Give Her a Chance to Flirt! - Chapter 17

While Lin Jiu was conversing with Yu Yihan, inside the living room, Lin Momo had identified her target.

She walked toward Xu Feng, the President of the Tea Association:

“President Xu, I really love your ‘Tea Talk’ every Wednesday. I catch the live stream every single time.”

After hitting walls within the Lin family and with Yu Yihan, Lin Momo wallowed in depression for a moment before immediately switching her target to external figures.

The world was not solely ruled by the Lin and Yu families.

In the tea industry alone, there were two other major tea estates besides theirs. One of them was the Xu family, from which Xu Feng hailed, specializing mostly in white tea.

Xu Feng was always lenient toward juniors, and combined with the power of her Halo, Lin Momo quickly gained his approval.

Less than two minutes later, a slightly chubby man scurried to Xu Feng’s side, his eyes burning as he stared at Lin Momo:

“Hello, I’m Xu Xian. Shall we get to know each other?”

Xu Xian’s words and insolent gaze exuded frivolity; his forehead was shiny with a greasy film. Lin Momo felt disgusted, but upon hearing his surname was Xu, her expression shifted.

Xu Feng introduced him calmly: “This is my cousin’s son.”

A nephew?

Lin Momo thought carefully. Xu Feng came from a branch of the Xu family, so his nephew…

Xu Xian took another step closer: “You’ve heard of my uncle, but never my name? I am currently the Vice President of the Xu Group.”

A Group Vice President? That meant he was from the direct lineage. Lin Momo immediately matched him to his reputation—

He was the useless, playboy eldest son of the Xu family’s primary house, idling away his days at the company.

However, because of this precious status and being the “eldest son of the direct line” in the eyes of the older generation, Xu Xian held significant sway within the Xu family.

Suppressing her revulsion, Lin Momo put on a smile and said softly:

“How could I not? I just didn’t expect Vice President Xu to attend my recognition banquet. I was so surprised I didn’t react for a moment.”

Xu Xian was only there for the food and entertainment and hadn’t cared what kind of banquet it was. Hearing this, he asked:

“Your background is quite legendary. So, how is it? Are you used to being back with the Lin family?”

“There’s no ‘used to’ or ‘not used to’… this is my home. Even if there are issues, it’s my own fault.”

These words made it sound as though she had suffered great grievances.

The grease on Xu Xian’s face shifted as he frowned: “Which person surnamed Lin is so intolerant of others?”

Xu Feng also shook his head in disapproval: “Is it that your father is too busy with work and has neglected you?”

With just a few ambiguous words, she could easily make the people before her believe her without a doubt and speak out on her behalf.

Yes, this is how it should be. Pleasure surged through Lin Momo’s chest; this was the treatment she deserved.

Lin Momo reclaimed her familiar feeling, and her whole being felt light as air.

In places she didn’t notice, her Halo pulsed more and more rapidly, continuously expanding outward with her as the center.

Before anyone knew it, more and more people gathered around Lin Momo. She stood in the center like a moon surrounded by stars, her voice continuously reaching everyone’s ears.

“At first, they were fine with me, but soon… it’s probably because they despise the fact that I was wandering outside for so long.”

“Because of Lin Jiu, Yu Yihan also has a prejudice against me. I only went to find her that day thinking we were friends. I didn’t expect it was a trap waiting for me.”

“No matter what, I am a member of the Lin family. I’m very happy to be back. I’d rather be unhappy myself than make everyone else unhappy.”

“Having a recognition banquet is enough to make me satisfied.”

The crowd grew emotional and indignant:

“You are Lin Yuan’s daughter; you deserve all of this. Wasn’t it his responsibility as a father that you couldn’t return sooner? You are the most innocent one.”

“I didn’t expect Yu Yihan to interfere in the Lin family’s affairs. It’s obvious someone from the Lin family instigated it. It was Lin Jiu, right? I knew there was something wrong with her.”

“Momo, you are simply too kind. Visit my family more often in the future, okay?”

