Chapter Twenty-Six: Wearing Thorns to Seek Forgiveness

At the sight of the woman who had just entered, Jiang Tao, previously haughty and fuming, instantly wilted as if facing a tigress. He lowered his head, and just as he was about to speak, he was met with a barrage of scolding.

“You bastard, you fool, do you even know what you’re doing?” Her voice, as clear as silver bells, rang out with explosive intensity, creating an almost surreal effect.

Jiang Tao’s head drooped even lower, as if he genuinely feared the girl.

“You idiot, your actions will ruin the family!” She showed no sign of stopping. The girl continued her tirade, and unlike the saying that a gentleman uses words rather than fists, she clearly did not see herself as a gentleman. Hands and feet flew as she pummeled Jiang Tao, who stood beside her. Fortunately, she wore sneakers tonight, sparing him from real harm; otherwise, his backside might have suffered far more.

“Sister, what did I do wrong this time?” After enduring her blows, Jiang Tao looked for all the world like a wronged bride, his head bowed as he summoned all his courage to ask quietly.

“What did you do wrong? Idiot, can’t you use your brain for once? Find out who you’re dealing with before you act, understand?” The question only seemed to ignite her further, and the girl’s blows grew heavier. In no time, the face that had charmed countless girls was transformed into something resembling a pig, pitiful and battered.

“He’s just a useless doctor, isn’t he?” Jiang Tao, stubborn as ever, muttered under his breath.

But rebellion always comes at a price, especially in the heat of the moment. As the second most powerful person in the Jiang family—her authority surpassing even their father’s—Jiang Yue, known as the family’s greatest prodigy, showed Jiang Tao, her brother who cared only for pleasure, no mercy.

“A useless doctor? Has your brain been trampled by pigs or kicked by donkeys?” Exhausted by her own fury, Jiang Yue could barely describe her brother’s incompetence. If he were not her sibling, she would have sliced him up and fed him to the dogs long ago.

The Lin family, one of the three great families of Yinchuan, held tremendous influence in the military district, their power stretching across half of China and their industries countless. If their sole heir were merely a “useless doctor,” what would that make the Jiang family? Jiang Tao, among the many Jiang offspring, might not even be worthy of begging on the streets.

Only after considerable effort did she finally shock her stubborn brother into submission. When Jiang Tao heard Lin Yang’s true identity, he was surprised but not awed—he understood that the Lin family’s power rivaled their own, and for the first time, he took the other’s status seriously.

“Sister, if our Jiang family is at odds with the Lin family, why can’t we deal with that guy?” Jiang Tao was the epitome of a spoiled scion, utterly incomparable to his illustrious sister, and his words betrayed a total lack of thought.

“Hmph. All you do is eat, drink, and chase women. What do you know?” Jiang Yue gave him no quarter, delivering another punch.

Apart from a muffled groan, Jiang Tao had no courage to retaliate against his formidable sister.

“In Yinchuan, the Tang family, the Lin family, and in Jiangning, the Leng family—these three families are as thick as thieves. Do you really think the Jiang family and the Tong family alone can challenge them? I wonder what else your brain holds besides women.” Having long since given up hope for her brother, Jiang Yue complained with resignation. As the family’s second-in-command, the task of revitalizing the clan had clearly fallen to her. A strong woman, she was not one for mercy, and if she had the confidence, she would have acted already.

“Come, return with me. Whether we can protect you this time remains to be seen. You’d better be careful.” With that, Jiang Yue stood, grabbed Jiang Tao’s arm, and began dragging him out, not bothering to ask his opinion.

Jiang Tao, for his part, knew better than to say no in front of his fierce sister. He remembered well the consequences of defiance—once, her bodyguards had carried him downstairs, and the dizzying experience was still vivid in his mind.

“Miss, the Lin family has made their move.” Just as they stepped outside, a bodyguard rushed up from below, whispering urgent news into Jiang Yue’s ear. Judging by his tense expression, it was nothing good.

Listening, Jiang Yue shot her brother a glare, then continued to drag him down the stairs.

“Sister, what’s wrong? You look so worried,” Jiang Tao asked quietly, sensing her mood.

“What’s wrong? The Lin family is after your life, do you think I can look happy?” Jiang Yue felt a violent urge to strangle him then and there.

