Urban Martial Saint

Lin Jiaxiang stood nearby, clearly overhearing the conversation between Ye Qing and Su Guoli. Especially the last few sentences from Su Guoli, which showed that not only was Su Guoli on good terms with Ye Qing, but his family was also very friendly with Ye Qing.

Moreover, Su Guoli particularly emphasized his elder brother and sister-in-law, saying they were seldom at home, implying their busy schedules. Given Su Guoli’s background, the busier his family members were, the higher their status likely was, indicating that his elder brother and sister-in-law were probably the most capable people in the family. That they made time out of their busy lives to host Ye Qing showed they valued Ye Qing highly.

Lin Jiaxiang, although unaware of the exact background of Su Guoli’s family, was acutely aware that with Ye Qing’s relationship with Su Guoli alone, a single word from Ye Qing could settle his problem.

However, Ye Qing’s earlier response, ”I suppose,” had already blocked his path completely. He didn’t know how his son had offended Ye Qing, but Su Guoli’s action of closing the office door when he entered clearly indicated he didn’t want to exchange even a word with the Lin family.

This development was troublesome; had it not been for this situation, he might have been able to talk it over with Su Guoli. But now, with Su Guoli’s displeasure due to Ye Qing, it was outright impossible to negotiate.

Frustrated, Lin Jiaxiang shot a fierce glare at Lin Haoqi. Seeing Ye Qing and his group about to leave, he hurriedly chased after them, smiling, ”Mr. Ye, Mr. Ye, please wait.”

Before Ye Qing stopped, Gao Shibao turned his head and said, ”Uncle Lin, if you want to see Director Su, go find him yourself. We poor folks are not in a position to sit with you rich people and can’t offer you much help.”

Gao Shibao, who had been working at the unit for four or five years, had developed some keen insight despite not achieving much. Seeing the interaction between Lin Jiaxiang and Su Guoli earlier, he guessed Lin Jiaxiang had some request for Su Guoli. So, he straightforwardly pointed it out without sparing Lin Jiaxiang any dignity.

These words left Lin Jiaxiang rather embarrassed, and he forced a smile, ”Oh, don’t be so distant. You’re classmates with Haoqi and Ding Yue, and it’s not easy for old classmates to meet up. You’ve only just graduated, so you might not understand this feeling yet, but I do. Many of my classmates haven’t been seen since graduation. Meeting up isn’t easy, and we should gather if we can.”

”No need for that!” Gao Shibao responded bluntly, ”The term ’classmate’ applies only when everyone’s on equal footing. When we’re not on the same level, we aren’t classmates. We students from out of town can’t compare with the rich kids. They can mock and bully us as they please—how can we dare call them classmates?”

Although Gao Shibao’s words were harsh, Ye Qing understood that Gao Shibao was not a harsh person by nature. He had endured quite a bit from Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue during and after school, so he seized the opportunity to vent his frustrations today.

Lin Jiaxiang’s face was full of embarrassment; he could immediately tell it was probably his son and daughter-in-law’s poor treatment of the pair during school that led to this situation. At this point, saying anything would be futile. He could only awkwardly laugh and watch Ye Qing and the others leave, the smile on his face gradually freezing.

Once Ye Qing and his group entered the elevator, Lin Jiaxiang’s expression abruptly turned icy. He suddenly turned, furiously glaring at his son and daughter-in-law.

Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue were nervous, knowing Lin Jiaxiang’s mood. When Lin Jiaxiang turned his head towards them, they both shivered, especially Lin Haoqi, whose legs shook with fear.

Lin Jiaxiang, disappointed, looked at Lin Haoqi and asked sternly, ”What happened when you were in school?”

”Nothing... nothing happened...” Lin Haoqi replied softly.

Lin Jiaxiang slapped him, demanding angrily, ”Tell the truth!”

Stunned by the smack, Lin Haoqi stood dazed. Ding Yue, beside him, was also startled and quickly said, ”Dad, during school, really... really nothing happened...”

”Get out!” Lin Jiaxiang glared at her, and Ding Yue pouted, almost crying, but he ignored her, angrily glaring at Lin Haoqi, demanding, ”Speak!”

Lin Haoqi trembled all over, too afraid to hide anything, and recounted how they had mocked and bullied Ye Qing and Gao Shibao during school, sharing every detail, especially how he had started a nickname for Ye Qing. What seemed amusing then sounded nothing but sarcastic now.

Upon hearing his son’s words, Lin Jiaxiang sighed with a sense of loss, unsure of his own feelings. He covered his face and remained silent for a long while, finally speaking, ”Truly, the world changes every thirty years. One never knows what the future holds for someone. Don’t look down on the young or impoverished!”

