Chapter Eighty-One: One Who Courts Disaster Has Only Himself to Blame

The night had fallen completely. The skies were clear, and countless stars glittered above.

Lin Sangqian drew a deep breath of the cool night air and began to hum a tune, her spirits high.

Lin Shuimei cast her a cold glance, sneering inwardly.

Enjoy your happiness while it lasts, she thought. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself unable to sing at all.

“What exactly do you want to tell me?” Lin Sangqian suddenly asked, startling Lin Shuimei.

“It’s nothing, really,” Lin Shuimei improvised, “it’s just that my parents are planning to come here and make a scene. I wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be prepared.”

“That’s all?” Lin Sangqian raised an eyebrow.

Lin Shuimei grew a little awkward. Looking ahead, she saw they were nearing the spot where she’d arranged to meet Qian San. Deciding not to delay, she simply grabbed Lin Sangqian’s arm and pulled her forward. “Yes, that’s all. I just don’t want to see your things get snatched away by them. By the way, I think I saw something up ahead. Let’s go take a look.”

Up ahead was a pitch-dark alleyway, not a single lantern in sight—clearly a place where few people lived.

Lin Shuimei led her into the gloom, her intentions anything but innocent.

Yet Lin Sangqian offered no resistance, following her obediently as if she sensed nothing amiss.

When they reached the depths of the alley, Lin Shuimei let go of her arm and, spinning around, tried to slap her across the face.

But Lin Sangqian was quick. She stepped back nimbly and seized Lin Shuimei’s wrist.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked coldly.

Lin Shuimei burst out laughing, her features twisted in the moonlight. “Ha! Lin Sangqian, you’re still putting on airs even now? Let me tell you—you’re finished!”

At that moment, two shadows darted out from the darkness.

Lin Sangqian recognized one of them at once: Qian San, a waiter from the Wanhua Restaurant.

She let go of Lin Shuimei’s hand and smiled. “So, you lured me here just to meet up with them?”

“That’s right!” Lin Shuimei replied triumphantly. “I never expected it’d be this easy. You’re just too gullible!”

“So, what do you all want?”

Qian San’s smile was sly. “Since you’re helping Fortune Inn, you’re setting yourself against our Wanhua. Our boss wants a word with you—to discuss whether you’ll give up Fortune and work with us instead.”

“A word?” Lin Sangqian repeated, her tone meaningful. “Is that what you call this?”

“Enough talk!” Qian San snarled. “Come with us, now!”

“And if I refuse?” Lin Sangqian replied icily. “Are you planning to kidnap me?”

***

“You’re here already—what do you think?” Qian San retorted. “Listen up, I’ll drag you back with us, even if I have to tie you up! Get her!”

He barked at the man beside him, who immediately pulled out a length of rope, stretching it taut.

“Little lady, since you don’t know what’s good for you, don’t blame us for being rough!”

Lin Shuimei looked on with malicious pleasure.

“Hey, when do I get my money?” she interjected, unwilling to let the matter drop.

“Don’t worry,” Qian San replied. “Once we bring her to the boss, you’ll get paid.”

The man with the rope lunged at Lin Sangqian. But just then, someone leaped down from the wall, landing a powerful kick square on his chest!

The man howled, sent flying several meters.

“Who’s there?” Lin Shuimei and Qian San’s faces changed at once.

The newcomer was Lin Hongda.

He pulled Lin Sangqian behind him, his fury barely contained. “You have some nerve!”

Lin Shuimei grew nervous at the sight of her third uncle. She knew he’d recently become quite formidable, though she wasn’t sure how. She hadn’t expected him to be secretly following them.

Now, taking Lin Sangqian away would be no easy feat.

Qian San recognized Lin Hongda too. After a brief moment of panic, his face hardened with malice.

The man who’d been kicked lay on the ground, unable to get up. Qian San shot him a look of disgust, then stealthily drew a short dagger from his clothes.

If that’s how it is, he thought, don’t blame me for what happens next.

He charged at Lin Hongda, knife in hand.

But Lin Hongda merely smirked. As Qian San rushed him, Lin Hongda lifted his foot and kicked the dagger clean out of his hand.

Qian San stood there, stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

At that moment, Lin Hongda spoke.

“Lord Di Qing, you saw everything that just transpired, I trust?”

Lord Di Qing?

***

At the sound of that title, Lin Shuimei’s heart sank. She spun around, trying to flee, but Lin Hongda was having none of it. He darted over and seized her by the collar.

“Let me go! Let go! What are you doing? I’m just a girl—”

“Ordinary girls don’t plot kidnappings,” Lin Hongda replied with a cold sneer, his grip unyielding.

Just then, two more figures dropped down, landing lightly on their feet.

One was Di Qing himself, the other also dressed as an officer.

“My brother and I were just complaining about being bored lately, and here you come, right to our doorstep,” Di Qing said with a cold smile. “Kidnapping, attempted murder—what were you planning, you little punk?”

“I wasn’t going to kill anyone!” Qian San stammered, the words tumbling out in panic.

“I saw you draw a knife with my own eyes, and you still want to deny it?” Di Qing barked. “You’ll be coming to the magistrate’s office with us!”

Qian San tried to bolt but was immediately pinned down by Di Qing.

The man who’d been kicked was recovering, but lacked the strength to escape.

In the end, all of them were taken back to the magistrate’s office by Di Qing and the other officer.

Lin Shuimei wept the whole way, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

She was still young, hadn’t married into a wealthy family yet, and now she’d been caught and brought to the authorities. Would she be executed?

As they neared the magistrate’s office, she suddenly knelt before Lin Sangqian.

“Sangqian, please forgive me—we’re family! Third Uncle, I’m your niece, please let me go!”

“Those who bring ruin upon themselves deserve no sympathy,” Lin Sangqian replied coldly. “Don’t bother pleading, Lin Shuimei. You’ll find no mercy from us.”

Lin Shuimei looked as though she’d been struck by lightning, her face ghostly pale.

It’s over. Everything is over!

Only after watching them all be led into the magistrate’s office did Lin Hongda and Lin Sangqian depart.

“Father, you were quick to act,” Lin Sangqian said with a smile. “And Lord Di Qing as well—we’re lucky he was willing to help.”

Lin Hongda had gone to Di Qing beforehand, asking him to patrol around Laifu Lane that evening.

Di Qing had always been on good terms with their family—and, having yet to satisfy his craving for Lin Sangqian’s cooking, he’d agreed without hesitation.