Chapter 59: First Encounter

"Now that you’ve said this, I feel reassured! Still, it’s the old man’s birthday banquet—best not to stoop to his level, or else our reputations will suffer for it, won’t they?"
"Don’t worry, I have my own plan in mind! Who does Ling Xiao think he is? If he bites me, am I supposed to bite back?"

...

The two families soon arrived at Jiangzhou Grand Hotel. As they stepped out of their cars, two figures emerged from the entrance of the hotel.

"Dad! It’s Ling Xiao!"
Ling Xue couldn’t help but exclaim quietly. Ling Third Uncle and Ling First Uncle both furrowed their brows, looking in the direction Ling Xue pointed.

At the same moment, Ling Xiao’s gaze swept across, meeting theirs.

Their eyes met. Ling Xiao’s expression instantly grew somber.

Ling First Uncle, meanwhile, wore a proud, disdainful look.

"Ling Xiao! It’s your First Uncle and the others!"
Mu Yiren whispered quietly in Ling Xiao's ear, but his look remained as calm as still water.

"I know."

Neither moved, but Ling Third Uncle barked out:

"Ling Xiao, what kind of look is that? Didn’t you see your First Uncle is back? Why aren’t you coming up to greet him?"

Ling Xiao didn’t reply, only fixing his gaze on Ling First Uncle.

"Three years now—fat, slack, greasy-faced. Looks like you’ve been living well."

Ling First Uncle snorted dismissively.

"What do you mean by that? Is that how you speak to your elders?"

"Elders?"
Ling Xiao cast a cool glance.

"Do you… even deserve that title?"

"You—!"
Ling First Uncle’s face turned icy.

"Three years, and without your parents’ guidance, you’ve become like this! You don’t even know the basics of courtesy!"

Ling Xiao’s gaze chilled, and for a moment, Ling First Uncle shivered involuntarily.

"Don’t drag my parents into this! You… are not worthy!"

"Say that again if you dare!"
Ling First Uncle’s eyes were cold as ice, as if the nephew before him was not family, but an enemy.

Ling Xiao suddenly shook his head, a bitter, self-mocking smile on his lips.

"Enough! Why should I bother with you? It’s beneath me."

With that, he took Mu Yiren’s hand and turned away.

"Tomorrow is Grandfather’s birthday. Then, I have an account to settle with you. Let’s hope you don’t show up late, First Uncle!"

Watching the two leave, Ling First Uncle’s face darkened with rage.

Ling First Aunt could not help but curse aloud:

"This little bastard, what sort of attitude is that? Does he even care about us elders?"

Ling Third Aunt hurried to comfort her.

"Sister-in-law, why pay him any mind? What sort of person is he, and what sort of person are you? It’s beneath you to argue—don’t let him tarnish your dignity!"

"You’re right, sister-in-law! Getting angry at him is simply humiliating. What nonsense!"

...

On the other side, after walking some distance, Ling Xiao’s expression remained cold, showing no warmth.

Mu Yiren, puzzled, asked,

"Ling Xiao, why are you so angry? You look as if you’ve met an enemy. Aren’t they your family?"

"Family? Hah."
Ling Xiao’s smile was laced with irony.

"Do they even deserve to be called family?"

"They’re nothing but petty opportunists, really. To be more precise… they are heartless beasts."

"Ling Xiao, the more you say, the more confused I become."
Mu Yiren frowned prettily. Ling Xiao stroked her head and sighed.

"Back then, the only ones who knew my mother’s identity were the Ling family. No one else."

"So you mean…?"
Mu Yiren was still at a loss.

"Do you know where my First Uncle is returning from?"

"I have no idea!"

"Yanjing! The Hua family!"

"Oh my god!"
Mu Yiren’s eyes widened, covering her mouth in shock.

She had lost her parents, and already understood much of the world’s darkness.

But only today did she realize how naive she still was.

Sometimes, for power or wealth, people can be so cold-blooded it defies belief.

She remained stunned for a long while, then gently took Ling Xiao’s hand.

"Ling Xiao, don’t be sad—you still have me!"

Ling Xiao smiled calmly and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Thank you. With you, I have the courage to face the world."

"As long as you’re by my side, I’ll never leave. Life and death together, growing old hand in hand."

The two embraced for a long time, drawing curious glances.

After a while, Ling Xiao let go of Mu Yiren.

"Come on, accompany me to the Zhang family."

Mu Yiren nodded obediently. Ling Xiao picked her up, tapped his toes, and in a few swift steps, vanished into the distance.

...

They arrived quickly at the Zhang residence. Upon receiving word, Zhang Daochu hurried out to meet them.

"Young Master, why didn’t you let us know you were coming? I could have sent someone to fetch you!"

"No need for such formalities. Yi Ren and I were out for a walk and decided to stop by."

"You and Madam are so loving—truly enviable. Please, come in!"

Zhang Daochu ushered them into the villa and promptly brought out a thick ledger.

"Young Master, these are the assets handed over by the wealthy in all the districts of Jiangzhou—totaling eighty-nine billion two hundred seventy million. Please take a look."

Ling Xiao waved him off.

"No need. If I entrusted you with this, I trust you. Use all these funds to purchase rare treasures and send them to Ghost Valley."

"As you command, Young Master!"

"Young Master, there is one more thing. The small boss who tipped me off the other day wishes to meet you. He also retrieved and protected Madam’s parents’ ashes from the Chen family."

"Oh? Let him come in then!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhang Daochu gave the order, and shortly after, a tall, thin middle-aged man entered and knelt before Ling Xiao.

"This humble one is Wu Jinyan, greeting the Young Master!"

"Wu Jinyan? The name sounds familiar."

"In the past, thanks to Master Ling’s medical skills, I survived my illness. Otherwise, I would have left this world long ago."

"I see! Good and evil are repaid, cause and effect never ends. My father saved you, and you saved Yi Ren. Thank you."

"You are too kind, Young Master! It is my honor to serve you!"

"I, Ling Xiao, always repay kindness and revenge alike. Because you rescued Yi Ren, tell me—what do you want? I’ll grant you one wish."

Wu Jinyan was overjoyed.

"Recently, my business has encountered difficulties. I need fifty million to keep things afloat..."

"Go find Zhang Daochu and collect a hundred million."

"Thank you, Young Master! Thank you! May your fortune be boundless!"

"Go on."

Ling Xiao waved him away.

Yi Ren’s face was tinged with guilt.

"Ling Xiao, I’m sorry. If not for me, you wouldn’t have spent so much money."

Ling Xiao tapped her nose affectionately.

"Silly girl, as long as you’re well. Even if it’s a hundred million, a billion, ten billion, a hundred billion—so what?"

"Money is the least of my worries."