The Kang Family

  "Dad, you’re smiling way too happily. Have you gotten your explanation from Old Master Wei?"

  A beautiful young woman, Kang Li, asked her father, Kang Jun, as he returned from the Jin family estate.

  "Hehe, explanation? This is even better than an explanation! You should’ve seen Old Wei’s son, Jin Yu—just like the rumors say… A wastrel. No talent, no cultivation!" Kang Jun laughed heartily, his eyes full of glee.

  "Really? How can such a powerful man have such a useless son?" Kang Li frowned in disbelief.

  "Hah! That brat doesn’t even care about cultivation! He hasn’t stepped into the First Human Realm. Give it a few more decades, and he’ll be too old to start!" Kang Jun sneered.

  "But does that change anything? Old Wei is still powerful. Uncle Lin too." Kang Li wasn’t convinced. No matter how useless Jin Yu was, as long as those two stood at the top, the Jin family remained untouchable.

  Kang Jun glared at her daughter and retorted

  "So what? At least I have talented children. Hmph! What does he have?" Kang Jun scoffed, walking away with an arrogant gait, full of schadenfreude.

  "..."

  Kang Li was speechless as she watched her father strut off like he had just conquered the world.

  This old man and his behavior!

  ----h

  Jin Yu and Haozi had been walking for over two hours, After stuffing himself at a restaurant–eating like a starving beast –Jin Yu finally took a proper look at Louyang

  One word summed up the city: magnificent.

  The streets were paved with smooth, polished stone, reflecting the golden light of the sun. Majestic buildings with intricate carvings lined the roads, their rooftops adorned with curved eaves and glistening tiles. Merchants in fine silk robes called out to wealthy patrons, their stalls overflowing with rare fabrics, exotic spices, and dazzling gemstones. The scent of fragrant incense mixed with the aroma of roasting meat, filling the air with a sense of luxury.

  Noble families strolled through the streets in elegant carriages, their guards standing tall in gleaming armor. Even the beggars—few and far between—were dressed better than some middle-class folks back on Earth. Tsk, now this is the kind of city a young master like me deserves!

  Just as Jin Yu was getting lost in the scenery, a thought struck him—the Dominion system!. How could he farm some influence points?

  With his little knowledge from earth about transmigration and all those xiaxia novels he often read,he could tell exactly how he would gain influence points, but the issue is whom will he influence?

  Should it be negative or positive?

  I'm not really good at cozying up to people, trouble is my forte.

  He suddenly thought of something before grinning mischievously and turning to Haozi. "Anyone in this city who has a grudge against me?"

  Haozi was startled but answered honestly, "Yes, Young Master. You and the Zou family's Third Young Master don’t get along."

  "Perfect. Take me to him."

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "But before that,tell me more about him"

  Jin Yu’s grin widened. Today was a good day for farming points.

  After weaving through the streets, they arrived at a grand pavilion. The aroma of fine tea wafted through the air, and the building itself stood tall and elegant. Even Jin Yu had to admit—it was impressive. This world definitely isn't bad at all.

  As they entered, a pretty waitress welcomed them.

  "Welcome, Young Master Jin. Please, have a seat."

  Jin Yu nodded in satisfaction. Ah, the good life. Being a young master really had its perks. Of course, he had to treat himself accordingly.

  "Bring me the finest tea," he ordered with an air of superiority, befitting of his status.

  "Right away, Young Master." The waitress bowed and left

  After being seated, Haozi discreetly pointed to a scholarly young man sitting a few tables away.

  "That’s Zou Chen, the Third Young Master of the Zou family."

  Jin Yu smirked as he looked at Zou chen like a gold mine "Good. Go call him over. Tell him to see this young master immediately."

  Haozi hesitated. Calling over another young master? That could turn messy. But orders were orders, so he reluctantly approached Zou Chen.

  Meanwhile, Zhao Feng was served a fragrant, milky white tea that looked like clouds. He took a slow sip, savoring the taste, and then—

  Ding!

  Influence +50 (Irritation)

  Jin Yu grinned. He hadn’t even seen Zou Chen’s face yet, but the man was already irritated. This was going to be fun.

  Across the room, Zou Chen’s face had turned a furious shade of red. "Call me over?!" His voice seethed with disbelief. "Does he have a death wish?"

  Haozi, ever calm, replied, "Please don’t make things difficult, Young Master Zou. My master merely wishes to discuss life matters with you."

  Ding

  Influence +100 (Anger)

  Zou Chen’s fingers curled into fists, his rage bubbling. This lowly servant dares to talk to me like this?!

