0034: The performance begins.

As the words had barely left his mouth, the young man strode forward with a bright smile, deliberately avoiding any glance at Chu Qingchan and instead extending his hand toward him.

“Is there something you need?” Xu Lin didn’t shake his hand, inwardly cursing, and slipped into performance mode.

He feigned a hint of nervousness, casting a wary glance before moving Chu Qingchan slightly behind him, letting his lack of confidence show in full.

“It’s nothing, really,” the youth replied. “Your girlfriend and I were seated together on the plane. After landing, I saw her about to take a taxi, and since my friend was picking me up, I thought we could give her a lift.”

“Thank you, but we’ll be fine taking a taxi. No need to trouble you.”

“There’s only my friend in the car, and she’s a girl too, so you don’t have to worry about safety.”

“By the way, my name’s Jin Linquan. That new Jin Haohan Mall is owned by my relative.”

“It just so happens we’re planning to buy something as a gift for our parents. How about we stop by there?”

Xu Lin glanced at Chu Qingchan, who nodded.

“We’re passing by that area anyway. How about we drop you off?” Jin Linquan offered.

Xu Lin quickly agreed, but Chu Qingchan tugged at his sleeve and, in a voice just loud enough for the others to hear, muttered, “Let’s not; a taxi is fine.”

“Come on, taxis are overpriced for out-of-towners. Just take my car. Do you think I’m some kind of scammer?” Jin Linquan said, waving with a touch of swagger as his sleek black Mercedes slowly pulled up. Xu Lin chimed in.

“Chan’er, he means well.”

“Are you going to ride?”

“I’ve never been in a Mercedes before! Let’s give it a try. Wow, that paint really shines.” Xu Lin’s eyes lit up as the car approached, playing the role of someone inexperienced in the ways of the world.

Chu Qingchan, masked, nearly broke into laughter; she’d always said he was a natural actor—sending him to shoot short films had truly been the right choice.

Meanwhile, Jin Linquan was delighted. He had a fondness for cars, but this beauty beside him would soon belong to him.

“Come on, get in,” he called, opening the back door and letting the two inside while he took the front passenger seat, careful not to make his intentions too obvious—slow and steady wins the race.

All he needed now was to add them on WeChat. Once they saw his posts, he could gradually lure them in. How could they resist?

“So, what do you do?” Jin Linquan asked.

“I’m a sophomore, not working yet.”

“College students are great. Unlike me—I graduated high school and started working in the family business right away. My diploma isn’t even worth showing off!”

He’d thought her boyfriend might be some wealthy big shot, but it turned out he was just a rookie. Easy pickings.

Just then, a heavily made-up woman in leather in the driver’s seat leaned over and greeted them, throwing Xu Lin a flirtatious look.

Xu Lin responded with a bashful grin, sneaking a glance at the hollow beneath her neck before whipping his head away.

The woman smiled coyly, adjusting her collar, and Xu Lin swallowed hard. The next moment, a hand pinched his arm.

He yelped in pain but quickly suppressed it, glaring at Chu Qingchan. Acting, acting, but she really pinched him!

In the front seat, Jin Linquan secretly watched the tense couple and felt a surge of cheer—his accomplice was truly reliable.

Jin Linquan soon steered the conversation to casual topics, though his version of "casual" was lavish and grandiose.

“So you see, never partner with a petty person—I lost two million in one deal,” Jin Linquan boasted, and Xu Lin nodded along, his tone growing increasingly deferential.

Even Chu Qingchan, once cold, softened her voice, and Jin Linquan’s enthusiasm rose.

After ten minutes or so, they pulled into a parking lot where a prominent square building came into view.

“That’s the mall right there.”

“Thank you, Brother Jin. We won’t hold you up anymore—we’ll go ourselves.”

“No trouble, I need to pick up some things, too,” said the woman at the wheel, Jo Shanshan, while Jin Linquan chimed in, “Let’s go together.”

Getting out, Xu Lin and Chu Qingchan, who had been holding hands tightly, now released each other—perhaps the woman was still angry from earlier.

So Jin Linquan edged closer to Chu Qingchan’s left, while the woman in black sidled to Xu Lin’s right.

They entered the mall, which looked unimpressive from outside but was vast and beautifully decorated within.

“Brother Jin, is this really your relative’s place?”

“Of course. But he’s loaded, nothing like my modest family—he doesn’t even count hundreds of millions as money, while I struggle with tens of millions.”

As Jin Linquan dropped another humblebrag, Xu Lin nodded repeatedly, much to Jin Linquan’s satisfaction.

“What are you planning to buy?” Jo Shanshan brushed her arm against Xu Lin’s, and he sneaked peeks at her, looking every bit the lecher.

“We’re buying some nutritional supplements for our elders.”

“Oh, that’s on the third floor. But let’s grab a bite downstairs first—my treat.”

“No, no, Brother Jin, how could I let you pay?” Xu Lin waved his hands, but Jin Linquan grew serious.

“Nonsense! How could I let Brother Xu pay? Sister-in-law, what would you like to eat?”

He looked toward Chu Qingchan, who glanced around and finally pointed to a nearby steakhouse.

Jin Linquan’s heart skipped a beat—a chain Western restaurant! Four people would cost over two thousand, but if he balked now, all his effort would be wasted.

Xu Lin quickly protested, “Steak? That’s so expensive. I can cook for you at home.”

“You never cook well, and you’re too stingy to take me out,” Chu Qingchan grumbled.

But that complaint only strengthened Jin Linquan’s resolve. Two thousand was nothing; he’d earn it back.

He wasn’t just chasing girls; he and Jo Shanshan worked together, targeting potential marks on trains and planes.

Through various means, they convinced others they were rich heirs, ultimately luring them to hotels, secretly filming, and selling the videos for profit.

They’d already duped four or five people, men and women alike, earning nearly a hundred thousand just from videos, not to mention extorting additional money.

No one dared report them. They’d become more refined, upgraded their wardrobes, rented luxury cars, making their ploys even more convincing.

Today wasn’t a hunt—he’d actually taken a flight and just happened upon this girl.

Though he hadn’t seen her face yet, he believed her figure would fetch a high price.

Even with a boyfriend present, he decided to try his luck. If it didn’t work, it was just a minor loss; there’d be other marks.

Especially since her foolish boyfriend had already swayed her a little.

If he flaunted his wealth more, he was sure even an ice queen would fall for money.

Thus, the group entered the restaurant and settled into a private room.

“I need to use the restroom,” Chu Qingchan announced as soon as she sat down.

“Go ahead,” Xu Lin nodded, sending a text: ‘What are you up to?’

‘Makeup. I’m afraid they’ll recognize me, and I can’t eat with a mask on.’

‘Ok.’

‘But these two seem odd.’

‘Yeah, at first I thought it was just flirting, but it looks like a scam now. Leave it to me—I’ve got an idea.’

Xu Lin maintained his honest smile, glancing around nervously, perfectly embodying someone in a high-end restaurant for the first time.

The other two inwardly mocked his demeanor, but felt even more at ease—now they could film two videos at once.

Jo Shanshan glanced at Jin Linquan; both felt victory was assured, oblivious to the fact that the real battle was just beginning.