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{Chapter: 359 The girls' pool party!}
Lin Yuan's performance of Blue and White Porcelain in that modest, makeshift concert hall had completely overturned the bad impression Qiao Siying once harbored in her heart.
That song had accompanied her through countless quiet, lonely nights. It was comforting in a way that few other things in her life were. The melody lingered in her mind like the scent of blooming jasmine, soothing yet powerful. And although Lin Yuan had sometimes appeared in her dreams, it was always in the form of nightmares—arrogant, insufferable, and condescending.
But now?
She never imagined that the person who gave voice to that soul-stirring melody was the very same Lin Yuan she thought she disliked.
Standing in that hall, staring blankly at Lin Yuan as he sang with grace and quiet passion, Qiao Siying felt her heart shift.
For the first time, she was beginning to see Lin Yuan clearly—not the image she had painted in her mind, but the real person behind it all.
The moment that scammer had charged at her earlier with a knife, it had happened too fast for her to react. Before she could even scream, Lin Yuan had already appeared beside her, stepping forward like a gust of wind. He subdued the attacker with swift, graceful efficiency, stepping on the man's arm and giving her a casual, reassuring smile—as if what he had just done was nothing at all.
How could he be so fast?
How could a young master of such status move with that kind of precision and power?
Qiao Siying had been shocked. She hadn't even been able to register Lin Yuan's movements, let alone comprehend them. It was like watching a scene from an action movie come to life, only the hero was someone she'd underestimated all along.
And then there was his voice.
His singing had a calmness and elegance that felt as ancient as the porcelain the song was named after. His tone was smoother than silk, more natural than any professionally trained singer she'd ever heard—so perfect it made her wonder if it was even real.
She had seen him play the piano at the Mei Family Banquet. She remembered being curious then too—how could someone like him play so well? But she'd brushed it off. Now, she realized she should've paid more attention.
He sang even better than Li Feifei, the country's number one diva. The realization hit her like a thunderbolt—how much had she missed about him?
As the memories piled up in her mind, Qiao Siying recalled so many moments that hinted at Lin Yuan's strength, charm, and capability—moments she had either ignored or purposely forgotten.
Like the time she lost to him in the horse race.
Or the way her father, Qiao Jianye—who had always spoiled her—suddenly began lecturing her after a private meeting with Lin Yuan. She'd thought it strange back then. Now it all made sense.
Her heart beat faster, and her thoughts swirled chaotically.
This is what it means to have one's worldview shaken.
She now understood something profound: people only see what they want to see.
When she disliked Lin Yuan, she saw only his flaws, exaggerated them, let them blind her to the truth.
But now, after hearing him sing, seeing him move, realizing what he could do… all she could see were his strengths. His aura. His excellence. And those flaws? They suddenly seemed trivial.
Qiao Siying was in a trance. Her feelings were in turmoil.
—
Elsewhere, Lin Yuan had returned to his Bugatti Veyron and sat calmly behind the wheel.
He was well aware of the system notifications chiming in his mind—Qiao Siying's favorability was rising steadily. He didn't even bother to check the exact value anymore.
He wasn't in a rush with her. There was no need.
When the time came, he could simply call Qiao Jianye directly and execute his plans. For now, his priority was elsewhere.
Tonight, Qiu Wanxi awaited him.
With that in mind, Lin Yuan started the engine and continued his drive toward the Riverview Villa located in the prestigious Chaoyang District.
The villa itself was a gift from Song Xuan, given to him after he had treated her during a critical time in her life. The place was stunning—worth hundreds of millions and considered one of the top luxury residences in all of Jiangbei.
Despite its rarity and value, Lin Yuan rarely visited. But tonight was different.
As the city lights flickered by his window, he thought of what awaited him.
The villa's grounds were massive and beautifully landscaped. There were serene gardens with stone paths, koi ponds, and meticulously trimmed hedges. A sprawling outdoor swimming pool shimmered under the soft glow of underwater lighting, and the villa's interior was equipped with every imaginable luxury.
The structure itself had three floors, including a basement-level wine cellar, a state-of-the-art home theater, several guest rooms, and a spa wing. There were more than enough rooms for guests—so tonight, when Xiao Lian, Xiao He, and Chen Yu inevitably stayed over, Lin Yuan didn't have to worry about accommodations.
