Chapter 136: A Shield

Seeing Lin Dong’s displeasure, Yi Yi smiled apologetically and glanced at Wang Bin beside her.

Lin Dong froze for a moment before recalling how Yi Yi had reacted when Wang Bin was in danger and how she could call out his name immediately. After some thought, he began to understand a little.

So, I’ve become a shield for someone else’s date? Fine, I’ll go all the way! Now that he knew the reason, Lin Dong’s displeasure vanished. He turned his fierce gaze toward Ying Chunhua, who was still hesitating, weighing her options, and said, “What, are you doubting that I’d mistreat Miss Yi Yi? Do you want to know what happens if you doubt my character?”

“I wouldn’t dare! I’ll arrange it right away!” Ying Chunhua felt a chill down her spine. Goodness, this man was also ruthless.

Before long, a private room was prepared. After a short wait, the dishes and drinks were served. Ying Chunhua was generous, filling the table with spiritual beasts and materials. Lin Dong gave them a fierce look, and the two remaining servants left the room dejectedly.

“Young Master Lin, thank you for not exposing me,” Yi Yi said with a sweet smile after the servants left and the door was closed. She raised her glass and looked at Lin Dong. “I’d like to toast to you.”

“Right, right!” Wang Bin quickly stood up. “Young Master Lin, thank you too for saving me just now. Otherwise, I would have lost my arm.”

“No need for formalities,” Lin Dong said, downing his drink in one gulp. He teased, “You guys go ahead. I’ll go to the corner to practice. Ma Chun… you stay by the door and prevent anyone from entering suddenly. Since Young Master Wang doesn’t seem to be short of money, I’ll ask him for a generous red envelope later.”

Ma Chun grinned. Compared to the pile of spiritual beasts and materials, a red envelope was much more valuable. He immediately rushed to stand by the door, acting as a gatekeeper.

“Young Master Lin, I wonder how long you’ll stay in Autumn Wind City…” Wang Bin asked hopefully.

His words clearly meant he was asking if Lin Dong was willing to act as his shield every day. Once in a while was one thing, but acting as a shield all the time—Lin Dong didn’t have the time or the inclination for that. He shook his head immediately. “We’ll return to Xilan City tomorrow!”

The two were disappointed. Wang Bin regained his composure and said gratefully, “I can’t express my gratitude enough. Tomorrow at noon, I was wondering if Young Master Lin has time. I’d like to host a banquet at Ke Lai Restaurant to thank you.”

“Ke Lai Restaurant?” Lin Dong was slightly surprised. If they wanted to hold a banquet, it should be at Ying Feng Tower, which would give him another chance to act as a shield.

Wang Bin replied awkwardly, “My father is very strict with our expenses, setting a fixed limit each month. It’s difficult to organize a banquet like tonight, so I can only…”

Lin Dong looked puzzled. The young master of Ke Lai Restaurant?

Wow, what a coincidence with this meal today—not only did I meet the owner of Wanbin Tower, but I also ran into the young master of Kelai Restaurant. After some thought, Lin Dong shook his head. No matter how outstanding Yi Yi was as a musician or how she refused to sell herself, in the eyes of the wealthy, she would always remain a prostitute. If Wang Bin himself were the owner of Kelai Restaurant, it wouldn’t matter much—many rich people marry prostitutes. But since his father was the owner, a man of good reputation and upright character, such a person would never allow his son to associate with a prostitute, fearing the gossip. As for Wanbin Tower and Yingfeng Tower, if given the chance and for profit’s sake, Lin Dong wouldn’t mind bringing them down. But for Kelai Restaurant, he only wanted fair competition and had no intention of crushing them. There were countless wealthy families in Qiufeng City, and Lin Dong’s goal was to capture over 50% of the market. There was no need to become enemies with a reputable, established restaurant like Kelai Restaurant. Otherwise, not to mention the difficulty of dealing with them, even if they were defeated, it could harm the reputation of Lin’s Inn to some extent. The matter between Wang Bin and Yi Yi couldn’t be hidden forever. If he really went to Kelai Restaurant with Wang Bin and ran into his father, Wang Shuangxi, he might be blamed as the instigator. If Wang Shuangxi were even more imaginative, he might think Lin Dong had deliberately tried to ruin his competitor by inciting his son to associate with a prostitute. Then, if Wang Shuangxi became determined, he might retaliate fiercely in the competition. Such a meal would be utterly worthless. “Young Master Wang, we have to leave early tomorrow. Maybe next time!” Wang Bin hesitated briefly before nodding helplessly. “When you return to Qiufeng City, Young Master Lin, be sure to come see me.” “Of course,” Lin Dong said with a smile. Suddenly, he realized that if Wang Shuangxi really agreed to Wang Bin and Yi Yi’s relationship, Yi Yi would have to leave Yingfeng Tower, which would mean Yingfeng Tower would lose all its competitiveness. That would be good news for Lin’s Inn. As for others, Lin Dong didn’t have the habit or interest in prying into others’ privacy. But since it involved the business of Lin’s Inn, he couldn’t help but wonder how far things had gone between the two. “Young Master Wang, how did the two of you meet?”

