The night in Qiushan Town was beautiful, especially with the fireworks that made it so captivating.
Lu Fan and Lin Ke walked along the street, admiring the lanterns, their moment filled with warmth.
"Brother Lu Fan, after the Spring Festival is over, will you really marry me?" Lin Ke looked up at Lu Fan.
"Of course!" Lu Fan smiled. "Not only will I marry you, but I'll bring you back to Jiangnan in grand style!"
Lin Ke beamed with joy and a sense of contentment, nestling into Lu Fan's embrace.
Meanwhile, inside a tavern on the street, Lin Haitao took a drink and chuckled, "I've disliked that kid for a long time. Tonight, he's going to pay!"
"If you deliberately cause trouble for people, and Dad finds out, it might not be good," Lin Yalan said. "Don't forget, last time you almost slipped up!"
"Just a few hired thugs, there won't be any problems," Lin Haitao shrugged, standing on the tavern's corridor, gazing at the couple on the street with a hint of coldness.
A short while later, as Lu Fan and Lin Ke were about to head back, they turned to find several men blocking their path. Their eyes were lecherous, constantly fixated on Lin Ke.
"This girl is quite beautiful. Want to come have a drink with us?" the leading man sneered.
Lu Fan glanced at them. "Get lost!"
"Oh, you're getting feisty!" the men sneered. They had been looking for an excuse to act, and Lu Fan's audacity provided them with one.
Unfortunately for them, Lu Fan had already seen through them. He shielded Lin Ke behind him, facing the four or five men alone.
Lin Yalan clasped her hands, watching from the corridor. "He's got some manliness, knows how to protect his woman!"
"Today, he'll either be dead or crippled!" Lin Haitao said coldly. "Anyone who dares to oppose me never ends well!"
"Enough is enough. Making a scene will ultimately not be good," Lin Yalan reminded him.
Although he didn't care much for Lu Fan and Lin Ke, going too far would also affect them. Lin Aotian held the most influence within the Lin family, a fact he knew all too well.
The four or five men attacked, expecting to subdue Lu Fan. To their surprise, Lu Fan left them bruised and battered, completely unable to fight back. The leader was seized by Lu Fan, unable to move.
"Who sent you!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "If you don't tell me, your life is forfeit!"
The leading man prostrated himself on the ground. "Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong! Young Master Lin ordered us to do this!"
The man's expression was one of agony. Lu Fan had used some unknown method to inflict unbearable pain.
"Young Master Lin?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, taking the man towards the Lin family compound.
Lin Haitao's face turned ashen. He had intended to teach Lu Fan a lesson, but instead, he had been exposed. He feared he would face severe consequences upon returning to the Lin family.
"It seems he's going to report us!" Lin Yalan frowned. "His skills are quite good; four or five men couldn't handle him!"
Lin Haitao had no time to speak before rushing back to the Lin family. If Lin Aotian found out, he would be in deep trouble. After all, this was solid evidence, unlike the last incident.
In the Lin family courtyard, Old Madam Lin was chatting happily with a neighbor. Lu Fan tossed a man into the courtyard as if he were a dead dog.
Lin Aotian and the others also stood up, unsure what had happened.
"Speak! Say everything you just said," Lu Fan said coldly. "If you dare to lie, I'll show you the consequences!"
"Old Madam, we were forced into this. Young Master Lin ordered us to do it," the leading man said, kneeling on the ground. "He said he wanted to teach him a lesson, so..."
"So, you four or five dared to be so presumptuous?" Lu Fan's expression was indifferent as he turned to Old Madam Lin. "I don't mean anything else, but Young Master Lin did something like this, shouldn't there be an explanation?"
Old Madam Lin frowned. She had heard the entire story, but she couldn't believe Lin Haitao was so reckless as to act in Qiushan Town.
"Hmph! He truly has the audacity of a leopard," Lin Aotian said angrily. "He has too little regard for me!"
Lin Guoli frowned. The last incident had already displeased Lin Aotian, and now another complication arose, giving him a headache.
Lin Haitao and Lin Yalan also entered. "What happened?"
"You still have the nerve to ask!" Lin Guoli said sternly. "Did you send them to deal with Mr. Lu? Don't you know he is a guest of the Lin family?"
"Dad, what are you talking about? How could I do such a thing?" Lin Haitao shook his head. "I don't even know these people."
"Young Master Lin, you must save me! Although the reward you gave was generous, this is a tough opponent," the leading man quickly said. "You didn't tell me beforehand, otherwise, I wouldn't have taken this job with my life on the line!"
"Don't falsely accuse good people!" Lin Haitao's face turned ashen.
"You scoundrel, you still won't admit it at this point!" Lin Guoli slapped him. "Apologize quickly! Regardless, Mr. Lu is your grandmother's savior. How could you do such a thing?"
Lin Aotian stood aside, his eyes filled with anger. If Lin Guoli couldn't discipline him, he would have to step in himself.
Lin Haitao frowned. The matter was now confirmed, and any further denial would be useless.
"Second Uncle, I think we should let it go," Lin Ke said. "After all, it's the festival, and it's not appropriate to make such a big fuss. I just hope this doesn't happen again in the future!"
"Look how magnanimous Little Ke is," Lin Guoli said, glaring. "Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Lu!"
Lin Haitao was displeased. He turned to Lu Fan and said, "Your skills are indeed good, but one day you will fall into my hands!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Guoli kicked him. "You little brat, I told you to apologize, and you're threatening Mr. Lu!"
Lin Haitao remained unfazed. Even when being hit, he would never bow his head. The word "bow" was never in his dictionary.
Lu Fan smiled. "Since Young Master Lin has said so, I will accompany you to the end. However, it's uncertain who will be at a disadvantage in the end."
"Young man, this matter is indeed our Lin family's fault," Old Madam Lin said with a smile. "But since you seem unharmed, why don't we let this matter end here?"
"Old Madam Lin is right!" Lu Fan smiled. "I am indeed unharmed. However, if Young Master Lin's actions are left unchecked, the Lin family may regret it in the future. He is the only direct descendant of the Lin family."
At this point, a murderous intent flashed in Lu Fan's eyes. He had long suspected Lin Ke's car accident was the work of Lin Haitao.
Lu Fan had been forbearing only because he hadn't found proof. Otherwise, Lin Haitao wouldn't be alive.