Chapter 81: Another Side of Lin Yu

As the end of the month approached, the magazine office was busier than ever, and Yu Yunxi ended up working overtime until ten o’clock before finally shutting off the lights and leaving. As she stepped outside, she immediately spotted Lin Yu’s black Maybach waiting at the entrance. Never one to be indebted to others, she headed straight for the back seat.

Lin Yu turned, a teasing smile on his lips. “Are you planning to treat me like your chauffeur? Sitting in the back, are you?”

It was only then that Yu Yunxi came to her senses. She so rarely interacted privately with men that she easily grew tense. And now, she’d made a fool of herself. She forced a laugh. “No, I just didn’t think—sorry about that.” Quickly, she moved to the passenger seat in front.

The car glided smoothly through the streets, and an awkward silence settled between them. Yu Yunxi gazed out the window at the neon-lit avenues, noticing that many shops were already advertising Christmas products.

“Christmas is nearly here. This year passed in a flash,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

But Lin Yu, with his keen ears, caught her words. “Sounds like you have quite a few regrets this year.”

Yu Yunxi hadn’t expected her offhand comment to be overheard. She touched her nose, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

She stammered, “In a lifetime… we all have regrets, don’t we?”

Lin Yu flashed a radiant, harmless smile, the diamond stud in his right ear catching the light. “No wonder you’re the editor-in-chief—always so eloquent.”

“Thank you for the compliment.” Not wishing to prolong this pointless exchange, Yu Yunxi bowed her head and started fiddling with her phone.

———

Harbor Island Restaurant.

This Western restaurant was one of the most luxurious in South City, perched halfway up a hillside and encased entirely in transparent glass, offering a sweeping nighttime view of the city’s dazzling lights and grandeur.

Each night, only fifty tables were available, with a strict limit of four guests per table. Anyone with the slightest financial means scrambled to secure a reservation—it was as if dining here were a symbol of status.

Families like Lin Yu’s and Fu Chen’s had special VIP tables reserved for them; as long as they showed up, they’d be seated.

It was Yu Yunxi’s first time here. She remembered writing a feature on Harbor Island Restaurant once, titling it, “For the Wealthy, Dining Isn’t About Food, But About Indulgence.”

Now, she too was one of those enjoying such “indulgence.”

As Lin Yu led her to the entrance, a young couple was arguing with the host.

“We clearly got a reservation, so why won’t you let us in?” the man demanded, craning his neck at the host.

The host, unfazed, pointed to the sign. “Sorry, sir, ma’am. As it’s clearly written, formal attire is required. Your clothes don’t meet the dress code, and we’re already full.”

Yu Yunxi sized up the couple—they were simply dressed in casual, tidy clothing. Not formal, perhaps, but certainly presentable.

Her editor’s instincts flared. She quietly slipped out her phone to secretly snap some photos.

Lin Yu noticed her stealthy move out of the corner of his eye and immediately snatched her phone away, leaving Yu Yunxi bewildered. Before she could react, he took her hand and led her forward.

Completely ignoring the couple, Lin Yu walked up to the host and handed over a black platinum card.

Another staff member hurried over, bowing politely. “This way, please, esteemed guests.”

Yu Yunxi followed Lin Yu, only to have her sleeve tugged. She turned to see the woman from the couple gripping her tightly, shrill voice ringing out, “Didn’t you say you were full? Why can they go in?”

The host replied calmly, “They are our VIP clients.”

The couple refused to let go of Yu Yunxi’s sleeve. Lin Yu’s expression darkened—he stepped forward and pushed the woman away from Yu Yunxi, looking down at her with cold, shadowed eyes.

“Security at Harbor Island Restaurant is going downhill, letting in just any stray dogs and cats,” he said icily.

The host immediately got the message and called for security on his walkie-talkie. The couple continued their tirade against Yu Yunxi and Lin Yu, but within moments the guards arrived to drag them away.

Thus, the farce came to an end.

The host, deeply apologetic, said, “I’m so sorry, Mr. Lin, for disturbing you and your wife.”

Yu Yunxi froze on the spot—when did she become his wife? She hurried to explain, “No, you’re mistaken. We’re just here to discuss a collaboration.”

Lin Yu watched her flustered attempts at explanation, a smile playing on his lips. This woman, so fierce at work, revealed an unexpected sweetness in her private life.

“My apologies, I misunderstood.”

The host led them to a table by the window—the best seat in the house. Yu Yunxi was momentarily stunned; she had never seen the city so clearly before. She reached for her phone to take a photo, then remembered Lin Yu still had it.

She turned to look at him. He was absorbed in her phone, his clear, almond-shaped eyes gleaming like amber, his high-bridged nose and seductive lips all the more alluring. He wore a silver-gray shirt, carelessly buttoned, collar open to reveal a toned chest, exuding a wild, unrestrained energy.

In terms of looks, Lin Yu was flawless. He and Fu Chen were opposites—one cool and mature, the other rebellious and free-spirited.

Yu Yunxi’s ears reddened. She bowed her head and reached out her hand. “Give me back my phone.”

“I almost forgot. But you really should be more careful in the future.”

He placed the phone into her palm. Their hands brushed briefly, and Yu Yunxi recoiled as if shocked.

“Why did you grab my phone just now?” she asked, puzzled, clutching the warm device.

Lin Yu looked at her helplessly. “You’re pretty bold, aren’t you? You’ll photograph anything. Do you know who owns Harbor Island Restaurant? Do you realize how many secrets are hidden here? One careless move and you’ll get yourself in trouble.”

Yu Yunxi bristled at that, lifting her chin stubbornly. “All the more reason for me to report on it! Exposing the truth is a journalist’s duty!”

Lin Yu watched her cheeks flush with earnestness and felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.

Suddenly, he crooked his finger at her, beckoning her closer. Yu Yunxi was confused, but obediently leaned in.

No sooner had she approached than Lin Yu rapped her lightly on the head, laughing with abandon. “You’re too naive—do you really think you can champion justice like this?”