It is only fitting that Xiao Longyang, as the protagonist, experiences the kind of constant mockery that only protagonists endure.
Zhao Yunhai, on the other hand, does not have this privilege. In this world, anyone who dares to mock him would likely not wish to live.
"Then, as an elder, I shall presume to call you Xiao Hai."
Elder Madam Lin was delighted by this. Her eyes narrowed into slits.
It was already a great honor for the young clan leader to show her face. Her request would likely be granted by the family.
She had never once asked anything of the family in all these years.
If there were no other options, she would never burden the family.
"Xiao Hai, I have prepared some home-cooked dishes today. I hope you won't find them to your liking."
Elder Madam Lin took Zhao Yunhai by the hand and led him into the house, full of warmth.
The collateral Lin clan members, seeing Xiao Longyang standing dumbly in place, couldn't help but sneer.
"Look at young master Zhao, so distinguished and wealthy. His every word and action is flawless."
"Exactly. And then look at our Lin family's son-in-law. We don't know what kind of spell Xiao Longyang cast on the patriarch before he passed to be taken in as a son-in-law."
"Perhaps he just wants to freeload off the Lin family for his entire life, to be a parasite, sucking the Lin family's blood."
Their words became more outrageous, but as they followed Elder Madam Lin inside, their voices faded into the distance.
"Let's go. Don't embarrass yourself next time."
Lin Suyan gave him a deep look and then brushed past him, breaking into a run.
"Damn it."
Xiao Longyang lowered his head, clenching his fists. He was like an enraged tiger.
Although he had heard these slanders countless times, each word still pierced his heart like a needle.
He had just kindly offered to help the elder, only to be publicly slapped in the face by her.
What had he done wrong? Why did everyone look down on him?
But when he looked up again, Xiao Longyang's demeanor had reverted to that of a useless son-in-law.
"Wife, wait for me."
Xiao Longyang grinned and chased after her.
"Are you okay?" Lin Suyan looked at him with confusion.
"What could be wrong with me? Young Master Zhao is an important figure. I shouldn't have approached him."
Xiao Longyang pretended to be distressed, rubbing his head with a look of embarrassment.
"It's good that you understand."
Seeing his genuine remorse, Lin Suyan didn't dwell on it.
Fortunately, her cousin didn't mind. Otherwise, her grandmother would never have let Xiao Longyang off the hook.
Although he was nominally her husband, their marriage was in name only. He was merely a shield arranged by her father before his death.
Without this shield, the collateral branches might have found some way to marry her off.
Lin Suyan couldn't help but sigh, feeling that her father had thought of her and cared for her even on his deathbed.
Unfortunately, Lin Suyan's father's original intention was for Xiao Longyang to protect the Lin family. After all, the influence of the Asura Hall was enough to ensure the Lin family's peace in the future.
It was a pity that neither mother nor daughter had understood his true intentions.
"Young Master Zhao, I'll toast you."
A bolder collateral member of the Lin family stood up, smiling ingratiatingly.
Zhao Yunhai ignored him, continuing to eat his meal.
Elder Madam Lin glared at the collateral member. This person was truly audacious. If Zhao Yunhai took a liking to him, it would be problematic.
However, Elder Madam Lin didn't consider that these insignificant individuals were hardly worthy of Zhao Yunhai's attention. It was simply a case of misplaced concern.
Zhao Yunhai's disregard for these collateral Lin family members at the banquet left them seething with anger but unable to speak, only able to offer awkward smiles.
Let alone treating Zhao Yunhai as they treated the son-in-law, Xiao Longyang.
If even one of them dared to say anything, no matter how softly, they would be reported by others and offered to Young Master Zhao as a stepping stone.
"Grandma, these people were showing off in front of us earlier, but now, facing cousin, they don't even dare to make a sound."
Lin Suyan displayed a hint of girlish triumph.
Cousin must be getting back at them for her, right?
Lin Suyan secretly glanced at her cousin, feeling a peculiar sense of warmth.
Of course, this was the camaraderie of siblings who suddenly had someone backing them up.
(Absolutely no inappropriate feelings. Please observe decency. Those with impure thoughts should go reflect.)
"Of course. Think about it, the Yang family is the foremost family in Luoyang, and they are merely the top subordinate of the Zhao clan."
Elder Madam Lin spoke in a hushed tone, but the other person could detect the pride in her grandmother's voice regarding their status as members of the Zhao clan.
Zhao Yunhai narrowed his eyes as he looked at Xiao Longyang, who was sitting beside his cousin.
Xiao Longyang seemed to have a very low presence, but in Zhao Yunhai's eyes, he was incredibly dazzling.
This fellow was a dignified Martial Grandmaster. Above Grandmaster was Great Grandmaster, and finally, the world's most elite Martial Experts.
Xiao Longyang, at such a young age, had touched upon the realm of Grandmaster. His advancement to Great Grandmaster was unstoppable, and even reaching the elite level was not impossible.
Such a protagonist, if left unchecked, would be like a nuclear bomb, potentially exploding at any moment.
With his Super Doubling ability, his Grandmaster strength could at least match a peak Grandmaster without falling behind, and could even defeat one.
The primary function of the Super Doubling ability was to inject the protagonist's abilities into oneself with multiplied power.
The protagonist's strength being that of a Grandmaster did not mean one would become a Great Grandmaster by gaining ten times that strength.
Instead, it meant that a normal Grandmaster's strength was equivalent to one, while his Grandmaster strength was equivalent to ten.
The difference between a small stream and a lake.
It was also the difference between a genius and mediocrity. With Super Doubling, even a genius would be considered mediocre in his presence.
Xiao Longyang was somewhat bewildered. Why was this guy staring at him?
By the time the feast concluded, Zhao Yunhai had not initiated any conversation with Xiao Longyang.
Zhao Yunhai lay in the room arranged for him by Elder Madam Lin, instructing Si Jin Yan, who had not accompanied him to Zhongzhou, to investigate.
He was still unsure of Xiao Longyang's true identity.
However, individuals like Xiao Longyang were the most susceptible to investigation.
Even if Xiao Longyang had forged his documents, anything false could not withstand scrutiny, especially with a professional like Si Jin Yan personally handling the task.
Although Si Jin Yan was not powerful, Zhao Yunhai believed the Zhao clan had plenty of strong individuals. What he lacked was talent, especially talented individuals like Si Jin Yan who were agreeable and easy to work with.
Xiao Longyang was unaware that his cousin was already investigating him.
Currently, Xiao Longyang was somewhat bewildered as he looked at the bank card his wife handed him. Did he look like someone who was short on cash?
Xiao Longyang had no self-awareness and felt rather pleased with himself.
"The password for this bank card is my birthday. It contains two hundred thousand. Go buy a gift that can be presented appropriately and give it to my grandmother tomorrow."
The outward appearances still had to be maintained. One could not let others see any hint of impropriety.
If Xiao Longyang's gift was shabby, it would only bring shame to the Lin family in the eyes of outsiders.
"Two hundred thousand, quite a sum."
Xiao Longyang chuckled wickedly as he accepted the bank card.
However, with two hundred thousand, I, the dignified Asura, cannot produce anything presentable.
Let's leave it at that. Tomorrow, I'll give my wife a big surprise.
The three-year period is also ending tomorrow. It's time to reveal my identity as the Asura.