The night in Qiushan Town was beautiful, especially with the captivating fireworks.
Lu Fan and Lin Ke walked through the streets, enjoying the lantern festival, a moment of warmth between them.
“Brother Lu Fan, after the Spring Festival, will you really marry me?” Lin Ke looked 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, leaning 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 Dad finds out you deliberately stirred up trouble, it might not be good,” Lin Yalan cautioned. “Don’t forget, last time you almost messed up!”
“Just a few hired thugs, there won’t be any problems,” Lin Haitao shrugged. Standing on the tavern’s corridor, he gazed at the couple on the street, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Soon after, as Lu Fan and Lin Ke were preparing to leave, they turned to find several men blocking their path. The men sported lecherous expressions, their eyes frequently fixated on Lin Ke.
“This young lady is quite lovely. Care to join us for a drink?” the leading man sneered.
Lu Fan glanced at them. “Get lost!”
“Oh? You’re getting feisty!” The men sneered. They were already looking for an excuse to act, and Lu Fan’s impudence provided them with the perfect opportunity.
Unfortunately for them, Lu Fan had already seen through their intentions. He shielded Lin Ke behind him, facing the four or five men alone.
Lin Yalan clasped her fists and watched from the corridor. “He’s got some manliness, protecting his woman!”
“He’ll either be dead or crippled today!” Lin Haitao declared coldly. “Anyone who dares to oppose me has no good ending!”
“Moderation is key. Making a big scene ultimately isn’t good,” Lin Yalan reminded him.
Although she disliked Lu Fan and Lin Ke, going too far would affect them too. Lin Aotian held the most sway within the Lin family, a fact she understood perfectly.
The four or five men attacked, expecting to subdue Lu Fan easily. To their surprise, Lu Fan beat them black and blue, leaving them with no ability to fight back. The leader was seized by Lu Fan, completely immobilized.
“Who sent you!” Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. “If you don’t tell me, your life is forfeit!”
The leading man knelt on the ground. “Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong! It was Young Master Lin who told us to do this!”
The man’s expression was one of agony. Lu Fan had employed some unknown method that inflicted unbearable pain.
“Young Master Lin?” Lu Fan’s eyes narrowed. He took the man and headed towards the Lin family manor.
Lin Haitao’s face turned ashen. He had intended to teach Lu Fan a lesson, but instead, he had been exposed. He feared he wouldn't fare well back at the Lin family.
“It seems he’s going to report us!” Lin Yalan frowned. “His combat skills are quite good; four or five men couldn’t handle him!”
Lin Haitao had no time to speak before rushing towards the Lin family. If Lin Aotian found out, he would be in serious trouble. This was concrete evidence, unlike the previous incident.
In the Lin family courtyard, Old Madam Lin was chatting happily with a neighbor. Lu Fan threw a man into the courtyard as if he were a discarded dog.
Lin Aotian and others also stood up, unsure of what had happened.
“Speak! Say everything you said just now,” Lu Fan commanded coldly. “If you dare lie, I’ll show you the consequences!”
“Old Madam, we were forced into this. It was Young Master Lin who ordered us,” the leading man knelt on the ground. “He said he wanted to teach him a lesson, so…”
“So, the four or five of you dared to act so brazenly?” Lu Fan’s expression was indifferent as he turned to Old Madam Lin. “I mean no disrespect, but Young Master Lin’s actions warrant an explanation, don’t you think?”
Old Madam Lin frowned. She had heard the entire story and couldn't fathom how Lin Haitao could be so reckless as to cause trouble in Qiushan Town.
“Hmph! He truly has grown a pair of gall,” Lin Aotian said angrily. “He doesn’t have me in his eyes at all!”
Lin Guoli’s brows furrowed. The previous incident had already displeased Lin Aotian, and now this new complication gave him a headache.
Lin Haitao and Lin Yalan also walked in. “What’s going on?”
“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’s a guest of the Lin family?”
“Father, what are you saying? How could I do such a thing?” Lin Haitao shook his head. “I don’t even know these people.”
“Young Master Lin, please save me! While the payment you offered was generous, this guy is a tough one,” the leading man quickly said. “You didn’t tell me beforehand, or I wouldn’t have risked my life to take this job!”
“Don’t you dare slander a good person!” Lin Haitao’s face turned pale.
“You scoundrel, you still won’t admit it!” Lin Guoli slapped him. “Apologize quickly! Regardless, Mr. Lu is your grandmother’s savior. How could you do such a thing?”
Lin Aotian stood to the side, his eyes filled with anger. If Lin Guoli couldn’t discipline his son properly, he would take matters into his own hands.
Lin Haitao frowned. The matter was as good as confirmed; no amount of quibbling would help now.
“Second Uncle, I think it’s best to let it go,” Lin Ke interjected. “It’s a festival, and it’s not advisable to make a scene. Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen again.”
“See how magnanimous Little Ke is,” Lin Guoli said, glaring at Lin Haitao. “Apologize to Mr. Lu quickly!”
Lin Haitao was displeased. He turned to Lu Fan. “Your martial skills are indeed impressive, but one day, you’ll fall into my hands!”
As soon as he spoke, Lin Guoli kicked him. “You little brat, I told you to apologize, and you’re threatening Mr. Lu!”
Lin Haitao remained defiant. Even if he was beaten, he would never bow his head. The word ‘bow’ was not in his dictionary.
Lu Fan smiled. “Since Young Master Lin says so, I’ll gladly play along. But who will be the one suffering in the end remains to be seen.”
“Young man, this was indeed our Lin family’s fault,” Old Madam Lin said with a smile. “But since you seem unharmed, perhaps we can let this matter rest here.”
“Old Madam Lin is right!” Lu Fan smiled. “I am indeed unharmed. However, if Young Master Lin’s actions go unchecked, the Lin family may regret it in the future, as he is the Lin family’s sole legitimate descendant.”
At this point, a killing intent flashed in Lu Fan’s eyes. He had long suspected Lin Haitao’s involvement in the incident where Lin Ke was hit by a car. Now, it seemed his suspicions were confirmed.
Lu Fan had been restraining himself only because he hadn’t found any evidence. Otherwise, Lin Haitao would not have lived to see this day.