Chapter 119: A Humbling Blow

Amidst the uproar from the audience, Lin Yu smiled faintly and said, “You are not wrong; this is indeed my family background.”

His voice was soft, and because the stage was large, most of the people below could barely hear him.

Seeing this, Jia Qing smirked mischievously and pressed the microphone into Lin Yu’s hand, laughing, “Your voice is too low; some people can’t hear you. Use this.”

“Heh, if I’m going to speak, I might as well say it properly. There’s nothing shameful about it,” Lin Yu replied with a smile, then took the microphone, turned to the crowd, and spoke slowly, “You’re right; this is my family situation. But what does that really mean? If you think this should embarrass me, let me tell you this—I am the son of Lin Tiancheng and Wang Chunhua, and from the bottom of my heart, I feel fortunate and proud. Here, I want to take this opportunity to thank my parents for bringing me into this world; here, I want to thank them for their sincere and loving care.”

After speaking, Lin Yu smiled at his mother and nodded respectfully to his father.

His mother, Wang Chunhua, immediately had tears welling in her eyes. Lin Tiancheng, though more composed, showed no outward reaction but felt a warm current flow through his heart. He was deeply gratified that his son had grown up and become sensible.

Compared to Jia Qing, Lin Yu exuded far more righteousness and calmness. Even without considering family background, his demeanor was clearly superior.

Jia Qing, furious at Lin Yu’s unexpected words that deflected his insult, shouted, “I’m telling you clearly, you lowlife bastard, you have no right to lecture me!”

His voice was so loud that even without a microphone, most people present could hear him clearly.

“So what?” Lin Yu responded with an indifferent expression, unfazed by Jia Qing’s anger and near violent stance.

“Then you get the hell out! This gathering does not welcome you!” Jia Qing pressed his finger against Lin Yu’s forehead, brazenly cursing.

Watching the capricious temper of this so-called first young master of Bin City, Lin Yu did not swipe away the finger but sneered coldly, “Who do you think you are to tell me to leave? This is a banquet organized by the city government, not your family’s private party.”

Unable to contain his fury, Jia Qing suddenly slapped Lin Yu across the left cheek, cursing all the while, “Because my father is the top authority in Bin City, and your father is nothing! Isn’t that enough reason?”

The crowd below gasped in surprise at the sudden slap.

But moments later, they were utterly shocked: Lin Yu dodged the slap with a swift sidestep and immediately countered with a sharp slap of his own. The crisp smack was so powerful that Jia Qing nearly fell to the ground.

This was not merely a slap—it was a real, humiliating slap in the face.

The scene, though not earth-shattering, deeply impressed and surprised everyone present.

“That kid must be crazy! Slapping Jia Qing in front of Jia Quan himself!”

“He really dared to do it. Doesn’t he know whose turf Bin City is?”

“I’m telling you, this is going to blow up. Even his father, Lin Tiancheng, won’t be able to smooth this over.”

As the crowd buzzed with speculation, Jia Qing stood stunned, unable to react. He had intended to humiliate Lin Yu but ended up being shamed himself. He realized just now that his fighting ability was far inferior to Lin Yu’s. Now he was humiliated and regretted not bringing reinforcements; otherwise, even ten Lin Yus wouldn’t threaten him.

But regret was of no use. Jia Qing was cornered and had lost face. He hadn’t expected this unremarkable Lin Yu to dare resist, to look down on him, and to slap him in public.

Within seconds, Jia Qing thought of countless ways to retaliate later, but distant plans could not solve his immediate dilemma.

Facing Jia Qing’s furious glare, Lin Yu, holding the microphone, said calmly, “A prince who breaks the law is punished like any commoner. Besides, you’re not even a prince.”

Jia Qing was caught speechless by the mockery. This was the first time someone his age had dared defy him, and he couldn’t find a retort.

Seeing Jia Qing embarrassed, Zhang Yang knew he could not stand by. He and seven or eight other ruffians rushed toward the stage, causing the scene to become chaotic.

Mayor Wang Kezhou, sensing that Lin Yu’s slap was an outlet for pent-up anger against his faction’s suppression, smiled and turned to Party Secretary Jia Quan, saying, “Secretary Jia, don’t you think they’ve gone a bit too far? Shouldn’t you step in to stop this?”

“Heh, they’re just reckless young kids—let them be. We all went through that when we were young. Come, come, let’s have a few drinks first, then we’ll toast the other tables. I’ll start,” Jia Quan said with an easy smile, raising his glass lightly.

Zhang Yang and the others echoed the sentiment, raising their glasses and speaking in agreement. Isolated Wang Kezhou had no choice but to drink silently.

Jia Quan was a man of great depth, but the early death of his wife made him overly indulgent of his son, which had fueled Jia Qing’s arrogance.

“What should we do?” Wang Chunhua’s face was filled with anxiety as she watched her son surrounded.

At that moment, she noticed her husband Lin Tiancheng smile and nod at her, reassuring her. She reminded herself that their son had trained in Taekwondo and should be capable in a fight, though the number of opponents was indeed daunting, and she still worried.

Lin Tiancheng, meanwhile, conducted himself with grace, chatting and laughing with others at the table and even raising a toast.

A Development and Reform Commission official, friendly with Lin Tiancheng, couldn’t help but ask, “Old Lin, why are you so calm? What if your son gets hurt? Hurry and plead with Secretary Jia. He’s the only one who can make a difference here.”

“Heh, that boy is too rebellious, quick to fight. Let him take some losses now; it’s for his own good,” Lin Tiancheng said with a smile, downing his wine.

Their faction had long been suppressed by the opposing side, suffering unjust pressures in their work. Lin Yu’s slap on Jia Qing had indeed been a relief.

But considering the aftermath, Lin Tiancheng thought his son should take a beating; otherwise, the matter wouldn’t be resolved smoothly since the other party’s father was the unstoppable power in Bin City.

Overall, Lin Tiancheng believed that sometimes enduring small setbacks was essential for personal growth—a necessary path toward maturity.