This fellow, is he really treating himself as a bargaining chip?!
"Hahaha!"
Zhang Shiquan burst into laughter, walked over to Su Lin, and patted him on the shoulder. "Kid, I have to admit, you're a smart man. Tell me, how much money do you want? As long as you leave Bingyu, I'll give you whatever you ask for!"
Su Lin thought about it seriously. "Since you put it that way, I'm not a greedy person. Just give me one trillion, and I'll leave right this second!"
"One trillion!"
Zhang Shiquan's expression instantly darkened, and he said coldly, "Kid, are you sure you're not joking?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Su Lin retorted coldly, a trace of mockery curling the corner of his mouth. "Or are you saying you simply can't come up with one trillion? If that's the case, it means you were just blowing hot air earlier. Since you don't have the capability, what the hell are you acting all high and mighty for?"
"Country bumpkin, is that any way to speak to Young Master Zhang? Believe it or not, Young Master Zhang can crush you in a minute!"
Xia Fei couldn't help pointing at Su Lin and shouting coldly.
"Looks like you really love being someone's dog, huh? Your master hasn't even spoken yet, and the dog is already barking?" Su Lin glanced at Xia Fei with a sneer.
"You..."
Anger instantly flooded Xia Fei's face, but thinking of Su Lin's physical prowess, he didn't dare make another move.
"Kid, this is a matter concerning the Xia family. If you know what's good for you, you'd better stay out of it!"
Xia Guodong spoke in a cold, threatening tone.
Xia Bingyu marrying Young Master Zhang brought immense benefits to both him and his son. Xia Guodong would never allow this bumpkin to ruin things!
"Why shouldn't I interfere? Bingyu is my wife, after all. Without my consent, no one is going to force her to do anything!"
Su Lin retorted coldly, a surge of domineering presence emanating from him.
Then, looking impatiently at Zhang Shiquan, Su Lin demanded, "Well? Can you cough up one trillion or not? If you can't, get the hell out of here and stop being an eyesore!"
"Kid, you've got a lot of nerve, but unfortunately, you're just some bumpkin straight off the mountain."
"You don't even qualify to fight me, Zhang Shiquan, for a woman!"
Zhang Shiquan didn't take Su Lin seriously at all. He turned his gaze to Xia Bingyu and said, "Bingyu, I'll give you one last chance. Agree to become my woman and kick that bumpkin out, and I can help you lift the bank's blockade!"
"Otherwise, the Xiashi Group probably won't last a few days before going bankrupt, and nobody will be able to save you then!"
Xia Bingyu immediately clenched her fists. Unwilling as she was to admit it, what Zhang Shiquan said was the truth!
"Bingyu, just say yes to Young Master Zhang. The Xiashi Group is your grandfather's life's work, after all—you don't want to watch all that go down the drain, do you?"
Xia Guodong persuaded her with a meaningful look.
Xia Fei chimed in as well. "Yeah! What does Young Master Zhang lack compared to this bumpkin? For him to take an interest in you is a total ho..."
*Slap!*
Before Xia Fei could finish, a crisp sound echoed through the entire hall!
It turned out Su Lin had suddenly struck, sending Zhang Shiquan flying with a single slap!
Everyone was instantly stunned, never expecting Su Lin to pull such a stunt!
"You... how dare you hit Young Master Zhang?!"
Xia Guodong pointed at Su Lin, trembling with shock and rage!
"I said it before: no one forces my wife to do anything. He just threatened my wife, and he has to pay the price!"
Su Lin's expression grew cold and fierce.
Xia Bingyu looked at Su Lin with complex emotions in her beautiful eyes, never expecting him to stand up for her like this.
"You little bastard! How dare you hit me! I swear you're a dead man, nobody can save you!!"
"And as for Xia Bingyu, I'm going to make you watch with your own eyes as she becomes my woman and gets used until she's nothing more than trash!"
Recovering from the blow, Zhang Shiquan erupted in a thunderous roar, turning to the middle-aged man who had accompanied him. "Mr. Yuan, please deal with this punk. Just break both of his legs!"
Mr. Yuan nodded, placing his hands behind his back, and strode up to Su Lin. "Kid, if you know what's good for you, break your own legs to save me the trouble of doing it myself, so you don't have to suffer any physical pa—"
*Slap!*
Before Mr. Yuan could finish his sentence, Su Lin slapped him right across the face, sending him flying backward to crash against the wall before sliding slowly to the floor, where he lay motionless like a dead dog.
"Too much talking. With garbage skills like that, you still dare to show off? I really wonder where you got the guts!"
Su Lin muttered dismissively, then strode toward Zhang Shiquan.
At this moment, Zhang Shiquan was completely frozen in shock!
