Chapter 26: Bloody Calamity
Huo Wenhao finally came to his senses. He didn't dare respond, instead looking toward Xiao Ye.
He vividly remembered the rule they had established: without their permission, he was absolutely forbidden from exposing their identities in public!
'Judging by Master Xiao's reaction, I still can't say anything?'
As expected, Xiao Ye gave an almost imperceptible nod.
He hadn't wanted to reveal his identity in the first place. Since someone else had come to help, why not let them?
This way, he could avoid tipping his hand and failing to unmask his true adversaries.
Huo Wenhao instantly understood. His voice trembling, he said, "In that case, today... today I will spare the Lin Family."
"Young Master Huo! The Lin Family and Xiao Ye have offended you! Their deaths would be nothing! You absolutely cannot let them go!"
Chen Peng grew anxious and protested loudly.
SLAP!
Huo Wenhao raised his hand and slapped him. "Who the hell do you think you are, trying to tell me what to do!?"
If there weren't so many people around, he would have loved to beat Chen Peng to death with a single punch.
'He was so close to getting the entire Huo Family wiped out!'
Chen Peng was so furious from the slap he felt like he could spit blood.
But thinking of the Huo Family's power, he could only swallow his anger for now.
Neither the Huo Family nor the Ding Family were powers the Chen Family could afford to oppose.
After swallowing the blood pooling in his mouth, Chen Peng helped up Chen Li, whose wrist had been broken, and spat out, "We're leaving!"
The two siblings left in disgrace, and the tense atmosphere instantly vanished.
At first, everyone thought that with the Chu Family speaking up, the Lin Family would overcome this crisis.
Unexpectedly, the Chen Family found a powerful backer and suddenly attacked.
But then the Xiao Family showed up and saved the Lin Family.
Today was truly full of twists and turns—a real drama!
Certain that the crisis was over, Lin Chuyue gave a grateful smile. "Ding Qi, thank you so much!"
Ding Qi was about to speak when he saw Xiao Ye standing beside her.
He was standing right next to Lin Chuyue, the two of them so close they were almost touching.
Paired with their stunning looks, standing together, they looked as perfect as a golden couple.
Ding Qi was deeply displeased. He forced a smile at Lin Chuyue. "Chuyue, we're old friends. It was only right for me to help you."
"However, it seems to me that today's trouble wasn't caused by you. If anyone should be thanking me, it should be him, right?"
It dawned on Lin Chuyue. "Xiao Ye, hurry up and thank Ding Qi! If it weren't for him, you would have been in deep trouble today!"
Xiao Ye looked Ding Qi up and down and sneered contemptuously. "Even if he hadn't shown up, I could have handled it."
"You—!"
Lin Chuyue's anger flared. "Xiao Ye, if you hadn't been so reckless and impulsive, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"Ding Qi was kind enough to help you, and not only do you refuse to thank him, you give him this attitude!"
"So what if you know someone from the Chu Family? They couldn't have protected you from the Huo Family!"
Ding Qi immediately put on a magnanimous air. "Chuyue, there's no need to get angry over some irrelevant person. I did it to help you. As for him... I don't mind."
"But I'd advise you to stop boasting," he said, turning to Xiao Ye. "The Huo Family's reputation is immense; they're not someone a nobody like you can afford to provoke."
"Also, you'd better stay away from Chuyue and stop causing her trouble. Otherwise, I won't let you off!"
A sinister threat instantly filled the air.
Xiao Ye just smiled nonchalantly. "You should worry about yourself first. Your glabella is dark—a sign of impending bloodshed. If you leave now, you might still make it."
"Otherwise, you're in for a world of hurt!"
'This guy's brow is cursed. I'm afraid he'll be getting hurt any moment now.'
Considering he had, in a way, helped the Lin Family, Xiao Ye decided to be the bigger person and offer a warning.
'But... if the guy doesn't know what's good for him, then there's nothing I can do.'
"Xiao Ye, are you crazy?!"
Lin Chuyue was utterly furious. She glared at Xiao Ye. "Ding Qi helped you, and you have the nerve to curse him!"
"Do you think playing these childish tricks in front of me will make me think more highly of you?"
"It only makes you look as ridiculous as a clown!"
After scolding Xiao Ye, Lin Chuyue looked at Ding Qi apologetically. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe he would say something like that. I apologize to you on his behalf."
"Chuyue, I don't need your apology."
Ding Qi gave a gentle, refined smile, his expression slightly aggrieved. "For you, I can endure any grievance."
Lin Chuyue felt even more embarrassed. "We owe you so much for today. Thankfully, you showed up in time. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for the Lin Family to escape this peacefully."
Facing the deeply-rooted Huo Family, the Lin Family was like a lone skiff on the vast ocean.
A single wave could have swallowed them whole.
Ding Qi raised his hand and took two glasses of wine from a waiter's tray. "Your business is my business, Chuyue. And I happen to have something to discuss with you, regarding the Lin Family."
"Why don't we... go to the balcony to talk in detail?"
"Okay."
Lin Chuyue nodded, then glared at Xiao Ye. "You go back to the Lin Family first. And don't cause any more trouble!"
With that, she turned and walked toward the balcony with Ding Qi.
Xiao Ye watched their departing backs with a cold gaze, then the corner of his mouth suddenly curled into a smirk.
The next second.
Ding Qi, who had been chatting and laughing just a moment ago, suddenly stumbled and crashed to the ground with a LOUD THUD.
He tumbled down several steps before finally coming to a stop.
Wine splashed all over him, and the fall gave him a gushing nosebleed.
His face, which could have been considered passably handsome before, now looked utterly wretched.
Lin Chuyue gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Hearing Ding Qi's cry of pain, she finally snapped out of it and rushed forward. "Are... are you okay? I'll get a doctor!"
The loud noise also startled the other guests, who all turned to look.
Ding Qi struggled to his feet, his face a grim mask.
Having lost face in front of so many people, even he, a master of pretense, couldn't take it anymore.
"It was you!"
Ding Qi pointed furiously at Xiao Ye. "You definitely did this!"
"I let you off for Chuyue's sake, but you really think I'm a pushover, don't you!"
Xiao Ye shrugged, raising an eyebrow. "You fell on your own. What does that have to do with me? Watch what you say!"
Lin Chuyue looked down and saw a glint on the stairs.
She immediately crouched to inspect it. It was... oil?
Xiao Ye's words suddenly flashed through her mind—his prediction that Ding Qi would soon suffer an injury involving bloodshed.
And now Ding Qi had fallen and gotten a nosebleed. How could there be such a coincidence in the world?
'Prophecy?'
'That's all fake!'
Ding Qi now also noticed the oil on the ground. "You're despicable! To resort to such a low-handed trick!"
"Don't make accusations without proof." Xiao Ye smiled, picked up a piece of fruit from a nearby tray, and mocked him without reservation. "I think you'd better wipe that nosebleed."
"Otherwise, if someone takes a picture, it'll become an embarrassing part of your history."
"The great Young Master of the Ding Family, taking a nosedive like that!"
"Enough!"
Lin Chuyue roared, "Xiao Ye, you've disappointed me beyond belief!"
"I used to think you were just reckless, but I never imagined you'd stoop to such a dirty trick!"
"Ding Qi just saved you, yet you repay his kindness with malice. You're simply... unbelievable!"