035. Speaking Out for Justice

The Lin Shan of today is no longer the helpless, pathetic man he once was outside that Western restaurant.

Now, with money in his pocket and strength in his fists, he retorted with irony, "Since when do you own this place? I enjoy browsing here—so what?"

Sheng Teng spoke slowly, "Lin Shan, Zhang Wan is only being kind. Is this really a place you can afford to shop?"

Zhang Wan failed to notice the shift in Sheng Teng’s demeanor, nor did she see him discreetly step back to put some distance between them.

"Your pockets are cleaner than my face," Sheng Teng continued, "and yet you still insist on putting on a front to deceive a young lady? You really have no class!"

With that, Sheng Teng flashed a smile at Liu Ying that he deemed incredibly charming. "Beautiful, don't let this guy fool you. If he can pull ten thousand yuan out of his pocket right now, I’ll take his last name."

After speaking, he adjusted his glasses with practiced nonchalance. He made sure his right hand was visible, showcasing his wristwatch: a Rolex Submariner, popularly known as the "Green Hulk," a timepiece with quite a following online. It was worth around 120,000 yuan.

A watch is a man's most important accessory. Before a car is even brought into the conversation, a man’s status is often reflected in his attire and his timepiece. This watch was Sheng Teng’s secret weapon for picking up women; combined with his Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it had helped him conquer countless hearts. It was exactly these two "weapons" that had made Zhang Wan fall for him in the first place.

Liu Ying paused, only then realizing the comment was aimed at her. She was far from unfamiliar with that look in Sheng Teng’s eyes; she had seen plenty of men with a bit of money try to flaunt their status in exactly the same way.

She shook her head with a faint, amused smile. "First, Lin Shan is no con artist. Second, even if he didn't have money, I find him far more charming than you. When I choose a boyfriend, his wealth is the last thing I care about!"

Seeing the two of them acting so overbearing, Liu Ying felt it was unfair to Lin Shan and didn't hesitate to snap back at them.

"Boyfriend?!"

Zhang Wan’s pupils constricted. Hearing the word felt like stepping on a cat’s tail. She jumped in indignation, "Fine, Lin Shan! You’ve really outdone yourself, finding a replacement so quickly!"

Zhang Wan couldn't fathom it. Looking at Liu Ying’s exquisite face and devilish figure, she couldn't help but want to ask, "What on earth do you see in him?"

Beside them, Sheng Teng was filled with jealousy. *Damn it, how did a pig like Lin Shan manage to get his hands on such a top-tier beauty?*

His mind raced. *If even Lin Shan can land her, surely I can do it easily...* He began calculating how to ditch Zhang Wan, return later, and secretly get Liu Ying’s contact information. He was incredibly confident in himself—if a penniless loser like Lin Shan could score with a beauty like that, surely he could do better.

Facing Zhang Wan’s accusations, Lin Shan sneered, "You have the nerve to say that? Talk about double standards. We are effectively divorced; even if I were looking for someone, it’s after the fact. That’s still better than some people who were colluding behind my back while still in the marriage!"

Before Zhang Wan could react, Sheng Teng panicked. "Lin Shan, don't spout nonsense! Zhang Wan and I are just ordinary friends!" He rushed to clarify, terrified that Liu Ying might misunderstand.

The commotion had drawn a crowd. Lin Shan, unwilling to be treated like a performing monkey in a public spectacle, decided to play his trump card.

"Sheng Teng, I wonder if Luo Bing would be as willing to believe that?"

Sheng Teng’s face drained of color, and Zhang Wan’s arrogance instantly withered. He hadn't told Sheng Teng that he and Luo Bing had crossed paths...

"I don't know what kind of nonsense you're spewing. Hmph, let’s go, Zhang Wan!"

Sheng Teng’s mind was in chaos. He didn't know how Lin Shan had discovered his connection to Luo Bing. *Is he investigating me? But even if he knows we’re engaged, he doesn't have concrete proof. What can he really do to me? Stay calm, stay calm!*

Full of anxiety, and with Zhang Wan equally shaken, the two left the mall in silence.

As the onlookers dispersed, finding no more entertainment, the sales clerk turned to Lin Shan with a polite smile. "Sir, would you like to try on any other bags?"

Lin Shan waved his hand. "No need."

The clerk’s face fell with disappointment. She had initially thought Lin Shan, accompanied by a stunner like Liu Ying, was a wealthy spender. But after the scene with Sheng Teng, she couldn't help but suspect that Lin Shan wasn't rich at all and that the two were simply in love.

However, Lin Shan’s next words made her ecstatic.

He picked up the bag Liu Ying had been holding and handed it to the clerk. "I’ll take two. Wrap them both up."

The clerk froze, staring at him in disbelief. "Sir, did you say... two?"

Lin Shan chuckled and nodded. "That’s right. Two. Wrap them up."

"Coming right up!" The clerk, overjoyed, took the bags and practically floated away. She even signaled her colleagues to usher Lin Shan and Liu Ying to the lounge, serving them snacks and tea.

It was only after they were seated that the realization dawned on Liu Ying. *He bought two. One is for his sister, Lin Wei, but the other one... is it for me?*

Her heart began to race. *This bag is worth a full sixty thousand yuan. If he really gives it to me, should I accept it?* It wasn't that she hadn't received such gifts before, but she had always returned them. Yet, when it came to a gift from Lin Shan, she found herself hesitating.

Before long, the clerk returned with two bags. "Sir, if everything is in order, please head to the counter for payment, and I will issue the receipt."

Lin Shan nodded. He still had the card Zhang Zhi had given him, which contained the four million yuan. He walked to the counter, paid the full amount without hesitation, and returned to Liu Ying with the receipt. "Let's go!"

The clerk followed them to the entrance, waving enthusiastically as they left. Watching them disappear, she thought back to the earlier scene and scoffed at Zhang Wan, "What a fool. Pushing away such a generous man—if you don't want him, there are plenty of others who do!"

Once they were out of earshot, Lin Shan casually handed one of the bags to Liu Ying with a smile. "Dr. Liu, thank you for sticking up for me earlier. This is for you—a small token of my appreciation."

Even though she had guessed the bag was for her, when the moment finally arrived, Liu Ying felt completely at a loss.

Seeing this, Lin Shan firmly placed the bag into her arms. "Just take it!"