"Alright, let's talk about something else," Lin Qingxuan said, suddenly bringing up a matter from years ago. "Let's put this to rest, and no one should mention it again. Your name is Yang Qi, correct? Do you know a Master with the surname Yang? He was the one who saved me back then. He didn't ask for any reward, only entrusting us to find his son, Yang Qi, and take good care of him."
"I've never met the Master you're talking about. As for whether I'm the Yang Qi he asked you to protect, I'm not sure. You'll have to figure that out for yourselves. In any case, I don't know anything about this!"
Although he was almost certain that the man was his father, he didn't want Lin Qingxuan to be kind to him because of it. Call it a man's foolish pride.
"You're quite direct. Anyone else probably would have admitted it by now," Lin Qingxuan said with a smile, her fondness for Yang Qi growing. "By the way, the rumors outside say you're a swindler. That's probably false too, right?"
"You believe me?" Yang Qi asked.
"I trust my intuition!" Lin Qingxuan said with a laugh.
Yang Qi briefly explained his situation, and a frosty look appeared on Lin Qingxuan's face.
"The Zhang Family! The Li Family! HUMPH!" she snorted coldly. "Don't worry, I'll take care of them for you."
The one-night stand, combined with the fact that Yang Qi had just saved her, made her suddenly feel as if this man belonged to her. It infuriated her to see Yang Qi being bullied.
"There's no need!" Yang Qi shook his head. "I want to do it myself. Having someone else do it for me would be meaningless."
"I suppose I was being presumptuous." Looking at Yang Qi, Lin Qingxuan found herself appreciating this young man, who wasn't much older than her, even more. "Well, you saved me, so I have to thank you. The Lin Family never owes favors!"
"You don't owe me anything," Yang Qi said, shaking his head. Even though he needed help now, he didn't want to be in anyone's debt, especially not to the woman who had given him her virginity. With the Dragon God Technique, he believed he could succeed on his own.
"You really don't need to be so formal with me. I've already given you my body. Although I was drinking, that was my choice. So, I hope you do well. In a way, you're my first man!" Lin Qingxuan said, somewhat shyly.
"It's not about being formal. I have nothing left, so please, let me keep this last shred of pride! Besides, I'm confident I can succeed on my own," Yang Qi insisted, shaking his head.
Lin Qingxuan was stunned.
What a confident and proud man! It had been a long time since she had seen anyone like him. His character and abilities were both top-notch. That Li Qiutong must have been blind to betray a man like this.
Lin Qingxuan's perspective began to shift. Initially, she had simply wanted to find any random beggar to take her virginity and free herself from the shackles of Destiny. Now, however, she realized that Yang Qi was genuinely exceptional. He was even starting to make her heart flutter. Could she have inadvertently stumbled upon a man worthy of entrusting her entire life to?
"My apologies, I didn't mean to hurt your pride!"
"It's nothing. Pride is something you have to earn for yourself. I... I should probably be going now," Yang Qi said with a sigh.
He stood up, ready to leave, but his phone suddenly rang. He took it out and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar number, a deep killing intent flashing across his face.
Yang Qi's terrifying killing intent startled Lin Qingxuan, who was standing across from him.
The call was from that venomous woman, Li Qiutong. He answered and stepped aside, his voice icy cold. "I didn't die. You must be very disappointed, huh?"
From the other end of the line, Li Qiutong's malicious voice came through. "To be honest, I was shocked when my dad told me you were still alive. But when you think about it, it doesn't matter. Since you're not dead, just go live out your days in some dark corner. Like a rat. Disappear and change your name. I've already arranged for your death certificate. If you dare to show up again as Yang Qi, don't blame me for having Zhang Peng finish the job. There won't be any mistakes a second time!"
"Threatening me?" Yang Qi's expression darkened. "You bitch, let me tell you something. I am Yang Qi, and I'm not changing my name for anyone! You want me to hide in the shadows? Dream on! I'm not just going to live openly; I'm going to live better than ever. I will make you understand that your betrayal has a price and that your choice was utterly foolish."
"Heh, still haven't given up? I never liked you. I was only with you for your money," Li Qiutong scoffed.
"Rest assured, even if you knelt and begged me right now, I wouldn't have the slightest interest in a woman like you ever again. You're a cheap slut who'd sleep with anyone. Only a piece of trash like Zhang Peng would want damaged goods like you!" Yang Qi said with disdain. "By the way, since you've already arranged a death certificate, I'll just go report it to the police! I'd love to see what happens to a woman who commits insurance fraud and plots to murder her own husband!"
"What do you want?" Li Qiutong's voice turned icy.
"If you don't want me to go to the police, then restore my household registration and let's get a formal divorce. Also, you won't touch a single cent of my family's fortune. Otherwise, prepare for a lawsuit. I've already hit rock bottom, so I have nothing to fear. But you? If the great Mr. Zhang decides you're a liability to his reputation, do you think he'll still want you?" Yang Qi sneered.
"You're ruthless!" Li Qiutong's face was frosty.
"I'm nowhere near as ruthless as you," Yang Qi retorted.
"Fine. Come to the Li Family home. I'll give you some money, and then we'll have nothing more to do with each other," Li Qiutong declared.
"You'd better not try anything funny, or I'll show you what it means to be utterly disgraced," Yang Qi said coldly. "I have nothing left to lose, so don't push me to do something desperate."
"Just hurry up and get over here for the money, you jinx!" Li Qiutong snapped before hanging up.
Yang Qi lowered his phone and took a deep breath. He knew that reporting this to the police was useless. The Zhang Family was powerful enough to frame him, ruin his company, and even try to kill him; they could certainly cover it all up. Therefore, it was more practical to get something out of it. He needed money for his cultivation of the Dragon God Technique, money to buy medicinal herbs. Good medicinal herbs.
"Is something wrong?" Lin Qingxuan asked, seeing that he had finished his call.
Yang Qi nodded. "I'm dealing with some nasty business involving a woman. A family disgrace! I'm sorry, Qingxuan, but I have to go!"
"Wait a minute!" Lin Qingxuan said. "If they could try to kill you once, they can do it again. Let me go with you. I'll bring my bodyguards. It will be much safer!"
"Is that a good idea?" Yang Qi knew that going back would likely be very dangerous, but this matter needed to be settled once and for all. Lin Qingxuan's offer was excellent, but he was truly hesitant, unsure if he should let her help.
"What's not to like about it? I've taken a liking to you and I want to help. Is that a problem?" Lin Qingxuan said with a smile.
Yang Qi was stunned for a moment.