“I’m ashamed to admit it…” Wang Bin said sheepishly, “It was two years ago. Out of boredom, I went to Qianfo Temple outside the city. Outside the temple, I encountered Yi Yi and her maid, who were being harassed by some local hooligans. I tried to intervene but was beaten instead. Luckily, Yi Yi was smart enough to light some dry leaves in the chaos. The hooligans, fearing they might attract the monks in the temple, fled when things turned unfavorable, and that’s how I escaped.”
Lin Dong was speechless. Hero saves the beauty, and the beauty saves the hero?
“And then…” Wang Bin avoided the key point, “Apart from meeting Yi Yi once a month at Qianfo Temple, I could only come to Yingfeng Tower.”
“With you two like this, it probably won’t last long, right?” Lin Dong asked, puzzled.
Wang Bin sighed helplessly, “Peng Tianan offered 200,000 taels of silver to buy Yi Yi free. Not to mention Yi Yi herself, even Yingchunhua refused without hesitation. For her, Yi Yi is like a treasure chest for Yingfeng Tower. She could earn 200,000 taels in three to five years.”
“Peng Tianan? Isn’t he from a prominent family?” Lin Dong was already puzzled by Peng Tianan’s frequent visits to Yingfeng Tower, and now he was even more confused. There’s a big difference between warriors and scholars: scholars consider composing poems in brothels to be an elegant activity, while warriors see visiting brothels as ruining their futures, especially becoming obsessed with a brothel girl, which is tantamount to giving up on cultivation.
Since Peng Tianan could manage the Peng family’s assets, he must be a favored member of the family. It was already strange for him to visit Yingfeng Tower often. If he really married Yi Yi, not only would he himself be laughed at, but the entire Peng family would suffer ridicule.
Wang Bin, who didn’t understand cultivation, knew something about Peng Tianan and immediately explained, “Peng Tianan has very low talent, but because his mother is the main wife and the younger sister of the family head, he remains highly favored in the Peng family. As long as he doesn’t marry Yi Yi, the Peng family won’t stop him.”
Lin Dong understood now. So that’s how it is.
Wang Bin smiled, “Fortunately, Yi Yi has already made an agreement with Yingchunhua—she’ll be set free after reaching the age of 30 at Yingfeng Tower. Another ten or so years, and it will be a time of sweet relief after suffering.”
Lin Dong remained silent. These two were destined to be a pair of unfortunate lovers, especially Yi Yi. Unless Yingchunhua was an exception among brothel owners, she would surely sell Yi Yi when the agreed time approached.
“Is Young Master Lin worried that Yingchunhua won’t keep her promise?” Wang Bin asked with a smile. “Yingchunhua knows Yi Yi’s temperament. She also knows that if she really did that, Yi Yi would surely choose death. By then, she definitely won’t do something that costs her both money and reputation while also angering the girls under her.”
Lin Dong couldn’t help but regard Yi Yi with higher respect. Though she seemed gentle and weak, her character was actually strong.

After chatting for a while longer, Lin Dong, knowing his place as a supporting character, decided not to disturb the two any further. He moved a chair and sat cross-legged in a corner, meditating with his face turned toward the wall. The meal lasted until dark, and it finally came to an end amidst Yi Yi’s repeated thanks. Lin Dong exchanged a few polite words before leaving with Ma Chun under the moonlight. When they reached Jinglong Street, they were stopped by Liu Hao. Xiao Tianchi had already arrived in Qiufeng City and was chatting casually with Tian Hao in the courtyard. It had only been about seven days since Xiao Tianchi set out, which meant he must have ridden at full speed. Lin Dong had told him he needed to handle some chores at the inn in Xilan City and would set off a day or two later, so there was no way he could have arrived at the inn ahead of schedule. Lin Dong could only smile bitterly—this was like being unable to return home. He had no other choice but to wait outside the inn for news that Xiao Tianchi had returned to his room.