Chapter 40: 40, no one can escape!

THUMP, THUMP!

Humiliation, regret, indignation… A torrent of emotions flashed through Su Mengqing’s eyes, finally settling into a blank numbness.

Resigned to their fate, she and the sobbing Yang Tingting knelt once more, crawling toward the entrance of the memorial hall. The former president of Su Pharmaceutical, once hailed as a corporate beauty, the renowned, newly-crowned pharmaceutical queen of Haicheng, had been thoroughly reduced to a laughingstock under the watchful eyes of the city’s most powerful figures.

DRIP, DRIP.

Tears streamed down her face, leaving two humiliating trails behind her trembling figure as she crawled away from the side hall.

“They brought this upon themselves… A sad sight…” Old Song sighed, shaking his head.

Director Shen and his companions watched coldly. Mr. Wang Sr. and the others also shook their heads in dismay. Mr. Yuan Sr., however, simply stood by with a smile, choosing to watch things unfold.

“Thank you all for coming to pay respects to my mother, and thank you even more for speaking up for what is right.”

Just then, Lin Fan withdrew his gaze from the doorway. He approached the elderly Shen Wenqing and his companions, cupping his hands in sincere gratitude.

“Nephew Lin, there’s no need for such politeness,” Shen Wenqing and the others said, nodding with complicated expressions. “Your mother saved our lives. It was only right that we come.”

After greeting a few old acquaintances in the hall, they went to the altar to offer incense and pay their respects.

“Brother Lin, the Su Family is nothing! Why not join us at Yunhai Group like Old Song? I guarantee we won’t stick you in some factory as a mere handyman!” Director Shen said, slinging an arm around Lin Fan’s shoulder with a hearty laugh.

“Thank you for the kind offer, Director Shen, but Mr. Lin has already decided to join our Yuan family’s Yuandao Capital,” Yuan Youwei interjected, looking slightly alarmed. She rushed forward to hook Lin Fan’s arm, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

“When did I decide—” Lin Fan started to deny it but yelped as he felt a sharp pinch on his side from Yuan Youwei.

Their eyes met. In the depths of her beautiful gaze, he saw a playful pout and a silent plea.

Director Shen looked startled for a moment before bursting into laughter. “It seems Brother Lin isn’t as useless as the rumors claim. I see you’re already spoken for, haha!” He patted Lin Fan’s shoulder and then headed for the altar.

“If you dare run off with someone else, I’ll burn joss paper for your mother every day and tell her you bullied me!”

Seeing that Shen Wenqing’s group was already lining up before the memorial portrait to offer incense, Lin Fan tried to take a step, only to be yanked back by Yuan Youwei.

“…Miss Yuan, why are you doing this? I’m just a divorced man that everyone looks down on.”

Lin Fan felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart, yet he was also amused by her cute pout and bared canine teeth. He gave a self-deprecating chuckle and tried to withdraw his arm from her soft grasp.

“I don’t care! If other people don’t want you, it’s because they’re blind! You’ve helped me so much, I don’t even know how to express my gratitude…” Yuan Youwei’s voice grew quieter and quieter as a blush spread across her face. “In that case, I’ll just have to go all out and offer myself to you!”

“…”

A shudder ran through Lin Fan. He was genuinely struggling to handle her fiery, passionate offensive.

COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!

A series of urgent, aged coughs sounded from behind them. Startled, Yuan Youwei hastily let go, her face beet red as she pretended to admire the scenery. Lin Fan quietly sighed in relief. He quickly walked over to the altar to thank Shen Wenqing and the others one by one as they prepared to leave.

“You foolish girl, can’t you be a little more reserved? You’re the future heir of the Yuan family!” Mr. Yuan Sr. grumbled, walking over with a scowl and poking Yuan Youwei on her smooth forehead.

“Grandpa, he’s your savior! I was just expressing my gratitude. What’s wrong with that?” Yuan Youwei retorted, her face burning as she pouted.

“Hmph, was that expressing gratitude? You were clearly just lusting after his body!” the old man snorted, half-annoyed and half-amused as he rolled his eyes.

Just then, Mrs. Xue walked over and said hesitantly, “Actually, Mr. Yuan Sr., I think Lin Fan is quite good.”

