Lin Xiao smiled. Some people only begin to feel fear and regret when they realize their end is near.

"What's the matter, scared?" Lin Xiao asked with a grin.

He was clearly smiling, but Du Kebang's heart felt as if it had plunged into a bottomless abyss, and it was still falling.

Indeed, Du Kebang was scared. He wasn't afraid of Tie Shankao, even though Tie Shankao was now the king of Jinhai City's underworld. That still wasn't enough to strike fear into Du Kebang's heart. After all, the Du Family was not to be trifled with.

What truly terrified Du Kebang was Tie Shankao's attitude towards Lin Xiao. Tie Shankao, the new helmsman of Jinhai City's underworld, was so respectful towards the beggar before him. This was enough to prove that the beggar's background was anything but ordinary.

Faced with Lin Xiao's question, Du Kebang couldn't utter a single word. Even though he was terrified, the words wouldn't come out.

Lin Xiao, however, couldn't be bothered to waste any more words on him. "Tie Shankao, he's all yours!"

"Mr. Lin, rest assured, I will handle everything!" Tie Shankao said solemnly.

Lin Xiao nodded, turned around, and left. He couldn't care less what fate awaited Du Kebang.

He got back in the car, where Pei Yanzi's exquisite face was etched with worry.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Don't worry, it's all been taken care of. Let's go, we're heading back to Jinling City!"

A wave of relief washed over Pei Yanzi as the weight on her heart was finally lifted. She gave an obedient nod.

"Big Brother Lin, thank you for saving me today!"

"You're welcome. But Yanzi, I have to give you a word of advice. It's fine to go out and have fun, but you must protect yourself. A face like yours is just too likely to inspire malicious intentions in some people."

Pei Yanzi's heart fluttered. The gloom she felt instantly vanished, replaced by a surge of happiness. She could tell that Lin Xiao was complimenting her on her beauty.

"Big Brother Lin, I'll definitely be more careful from now on," Pei Yanzi said softly.

Lin Xiao nodded and steered the car toward the highway. The trip back wasn't so boring, thanks to Pei Yanzi's company.

After they had been driving for some time, Lin Xiao suddenly remembered Chu Xiangxue's concert. He knew Pei Yanzi was a huge fan, and since Chu Xiangxue had left him a few tickets, he asked, "Yanzi, do you know that Chu Xiangxue has a concert in Jinhai City soon?"

Pei Yanzi nodded.

"Want to go?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Pei Yanzi froze, a jolt of excitement surging through her. "Big Brother Lin, you... you're going to take me to see Sister Xiang Xue's concert?"

"Not necessarily. Chu Xiangxue just happened to give me a few tickets. If you'd like, I can give you one," Lin Xiao explained. He still didn't know if Su Qingning wanted to go. If she didn't, then he naturally wouldn't go either.

The light in Pei Yanzi's eyes dimmed. A bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

"Big Brother Lin, maybe it's better to forget it. I wouldn't dare come to Jinhai City by myself!"

"No problem, you can bring a friend. Just make sure to be safe!" Lin Xiao said.

Pei Yanzi shook her head. "Big Brother Lin, thank you for the kind offer, but I think I'll pass."

Seeing her refuse, Lin Xiao didn't think much of it.

They soon arrived back in Jinling City. Lin Xiao drove Pei Yanzi directly to the entrance of her residential complex, where he saw Pei Donglai waiting before they even got out. He had called Pei Donglai when they were getting close and asked him to come out to meet Pei Yanzi. After all, Lin Xiao was eager to get home to Su Qingning. Indeed, after only a few hours away, he found himself missing her.

The two of them got out of the car, and Pei Donglai quickly walked over.

"Captain, thank you!" Pei Donglai said gratefully. He knew Pei Yanzi had gone to Jinhai City and hadn't expected Lin Xiao to personally bring her back.

"Don't mention it. It was no trouble at all," Lin Xiao laughed. He didn't tell Pei Donglai about what Pei Yanzi had been through that day, mainly because he was afraid Pei Donglai would blame her. She was already upset enough. A lecture from her brother would only make her feel worse.

Pei Donglai nodded. "Captain, would you like to come up for some tea?"

Pei Yanzi also looked at Lin Xiao with anticipation. She wanted to spend more time with him. Even if they couldn't do anything, she would be happy just having him there.

But Lin Xiao waved his hand. "No need. It's getting late. You two should head back and get some rest!"

Pei Yanzi's heart felt as if it had been stabbed with a knife. She quickly turned and hurried toward the complex, afraid she would burst into tears if she waited a moment longer.

Seeing this, Pei Donglai hastily said goodbye to Lin Xiao and rushed after his sister.

"Yanzi, what's wrong? Are you upset?" Pei Donglai asked gently.

Pei Yanzi kept her head down. "I'm fine, Brother."

Although she said she was fine, her voice was muffled and carried a slight nasal tone—the clear sign of someone who had just been crying.

Realizing this, Pei Donglai's heart sank. His sister goes to Jinhai City for a trip, and she comes back not only dejected but also in tears?

"Yanzi, what happened?" Pei Donglai stepped in front of her, blocking her path. His expression was grave. As her brother, he couldn't stand to see his sister wronged, not even in the slightest.

"Brother, I'm fine!" Pei Yanzi's voice was even quieter now, but her shoulders began to tremble slightly.

Something's wrong. Something is very wrong. An awful thought crossed Pei Donglai's mind. Could the captain have... bullied my sister?

But the thought was dismissed as quickly as it appeared. No, that's impossible. Though he hadn't known Lin Xiao for long, Pei Donglai felt he had a decent understanding of the man. In his eyes, Lin Xiao was loyal and righteous, distinguishing clearly between kindness and enmity. Despite his impressive background, he never used his power to bully others.

But if the captain hadn't bullied his sister, why was she so miserable? Why had she been crying? This was clearly the reaction of someone who had been deeply wronged.

"Yanzi, look at me!" Pei Donglai said sternly.

Pei Yanzi instinctively raised her head. Her beautiful eyes were brimming with tears. Her heart-wrenchingly pitiful appearance was like a dagger twisting in Pei Donglai's heart.

"Yanzi, what... what on earth happened to you? Did something happen?" Pei Donglai asked, his voice trembling. "Did... did the captain bully you?"

Even though he didn't believe Lin Xiao would ever hurt his sister, her current state filled him with dread.

Pei Yanzi shook her head as she wiped away her tears. "Brother, Big Brother Lin didn't bully me!"

"Then why are you crying?"

Pei Yanzi fell silent as fresh tears began to stream down her face.

"Yanzi, what is wrong with you?" Pei Donglai was so frantic he felt he could kill someone.

She remained silent for a moment, looking at her brother's anxious and flustered expression. Then, she suddenly broke down sobbing. "Brother, I... I think I've fallen for Big Brother Lin!"

BOOM!

Pei Donglai's mind went completely blank.

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