Mr. Yuan was his personal bodyguard, a veteran retired from Longxia's most elite special forces unit who had once single-handedly wiped out an entire foreign special ops squad during a mission!
Because of that, besides a monthly base salary of one hundred thousand, Mr. Yuan had another rule: every time he made a move, it cost two hundred thousand!
Expensive as it was, Zhang Shiquan still kept Mr. Yuan by his side, and over the years, Mr. Yuan had helped him eliminate countless enemies!
Yet now, Mr. Yuan had been swatted away like a fly by a bumpkin from the mountain. The psychological impact on Zhang Shiquan was devastating!
"Hey! Didn't you say you wanted to break my legs just now?" Su Lin walked right up to Zhang Shiquan and patted his face.
Coming back to his senses in stark terror, Zhang Shiquan stumbled backward two steps. "W-What do you want?"
Without answering, Su Lin executed a lightning-fast kick with both feet straight into Zhang Shiquan's kneecaps!
*Crack! Crack!*
Accompanied by the sickening sound of shattering bone, Zhang Shiquan collapsed directly onto the ground, letting out a shriek like a butchered pig!
"How does it feel to have your legs broken? Comfortable?"
Su Lin asked with a grin.
"Su Lin, you have a lot of nerve! How dare you hit Young Master Zhang? Do you even know what kind of background he has?!"
Xia Guodong's face twisted in panic as he shouted angrily.
"Bingyu, hurry up and divorce this punk, make him get out of the Xia family, or we're all going to be dragged down and killed by him!"
Xia Fei's face was equally drained of color in fright!
In truth, Xia Bingyu hadn't expected Su Lin to deal such a heavy hand to Zhang Shiquan either, but things had already reached this point. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Second Uncle, powerful as the Zhang family may be, our Xia family isn't a pushover either. Do you really have to wet yourselves like this?"
"Besides, what's done is done. No matter what, I'm standing by Su Lin's side!"
"You..." Xia Guodong was so furious he was left speechless.
"Wife, you're the only one who treats me right!"
Looking deeply moved, Su Lin turned his attention back to Zhang Shiquan. "Oh right, Wife, this piece of trash insulted you just now. Let me teach him another lesson for you!"
"No need, this is enough. I'm sure he won't dare come looking for trouble with us again!" Xia Bingyu hurried to intervene.
When this Su Lin threw hands, he seemed to have no sense of proportion at all. She was genuinely afraid he might accidentally kill Zhang Shiquan, which would blow the whole situation completely out of proportion!
"Fine, seeing as my wife is so kind-hearted, I'll let him off the hook for today."
Nodding, Su Lin delivered a swift kick that sent Zhang Shiquan flying into a heap before the group of subordinates he had brought along. "What are you standing around for? Pick him up and get lost!"
"Oh right, don't forget that dead dog over there either!"
Too terrified to utter a word, the men hastily hoisted Zhang Shiquan and Mr. Yuan and beat a hasty retreat.
"You've brought a catastrophe upon us, kid. Beating Young Master Zhang like this—the Zhang family won't let you off!"
Xia Guodong glared at Su Lin through gritted teeth.
If it weren't for this punk, things would never have turned out this way!
"Just a little Zhang family? If they dare come looking for trouble again, I'll just wipe them out!"
Su Lin shrugged nonchalantly.
"Country bumpkin, you sure talk big. Wipe out the Zhang family? Who do you think you are?!"
Xia Fei sneered with utter disdain!
*Slap!*
Su Lin backhanded Xia Fei across the face and snapped irritably, "Didn't I say not to call me a country bumpkin? I really don't know if you lack memory or if you're just begging to be beaten!"
"Consider this one last lesson for today. Do it again, and I'll cut your tongue out myself!"
"You punk..." Xia Guodong's face flushed with anger. This Su Lin was getting more and more arrogant by the minute!
"What about me? Say one more word, and see if I don't beat you up too!" Su Lin cut him off flatly.
Xia Guodong's expression shifted drastically; he didn't doubt for a second that Su Lin would actually do it. Ultimately, he flicked his sleeve in disgust and said, "Kid, you've offended the Zhang family now. I want to see just how long you can swagger around. Let's go, Xia Fei!"
Without another word, Xia Fei shot Su Lin a venomous glare and followed Xia Guodong out of the villa.
Only Su Lin and Xia Bingyu remained in the spacious hall.
Without standing on ceremony, Su Lin walked right over and wrapped a domineering arm around Xia Bingyu's waist, pulling her straight into his embrace!
In an instant, their bodies pressed tightly against each other!
Su Lin could even feel the incredible elasticity of her breasts!
"Su Lin, what are you doing?"
Xia Bingyu asked in a sudden panic.
