"Also, don't call me 'wife.' We only have a contractual relationship."
Lin Suyun frowned, glaring at him with displeasure.
She couldn't understand what her father saw in this pathetic weakling to agree to him marrying into the Lin family and becoming her husband.
"Alright, alright. Can you tell me about your cousin then?"
Speaking of her cousin, Lin Suyun had always known about him; her grandmother had told her personally.
"I don't know him very well. I just know he's capable of anything, and his family is the foremost aristocratic family in the Nine Provinces."
"Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Just don't be frivolous when he gets here; my cousin won't pay attention to you."
Lin Suyun felt that talking to Xiao Longyang was a waste of time. Her cousin would be flying in soon, and she needed to hurry.
If it weren't for the traffic, she would have been here already.
Seeing that his wife was ignoring him, Xiao Longyang secretly pouted, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes that Lin Suyun didn't notice.
The foremost aristocratic family of the Nine Provinces, the Zhao clan?
He wasn't unaware of them.
In fact, his current investigation was focused on the Zhao clan. He just hadn't expected the Lin family and the Zhao clan to be related by blood.
He had promised Uncle Lin before his passing to marry into the family and protect the Lin family for three years.
In truth, he was using this identity to investigate certain buried truths from the past.
A major upheaval years ago had severely crippled the entire Asura Hall, yet the culprit remained at large, leaving him feeling utterly defeated.
It was from that point on that he had fully resolved to use the inconspicuous identity of a son-in-law to conceal his true self.
Now that the three-year period was almost up, he wondered about the current state of the Asura Hall.
He hadn't inquired about the Asura Hall for three years, and now, looking back, he felt he had been rather negligent.
But he had no choice but to evade the sight of certain individuals, to quietly conduct his investigation.
The clues he had uncovered over the past three years pointed directly to the Zhao clan, suggesting they might be the perpetrators.
However, the group he encountered back then didn't seem like Zhao clan members; their killing methods and style had a distinctly foreign flavor.
Could it be that the Zhao clan had cultivated an additional force overseas?
The Asura Hall never wronged the innocent, nor did it let any enemy escape.
He had encountered the Zhao clan when he first established the Asura Hall. He had outright rejected their offer of recruitment.
He had expected the Zhao clan to retaliate in anger, but they hadn't. Instead, they had become clients, placing orders with the Asura Hall.
As long as a mission aligned with the Asura Hall's principles, there was no reason to refuse.
Since their transactions had always been smooth and he hadn't provoked the Zhao clan, they shouldn't have attacked him without cause.
This was why Xiao Longyang hadn't acted immediately, even though the clues pointed to the Zhao clan. He didn't want to be a pawn in someone else's game.
Once it was definitively confirmed to be the Zhao clan, Xiao Longyang would not hesitate. After all, the Asura Hall was not to be trifled with.
Even if the Zhao clan held the title of the foremost family in the Nine Provinces, the retaliation of Asura was not something anyone could endure.
This was Xiao Longyang's confidence in his own strength.
Central Province – Luoyang Airport.
"Did anyone from your family come to pick you up?"
Zhao Yunhai walked through the arrival hall, with Yang Hui, who was shorter than him, in his arms, asking softly.
After all, the Yang family was based in Luoyang, Central Province, and was the most powerful local force there.
"Mhm, I've already informed them that I'm coming back."
Yang Hui also felt a pang of homesickness. After all, this was her first time traveling so far from home and staying at her boyfriend's place. It was only natural to miss home.
Zhao Yunhai didn't reply, his arm around Yang Hui's slender waist as they walked forward.
Behind them, Old Qiu, Old Liu, Du Lü, and Lü Boyun maintained positions where they could immediately protect Young Master Yun.
"Young Master Zhao, Sister Hui, over here!"
A young master saw Zhao Yunhai and Yang Hui approaching. He excitedly removed his black sunglasses, held them in his hand, and waved, signaling for them to look his way.
"Xiao Yan."
Yang Hui, holding Zhao Yunhai's arm, quickly walked up to Yang Yan.
Although Yang Yan was his second uncle's son, their relationship was like that of a brother and sister.
"Young Master Zhao, my name is Yang Yan. I'm Sister Hui's younger brother."
Yang Yan, who was usually arrogant and overbearing outside and a little tyrant at home, seemed somewhat reserved in front of Zhao Yunhai.
Yang Hui noticed this but said nothing. Sometimes, having someone to temper Yang Yan's personality was beneficial for his future.
"A fine young man. Xiao Hui, I'll leave her with you to take her home. I have someone else picking me up."
Zhao Yunhai observed Yang Yan. His demeanor was the first impression, and it was a good one. He nodded and patted the young man's shoulder.
"Young Master Zhao, rest assured, I will escort Sister Hui home safely."
Seeing Young Master Zhao patting his shoulder, Yang Yan excitedly promised.
Zhao Yunhai was unaware of his significance to young men like Yang Yan. Seeing his excitement, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'll be going now. Call me when you get home."
Zhao Yunhai gestured with his hand to his ear, indicating with his phone, then turned and walked away with the four men.
"Sister Hui, he's gone far."
Yang Yan called out a few times, but Sister Hui was still staring at Zhao Shao's departing back, lost in thought. Only after Zhao Shao had completely disappeared did he cough twice to remind her.
"Let's go, home."
Yang Hui playfully swatted the top of his head.
Yang Yan rubbed his head and chuckled, trotting behind Yang Hui. "Sister Hui, you're a great contributor this time!"
"If you keep rambling, I'll tell Second Uncle," Yang Hui said with a smile, looking back at him.
"I'm wrong, I'm wrong."
Yang Yan immediately became well-behaved.
...
"Speaking of which, why hasn't your cousin come out yet? Or has he already left?"
Xiao Longyang stood beside Lin Suyun, whistling at the women in black stockings who were passing by.
This wasn't an act; it was Xiao Longyang's true nature, his personality.
Lin Suyun, arriving a few minutes late, could only stand behind and wait, craning her neck to look inside.
Her handsome and unique cousin, she was very confident that the moment he appeared within her sight, she would be able to spot him immediately.
Lin Suyun looked at Xiao Longyang with extreme disgust. "Can you not do such vulgar things in front of me?"
"I wasn't. You can't slander me."
Xiao Longyang rubbed his nose. Just then, he noticed a passing young lady. His gaze couldn't help but follow her.
"This is truly disgusting." Lin Suyun turned away, no longer looking at him.
As she turned, Lin Suyun's eyes lit up. She spotted her cousin in the crowd and called out, "Cousin, I'm here!"
Zhao Yunhai heard the call and looked over, realizing his cousin was quite a beauty.
"Can being handsome make him edible?"
Xiao Longyang, seeing his wife so excited upon seeing her cousin, muttered a little jealously.