  But he knew he couldn't argue with a slave,he had to ask his Master for explanation.

  With a raging heart,he turned to Jin Yu’s table, and he almost exploded when he saw Jin Yu beckoning him with his finger.

  ----

  Jin Yu took another sip of his tea, watching from a distance.

  Then, Zou Chen finally turned to look at him—his eyes brimming with barely contained rage.

  Jin Yu only smiled and lazily beckoned with a single finger.

  Ding!

  Influence +200 (anger)

  Influence +300 (anger)

  Influence +400 (anger)

  'Hah! What a goldmine!'

  He exhaled in contentment

  But, it wasn’t enough.

  he wanted more.

  So he called a waitress and whispered, "Serve that guy the worst tea you have—on me."

  The waitress paled. "B-But, young master—"

  The scared lady was going to disobey but one glare from Jin Yu was enough to convince her. He was the heir of the Jin family, after all , while the other is just a third young master.

  So,she scurried off

  A minute later—

  CRASH!

  A teacup shattered violently against the floor.

  "JIN YU!" Zou Chen roared, his face contorted in pure fury.

  Influence +500 (Rage)

  Storming over, Zou Chen glared down at Jin Yu, his entire body trembling.

  "You dare serve me this filth?! Even my dog wouldn’t drink it!"

  Jin Yu leaned back, calm as ever. "You finally decided to come, my son."

  Influence +700 (Rage)

  Zou Chen nearly choked on his own breath. His fists clenched, his veins bulging in fury.

  "You useless waste of the Jin family! Do you want to die?!"

  Jin Yu chuckled in mischief. "Useless waste ? ,Aren’t you the one still stuck in the same cultivation realm while your younger brother surpassed you? How shameful. Tst tst, really shameful "

  Influence +900 (Fury)

  At that moment,Zou Chen lost all pretense of civility. He pointed a trembling finger at Jin Yu.

  "A good-for-nothing like you dares insult me?! Do you believe I can beat you to death?!"

  Jin Yu didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, he calmly covered his tea with his hand and frowned.

  "Don’t spit in my tea."

  Influence +1000 ( Immense Fury)

  "..."

  Haozi was speechless. Why was his young master working so hard to infuriate this guy? There wasn’t even a reward for it… right?

  Just then, a voice interrupted them.

  "Zou Chen, stop embarrassing yourself," a soft, elegant voice spoke.

  A beautiful young woman in a flowing white gown approached. Kang Li.

  Zou Chen’s expression softened immediately. His anger cooled under Kang Li’s gaze, as if she had cast a spell on him.

  Kang Li then looked at Jin Yu and frowned. "And you, Jin. There’s no gain in making enemies. You’ll only cause more tension between our families."

  Jin Yu blinked at her in confusion. "Who are you?"

  Kang Li face froze

  Influence +10 (dissatisfaction)

  Influence +500 (Anger)

  Zou Chen’s anger flared again. "You dare not recognize Kang Li?!"

  "..."

  Kang Li, who had grown up in the same city as Yu, was utterly speechless.

  "Did you lose your memory, Jin Yu ?"

  She couldn't help but ask him when she saw his genuine confusion.

  Before he could answer, Haozi leaned in and whispered in his ear.

  Understanding dawned on Jin Yu's face. "Oh! You’re the girl who was given to an old man for marriage! No wonder you look familiar."

  Silence.

  Then—

  Influence +500 (Anger)

  Influence +700 (Rage)

  Influence +10 (Annoyance)

  Even Haozi was a little annoyed,'is that what I said just now?'

  "...?"

  Jin Yu looked at the three in confusion. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

  Influence +700 (Rage)

  Influence +700 (Rage)

  Jin Yu sighed. "Why is Zou Chen mad too? I wasn’t even talking about him!"

  Zou Chen erupted, his anger reaching its peak. "YOU USELESS SON OF JIN! HOW DARE YOU SPOUT SUCH NONSENSE?!"

  Jin Yu frowned. Wait… Why was Zou Chen defending Kang Li so much? Were they—?

  Haozi whispered, his face red with embarrassment.

  "Young Master… Miss Kang Li wasn’t given away. She was proposed to by an old man… but refused."

  Jin Yu first facepalmed before asking innocently

  "Oh! That’s how it was. But… isn’t that what I said?"

  Influence +599 (Anger)

  "Influence +600 (Anger)

  Jin Yu grinned internally. Today is a good day.