Chapter 2: Do Not Repeat Past Mistakes

After Qi Qi was stunned for a few seconds, Tang’s mother immediately asked anxiously, “Ling Xiao, how can a perfectly good engagement be broken off just like that?”

Ling Xiao took a deep breath, stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and said coldly, “In my opinion, your precious daughter is not worthy of me.”

With that single sentence, it was as if he had stirred up a hornet’s nest! Tang Yurou’s face turned terrifyingly cold.

She had indeed wanted to call off the engagement, but she could have accepted it in any other way—just not like this. She hadn’t expected it, nor could she accept it.

Who was she? Tang Yurou! The eldest daughter of the Tang family! Since childhood, she had excelled in her studies, never ranking below the top three in any exam! Whether in appearance or in talent, she was among the best.

And who was he? Ling Xiao! The infamous wastrel of the Ling family! He had no merits to speak of, only a litany of faults! To this day, his education amounted to no more than a third-grade level.

Apart from his family background and a somewhat handsome face, what else did Ling Xiao have?

Yet this unambitious, shameless playboy actually wanted to break off the engagement—claiming she wasn’t good enough for him?

Who was he insulting?

Without hesitation, Tang Yurou strode up to Ling Xiao, lifted her head, and glared fiercely into his eyes, her gaze practically shooting sparks.

Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, she demanded, “I, Tang Yurou, have beauty, talent, and poise! In what way am I not worthy of you?”

Ling Xiao brushed past her, hands still behind his back, and walked toward the exit of the Tang residence.

“When you boast of your pitiful achievements, that’s when you prove yourself unworthy of me.”

Ling Xiao left the Tang household, leaving it in utter chaos. Madam Tang fainted from rage on the spot, and Tang Yurou coughed up a mouthful of blood!

Meanwhile, Ling Xiao boarded a bus at the roadside and vanished into the horizon.

...

The bus was enveloped in silence. Aside from occasional stops to pick up a passenger or two, it drifted along the road like a tranquil whale in a sea of vehicles.

Half an hour later, a delicate fragrance reached Ling Xiao’s nose.

“Excuse me? May I sit here?”

He glanced up briefly. The speaker was a vibrant young woman, dressed in a pure white sweater that hugged her figure and accentuated her graceful curves. Her black leggings set off her long, shapely legs—truly striking.

But after just a glance, Ling Xiao looked away, turning his gaze back out the window.

The girl’s brows knitted slightly in surprise. She knew better than anyone how attractive she was; though not yet fully matured, she was well aware of the effect she had on boys. Today, however, was the first time she’d met someone who seemed completely indifferent to her!

Ling Xiao said nothing, but as there were no other seats available, the girl had no choice but to sit beside him.

Sitting so close, she couldn’t help but steal a sideways glance at him. Just one look, and her heart skipped a beat.

What a handsome young man!

She couldn’t stop herself from murmuring inwardly. Those sharply defined brows, the straight nose, eyes bright as stars, and skin as fair as jade—he possessed a quiet allure that was almost dangerous.

For a moment, she, who considered herself quite beautiful, felt a twinge of inadequacy.

“Have you stared enough?” Ling Xiao’s tone was tinged with annoyance. He didn’t turn around, but his words made the girl blush, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

“S-sorry!”

Ling Xiao said nothing more. Though still curious, the girl finally fell silent.

The journey was dull, and soon the girl, like many others, drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, the bus had already reached a station.

“We’ve arrived at Jiangcheng. Please gather your belongings and exit the bus in order!”

Waking from her slumber, the girl was surprised to find herself resting on Ling Xiao’s shoulder. She blushed furiously once again.

“S-sorry!”

Ling Xiao regarded her coolly. “You should get off.”

“Ah? Oh!”

With a soft sigh and a hint of disappointment, the girl alighted. This was the first boy in her life who had shown her so little interest.

But she hadn’t expected that, just as she stepped off the bus, a middle-aged couple would rush up and seize her by the arm.

“Yuan Yuan, you’re finally home. We shouldn’t have been so harsh—come, let’s go home.”

The girl was stunned. “I... I don’t know you!”

“Silly child, what nonsense are you spouting? No matter how angry you are, you can’t deny your own parents!”

Onlookers began to murmur and point.

“Kids these days, honestly—they don’t even recognize their own parents!”

“She just needs a good beating, that’ll fix her!”

...

Hearing the crowd’s comments, the girl began to cry and scream in despair.

“I don’t know them! I really don’t know them!”

Just as the couple were about to drag her off, Ling Xiao stepped off the bus, glanced at the three with a look of disdain in his eyes.

“Let her go.”

The couple’s faces turned cold. “Boy, this is family business. Stay out of it.”

Ling Xiao snorted, pulled two coins from his pocket, and flicked them with his fingers. In a flash, the coins shot forward like white streaks, piercing both of their thighs. Blood spurted wildly.

The couple collapsed to the ground, howling in pain, and the girl seized the chance to break free.

“Th-thank you!” she stammered, but to her astonishment, Ling Xiao had already vanished. Around them, people began to whisper in awe.

“My goodness, who would’ve thought that boy was a martial arts master!”

The girl sighed, and at that moment, Ling Xiao was already walking out of the station, answering a phone call. Before he could speak, the voice on the other end was already shouting.

“You little brat, have you grown wings? You came back to the city and didn’t even return home, went straight to the Tang family and broke off the engagement! Are you trying to make your mother die of anger?”

Ling Xiao rubbed his temples as he walked. “Mom, I’m an adult now. I can make my own decisions.”

“What decisions? I carried you for ten months and raised you with great effort! And you break off such a major engagement without even telling us? Your father nearly had a heart attack from the shock! Where are you now? Come home this instant!”

“No need. I’ve already left the city and won’t be coming back anytime soon. Don’t bother looking for me—it would just be a waste of time.”

On the other end, a man’s furious voice roared, “Tell him, if he doesn’t come home right now, he can die out there for all I care! Never come back!”

“Xiao Ling, did you hear? Your father is really angry. Please come back, don’t be so reckless!”

“I’m not being reckless. What’s done with the Tang family is final. I won’t be coming home for the next few months, so don’t worry about me.”

With that, he hung up, tossed his brand-new phone into the gutter, and strode out of the station.

Waiting outside was a Maybach, and in front of it stood an elderly man. Though his frame was frail, his eyes exuded an overwhelming aura.

But as soon as Ling Xiao approached, the old man bowed deeply to him, his attitude one of utmost humility.