Hello everyone, a new work has been released! If you find it appealing, kindly take a moment to check it out and consider adding it to your library.. [Ashes of God And Devil]
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{Chapter: 308 Parents' Conference!}
Gui Qingtong was momentarily stunned by Lin Yuan's appearance. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her lips parted slightly in awe.
What shocked her wasn't just Lin Yuan's sudden change in aura, but the transformation in his entire look—he was now impeccably dressed in a sleek, tailored suit. The dark fabric of the suit hugged his broad shoulders and lean frame, perfectly paired with a crisp white shirt and a neatly tied silk tie. On his feet were polished black leather shoes that gleamed with a subtle elegance under the light.
He exuded a calm, dignified air, the kind of aura that belonged more to a business tycoon or a seasoned executive than a young man in his twenties.
But the thing that truly caught Gui Qingtong off guard was his hairstyle.
Lin Yuan had taken the time to brush back his slightly long hair, giving it a refined style that instantly made him look older and more composed. His hairstyle bore a resemblance to the classic and stylish look of Chow Yun-Fat in God of Gamblers—slicked back yet casually refined, with a slight asymmetrical part that gave it flair without looking forced.
Although his hair wasn't fully swept back and still had a soft, relaxed volume, it was enough to drastically alter his appearance. The casual charm he usually had was replaced with something more magnetic—more mature and authoritative.
His entire temperament had shifted.
Before, Lin Yuan looked like a charming older brother—perhaps even close in age to Gui Qingtong. But now, standing in front of her with that composed smile and confident posture, he could almost pass for her young, successful father.
Gui Qingtong stood frozen, her face full of surprise, admiration, and something else she couldn't quite name. It wasn't just shock—it was fascination.
"Big Brother Lin Yuan… you… you…" she stammered, blinking rapidly as she took in the sight of him.
Lin Yuan smiled warmly, straightening his cuffs. "What's wrong? Is the hairstyle too much? Do I look old enough to be your father now?"
Gui Qingtong shook her head quickly, her cheeks tinged with pink. "No, no! There's no problem at all, Brother Lin Yuan! You look so mature… so handsome! You really could pass as Qingtong's daddy!"
She giggled, clearly delighted by his transformation.
Lin Yuan chuckled. "Well, I guess I do look a bit old-fashioned now—definitely not like the young pretty boys in your school. Aren't there a lot of those 'little fresh meats' around your campus?"
(T/N: "Little fresh meat" is a playful Chinese slang term referring to young, attractive men, typically between 12 and 20 years old, known for their youthful and delicate looks—often used to describe teen idols or pop stars.)
Gui Qingtong instantly waved her hands in protest. "No way! You're way more attractive than them! Brother Lin Yuan, you're the most handsome in the world!"
To emphasize her point, she suddenly leaned forward and planted a quick, affectionate kiss on his cheek.
Lin Yuan could only sigh in mock exasperation, shaking his head with a helpless smile. Gui Qingtong had always been like this—bold in her own way, and never missing an opportunity to tease him or express her admiration.
"Well, I'm glad you think so," Lin Yuan said, patting her head gently before reaching down and lightly tugging at her ear.
Her ears were soft, dainty, and unusually sensitive. For some reason, Lin Yuan found them more endearing than even her fluffy hair.
Gui Qingtong instinctively twitched under his touch but didn't pull away. Instead, she gave a tiny giggle, obviously enjoying the attention.
"Okay then, Daughter Qingtong," Lin Yuan teased. "If I'm acting as your father today, you need to stop stealing kisses. That's not how daughters behave."
"Ehhh? But I like kissing Daddy!" Gui Qingtong pouted, still enjoying the sensation of her ear being stroked.
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. "Let's go, baby girl Qingtong."
"Yay~ Let's go, Daddy~!" she sang happily, grabbing her pink backpack and bouncing beside him.
She clung to his arm, nestling against it like a small animal seeking warmth. She looked like she wanted to melt into him completely.
Lin Yuan glanced down at her and smiled. "My dear Qingtong, this is a little too close. You know I'm just acting as your father for today—it feels a little strange when you stick to me like this."
Gui Qingtong stuck out her tongue mischievously. "Weird? Let weird be weird. I don't care. I want to be close to my daddy!"
Her cheeky response made Lin Yuan laugh again, but he didn't push her away. He was already used to her playful clinginess and her open affection.
Moments later, they made their way outside.
Yesterday, Lin Yuan had arrived at the Mei family's residence in a stunning, limited-edition Bugatti Veyron—a supercar that turned heads and left lasting impressions wherever it went.
He walked over to the sleek vehicle and opened the passenger door first like a gentleman, allowing Gui Qingtong to get in.
Once she was seated comfortably, he closed the door gently and walked around to the driver's side.
As he settled into the driver's seat and started the engine, he looked up at the window above. Mei Yuxian had just finished tidying up and was watching them quietly from upstairs, her eyes calm and affectionate.
Lin Yuan nodded politely and waved, and Mei Yuxian smiled softly in return.
Without delay, he stepped on the accelerator and the car smoothly glided onto the road, heading toward Jiangbei Conservatory of Music.
As the car moved forward, Lin Yuan picked up his phone and sent two quick messages—one to Yu Shanshan and another to Chi Qian.
He simply let them know that he would be visiting Jiangbei Conservatory of Music today and asked if they were free.
