Chapter 9: The Roadblock

Just as Lin Yu arrived at the company, Su Ruoxi appeared before him.

He switched over to Su Ruoxi’s car.

“Are you alright? You look exhausted,” Lin Yu asked with concern.

Su Ruoxi let out a long breath and smiled, “I’m fine, I’m used to it. My father mentioned you hadn’t eaten yet—let’s go get something first.”

As Su Ruoxi drove for a while, Lin Yu’s brows furrowed.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re being followed,” Lin Yu replied calmly.

“What? Someone’s following us?”

Before Su Ruoxi could finish her gasp of surprise, one of the trailing cars suddenly accelerated, blocking their path, while another closed in rapidly from behind.

The car in front braked hard, forcing them to a halt.

In no time, men spilled out from both the front and rear vehicles, surrounding them completely.

A red sports car soon pulled up, coming to a stop directly ahead of them. From it emerged a man in a sharp suit.

“Wang Wan!” A trace of pallor flashed across Su Ruoxi’s face.

“This is Jinling, Wang Wan. What do you think you’re doing?” Su Ruoxi’s tone was full of displeasure. She hadn’t even confronted him about previous incidents, yet here he was, taking the initiative to block her way.

A burly man with a gold chain, wielding a club, impatiently rapped on the car window, producing a grating sound. “Enough with the talking. Young Master Wang asked you to get out. Are you deaf? Don’t make me use force!”

Wang Wan raised a hand to stop his subordinate.

“Manners, now. Don’t act like gangsters—what if you scare Miss Su?” Wang Wan’s smile was all teeth, insincere. Then he looked at Su Ruoxi again. “Ruoxi, I think there are some misunderstandings between us that ought to be discussed face to face.”

Su Ruoxi exhaled deeply. Wang Wan was clearly prepared for this encounter. The things he’d done had already torn a rift between their families—any show of civility now was mere pretense.

She understood well that Wang Wan’s target was her. With so many of his men around, if things turned violent, Lin Yu would be no match for them and would only get hurt for nothing.

“Lin Yu, he’s after me, not you. Once we get out, I’ll try to buy you some time. Don’t worry about me—just drive away. After all, this is Jinling; they wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” Su Ruoxi whispered.

Without another word, she opened the door and stepped out.

She faced Wang Wan with a composed smile. “Is there really some misunderstanding that requires you to make such a display, Young Master Wang? If there’s something, wouldn’t a simple phone call have sufficed?”

He chuckled. “Please, don’t misunderstand. I’m very sorry about what happened to your father. Truth is, I was a victim too—I was deceived by that con man. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent him to the afterlife. Ruoxi, don’t let this incident ruin things between us. He was the root of all the trouble.”

Wang Wan’s eyes narrowed, a smile curling at his lips.

“You’re too kind, Young Master Wang. Your intentions were good—it’s only that the con man was too crafty,” Su Ruoxi kept the smile on her face.

“You’re truly understanding, Ruoxi.” Wang Wan’s tone was syrupy. “Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, this is a good opportunity for us to talk. As long as you agree to marry me, I promise to give your family my full support. United, our families will rise to even greater heights, here in Jinling and throughout the nation. I’ve waited a long time for your answer. What do you say?”

A glint of greed flashed across Wang Wan’s face as he watched her, waiting for her reply, almost taunting. If she was sensible, it’d save him the trouble; if not, the men he’d brought were hardly here for nothing. He’d just have her tied up and brought to his bed—and after dosing her, make her his, leaving her no choice.

“I’m sorry, Young Master Wang. I refuse,” Su Ruoxi replied.

“That’s not the answer I wanted,” Wang Wan’s eyes narrowed, a cruel look crossing his face. “Since you insist on being difficult, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Tie her up!” he ordered.

His men closed in on Su Ruoxi at once.

She realized there was little hope for her today—Wang Wan had come prepared. No matter what she said, she would not escape unscathed.

“Hey, hey, hey! A pack of grown men bullying a young lady—have you no shame?” Lin Yu pushed open the door, got out of the car, and positioned himself in front of Su Ruoxi. He looked at Wang Wan and yawned.

“Lin Yu…” Su Ruoxi was moved. She hadn’t expected him to step forward at such a moment. But she quickly furrowed her brow. “Lin Yu, this has nothing to do with you. Their target is me. Leave now, quickly.”

“And who the hell are you?” Wang Wan barked, then turned to Su Ruoxi, sneering, “So this is the pure and chaste Su Ruoxi? Turns out, you’re nothing but a cheap woman!”

Before he could finish, a large hand appeared out of nowhere and slapped Wang Wan hard, sending him flying and crashing to the ground.

“Do you not brush your teeth? Your mouth reeks,” Lin Yu said, standing protectively in front of Su Ruoxi. Seeing her look of worry turn to shock, he added, “It’s not my style to turn a blind eye to someone in trouble.”

At that moment, Wang Wan struggled to his feet.

He, the esteemed heir of the Wang family—one of Jinling’s most prominent clans—had actually been struck, sent flying by a slap.

“You dare hit me!” His face twisted with rage, veins bulging on his forehead as he roared, “I’ll kill you! I’ll make you regret ever touching me. I’ll see you dead and buried!”

“Take him down! Cut off his hands and feet!” Wang Wan’s men surged forward.

Then Lin Yu moved, with Su Ruoxi at the center.

Within minutes, every attacker was writhing on the ground, howling in pain.

In a flash, Lin Yu seized Wang Wan by the collar.

Smack.

Another slap.

And another.

Blood and broken teeth sprayed from Wang Wan’s mouth.

“You dare hit me? Do you know who I am? I am Wang Wan of the Wang family, one of Jinling’s great clans!” he shrieked.

“I don’t care if you’re some stray dog. I’ll hit whoever I please.”

“You’ll pay for this! I’ll destroy you and your entire family!” Wang Wan was beside himself with rage; he’d run rampant in Jinling for years, never once suffering such humiliation.

Another heavy slap landed across his face.

Wang Wan shrieked, “You’d better kill me now, or I’ll make sure your family wishes they were dead!”

Lin Yu’s eyes turned cold. This time, he didn’t slap Wang Wan again, but gripped him by the throat.

“So, you really want to die. I despise threats against my family the most.”

With effortless strength, Lin Yu hoisted Wang Wan off the ground.

As his feet left the pavement, Wang Wan was seized by a terror he had never known. As breathing became harder and harder, he realized the man before him was truly mad—mad enough to kill him.