“That’s right! Lin Fan is a total beast! He snuck into the Black Tiger Hall’s lair all by himself and got out unscathed. How badass is that!” Yuan Tao chimed in, his eyes gleaming with a crafty light. “Why don’t we make him my underling? Who in Haicheng would dare mess with me then?”

SLAP!

“You, get over there. You want to be his underling? I doubt Lin Fan would even have you,” Yuan Youwei snapped, her face darkening as she smacked the back of Yuan Tao’s head.

“President Yuan, we should be taking our leave now, hehe.”

“Yes, us too. Forgive our rude intrusion, we’re terribly sorry…”

At that, the crowd of business tycoons like Mr. Wang Sr. and underworld bosses like Chen Heihu all gathered around. Awkward smiles were plastered on their faces as they chuckled nervously. Now that Lin Fan was seemingly roped in by the Yuan family, they had gained another formidable general. Entertaining any crooked ideas about him would be much, much harder now.

“President Yuan, the Black Tiger Hall has urgent matters to attend to. I will visit another day to apologize properly,” Chen Heihu said, his expression complex. He gritted his teeth and cupped his hands toward Mr. Yuan Sr.

Today had been a crushing defeat. Not only that, but he had also lost his only son, Chen Biao, and a host of Black Tiger Hall’s elite. His heart seethed with grief and rage. He was anxious to go back and retrieve his son’s body. With the Yuan family’s backing and his own incredible skills, Lin Fan was untouchable for now. The Su Family, however, could not escape their involvement. They would have to pay a price in blood!

“What’s the rush? Didn’t you all say you came to pay respects to Mrs. Lin?” Mr. Yuan Sr. said, giving Chen Heihu a long look before shaking his head with a smile.

“Of course, of course! We were definitely planning to pay our respects before leaving, hehe…” Everyone was jolted by his words and quickly nodded with forced smiles.

“Since you’re here to pay respects, you can’t have come empty-handed, can you?” Mr. Yuan Sr. held up a single finger, a crafty smile playing on his lips. “You are all reputable figures. It would be a disgrace if word got out that you were stingy with your condolence money… so let’s say ten million from each family. On behalf of Lin Fan, I thank you all in advance.”

What? Ten million each in condolence money? Damn it, how is that any different from daylight robbery!

As his words fell, everyone’s expression changed. They gritted their teeth, remaining silent.

“What’s wrong, you think it’s too little?” Mr. Yuan Sr. continued to chuckle, but his eyes grew cold. “You’re right. With such vast family fortunes, ten million is probably too embarrassing for you to offer.”

You think you can just come to the Yuan estate, stir up a mob, and then walk away without paying a price? Not a chance! Not a single one of you is leaving today!

“Since President Yuan has spoken, we are of course happy to comply,” Mr. Wang Sr. and the others said, nodding with grim faces.

“Indeed. We came all this way, we should at least show some sincerity.”

The underworld bosses had no choice but to grimly take out their phones and make the transfers.

It took over an hour before everyone had their turn at the altar to offer incense. They paid their respects and then scurried away dejectedly, leaving the once crowded and noisy venue quiet and empty.

Chen Heihu gritted his teeth as he finished offering his incense. Before leaving, he growled in a low voice at Lin Fan, who was kneeling and burning joss paper, “Lin Fan, this isn’t over between us! You just wait!”

“If you want revenge, I’ll be waiting. I’m just afraid you won’t live to see that day,” Lin Fan replied coolly, not even turning his head.

“Don’t be so arrogant! Even if you’re a high-level Martial Artist, you won’t be able to withstand wave after wave of assassins!” Chen Heihu’s face was ashen as he stormed away in a fury.

The sound of his footsteps faded outside. Lin Fan suppressed his killing intent, murmuring to himself.

Assassins… I survived the Seven-Core Deadly Lotus. What kind of assassination could possibly be deadlier than the world’s number one poison?

His principle had always been simple: he wouldn’t attack unless attacked first. But if Chen Heihu truly dared to cause more trouble, Lin Fan wouldn’t mind sending him to reunite with Chen Biao.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep