Yu Shuang swallowed hard, visibly shaken. He rushed to the edge of the rooftop, preparing to call out to Lin Dong.
Yet Lin Dong was already far away, leaving behind only a faint, fading silhouette.
Yu Shuang murmured, "It seems my father spoke the truth."
After leading his sister away, Lin Dong began considering their next steps.
He naturally intended to pursue his vengeance. His parents had suffered horrific deaths and his family had been wiped out; such monstrous enmity had to be repaid!
However, his sister was frail and could not be of much help right now; she needed peace and quiet to recuperate.
Their old home had long since been reduced to ruins, and over the past few years, she had lived a nomadic existence for the sake of the family's affairs. Now that Lin Dong had returned and lacked no money, it was time to find a proper place for her to rest.
Lin Dong weighed his options. Buying a house—even the most luxurious villa in the city—was well within his means. But he worried about leaving his sister to live completely alone. It would be better to rent a suite at Fengqitai, the largest commercial and hospitality complex in Muye. High society frequented the place daily, meaning its security was exceptionally tight and the clientele refined. It was truly a fine choice.
Having made up his mind, Lin Dong smiled and said, "Sis, don't worry about the revenge from here on out. You're unwell and need proper rest. I'll rent a room at Fengqitai for you to stay in for now. Once everything settles down, we can think about buying a house of our own."
Lin Qiu was taken aback. Having grown up in a prominent family, she knew very well how luxurious Fengqitai was. How could they afford it when they were supposedly penniless?
"Forget it, Xiao Dong," Lin Qiu said. "You just got back and must be short on money too. Let's just find a run-down little apartment to stay in."
Lin Dong patted his pocket and casually pulled out a bank card. "I have plenty of money!"
With that, Lin Dong hailed a cab and headed straight for Fengqitai in the southern district.
On the way, Lin Dong called Chu Wanning, informing her that the Sanlian Gang's stronghold had been crushed and its key leaders apprehended.
Chu Wanning fell silent for a long moment upon hearing the news. She had been worried about Lin Dong's safety, never expecting him to resolve the crisis so swiftly. Although she and Lin Dong were engaged, they were not yet married and lacked deep affection. Since he had done the Chu Family such a massive favor, she could not simply ignore it.
She asked tentatively, "Lin Dong, where are you headed now? Are you coming back to the Chu Family?"
Shaking his head, Lin Dong replied, "I need to head to Fengqitai first to arrange a place for my sister to stay."
Hearing this, Chu Wanning immediately had an idea and said hurriedly, "I actually have a meeting at Fengqitai today. Let's meet up there."
Lin Dong thought to himself that Fengqitai was the largest establishment in all of Muye, catering exclusively to the rich and powerful. As a result, its security measures were exceptionally strict, and taxis were not even permitted inside. Given how he and his sister were currently dressed, the security guards would likely stop them at the door. Having Chu Wanning accompany them inside would indeed save a lot of trouble.
"Alright, let's meet at Fengqitai then."
Once the cab arrived at the entrance, Lin Dong and his sister got out. As they took in the surrounding scenery, they chatted about what had happened over the past few years.
Before they had walked far, they heard someone call out.
"Lin Qiu?!"
Lin Dong turned around and saw a young man with his arm around an attractive woman, strolling toward them.
Lin Dong's expression shifted slightly, though he remained composed; Lin Qiu's face, however, instantly darkened.
The young man was none other than Lin Qiu's former fiancé, Cui Wenyi.
Cui Wenyi had been Lin Qiu's university classmate. Back then, he had pursued her relentlessly, presenting himself as utterly sincere. Their passionate romance had begun in college and eventually reached the stage of discussing marriage. Lin Dong's parents had been broad-minded, never looking down on Cui Wenyi for being poor. On the contrary, to help elevate the young man's standing, they had even entrusted a portion of the family's businesses to his management. The Lin Family had treated this prospective son-in-law with the utmost generosity.
Yet just as the two were on the verge of marriage, disaster struck the Lin Family, wiping them out completely.
When Lin Qiu was shattered by the tragedy and barely had the will to live, Cui Wenyi not only failed to stand by her or offer comfort, but he had stabbed her in the back. Not only did he seize the businesses the Lin Family had entrusted to him, but he also kicked Lin Qiu to the curb, driving her to the brink of death.
This was the most agonizing memory in Lin Qiu's heart, one she never wished to face again.
Tugging on Lin Dong's hand, she said, "Xiao Dong, let's go."
She turned to leave, but Cui Wenyi trotted over quickly and blocked their path.
Cui Wenyi eyed Lin Qiu with a frivolous smirk before shifting his gaze to Lin Dong.
"Well, well. Lin Dong, you piece of trash is still alive? I thought you died long ago!"
In the past, as Lin Dong's prospective brother-in-law, Cui Wenyi had fawned over him with every ounce of flattery he could muster, yet now he was heaping ridicule upon him. Such a contrast, combined with what the man had done to his sister, caused a surge of killing intent to rise within Lin Dong.
Just as Lin Dong was about to strike, Lin Qiu snapped first, shouting angrily, "Cui Wenyi! That's enough!"
Cui Wenyi chuckled, showing no intention of backing down. Instead, he continued in a snide tone, "Come on, Lin Qiu, don't get so worked up! It wasn't easy running into each other today—I really ought to thank you both properly!"
With that, Cui Wenyi pulled an invitation from his pocket and waved it smugly in front of Lin Qiu.
"I truly have to thank your Lin Family. If not for your assets, how could I have ever gained the favor of an esteemed Master?"
Cui Wenyi puffed out his chest, the very picture of a petty villain gloating over his success. He had never loved Lin Qiu. His past pursuit of her, along with his obsequious flattery toward Lin Dong and the rest of the Lin Family, had merely been a means to seize their resources.
He laughed aloud and continued, "Haha! Lin Qiu, my original plan was to marry you, secure your Lin Family's resources and backing, and then kick you to the curb once I had grown my wings! Who would have thought your Lin Family would get wiped out before that? I got my hands on your family's assets without even having to marry you! Hahaha, heaven truly smiles upon me!"
The most agonizing memories tore through Lin Qiu's heart once more amidst Cui Wenyi's raucous laughter. Staring at him in sheer anguish, she choked out, "You... you...!"
A sharp pain seized her chest, leaving her utterly unable to speak.
Seeing this, Lin Dong swiftly sealed his sister's acupoints and fed her a prepared medicinal pill, finally stabilizing her condition.