Chapter Twenty-Eight: Complexion

“Sis, can we not go in?”

Looking at the line of bodyguards at the door, each standing as straight as a pine tree in their black suits, Jiang Tao felt a strong sense of oppression. Unable to help himself, he turned and whispered to Jiang Yue, whose expression was grim.

“You can, but then you’ll just be waiting to be chopped into pieces and fed to the dogs!” Jiang Yue sneered, no longer paying attention to her troublesome brother. She strode toward the iron gate that resembled a prison cell.

As she reached the entrance, a burly, imposing middle-aged bodyguard blocked her way. After a thorough check, confirming they were the expected guests, he let them through. Walking along the narrow path, Jiang Tao felt as though he was wandering at death’s door.

“Miss Jiang has come in person,” said Uncle Li, who appeared frail but was already waiting at the hall entrance. His demeanor was chilling, and his sharp, blade-like gaze swept hatefully over Jiang Tao, making the notorious rake shrink back a step.

“My useless brother has caused such trouble. If I, his sister, hadn’t come, he wouldn’t be lucky enough to be standing here now.” In front of Uncle Li, a veteran of Yin Chuan’s business circles, Jiang Yue spoke casually, without a hint of timidity. This was undeniably a strong-willed woman. Though her words were light, the meaning behind them was profound.

“Hahaha, Miss Jiang, you exaggerate. We merely wish to invite Young Master Jiang to the Lin family as a guest.” Thick-skinned to the point of invincibility, Uncle Li’s plan to break an arm or leg was now described as inviting him for tea. One had to admire his eloquence and talent for turning black into white.

Knowing she couldn’t win a verbal spar with this seasoned businessman, Jiang Yue wasn’t foolish. She immediately shifted the topic, directly addressing the main issue with a smile: “Housekeeper Li, where is the head of the Lin family?”

“The master is busy. I’m in charge.” Uncle Li replied with a cold indifference.

“Not present?” The family head refusing to meet them was a slap in the face, and Jiang Yue’s expression darkened momentarily, though she quickly masked it. “Today, I’ve brought my brother to apologize and hope for your understanding.” She shot Jiang Tao a meaningful glance.

She had already planned everything in the car. Understanding her intent, Jiang Tao didn’t hesitate—a dramatic kneel, sincerely apologizing, stripping his upper body to reveal skin as smooth as a woman’s, and taking a prepared bundle of birch rods from a bodyguard. He carried them on his back, earnestly imitating General Lian’s legendary apology to Lin Xiangru.

“Hahaha, Miss Jiang, what play are you acting out? Young Master Jiang offended the young master, not me, an old man. Kneeling and apologizing to me is pointless. Get up, I can’t bear it.” Uncle Li never showed a pleasant face to those who dared harm Lin Yang, especially to this arrogant fool who had twice attempted murder in a single day, even resorting to a firearm. In Uncle Li’s mind, Jiang Tao was already marked for death.

Knowing Uncle Li was playing tricks, Jiang Yue didn’t expose him, continuing to apologize sincerely. “Housekeeper Li, you’re right. My brother went too far this time. If you have any requests, please make them. If I can fulfill them, I will not refuse.”

With no moral high ground, Jiang Yue could only make a gesture of goodwill, hoping to quickly end this unfavorable negotiation.

“The Jiang family’s reach is too long. That’s not good.” Uncle Li suddenly said, his face growing darker.

Jiang Tao, confused, glanced at his sister. He’d merely provoked the wrong person at the wrong time, so how had it become the Jiang family’s overreaching hand? These connections made no sense. He couldn’t help but look at his frighteningly clever sister.

“Hahaha, Housekeeper Li, you’re being dramatic. Business is like war; even I know that. Surely you do, too?” Previously respectful, Jiang Yue became sharp when it came to business. As soon as Uncle Li spoke, she realized he intended to leverage her brother’s attack on the Lin family’s young master for negotiation.

“Humph. Since you lack sincerity, this negotiation is over! The Lin family doesn’t mind a fight to the end—even if it means mutual destruction.” Uncle Li’s words left no room for retreat. Whether Jiang Yue agreed or not, her path was blocked.

Faced with a hard choice, even this formidable woman fell silent for a moment. On one side was her brother’s safety, on the other, the third of Lin family shares she had painstakingly acquired in Jiang Ning’s leather factory. It was a dilemma between fish and bear’s paw—both precious, but impossible to choose.

A third share sounded small, but in cash it was enough to crush a crowd. It wouldn’t threaten the Jiang family’s foundation, but in these tough times, it was a painful loss. This decrepit old housekeeper had forced her into a costly decision.

