Chapter Thirty-Nine: Sharp Tongue

Lin Yang was deeply curious about Fangyu Pharmaceuticals, the company that had single-handedly thrown Jin Hai City’s pharmaceutical industry into chaos, swallowing up several well-established companies and now reigning unchallenged in Jiangning City. He had already heard rumors of Bai Jing’s background; if even the Bai family was forced to keep retreating in negotiations, desperate just to secure the recipe for “Golden Silkworm Powder,” then this opponent must be formidable indeed.

“I don’t know,” Bai Jing finally sighed after a long pause, her voice tinged with helplessness.

For someone like Bai Jing, a woman born under a lucky star, to say such words surely took immense courage.

“Jing, what do you mean?” Lin Yang was taken aback, bewildered by her words. After all this, they still didn’t know the identity or background of their adversary? Such an unknown enemy was truly terrifying. How had the Bai family managed to offend such a figure?

“Forget it, let’s not talk about that now. Tell me about your Golden Silkworm Powder recipe. What medicinal ingredients do you need? List them, and I’ll have our people procure whatever you require as quickly as possible.” Her intent was clear: a deft change of subject, which was the wisest course for a woman in her position.

“This…” Lin Yang’s heart skipped a beat, eyes widening—he hadn’t expected the conversation to shift so abruptly. He had been racking his brain for a way to explain the thorny issue of the Golden Silkworm Powder’s recipe, and suddenly Bai Jing had brought the topic right to him. Fate surely had a way of delivering exactly what one most feared.

Still, there was no point in hiding it; honesty was his only option.

So, with an embarrassed, evasive glance, Lin Yang began his reluctant confession—a moment that could very well “kill with kindness,” as the saying went. He drove on, recounting the details, desperately hoping not to further upset Bai Jing, whose mood was already precarious.

Yet Bai Jing did not respond as he’d imagined; there was no stormy outburst, no rage or thunder—only a chilling, eerie silence. In the drawn-out quiet that followed, Lin Yang gained a profound understanding of what it meant for calm to precede the storm.

“Xiao Yang, are you sure you’re not joking?” Bai Jing’s voice finally broke through, disbelief written across her face. She had finally found a weapon to fight her formidable enemy, a formula that could restore the Bai family’s fortunes—only for Lin Yang to tell her that Golden Silkworm Powder could not be mass-produced. If she wasn’t shocked, she would surely be unwell—and gravely so.

Lin Yang could only nod helplessly, his face twisted in genuine misery. If he were acting, he’d have deserved an Oscar.

“You’re saying there’s no way to substitute the golden silkworm pupae with any ordinary medicinal herb?” Bai Jing pressed, her tone thick with desperation. The only lifeline left—if it turned out to be nothing but a mirage, she truly felt she might lose her will to go on.

“Ah, right! Why didn’t I think of that?” Lin Yang suddenly felt an urge to embrace Bai Jing. What a revelation! He’d been so fixated on traditional methods, he had completely overlooked the possibility of substitution. But then again, he was no herbal expert.

“But when it comes to identifying and evaluating medicinal properties, I’m not much help,” he shrugged, feeling utterly powerless. He was like a man with a treasure trove and no way to open it.

“Our company has plenty of experts. As long as we have the formula, they’ll find a way. The rest is up to you.” Bai Jing’s voice brimmed with assurance, but her words trailed off with a hint of caution. Who would hand over such a miraculous formula lightly? In a world rife with scheming and betrayal, it was only natural to keep something in reserve.

“Here.”

If ever there was a definition of magnanimity and boldness, Lin Yang embodied it now. Without hesitation, he pulled the carefully transcribed recipe from his pocket and handed it to Bai Jing, his manner utterly nonchalant as he focused on driving.

Had Lin Yang’s car been a wolf in disguise, Bai Jing would have climbed in without a second thought. With this recipe in hand, she felt that even if Lin Yang had stripped her bare and devoured her, she would have had no regrets.

The thin slip of paper in her hand, seemingly light as air yet worth its weight in gold, filled Bai Jing with a tangle of emotions. Her gaze toward Lin Yang grew increasingly complex and inscrutable.

Lin Yang, unable to endure the tension, cleared his throat and half-joked, “Jing, please don’t look at me like that. I can’t vouch for my self-control.”

Bai Jing’s lips curled in amusement. With her wits restored, she teased, “If you can’t control yourself, then don’t bother trying.”

Lin Yang felt like crying. Why had he provoked her? Was he just asking for trouble? He didn’t dare actually lose control; otherwise, there’d be consequences—Bai Jing was more than capable of making him pay dearly.