”Dad, this Ye Qing isn’t a good person!” Ding Yue retorted indignantly, ”Last night, he even forced Haoqi to drink so much alcohol; he’s a rogue!”

”Why would he force Haoqi to drink for no reason?” Lin Jiaxiang shot her a look, ”Don’t think I don’t know the two of you. Arrogant and haughty outside, giving no one any face. I’ve told you to be modest in life and peaceful in business. What have you done? I... I’m truly driven mad by you two!”

Lin Jiaxiang turned away angrily, striding towards the elevator, truly not wanting to deal with his son and daughter-in-law anymore.

Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue hurriedly followed behind, entering the elevator. Lin Haoqi whispered, ”Dad, if it really doesn’t work, shall we ask Uncle to help? Uncle is in the Ministry of Finance, and he has some power. Just one word from him, and the finance bureau might give us some face!”

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiaxiang immediately frowned. He glanced at Lin Haoqi and said solemnly, ”Your uncle has too big of an appetite. This is a bottomless pit. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I really don’t want to turn to him!”

”But now there’s really no way!” Lin Haoqi said, ”If we don’t ask Uncle, our... our Lin family might really struggle this time!”

”Damn it, isn’t it all because of you!” Lin Jiaxiang shouted angrily. ”Whose future am I earning so much money for? It’s all for you. But now, because you were playful and bullied classmates in school, I have to give a portion of my wealth to others. Fine, since it’s all your own doing, don’t blame me when you have less inheritance left!”

Lin Haoqi immediately looked crestfallen. What Lin Jiaxiang said was true. What’s being spent now is all his future inheritance. The more that’s spent this time, the less he’ll have in the future. That means, because of the incidents with Ye Qing and Gao Shibao back when he was in school, he’s going to suffer losses of tens of millions, and now he’s full of regret.

However, regrets are just regrets, and at this point, there’s really no other way.

Lin Jiaxiang and the other two went downstairs, got into the car. Lin Jiaxiang took a deep breath and despite his reluctance, picked up the phone to call Lin Haoqi’s uncle, explaining the situation here.

Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue waited nervously beside him, not daring to breathe heavily. If this matter couldn’t be resolved, the reduction in Lin Haoqi’s inheritance wouldn’t be as simple as tens of millions.

The call from Lin Jiaxiang didn’t last long, but he ended it with a dark expression. From his look, it was evident that his mood was bad.

”Dad, Dad, how did it go?” Lin Haoqi asked anxiously, as it concerned his inheritance and he couldn’t help being worried.

Lin Jiaxiang turned to look at him, remained silent for a moment, and suddenly slapped him hard across the face.

Lin Haoqi was taken aback by the slap, and before he could react, Lin Jiaxiang had already lunged at him, pinning him down and hitting him again and again wildly. After all, he was his father, so Lin Haoqi didn’t dare to fight back, only covered his head with his hands, pleading, ”Dad, Dad, what’s wrong? What’s wrong?”

”Dad, stop hitting him, stop hitting him…” Ding Yue cried beside them, not knowing what had happened.

Lin Jiaxiang stopped after hitting him for a few minutes. Seeing Lin Haoqi’s face covered in wounds, he had no trace of pity in his eyes, but rather more resentment.

”Dad, what... what did I do?” Lin Haoqi almost cried. He hadn’t been beaten like this since he was a child.

”What did you do? What did you do?” Lin Jiaxiang glared at him, gritting his teeth, ”Do you know who Su Guoli is?”

”What... what identity?” Lin Haoqi asked shakily, suddenly feeling something was very wrong.

”Couldn’t Uncle even handle this matter?” Ding Yue asked shakily.

”Your uncle certainly can’t handle it!” Lin Jiaxiang angrily replied, ”Su Guoli is in charge of this matter, not even your uncle, even the Minister of Finance can’t step in on this!”

”What?” Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue both widened their eyes, stunned for quite a while before Lin Haoqi asked urgently, ”Su... what exactly is Su Guoli’s background?”

”His brother is Su Guoxuan!” Lin Jiaxiang gritted his teeth and said solemnly, ”The newly appointed, youngest, and most promising Deputy Prime Minister!”

”What!?” Lin Haoqi and Ding Yue were dumbfounded and couldn’t believe what they heard. They never thought Su Guoli had such a background.

No wonder even the director of the finance bureau had to show Su Guoli respect. Su Guoxuan is regarded as one of the most promising leaders!