Pei Donglai's heart trembled, and he was so moved he wanted to kneel before Lin Xiao.

Just yesterday, his cultivation had been restored, and he thought he could finally provide a better life for his sister. But today's reality had hit him hard, making him realize with bitter frustration that even with his now heaven-defying cultivation, he couldn't even stand up to a second-rate family. The feeling of powerless defeat left him deeply dejected. But then, at his most desperate moment, Lin Xiao had spoken those words.

Moved. He was overcome with an indescribable sense of gratitude.

Pei Donglai knew Lin Xiao was no ordinary person, so he didn't doubt his words for a second. With Lin Xiao's promise, he knew no one in Jinling City would ever be able to bully him again.

"Captain, thank you. I really mean it. Rest assured, from now on, I'll do whatever you ask," Pei Donglai said, his body trembling with emotion.

Lin Xiao waved his hand. "There's no need. You've served the country with countless honors. I can't just stand by and watch you live so wretchedly."

The words struck a chord deep in Pei Donglai's heart. He was so moved he truly wanted to kneel. If he hadn't known that such an act would displease Lin Xiao, he would have dropped to his knees and kowtowed right then and there.

"Captain, I'd like to propose a toast to you," Pei Donglai said respectfully.

Lin Xiao nodded. They clinked their glasses and drained them in one gulp.

"Mr. Lin, let me toast you as well," Pei Yanzi said, a little shyly.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Yanzi, you shouldn't drink. Besides, 'Mr. Lin' is too formal. I'm friends with your brother, so if you don't mind, you can just call me Lin Xiao."

Pei Yanzi's pretty face flushed. "Then... then can I call you Brother Lin?"

"Of course," Lin Xiao replied.

"Brother Lin, this toast is for you. Thank you for helping us out earlier."

Lin Xiao could see that the young woman was determined to toast him today. With a sigh of resignation, he briefly touched his glass to hers and drained it.

After two glasses of wine, Pei Yanzi's face was flushed a lovely crimson, and her charm skyrocketed. Fortunately, Lin Xiao already had Su Qingning, the number one beauty in all of Jinling City. Otherwise, he might have found it difficult to resist the allure of the girl before him.

Soon, the meal was over. Pei Yanzi quickly cleared the dishes and went into the kitchen to clean up.

Lin Xiao was just about to head to the bar with Pei Donglai when there was a sudden knock at the door.

Pei Donglai shot to his feet, his killing intent flaring. Lin Xiao's earlier words had given him a powerful sense of confidence. Today, he wouldn't be afraid even if the Heavenly Emperor himself showed up. Seething with murderous rage, Pei Donglai yanked the door open.

Standing before him was none other than the sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked woman Lin Xiao had kicked away earlier. Beside her stood a middle-aged man, who was flanked by five or six menacing, burly men.

The sight of the woman, Wei Chunxia, made Pei Donglai's anger explode. "Wei Chunxia, I've respected you as my second aunt and treated you with deference, but you keep trying to marry my sister off to an idiot! Since you have no regard for family ties, don't blame me for getting rough!"

The woman sneered. "Hmph, you're nothing but a washed-up soldier. Go on, get rough. I'd like to see you try. Let me tell you, standing right here is Second Master He of the He Family, and he's running with the Shao Family now. You know the Shao Family, don't you? The number one family in Jinling City! Go ahead and try something, Pei Donglai. See what happens. You're rebelling, are you?"

Pei Donglai's heart went cold. He never imagined that this Second Master He would have managed to get in with the Shao Family—the most preeminent family in all of Jinling City. He knew Lin Xiao had a powerful background, but he doubted it was strong enough to go up against the Shao Family. Just like that, the confidence he had just built up vanished without a trace. He was so frustrated he felt like he could vomit blood.

Just then, the man Wei Chunxia had called Second Master He spoke in a low voice. "Pei Donglai, out of respect for you as Pei Yanzi's brother, I won't be rude. Agree to this matter today, and we will be family from now on. But if you refuse, then I'm afraid we'll have to do this the hard way. And let me tell you something that might hurt: your sister is as good as married into our He Family. Not even the Heavenly Emperor could change that."

Pei Donglai was livid. He wanted nothing more than to smash his fist into this power-abusing bastard's face. But he didn't dare. If something happened to him, his sister's fate would be utterly miserable. Suppressing his fury, he asked coldly, "What right does your He Family have to bully people like this?"

The man sneered. "Because we are the He Family. And because I've latched onto the Shao Family. I know you're not happy about it, Pei Donglai, but you'll just have to swallow it."

Hearing this, Wei Chunxia added with a sinister laugh, "Exactly! Marrying into the He Family is the best thing that could ever happen to you Peis. Don't be so ungrateful when you're being shown such favor."

Pei Donglai grew even more furious, but just then, a casual voice drifted out from inside. "If the He Family is such a great catch, why don't you marry into it yourself?"

Wei Chunxia blew her top. She instantly recognized the voice as belonging to the man who had just struck her and her son.

"Pei Donglai, get out of my way!" she shrieked. "If I don't kill that piece of trash today, my name isn't Wei Chunxia!"

Yet Pei Donglai didn't seem to hear her, standing firm and unmoving in the doorway.

Second Master He spoke again, his voice flat. "Shut up. Is your petty squabble more important than the He Family's business?"

Wei Chunxia's eyes instantly filled with tears as she looked at him. "Second Master, it's not that! That trash is just too much! I came here to propose the marriage, and he had the audacity to say the He Family was nothing! I couldn't stand it, so I argued with him, and he hit me and my son! Second Master, you have to get revenge for me!"

Second Master He snorted. "He dares insult the He Family? He must have a death wish. Don't worry, Wei Chunxia. In a moment, our He Family will teach him some manners."

Wei Chunxia's face twisted into a vicious grin. "Second Master, just teaching him manners is boring. Why not use some of your connections? Throw him in prison, then pay a few inmates to kill him!"

What a vicious woman.

But Lin Xiao only laughed. He stretched languidly, his eyes happening to fall on Pei Yanzi, who was standing at the kitchen doorway. Her pretty face was ashen, her captivating eyes filled with terror.

"Yanzi, don't be afraid," Lin Xiao said, his voice reassuring. "In a moment, they'll be the ones on their knees, begging you for mercy."

With that, Lin Xiao rose and strolled toward the door.

"He Yonghong," he said as he walked, "you've got some serious nerve."

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