"Give her that earring worth over 800,000, and she'll marry you immediately."
Upon hearing Lin Fan's words, Lin Lingfeng grew even more enraged.
This brat was deliberately trying to trick him!
Lin Lingfeng glared at Lin Fan, seeming ready to lash out.
Just then, a security guard approached.
Such a grand hotel placed great importance on decorum; disturbances were not tolerated.
As soon as any trouble arose, security would be there in an instant.
Lin Lingfeng's eyes darted around. "I know this kid. He's a hooligan from Luofeng Village, always loafing around. He must be up to no good coming here today. Hurry up and investigate him."
The security guard followed his gaze to Lin Fan.
Before coming here, Lin Fan had done a lot of fieldwork. His clothes were dirty and smeared with mud, making him look anything but a person of high standing.
"Sir, please come with me to the security office."
The guard made a polite gesture.
Lin Lingfeng added fuel to the fire. "Make sure you investigate him thoroughly. He might have stolen something."
Onlookers in the vicinity chimed in, "This kid doesn't look like a good person at all!"
"He looks so silly, showing up at a high-class hotel in rags. What's he thinking?"
"He could really be a thief!"
Lin Fan was taken aback. The praise he'd received earlier had made him forget that not everyone in the city was as decent as Sun Yinglun.
Many people viewed villagers with prejudice, judging solely by appearance.
Lin Fan knew he absolutely couldn't back down now; otherwise, it would be tantamount to admitting he had done something wrong.
He glared at the security guard. "What? Can't I come here because of how I'm dressed? Call your manager over!"
The security guard was momentarily stunned.
"Hmph!"
Lin Lingfeng scoffed. "Putting on airs! What a peacock!"
"Call your boss over!" Lin Fan said coldly.
The security guard grew fearful. If things escalated, and this young man truly had connections, he'd be in deep trouble.
He might even lose his job.
The security guard hesitated.
"This..."
"What is this? I told you to call your boss. Tell him the Lin family's young master wants to see him! Haven't you heard of the Lin Group? They're the management family of this hotel. Understand?"
There was a Lin family in Yunqing City's catering industry, a leader in the field, though they had been on a downward trend in recent years.
However, even a weakened dragon was still a dragon; the Lin family remained a prominent clan, owning over a dozen hotels, half of which were five-star establishments.
Hearing this name, the security guard knew this was serious. He quickly contacted his captain via walkie-talkie, who in turn immediately notified the management.
The onlookers were shocked.
"He's the Lin family's young master?"
"So powerful, no wonder he dares to cause trouble here!"
"This is a rich man, and he has influence too!"
Lin Lingfeng beamed with pride as he heard the surrounding praise, looking condescendingly at Lin Fan. "Brat, you've stepped onto my turf. Let's see how I deal with you!"
Lin Fan sensed trouble.
He wasn't afraid for himself, only that he might implicate Sun Yinglun and the others. They had invited him for a pleasant meal, and it would be a shame to spoil their mood.
Soon, someone from the hotel management arrived.
"Lin Lingfeng, causing trouble here again?"
A clear, cold voice echoed.
Lin Fan found the voice very familiar.
Lin Lingfeng raised an eyebrow. "Sister? What are you doing here? Weren't you at the hotel in the northern district?"
The person who arrived was Lin Qingshuang, Lin Lingfeng's sister!
Lin Fan couldn't help but laugh and sigh at the smallness of the world.
Lin Qingshuang's face was stern. "What, can't I come?"
"Let me tell you, Father has mentioned it many times. He told you to stop loafing around. If you cause any trouble, you know the consequences!"
Lin Lingfeng retorted, "Sister, this isn't my fault this time. It's this kid. Look at him; his presence here will tarnish our hotel's reputation!"
"Mr. Lin Fan?!"
Lin Qingshuang exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Lin Fan.
Lin Fan smiled. "Miss Lin, so he's your brother. What a coincidence."
"My brother is usually arrogant and overbearing, spoiled by our father. I hope he hasn't offended you, Mr. Lin."
Lin Qingshuang bowed respectfully to Lin Fan, apologizing.
Lin Lingfeng grew anxious. "Sister! Who is he? With our Lin family's vast business, do we have to bow down to some country bumpkin?"
Lin Qingshuang shot him a fierce glare. "Shut up! Go to the office now. I'll talk to you later!"
Although unwilling, Lin Lingfeng couldn't disobey his sister. He dejectedly left.
"Mr. Lin, I am truly sorry. I will educate him properly later." Lin Qingshuang apologized again.
Lin Fan smiled and waved his hand. "It's alright. It's just that your brother needs some discipline. Last time he was chasing that young girl, and now he's brought other women here. Tomorrow, he'll probably change again. This is not commendable!"
Lin Qingshuang gave an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Mr. Lin, why did you suddenly decide to come here?"
"Someone invited me for a meal, so I came."
"I'll waive your bill as my apology."
Lin Qingshuang intended to go to the private room to meet Lin Fan's friends.
"Miss Lin, please wait a moment. I need to go to the restroom; I can't hold it much longer."
Lin Fan darted away like a shot.
Lin Lingfeng's incessant rambling had made him hold it for a long time, and he desperately needed relief.
A few minutes later, the two returned to the private room.
"Everyone, this is the owner of Fenglong Hotel, Lin Qingshuang."
Upon entering, Lin Fan made the introduction.
Everyone present recognized Lin Qingshuang.
Yang Guangyu was the first to stand up. "Miss Lin, you are too kind. I had intended to be discreet and not bother you, but you've come personally."
"You are all prominent figures in Yunqing City, so of course, I must come to greet you and, incidentally, waive your bill." Lin Qingshuang smiled.
"Hahaha... Miss Lin, as always, you are eloquent and business-minded!"
"We wonder when Miss Lin will get married. I will definitely prepare a grand gift!"
"Miss Lin is only twenty-five years old and already possesses such presence, just like your father. I must visit you someday!"
Everyone engaged in polite conversation.
Lin Fan was not interested in such social niceties and even felt a bit out of place.
It was good to chat freely, but endless mutual flattery was pointless.
Lin Qingshuang did not linger. After a glass of red wine, she departed.
Lin Fan walked her out. "Is it tiring to constantly exchange pleasantries?"
"Sigh~"
Lin Qingshuang let out a helpless sigh. "It can't be helped. Originally, the family business was to be handed over to my brother, but look at him; he can't handle it at all!"
"Can't your father continue to do business?" Lin Fan asked out of curiosity.
Considering Lin Qingshuang's age, her father should be under fifty; there was no reason for him to retire so early.