Chapter 29: A Daring Proposition

“Miss Xiao, these are the 200 spirit stones we agreed upon. Please accept them.”

Lin Hong, relieved to have escaped calamity, hastily removed the ring from his finger.

He respectfully offered it to Xiao Xue, his face betraying a hint of pain at the parting, yet his actions held no hesitation.

Clutching the small ring, Xiao Xue’s dark eyes shimmered with a faint flicker of excitement.

She instinctively tightened her grip, pressing the ring against her chest. ‘This is Grandfather’s life-saving money,’ she thought.

She had braced herself for a bloody catastrophe. Instead, misfortune had ironically turned into a blessing.

Now, Grandfather’s illness could be cured.

At this thought, Xiao Xue secretly glanced at Lan Wu Xi again.

She felt fortunate for not having acted rashly earlier, and a wave of gratitude washed over her as Lan Wu Xi’s previous words resurfaced in her mind.

“Perhaps… I can try?”

Unaware of Xiao Xue’s gaze, Lan Wu Xi was lost in thought.

As he looked at Lin Hong, a daring idea sparked in his mind.

“Young Master Lan, Miss Xiao, since the payment has been made, as agreed, may we depart now…?”

Lin Hong bowed and scraped, retreating a step as he spoke, his gaze furtive.

His legs trembled uncontrollably, his back already soaked with cold sweat, and beads of perspiration continuously trickled from his forehead down his chin to the ground.

“Since Junior Sister Xiao has forgiven you, your grievances with her end here.”

“So, am I…?”

“However…”

Just as Lin Hong thought it was over, he was suddenly enveloped by an aura as fierce as a raging flood beast.

Before he could react, Lan Wu Xi had appeared before him, grabbing his neck and lifting him off the ground.

“Cough, cough! Young Master Lan, what is the meaning of this…? Did I not pay the compensation as agreed? Surely, Young Master Lan isn’t going back on his word?” Lin Hong stammered, twisting frantically.

His face was a mask of panic as he thrashed his body wildly.

His body seemed to anticipate death’s approach, and a bone-chilling cold swept through him from head to toe, filling his eyes with terror.

“Your grievances with her are settled, yes, but when did I ever say that my grievances with you were also wiped clean?”

A sinister glint flashed in Lan Wu Xi’s eyes, and the corners of his lips curled into a sneer, as if mocking Lin Hong’s naivety.

The animosity between him and the Lin family had long escalated to an irreconcilable level.

What began as a conflict between Lan Wu Xi and Lin Yunxi had spiraled when the latter used his family’s power to try and destroy Lan Wu Xi’s household.

Such a petty, unforgiving nature truly cast a shadow over the Lin family’s future, and it fueled Lan Wu Xi’s hatred for Lin Yunxi to its absolute peak.

“Young Master Xiao, you are…?”

Xiao Xue’s father and mother had not anticipated such a sudden move from Lan Wu Xi.

They both spoke up, intending to urge him to reconsider, to not act impulsively and risk retaliation from the Lin family, lest they drag him into their troubles.

“Elders, please do not worry about me. This is a feud between the Lin family and me.”

“Our enmity is already irreconcilable; I have my own considerations.”

With that, Lan Wu Xi released Lin Hong, who promptly stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Come with me, or else you understand the consequences.”

Lan Wu Xi turned and stepped out of the Xiao family’s gate.

Lin Hong, daring not to delay, ignored his unconscious subordinates and hurried after him.

Xiao Xue remained silent, lost in thought, before her parents’ calls brought her back to reality, prompting her to begin tidying the chaotic courtyard.

Lin Hong was exceptionally clever.

“Young Master Lan, if there is anything you require of this humble subordinate, I will not hesitate to go through fire and water if it is within my power!”

Lan Wu Xi had just spoken of irreconcilable hatred, yet the next moment he had released him and bade him follow. Clearly, he had a need for him, or else his life would truly have been forfeit today.

“What is your standing within the Lin family?”

