Yunshang Clubhouse.

It was one of River City's most renowned and high-end private clubs. Membership was exclusive to the rich and noble social elite, each requiring a personal net worth of at least one hundred million or sufficient prestige and fame.

Most importantly, the Yunshang Clubhouse was the property of Qiao Tianhao, River City's wealthiest man.

This was also the location of Qiao Zishan's memorial hall, as well as the venue for the city's most anticipated charity gala.

It was already five o'clock in the afternoon when Lin Mu and Qin Luoli arrived, roughly half an hour before the charity gala was scheduled to start. The luxury cars parked at the entrance and in the lot were enough to blind an ordinary person.

After getting out of the car, Qin Luoli took Lin Mu's arm, and they walked into the clubhouse together.

After checking their invitation, the greeter politely gestured. "Miss Qin, Mr. Lin, please follow me this way."

The greeter pointed toward the side of the main hall.

There, countless individuals were dressed in black suits with white flowers pinned to their chests, their expressions somber.

That was where Qiao Zishan's memorial hall had been set up.

People were lining up to place white flowers before Qiao Zishan's spirit tablet, bowing before leaving. All arriving guests were required to pay their respects to Qiao Zishan before they could enter the main event.

Qin Luoli raised an eyebrow. "I'm here to attend a charity gala, not a memorial service."

The greeter's expression stiffened, clearly not expecting such a response.

"Miss Qin, these are our chairman's instructions. I hope you won't make things difficult for me," the greeter said. She had obviously undergone professional training, as she maintained a deferential but firm composure even when facing Qin Luoli.

However, a cold sneer flashed in the depths of her eyes.

"Make things difficult for you?" Qin Luoli saw right through her act. "And Chairman Qiao isn't forcing people against their will?" she asked coolly.

The greeter's expression shifted slightly. She lowered her head and placed a hand to her ear, as if listening to an earpiece.

Looking up again, she smiled. "If paying respects to the deceased is such a hardship for you, Miss Qin, then please allow me to apologize on behalf of the clubhouse."

"An apology is unnecessary," Qin Luoli said with a cold laugh. "In that case, we won't be attending this charity gala after all."

Saying so, Qin Luoli turned, pulling Lin Mu with her to leave.

"Hmph. The Qin Family is becoming more and more ill-mannered!" an elderly voice suddenly rang out. "As the saying goes, the dead deserve respect. What's wrong with paying tribute? Or is Chairman Qiao's son somehow unworthy of a moment of your time, young Miss Qin?"

A group of people walked over. The man leading them had an authoritative air, though a hint of sullenness flashed in his eyes. As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Lin Mu.

This man was none other than Chen Ruoping, the patriarch of the Chen family.

Chen Ruoping had been publicly humiliated by Lin Mu before, an occasion where even his own bodyguard knelt before him, utterly disgracing him. He had even uttered the threat, "This isn't over. We'll meet again." Little did he expect they would cross paths again so soon.

The moment Chen Ruoping spoke, he drew the attention of the entire crowd. After all, many of them had witnessed his public shaming at the hands of Lin Mu.

Hearing his words now, a thought struck many of them. Patriarch Chen really holds a grudge! To say such a thing in front of so many people.

Everyone in River City had once assumed that Qiao Tianhao's son and the beautiful CEO of Qin Corporation were a match made in heaven. Qiao Zishan himself considered Qin Luoli his prize, forbidden to all others. Most people believed they would eventually end up together.

Instead, Qin Luoli had unexpectedly married a live-in son-in-law.

But after the last incident, no one viewed Lin Mu as just an ordinary live-in son-in-law. Rumor had it that he was a grandmaster of the Way of Medicine, a man even the Divine Doctor Sun Tianyang deeply respected.

And now, Chen Ruoping was making such provocative remarks in public. Wasn't he publicly slapping Lin Mu and the entire Qin family in the face?

"Patriarch Chen, I respect you as an elder, so I will not be rude," Qin Luoli said, her expression cold and her tone calm. "But for you to say such a thing in front of my husband... isn't that beneath your status?"

