E 18

Having successfully resolved the issue, the next step was to discuss the reward.

As Lin Wan looked on with expectation, Mr. Wang handed him two hard cards—one black and one gold.

“Master, thank you for your hard work this time.”

Mr. Wang’s chubby face was filled with smiles, and his small eyes turned into slits, looking particularly comical.

Seeing Lin Wan curiously flipping the cards in his hand, Mr. Wang’s smile grew even brighter.

He stepped closer to Lin Wan, speaking in a more familiar tone.

“Master, the black card is a bank card, and the initial password is 123456. If you want to change the password, you can do so at any bank.”

“The golden one is a VIP card. With this card, you can enjoy supreme VIP services at all our affiliated stores.”

“Oh, and Master, here’s my business card. If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. In Lin'an City, I, Wang, still have some influence.”

At this moment, Lin Wan was unaware of the value of the golden card and the identity of the chubby man before him.

So he just accepted the cards with an indifferent expression, nodded, and said somewhat awkwardly, “My name is Lin Wan; you can just call me Lin Wan.”

Even in the previous cultivation world, he was often referred to as senior or great one. Being called master felt somewhat awkward to him.

It sounded strange and gave off a vibe of a con artist… he muttered to himself.

“It seems disrespectful to call you by your name directly; can I call you… Mr. Lin?”

Hearing this, Wang's father racked his brain for a while, trying to recall the names for those celestial masters that he knew of, apart from "Master." After struggling to come up with a suitable term, he quickly changed his wording.

...Although it still felt a bit awkward, it was already much better than "Master."

So, Lin Wan nodded, tacitly accepting this somewhat historic-sounding title.

During his nodding, Lin Wan suddenly remembered something.

Mr. Wang had just mentioned he had something to discuss. Should he go ahead and speak up...?

But mentioning such things felt so embarrassing...

Lin Wan looked at the Wang family, who appeared very kind and easy to talk to, hesitating and struggling in his heart for a moment. Ultimately, he chose to speak.

"Um, Mr. Wang, to be honest, I have a request." Lin Wan said somewhat shyly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Youqian's spirit jolted, and he instantly seemed much more energized.

He had just been thinking about how to get closer to the master, and now it felt like a golden opportunity had dropped right into his lap!

A hint of joy flickered in his eyes, and Wang Youqian's tone became very serious.

"Ah... no, Lin Sir, please speak! Whatever you need, I will do my utmost to help you!"

Seeing Wang Youqian's overly formal attitude made Lin Wan feel even more embarrassed.

After struggling with himself for a brief moment, his inner desire ultimately took the upper hand.

In the tense anticipation of Wang Youqian and the curious gaze of Wang Gaofei, Lin Wan slightly closed his eyes and said, somewhat bashfully, "Um, could you help me find a few tutors? The college entrance examination is approaching, and my grades are not very good. I want to make a push."

Wang Youqian & Wang Gaofei: ...Huh??? Tutors?!

Upon hearing this, both were taken aback by Lin Wan's unexpected request.

The mysterious and distant aura surrounding the young man suddenly shattered, making him feel much more approachable in an instant.

It turned out even the master had academic struggles...

While Wang Gaofei was still feeling complicated emotions about this, Wang Youqian quickly regained his composure.

He looked at the boy's slightly flushed ears and readily took over the conversation.

"Yes, yes, you are absolutely right! With the college entrance examination coming up, it's time to study hard!"

"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this. I’ll ensure to bring you the best and most efficient tutors!"

Feeling that his relationship with Lin Wan had drawn a bit closer, Wang Youqian became even happier.

His already round face now beamed with joy, looking exceptionally benevolent.

After sending Lin Wan off, Wang Gaofei glanced at his dad, who was smiling contentedly, and felt relieved after his earlier panic.

Seeing his father so happy, he thought he wouldn’t care about his hair dyeing incident anymore…

However, before Wang Gaofei could enjoy his relief for two seconds, he heard his father’s ominous voice from behind.

"Wang Gaofei! From today on, you won’t have any pocket money. Focus on your studies! If you don’t score well in the college entrance examination, I’ll break your legs!"

Wang Gaofei: ?