A wicked grin spread across Su Lin's face. "Nothing much, Wife. Just wanted to ask—was your husband's performance just now awesome or what?"
Chapter 21: Is it fair?
Xia Bingyu glared fiercely at Su Lin, knowing he was just taking advantage of the moment to grope her.
Yet she didn't say anything to stop him. The way Su Lin had stepped up earlier to aggressively chase off Zhang Shiquan and put Xia Guodong and his son in their place had given her a sense of safety and reliance.
So this... was what it felt like to be protected by a man?
"Ah right, Your dad has rested for a few days now, and he's ready for his second acupuncture session. I'm going upstairs to treat him, Wife."
Remembering this, Su Lin turned and headed toward the second floor.
Xia Bingyu quickly followed, wanting to check on her father's current condition.
Second floor.
Xia Guodong had hired someone specifically to care for Xia Guodong over the past few days, and his complexion had improved significantly, though he still couldn't get out of bed to walk.
This was precisely why Xia Guodong had been in such a rush to marry Xia Bingyu off.
If Xia Guodong made a full recovery, they would lose their chance entirely!
"Bingyu, what happened downstairs just now? Did Xia Guodong and the others come giving you trouble again?"
Seeing them enter, Xia Guodong asked with a frown.
"Dad, it's like this..."
Xia Bingyu gave a general summary of events, omitting the part where Su Lin broke Zhang Shiquan's legs so as not to worry him.
"This Xia Guodong is simply going too far! No matter what, you're his niece, and for him to treat you like this..."
"When I fully recover, I'll never let him off!"
Hearing the story, Xia Guodong was instantly filled with fury!
"Relax, Father-in-law, you don't need to get so worked up. With your daughter by my side, nobody is going to bully her!"
Su Lin walked over and offered comforting words.
Xia Guodong smiled. "I'll have to trouble you to look after my daughter during this time. She doesn't have many faults, just a bit of a bad temper—please bear with her a little."
"If she ever treats you poorly, just come tell me, and I guarantee I'll give her a strict scolding!"
Su Lin couldn't help letting out a sigh. "Father-in-law, to be completely honest, your daughter is great in every way, except she refuses to give you a grandson. Leaving me to sleep alone in an empty room every night—it's so cold, lonely, and miserable!"
Xia Guodong couldn't help coughing twice.
Such private matters were really not something he could easily interfere with!
"Su Lin, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Hurry up and treat my father!" Xia Bingyu glared at him in a flush of shame and anger.
Su Lin curled his lips and said nothing more, pulling out his silver needles to begin treating Xia Guodong.
Before long, the treatment was finished.
Xia Guodong's complexion had visibly improved by leaps and bounds.
"Young Master Su, you really are a divine doctor! I can feel that my strength has returned quite a bit. In a few more days, I should be able to get out of bed and walk around!"
Excitement lit up Xia Guodong's face!
"Pretty much. In a couple more days, after I give you the third treatment, Father-in-law, you should be fully back to normal," Su Lin said calmly.
"Young Master Su truly is a miracle worker!"
With a sigh of awe, Xia Guodong's face broke into an apologetic smile. "Young Master Su, I have some things I'd like to discuss with Bingyu in private. Could you perhaps..."
"Understood, Father-in-law. I'll go outside and catch some fresh air!"
Knowing when to excuse himself, Su Lin nodded and walked out of the room.
"Dad, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Xia Bingyu asked with curiosity.
"Bingyu, my impression of Young Master Su is that he must be an extraordinary person. Besides, this match was originally arranged by your grandfather—I think you should truly accept him wholeheartedly!"
Xia Guodong looked at Xia Bingyu with a serious and persuasive gaze.
Understanding her father's meaning instantly, Xia Bingyu hurried to say, "Dad, you don't understand that punk at all. Aside from knowing a bit of medicine, he has no other skills, and he talks complete nonsense all the time. He's not nearly as amazing as you think!"
Xia Guodong sighed. "Bingyu, the truth is I understand. You still haven't truly let go of him in your heart."
"What I want to say is that some people are simply not meant to be. If you choose to keep waiting for him like this, don't you think it's terribly unfair to Young Master Su?"
Xia Bingyu bit her lip and whispered softly, "I'll give him a huge sum of money as compensation later."
Xia Guodong shook his head helplessly. "Since that's how you feel, I won't try to persuade you further. I just hope you think it through carefully and don't make a decision you'll regret!"
Nodding, Xia Bingyu turned and left her father's room.
Yet once she was outside, her mind refused to settle.
Just as Zhang Shiquan had said, when Xia Bingyu went up the mountain to find Su Lin to fulfill the engagement, she had only wanted to use his identity as a shield!
Deep down, Xia Bingyu couldn't stand Su Lin—this slovenly guy who talked and acted without a shred of reliability!
