Volume 1, Chapter 38: For Heaven's Sake, Look in the Mirror!!

Half an hour later, Su Ming sat on the sofa, watching the two breathtakingly beautiful women before him. They were staring at him as if he were a prisoner under interrogation! He had never received such treatment even back in the Ninth Penitentiary.

"Uncle Long, you know what will happen if I acknowledge his existence!"

"Grandfather is still in a coma, and my second uncle and eldest uncle are lurking like tigers, constantly trying to strip me of my authority!"

"I’m afraid that if I wake up, the company will have already collapsed!"

Lin Ruoxue pondered for a long time before speaking with great solemnity. "Young Miss, I understand that you are in a difficult position, but I am merely acting on your grandfather's instructions."

"Of course, he also respects your wishes. If you truly do not wish to fulfill the engagement, we can discuss alternatives," Long Yunfei said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Lin Ruoxue offered a bitter smile. Of course, she did not want to fulfill the engagement, nor did she want to see Su Ming! However, when her grandfather was still conscious, he had said that this engagement could provide a turning point for the Lin family's crisis. She did not know what exactly her grandfather meant, but she had made a promise to him, and she did not want to break it.

After a long moment of contemplation, a look of determination appeared on her lovely face. She had made her choice.

"I do not want to break my grandfather's promise, nor do I want to disappoint him!"

"This engagement will proceed as scheduled. I will not go back on my word; everything will be done as my grandfather requested!"

Suddenly, Lin Ruoxue spoke with grave seriousness. The moment her words fell, Ye Bing, who was drinking water nearby, spat it out, choking until her face turned bright red. She looked at Lin Ruoxue in disbelief. "Ruoxue, have you lost your mind?!"

"If you do this, your whole life will be ruined."

"The old man is senile, but you’re still clear-headed. How can you joke about your own future like this?"

Ye Bing could not stand by and watch her best friend jump into a fire pit. However, once Lin Ruoxue had made a decision, she would not change it—that was simply her character. Moreover, she had given her word in front of Long Yunfei. Ye Bing’s persuasion could no longer alter the outcome.

"That is enough. I have decided!"

"Uncle Long, please head out first. I have something I need to discuss with him."

Lin Ruoxue’s face was devoid of joy or sorrow, as if she had seen through the vanity of life, her emotions as still as stagnant water. Long Yunfei nodded and turned to leave the office.

Now, only Su Ming and the two women remained. Lin Ruoxue’s gaze fell upon Ye Bing. Ye Bing understood immediately, but before leaving, she stepped in front of Su Ming and gritted her teeth, threatening, "Ex-convict, you’d better behave yourself. If you dare to bully Ruoxue, I’ll chop you into pieces and make you the last eunuch in China!"

Having said that, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.

"Are you satisfied now?" Lin Ruoxue asked, her face icy, once they were alone.

"What do I have to be satisfied about? This engagement is a shackle for me as well!"

"If it weren't for my teacher’s repeated insistence, we wouldn't even have had a second chance to meet," Su Ming said, spreading his hands with a flat tone.

"Heh, your teacher really is something twisted!"

"He is clearly a hermit. I should be grateful to him for saving my grandfather's life, but he proposed such a condition that I have grown to loathe him to the extreme!"

"I even suspect it was premeditated. It’s possible that my grandfather’s illness was orchestrated by him. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence in the world that only he could cure it?"

Lin Ruoxue’s words were laced with mockery and suspicion.

Su Ming, who had been calm, suddenly stood up. His gaze shifted from its initial stillness to a chilling, blade-like coldness that made it impossible to meet his eyes. His aura underwent a radical transformation, leaving Lin Ruoxue stunned.

"You may question my motives and distrust my character!"

"But if you dare to utter another disparaging word about my teacher, your memorial day will be next spring!" Su Ming retorted coldly.

Since arriving at the Jun Tianxia building, he had remained silent. Even when Ye Bing and Lin Ruoxue were hostile toward him, both in word and deed, Su Ming had shown great magnanimity and ignored them. But Lin Ruoxue was audacious enough to speak ill of his teacher to his face. Whoever dared to do that deserved to die!

"You!"

Feeling the threat from Su Ming, Lin Ruoxue trembled with anger. This guy actually dared to threaten her? He had gone to such great lengths to become the Lin family's son-in-law, yet he still acted as if he were in the right. A petty, shameless villain.

"You can ramble on in front of me, but do not mention my teacher ever again!" Su Ming cut her off, giving a stern warning.

Lin Ruoxue was on the verge of exploding, but just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Bang, bang, bang!"

Ye Bing pushed the door open and poked her head in, looking nervous. "Ruoxue, come out for a moment. Your second uncle, Lin Dahai, is here. He looks like he’s up to no good and is looking for you!"

Hearing this, Lin Ruoxue took a deep breath and said to Su Ming, "Go home first. I’ll talk to you tonight!"

"Bingbing, take him to my place..." Since she had already agreed, Lin Ruoxue would not go back on her word. She would have to accept Su Ming sooner or later; doing it sooner might help her move past this shadow.

Upon hearing this, Ye Bing sighed deeply, knowing she could change nothing. She yelled at Su Ming with irritation, "Still standing there? Let's go!"

Su Ming smiled indifferently and walked outside. Once out, he saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair, dressed in a sharp suit, with graying temples, walking into the office. Behind him followed seven or eight men, all looking grave. Among them was a young man with a look of extreme arrogance, as if the heavens were beneath him, walking with a swagger.

Su Ming ignored them and headed outside with Ye Bing.

In the basement, Ye Bing drove a red Porsche Cayenne up to him. "Get in the car, sit in the back!" Ye Bing said impatiently.

"About our bet from last time..." Before Su Ming could finish, a murderous look flashed across Ye Bing's face, making him awkwardly touch his nose and climb into the car.

"Don't get too happy, kid."

"Even though you've married into the Lin family, don't you dare think you can enjoy a life of luxury just by entering a wealthy household."

"And remember, your marriage is just a ceremony. Don't have any improper thoughts!" Ye Bing warned as the car slowly started.

"I just hope she can control her own desires and not have any crooked ideas about me!" Su Ming replied with a nod.

"Hmph, at least you're sensible. You'd better not think about—"

*Screech!*

Ye Bing slammed on the brakes as the realization hit her. She turned her head, staring at Su Ming with sheer disbelief.

"You narcissist! I beg you to look in a mirror—don't live in a fantasy world. My Ruoxue is the greatest beauty in Longzhou!"

"The rich heirs and tycoons chasing her could line up from Longzhou all the way to the Kingdom of Jinlan!"

"Dreaming in broad daylight!" Ye Bing said with utter disdain before driving off.

Su Ming said nothing more. On the way, he received a notification of a transfer of funds.