{Chapter: 20 I use my scum ability; what are you scolding me for?}
"Yes," Lin Yuan answered succinctly, his tone calm and composed.
"Send it to my house when the time comes. I need to handle a few matters, so I'll take my leave now." With that, Lin Yuan turned decisively and walked away.
Yan Ruyue, standing there, gently bit her lower lip, her gaze following his departure.
What was the meaning of this?
He had helped her so much, yet the only thing he asked for in return was a seemingly insignificant iris flower?
'It may have only taken a few words for Lin Yuan to resolve the problem, but those words were incredibly important to me,' Yan Ruyue thought. Lin Yuan's mere request for an iris plant, though small, made her feel strangely unsettled. The idea that he asked for nothing of material worth was almost more disconcerting than if he had demanded a fortune.
As she watched him leave without hesitation, Yan Ruyue realized that Lin Yuan had meant every word he spoke. He had deliberately refrained from demanding anything more extravagant. His unspoken understanding that sometimes a gesture—no matter how simple—could be more meaningful, left a lasting impression on her.
As Lin Yuan slid into his Lamborghini, Yan Ruyue gritted her teeth and, without another thought, ran after him. She quickly unhooked the necklace from her neck and pressed it into his hands, the gesture swift but filled with intention.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and fled, her words carrying back to him: "This sapphire necklace is a small token of my appreciation. The iris flower will also be delivered to you as promised."
Her heart raced, a flush rising to her cheeks as she sprinted back toward the villa, avoiding his gaze.
Lin Yuan, still in the driver's seat, stared down at the necklace in his hands with mild surprise. He had not expected her to be so quick to act, let alone so generous.
Her ears, pale and delicate like porcelain, flushed a deep crimson as she hastily disappeared from view. Lin Yuan couldn't help but smile, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't anticipated this turn of events.
"Necklace," he murmured, a hint of disbelief in his voice, before starting the car and driving off with the roar of the engine.
---
In the garden, as the wind carried the scent of earth and blooming flowers, Yan Ruyue could hear the large tree beside 'Losu' crashing to the ground. Lin Yuan's words echoed in her mind.
"You haven't changed, but that doesn't mean it won't change."
"Prejudices in people's hearts are like a large tree with deep roots."
Her heart, too, felt complicated—uncertain yet strangely enlightened by his simple but profound insights.
---
[Ding! The heroine Yan Ruyue's impression of you has shifted slightly! Favorability +5! Counterattack points +150!]
Lin Yuan, behind the wheel of the Lamborghini, was halfway through processing the sudden influx of notifications from the system when he chuckled softly. The system had a way of making every little interaction feel like a major event.
Shen Lan's excited voice broke through the silence: [Wow! Host, you're incredible! Yan Ruyue gave you so many counterattack points!]
[And not only that—she also gave you her sapphire necklace! That's amazing!] Shen Lan continued, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Lin Yuan, grinning at the flurry of notifications, replied coolly, "Isn't this all just the result of the foundation I've been building?"
He had known from the start that helping Yan Ruyue would improve her impression of him. But receiving the necklace was entirely unexpected. He had assumed she would offer some form of material compensation, but this?
A personal necklace—one that carried significance to her—was a different kind of payment altogether.
After a quick examination, Lin Yuan realized the necklace's value was much greater than he initially thought. The sapphire alone was worth seven million, and considering the fact that it had been worn by Yan Ruyue, one of Jiangbei's famed beauties, the necklace could fetch more than ten million at an auction.
"Isn't this fascinating?" Lin Yuan mused aloud. He appreciated the gesture, though he wasn't sure what to make of the implicit meaning behind it. To him, the value of the necklace was not just monetary—it spoke to her feelings toward him.
Shen Lan, still bubbling with curiosity, asked, [But why did you ask for an iris flower, of all things? Is the flower really that valuable?] it seemed genuinely confused by his choice of reward.
Lin Yuan chuckled softly replied, "There is nothing more rewarding than asking for an iris flowering plant. I had done a great favor for Yan Ruyue. If I took the initiative to ask for something and obtained something worth 100 million, then the favor would have been repaid. The gains would not make up for the losses. And this necklace was given to me by Yan Ruyue on her initiative and implied many meanings. I won't explain it to you one by one as you are an idiot, when it comes to human feelings."
"And besides, Yan Ruyue herself gave it to me willingly, which makes it all the more special," he added, his tone softening as he recalled the moment.
Shen Lan retorted playfully, [Hump! You've really mastered the art of human interaction, haven't you? Maybe you've been taking notes from some multi-level marketing guru!]
Lin Yuan rolled his eyes. "Multi-level marketing? You have a wild imagination, Shen Lan. I just know that this is about more than just receiving gifts. It's about the connections we make along the way."
Shen Lan grumbled in mock indignation, [I'm not stupid! You were just being clever, weren't you? But come on, why is the favorability only +5 when the counterattack points skyrocketed?]
Lin Yuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It makes sense, I guess. Prejudices don't just disappear overnight, and Yan Ruyue is the first heroine. So, it'll take time to earn her full trust."
Shen Lan agreed, [That's true. But hey, the necklace she gave you means something important, and it's a sign of things to come. Who knows how things will change now?]
Lin Yuan grinned. "I'm counting on it. Maybe I'll give the necklace to Qiu Wanxi, though. She's just as deserving."
Shen Lan gasped, [Wait, you're giving that to Qiu Wanxi? But… but Yan Ruyue gave it to you! You are giving it to another woman]
Lin Yuan shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What can I say? It's mine now. If I want to share it, that's my prerogative."
Shen Lan groaned dramatically. [You really are a handful!]
Lin Yuan chuckled, letting her teasing comments slide. "I'm just doing what feels right, Shen Lan. I am using my scum ability; what are you scolding me for? Now, let's see what happens next."
*****
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