“What’s wrong? Can’t control yourself? Then see if your big sister’s got what it takes.” Bai Jing was relentless, undoing the top button of her blouse, a mischievous glint in her eye. As she exposed a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage, Lin Yang swallowed hard, cursing inwardly, “Stop tempting me! One more move and I’ll leave you on the roadside!”

Fortunately, Bai Jing knew when to stop. She quickly buttoned up, her expression composed, though a trace of pride flickered in her eyes.

Seeing she had no intention of further provocation, Lin Yang breathed a sigh of relief—though, oddly, he felt a hint of disappointment.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have access to all our pharmaceutical experts. Have them focus on the golden silkworm pupae in the formula and see if there’s a suitable substitute among more common medicinal herbs. As long as we can achieve mass production, we’ll have the means to resist Fangyu Pharmaceuticals’ encroachment.” Bai Jing spoke with a resigned sigh, knowing she had no other choice. She had hoped to use a new drug to bolster the company’s standing, but with the issue of ingredient tampering, she was forced to bring out her trump card.

Lin Yang simply nodded, saying nothing more. But in his heart, he had already marked Fangyu Pharmaceuticals as a target for investigation. Such a mysterious entity couldn’t help but stir his curiosity.

Curiosity, after all, could be fatal.

The Audi’s performance was decent, and with Lin Yang’s superb driving skills, they reached a small, three-story villa in just half an hour. Compared to the one he’d borrowed from Meng Hu, this one was significantly more luxurious, though it was still worlds apart from the Nightmare Club’s opulence.

“Nice place, Jing,” Lin Yang remarked as he surveyed the elegant villa, crossing the threshold with a leisurely air.

Bai Jing merely offered a faint smile, devoid of the haughty airs of a spoiled heiress.

After a brief farewell, she hurried upstairs. Lin Yang wasted no time either, spinning the car around and speeding off with a sharp turn.

Glancing at the time—half past six—it was still early. After a moment’s thought, he decided to head straight for Tang Yixue’s apartment. With their relationship newly confirmed the previous day, he was eager for some intimacy. Even though her period had inconveniently arrived, a little cuddling or caressing might still quench his desire.

His heart racing, Lin Yang pushed the car to its limits. He ran two red lights in a row and even managed to shake off a pursuing patrol car—no doubt, he was in for a traffic ticket.

With a screech of tires and a display of high-speed maneuvering that shaved a third off the usual travel time, Lin Yang braked hard in front of Tang Yixue’s building.

But what he saw made his blood boil—a handsome man in a designer suit arguing heatedly with Tang Yixue. Their raised voices signaled just how tense things had gotten.

The sound of screeching brakes startled them both. Spotting Lin Yang, Tang Yixue abandoned her well-groomed suitor, smiled broadly, and walked straight toward Lin Yang.

He jumped out of the car and returned her smile. “Yixue.”

“Xiao Yang, you’re here,” Tang Yixue replied warmly. Her words, as if rehearsed, suggested a prearranged meeting, and she affectionately slipped her arm through his, her demeanor a complete reversal from the coldness she’d shown moments before.

With a glance, she turned to the handsome man behind her. Their eyes met, sparks flying and tempers flaring—a classic case of jealousy.

Before Lin Yang could speak, the man stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Lin Yang’s nose and glancing at Tang Yixue with an air of swagger. “Who the hell is this punk?” he demanded.

“What does it matter to you who he is? Fang Tianqi, get lost. Don’t bother me again, or you’ll regret it.” Tang Yixue, ignited by his arrogance, exploded, her anger fueling her words. The confrontation, already heated, now erupted into open conflict.

“You… you bitch!” Fang Tianqi’s face twisted with rage, his eyes full of venom as he glared at Lin Yang, clearly blaming him for all his misfortune.

Ordinarily, Lin Yang would have stayed out of Tang Yixue’s personal affairs. But some people just couldn’t help provoking him. Insulting Tang Yixue right in front of him? That was crossing a line.

Without warning, Lin Yang lunged forward, positioning himself between Tang Yixue and Fang Tianqi. With a swift, unceremonious punch—infused with the force of his inner energy—he struck before the other could react. Fist met mouth with unmistakable impact.

A dull thud, a howl of pain, and a spray of blood and two pearly white teeth traced an arc through the air.

“I don’t mind teaching you to watch that filthy mouth of yours,” Lin Yang said coldly, flexing his fist as he stared down at Fang Tianqi, who was clutching his face and whimpering in pain, the very picture of a chastened troublemaker.