Of course, the main reason was that Xia Bingyu had once made a promise to someone else, and she was still waiting for him to return!
Though Su Lin had helped her a great deal recently, it had only earned him a bit more favor in her eyes. To call it full acceptance was still a very long way off!
Precisely because of this, Xia Guodong's words kept echoing in Xia Bingyu's mind.
Was this really fair to Su Lin?
...
Zhang residence.
"Dad, that bitch Xia Bingyu and her wild man actually broke both my legs—you have to avenge me!"
Lying in bed, Zhang Shiquan roared in fury.
Looking at his son's wretched state, Zhang Zizhong's face turned icy cold. "That bitch Xia Bingyu is pushing things too far!"
"Originally, to fulfill the task given by that big shot, I wanted you to marry her into the Zhang family so we could get our hands on that item!"
"But since she doesn't know what's good for her, don't blame the Zhang family for turning hostile!"
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Shiquan asked, "Dad, what are you planning to do to that bitch?"
Pondering for a moment with a sinister gleam in his eyes, Zhang Zizhong said, "Let the men from the Black Tiger Gate handle it. We'll grab Xia Bingyu first. With her as a hostage, the Xia family will have no choice but to hand over that item!"
"Dad! Once Xia Bingyu is captured, I'm going to toy with her ruthlessly and break her in like a bitch in heat!"
A morbid, frenzied expression contorted Zhang Shiquan's face!
"Once the mission is accomplished, she's just a woman—do whatever you want with her."
"But before that, remember that the item is what matters most. If we fail, that big shot will wipe out our entire Zhang family without a second thought!"
Zhang Zizhong warned him with a grim, solemn expression.
"Dad, I understand!"
A shudder ran down Zhang Shiquan's spine at the mere thought of that influential figure.
Without further waste of words, Zhang Zizhong pulled out his phone and dialed a number: "Brother Heihu, I have a favor to ask. It's nothing difficult—just dealing with a woman..."
"Fine, ten million it is. But I want that woman brought to the Zhang family tonight!"
Hanging up the phone, a flash of eager excitement crossed Zhang Zizhong's eyes.
As long as this matter was successfully completed, their Zhang family would truly soar to unprecedented heights!
Chapter 22: Tired of living!
At the very same time the Zhang family was plotting against Xia Bingyu, in a hotel suite, Xia Guodong and Xia Fei were each holding a high-end escort, their hands wandering wantonly over the women's bodies!
"Dad, why are we moving out instead of staying in that nice villa?"
Xia Fei asked while his hands remained busy.
"Are you an idiot? That punk beat Zhang Shiquan into that state today—the Zhang family is bound to retaliate. What if we stayed at the villa and got dragged into it?" Xia Guodong scolded irritably.
Xia Fei furrowed his brow. "Dad, are we just going to hide in this hotel forever, then?"
"Relax, Zhang Shiquan suffered such a massive loss; he'll definitely retaliate within the next couple of days!"
"Coupled with the joint blockade of the Xiashi Group by Baihua Bank, Xia Bingyu is bound to lose all credibility within the company!"
"When that happens, it'll be the prime time for us to take over the firm!"
A confident smile of absolute control hung on Xia Guodong's face.
"Dad, I just have this feeling that the country bumpkin is a bit weird. What if the Zhang family fails?"
"And my eldest brother—he's already woken up. If he makes a full recovery, it'll mess up our plans too."
Thinking of Su Lin, Xia Fei couldn't help feeling a trace of unease.
"Hmph! No matter what, I am getting my hands on the Xiashi Group. If all these plans fail, don't blame me, Xia Guodong, for being ruthless!"
A ruthless glint flashed through Xia Guodong's eyes.
Xia Fei said no more. In truth, he felt that even without becoming the CEO of Xiashi Group, as long as there was money to spend, life would be comfortable enough.
Yet Xia Guodong's obsession with the Xiashi Group ran too deep, leaving Xia Fei with no choice but to follow his father's arrangements.
...
Nighttime!
Su Lin, Xia Bingyu, and Lin Feixuan were having dinner together when Xia Bingyu's phone suddenly rang.
Answering the call and listening for a few moments, Xia Bingyu's expression altered drastically. "What did you say?"
"Not just Baihua Bank? Tianxia Bank and Sihai Bank have also announced a blockade against the Xiashi Group?!"
"Alright, I'm aware of this. I'll figure out a way to handle it."
By the end of the sentence, Xia Bingyu's voice was heavy with powerlessness.
Hanging up the phone, Xia Bingyu clenched her fists tightly, her complexion shifting through shades of pale and dark.
"Sister Bingyu, did something happen at the company?" Lin Feixuan asked with concern.