The whole place was decked out with balloons and pounding drums—the Jinling Confucius Temple was hosting the wildest ancestor-worship bash in years. The mastermind behind this circus? Peter Ling’s son, Tommy Ling. Tommy’s an art school grad with cash to burn, and today he went all out, dropping nearly ten million yuan to pimp out the whole temple. Everywhere you looked, it was luxury on steroids—even the random Ling ancestors no one remembers had their spirit tablets plated in gold. And front and center hung a massive sign: “Ling Family Grand Ancestral Ceremony.”
Every Ling relative and friend showed up for the big day. Linda Ling, who’d been half-crazy last week, was back in top form—dressed to kill and looking way more alive. Her old wild streak was in full swing. While her dad invited a bunch of big shots to show off, Linda made sure to drag her whole crew of sketchy friends along for the ride.
Linda knew today was huge—not just the day the whole family leveled up to ‘noble’ status, but her golden chance to crush Ryan Ling and finally get revenge. No matter what, she was gonna vent all her pent-up humiliation before the day was over.
“Relax, Linda. I’ll make sure you get a taste of dog shit today. That punk’s luck runs out here!”
“Yeah, not only is he eating dog shit today, we’re tossing his and his folks’ spirit tablets straight into the toilet. Let the whole damn world remember their disgrace forever!”
“That’s right, the Ling Family’s laying down clan law today—time to put this arrogant loser in his place. Who does he think he is? Just because he got into Jinling University he thinks he’s hot shit? He’s about to learn what real Jinling looks like. Bet the country bumpkin’ll be kneeling in no time!”
“Hahaha!”
...
Linda’s whole squad cracked up, each one already plotting how they’d mess up Ryan once he showed.
“Dad, that punk still isn’t here yet?” Linda rushed up as soon as she saw Peter Ling walk in, couldn’t wait for the show to start.
“Not yet.” Peter Ling clenched his fist. Today, he and Linda were totally in sync—the ancestor-worship was just for show. What they really wanted was to stomp Ryan Ling into the dirt.
“What, he’s scared to show up?” Linda glanced around at the over-the-top decorations. Too bad Ryan was missing—would’ve been a hell of a waste.
“Relax, he won’t dare skip it. If he does, I’ll chuck these two tablets straight into the toilet and livestream the whole thing for him!” Peter Ling sneered. In the farthest, dustiest corner, shoved away from all the gold-plated ancestor tablets, sat Ryan’s parents’ spirit tablets—just two rotten chunks of wood, practically falling apart. Peter’s setup made it clear: Ryan’s folks were the lowest of the low.
“Screw it, even if he shows up, I’m still tossing those busted tablets in!” Linda hissed, voice full of venom.
“Heh, you read my mind! Hahaha!” Peter Ling cracked up. Like father, like daughter—both totally ruthless, two peas in a pod.
Just then, a butler-looking guy hurried in, grinning slyly. “Sir, Miss Linda, he’s here. That punk actually showed—he’s at the temple gate now!”
“Good, told you! The kid might be trash, but he’s got that little bit of filial piety. His parents’ tablets are here—no way he’d skip it!” Peter Ling let out a long breath, already picturing how he’d lay down clan law and wreck Ryan Ling.
Linda smirked too. Ryan already trashed Scarface, and the East Star Gang’s itching to finish him off. The whole crew was coming today, ready to ruin him. Plus, she’d heard Ryan nearly crippled Eric Tan from the Tan Family on a plane—Tan’s folks would definitely show. With those two groups alone, Ryan was walking straight into a lion’s den.
While Linda was grinning, Ryan Ling swaggered in from across the hall—completely solo, not a soul with him. He didn’t greet anyone, just marched straight to his parents’ tablets, face dead serious.
“Just him? I thought he’d at least bring a squad!”
“Look at this hick—does Jinling even have friends like him? He’s gotta show up solo, who’d wanna hang with that loser!”
“Seriously, it’s kinda pathetic. Showing up alone to the big ancestral ceremony? What a broke-ass nobody.”
...
Linda’s friends were buzzing, all hyped up and ready to mess with Ryan—every one of them had their own plan for wrecking him, just hoping they’d get a turn.
“Dad, want me to give that punk a little lesson first? A guy like him shouldn’t even be sitting—he oughta be kneeling!” Linda glared at Ryan, her anger burning.
“Hold on, kid. If you go off now, we’ll lose our family’s style. Plus, the VIPs aren’t even here yet. Wait till everyone’s gathered—then we’ll hit him with clan law right in front of the whole crowd. Now that’s how you make it hurt!” Peter Ling grinned slyly.
“Dad, you really know how to play the game. He’ll finally see what real nobility looks like—and just how far beneath us he is.” Linda clenched her teeth, forcing herself to hold back for now.
“Sir, the first VIPs have arrived!” The butler hustled in, and Peter Ling, dragging Linda along, hurried out to greet them. Nobody was even thinking about Ryan now—today was all about showing off Linda, their future family star.
“Zhang Hongfa, CEO of Jinling Ocean Shipping Group, has arrived!” came the next announcement. Peter Ling straightened his tie and nudged Linda, who flashed a dazzling smile and shook hands like a pro.
“Miss Linda Ling, you look absolutely stunning—pure class!” Zhang Hongfa, total sleazeball, couldn’t take his eyes off Linda’s chest.
But today, Linda was on fire—she didn’t even flinch at being stared at, just stuck out her chest even more, totally owning it.
Peter Ling jumped in with introductions: “Thanks for coming, Mr. Zhang! My daughter just got into Jinling University—she’s the campus queen now. Don’t forget to look out for her!”
(Pagination prompt skipped as irrelevant to the story.)
“Of course, of course!” Zhang Hongfa nodded, reluctantly letting go of Linda’s hand. He took a couple steps forward, but couldn’t help sneaking glances at her backside, practically drooling.
With Zhang Hongfa’s arrival, a whole pack of business and political bigwigs followed right behind.
“Raymond Li, chairman of Fuyuan Trading Company!”
“Samuel Jin, president of Jinshan Mining Group!”
“Victor Zhou, deputy director of Jinling Customs Bureau!”
“Crow, chairman of East Star Group!”
...
Peter Ling was nonstop with the thanks, and Linda was shaking so many hands she was practically sweating through her dress.
The whole Ling clan was fired up—the guest list and the luxury were way beyond anything they’d ever imagined.
Just then, the doorman shouted again: “Howard Tan, head of the Tan Family, and Stanley Xu, head of the Xu Family, have arrived for the Ling Clan Grand Ceremony!”
“No way—two of Jinling’s top family heads, both here in person? That’s insane!”
“For real, Peter’s been working Jinling for years—his connections run deep. With these two powerhouses backing us, who’s gonna say we’re not nobles now?”
“No kidding, Peter really knows everyone who matters. Look at that—Ryan’s over there all alone, like some sad little stray. The difference couldn’t be clearer!”
...
With the Tan and Xu heads in the house, everyone stood up to greet them. Peter Ling was practically glowing, bouncing over to welcome them, and even Linda joined in. Everyone knew these two families were big deals—the whole ceremony hit a new high.
Peter Ling was so pumped he was almost jumping for joy, but his eyes kept darting over to Ryan, full of contempt—he was sure Ryan was about to get crushed.
“Sir, the auspicious hour’s almost here!” the butler reminded, seeing Peter getting more and more excited.
“Got it!” Peter Ling relaxed his nerves, ready to put on a show.
But just then, the doorman called out again from outside: “Another distinguished guest has arrived…”