Chapter 131: Beauty Is Original Sin
Otherwise, if no one knew, what could their Lin Family say even if Xiao Ye canceled the engagement?
Although acting without his granddaughter's approval wasn't ideal, it was the best solution Lin Aoshan could come up with.
'Only by completely binding Xiao Ye to the Lin Clan can we keep a man like him!'
Lin Chuyue's body trembled with anger. "You knew Xiao Ye was caught up in a scandal with Ye Baiwei, yet you still announced our engagement! What are other people going to think of me?!"
"It's not like I, Lin Chuyue, am unwanted! Why do I have to be with this scumbag?!"
"Chuyue!"
Lin Aoshan's tone grew heavy. "I've already released the news, and with my own words. It's too late for you to disagree now!"
Thinking of Lin Aoshan's illness, Lin Chuyue ultimately didn't dare to say anything more.
She could only turn back into her room and start packing her things, deciding to live at the company office instead.
'She couldn't stand being in this house for another second!'
'Once she got out, she had countless ways to clarify her relationship with Xiao Ye!'
But just as she reached the door, the butler blocked her path. "Miss, the master has forbidden you from leaving."
Lin Chuyue spun around, her face a mask of disbelief. "Grandfather, what are you doing?"
Lin Aoshan sighed helplessly. "I know your personality. The moment I let you out, you'll find a way to publicly deny your relationship with Xiao Ye."
"What's done is done. Just stay home and behave. Grandfather is doing this for your own good!"
"Impossible! This isn't for my own good, you're ruining my life!"
Furious, Lin Chuyue tried to push the butler aside.
THUMP!
Lin Aoshan's cane struck the floor heavily. Only those close to him knew this meant he was truly angry.
"Chuyue, stop being so willful. You only see that the Lin Clan is stable now, but do you have any idea what that stability is built on?"
"It's not built on the Lin Family's foundation. It's built on Xiao Ye!"
"If it weren't for him, do you think the Han Family and the Chen Family would have let us off the hook? Do you think the Chu Family and the Huo Family would have come to our aid? Do you think the Yuan Family from Shanghai would have sent us gifts?"
"Without Xiao Ye, the Lin Clan would be a great mansion on the verge of collapse! And that's not even the worst of it. I know your personality; you would try to protect the Lin Clan, but with what?"
"That face of yours is your original sin! A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime! Without Xiao Ye, you'll be eaten alive by all those people with ill intentions!"
Lin Chuyue simply couldn't believe it. "Grandfather, what abilities do you think Xiao Ye even has? You've just been deceived by him!"
"That goes for Chu Yan, too. The truth is, aside from being a decent fighter, he's just a good-for-nothing who relies on women!"
CRASH!
The teacup in Lin Aoshan's hand smashed violently onto the floor. "Don't you ever say that again!"
'Xiao Ye was an extraordinary figure. If he heard those words…'
'The engagement with Lin Chuyue might not just fall through; they might even become enemies!'
'And then, the Lin Family would truly be finished!'
"Lock the young miss in her room! She is not to come out without my permission!"
"Also, take out an ad in the papers. Announce that Lin Chuyue of the Lin Clan will hold her engagement ceremony with Xiao Ye on December fifteenth, two and a half months from now!"
"Make sure every single person in Jiangcheng knows, from the major families down to the common people!"
Lin Chuyue was powerless to resist. She could only watch as the door was shut, stomping her foot in fury. "Xiao Ye, this is all your fault!"
"I don't know what kind of magic potion you fed my grandfather, but I, his own granddaughter, am not even as important as you!"
With Lin Chuyue suddenly unavailable and unresolved issues still plaguing the Lin's Subsidiary Company, Xiao Ye had to step in.
He temporarily remained in Jiangcheng, but he dispatched Assistant Huo to keep a constant watch on Lin Chuyue's situation.
Even an engagement this major in a small city like Jiangcheng didn't make waves all the way in South City.
Coupled with Chu Yan's intentional concealment of the news, Xiao Ye was kept completely in the dark.
「Two days later.」
The Bai Family's new drug launch conference was about to begin.
Although the Bai Family had donated all of their financial assets.
The true foundation of an old, established family never lies in money, but in the connections and capital required to stage a comeback.
Even if the Bai Family was broke, as long as they had those connections, they could continue their research and development.
And with a genius like Bai Xue in the family, the new product launch was organized to be a grand affair.
As the foremost family in Jiangcheng, the Lin Family had naturally received an invitation.
Lin Aoshan personally led a few people to deliver an evening gown to Lin Chuyue's room.
"Chuyue, don't blame your grandfather for being cruel. I wouldn't even be heartbroken if the Lin Clan was gone, but I just want you to be able to live a good life."
"This is the gown I had prepared for you. As the current head of the Lin Clan, you must attend this Bai Family conference."
"This is also a great opportunity for our Lin Clan to return to the public eye. Go, and make a good impression."
At the mention of the Lin Clan, Lin Chuyue, who had been determined not to go, had no choice but to change into the gown.
She shot Lin Aoshan a look, still furious, but ultimately said nothing. She left immediately and made her way to the venue for the Bai Family's new drug launch.
The conference was held in Jiangcheng's largest auditorium, with countless media outlets invited to attend.
Although the Bai Family operated primarily out of Jiangcheng, their medicines were sold all across the country, and several were quite famous.
Therefore, many of the media outlets present this time were highly influential.
With their publicity, the Bai Family's new drug was sure to have a successful debut.
As the lead researcher and the Bai Family's current public-facing heir, Bai Xue naturally had to attend as well.
She had changed into a white gown that lived up to her name. After having her makeup done, her previous look of pure innocence was gone, replaced by a hint of alluring purity.
Seeing Lin Chuyue, she immediately went up to greet her. "Miss Lin, long time no see."
Bai Xue had been so busy with research and development that she hadn't been out in a long time.
She glanced behind Lin Chuyue but didn't see Xiao Ye. "Where is he? Why are you by yourself?"
Lin Chuyue's heart clenched. 'I can't believe that scumbag Xiao Ye has the ability to make even Bai Xue pine for him!'
Just as she was about to speak, a mocking laugh cut in. "Her fiancé? I hear he's getting hot and heavy with that celebrity, Ye Baiwei!"
"Miss Lin is beautiful, sure, and she's the head of the Lin Clan, but Miss Ye is no slouch either. She's scorching hot right now, and you all know how much money there is in the entertainment industry."
Lin Chuyue's lovely face turned ice-cold. She turned her head and realized she didn't know the woman who was speaking at all, let alone having ever offended her. But it was clear the woman came with ill intent.
"My business is none of your concern."
The woman covered her mouth in a light laugh, the malice in her eyes unconcealed. "Alright, I won't butt in. But really, who doesn't know? It was the top trending story on the entertainment news. I'm afraid the whole country saw it."
"Miss Lin, you should probably put more effort into managing that fiancé of yours. A woman who can't control her own man is, frankly, a bit of a failure."
Bai Xue frowned. "I remember now. You're Han Xue's friend. But you're not from Jiangcheng, and I never invited you!"
"Of course I have an invitation. I came with a press team."
The woman was blunt. "If you try to kick me out, it won't be just one press team that I take with me!"