Chapter 21: The Elf Fallen to the Mortal World

Lin Yu and Hu Bin could be called two polar opposites at First High School—one a notorious underachiever with no interest in academics, the other a paragon admired by all, a golden child destined for greatness. Their encounters were nothing short of the classic clash between the rogue and the prince, sparks flying at the slightest friction.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries between the two families and their elders, Yang Xiong’s call came through on Lin Tiancheng’s phone. Learning that the Yang family would soon arrive downstairs, both the Lin and Hu families rose to their feet, making their way out to greet the main guest of today’s gathering. Old classmates they might be, but the distinction of having a deputy mayor among them called for a measure of decorum.

Barely five minutes had passed downstairs when a black Audi with a Bin-O license plate glided to a stop in front of the teahouse. As the car came to a graceful halt in its designated parking space, the three members of the Yang family stepped out.

The moment Lin Yu caught sight of the Yang family’s daughter, his eyes lit up, inwardly marveling at her beauty. She was, indeed, exceptional—worthy of the highest praise given to a beauty in all of Chinese history: “In the north, a maiden fair; unmatched in all the world. A glance topples a city, a second glance topples a nation. Who cares for such devastation? Such beauty is hard to find again!”

Lin Yu smiled softly and nodded by way of greeting. Hu Bin, meanwhile, strode forward with a bold, genial smile, greeting her with practiced ease. Watching their sons, Wang Yue’e’s lips curved in a satisfied smile, pride unmistakable in her expression.

Wang Chunhua, on the other hand, looked slightly disappointed. She nudged Lin Yu quietly and whispered, “Go on.”

Lin Yu merely smiled, bent to her ear, and whispered back, “It’s no use. No matter how I behave today, it’s wasted effort. Yang Zhiling is my classmate—she sits next to Qi Yue. She knows about my relationship with Qi Yue. Besides, like Hu Bin, she’s a top student, the kind who can get into Tsinghua or Peking University. Your son isn’t even in the same league.”

“So coincidental…” Wang Chunhua sighed, then rose to greet Yang Zhiling’s mother, Xia Ling.

Lin Yu, hands in his pockets, greeted no one and simply turned into the teahouse, seeking out a waiter and instructing him to tidy up the private room quickly.

His abrupt departure surprised everyone; the ladies of the Yang and Hu families frowned slightly, clearly displeased by his apparent lack of manners. But when they entered the private room and saw him directing the waiters in the final preparations, his air of quiet authority softened their initial impression.

Only then did Lin Yu, now all smiles, approach Yang Xiong and Xia Ling and greet them politely, “Hello, Uncle Yang. Hello, Aunt Yang.”

Though Yang Xiong carried the gravitas of a deputy mayor, a stern authority without effort, he was all warmth to the son of an old friend. Smiling, he patted Lin Yu’s shoulder, “You must be Xiao Yu. All grown up now—sensible and well-behaved. Not bad.”

All the while, Xia Ling’s faint, polite smile faltered as she got a good look at Lin Yu. For a split second, she was stunned, then her expression darkened, the admiration gone as she replied curtly, “Mm.”

Lin Yu, too, was momentarily taken aback—Xia Ling was the very woman he’d met on his first day after being reborn, the poised and formidable presence in the elevator, when he’d been holding Qi Yue.

“Well, whatever good impression I might have made is gone now,” he thought ruefully, recalling the look of disdain she’d given him then.

But these were minor matters. Soon, the three families—nine people in all—took their seats around the round table. The Lin family sat facing the entrance in the host’s seats, the Hus to their left, the Yangs to their right. Thanks to Wang Yue’e’s deliberate arrangement, Hu Bin and Yang Zhiling sat side by side.

Hu Bin’s eyes never left Yang Zhiling's face as he spoke in a steady, engaging tone. Dressed in a Bohemian-style white floral dress, fresh and elegant, Yang Zhiling nodded from time to time in response.

Wang Yue’e, observing everything, beamed ever more radiantly.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu took out his phone, asked his father for the mobile number of the female manager at the Glorious Hotel, and stepped out of the room to call her. He knew that after such a long morning—nearly ten o’clock—the group, having skipped breakfast, must be hungry.

After making his call, Lin Yu summoned a waiter and asked for the menu to order the dishes.

The three patriarchs were already deep in reminiscence over tea, none interested in ordering food, so the task fell to the ladies. Wang Yue’e ordered a light dish of wine-poached pears, then handed the menu to Xia Ling. Xia Ling shook her head, saying, “Let Chunhua order.”

Wang Chunhua glanced at the menu, said nothing, and simply handed it to Lin Yu, instructing him, “You take care of it.”

Lin Yu agreed and left with the waiter.

Before long, the dishes began to arrive. Gradually, everyone realized that the entire meal consisted of light, vegetarian fare. When the last dish—a basket of straw mushrooms presented by a waitress in a pale blue cheongsam—was served and the waitress announced that all dishes were on the table, Xia Ling and Wang Yue’e both frowned in unison.

“How stingy of the Lin family,” they thought. “After all these years, only these light, meatless dishes? Is this really their way of hosting guests?”

Wang Yue’e laughed softly, “These vegetarian dishes are quite something. We’re always eating rich food—sometimes it’s good to have something light. Very creative. Xiao Yu did well.”

She stressed “vegetarian dishes” with a pointed emphasis, the sarcasm unmistakable. Xia Ling nodded in agreement, giving a cold snort—she, too, felt slighted.

Wang Chunhua saw all this, anxiety coloring her cheeks, but she simply smiled, offering no explanation. She trusted her son; everything was in his hands, and he would not let her down.

Her son’s recent transformation filled her with immense pride. To her, the busy Lin Yu was in no way inferior to the golden sons of the other two families.

At that moment, Yang Zhiling murmured something to her mother and rose to go to the restroom. Hu Bin offered to accompany her, but she declined.

The moment she stepped out into the corridor, she saw Lin Yu smiling as he conversed with a woman in a manager’s uniform. The woman laughed repeatedly, clearly amused by his words.

Suddenly, Yang Zhiling, more mature than her peers, felt that the industrious Lin Yu seemed even more grown-up than she was. Compared to his effortless composure among adults, she felt almost like a child still under her parents’ protection.

Seeing Yang Zhiling’s graceful figure emerge, Lin Yu ended his conversation with Liang Jing, the manager from the Glorious Hotel. Hands in pockets, he walked over and said, “Looking for the restroom? Come on, I’ll show you the way.”

Liang Jing, standing by, kept her eyes on Yang Zhiling, quietly admiring, “So beautiful! She’s just like Audrey Hepburn—a fairy descended to earth!”

Seeing Lin Yu’s commanding, unyielding manner, Yang Zhiling didn’t refuse but followed him toward the restroom.

Just then, Lin Yu turned back, smiled sideways, and said, “You look even more beautiful today than yesterday.”

“Oh? Does that mean I wasn’t beautiful yesterday?” For the first time, Yang Zhiling playfully pouted, teasing him—a blend of cool charm and gentle allure in every gesture and smile.