"And what’s with that ridiculous hair of yours? You have one day to return it to normal! If you don’t, I’ll shave it all off! A bald head will just remind you to study hard!"

Wang Gaofei: ??

With a look of exasperation at his foolish son, Wang Youqian's tone was filled with fervor.

"If the master works so hard, what reason do you have not to put in the effort!"

Wang Gaofei: ???

Watching his father, who was motivated like he had just been injected with adrenaline by Lin Wan, Wang Gaofei felt despondent.

What’s going on? Weren’t they supposed to donate money to build a school and send him to college? Why force him to work hard in a situation where he could easily win!

Why?! He just wanted to be lazy!!!

---

Meanwhile, at the Lin residence.

"Yao Yao, come out for dinner! Mom made your favorite oil-braised shrimp!"

Lin's mother shouted while knocking on the tightly locked door to Lin Yao's room.

Startled by his mother’s loud voice, Lin Yao turned pale, and cold sweat drenched his back in an instant.

He quickly turned off his phone screen, his chubby face showing evident anger as he yelled toward the door, "Shut up! Stop rushing me! I’m not eating dinner; you guys can eat by yourselves!"

Hearing this, Lin's mother frowned, her voice suddenly sharp.

"Yao Yao, what are you doing in there? Why are you locking the door? Open up and let Mom in! You can’t skip dinner! You’re at an age where you need to grow! If you don’t eat well, you’ll ruin your health! You have to prepare for the middle school entrance examination soon; how can you not eat something good..."

Listening to his mother’s incessant nagging mixed with the loud banging on the door, Lin Yao felt like a volcano that had been building pressure for too long, finally unable to contain his intense anger.

"Can you just shut up!!!"

Lin Yao was overweight, and his voice was loud. Combined with his anger, his voice, still cracking from puberty, resonated through the Lin household like a broken gong.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Lin Yao lay on his bed, panting heavily, his plump face flushed with fury.

At that moment, his phone vibrated.

He instinctively glanced at the phone screen, and upon seeing the message, the color drained from his face faster than the tide recedes. Moments later, he was left pale.

"I got it; I'll be out in a bit!" he replied in a shaky voice.

Outside, through the heavy wooden door, Lin's mother heard Lin Yao’s slightly distorted response.

“Hey, fine, Mom will go heat up the shrimp for you. I promise when Yao Yao comes out to eat, the shrimp will be nice and warm!” Lin’s mother replied happily, her face wearing a smile that no one was watching.

She turned to go heat the shrimp, but suddenly, her left foot tripped over her right. Before Lin’s mother could react, she fell hard onto the floor.

“Ouch!”

Covering her head where she hit the ground, Lin’s mother looked at the blood in her palm, her expression filled with resentment.

Ever since that day they met Lin Wan, that little bringer of misfortune, their family had fallen into an inexplicable streak of bad luck.

No matter how careful they were, misfortune kept finding its way to them at every turn.

In recent days, they had lost money, tripped and gotten hurt, and faced unwarranted scolding from their boss… all sorts of misfortunes had struck them, and their family felt utterly cursed!

Ugh, that little bringer of misfortune who harms his father and mother! If it weren't for the money left behind by his short-lived parents, who would want to take him in? Now that he’s run away, good riddance! If he dies out there, that money will finally belong to Yao Yao!

Holding her bruised head, Lin’s mother looked particularly frightening in the shadows.

Resentment and malice layered on her face, every pore and hair seemed to convey venomous words.

Staring with her murky eyes, at that moment, Lin’s mother resembled a monster crawling out of hell, restless and gloomy, ready to pounce.

“Where's the kid’s mother? Hurry up and set the table! Yao Yao will be out for dinner soon!”

Lin’s father’s angry voice rang out from the living room.

“Got it, can’t you move at all? You're so lazy all day long!”

Shaking her dizzy head, Lin’s mother grumbled as she walked towards the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Lin’s father sat on the sofa, and although the soft, yellow light was warm, it cast a chilling aura on his face, making it appear quite terrifying.

“Stop talking nonsense and get to work! Lin Yao, hurry up and come out to eat!”

“Got it!”

From the bedroom, Lin Yao’s voice echoed.

Strangely, although the tone was upbeat, it carried an undercurrent of guilt.

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