When Wang Shicheng received the call from Tie Shankao, he had just gotten the news of Wang Zhuo's death.

Wang Zhuo was the most outstanding member of the Wang Family's younger generation. He was Wang Shicheng's grandson and a talent for whom his grandfather had high hopes. But now, he was suddenly faced with the tragic ordeal of an elder burying the young. Wang Shicheng's heart was filled with indescribable sorrow, but even more so with anger.

The person who had killed Wang Zhuo was none other than Lin Xiao, the same man who had already taken the lives of two other members of the Wang Family. The new grudge, piled on top of the old, made Wang Shicheng wish he could flay Lin Xiao alive right then and there.

Upon seeing the call from Tie Shankao, Wang Shicheng didn't dare to ignore it. After all, this newly appointed king of Jinhai City's underground was a subordinate of Xiao Shixiong, the King of the Southern Town.

"Boss Tie, what are your instructions?" Wang Shicheng asked solemnly. Despite his overwhelming grief, his voice now carried a trace of feigned joy.

Tie Shankao said indifferently, "Instructions? I'm merely relaying a message for someone."

Wang Shicheng's heart skipped a beat. As a man who has lived for over sixty years, there isn't a storm I haven't weathered. But today's events are truly bizarre. Tie Shankao is the king of Jinhai City's underground and a subordinate of Xiao Shixiong, the King of the Southern Town—a man of noble and esteemed status. Yet now, he's relaying a message for someone else. This alone indicates just how extraordinary the person who sent him must be.

Wang Shicheng became even more cautious. He asked respectfully, "May I ask who required you, Boss Tie, to relay a message?"

"There's no harm in telling you. The one who sent me is named Lin Xiao."

Lin Xiao? That name is so familiar. Wait, isn't that the beast who killed several members of the Wang Family, one after another? But that's not the point. The point is that he can somehow order Tie Shankao around. I originally thought Lin Xiao was just some unbearably arrogant brat with a bit of skill, but now it seems I've underestimated him.

"Oh, so it's him. I wonder what message he wants you, Boss Tie, to relay to me," Wang Shicheng said, suppressing his anger.

"He asked me to tell you that if you continue to court death, he wouldn't mind erasing your Wang Family from this world."

BOOM!

The words struck Wang Shicheng's ears like a thunderclap. An overwhelming fury washed over him instantly, completely consuming him. Despite his great self-control, he truly couldn't contain himself in this moment. This was going too far!

The sixty-something-year-old Wang Shicheng slammed his hand on the huanghuali rosewood desk before him.

CRACK!

The hard wood instantly shattered, the multi-million-yuan table splintering into countless pieces.

Tie Shankao heard the commotion and knew Wang Shicheng was enraged. He merely curled his lip in disdain.

"Wang Shicheng, did you hear what I said?"

"I heard you!" Wang Shicheng said through clenched teeth.

"Good. Considering the generous tributes you offer each year, let me give you a friendly reminder: don't court death, and you won't die. I've said my piece. Take that as you will."

With that, Tie Shankao hung up the phone.

Wang Shicheng was truly enraged. The Wang Family ranked second among the three major families in Jinhai City and had an illustrious heritage, yet now they were being humiliated by a mere beggar. This was an affront that neither he nor the rest of the Wang Family could swallow.

"Steward Dong!" Wang Shicheng shouted fiercely.

A white-haired steward quickly hurried in. "Master, what are your orders?"

"Have Wang Daolong investigate that damned beggar's background!" Wang Shicheng said, his expression dark and inscrutable. Like Wang Zhuo, Wang Daolong was another exceptionally talented member of the family's younger generation, currently stationed at the headquarters of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion.

"As you command." The steward bowed and began to withdraw.

"Wait," Wang Shicheng said suddenly.

"Sir, are there any other instructions?"

"Contact Old Xue for me. Tell him I'm inviting him to lunch."

The steward nodded. He knew his master's "Old Xue" was none other than Xue Chongshan, the head of the Xue Family.

"Understood."

The steward withdrew.

Wang Shicheng stared at the shattered huanghuali rosewood on the floor, his eyes glinting coldly. "Lin Xiao," he snarled, his voice as cold as ice, "you had better be as powerful as you seem right now. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces!"

* * *

After lunch, Chu Xiangxue had to go to the stadium for an early rehearsal. Lin Xiao had promised to protect her, so he had no choice but to go along. The group then headed toward the stadium.

Lin Xiao drove with Su Qingning in the car. As soon as she got in, she noticed that he had switched vehicles.

Lin Xiao had assumed Su Qing wouldn't notice, since the car Tie Shankao had gotten for him was identical to his previous one, right down to the interior. He never expected her to be so observant as to spot the difference the moment she got in.

"I didn't actually change it. I just had it washed and tidied up a bit," Lin Xiao explained. There was no way he could tell her he'd killed four people in the old car. Fortunately, Su Qingning didn't press the issue. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have known how to explain it to her.

"By the way, Lin Xiao, when are we going back to Jinling City?" Su Qingning asked.

"Honey, you want to reopen your bar tomorrow, don't you?"

Su Qingning nodded.

"Then we'll head back first thing in the morning," Lin Xiao said. "After all, it'll be late by the time the concert's over tonight."

Su Qingning murmured in agreement.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked, "When we go back tomorrow, can you go somewhere with me?" As she spoke, her charming eyes looked at Lin Xiao, full of expectation.

The traffic light turned red, and Lin Xiao brought the car to a stop. He looked at Su Qingning, his gaze tender. "Go somewhere with you? I'd go with you through fire and water. As long as you ask, I'll go anywhere."

A warmth spread through Su Qingning's heart. She gave Lin Xiao a grateful glance, then said softly, "Don't worry, I'm not asking you to go through fire and water. I just want to take you to see my father, so he can meet you."

As she spoke, Su Qingning's expression wasn't sorrowful. On the contrary, she wore a faint smile. It was clear she was beginning to truly accept Lin Xiao from the bottom of her heart.

Lin Xiao was taken aback for a moment. "Honey, I'm sorry."

"Why do you say that?" Su Qingning asked, puzzled.

Lin Xiao reached out and took her delicate hand. Su Qingning didn't pull away, allowing him to hold it.

"I should have gone sooner. And I should have been the one to suggest it," Lin Xiao said guiltily.

Warmth surged again in Su Qingning's heart. "It's not too late now."

Lin Xiao nodded. "Our dad will definitely like me!"

Su Qingning's pretty face flushed. She still wasn't quite used to Lin Xiao using that term, but she didn't object. In fact, a sweet feeling bloomed in her heart.

The light turned green, and the car began to crawl forward. But just then, a chilling murderous aura washed over them.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.