Aunt Wang looked at the bracelet in her hand, and the tears she had just held back began to stream down her face once more.  

Her young miss was the kindest and most virtuous lady in the world—why couldn’t Heaven open its eyes and see that?  

First, it took away the master and mistress, and now it was going to take her young miss away from her too.  

Why couldn’t it have been her who died instead?  

Lin Wanwan coaxed her gently, “Wang Ma, don’t cry anymore. If the servants see you like this, they’ll think I’ve been bullying you again.”  

“The young miss would never bully me. Everyone in the old house knows how kind-hearted you are.” Aunt Wang wiped her tears as she spoke.  

Her young miss had already suffered enough.  

She didn’t want her to grieve over her too.  

……  

After leaving the Lin family’s old residence, Lin Zhengping took his family to the upscale restaurant he used to frequent.  

Before he could even step through the door, the security guard at the entrance shooed them away.  

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the onlookers, Lin Zhengping straightened his clothes and barked, “Do you have any idea who I am? How dare you treat me like this? If your manager finds out, you’ll regret it! You’d better wise up and let us in right now!”  

“Sir, I’m sorry, but our restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis. Without a reservation, you cannot enter,” the guard said with an apology in his tone but clear disdain in his eyes.  

The Lanyan Private Restaurant catered only to distinguished and influential figures—not some random beggars off the street.  

Today was his first day on the job, and he couldn’t afford to mess up this 20,000-yuan-a-month position.  

Seeing that the guard refused to listen, Lin Zhengping grew furious. “Go get your manager! I need to speak to him!”  

“Sorry, our manager is busy.”  

Just as the guard finished speaking, Guo Shicong, who had arrived arm-in-arm with a female companion, immediately recognized Lin Zhengping in his disheveled state. He quickly let go of his companion and clapped Lin Zhengping on the shoulder like an old friend.  

“Zhengping, what kind of cosplay are you doing here? I never knew you had such a hobby.”  

Overjoyed to see his friend Guo Shicong, Lin Zhengping rushed forward and hugged him.  

Guo Shicong nearly recoiled at the sight of his grime-covered clothes, but remembering Lin Zhengping’s status as an adopted son of the Lin family, he forced himself to endure the embrace, though his face twisted in disgust.  

The stench coming from Lin Zhengping was like a sun-baked outhouse, nearly suffocating Guo Shicong.  

He quickly let go and subtly took a step back.  

Meanwhile, Wang Youfu and the other two brightened at the sight of the flashily dressed, gold-adorned Guo Shicong.  

Ever since leaving the Lin family’s old residence, they had been met with rejection at every turn. Now, they had finally found their golden goose—someone they could leech off for a lavish meal.  

Never one to forget a slight, Lin Zhengping pointed at the guard who had stopped him and said arrogantly, “Shicong, this lowlife just blocked me from entering. Tell me, how should we deal with him?”  

The Lanyan Private Restaurant was owned by the Guo family. Though it was the guard’s first day, during his orientation, the manager had specifically shown him Guo Shicong’s photo to avoid any accidental disrespect that might cost him his job.  

Now, recognizing Guo Shicong immediately, the guard trembled in fear, his face pale as he begged Lin Zhengping for mercy.  

“It’s all my fault! I was blind! Please, sir, be merciful and forgive me this once. I’ll never dare to do it again!” As he spoke, he began slapping his own face.  

Lin Zhengping’s vanity swelled with satisfaction, and he laughed triumphantly.  

These snobbish lowlifes only knew how to judge people by their appearance. Once he inherited the Shengshi Group, these worthless peasants wouldn’t even be fit to lick his shoes!  

Not wanting to offend Lin Zhengping, Guo Shicong waved over the manager and had the guard fired on the spot.  

The poor guard had a 70-year-old father to support and six-year-old triplets to raise. The job he had worked so hard to get was now gone in an instant.

He crouched by the roadside, covering his face as he wailed loudly.  

The Lanyan Private Restaurant catered exclusively to high-class clientele. With Lin Zhengping dressed like a beggar, his presence would undoubtedly frighten other guests and harm the restaurant’s business.  

Having recently been scolded by his father, Guo Shicong—eager to maintain his position as the eldest son of the Guo family—decided to take Lin Zhengping and his companions to his private residence instead. He then had several high-end custom-tailored outfits delivered for them to change into.  

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Once dressed in luxury attire, Wang Youfu and the other two instantly transformed from slum-dwelling beggars into tacky nouveau riche.  

But what’s ingrained in one’s bones can’t be changed by a mere outfit.  

Wang Yaozu, unable to stay well-behaved for even two seconds, sprawled across Guo Shicong’s expensive Italian leather sofa and spat a thick, yellowish glob of phlegm onto the million-dollar wool carpet.  

Meanwhile, Wang Youfu and Guo Shujuan, like starving ghosts who hadn’t eaten in centuries, frantically stuffed food into their mouths, grease dripping everywhere.  

Born into a wealthy family, Guo Shicong had never witnessed such vulgar behavior. He discreetly pulled Lin Zhengping aside.  

“Zhengping, where did you pick up these beggars? Aren’t you worried people will laugh at you?”  

Hearing his biological parents being called beggars, Lin Zhengping’s face darkened like scorched coal.  

Guo Shicong didn’t notice his expression and continued, “I heard the Paramount Club just got a new batch of girls. Let’s check it out tonight—might find someone you like.”  

“Sure, but I’m bringing someone with me.”  

His brother hadn’t touched a woman in over thirty years. This was the perfect opportunity to show him the world.  

Guo Shicong agreed without hesitation.  

Suddenly, an urgent phone call interrupted their conversation.  

Seeing it was his father, Guo Shicong hurriedly stepped away to answer.  

Before he could even speak, a torrent of curses blasted through the phone.  

Guo Shicong was baffled. Aside from chasing women, he hadn’t done anything wrong lately—yet here he was, being scolded for no reason.  

Who do I even complain to?

“You damn fool! Cut ties with Lin Zhengping immediately! President Lin has made it clear—anyone who helps him is an enemy of the Shengshi Group. Do you want to destroy the Guo family’s legacy with your own hands?”  

Guo Shicong was stunned. “What’s going on?” he asked urgently.  

“That idiot Lin Zhengping, with his donkey-kicked brain, threw away his position as the Lin family heir to go play happy family with a bunch of lowlifes. He’s pissed off President Lin for good.”  

Guo Shicong was speechless.  

Had Lin Zhengping lost his mind? Or was he just too comfortable and decided to ruin himself for fun?

Either way, the priority now was to sever ties immediately—he couldn’t afford to offend President Lin over this.  

Once resolved, Guo Shicong called security and had all four of them thrown out.  

Lin Zhengping refused to leave.  

“Shicong, after all these years of friendship, even if there’s no bond, there’s still sentiment. How can you just watch me end up on the streets—”  

Guo Shicong had no patience for his nonsense. He ordered his men to gag Lin Zhengping and drag them all out.