Chapter 121: It's All a Misunderstanding
"No need to thank me."
The man waved dismissively and turned to leave.
He had barely taken two steps when his companion emerged from the shadows, glaring resentfully at Lin Chuyue in the distance.
"Third Brother, why did you save her?! Don't you forget who's responsible for the Ma Family's downfall!"
"Let it go. Every grievance has its source, and every debt its debtor. You can't expect me to just stand by and watch someone die, can you?"
As they spoke, the two of them disappeared into the distance.
Lin Chuyue overheard their conversation from afar and was rather surprised.
To think that her rescuers were actually from the Ma Family.
They hadn't revealed their identities when she asked, either. It seemed they genuinely wanted to save her, not for some ulterior motive.
Not long after the two men left, Chu Yan's people arrived and rushed Lin Chuyue to the hospital.
Thankfully, she hadn't been in the fire for long and hadn't inhaled too much smoke. Her throat was just a little sore.
Xiao Ye rushed to the hospital. Seeing her safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you're okay."
With that, he took out some files. "To be safe, you should stay in the hospital for a couple of days for observation. We don't want any lasting complications."
It was just a problem with her throat, but if she didn't rest properly, it could affect her voice.
Lin Chuyue nodded but didn't say anything to him.
She silently flipped through the files in her hands. 'Thankfully, everything's still here.'
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
A knock sounded at the door.
Xiao Ye said coolly, "Come in."
Chu Yan walked in. "I've finished my investigation. The fire at the building wasn't an accident—it was arson."
"The building was doused in gasoline. They were trying to burn the whole place to the ground."
Xiao Ye's expression darkened. He had known this would be the result.
Otherwise, how could an empty building suddenly go up in flames like that?
Besides, there was nothing much inside, yet the fire was so intense. There had to be an accelerant.
"Did you find out who did it?"
"We did. As expected, it was likely the Ma Family. A witness saw two suspicious individuals, and the description of their appearance and build matches two members of the Ma Family."
Xiao Ye nodded. "In that case, burn down the Ma Family's ancestral home!"
"Wait!"
Lin Chuyue, lying in the hospital bed, suddenly spoke up, ignoring her searing throat. "Don't touch the Ma Family!"
"Besides, how can you be so sure it was the Ma Family?"
"You've already crushed the Ma Family. How could they possibly have the will or the resources to do something like this?"
"Not to mention, that was a Lin Family property, not a Chu Family one. Even if they really wanted revenge, they should have gone after the Chu Family."
Lin Chuyue thought of the two men who had saved her. 'If the Ma Family really started the fire, why would they rescue me?'
'Wouldn't that be completely counterproductive?'
According to the doctor, she was right in the middle of the fire, which is why she inhaled so much smoke and damaged her throat.
She had thought it through. Were the Ma Family supposed to have started such a huge fire, only to then risk their own lives to save her?
It made no sense at all!
Chu Yan frowned slightly. "Our investigation is never wrong."
"You've barely had any time. How can you be so certain your investigation is flawless? Besides, this concerns the Lin Clan. I'll conduct my own investigation."
Lin Chuyue had no desire for Xiao Ye and the Chu Family to get involved.
"You—"
Chu Yan wanted to curse her for being so ungrateful.
But for Xiao Ye's sake, she suppressed her anger. "Right now, the only ones who would make a move against the Lin Clan are the Ma Family. They're the prime suspects."
Xiao Ye nodded. "That's right. Chuyue, you get some rest. As for the Ma Family, I'll take care of it."
"No!"
Lin Chuyue repeated herself. "You are not to make a move against the Ma Family!"
She didn't tell them that members of the Ma Family had saved her.
Even if she had, neither Xiao Ye nor Chu Yan would have believed her. They might even have used it as an excuse to frame the Ma Family further.
Lin Chuyue would uncover the truth of the matter herself.
Chu Yan produced a file. "If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself. There's a ninety percent chance it was the Ma Family."
"Then there's still a ten percent chance it wasn't them, right?"
Lin Chuyue glared at Xiao Ye, displeased. "I'll say it one last time: you are not to lay a hand on the Ma Family!"
"Xiao Ye, I don't care what your grudge with the Ma Family is, but this is a Lin Family matter. It doesn't need an outsider like you getting involved!"
"If you insist on going after the Ma Family, then don't blame me for what happens next!"
Xiao Ye never imagined Lin Chuyue would say such things to protect the Ma Family.
'That fool!'
He was about to explain further when the door to the room opened again.
This time, it was members of the Ma Family!
It wasn't the men who had saved Lin Chuyue, but they bore a slight resemblance to them.
One of them was even carrying a fruit basket. "We heard about the incident at the Lin Clan's building and came over right away."
"It's a good thing we came when we did, or we would have been framed for this!"
The man from the Ma Family spoke very politely. "Miss Lin, we're sorry to disturb you, but we had no other choice."
"The Chu Family protects your Lin Family, and with something this serious happening, we were worried the Chu Family would assume it was us. So we rushed over to explain things to them."
Chu Yan's expression was icy. "There's no need to explain. We've already investigated."
The members of the Ma Family put on sorrowful, pitiful expressions.
Before they came in, Patriarch Ma had specifically told them that while it looked like the Chu Family was making things difficult, the real problem was Xiao Ye!
So, the man from the Ma Family turned to Xiao Ye. "Mr. Xiao, isn't it? I believe there's been a misunderstanding."
"We're terribly sorry for offending you last time. We didn't know who you were."
"But over such a trivial matter, Mr. Xiao, you've relentlessly pursued the Ma Family. Our family has suffered immense losses, and even our Patriarch has been locked up."
"Please, be the bigger person and spare us!"
After speaking, the man gave a deep, subservient bow.
But Xiao Ye knew exactly what kind of people the Ma Family were and showed them no kindness. "Your Ma Family brought this upon yourselves!"
"Those who hurt others will in turn be hurt!"
The men from the Ma Family, already aware of Ma the Third's plan, turned their pleading gazes to Lin Chuyue.
"Miss Lin, it's all just a misunderstanding."
"The truth is, Mr. Xiao attended an auction where we had our eyes on the same item. In the end, Mr. Xiao, with his deep pockets, outbid us and took it."
"Our men went to talk to him afterward. Perhaps their words weren't the most pleasant, but they didn't mean anything by it."
"But we never expected he would cripple our men in response. Then he came straight to the Ma Family estate, tied us all up, and beat us. No matter what the grudge was, that should have been enough to settle it..."
'Deep pockets?'
'That's Chu Family money!'
Besides, Lin Chuyue felt she knew Xiao Ye perfectly well. He was a brute who'd fly off the handle at the slightest disagreement.
"Since it wasn't anything serious, let's just let it go."
Lin Chuyue smiled. "Don't worry. He won't bother you again."