The night passed in silence.

Early the next morning, Su Qingning's phone rang. Groggily, she answered the call. Whatever the person on the other end said, she was instantly wide awake. She shot up in bed and said with a grave expression, "I understand!" With that, she hung up.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Lin Xiao's voice sounded beside her.

Su Qingning said dejectedly, "My uncle called. He said the Xue Family sent word for his family to prepare a hundred million, and that they're on their way to collect it."

A hundred million? Are the Xue Family out of their minds? Su Qingning's cousin was personally released by Bai Xiangqian yesterday. Didn't they stop to wonder why Bai Xiangqian would let him go? Yet they still have the gall to show up and demand compensation? And to make such an outrageous demand at that? Do they really think they can do whatever they want in Jinling City just because they have the backing of their family in Jinhai City?

"So, what is your uncle suggesting?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"He wants us to go over and see if we can mediate with the Xue Family," Su Qingning said glumly. "After all, a hundred million is no small sum!"

"Honey, what do you want to do?" Lin Xiao asked in return.

Su Qingning's opinion was the only one that mattered. If she wanted to help her uncle, Lin Xiao wouldn't hesitate. But if she didn't, he wouldn't bother with it.

Su Qingning's expression immediately darkened. In a subdued voice, she said, "I don't want to get involved. If we help, it will mean asking for favors again, and I don't want you to have to do that. In the three years after my father passed away, I had to beg a lot of people for help. I know all too well how humiliating that feels."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled. Although he knew Su Qingning must have had an incredibly difficult three years, hearing her admit it was still a shock.

Su Qingning was such a proud person. What could have possibly pushed her to the point of lowering her precious head to beg for help? His heart ached for her.

He said softly, "Don't worry. From now on, you'll never have to beg anyone for anything again."

Even though she knew his words were just an empty boast meant to comfort her, Su Qingning's heart still filled with warmth.

Just then, her cell phone rang again. She frowned slightly at the caller ID.

"Why aren't you answering?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"It's my mom!"

"Oh, go ahead and answer," Lin Xiao said, smiling.

It would be a lie to say Lin Xiao held no resentment for his mother-in-law. She had, after all, repeatedly tried to get Su Qingning to divorce him. Just last night, she had been extremely forceful, framing it as a command.

But she was still Su Qingning's mother. Even if I'm angry, what can I do? I can't just kill her, can I? How heartbroken, devastated, and despairing would Qingning be if I did?

Su Qingning answered the phone.

"Qingning, did your uncle just call you?" her mother's frail voice came through the receiver.

"Yes, he did," Su Qingning replied indifferently.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

"Mom, I don't have any thoughts on the matter."

"What do you mean? You're not going to help your uncle?" Su Qingning's mother asked, sounding surprised.

Su Qingning laughed, but it was a bitter sound. "Mom, you know what I'm capable of. My cousin offended the Xue Family. What do you expect me to do?"

"But... but... isn't there still Lin Xiao?" Her mother's voice weakened, clearly lacking confidence. After all, just last night she had looked down on Lin Xiao and even pushed her daughter to divorce him. Now, she had to ask for his help.

"Mom, you said it yourself. Lin Xiao is just a beggar with no power, status, or background. He only managed to get my cousin out last night because he'd done the King of the Southern Town a small favor. What do you want him to do now? Go back and beg the King of the Southern Town? Do you have any idea what kind of man the King is? If we anger him, would Lin Xiao even survive?"

At these words, her mother's face turned deathly pale, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Qingning, it's not that I look down on Lin Xiao," her mother said, her voice trembling. "I just want you to marry well. I truly want you to have an easier life. You didn't tell me about your bar getting smashed, but I know about it. If you had married someone better, your life wouldn't be so hard."

"So, Mom, are you still trying to convince me to get a divorce?"

Su Qingning's mother was taken aback. She could hear the anger in her daughter's tone. Having raised her for over twenty years, she knew her daughter well.

"No, Qingning. I handled this badly. Rest assured, I won't try to convince you to divorce ever again. You're a grown woman; your marriage is your own decision to make. As for your uncle's situation, it's truly a difficult one. I never should have brought it up."

Her voice was thick with guilt.

Hearing this, Lin Xiao's resentment suddenly vanished.

From his mother-in-law's perspective, she hadn't really done anything wrong. After all, Su Qingning was her daughter. What parent doesn't want a better life for their child?

Su Qingning hung up the phone, her beautiful, peach-blossom eyes once again brimming with tears.

Lin Xiao said, "Alright, it's not such a big deal. Since your mom has said her piece, let's go over to your uncle's house. I'd actually like to see just how the Xue Family plans on digging their own grave."

"But..."

Lin Xiao knew what she wanted to say. He smiled. "Don't worry. Last night, the King of the Southern Town himself said I could come to him if I ever needed anything."

Su Qingning sighed heavily. She really didn't want Lin Xiao to go begging on behalf of her uncle's family again. Even if he had helped the King, everyone's patience has its limits. You can't just keep asking for help endlessly. She was genuinely afraid that one day Lin Xiao would finally infuriate the man and end up a corpse on the street. The King of the Southern Town was more than capable of such a thing. After all, he was the underworld king of the six southern provinces.

"Alright, stop moping. Get dressed, let's go!"

Su Qingning reluctantly agreed. She quickly changed, emerging in a white dress that made her look as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal. Even without a trace of makeup, her beauty was captivating. She made the inexpensive dress look like something no one could afford. It was just a shame her stunning figure was so modestly covered.

The two of them left the villa.

A little over half an hour later, they arrived at her uncle's home. Five or six luxury cars were parked in front of the villa. Lin Xiao knew the Xue Family had arrived. He led Su Qingning quickly inside.

Before they even reached the living room, they heard Qiu Jianping pleading desperately, "Young Master Xue, I really can't come up with that much money! How about fifty million? Would that be acceptable?"

"If you can't come up with the money, then hand over your son's girlfriend to me! As long as I have my fun, maybe I'll let this whole thing slide!"

The sinister laughter reached Lin Xiao and Su Qingning's ears. Su Qingning's body tensed, but Lin Xiao just scoffed in disdain.

He then called out in a loud, clear voice, "How dare a maggot like you act so insolently! Xue Wenbing, get on your knees and apologize!"

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