Chapter 28: Stealing the Spotlight

“I’m not sure about that, but I imagine Miss Shanshan must be the most upset about Jiang Shao’s injury,” Yi Tianming said, his gaze drifting toward the youthful and beautiful Lin Shanshan, unable to suppress a surge of jealousy toward Jiang Shang. Damn it, why does he get to have such a stunning young woman? Still, there was some consolation in the fact that Jiang Shang had been crippled in one important aspect.

“Yes, I’m terribly upset. I could almost cry,” Lin Shanshan replied in an utterly calm, untroubled voice.

Yi Tianming suspected she was feigning indifference. Now that Jiang Shang was only partially functional, he was certain the man could never satisfy her. The thought made him itch with the desire to steal her away.

“I wish I knew who took Jiang Shang down. They’ve done me a great favor. If I ever find out, I’ll have to thank them properly,” he mused inwardly.

Soon, a few more wealthy youths and socialites arrived. After the usual pleasantries, everyone boarded the yacht.

On board, Zhou Xiaoyu and Yi Tianming sat together at a table. The little girl was chattering away, her laughter ringing out joyfully. Lin Shanshan sat beside her.

Lin Yuan, on the other hand, sat alone in a corner, shunned by everyone. The socialites and young elites clustered together, drinking and feasting amongst themselves.

At that moment, the chubby Wang Hao waddled over.

“Brother Lin Yuan, I’ve noticed you keep glancing at Lin Shanshan. Don’t tell me you’re interested in her?” Wang Hao chuckled, settling down beside him and pushing a plate of lobster his way.

Lin Yuan wasted no time in digging in.

“No need to be embarrassed, Brother Lin. But if you want her, it won’t be easy. Jiang Shao is a mountain no one can climb over,” Wang Hao said.

Lin Yuan gave him a sidelong glance. “You’re so fat. Haven’t you ever thought about losing weight?”

“Uh, well, I’m used to it,” Wang Hao scratched his head, then his eyes lit up with an idea. “Brother Lin Yuan, do you have any weight-loss medicine?”

“Of course. I’ll whip up some cold-natured medicine for you. It’ll chill your stomach, kill your appetite, and before long you’ll be skinny,” Lin Yuan replied.

“No way, bro, please!” Wang Hao’s eyes shone with hope. He immediately stood up and knelt before Lin Yuan in the aisle.

Lin Yuan pursed his lips. “Well…”

“I understand, bro!” Wang Hao whipped out his checkbook and scribbled out ten million, handing it over with both hands. “Bro, this is a small token of my respect.”

“That’s not necessary. It’s not about money—I just like helping people,” Lin Yuan said, pocketing the check, then producing pen and paper to jot down a prescription.

“Here, it’s all non-toxic, cold-natured herbs. Take them for a few days and your appetite will drop,” he said, handing it over.

Wang Hao was overjoyed. “Thank you, bro!”

“Wang Shao, who is this?” The scene left the other socialites and young elites dumbstruck.

After all, Wang Hao was one of the Four Young Lords of Binhai. Why was he kneeling before a mere youth?

Wang Hao stood and smiled, “This is the miracle doctor who cured Elder Jin’s lung cancer—my big bro, Lin Yuan!”

“What?”

“No way, it’s him!”

“I’ve heard about him. He’s amazing—he even cured lung cancer! And I hear Elder Jin is in great spirits these days; he’ll probably live another decade with no problem!”

“My god, a miracle doctor. We should all get to know him!” Eyes brightened all around, and several women drifted toward Lin Yuan.

“Lin Yuan, how old are you? Do you have a girlfriend?” one of them asked.

“Little Miracle Doctor Lin, my stomach’s been bothering me. Could you give me a massage?” another purred.

“Miracle doctor, I’m not feeling well either…” Several provocatively dressed socialites crowded close, posing seductively and trying to catch his eye.

The young men nearby looked sour. Just moments ago, they’d been laughing and flirting with these very same women; now Lin Yuan was the star, and the women had flocked to him.

