his chest, waiting for an opportunity to erupt.

The whispered voices were very far away, but he heard them clearly.

“Hahaha, what a good show. If I were Lin Tang, my heart would probably explode.”

“Who says otherwise? Look at Lin Tang’s expression when he heard Rong Jingcheng was giving him a painting. read the original at bailiantales.com So high and mighty. I thought he was about to step on my head.”

“The facts prove that people really shouldn’t covet things that don’t belong to them. Such a good opportunity to curry favor with Rong Jingcheng, and they were the ones who ruined it.”

“Don’t say that. Lin Tang is also quite pitiful.”

“He’s pitiful? Didn’t you see how flattering he looked toward Rong Jingcheng just now? Like a dog. If he had a tail, it probably would have wagged until it flew.”

“Is only Lin Tang like a dog? Isn’t the whole family the same? Birds of a feather flock together.”

“Do you think Rong Jingcheng left so quickly because he’s angry? A gift he prepared carefully turned out to be wrong. That’s still a little embarrassing, right?”

“Who knows? How could we guess what Rong Jingcheng is thinking? We’re just here to watch the show.”

“Exactly. When I saw Lin Tang’s face go pale, I almost laughed out loud. Good thing I held it in. But it really is hilarious.”

“Look, his face is still very pale. He won’t faint, will he?”

“Then that would be too pitiful, hehe.”

Lin Ran walked to Lin Tang’s side and looked [stolen content]at his younger brother, whose head was lowered while his whole body trembled, with heartache. “Xiao Tang…”

Lin Tang was still trembling.

Lin Ran felt even more distressed. He knew that compared to the blow he himself had received, Lin Tang had been hurt even more. He did not know whether Lin Tang could withstand it.

Lin Ran reached out, wanting to hold Lin Tang’s hand. But in the next second, his hand was heavily flung away, and he was pushed by that force into staggering back two steps, nearly falling.

“Xiao—”

Lin Ran barely steadied himself and lifted his head to look. Lin Tang’s face was flushed red, and raging flames of anger burned in his eyes.

“Get lost!” he screamed hoarsely. “All of you—”

A cold gaze came over. Lin Tang shuddered, swallowing back the unfinished words as his body shook like chaff.

Father Lin stood in front of him with displeasure on his face. He coldly looked at his youngest son and cursed under his breath, “Useless thing.”

Father Lin turned toward the guests and barely maintained the last of his dignity. “Everyone, I apologize. My son is feeling unwell. Today’s banquet will end here. Thank you all for honoring us with your presence. I am deeply grateful.”

The guests all expressed understanding, and so this banquet ended much earlier than expected.

Jiang Zao had left before Rong Jingcheng.

When the people of Class 19 saw him leave, although they still wanted to watch the show, for reasons even they could not explain, they still followed him and left first.

The group marched grandly out of the Lin family’s gate. Then, outside the gate, they stared at one another.

Jiang Zao crossed his arms and looked at them with amusement. “What are you doing? Why are you all so unhappy?”

Zhou Yuan also imitated him and crossed his arms. Hearing Jiang Zao ask, he gave a cold snort. “That Lin Tang had such a bad attitude toward you, yet you still protected him. Are you the Holy Mother, or are you a masochist?”

The others all shared the same indignant expression.

They were about to be angered to death by this disappointing guy, Jiang Zao. With such a good opportunity to complain, he had actually let it pass so painlessly. It was simply outrageous. He should have taken the chance to kick them while they were down and retaliate!

Jiang Zao only laughed softly and shook his head. “I am neither the Holy Mother nor a masochist. I simply don’t like wasting time on people who aren’t worth it.”

“Toward people who aren’t worth it, both love and hate are a waste of time.” After Jiang Zao finished speaking, he lifted his chin slightly. “Little friends, don’t always let emotions lead you. Use your brains more and properly think about what is most valuable to yourselves.”

Why had he started lecturing them!

The others became even angrier. Clearly, they had come to criticize him, so why were they being lectured in return? And what he said even seemed to make a bit of sense!

They were even, even angrier!

Jiang Zao clapped his hands. “All right, class is over too. Everyone disband on the spot and go do whatever you should be doing.”

Everyone looked at one another. Song Jintong and Fang Han exchanged a glance and stepped forward. “Teacher, how can we disband? Don’t forget, you still owe us a meal.”

“You’re still planning to eat?” Jiang Zao asked.

Fang Han spread his hands. “Why not? Right now is just mealtime.”

“Eh?” Rong Jingcheng’s smiling voice happened to sound. “Is everyone eating together? Everyone present gets a share, so add me in too.”

Author’s Note:

Rong “Peacock” Jingcheng: I was only letting you look. Did you really think I would give it away?