“You’ll ensure no further trouble for my brother?” Jiang Yue asked in a low voice, as if making a major decision. Her words made her answer clear.

“If he behaves himself and doesn’t provoke our young master, we won’t bother with a useless brat.” Uncle Li turned and shot a cold look at the silent Jiang Tao, sneering.

“You…” Even an idiot could hear the blatant mockery in his words. Jiang Tao, hot-tempered, sprang up to curse, but was immediately stopped by Jiang Yue, who scolded him, “Sit down.” She was furious enough to want to strangle her brother; he couldn’t even recognize open provocation.

After much bargaining, Jiang Yue painfully exchanged a third of the shares to save her brother’s life, then left with her useless sibling. In the car, about to explode with anger, she furiously declared he was never to leave the Jiang family’s gates again, then ignored him.

Her mind, however, was occupied with another question: since her brother had stirred up the Tiger Shark assassination group, how had the Lin family’s young master survived? The question lingered like a curse, surfacing again and again. She glanced deeply at Jiang Tao, who wisely kept silent, and asked no more, since the matter was settled and further inquiry was pointless.

……………………………

Concerned for Lin Yang, Tang Yixue made arrangements at the company early in the morning and called to meet him.

They met again at the coffee shop in Longyuan Tower. After coaxing and persuading Leng Nini to stay home, Lin Yang was finally able to attend. Fierce Tiger had wanted to assign several men for protection, but Lin Yang’s questions left him flustered.

“Are your men good fighters?” Lin Yang grinned mischievously.

“Yeah, I picked some strong ones.” Fierce Tiger boasted, pounding his chest.

“Can they stop bullets?” Lin Yang’s smile was sly.

“Uh, no,” Fierce Tiger’s face twisted with disappointment.

“If someone points a gun at me, can they shield me in time?” Lin Yang pressed, relentless. “Even if they could, would they willingly sacrifice themselves for me?”

“This…” Fierce Tiger was speechless.

“If none of them can, why bring them along? Besides, I’m just going to eat, not negotiate a murder—what’s to worry about?” Lin Yang clapped his hands, laughing easily, showing no sign of concern.

Under Fierce Tiger’s helpless gaze, the audacious Lin Yang drove his Audi, slammed the accelerator, and sped off, vanishing in a flash.

“Tiger, you’re really letting him go alone?” Leng Nini asked worriedly. Since Lin Yang’s injury yesterday, she’d resolved to eliminate Jiang Tao at any cost, even if it meant sparking a war between the Leng and Jiang families. In her view, that useless clan was better off destroyed—better that than digging their own graves and shaming their ancestors.

“Don’t worry, Miss Leng. I’ve sent a few men to follow him secretly,” Fierce Tiger replied with a smug grin.

With Lin Yang’s heightened senses, Fierce Tiger’s little tricks couldn’t escape him. Glancing in the rearview mirror at the two black Volkswagen sedans trailing him, Lin Yang shook his head and pressed the pedal, continuing forward.

After an hour of wild driving, Longyuan Tower appeared ahead. With a beautiful ninety-degree drift, he parked and headed straight for the first-floor café.

“Yang, are you alright?” As soon as Lin Yang approached Tang Yixue, she stood up and began a hands-on examination. As her delicate hand moved over him, Lin Yang felt as if electricity coursed through his body—an indescribable sensation. He wasn’t foolish enough to stop her, so he simply stood still and enjoyed.

“How come there’s no scar?” After searching, Tang Yixue found nothing and asked in confusion.

“Hahaha, Yixue, did you forget about it?” Lin Yang pulled out an exquisite jade bottle, shaking it in front of Tang Yixue with a mischievous grin.

“Ah, I really did forget. Recently, Yun Yun was pestering me to ask you for some Golden Silkworm Powder for her friend.” Seeing the jade bottle, Tang Yixue suddenly understood and smiled.

“Yun Yun? Haven’t seen her in a while. How is she?” Lin Yang asked casually.

“What, missing the beautiful lady?” Tang Yixue demanded, her tone thick with jealousy, her expression less than pleased.

“Hahaha.” Lin Yang continued to smile shamelessly, finally blurting, “So, Yixue, are you jealous?”

“Go to hell.” Tang Yixue’s tigress nature surfaced, and she aimed a kick at Lin Yang, but he caught her foot deftly. The cool, silky sensation in his hand made him reluctant to let go, and, not knowing the meaning of shame, he gently stroked it.