Lin Shanshan, too, fixed her beautiful eyes on Lin Yuan, her gaze sharp as a blade. Her lips jutted in a pout so high you could hang a soy sauce bottle from it.

Suddenly, a stab of pain in her abdomen made her gasp.

“What’s wrong?” Yi Tianming, sitting nearby, asked with concern.

“My stomach hurts…” Lin Shanshan’s face went ghostly pale, sweat beading on her brow.

“Shanshan’s started her period,” Zhou Xiaoyu chimed in.

Yi Tianming immediately instructed one of his aides, “Go make some brown sugar ginger tea.”

“Make way, make way.” Lin Yuan brushed aside the preening socialites and walked up.

Seeing him approach, Lin Shanshan complained, “Country bumpkin, I’m in pain.”

Without a word, Lin Yuan took out a set of silver needles, crouched down, and inserted them into two acupoints on her leg—Blood Sea and Sanyinjiao.

Instantly, the pain dulled, the sensation of icy knives twisting in her belly easing.

Next, Lin Yuan placed his palm over her lower abdomen, massaging gently. The warmth of his hand, suffused with strong yang energy, drove the cold from her womb.

“Mmm…” Lin Shanshan closed her eyes in comfort, snuggling into Lin Yuan’s arms as if basking in the gentle rays of a winter sun. The comfort made her drowsy.

“Bro, the ginger tea’s ready.” A moment later, the aide returned, carrying a bowl.

Yi Tianming’s expression darkened. “Take it back. Drink it yourself.”

The aide glanced at the scene in confusion, but did as he was told.

Yi Tianming cursed inwardly, “Damn it, this guy always steals my thunder!” He looked at the adorable Zhou Xiaoyu beside him and felt a bit better.

“Xiaoyu, do you think badly of me?” he asked softly.

Zhou Xiaoyu blinked her big, innocent eyes. “Why would I think badly of you, Brother Tianming?”

“I’m not as skilled as he is,” Yi Tianming said wistfully.

“So what? You’re the one who saved me, Brother Tianming,” she replied gently.

Warmth filled Yi Tianming’s heart, but guilt soon followed. He feigned a touched expression. “Thank you, Xiaoyu.”

He shot Lin Yuan a challenging look, but Lin Yuan ignored him, holding Lin Shanshan close as he treated her cramps.

“Country bumpkin, this happens to me every month. But it’s strange—ever since that day with you, I haven’t had any pain at all for the first few days…” Lin Shanshan whispered, curled weakly in his arms. “But just now, I drank some iced juice and the pain came back. Luckily, you’re here.”

“Naturally,” Lin Yuan murmured into her ear. “I have a pure yang constitution—what I gave you drives out the cold from your womb. When you’re better, we’ll do it a few more times.”

“You scoundrel, always bullying me. And you dare mention what you gave me!” Lin Shanshan punched him playfully, feigning annoyance, though in her heart she was more than willing, even if it meant a long cleanup afterwards.

Just a moment ago, in agony, she’d nearly wished for death. Now, warmth and happiness filled her.

“Brother Tianming, maybe we should head back. Shanshan seems really tired,” Zhou Xiaoyu suggested softly.

“Alright,” Yi Tianming agreed.

And so the gathering ended on a discordant note.

At the dock, Yi Tianming drove Zhou Xiaoyu home. Before leaving, he shot Lin Yuan another provocative glare.

Then, he pulled out his phone and sent two photos to Jiang Shang.

In the first, Lin Shanshan nestled in Lin Yuan’s embrace. In the second, on the dock at sunset, Lin Yuan carried Lin Shanshan on his back—intimate, inseparable, a scene of perfect romance. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were lovers.

“Lin Yuan, you go mess with Jiang Shang,” Yi Tianming thought. “Once I win Xiaoyu over, I’ll move on to Lin Shanshan!”

He glanced in the rearview mirror at the sweet-faced, doll-like Xiaoyu sitting quietly in the back seat.

His mind wandered, a faint smile curling his lips. Sooner or later, I’ll have her in my arms, to play with as I please.