"Rare, rare indeed. Our Xiao Bin's making money now, so he's treating everyone to a fancy place to broaden their horizons," Shen Han said, beaming with pride, glancing at Li Bin, clearly thrilled with his arrangements.
"Brother-in-law, you're really splashing out, inviting all these people to the Pan Pacific Fishing Platform Hotel. That's gotta cost tens of thousands, right? You're loaded now, huh?" As the elders headed inside, Du Bin smirked, his tone dripping with mockery as he teased Li Bin. "Hope you can pay off that credit card later."
"If I can't, you'll have to bail me out," Li Bin replied with a cold chuckle, feigning nervousness.
"Heh, poser acting big. Let's see how you crash and burn," Du Bin grinned smugly, inwardly gloating, eager to watch Li Bin's downfall.
Yu Yinyan, beside Li Bin, had lost her earlier warmth and admiration, now casting occasional glances of faint disdain.
[Yu Yinyan Current Status: Cold, Bored, Distracted, Doubtful, Contemptuous, Annoyed, Disdainful]
[Yu Yinyan Current Intimacy with You: -40 (Contempt)]
Seeing Yu Yinyan's intimacy toward him plummet, Li Bin guessed Du Bin must've said something to make her think he was a bragging fraud.
That explained her 180-degree attitude shift. No wonder she hadn't reached out on WeChat.
But that was fine. Once Yu Yinyan saw his real strength later, she'd turn her contempt and doubt on Du Bin, admiring Li Bin even more.
～～
After chatting at home for a bit, Li Bin checked the time—past 4 p.m., about time to head to the hotel. He stood, suggesting, "It's almost time. Let's go."
"Great, great, let's head out!" Shen Han stood, grinning excitedly, her face glowing with joy.
Li Bin's choice of such a high-end hotel for her birthday banquet made Shen Han feel proud in front of the relatives, her heart swelling with anticipation.
"Auntie, ride with me and Dad. Can't go to a fancy place like that in a little Toyota," Du Bin said, adjusting his collar to flash his Longines watch, standing arrogantly with a smug grin.
Shen Han's face darkened at Du Bin's words, her smile freezing, a wave of discomfort washing over her.
Before she could speak, Li Bin smiled, patting her hand.
"Alright, alright, let us ride in Du Bin's big Mercedes," Li Bin said, sneaking a glance at Shen Han, nodding with a grin.
Right now, he wanted Shen Yun's family to flaunt their car. The more they showed off, the better his plan would hit later.
Everyone piled into the cars. Wen Ying's family, looking awkward, drove their ancient Honda, and the whole group headed to the Pan Pacific Fishing Platform Hotel.
"What do you think? My Mercedes is pretty sweet, huh? Brother-in-law, you're so rich now, you should get one too. If you can afford a banquet at the Pan Pacific, a little Mercedes is nothing, right?" Du Bin said, driving, gloating to Li Bin, Wen Wan, and Wen Lan in the backseat.
"Yeah, Brother-in-law, we should get one. A C-Class is just over 300,000," Wen Lan said, eyeing the luxurious Mercedes interior with envy, her heart stirring.
"We haven't bought a house yet. Let's hold off on a car. I think the Corolla's fine," Wen Wan shook her head, frugally objecting.
"Sis, if I remember right, you don't have a car yet, right? Riding that little electric scooter to work—Brother-in-law's not worried it's dangerous?" Du Bin showed off some driving skills, accelerating to pass a car, then continued smugly.
"Didn't you say you make tens of thousands a month writing books? A Mercedes should be pocket change. Oh, right, what's your pen name online? What's your big hit? Making that much, you must be famous, right?" Seeing Li Bin stay quiet, Yu Yinyan piled on with a mocking, sarcastic tone.
Li Bin wasn't fazed by the question, but Yu Yinyan's jab stumped him.
Sure, he had money now, but his only semi-famous book got banned, and his current work couldn't even get signed. It was awkward. He was momentarily speechless.
Seeing his embarrassment and silence, Du Bin and Yu Yinyan grew more convinced of their suspicions. Especially Yu Yinyan—she despised braggarts with no substance. Du Bin might love to show off, but his family had real wealth.
Li Bin, acting like a poser, was just disgusting. Her initial admiration and respect for him turned to contempt and disgust. Her favorability tanked.
[Yu Yinyan Current Intimacy with You: -60 (Contempt)]
Seeing her favorability drop further, Li Bin clenched his fist, glancing at Wen Lan, silently vowing to win over his sister-in-law soon. Once he got that guaranteed hit book, he'd go all out on Yu Yinyan, teaching this smug, condescending couple a lesson!
Especially Yu Yinyan—this baby-faced chick with huge tits was too tempting. Being Du Bin's annoying girlfriend only fueled Li Bin's desire. He itched to pin her down and ravage her right now!