Tying me to Qiao Zishan? Heh. He's doing this just to publicly humiliate Lin Mu! Qin Luoli was genuinely angry, a rare sight.

Hearing her words, Chen Ruoping didn't get angry. Instead, he feigned confusion. "Has Miss Qin misunderstood something? I just feel that since Chairman Qiao's son passed away so young, we should all pay our respects. I never imagined you would twist an old man's simple intentions. Sigh..."

After speaking, Chen Ruoping shook his head with a deep sigh.

At his words, the other guests began looking at Qin Luoli with odd expressions. He has a point. Isn't Qin Luoli being a bit too sensitive?

"What I do is my business, and it is not your place to teach me, Patriarch Chen!" Qin Luoli's voice rose, seemingly ignoring the crowd's stares. "We were not related by blood or friendship. On what grounds must I pay respects? And even if I were to, it should be a voluntary act. Since when is it acceptable to force someone?"

Looking directly at Chen Ruoping, she asked coldly, "Or does Patriarch Chen believe that his own reputation is so great that he can speak on behalf of Chairman Qiao in this matter?"

This silenced the crowd, whose expressions turned strange. Her words were clearly aimed at him.

Chen Ruoping's face twitched, but he quickly responded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I always saw Zishan as a grandson. Is there anything wrong with speaking a few words of justice for him?"

"Heh," Qin Luoli scoffed. "You can consider anyone you like a grandson, of course. You just have to ask if they'd agree to it!"

PFFT! Someone nearly burst out laughing.

Ask him? Qiao Zishan is already dead! How are they supposed to ask? From beyond the grave? This Qin Luoli is viciously sharp-tongued. With one sentence, she cornered Chen Ruoping completely. Still, this is a solemn occasion. Laughing out loud would surely earn you some enemies. The crowd desperately stifled their amusement.

Chen Ruoping trembled slightly, nearly losing his footing. He remembered Lin Mu's previous words, how he'd said Chen Ruoping already had one foot in the grave and should start preparing for his own funeral. Now Qin Luoli was essentially cursing him to die as well. Given his pride, he could never endure such a humiliation.

Just as he was about to retaliate, Qiao Tianhao hurried over, his face etched with shame. "Elder Chen, Miss Qin, please. This is all my fault. Please don't be angry over this. If I have caused any offense, I apologize to you both here and now."

With that, Qiao Tianhao gave a deep bow to them.

Looking at the white-haired, haggard Qiao Tianhao, many felt a pang of sympathy.

Chen Ruoping snorted. "Fine. If she is unwilling, then don't force her. I'll go pay my respects to Zishan myself," he said, clearly dissatisfied.

"Elder Chen, you are a senior. You mustn't, you really mustn't!" Qiao Tianhao protested immediately.

"The dead deserve our respect. There is no 'mustn't'," Chen Ruoping sighed. "I only hope you can find a way to manage your grief, Chairman Qiao."

"Thank you, thank you..." Qiao Tianhao wiped at his eyes, his voice choked with emotion.

As they watched Chen Ruoping pay his respects to Qiao Zishan, the onlookers shook their heads and sighed, their gazes toward Qin Luoli now filled with disapproval.

"Miss Qin... Mr. Lin," Qiao Tianhao began, his body giving an involuntary shudder when his eyes met Lin Mu's. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the terror and hatred coiling in his heart. "I know my late son had his misunderstandings with you in the past, but I still hope you might pay your respects. It would help him rest in peace."

Lin Mu looked deeply at Qiao Tianhao. "Are you certain you want me to pay my respects to him?"

Qiao Tianhao bowed a full ninety degrees. "I would be very grateful!"

Chen Ruoping watched, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

All eyes were fixed on Lin Mu.

Qin Luoli's expression changed. This Qiao Tianhao… he's deliberately trying to force Lin Mu to pay respects to his son!

"Lin Mu..."

Before Qin Luoli could say more, Lin Mu held up a hand, a slight smile on his face. "It's not impossible for me to pay my respects. I'm just afraid he won't be able to bear it."

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