Chapter 27: You're On Your Own
Xiao Ye frowned slightly. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"
"That's right! Vindictive and impossible to reason with!"
Lin Chuyue glared, her cheeks puffed out with anger. She wanted to curse him a little more, but seeing a doctor approach, she held her tongue and helped Ding Qi to the side.
His nose wouldn't stop bleeding and needed to be treated immediately.
Xiao Ye shook his head in exasperation.
'You really can't reason with a woman!'
But she was right about one thing—he was indeed the type to hold a grudge over the slightest offense.
'If you repay hatred with kindness, how do you repay kindness?'
He just couldn't be bothered to waste his methods on trash like Ding Qi.
"Ahem..."
Huo Wenhao took the opportunity to sidle up behind Xiao Ye, lowering his voice. "Um... Master Xiao, do you need my help?"
"I didn't know you were the one the Chen Family had offended. If I had, I wouldn't have dared to come, not even if you gave me all the courage in the world!"
"I'm begging you, please be the bigger person and forgive me this one time."
"I swear, it will never happen again. Please, just treat me like a fart and let me go, will you?"
The Huo Family had been working for Lingxiao Daoist for a long time and knew his methods all too well.
Anyone who crossed him was guaranteed to meet a terrible end.
Although Xiao Ye was only his apprentice, he was his *only* apprentice. Even if he had only mastered thirty percent of his master's skills, he was not to be underestimated.
Huo Wenhao didn't dare to hope for a lucky break; his only wish was that Xiao Ye would forgive him this one time.
Xiao Ye shot him a cold glance. "No need. I handle my own affairs."
"Go investigate that guy, Ding Qi. I want a full report, the more detailed the better."
The guy might have a refined and easygoing face, but he actually had classic sanpaku eyes.
'White above the iris means treachery; white below means a criminal fate.'
'A crooked nose reveals a crooked soul.'
'He's a treacherous, selfish villain hiding behind a handsome facade. He must have an ulterior motive for seeking out Lin Chuyue.'
His woman might be a bit foolish, but he couldn't just stand by and watch her jump into a pit of fire.
The heavy weight on Huo Wenhao's chest finally lifted. If Xiao Ye was giving him a task, it meant he wasn't going to hold a grudge!
He broke into a fawning smile. "You got it! Rest assured, I'll investigate him so thoroughly there won't be a single secret left. I definitely won't let you down!"
With that, he scurried off, afraid that if he lingered a second longer, Xiao Ye might remember their earlier unpleasantness.
「Meanwhile.」
After getting his bloody nose treated, Ding Qi was too embarrassed to stay. "Chuyue, this is my contact information. If you need anything at all, call me anytime. I'd be happy to help."
With that, he hurried away.
Lin Chuyue tucked the note away safely, then turned around and saw Xiao Ye.
"Why are you still here?"
The anger in her heart flared up again. "The next time you see Ding Qi, you will apologize to him!"
"He helped you, and you repaid him by humiliating him like that! It's utterly shameless!"
"Why should I? It wasn't my fault."
Xiao Ye would never apologize to a guy like that. 'He's not worthy of it!'
"You... You're incorrigible! Impossible to reason with!"
Lin Chuyue was so furious her chest heaved.
But Xiao Ye was blunt. "Come on, you don't really think that guy's a good person, do you? You idiot, he's a treacherous little snake."
"His face shows a history of countless disastrous affairs. He's burdened by debts of love and to children he's abandoned. Calling him a scumbag would be a compliment; he's an animal."
"Who knows how many women have had abortions because of him."
"A guy that irresponsible is a disgrace to all men!"
"You..."
Lin Chuyue's face went pale with rage. "You don't know Ding Qi at all, and you don't understand him, yet you dare to stand here spouting nonsense and slandering him!"
"I always thought you weren't a bad person, but now I see I was wrong about you!"
"For the sake of all the times you've helped me before, I'll give you one last piece of advice. Change that arrogant and ignorant personality of yours, before you provoke even more people."
"You can't solve everything with violence. When something really bad happens, it'll be too late for regrets!"
"You... you're on your own!"
With that, she stormed out of the banquet hall.
She was afraid that if she stayed a moment longer, she'd die of anger from dealing with Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye spread his hands helplessly. 'Great. These days, nobody believes you when you tell the truth.'
'Just as Master said, these are difficult times!'
"Xiaoye, that's just how girls are—they get emotional easily. I have faith in you. Come on, let's go home."
Lin Aoshan patted Xiao Ye's shoulder gently and led him out of the venue.
Chu Yan watched Xiao Ye leave, a playful smile gracing her lips.
'I didn't miss how respectful Huo Wenhao was to Xiao Ye just now. Even if Ding Qi hadn't shown up, the Chen Family wouldn't have been able to stir up any trouble.'
'The deeper Lin Chuyue's misunderstanding, the better. It would be best if she pushed Xiao Ye far, far away.'
'That'll just make it easier for me to win!'
---
After returning to the Lin Family estate, Lin Chuyue went straight to her room.
No matter how much Lin Aoshan pleaded, she refused to come down for dinner.
Xiao Ye, on the other hand, couldn't care less. After eating, he went directly back to his guest room.
This deeply troubled Lin Aoshan, but he knew he couldn't interfere in matters of the heart. He could only hope the two would reconcile soon.
「The next morning.」
Lin Chuyue had just come downstairs when she saw Ding Qi sitting in the living room. She was a little surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I came this time because I have something to discuss with you."
Ding Qi smiled faintly, took out a contract, and placed it on the table.
"I started making preparations as soon as I heard about your family's trouble."
"Take a look at this contract. It can help the Lin Family get through this crisis."
Not daring to delay, Lin Chuyue immediately picked it up and examined it carefully.
After she finished reading, she was in disbelief. "This... this is practically a cash handout."
The contract seemed tailor-made for the Lin Family.
They would only have to pay a minimal price to receive a huge return.
Six hundred million—it was enough to completely restore the Lin Family's broken cash flow.
"No, there is a difference."
Ding Qi leaned forward, closing the distance between him and Lin Chuyue. "This project will also benefit our Ding Family."
"But you could have gotten much more out of this. This won't do. I can't agree."
Lin Chuyue was very grateful to Ding Qi, but she couldn't agree to the terms.
The Ding Family could have profited much more, but instead, they were yielding all the benefits to the Lin Family.
This went beyond simple help; it was an enormous favor.
Ding Qi's face was full of sincerity. "Chuyue, we're old classmates. To this day, I still remember how you helped me when others were picking on me."
"Now that you're in trouble, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"Chuyue, please, just accept this for the sake of my sincerity, won't you?"
He was clearly the one offering help, yet he adopted such a humble posture, as if he were begging Lin Chuyue to accept.
This made Lin Chuyue feel extremely guilty. "Please don't say that. What happened in school was just a small thing. How can it compare to this?"
"But I insist, Chuyue. Unless you don't consider me a friend anymore."
As he spoke, Ding Qi made a show of getting up to leave. "If that's the case, I'll just go now."
"Don't! Okay, fine, I agree..."
Lin Chuyue was deeply moved and was just about to nod in agreement.
"Wait!"
Just then, a voice called down from upstairs.
The smile on Ding Qi's face froze instantly. He snapped his head up to look.
Sure enough, he saw that face he detested so much!
It was that pretty boy, Xiao Ye!
Xiao Ye met his gaze, his nonchalant expression disappearing, replaced by an icy glare. "Wife, you can't sign that contract!"