After all, both Yu Shanshan and Chi Qian were not only familiar with the school, but also regarded as senior figures there. If they had time, he hoped they could show Gui Qingtong around the campus and help her feel more at home.
After sending the messages, Lin Yuan glanced sideways at the cheerful girl beside him.
Gui Qingtong was still hugging his arm, her eyes filled with excitement as she looked out the window, already dreaming about her new life at the conservatory.
Lin Yuan smiled again—perhaps this day would be a good one.
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Today, the main gate of the Jiangbei Conservatory of Music was unusually lively.
Although it wasn't a national holiday or a school-wide event like a festival or open house, the atmosphere was bustling with activity. The reason was simple—today marked the final review for the admission of newly enrolled students at the prestigious music school.
Dozens of high-end vehicles were lined up in front of the school gate, crowding the campus entrance. The entire driveway looked more like a luxury car expo than an academic institution. There were sleek sedans, glossy SUVs, and roaring sports cars, most of which cost upwards of several million yuan. It was a jaw-dropping display of wealth and extravagance.
Only a few outdated or modest cars could be seen among the luxurious ones, sticking out like sore thumbs in the sea of chrome and horsepower.
But that wasn't surprising. After all, the Jiangbei Conservatory of Music was not a school the average family could afford. It was an elite institution known for its high tuition fees and world-class training in music and the arts. Enrolling here was more than just pursuing an education—it was placing a bet on a child's artistic future.
In a nation where traditional academics and cultural studies were still heavily favored by national policy and societal norms, choosing music over mathematics or literature was already a bold move. For many middle-class families, it was a gamble they simply couldn't take.
On top of that, musical education demanded enormous investments—not just tuition, but also private lessons, expensive instruments, examination fees, and countless practice hours under paid mentorship. Only families with financial means, and in many cases great affluence, could afford to send their children to such a specialized institution.
And so, the people waiting around the campus gate were mostly well-to-do parents. Entrepreneurs, executives, celebrities, and second-generation wealthy families—many of them already knew each other from social circles and elite gatherings. Seeing each other here was more like a reunion of the rich than an orientation day.
As students walked into the campus gates, some with their heads held high and others trying to mask their nerves, their parents stood aside in their tailored suits and branded watches, chatting excitedly in small clusters.
"Oh! Old Qin, your son was recommended too? That's amazing, congratulations!" one father greeted another with a big smile.
"Haha, yes, and Old Wang, wasn't your daughter also recommended? Congratulations to you too!"
"Old Yue, your son's no less impressive! It's a big day for all of us!" The banter was light and filled with good-natured flattery.
But as with any gathering of middle level wealthy people, the conversation subtly shifted from congratulations to a less subtle form of competition.
"Oh Old Wang, you're still driving that Audi A8? Solid choice, reliable car. My dashcam stopped working last week, so I just upgraded to the new Porsche Cayenne. The handling is unreal—drives like butter!"
Old Wang's smile faltered a bit, clearly feeling the sting.
Old Yue joined in with a chuckle, "I know, right? I recently switched to a new Land Rover. It's only a million yuan or so, pretty cheap honestly, but it feels fresh to drive a new car."
And just like that, the polite conversation turned into a low-key flex-off among middle-aged friends. Watches, cars, golf clubs, private tutors—it was all about who had the best of everything, even if no one said it outright.
Truth be told, many of them were just trying to one-up each other under the guise of casual chat. Human nature, after all, often leaned toward the desire to impress and be seen as successful. If it wasn't about luxury cars, it would've been something else—real estate, stocks, or exotic vacations. A car might just be a four-wheeled machine, and a watch just a timekeeper, but to them, these were status symbols.
Meanwhile, the younger generation standing beside them looked at their fathers with a mix of embarrassment and resignation. Some teens covered their faces, others rolled their eyes—clearly wishing they could disappear.
But before the parental posturing could reach full swing, the sound of something extraordinary sliced through the noise of idle engines and empty boasting.
A deep, guttural roar echoed through the air like thunder, followed by a piercing screech of tires that seemed to cut through the breeze itself. It was a sound no ordinary car could make.
All heads turned instinctively toward the source.
What they saw next rendered even the most arrogant of parents completely speechless.
A dazzling silver sports car flew past them like a comet, its polished surface gleaming under the sun, reflecting light in every direction. It came to a smooth, calculated stop just beside the gate, its entrance timed so perfectly it could've been choreographed for a film.
Silence swept over the crowd like a wave.
Every parent, including the ones bragging about their Audis and Porsches, fell silent.
No one needed to be told what the car was.
Even if they didn't follow supercars or racing, the iconic silhouette and aggressive styling were unmistakable.
It was a Bugatti Veyron—a legendary hypercar, globally recognized as one of the fastest and most luxurious vehicles ever built.
But this wasn't just any Veyron. With just one look at its rare design and special detailing, those in the know quickly realized—it was a limited edition, one of the rarest models ever produced.
A car like this didn't just cost tens of millions of yuan—it was priceless in terms of status.
Even the wealthiest among the parents now stood in quiet awe. Their Land Rovers and Cayennes suddenly felt like toys.
In a matter of seconds, the entire parking lot hierarchy had been shattered.
And from that stunning car, someone was about to step out…
*****
Hello everyone, a new work has been released! If you find it appealing, kindly take a moment to check it out and consider adding it to your library.. [Ashes of God And Devil]
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