Chapter 4: Tears Before Words

Soon, a limited edition Rolls-Royce pulled up beside them. The two entered the car—Ming Cheng took the passenger seat. In the back, aside from Ling Xiao’s ‘throne,’ a slender maid poured wine for him.

“A bottle of this vintage Lafite costs one million eight hundred thousand, from 1787. Heh… A big shot paid tribute with it.”

Ling Xiao swirled the glass, the wine’s color shimmering alluringly beneath the Rolls-Royce’s starlight ceiling, mysterious and seductive.

He tasted it, nodding.

“Not bad.”

Ming Cheng curled his lips. “Young Master, such fine wine, and for you, it’s just ‘not bad’?”

“When I was promoted to Martial Saint, the Valley Master opened a bottle of exquisite wine from the Qin Dynasty. That one was worth three hundred forty million.”

“…”

The car swiftly arrived at a company building that wasn’t particularly tall. Upon it, a huge golden sign gleamed.

Mu Group!

“Young Master, Miss Mu works up there.”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly. “She’s only eighteen. Why isn’t she attending classes at school?”

“You may not know, Young Master. Shortly after your accident, Mu’s parents died suddenly of severe illness. Though young, Miss Mu had no choice but to carry the family banner, dropping out to manage their business.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed, two cold sparks flashing forth.

“Does it have anything to do with the Hua family?”

Ming Cheng nodded. “Back then, only Miss Mu went into the mountains to look for you. That alone angered the Hua family, so…”

Ling Xiao’s murderous intent erupted, filling the car. Even Ming Cheng, the driver, and the maid—each possessing some strength—couldn’t help but feel suffocated by the oppressive force.

“Cough… Young Master, we can barely breathe!”

At that, Ling Xiao took a deep breath, calming his mood.

“Hua family, one day, I’ll make you beg for life, yet unable to die!”

With that, he opened the door and stepped out.

“Wait here. No need to interfere, no matter what happens.”

“Yes!”

Ling Xiao walked to the entrance, just as a young girl came out of the building.

She was slender, but breathtakingly beautiful. Her business suit made her look older than her years, her hairstyle chosen to appear more mature, but her youthful face couldn’t be concealed.

This sight pierced Ling Xiao’s heart like a blade.

Eighteen—her age should be like a blossoming flower, enjoying parental love, carefree at school. Yet now, she must bear burdens no one her age should carry.

And all because of him.

A breeze fluttered by, and the scarf around the girl’s neck slipped free, dancing in the wind.

“Oh!” she cried, chasing after it. Ling Xiao moved his hand, and the scarf, as if anchored, landed in his palm.

“Thank you so much. If not for you, my scarf would have flown away.”

The girl approached, their eyes met, and both bodies seemed to tremble.

“Your scarf.”

Ling Xiao suppressed his emotions, handing it over. She took it, full of suspicion, unable to resist asking, “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

Ling Xiao paused, circulating his true energy, drying his eyes.

“You’re mistaken. Just some dust got in my eye.”

“Oh~” The girl’s reply was tinged with skepticism, but she quickly smiled. “You look so much like a good friend of mine. For a moment, I almost mistook you for him!”

Ling Xiao’s eyelid twitched imperceptibly, but he replied softly, “Really? Your friend looks like me?”

“Mm,” she nodded, then her expression dimmed. “Sadly, he’s no longer here. If he were, he’d be as handsome as you. At least… as tall.”

She stuck out her tongue, then, perhaps feeling she’d been too forward, blushed and said, “Alright, let’s not talk about this. I’m Mu Yiren. You helped me retrieve my scarf, so I owe you—let’s grab a late-night snack nearby.”

“It was nothing.”

“No, it wasn’t nothing. This scarf belonged to my mother. It means a lot to me. If you hadn’t gotten it back, I’d have been sad for days! By the way, what’s your name?”

“Ling Xiao.”

Mu Yiren’s delicate frame trembled, her beautiful eyes widening.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing. It’s just… your name is so much like his!”

“Life is full of coincidences.”

“That’s true. Come on, let’s go.”

“Mm.” Ling Xiao nodded, and the two strolled toward a nearby restaurant.

Ming Cheng lounged in the car, arms propped, watching their backs with disdain.

“The stench of romance! Disgusting!”

They reached a western restaurant and ordered their meals.

Mu Yiren spread out documents from her bag and began working.

Ling Xiao frowned slightly. “Are you very busy right now?”

Mu Yiren was taken aback, then apologized. “Sorry, our company needs a deal urgently. I must study this partner’s profile tonight to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting.”

Ling Xiao answered calmly, “Which company? Perhaps… I know it.”

Mu Yiren smiled gently. “You couldn’t possibly. It’s an international giant—I worked hard to get them to negotiate with us. Even so, it’s unlikely we’ll succeed; their strength is overwhelming. They’re unlikely to value our group, but I have to try. If we land this deal, it could turn things around for us.”

Ling Xiao nodded, his gaze flickering over her documents, then he ate in silence.

Throughout the meal, Mu Yiren barely touched her food, spending most of her time poring over files. Ling Xiao’s heart ached for her.

When they parted, during a handshake, he infused a stream of true energy to ease her fatigue and invigorate her.

“Thank you for your hospitality tonight. Let’s talk again sometime.”

“Mm, you too.”

“Keep this card. It might come in handy tomorrow.”

He handed her a black business card, its reverse embossed with a dragon and phoenix entwined around a skull, the front bearing Ling Xiao’s gilded name—strokes bold and fierce, as if the man himself.

“This card is so unique! I’ll keep it. Let’s chat again when there’s time.”

Mu Yiren tucked the card into her folder, bid Ling Xiao farewell, and hurried back to the company. Soon, the lights on the top floor of Yiren Group’s office flickered on.

Ling Xiao stood by the roadside, gazing up at the illuminated rooftop, his eyes thoughtful.

Ming Cheng approached, unable to suppress his curiosity. “Young Master, why didn’t you reveal yourself to Miss Mu?”

“Now… is not the right time.”