The Master Descends the Mountain: My Destined CEO

Xiao Ye looked at Lin Chuyue as if she were a complete stranger. "Your Lin Family status doesn't give you the right to criticize me here!"

"For the sake of what we once had, I suggest you stay out of it."

"There's a limit to the affection between people. Wear it down too much, and nothing will be left."

Lin Chuyue stood frozen in place, her hands and feet turning ice-cold.

'Xiao Ye has really changed. He's become just like everyone else.'

She opened her mouth, struggling to get the words out. "You have a responsibility to Lin Chuxing."

"My responsibility is to marry her and fulfill our marriage contract. If not for the engagement, I wouldn't even give her a second glance. I've been responsible enough."

"Besides…" Xiao Ye could feel someone's eyes fixed on him.

He looked down at Jin Mingzhu. "The Xiao Family needs a better bloodline, and Lin Chuxing isn't smart enough."

"I need a better candidate to carry on the Xiao Family line!"

His words immediately resonated with many in the crowd.

The men present all nodded in agreement. "That's right. The bloodline is what's most important."

"Great families like ours need exceptionally talented children to inherit the family fortune."

"That Lin Chuxing doesn't seem very bright, making such a scene at an event like this."

"This Jin Mingzhu seems like a good choice. She's graceful, beautiful, and intelligent. Her children would definitely have better genes."

The members of the great families in attendance were all too familiar with this sort of thing.

Some of them, in the pursuit of a superior bloodline, would go so far as to seek out various women to bear their children.

Some young Patriarchs already had seven or eight children.

These children were forced to compete from a young age, stopping at nothing to get ahead.

And the families were happy to see it, because this was the only way to select the most suitable heir. It was like the practice of raising Gu, where only the most venomous creature survives.

"Carry on the family line..." Lin Chuyue murmured.

After a long moment, she seemed to snap back to reality.

This time, the love she held for Xiao Ye died completely.

'The man I loved was the Xiao Ye from the past, not this familiar yet strange man standing before me now.'

'He's been corrupted by high society, twisted into someone completely unrecognizable.'

"Xiao Ye, I was so wrong about you. I thought you were different... But it was all just wishful thinking on my part."

Lin Chuyue finished speaking, then turned resolutely and grabbed Lin Chuxing's hand. "Sister, let's go."

"A man like him isn't worth dedicating your life to!"

'Life isn't just about love, of course; there are many other things.'

'But the Lin Family is already rich enough. We don't need to marry into money and power.'

'Once your material needs are met, emotional fulfillment becomes the priority.'

'I don't want Chuxing to be heartbroken. Isn't Xiao Ye the reason she's in this state?'

But Lin Chuxing had no intention of leaving. She wrenched her hand away. "Who said I'm leaving with you!"

"I thought you were going to stick up for me! And here you are, after all that, trying to drag me away!"

"Are you trying to get me out of the way so you can take my place? Even if you can't, you just can't stand to see me marry Xiao Ye!"

"I knew it! You've never wanted what's best for me! You're just jealous!"

Lin Chuyue was already reeling from her disappointment in Xiao Ye, her heart aching, but Lin Chuxing's words were a fresh, deeper wound.

"Sister, I truly mean it…"

"Oh, I know. You truly don't want what's best for me! I'm not going anywhere! Didn't you hear Xiao Ye? He said he's going to marry me!"

With that, Lin Chuxing shot Jin Mingzhu a provocative, smug look, puffed up like a victorious hen.

"Did you hear me? The future Lady of the Xiao Family can only be me!"

"And you? You're just a toy! A breeding machine!"

"Know your place. If you dare to seduce Xiao Ye again, I swear I'll make you suffer!"

'Mistresses are shameful things that can't be brought out into the open.'

'The position of Lady of the Xiao Family is what's most important!'

'If I can't have love, then I must have power, money, and status!'

Jin Mingzhu leaned weakly against Xiao Ye's chest. "So… that's what you think of me!"

"I'm just your plaything, a breeding machine!"

Jin Mingzhu pushed Xiao Ye away and stumbled out of the crowd, feigning distress.

She kept her head down, appearing heartbroken, but her eyes were sharp and focused.

'This farce has gone on long enough. I need to find a way to move to the next stage, to make them show their hand!'

'The longer this drags on, the worse it will be for us!'

Xiao Ye was quick on the uptake. He understood what Jin Mingzhu was thinking and immediately chased after her.

The crowd, having watched the grand spectacle, was thoroughly entertained.

A few of the society ladies, now certain of Lin Chuxing's future role, didn't hesitate to offer their own worldly advice.

"Men will be men. How many of them don't stray? As long as your own position isn't threatened, it's fine."

"As for those little things on the side, the ones you can't acknowledge publicly, don't pay them too much mind. If you insist on chasing them off, you'll not only damage your relationship, you'll make yourself miserable."

"Besides, even if you get rid of this one, won't there just be another?"

"These shameless women are a plague! As long as a man has money, women will be throwing themselves at him even if he's pushing eighty!"

Lin Chuxing had been about to give chase, but their words soothed her considerably.

Just as she was about to say something, she saw a bodyguard from the venue walk over. "Excuse me, Miss Lin."

"Mr. Xiao just said that you must leave immediately."

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Lin, if you refuse to leave, we'll be forced to remove you."

'It must be that Jin Mingzhu's doing!'

Lin Chuxing was furious, but she knew Xiao Ye wasn't joking.

'Leaving on my own is humiliating, but it's better than being dragged out.'

"Fine, I'll go!"

Lin Chuxing had just taken a step when she seemed to think of something. She turned her head back. "Lin Chuyue, what are you still standing there for!"

"Hurry up and get moving!"

'One Jin Mingzhu is more than enough trouble. I can't leave Lin Chuyue here.'

'Who knows if they'll rekindle their old flame.'

'A man can never have too many women!'

Lin Chuyue opened her mouth to protest, but ultimately followed her sister out.

Elsewhere, Xiao Ye noticed what was happening and breathed a sigh of relief.

'I had them send Lin Chuxing away on purpose, guessing she would take Lin Chuyue with her.'

'This way, once she's out of here, Lin Chuyue will be much safer.'

Jin Mingzhu murmured, "Have your people protect them and send them directly to the Xiao Family."

"But to be safe, Lin Chuyue can't stay with the Xiao Family for long. It will mostly depend on Lin Chuxing."

"Tomorrow, you can have someone leak a rumor that Lin Chuxing is giving Lin Chuyue a hard time. That might buy you a few more days to keep her here."

Xiao Ye nodded. He thought it was a good plan.