Chapter 122: I Will Protect the Ma Family
"That's wonderful!"
The Ma Family members' faces lit up with joy, and they immediately moved to kowtow in thanks.
Lin Chuyue quickly reached out to help them up. "What are you doing? There's no need for such formalities."
The Ma Family's humble posture and apologetic attitude were so convincing that Lin Chuyue found herself siding with them even more.
'Not to mention, they were the ones who saved my life.'
She looked at Xiao Ye. "You've gone too far. You're going to annihilate the Ma Family over something so trivial."
"I never imagined you could be so ruthless!"
'But now that I think about it,' Lin Chuyue reflected, 'Xiao Ye's methods have always been ruthless.'
'Weren't the Han Family and the Chen Family dealt with in the same way?'
'They may have started it, but Xiao Ye's response was too extreme.'
'Otherwise, the Lin Clan wouldn't have had to abandon the Provincial City and open a subsidiary company here in South City.'
"Now, you will apologize to the Ma Family, and we'll consider this matter closed."
Chu Yan laughed outright. "Miss Lin, are you telling Xiao Ye to apologize to them?"
"Do you even realize what you're doing? You're aiding the wicked! And besides, Xiao Ye did nothing wrong!"
Lin Chuyue ignored her, turning to Xiao Ye. "Is that what you think, too?"
Xiao Ye's face was devoid of expression. "I'm not in the wrong. The Ma Family... deserves to die!"
Auctions are supposed to go to the highest bidder. It's one thing for the Ma Family to want the item, but they resorted to violence and even threatened to feed me to a dog.
That dog had obviously developed a taste for human flesh, which means the Ma Family's crimes go far beyond this incident.
'Eliminating the Ma Family isn't just about getting rid of a pack of ravenous beasts; it's about purging South City of its filth!'
Lin Chuyue was deeply disappointed, and even more furious. "No matter what happens, you always resort to violence and killing!"
"I think you're the one who deserves to die! I'm protecting the Ma Family, and that's final!"
She pointed to the door. "Get out right now! I can't stand the sight of you!"
Xiao Ye stood up. He had already changed into a new Daoist Robe, identical to the one he was wearing before.
Chu Yan had been very thoughtful; guessing he would rush into the fire, she had prepared it for him ahead of time.
Of course, she had her own selfish reasons for not telling Lin Chuyue that Xiao Ye had charged into the fire to save her.
'Sometimes, saying nothing is more effective than saying everything.'
Xiao Ye wasn't a pushover; he had a temper of his own.
He let out a cold laugh. "You're really going to protect the Ma Family?"
"That's right, I'm protecting them! Xiao Ye, I don't want to see you. You disgust me!"
'Reckless and arrogant, and he relies on a woman to commit his evil deeds.'
'That's bad enough, but to think he'd destroy an entire family over something so trivial!'
'He's completely lost his mind!'
Lin Chuyue protected the Ma Family partly to repay their kindness, but also because she didn't want Xiao Ye to continue down this destructive path.
'So many problems can be solved without violence. When will Xiao Ye ever understand that!'
Xiao Ye nodded. His gaze was icy, yet laced with a hint of heartache.
He had done so much for Lin Chuyue, only for her to call him disgusting.
How could he not be heartbroken?
Xiao Ye turned and left without a backward glance, his retreating figure looking solitary and desolate.
Chu Yan didn't forget to add a final bit of fuel to the fire. "Lin Chuyue, everything Xiao Ye does is for your own good. You're really something else..."
With that, she hurried after him.
The two Ma Family members exchanged a look and broke into smiles.
'This Lin Chuyue is so naive. It looks like we played our cards right!'
'Just give the Ma Family some time. Once our backer arrives, we'll show the Chu Family and that fucking bastard what's what!'
The two of them bustled about, attentively serving Lin Chuyue tea. "Miss Lin, thank you so, so much. On behalf of our entire family, we thank you for your incredible kindness."
Recalling the look in Xiao Ye's eyes, Lin Chuyue felt a pang of unease.
She lay back on the bed. "You don't have to trouble yourselves. I'd like to rest for a bit."
「Outside the hospital.」
Xiao Ye sat in the car, a dark cloud of gloom hanging over him.
Mustering her courage, Chu Yan slid into the seat beside him. "Lin Chuyue probably didn't mean it."
"My people will keep an eye on her. I'll make sure no harm comes to her."
Xiao Ye gave a cold nod, saying nothing.
'A huge crack has formed in their relationship,' Chu Yan knew. 'It's only a matter of time before it's over for good!'
'Lin Chuyue, you're the one who pushed him away. By the time you regret it, it will be too late!'
「Over the next few days.」
Neither Xiao Ye nor Chu Yan showed up at the hospital.
Instead, it was the Ma Family who waited on Lin Chuyue hand and foot.
To make her even more favorably disposed toward the Ma Family, they sent a woman of about the same age to chat with her every day.
The woman was Ma Xinyue's older cousin, Ma Xinrong. "Chuyue, are you thinking about that Xiao Ye again?"
"And here I thought he liked you so much. He was always by your side before, but you've been in the hospital all this time and he hasn't come to see you once."
"Besides, his relationship with Chu Yan looks complicated. You'd be better off not getting too involved with him, otherwise you'll just be asking for trouble."
"The Chu Family is not a group you want to cross..."
Ma Xinrong stopped abruptly, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Oh, sorry, Chuyue. I just can't help but feel indignant for you."
"It's fine. I won't say anything," Lin Chuyue replied, though a sour feeling brewed within her.
'Xiao Ye kept saying how much he liked me, but now he's nowhere to be found.'
'Just as I thought. A scumbag's affection is always so cheap!'
Watching the Ma Family bustling around to care for her, Lin Chuyue became even more convinced that they were good people.
'If it weren't for Xiao Ye and Chu Yan, they never would have had to go through this.'
Ma Xinrong was very clever. She would occasionally complain tearfully to Lin Chuyue, but her words were always perfectly measured so as not to seem annoying.
She only ever portrayed the Ma Family as weak and victimized, never saying a bad word about Xiao Ye or Chu Yan.
At most, she would subtly plant a few seeds of doubt, woman to woman.
「Two more days passed.」
Lin Chuyue was discharged from the hospital.
Ma Xinrong personally saw her to her hotel. "Chuyue, even though we've only known each other for a few days, I really think of you as a good sister."
"Don't you worry. From now on, you're the Ma Family's savior. As for the Lin's Subsidiary Company, don't give it a second thought. We, the Ma Family, will take care of everything."
"Thank you, then."
Lin Chuyue waited until Ma Xinrong was in her car before heading back into the hotel.
The person tailing her immediately relayed this information to Chu Yan.
Chu Yan glanced at Xiao Ye, who was sitting inside, and gave a faint smile. "Just keep an eye on Lin Chuyue. Don't do anything, and don't give her any warnings."
'Just let Lin Chuyue keep associating with the Ma Family. The closer they get, the angrier Xiao Ye will become.'
'No matter how deep their feelings are, they can't withstand this kind of friction. They'll be gone in no time.'
Hanging up, Chu Yan returned to the living room and sat beside Xiao Ye. "Lin Chuyue is too naive; she can only see what's on the surface."
"But I've already arranged for my people to make a move against the Ma Family. This time, I'll be acting from the shadows for her sake, so she won't hold it against you."
Xiao Ye sounded weary. "If anything happens to the Ma Family, whether it's overt or covert, she'll assume I was the one behind it."
"Forget it. Let's spare them for now. The Ma Family can't keep up this act forever. They'll show their true colors sooner or later."
Chu Yan smiled and nodded. "Alright, I understand. I'll back off, then."