Lin Yuan and his wife were also pulled in by the Halo. Their faces were full of shame, and they felt utterly humiliated.

Soon, people pointed their spears at them:

“You still have the nerve to show your faces? What kind of parents are you?”

“So what if Momo isn’t your biological child? Couldn’t you be a good stepmother? You’re truly wicked!”

“We are here today to uphold justice. You should apologize to Momo!”

The emotions ran high. The guests became judges, and Lin Momo’s enemies became the prisoners in this play.

A barrage of rebukes, disdain, “apologies,” and even the words “kneel and apologize” heavily submerged Lin Yuan and his wife.

Not only from the outside, but at some point, their hearts were also filled with regret, guilt, and hatred—

Hating themselves for how they could have treated Lin Momo this way.

Their hands and feet turned cold, cold sweat broke out, and their knees felt weak.

When Lin Jiu and Yu Yihan arrived together, they saw this absurd and ridiculous scene.

Across the layers of guests whose hearts had been bewitched, Lin Momo held her chin high. She looked at Lin Jiu from a distance, her gaze full of provocation:

“Lin Jiu, you’ve finally arrived.”

“I like tonight’s banquet very much. Do you?”

Xu Xian barked from behind Lin Momo:

“Lin Jiu? You’re the one who should most kowtow and admit your mistakes to Lin Momo. Get over here!”

Other voices followed, crashing over Lin Jiu like a storm.

These people were merely the surface manifestations of Lin Momo’s emotions. Undoubtedly, Lin Momo now thoroughly hated Lin Jiu.

Amidst the agitated crowd, Lin Jiu remained indifferent, as if the target of all this wasn’t her at all—

In fact, that was exactly what she thought. If she took the words of irrational people seriously, wouldn’t that make her the irrational one?

What Lin Jiu cared more about was Lin Momo’s amplified ability. This indiscriminate attack rushed straight at her. She was naturally repelled by this power, and in the next instant, she thought of how to protect Yu Yihan beside her—

Before Lin Jiu could move to protect her, Yu Yihan’s body pressed close to hers.

A warm body temperature pressed against her from behind. Lin Jiu wanted to dodge but forced herself to stay still.

Yu Yihan lowered her gaze, staring at the translucent skin before her, and murmured behind Lin Jiu’s ear:

“You noticed it too, didn’t you? There’s something strange about Lin Momo.”

“Your body fragrance can keep me clear-headed.”

Yu Yihan’s high nose bridge leaned forward slightly.

So, please forgive my uncontrollable, repeated proximity.

The tips of Lin Jiu’s ears turned hot.

However, Yu Yihan had given her new inspiration. At the moment this inspiration appeared, Lin Jiu felt her fusion with her “Green Tea Spirit” nature reach a higher level.

Looking at the crowd glaring like tigers—as if they would tear her apart if she didn’t apologize—Lin Jiu wasn’t angry; instead, she was happy. Wasn’t this the perfect time to practice her skills?

She made a hand gesture to the waiter outside the door, signaling him to wait a bit longer before entering. Then, Lin Jiu took a gentle step forward—

Lin Momo instinctively wanted to back away, but seeing the people blocking the way in front of her, she felt much more secure.

Lin Jiu could fight her, but could she fight so many people?

Lin Momo watched coldly, only to see Lin Jiu’s eyes suddenly turn red.

Her skin was cool and white, so even a slight flush was very obvious. This hint of peach-blossom pink was like the perfect embellishment. Paired with her pure white gown, it made Lin Jiu look noble and elegant yet fragile and breakable, like a white feather floating in the air with nothing to lean on.

“We have all known each other for so long. Does a few words from Momo make you feel that I am that kind of person?”

Lin Momo almost laughed out loud.

Was Lin Jiu at the end of her rope? Did she actually think she could turn the tables with these kinds of words?

She said herself she was a “Green Tea,” and she wasn’t wrong. Unfortunately, everyone present was under control; no one would pay her any mind.

The next second, there was a slight commotion in the crowd.

