Just who did she think he, Chen Weishan, was? What about his identity and status? He was a deputy-director-level cadre from a department in Capital City, a scion of the Old Chen Family! His identity was prestigious, his status extraordinary.

And in his eyes, Lin Ling was nothing more than a country bumpkin, a cheap woman who had been looked down upon by his Old Chen Family more than twenty years ago, yet had shamelessly tried to worm her way up. She had deceived Chen Zhenguo into having a bastard child, attempting to use this opportunity to ascend to high society and marry into their Old Chen Family, a top-tier elite household in Forty-Nine City. However, their 'keen eyes' had seen through her insidious scheme back then! They had then mercilessly driven her out of Forty-Nine City. Hmph, trying to marry into our Old Chen Family? She should have taken a good look at herself and seen what she was really worth!

But now, this lowly country woman, this scheming, cunning whore, dared to adopt such an attitude with him. How could this not infuriate Chen Weishan, who had always held such a high opinion of himself? It felt like a personal insult.

On any other day, he would have blown up long ago. But today… he couldn't just lose his temper right from the start, because he, Chen Weishan, was here to ask for a favor.

"There's something I think you've probably heard about," he continued, his face darkening.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly. You have one minute left," Lin Ling replied indifferently.

"You…"

Chen Weishan's face contorted with fury, but he still didn't dare to lash out. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Elder Master Chen passed away two months ago. It was all over the national news, so you should know." As he spoke, a look of helplessness and resentment unconsciously flashed through his eyes.

Elder Master Chen had been their Old Chen Family's Pillar of the Sky, their Sea-Calming Divine Needle. If the Elder Master were still alive, the Old Chen Family would still be one of the three great red families of Forty-Nine City, and he himself could have climbed even higher. But now, with the Elder Master gone, the Chen Family's influence had plummeted. Even their so-called status as a top-tier red family in Forty-Nine City was a title in name only as they entered a steep decline. Those who had been at odds with the Old Chen Family were now eyeing them like vultures, along with those who loved to kick a man when he's down. They were all just waiting for the right moment to strike! With their current standing, the family was at risk of suffering major blows to both its political and business interests, having their flesh torn away piece by piece. And he, Chen Weishan, would inevitably become a sacrificial lamb in this affair! He had no real skills or knowledge; he was an utter incompetent, yet he occupied the position of a deputy-director-level cadre. Of course, he didn't want to see that happen. That's why he had secretly traveled south behind his family's back to find Lin Ling. He wanted her to bring her son, Chen Fei, back to the Old Chen Family. Then, he would have the boy ask Old Master Xuu to shelter them from the current calamity! That way, he, Chen Weishan, wouldn't be dismissed from his position. He had really concocted a brilliant, cunning plan. After all, Old Master Xuu Dongtian was a great man on the same level as their family's deceased Elder Master Chen—a red hero! So, if the old master was truly willing to step in, the Old Chen Family would surely be saved. No one would dare to show him disrespect.

"Gone? So what if he's gone? What does that have to do with me?" But then he heard Lin Ling's utterly impassive answer, her voice even carrying a hint of satisfaction.

After all, the main culprit who had driven her and her son out of Forty-Nine City all those years ago was that stubborn old man, the so-called Elder Master Chen. Lin Ling didn't harbor a shred of goodwill toward him; her heart was filled with nothing but intense loathing. Under the circumstances, hearing that he was dead… to put it bluntly, she was overjoyed. Did he really expect her to be sad?

"Lin Ling! Don't forget your husband is Chen Zhenguo, and your son's surname is Chen! Our Old Chen Family owes you nothing. On the contrary, you owe us! Do you think just anyone is worthy of carrying the blood of the Old Chen Family?" Hearing her tone, Chen Weishan couldn't stop himself from roaring in fury.

"Is that so? I'm sorry, but in my eyes, the so-called noble blood of the Old Chen Family is worthless, not even worth a single penny, and I believe my son feels the same. As for your Chen Family, do you remember how you treated me and my son back then? We nearly died. Don't tell me the Chen Family has already forgotten all about that? Or do you actually expect us, mother and son, to be grateful to you?" Lin Ling scoffed.

When the Old Chen Family drove her out of Forty-Nine City, some people, wanting to avoid future trouble, decided to end things once and for all by sending assassins to intercept them. She and her son had nearly perished. If Uncle Ming hadn't arrived in the nick of time… It wasn't that Lin Ling feared death; her heart had already died once, so there was nothing left to be afraid of. But her son, Chen Fei, was innocent. He was only a few years old, yet he had nearly been murdered by a group of assassins. Every time she thought about it, remembering that scene, it was like a recurring nightmare that she could never escape.