The Tiger Shark Gang of Jiangning was an extension of the Jiang family’s influence, which explained how Jiang Tao could so easily call on assassins. Without the family’s backing, a nobody like him wouldn’t have been able to command anyone, but thanks to his reckless actions, Tiger Shark was now exposed to the scrutiny of the great families.

And with Tiger Shark’s attack on Lin Yang, its downfall was inevitable. The Lin family’s efficiency was legendary—Uncle Li’s order had been issued just an hour before, and now, the gang that once ruled Jiangning was utterly annihilated.

To teach her brother a lesson, Jiang Yue withheld nothing and spoke coldly: “Because of your impulsiveness, Tiger Shark has vanished from this world.”

Jiang Tao’s heart thudded painfully; he was more than stunned. He knew well how formidable Tiger Shark was. He’d used their assassins barely two hours ago, and now this force he’d relied on was wiped out in a blink. Even he, as foolish as he was, understood he’d provoked a terrifying enemy. The thought made him shiver, and Jiang Yue noticed it clearly.

“Now you’re scared, aren’t you?” Jiang Yue sneered.

“Yes,” Jiang Tao answered, head bowed. “So… what will you do next, sister?”

“Hmph. If you weren’t my brother, I wouldn’t hesitate to tie you up and hand you to the Lin family, let them deal with you as they please.” Jiang Yue’s wrath was at its peak.

Knowing his sister was furious, Jiang Tao wisely kept silent, sitting quietly beside her and gazing out the window.

………………………

“Xiao Yang, where are you now?” Lin Yang, about to go to sleep, received a call from Tang Yixue. Her anxious voice came through the line.

“In Tianchen District, at a friend’s place,” Lin Yang replied. From her tone, he could tell she’d already heard about the assassination attempt. He never doubted her reach.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Tang Yixue asked, worried.

“I’m fine, just a few scrapes, nothing serious. Don’t worry, Yixue. By the way, since you know about the attack, do you know who was behind it?” Although Lin Yang’s informant had told him the Tiger Shark Gang of Jiangning was involved, he wasn’t completely sure who was orchestrating things. Since Tang Yixue knew about the attack, it was reasonable she might know the mastermind. Lin Yang asked directly.

“The attackers were assassins from the Tiger Shark Gang. Oh, and my father intervened—the gang was just wiped out. As for the hospital vandalism, it was orchestrated by President Luo of the Medical Arts Association.” Tang Yixue rattled off the facts like an encyclopedia.

“President Luo?” Lin Yang’s expression darkened upon hearing that President Luo had ordered the hospital attack. He hadn’t expected the man to be so petty. Lin Yang had only won a tournament, causing the Medical Arts Association some embarrassment, and yet Luo bore such a grudge. This was not someone he could afford to let live.

“Yixue, did you say my father intervened?” Lin Yang asked, as if only now catching that piece of news.

“Yes, your father ordered it. He did it for your sake, to warn the Jiang family. And Xiao Yang, the Jiang family is not as simple as you imagine. I know you won’t tolerate this, but unless absolutely necessary, don’t go for the kill. Otherwise, the great families might go to war over it.” Tang Yixue, fully aware of the stakes, explained the situation in veiled terms.

Compared to the hopelessly spoiled Jiang Tao, Lin Yang was far more knowledgeable and cautious. Though rebellious and stubborn, he always assessed the situation before acting.

“Oh, I understand.” Hearing the deeper meaning in her words, Lin Yang sighed inwardly. He realized his plan to cripple Jiang Tao would have to change. Acting rashly now could easily spark an open conflict among the great families.

Once Tang Yixue confirmed Lin Yang was unharmed, she relaxed. The two chatted for a while and then hung up; it was, after all, past three in the morning, and sleep was precious. Besides, there were many matters awaiting Lin Yang’s attention.

………………

“Sister, this isn’t the way home. Where are we going?” Jiang Tao glanced at the route, which diverged from their family’s direction, and looked at Jiang Yue’s troubled face in confusion.

“Hmph, who said we’re going home? I’m taking you to offer an apology. You made a mistake, so you must have the courage to take responsibility.” Jiang Yue’s expression was stern, leaving no room for jest. Her gaze at Jiang Tao was filled with helpless disappointment.