Shen Jinbin boarded the yacht first, with Zhao Xiao quickly following. Lin Shi narrowed his eyes slightly and followed the two onto the yacht. As soon as he stepped aboard, a burly man in black stopped him, "Sir, I need to check if you're carrying any dangerous items."
Zhao Xiao was already being checked by another guard. Lin Shi frowned, "I'm here as an invited guest. Is this how you treat your guests?"
"This is just a standard procedure for the safety of everyone on board," the burly man stared at Lin Shi, unyielding.
Lin Shi scoffed, "If that's the case, then I won't play along." He turned to leave, but the bodyguard moved to block his way.
"What? You won't even let me go?" Lin Shi's face hardened.
"Sir, if you have nothing to hide, let me search you. This is Young Master Shen's private yacht. If you're here to have fun, please cooperate. Give our young master some respect," the bodyguard said firmly.
This yacht belonged to Shen Jinbin, which meant these men were his personal guards. Lin Shi laughed, glancing at Shen Jinbin, who was watching from a few meters away, and his eyes turned cold, "What does he think he is? Why should I give him respect? Do I know him?"
"You!" The bodyguard glared, emitting a powerful aura that pressed down on Lin Shi. The yacht had already left the dock. Lin Shi frowned, "Are you really going to try something in broad daylight?!"
Shen Jinbin finally stepped forward, his words ambiguous, "Ah Biao, this is my brother. How can you be so blind?"
Half-brother?! Lin Shi was Shen Jinbin's brother?!
Everyone looked at Lin Shi in shock. The bodyguards' eyes were a mix of surprise and disdain. Zhao Xiao, who had known Lin Shi for years, was the most shocked. How could he not know about Lin Shi's connection to the richest man in Hai City?
For Lin Shi, it was an insult. His mother had married the father of the man who killed his own. What kind of brotherhood? They had never met until now. It was just a ploy by Shen Jinbin to humiliate him.
Lin Shi clenched his teeth, restraining his murderous intent. He needed to stay calm; to Shen Jinbin, he was just an insignificant ant. In his previous life, Shen Jinbin had never encountered him before the apocalypse. There must be a reason for this sudden invitation. He couldn't let his guard down and reveal his true intentions.
Lin Shi looked at Shen Jinbin, puzzled, "What are you talking about? I don't know you."
Shen Jinbin feigned realization, pointing at Lin Shi, "Oh, right, you weren't there on the day your mom married my dad. Let me introduce myself formally. I'm Shen Jinbin, your stepbrother. She's a good mother, treating me better than her own son."
Lin Shi tightened his fists. Ah Biao, the burly bodyguard, stood in front of Shen Jinbin, ready to subdue Lin Shi at any moment.
Lin Shi clenched and released his fists, lowering his gaze to hide the murderous intent in his eyes, and forced a bright smile, "Oh, really? It seems you enjoy being someone else's son."
Shen Jinbin's face changed, his eyes filled with violence. "You, say that again?"
Seeing the tension, Zhao Xiao tried to defuse the situation, "Haha, we're here to have fun, right? Let's enjoy ourselves. Look, the sea is so beautiful today."
Zhao Xiao wasn't trying to ease the tension for Lin Shi. The atmosphere on the yacht was strange, with only Lin Shi and Zhao Xiao, Shen Jinbin, and eight burly men in black, all glaring at them. It wasn't a good sign.
Shen Jinbin suppressed his rage, a cold smile spreading across his face, and he turned to enter the cabin. The other guards followed him in, leaving Lin Shi, Zhao Xiao, and Ah Biao on the deck.
"Mr. Lin, please let me search you," Ah Biao demanded again.
Zhao Xiao gently nudged Lin Shi, whispering, "Lin Shi, a wise man knows when to back down. He's a rich heir, it's not shameful to go along with him."
Lin Shi gave him a cold glance, spreading his arms, "Go ahead, search me."
Ah Biao looked at Lin Shi with disdain, and after a thorough search, confirming that Lin Shi had no dangerous items, he entered the cabin.
Inside the yacht, Shen Jinbin slammed the last glass on the table to the floor. A bodyguard was cleaning up the broken glass, wincing as shards cut his hands. Ah Biao entered and said, "Young Master, I've confirmed he has nothing. But this Lin Shi seems to be in good shape, probably has some skills. I'll take care of him once we're in the water."
Shen Jinbin slammed the table, furious, "Killing him would be too easy, daring to mock me?! I want him to regret ever being born!"
Ah Biao seemed to recall a bad memory, a flicker of fear in his eyes. "Young Master, we are still in the country," he reminded.
Shen Jinbin, unwilling, slammed the table again, giving Ah Biao a cold look, "Kill the one who came with him, too."
"Yes, sir."
...
Lin Shi and Zhao Xiao enjoyed the sea view on the deck, with attendants bringing them drinks. Soon, Shen Jinbin emerged, back to his usual cocky self, chatting and laughing with them.
"We're diving in a remote area. I know an island where there are hardly any people. The underwater scenery is breathtaking; I guarantee you've never seen anything like it," Shen Jinbin boasted about the beauty of the area.
Zhao Xiao nodded eagerly, "Whatever you say, Young Master Shen. I'm all in."
Lin Shi didn't object. After about two hours, the yacht reached a deserted island. There were no other boats or people in sight. The sun glittered on the light blue sea, and a few kilometers ahead lay a pristine beach and lush green mountains. The scenery was indeed stunning.
A bodyguard informed them that the diving equipment was ready and led them to the other end of the yacht. When they arrived, Ah Biao was already suited up. Shen Jinbin picked up a set of diving gear and put it on. Ah Biao tossed the remaining two sets to Lin Shi and Zhao Xiao.
Zhao Xiao rubbed his hands, "I've never dived before. Maybe I shouldn't go?"
Lin Shi glanced at Zhao Xiao, surprised.
"Ah Biao is a diving expert and will protect us. We agreed to dive together, aren't you giving me, Shen Jinbin, face?" Shen Jinbin frowned at Zhao Xiao.
Zhao Xiao waved his hands, and seeing Lin Shi pick up a set, he reluctantly put on the gear as well.
As the two finished dressing, Shen Jinbin turned, a mocking and vicious look in his eyes.