"Shouldn't you be? Lin Ling, you need to get one thing straight: know your place, and know ours. We are now willing to accept you and your son into the Old Chen Family. This is a tremendous blessing, an extraordinary act of kindness. Don't be so stubborn and ungrateful, refusing a favor when it's offered!" Chen Weishan's face turned livid as he berated her.

"So what if your Chen Family has a high status? Look at you now, fallen from grace and unable to even fend for yourselves. Why else would a hypocrite like you come all the way to Chengyang County to beg me? I'm sorry, but your Chen Family is too noble for the likes of me. I, Lin Ling, look down on it," Lin Ling retorted, a sneer plastered on her face.

What a joke. After what happened all those years ago, she had sworn to herself that she would never again set foot in that family's gates, nor would she ever forgive the people who nearly had her and her son killed. And now that her son was powerful and capable, those people had the nerve to repeatedly put on a hypocritical face and try to curry favor. They even acted as if the Chen Family was doing them a great favor, an immense act of benevolence, by allowing them to latch on… Ptooey! As if anyone would desire that!

"You… Lin Ling, I'm telling you, it doesn't matter if a worthless woman like you is ungrateful. The Old Chen Family couldn't care less about you! However, your son has our family's blood in his veins, and that makes him one of us!" Chen Weishan roared furiously.

But his words held no threat for Lin Ling. She just sneered, "Fine. I'll give you my son's number right now. You can tell him yourself. If he agrees to acknowledge the Chen Family, I won't say another word. How about it?" Saying this, she actually took out her phone, brought up her son Chen Fei's number, and held it out for him to see.

Chen Fei was her son; she had raised him since he was a child. How could she not know him? The Chen Family? Heh… If that rascal of mine knew about this, who knows what kind of trouble he'd stir up. If the Chen Family has the guts, they can go ahead and try.

"You…"

Seeing Lin Ling's insulting gesture, Chen Weishan's lungs felt like they were about to explode. His face turned ashen with rage.

What a joke. If they could have just gotten Chen Fei to return to the family and persuade Old Master Xuu to intervene, why would they have gone through all this trouble? Why would he have personally come to this rural backwater to sweet-talk this worthless woman? But now… did this bitch really not know how to accept a favor when it was offered?

"After the Elder Master passed away, our Old Chen Family's influence has declined drastically, and we are facing a major crisis! Right now, only a great man like Old Master Xuu can help us survive it, and your son happens to be his life-saving benefactor! Call your son right now and have him ask Old Master Xuu to help our Old Chen Family get through this!"

"Lin Ling! I'm telling you, I am being perfectly polite right now. Don't push my buttons! Don't refuse my generosity!" Chen Weishan bit out coldly.

"My son is Old Master Xuu's life-saving benefactor?" Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Lin Ling's eyes. She knew her son was skilled in martial arts and medicine, but she had no idea he had become Old Master Xuu's benefactor. Having spent some time in the top circles of Forty-Nine City, she knew exactly who Old Master Xuu was and what that title meant.

If they had that kind of connection back then, not even the Chen Family would have dared to touch them.

"That's right. Your son is Old Master Xuu's life-saving benefactor."

Chen Weishan's tone grew excited. "If you and your son can perform this great service for the Chen Family and help us through this crisis, the family can officially welcome you back. Moreover, you can rekindle your relationship with Zhenguo. You do realize he is now a deputy-ministerial-level cadre, don't you? Imagine how prestigious it would be to be the wife of such a great man. Wasn't that what you always dreamed of?"

"Dreamed of?"

Hearing this, a deep, mocking sneer spread across Lin Ling's lips. She let out a cold laugh. "That coward, that spineless weakling? You still call him a man? I must have been blind to have ever fancied him. And why should my son and I join the Chen Family? My son is now Old Master Xuu's life-saving benefactor. Can your Chen Family even compare to Old Master Xuu?"

Hearing this, Chen Weishan's face froze before he exploded in rage. "Lin Ling! I advise you not to be so arrogant and ungrateful."

"Ungrateful? So what if I am?" Lin Ling's face was filled with scorn.

"You, you, you…"

Chen Weishan's face was dark with fury. He pointed a trembling finger at Lin Ling and bellowed, "You call your son right now! Immediately! Tell him to beg Old Master Xuu to help our Old Chen Family through this crisis! Or else, I'll make you pay."

"Is that so? I'd like to see you try."

Lin Ling scoffed, completely unafraid. She stared at Chen Weishan with contempt and said, "Let me make one thing crystal clear. You want us—mother and son—to help your Chen Family? In your dreams!"

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