Chapter 77: Come with Me

To everyone’s surprise, Xia Ningshuang actually knew Lin Li. And judging from the way they interacted, it seemed their relationship was far from simple.

Realizing this, Jiang Xishan broke out in a cold sweat. She had already given specific orders to the security guards: under no circumstances should Xia Ningshuang be allowed up here. Yet here she was, standing right before them. There could be only one explanation—someone had brought Xia Ningshuang up, and that person was someone the other security guards dared not stop.

With this deduction, the answer became clear. Who else could it be but Lin Li standing right here?

Lin Li stepped forward and gently helped Xia Ningshuang to her feet.

“It seems you’ve misjudged before. None of the friends you trusted are dependable,” he said.

Xia Ningshuang gave a self-mocking smile and offered no further explanation. Indeed, she had always been cheerful and helpful, assisting so many people. But in the end, who was willing to reach out a hand to her? Even her former apprentice probably never imagined her master would suffer such humiliation.

Justice that arrives late is still justice, but lateness means it can never truly make amends for what has already passed.

Jiang Xishan hurried forward to explain. “Mr. Lin, there’s been a misunderstanding here. Please, let me explain.”

Lin Li cut her off with an upraised hand. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to listen to your rambling right now. I came here today to negotiate with you, but from what I’ve seen, it’s no longer necessary.”

“The Qin family needs a stable partner for cooperation. As for someone like you, constantly shifting with the wind, I think it’s best we call it off. What I loathe most are those who waver and betray at a moment’s notice.”

With those words, Lin Li paid no more attention to Jiang Xishan’s desperate explanations. He took Xia Ningshuang and walked out of the office, step by step.

The security guards who had been blocking their way now hurriedly stood aside. None of them had expected that this man would be so righteous, caring nothing for Jiang Xishan’s authority.

Jiang Xishan had never imagined that a single decision of hers would offend such a person. Still, she managed to keep her composure. After all, Lin Li was only representing the Qin family today. While he was powerful within the Qin family, if worst came to worst, she could try to explain things directly to the Qin family; perhaps there was still hope for a turnaround.

“Xia Ningshuang, who would have thought that even after falling so low, you’d still have someone willing to help you?”

“But I’m curious to see how long your luck will last. Does this man really intend to help you forever?”

Lin Li took Xia Ningshuang away from Prosperity Group. Throughout the journey, Xia Ningshuang remained silent. Whatever she had done before, everything that had happened now had completely shattered her worldview.

She had never imagined she would fall to such depths. At the same time, she realized that her fate had perhaps been sealed long ago.

At this thought, Xia Ningshuang gave a wry, self-deprecating smile.

“What you’re experiencing now is hardly unique,” Lin Li said coldly. “There are countless people out there suffering more than you, facing even greater hardship, yet none of them have chosen to give up. They keep struggling forward.”

“So tell me: what reason do you have to give up your life now?”

Looking at the man in front of her, Xia Ningshuang’s feelings grew more complicated. “Mr. Lin, thank you so much for this. Even if nothing has changed, at least now I know how those people truly see me. That is a great kindness in itself.”

She no longer wished to change how others viewed her; she only hoped she could carry on with her own life.

“In this world, everyone encounters trouble,” Lin Li said. “What truly matters is how we overcome it, and gradually pull ourselves together.”

“If you don’t mind, you could come work for us at the Qin family,” he offered. “But that would mean leaving Dongdu.”

Receiving so much kindness from Lin Li already left Xia Ningshuang feeling guilty. She hadn’t expected him to actually invite her to Jiangcheng as well.

But at this moment, Xia Ningshuang had no such intention. “I appreciate your offer, Mr. Lin. But this is my hometown. Until I’ve settled everything here, I’m not ready to leave.”

Lin Li continued, “I understand how you feel. But I have to say, staying here is unlikely to change anything. Besides, don’t you want your face to heal?”

At those words, Xia Ningshuang’s eyes lit up and her voice trembled. “Mr. Lin, is it really possible?”

This had become her sole wish: if she could achieve this, she would do anything. Lin Li smiled.

“It won’t be easy, of course,” he replied. “But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. As long as you’re willing to cooperate, I can try to repair the scars on your face.”

The desire for beauty is universal, and for Xia Ningshuang—a woman of rare beauty—it was all the more poignant. She had been ruined by others, so if one day she could recover her looks, it would mean the world to her.

“I’m willing,” she said.

This time, Xia Ningshuang did not refuse. There were few in this world who would even dare promise they could heal her scars, but she was willing to trust Lin Li. After all, he had already helped her more than once.

She believed Lin Li was a good man, not one to make empty boasts. If he said so, there must be a reason and a method.

“Since you’ve agreed, come back to Jiangcheng with me,” Lin Li said. “Set aside your troubles here for now. Rest assured, you will return one day, and when you do, all these people will see you in a new light. But before that, you must learn to live well.”

Lin Li smiled with satisfaction. His goal had been achieved.

After all, Xia Ningshuang was Ye Aotian’s master. He was genuinely curious to see, once Xia Ningshuang had regained her strength, what would happen when she faced Ye Aotian again.

Ye Aotian probably never imagined Lin Li would employ such cunning tactics. Even Lin Li couldn’t help wondering what expression Ye Aotian would wear, seeing his own master by Lin Li’s side.

That day would certainly be interesting.