Lin Momo’s smile froze before it could even fully retreat.

Her whole body tensed as her eyes quickly scanned the guests.

Lin Jiu walked to Lin Yuan’s side and supported him and the Eldest Aunt, helping them stand straight.

The follow-up words came immediately:

“If I say now that everything Momo said is a fabricated lie, none of you will believe me, right? It makes sense. I’m not as likable as Momo. I really envy her.”

Lin Jiu lowered her head slightly and sighed softly, creating a thousand ripples.

“It’s not like that! Compared to Lin Momo, I would definitely believe you more!”

The first to shout was Zhao Chun. She was also standing in the crowd, and at this moment, she couldn’t remember at all why she had believed Lin Momo’s nonsense.

How could that girl compare to her own good sister? Lin Jiu even gave her a big red envelope during the New Year!

In just a few short minutes, the scene completely reversed.

“Cough, actually, your family matters aren’t for us to interfere in.”

“I knew the Lin family wouldn’t be so muddled… is there a scent of tea?”

“There really is, hmm… orchid fragrance? Is it Longjing?”

Lin Momo’s eyes darted rapidly across everyone. How… how can this be! It wasn’t until her own nose caught that elegant orchid scent that she became dazed.

As the tea fragrance wafted over, it enveloped her entirely. She felt as if she were soaking in warm water; the surging resentment in her heart was like a retreating tide, slowly calming down.

Lin Momo couldn’t help but close her eyes.

At this moment, she forgot about the unfinished struggle. She only felt that it had been a long time since she had been this relaxed.

Compared to this moment, her constantly agitated state felt like a burdensome luggage. Once set down, her body felt an endless weariness.

But the tea fragrance moisturizing her made her feel incredibly comfortable…

Lin Jiu kept a close watch on Lin Momo from the corner of her eye.

She saw the Halo at Lin Momo’s neck go out for an instant, then begin to flash like crazy.

Lin Jiu’s finger twitched, and when she spoke, her words were full of “Green Tea” flavor:

“Ah, I won’t blame Momo. Her straightforward personality—saying whatever wild thoughts she has—is quite nice. I’m not like that; I’m always afraid of saying the wrong thing and causing misunderstandings.”

As these words were spoken, a breath of pure “Green Tea Spirit Essence” was exhaled into the air. Before long, it transformed into a rich Longjing tea fragrance, drifting to every corner of the room.

This was a new ability Lin Jiu had just acquired. As long as she acted like a “Green Tea,” she could incorporate tea essence into her words at will.

Letting everyone be “Greened” safely, “Greened” happily, to the point of shouting for more, wishing they could lie down and be “Greened” every day.

As the Green Tea atmosphere grew richer, that Halo finally stopped flashing. Its color dimmed significantly, and it looked withered.

Lin Momo immediately left the living room, her departing figure looking panicked.

Lin Jiu withdrew her gaze. Someone beside her whispered:

“You are much more reassuring. Lin Momo is too good at causing trouble and then shifting the blame to others.”

“I don’t know why, but I feel a bit dizzy and nauseous…”

Hearing the last sentence, Lin Jiu felt it was time for her backup to come on stage.

Everyone present was an ordinary person; it was inevitable that some with weaker constitutions would need their spirits soothed after the struggle between the two powers.

Lin Jiu looked toward the door. Just as she was about to call the waiter, she saw Yu Yihan step into the hall, followed closely by a waiter pushing a drinks cart.

Yu Yihan and Lin Jiu’s gazes met softly and then drifted apart.

Yu Yihan’s smile was faint, her voice cool:

“Taking this opportunity, I welcome everyone to taste the new product that the Hongran Project is about to launch.”

She stepped aside, revealing the drinks cart behind her.

The cart was filled with glass cups, already filled with the drink.

The cups were clear, containing an orange-red liquid, like the rosy glow of the sky at sunset.

Square ice cubes floated within, straws were inserted at an angle, and the tops were adorned with bright green mint leaves—a gentle touch of decoration.

“Iced Black Tea.”