Volume 1, Chapter 23: Younger Sister Humiliated!!

"Understood. Let's start with two steaks and a bottle of red wine. That set menu will do just fine," Su Ming said, nodding and pointing at the menu on the table.

"Very good, sir. I will prepare that for you right away."

With that, the waiter turned and left.

"Brother, have you lost your mind? That set costs over five thousand yuan! That’s enough to cover our living expenses for three months."

"I know you can make money, but you don't have to be this extravagant," Su Yingying exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stared at the menu.

It was clear she felt truly pained—deeply, from the heart. Having been raised by a stepmother who was extremely frugal, Su Yingying had inherited those same virtues. She was destined to be a virtuous and caring woman, fundamentally different from those gold-digging, vain girls. Despite their impoverished background, she had been raised with strict discipline and strong values.

"Little girl, you should know that I never do anything I'm not sure about," Su Ming said, patting his chest with firm confidence. "Since I brought you here to dine, it naturally means I’m earning enough. Don't worry, this amount of money won't make your brother broke!"

Seeing that his sister still looked worried, he took out his phone and showed her the balance of two hundred thousand.

"So much money... Brother, did you really strike it rich?" Su Yingying covered her mouth, her expression one of utter disbelief as she stared at the figure.

"I’m working with an old friend. The income is stable, so please, don't worry. Even your tuition—don't give it another thought." As he spoke, Su Ming reached out and affectionately ruffled her hair.

This time, Su Yingying finally let out a sigh of relief.

"When the food arrives, eat first; don't wait for me. I need to take a call. I’ll probably have to head out for work later, so I won't be able to stay with you tonight. Get some sleep early. School is starting soon, so review your lessons."

His phone vibrated. It was the Godfather calling. Su Ming checked the time; it was almost time. He stood up, gave his sister a few parting instructions, and walked toward the railing to take the call.

"Your Majesty, I’ll be there in ten minutes to pick you up personally. Please wait on the hotel rooftop for a moment," the Godfather said over the line.

"Understood. We'll talk when you arrive. By the way, why the rooftop?" Su Ming asked, puzzled.

"Heh heh, naturally, we need a special ceremony and spectacle to welcome our King! You carry on with your business; I’ll be there momentarily."

With that, the Godfather hung up.

Su Ming shook his head, feeling speechless. This handler always felt unreliable, as if something were wrong with his head.

While Su Ming was on the phone, the food had been served. Su Yingying was already cutting her steak, eating in small bites, though her movements were a bit clumsy.

Just then, a girl in a black evening gown walked over, accompanied by a young man. The youth was handsome, dressed in an expensive tuxedo, his face full of confidence.

"Su Yingying? My god, am I seeing things? A penniless wretch like you can actually afford to dine at the Carlton rooftop restaurant?"

"Do you even have the money to pay the bill? Don't end up getting thrown out."

When the girl saw Su Yingying, she thought she was mistaken, but after double-checking, she realized it was indeed her high school classmate—the one with the limp.

"Linlin, do you know her?" the young man asked, confused.

"Junxi, you don't know her. Her name is Su Yingying, a classmate from high school. Her family is dirt poor; they still live in a shack. Back in school, she used to go to the cafeteria every day to scavenge leftovers. Her monthly living allowance was a pathetic three hundred yuan, which I heard she earned by doing manual labor for others."

"Oh, and she has a brother who’s an ex-convict. I don't think he’s even been released yet," the girl named Linlin said, pointing at Su Yingying with a sneering smile.

"Really? In this day and age, there are still people that poor? Is that for real? She looks decent enough, and they’re dining here—that set menu is at least five thousand!" the youth named Junxi said, glancing at Su Yingying’s table.

"She's just putting on a show. She probably spent an hour taking photos, or she pooled together months of living expenses with her poor friends just to eat here once!"

"You know, for our school performances, the costumes she wore were rented with money scraped together by a bunch of people. It was hilarious!"

At this, Linlin covered her mouth, shaking her head in disdain.

Su Yingying heard every word clearly, but she kept her head down, choosing to ignore them. Back in school, she had long since grown accustomed to such mockery.

"Su Yingying, why are you so quiet? Oh my, is that the latest Fruit 14? You’ve made it big, haven't you?"

"Don't tell me you started working as a call girl in an apartment? Even though you’re a cripple, you still have some looks. Do you want me to introduce you to some clients?"

Linlin stood there with her arms crossed, looking smug. She treated Su Yingying this way because back in their sophomore year, before Su Yingying had her limp, the school heartthrob she was secretly in love with had fallen for Su Yingying. The whole school knew about it, and it had kept Linlin from holding her head up for an entire semester. Her jealousy and resentment had curdled into hatred.

"Wu Linlin, watch your mouth. I’m not as filthy as you think!" Su Yingying finally snapped. She could handle being mocked for being poor or having her embarrassing moments exposed, but she would never allow anyone to insult her character.

"Heh, don't play the saint. If you aren't selling yourself, how else could you afford such an expensive phone and a meal here?"

"You're a whore trying to build a memorial arch to your own chastity. Disgusting... I’m trying to introduce you to some high-end clients so you can earn more, and you’re ungrateful. You wretch!"

Wu Linlin reached out, grabbed a water glass, and splashed it all over Su Yingying.

Instantly, the people around them were drawn to the scene.

"Wu Linlin, you’ve gone too far!" Su Yingying’s eyes reddened, her face pale with fury.

"Hmph. Waiter, get this cripple out of here. I’m taking this table! Looking at her makes me sick!" Wu Linlin called the waiter over with an arrogant air. The waiter looked incredibly uncomfortable.

"Miss, I’m truly sorry, but this lady has already paid for her meal, so..." the waiter trailed off.

"Junxi, show him your platinum card. Let him see who the real VIP is here!" Wu Linlin said, turning to the young man beside her.

"Right." Junxi produced a platinum card. The waiter’s face immediately shifted into one of shock.

"Welcome, honored platinum member. I will arrange a table for you right away!"

Just as the waiter turned to comply, Wu Linlin called him back. "Are you deaf? I said I want *this* table. And make her get lost!" She pointed at Su Yingying, speaking with extreme arrogance.

"Uh, miss, could you please move to another table? I am terribly sorry!" the waiter said, approaching Su Yingying with a pleading tone.

"She isn't moving!"

Just as Su Yingying was on the verge of tears, Su Ming noticed the situation and strode over, his voice cold and firm. Especially upon seeing his sister soaked in water, with her hair dripping wet, a surge of rage ignited in his heart.

He stood before Yingying, his eyes like glacial mountains radiating a bone-chilling cold. He lowered his head and asked, "Who did this?"