Lan Wu Xi’s cold voice and the chilling glint in his eyes forced the words in Lin Hong’s mouth back down his throat.

Finally, he spoke in a timid whisper.

“I am merely a mid-level manager in the Lin family. I was dispatched by my superiors today to collect funds.

Who could have known Young Master Lan would be here? If I had, even with a hundred times more courage, I wouldn’t have dared to come!”

A hint of bitter helplessness laced Lin Hong’s tone.

He had enjoyed a period of abusing his power under the Lin family’s influence, and always acted with a degree of caution, which had allowed him to thrive in his position.

But today, he had encountered a true devil.

Judging by the other party’s demeanor, it was highly likely they intended to use his identity for something.

However, he was fortunate that his life seemed to be spared today—a blessing in disguise amidst his misfortune.

“I presume you recognize me by now.”

“No, no! I know nothing at all. I am completely unaware of any information regarding your esteemed self.”

“I’ll give you one more chance to rephrase that!”

“I do, I do! You are Young Master Lan Wu Xi, whose might shakes the Yunxiao Nation, aren’t you?

How could I not recognize Young Master Lan? Your reputation in the Yunxiao Nation is absolutely resounding!”

“I’m that famous?”

“Indeed! Young Master Lan, you are truly renowned now.

Even Young Master Yun’s popularity has been overshadowed by yours. Everyone is saying that in the future, you are destined to become one of the top peak powerhouses in the Yunxiao Nation.”

Listening to Lin Hong’s effusive praise, Lan Wu Xi was initially puzzled. He had never imagined his reputation had grown so immense.

However, as he heard the latter part, his face instantly paled. The more he listened, the more it sounded like the standard character setup for a villain.

‘Whenever a certain villain gains immense popularity in a particular area, they are usually severely beaten by the protagonist, serving as experience.’

‘Then, all the fame they’ve accumulated is transferred to the protagonist…’

“System…”

[Beep! Host, what do you call this System for?]

“You win this round!”

[???]

Lan Wu Xi, who had cursed the System a thousand times in his mind, felt utterly helpless.

Yet, he could only force a smile at Lin Hong.

‘I’m so annoyed, but I still have to keep smiling~’

“Since you already know who I am, I imagine you are also quite clear about the matters between me and the Lin family, aren’t you?”

“No, no! I’ve been diligently cultivating within the clan these past days, so I am completely unaware of anything happening outside…”

“Oh dear, now that I mention it, I feel like I haven’t quite had my fill of fighting just now. I truly wish I had something to satisfy my craving for action~”

“I understand! I understand everything! I’ve long heard about the conflict between your esteemed self and my Lin family.

To be honest, I don’t particularly approve of the Lin family’s actions, especially Young Master Lin, who constantly commits evil deeds.

Your chastisement of him could even be considered eliminating a menace for the people!”

They stood in a secluded alley, barely wide enough for two people to walk abreast.

For some unknown reason, the sky suddenly became overcast, heavy with dark clouds.

Flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder occasionally broke through, silver arcs crisscrossing the oppressive clouds with menacing intensity.

Children who had been playing outside, reluctant to leave, were quickly scooped up and carried home by their parents.

Soon after, a light rain began to fall.

As Lan Wu Xi’s lips moved, Lin Hong’s pupils abruptly dilated, and his mouth fell wide open.

“Do you want to become the leader of the Lin family? I can help you!”

Such an utterly outlandish proposal emerged from Lan Wu Xi’s mouth.

Had it come from anyone else, they would surely have been dismissed as a fool, perhaps even incurring the Lin family’s wrath.

Yet, at this moment, Lin Hong’s eyes held not a shred of doubt. Instead, they revealed a profound indecision.

His trembling fists were clenched, whether from excitement or fear, he could not tell.

Lan Wu Xi’s gaze alone conveyed that his words were no idle boast.

The unwavering confidence in his tone made Lin Hong believe him implicitly, without the slightest hesitation.

This was a terrifyingly audacious proposition, and even the air around them began to thicken with an unusual tension.