Chapter 11: You Know How to Tell the Jokers Apart

Hou Guiwen kicked Feng Yujiao viciously twice, his face radiating murderous intent.

Feng Yujiao scrambled and crawled to Murong Yun and Lin Yang, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Miss Yun, I failed to recognize who I was dealing with. Please, show mercy and forgive me. I swear I won't dare to do this again." As she spoke, she slapped herself hard across the face, twice.

"The one you should be apologizing to is Lin Yang, not me," Murong Yun said coldly.

Feng Yujiao immediately knelt before Lin Yang, pleading desperately. "Lin Yang, I’m sorry! I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those things. It was my sharp tongue, my blind arrogance. Please, for the sake of our old school days, give me another chance! I don’t want to be thrown into the river to feed the fish, and I can’t afford to lose my job!"

Feng Yujiao knew very well that Hou Guiwen was not a man to make idle threats. If he said he would toss her into the river, he would do it.

Lin Yang’s face remained impassive; he gave no response.

Terror-stricken, Feng Yujiao raised her hand and slapped herself again, so hard that blood trickled from her mouth and nose.

"Enough. Don’t dirty the place. Mr. Hou has a business to run. I can’t be bothered to argue with you—you’re not worth it," Lin Yang said flatly.

Relief washed over Feng Yujiao, and she let out a shaky breath. "Thank you! Thank you for your magnanimity."

She then turned to Hou Guiwen, pleading, "Mr. Hou, they’ve forgiven me. Please don’t fire me."

"Miss Yun’s status is far above yours. She wouldn’t stoop to quarrel with a clown like you. But you, as the store manager, looked down on customers and tried to drive them out. I’ll spare your life today, but pack up your things and get out," Hou Guiwen declared.

Hou Guiwen was no fool. Even if Murong Yun and Lin Yang chose not to pursue the matter, he could not afford to shield Feng Yujiao and risk offending Murong Yun. No matter that Feng Yujiao had once shared his bed, he would show her no mercy now.

Feng Yujiao’s previous arrogance was rooted in her affair with Hou Guiwen and her belief that her boyfriend, Yue Jun, was the store’s manager—she thought herself untouchable. Who could have foreseen that Hou Guiwen would turn on her so ruthlessly, nearly ending her?

Stunned and devastated, Feng Yujiao felt her world collapse. Not only had she lost her job, but she feared Yue Jun would now sever all ties with her. All the effort she’d put into becoming store manager had come to naught, and regret twisted her heart.

"You all saw what happened today? In the future, anyone who disrespects a customer will end up the same way!" Hou Guiwen seized the moment to make an example of her and restore order to the store.

The few employees who had sided with Feng Yujiao earlier were now trembling with fear, terrified that they might be implicated.

Liu Fuyu had witnessed everything and was deeply shaken. In the social circles of Luocheng, Hou Guiwen was a figure of considerable standing and influence—there were few people he would humble himself before.

Even her own father, Liu Chengzhi, wouldn’t have received such deferential treatment.

"Who is this woman, and how did she end up as Lin Yang’s girlfriend?" Liu Fuyu puzzled over this, but could find no answer.

"Miss Liu, weren’t you going to call someone to deal with us? What are you waiting for?" Murong Yun asked, her gaze cool.

"I… On Mr. Hou’s account, I’ll let you off today. Don’t let me see you again," Liu Fuyu snapped.

"And you, Lin Yang! In my eyes, you will always be a loser. Don’t think that just because you’ve found someone influential, I’ll look at you differently. I still despise you!"

With those venomous words, Liu Fuyu turned and left quickly.

Lin Yang rubbed his forehead and said with a sigh, "You’re right. Thank goodness I didn’t marry her."

"Come on, let’s pick out some clothes for you," Murong Yun said, linking her arm with his affectionately.

Hou Guiwen, off to the side, found himself staring in disbelief, quietly sizing up Lin Yang. Who was this young man, to be so close with Murong Yun?

In Luocheng, and even in the provincial capital, countless men had pursued Murong Yun, yet never had he seen her treat any man this way.

Hou Guiwen was shrewd enough not to believe Lin Yang was just a pretty face. A woman like Murong Yun would never fall for a mere pretty boy—the man able to win her favor must be exceptional indeed.

"Miss Yun, Mr. Lin, today’s incident was entirely my fault! Please, choose whatever you like from the store. There’s no need to pay—consider it my apology," Hou Guiwen offered, eager to make amends.

"No need for that. Do you really think I care about a little money?" Murong Yun replied coolly.

She wanted to pick out clothes for Lin Yang herself, as a gift. There was no way she would let Hou Guiwen claim this favor.

"Of course, of course," Hou Guiwen said, forcing a smile. He handed a business card and a black VIP card to Lin Yang with both hands. "Mr. Lin, if you ever need anything, just contact me. I’d be honored to be of service. With this card, you’ll enjoy a fifty percent discount at all my luxury stores."

As Lin Yang was about to decline, Hou Guiwen quickly added, "It’s our first meeting, and there’s been some unpleasantness. Please, accept this as a token of my sincere apology."

"Mr. Hou, you’re generous. Even I don’t have one of these cards," Murong Yun remarked.

"These are newly issued by my company and haven’t been officially distributed yet. I haven’t had the chance to give you one—but please, take one as well," Hou Guiwen said, offering her another card.

"I don’t need it. Give it to him," Murong Yun replied.

Lin Yang accepted the business card and VIP card, nodding. "In that case, I’ll accept your apology. Thank you, Mr. Hou."

Having made his gesture, Hou Guiwen wisely excused himself.

"That Hou Guiwen is a clever man. He knows at a glance who truly matters," Murong Yun said softly. "I’m the one benefiting from your presence—without you here, they wouldn’t have given me a second glance and would have thrown me out long ago."

Lin Yang teased, "So when will you let me bask in your glory, Dr. Lin the Miracle Healer?"

Murong Yun smoothly shifted the conversation, drawing closer to Lin Yang.

She chose over a dozen outfits for him—suits, casual wear, leather shoes, belts, wallets—preparing everything meticulously.

Lin Yang, already tall and handsome, was transformed by the new clothes, his presence and bearing elevated several notches.

"What do you think of my taste in fashion?" Murong Yun asked, adjusting his collar as they stood before the mirror, her care evident.

Her perfume enveloped him, and Lin Yang found his heart beginning to race.

"Isn’t it just because I’m handsome and look good in anything?" Lin Yang quipped, relaxing a little.

"You are handsome, indeed. Here, try this set next," Murong Yun replied with a smile, delighted to sense Lin Yang warming to her.

When it came time to pay, Murong Yun insisted that Lin Yang not spend a cent, declaring all the clothes to be her gift.

The total—over a dozen outfits, including limited editions—came to more than a million yuan.

Lin Yang made sure all the sales were credited to Chen Xiaoling, the shop assistant who had first served him, making her thank him repeatedly in delight.

The other employees looked on with envy and regret, wishing they had acted differently.