BOOM!

The words struck Xue Jingdong like a physical blow, his face turning deathly pale. His eyes were filled with an unprecedented, raw fear as he stared blankly at Lin Xiao.

Xue Jingdong wanted to beg for mercy, but his mouth felt as if it had been sewn shut. He couldn't utter a single word, nor did he have the strength to try.

"What are your last words?" Lin Xiao asked, a gentle smile on his face.

He was still smiling, but to Xue Jingdong, his words sounded like a death knell. A violent shudder ran through his entire body. He felt Lin Xiao's smile was like a knife, viciously stabbing his heart. Fear completely enveloped him.

But even then, Xue Jingdong refused to submit. "You damned beggar! I'm the young master of the Jinhai City Xue Family! You fucking dare to touch me! Try it!"

"Alright," Lin Xiao's smile widened. "Let's try."

CRUNCH!

Lin Xiao stomped down, crushing Xue Jingdong's head. It happened so fast that Xue Jingdong didn't even have time to react before he completely departed from this world.

Just then, the doors to the club were pushed open. Xiao Shixiong walked in, flanked by a large group of men in black. When he saw the scene before him, his heart shuddered. Even someone as worldly as him felt his heart clench in fear. His gaze toward Lin Xiao became even more deferential.

"Sir, I'm late!"

Lin Xiao spoke calmly, "You're not late. You're right on time. You know how to handle this, right?"

Xiao Shixiong nodded vigorously.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Leaving him with those words, Lin Xiao carried Su Qingning out of the club.

On the road back to Hidden Dragon Villa, Su Qingning's eyes slowly fluttered open. She was about to say something when she realized something was wrong. This wasn't the club anymore; she was in a car. She instinctively glanced at the driver's seat to see Lin Xiao driving intently. For some reason, the sight made her eyes well up with tears.

"You're awake?" Lin Xiao asked, turning his head to offer a small smile.

Su Qingning nodded, then asked, "What... what happened to me?"

"You fainted from the stress. It's all right."

"Why are we in the car?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Xiao Shixiong resolved the situation," Lin Xiao explained. It was the only thing he could say. He couldn't possibly tell her that he had just killed Xue Jingdong. Whether she'd believe him was one thing; the important part was that it would terrify her, and he couldn't bear to frighten her again.

Su Qingning let out a sigh of relief. But as the humiliating scene with Xue Jingdong replayed in her mind, her beautiful, peach-blossom eyes grew even redder.

"Lin Xiao, I'm sorry!" Su Qingning's voice trembled slightly.

"Hmm? Why are you suddenly apologizing?"

"I shouldn't have made you come with me. If I hadn't, you wouldn't have been humiliated like that!"

Lin Xiao glanced at her. "But if I hadn't gone, what would have happened to you?"

"He... he wouldn't have been able to bully me," Su Qingning said hesitantly. "I... I was prepared."

"What do you mean?"

Su Qingning took a dagger out of her purse. "I had thought it through," she said solemnly. "If he dared to make a move, I would've stabbed myself!"

Lin Xiao was stunned. He never imagined Su Qingning would harbor such thoughts. And knowing her personality, she wasn't bluffing. In other words, it was a good thing she brought me along. Otherwise, I might have lost her forever today.

"Give me the dagger!" Lin Xiao said urgently.

Su Qingning's expression grew dim as she shook her head. "No, let me keep it. I know I'm a target now. A lot of people are eyeing me greedily, so you never know when I might need it."

"Listen to me. Give it to me," Lin Xiao's tone hardened, carrying a command that was impossible to refuse.

Su Qingning had no choice but to hand the dagger over. Lin Xiao quickly set it aside.

"Honey, don't worry. I can protect you. I keep my promises. I know you might think I'm just boasting, but time will prove everything!"

A warm current instantly surged through Su Qingning's heart. Her eyes grew redder, but these were tears of gratitude. Even though she knew his words were likely just to comfort her, she was still moved. Deeply moved.

"Lin Xiao, thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"What are you saying? You're my wife. Of course, I have to protect you."

Su Qingning said no more. She turned her head and gazed out the window at the scenery flashing by. Unconsciously, her mood had grown incredibly heavy. She was remembering what Xue Jingdong had said—that Su Qingkun's trading company had already earned nearly two hundred million. Even if her bar ran perfectly for the next six months, she couldn't possibly earn that much. On top of that, Su Qingfeng was now being courted by a prestigious family.

My path forward is only going to get harder. In the end, I've lost this unfair contest! The thought made Su Qingning feel increasingly distressed. She felt like crying. I clearly had a chance to take back the Su Corporation, but alas, the opportunity is lost forever.

"Honey, are you all right?"

Lin Xiao's gentle voice reached her ears. Su Qingning didn't speak or look at him, merely giving a slight nod.

"What are you thinking about? Did something happen? It's okay, you can tell me."

Hearing his tender voice only made her want to cry more. She desperately wanted to pour out all the frustration pent up in her heart, but she knew it would be useless. It would only add to his worries.

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry," she said, trying her best to hide the distress in her voice.

But the slight tremor betrayed her.

Of course, Lin Xiao heard it. He pulled the car over to the side of the road.

"Honey, turn around and look at me."

Su Qingning didn't move, but her shoulders had begun to shake. She was crying. A pang of agony shot through Lin Xiao. He knew how deeply the humiliation from Xue Jingdong at the clubhouse had wounded her.

"Honey, don't cry. That piece of trash Xue Jingdong won't ever be able to bully you again."

But Su Qingning shook her head. "I'm not upset because of that," she said, her voice trembling.

"Then why are you upset?" Lin Xiao asked.

Su Qingning wiped at her tears, her voice choked with sobs. "Su Qingkun's company has already made two hundred million!"

"So, you're crying because you can't get the Su Corporation back?"

Su Qingning remained silent, which was an admission in itself.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to speak, she continued, "I knew from the very beginning that this was an unfair fight. But I naively thought that if I just worked hard enough, I could definitely get the Su Corporation back. I underestimated them, and I overestimated myself."

At this, Su Qingning suddenly turned to face him. Her beautiful, peach-blossom eyes were completely swimming in tears. The sight of her fragile, tear-streaked face made his heart ache as if it were being twisted by a knife.

"Lin Xiao... I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

Su Qingning fell silent for a moment, her tearful eyes fixed on him. "Let's get a divorce."

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