Am I a Kamen Rider or the real young master who was switched at birth?

As Ye Yang walked down from the side of the stage, his fingers were still unconsciously rubbing the buttons on his suit sleeves.

The composure with which he spoke eloquently to hundreds of people on stage just now seemed to remain on the stage along with the applause.

After descending the steps, he took a deep breath and walked up to Lin Yuanshan and Su Wanqing.

Ye Yang scratched the back of his head, causing a few stray hairs to stick up.

"Dad, Mom. Was I a bit too wild on stage just now? I thought about those Kamen Rider stories about protecting love and peace several times backstage. I even prepared another version, but when I got on stage and saw Baozi and the others waving at me from below, I got carried away and forgot all the lines I had prepared. I just said whatever came to mind."

Lin Yuanshan put his hands behind his back and smiled gently at Ye Yang.

Then he raised his calloused right hand and placed it on Ye Yang's shoulder, saying solemnly:

"No. I'm proud to have a son like you. Every word you just said is what a member of the Lin family should say. The Lin family doesn't need timid young masters; the Lin family needs pillars of society who dare to speak their minds and take responsibility. You've done that."

Su Wanqing, wearing a dark green dress, stood next to Lin Yuanshan. She didn't say much, but took half a step forward and reached out to straighten Ye Yang's suit collar.

"Mom, too, will support whatever you do. You said Kamen Rider protects love and peace, but I don't quite understand those armor-related things. However, you said you want to hide your sadness under your mask, and I understand that. You don't have to hide your sadness anymore; there are people at home to share your burdens."

Ye Yang looked at Su Wanqing and nodded vigorously.

Lin Yuanshan withdrew his hand from Ye Yang's shoulder and glanced into the depths of the banquet hall.

There were several dark solid wood double doors there, behind which was the Lin family's private reception room, which they used to receive important guests.

He turned his head slightly and lowered his voice to say to Ye Yang:

"Ye Yang, some people have heard about your story and want to meet you in person. Some are old acquaintances of the Lin family, and some—"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping quickly over the generals in military uniforms and officers wearing the insignia of the Abyss Prison in the banquet hall.

"You'll see when you get there. Come with me."

Lin Xingran suddenly appeared from some unknown direction.

She grabbed Ye Yang's arm, a bright smile on her face, her pride barely concealed.

"That was great! You didn't embarrass your second sister! Especially that line, 'Kamen Rider protects love and peace'—it sounds a bit cringey, but it's cringey in a cool way!"

"There was an old man at the table next to me who said you are 'a once-in-a-century talent in the Lin family.' You've become a once-in-a-century talent? I've never been praised like that before in my life."

"Of course. Don't you know whose brother he is?" Ye Yang said confidently.

Lin Xingran shook her head smugly, then her eyes lit up as if she suddenly remembered something.

She leaned closer to Ye Yang and whispered, "Oh right, do you remember what you promised me before? You said you'd take me to see 'I'm Just a Passing-Through Online Singer.' You even traded that for information about Shen Yunzhou."

"When are you going to make the promise? What does he look like? Is he the kind of young man who wears black-rimmed glasses, a plaid shirt, and looks like an artsy type? Or is he an older man? Is he really as young as you say?"

Ye Yang looked at her bright eyes, which could be used as flashlights, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up, revealing two shallow dimples.

"Far away, yet right before my eyes," he said softly, feigning mystery.

Then he turned around, put his hands in his pockets, and calmly followed Lin Yuanshan's pace.

Lin Xingran stood there stunned for a while. She turned to look at Lin Ying, her tone full of confusion after being teased, "Are you kidding me? You seem so close yet so far, what do you mean?"

Lin Ying smiled and gently shook her head, then walked up quietly from beside her second sister, the ribbon in her hair fluttering slightly in the warm breeze of the banquet hall.

She crossed her arms in front of her and gently twisted her fingers on the hem of her skirt.

She tiptoed as she walked to Ye Yang's side, seemingly hesitating whether to speak.

Then, with her head slightly lowered and her silvery-white eyelashes fluttering gently in the light, she said in a very soft voice:

"I...I think you said it very well. You said 'hide your sadness under a mask'...I...I really like that line."

Ye Yang turned to look at her. Lin Ying had her head down, and there was a faint pink tinge on her ears.

He grinned and then said gently, "Thank you."

Lin Ying looked up and glanced at him quickly, then a slight smile appeared on her lips.

A private living room is a much quieter space than the outside.

The room is surrounded by dark wood paneling, and several sets of dark brown leather sofas form a semi-open reception area.

The overhead lights were warmer than those in the banquet hall, casting a soft sheen on the leather sofas.

Han Li and Han Shuang stood side by side in front of the bookshelf, talking about something. Han Shuang's short hair was tucked behind her ears, and her eyes were darting around quickly.

She saw Ye Yang first, and immediately reached out and nudged Han Li's side with her elbow.

Han Li's wine glass wobbled from the stab, and he sighed helplessly before straightening up and extending his hand to Ye Yang.

"Hello. What you said on stage today was truly brilliant. My name is Han Li, and I am the representative of the Han family tonight."