Everything was prepared.
The villa would become a place not only of comfort but of progress—one step forward in a game that Lin Yuan controlled piece by piece.
After parking his sleek car, Lin Yuan stepped out and walked confidently toward the entrance of his villa. Earlier, he had given the master key to Qiu Wanxi for convenience, but fortunately, he still had a spare with him. Reaching the door, he pulled out the key and smoothly unlocked it.
As soon as he opened the door and stepped inside, the soft echo of female voices filled the air. There was also the playful sound of water splashing, accompanied by laughter. It was clear that the girls were having fun somewhere nearby, likely in the backyard.
Closing the door behind him, Lin Yuan casually made his way toward the heart of the residence. But just as he passed through the garden and approached the villa's main area, he halted in his tracks.
His eyes lit up with a flash of surprise and interest.
In the open-air swimming pool behind the villa, several beautiful young women were enjoying themselves, splashing water and laughing cheerfully. The scene was vibrant and lively—a perfect slice of summer indulgence.
The girls in the pool were none other than Qiu Wanxi, Jiang Rou, Chen Yu, Xiao Lian, and Xiao He.
All of them were wearing stylish swimsuits that were part of the extensive collection Lin Yuan had made available in his villa. Whether two-piece, high-waisted, or sleek one-piece suits, the designs were elegant and flattering—and the wearers made them come alive.
Qiu Wanxi, Jiang Rou, and Chen Yu, in particular, were stunning. Each of them had an appearance easily rated above ninety points in terms of beauty. Their natural charm, combined with the relaxed atmosphere, made the scene nearly surreal.
Even Xiao Lian and Xiao He, though younger and still developing, radiated youthful energy and pleasant innocence. Their laughter mingled with the sounds of splashing water, creating a warm and carefree mood.
Lin Yuan stood a short distance away, momentarily mesmerized, admiring the spontaneous scene in front of him.
His eyes moved from one face to another, each more pleasing than the last. Then, finally, the girls noticed him.
Qiu Wanxi was the first to turn around, followed quickly by the others. Upon realizing Lin Yuan had arrived, their eyes went wide in surprise.
But once they recognized who it was, their initial alarm quickly melted into a mix of relief and bashfulness.
The moment allowed Lin Yuan to observe them more clearly. Jiang Rou, usually composed and intellectual with her glasses, wasn't wearing them today. Without the glasses and clad in a daring deep blue swimsuit, her aura shifted from formal elegance to sultry allure. She was captivating.
Chen Yu, the quiet and lethal international assassin, wore a sporty high-waist swimsuit. Her toned physique—especially her firm and flat abdomen—was evidence of her rigorous training. Her lightly defined curves and subtle big bust hinted at a side of her that Lin Yuan hadn't paid attention to before.
In fact, Lin Yuan wondered if she deliberately downplayed her assets under her usual combat gear for practical reasons.
Both Jiang Rou and Chen Yu were undoubtedly high-level beauties, but it was Qiu Wanxi who drew his gaze the longest.
Despite her history of poor health and malnutrition, her body had developed surprisingly well. Lin Yuan had, of course, taken her measurements before for clothing and medical reasons, but seeing her wet, glistening, and relaxed in the water stirred something entirely different in him.
She had a delicate figure, but one that carried charm and femininity. Seeing her like this, unguarded and cheerful, made Lin Yuan's heart stir.
As for Xiao Lian and Xiao He, the two younger girls seemed more self-conscious. Their swimsuits were modest, and their bodies had yet to develop in the same way, but their innocence added to the overall charm of the moment.
While Lin Yuan continued his silent appraisal, the girls stared back at him. Realizing they were being observed, and remembering they were all wearing swimsuits, a flush spread across their cheeks.
Reacting on instinct, they submerged deeper into the water, hiding their bodies beneath the gentle waves.
"Young… Young Master!" Qiu Wanxi called out softly, her voice shy yet sweet. Only her head remained above water, her porcelain-like face visibly blushing under the sun.
Even in the shimmering pool, her embarrassment and joy were easy to see.