Ye Yang extended his hand and shook hands with him, replying with a smile, "You're too kind. I've heard people mention Brother Han's name in Kowloon City. The bald old man at the auto repair shop said that the welding torches you make have lasted for ten years without breaking down. I'll have to visit your factory myself sometime."

Han Shuang peeked out from behind Han Li and then stretched out her hand with a grin.

"Hello, hello, my name is Han Shuang, and I'm your second sister's good friend, the Lin Xingran who was talking to you just now. Let me tell you, we've known each other for a long time. Last time at the autumn dance, she even said she wanted to burn my hair into curls."

"If you ever want to forge any weapons or add any accessories to your armor, come find me, and I'll give them to you for free."

"By the way, our Han family has recently developed a new energy shield generator. It's not in mass production yet, but if you're interested, we can make a custom version for you."

"And another thing! I'm really curious about your armor structure. Could I take a look at your driver? I promise I won't take it apart—"

Before she could finish speaking, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, covered her mouth, and dragged her back several steps.

Lin Xingran covered Han Shuang's mouth with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, saying warily:

"That's not necessary. Giving her weapons for free is out of the question, and showing her the driver is even worse! I'm warning you, Han Shuang, stay away from my brother."

Han Shuang made muffled "mmm" sounds under Lin Xingran's palm.

She flailed her arms wildly in the air, and after a while, she finally managed to break free from Lin Xingran's clutches. Then, somewhat angrily, she tidied her messed-up short hair.

At this moment, Lin Yumin led Zhou Zhi over from the sofa area.

Zhou Zhi stood gracefully in front of Ye Yang, a gentle smile on her lips.

She extended her slender hand and said in a gentle voice, "Mr. Ye, I have long admired your name. My name is Zhou Zhi, and I am the Zhou family's representative tonight. I have heard that your acupuncture skills are very impressive, and my daughter is truly impressed."

Ye Yang bowed slightly and gently half-held her hand.

Her fingers were slightly cooler than normal, and her fingertips had thin calluses from years of handling needles.

"Hello, Miss Zhou Zhi, I've heard so much about you."

Zhou Zhi withdrew her hand, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowed, and the curve of her eyes at the corners made her look like an elegant fox.

"Oh—so tell me, how come I've heard so much about you? Let me test you, do you know which surgery I'm most famous for?"

Ye Yang scratched his head, somewhat at a loss, then honestly spread his hands: "Well—I was just being polite, who knew you'd ask such a serious question? Why don't you tell me the answer, and I'll know next time we meet? Then you can test me again, and I promise I'll be able to answer it."

Zhou Zhi paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, her voice tinged with amusement as she said:

"You're quite an interesting person. No wonder my grandfather insisted that I meet you in person. He said that there aren't many young people these days who can understand acupuncture and acupoints to this extent, but he didn't mention that you'd cheat."

Lin Yuanshan nodded slightly and then interjected, "Zhou Zhi, please give my regards to your grandfather. I will definitely visit him in a few days."

Zhou Zhi bowed slightly, then said respectfully, "Yes, Uncle Lin. Grandpa said his old bones won't join in the fun, but he said the Zhou family welcomes Ye Yang to discuss anything related to medicine in the future."

Ye Yang followed Lin Yuanshan deeper into the reception room. Lin Yuanshan lowered his voice as they walked:

"Those were just some representatives from families that have close ties with the Lin family, such as the Han family and the Zhou family. You've already met them."

"They will also be attending the upcoming auction. You'll all be of the same generation then, so you can look out for each other. At the auction, having one more friend is far more important than having one more enemy."

"What you said on stage today won't be in vain. Han Li and Zhou Zhi both have a very good impression of you. This is a good start."

Ye Yang nodded and silently memorized the two names.

Lin Yuanshan stopped in front of the dark solid wood door at the end of the corridor.

This door was much thicker than the door outside the reception room, and a tiny nameplate was embedded in the door frame.

The writing on it has been worn away and is somewhat blurred, but the words "Lin Family Private Room" can still be vaguely discerned.

Lin Yuanshan turned to look at Ye Yang, a faint smile appearing on his lips: "Those were just friends. The ones inside—are the important ones."

He pushed open the door and then stepped aside.

The private room was quieter than the main living room. The curtains on the windows were half-drawn, and outside was the bamboo grove in the Lin family's backyard.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the dark wooden floor.

In the center of the room was a low mahogany tea table, on which sat a set of brewed tea and a half-cup of steaming coffee.

Su Tan sat on a single sofa by the window.

She was dressed in a simple dark casual outfit, and her short, dark brown hair was neatly tucked behind her ears.

She looked at Ye Yang and gave him a slight smile, then raised her hand to greet him:

"Your speech was good, much better than when you were at the factory last time. I remember you didn't say more than ten sentences to me last time, but today you silenced the whole room."

A man sat opposite Su Tan. He looked to be in his early forties, with his hair shaved very short.

The man was wearing a dark gray turtleneck sweater with a black casual jacket over it.

He was holding a cup of coffee, calmly observing Ye Yang.

Lin Yuanshan stood at the door, nodded to the two people in the cubicle, then patted Ye Yang on the shoulder and said, "Gentlemen, I've brought the person to you. Now you can talk."

He smiled at Ye Yang, then turned and walked out, gently closing the door behind him.

When the door clicked shut, a brief silence fell over the cubicle.