Chapter Forty-Four: Yao Qianqian's Deduction

Seeing the main character arrive, Tang Yunyun naturally didn’t linger. After the treasure competition concluded, Old Master Tang had instructed her to test Lin Feng and convey an invitation for him to marry into their family.

As a woman raised in a great family, she had long been prepared for an arranged marriage. What’s more, she didn’t feel any aversion toward Lin Feng; in fact, she harbored a strange sense of affection for him.

This man, with his mysterious air and the distance he kept from everyone, had indeed piqued her interest.

Still, a test was only a test. Having achieved her goal, there was no need to clash with the main party. She preferred to make a clean exit, lest she get drawn in too deeply.

“Lin Feng, this is as far as I’ll take you today. I’ll be off now, bye-bye!” With a graceful smile and a playful blown kiss for Lin Feng, Tang Yunyun turned and strode away.

She started her motorcycle and, with a roar of the engine, sped off into the distance.

Yao Qianqian watched Tang Yunyun’s figure gradually disappear, her face calm but thoughtful.

As a woman, she could see from Tang Yunyun’s charming smile that she had feelings for Lin Feng, which left her shaken.

This was the leading beauty of Binhai’s five golden flowers, the precious daughter of the Tang family.

With a mere wave of her hand, countless talented young men and heirs of noble families would flock to her—yet she, out of all people, had taken a liking to Lin Feng.

How could this be?

Was it possible that the Lin Feng she had always dismissed as worthless truly possessed a hidden, unique charm?

Or had she, all this time, never truly seen Lin Feng for who he was?

In the years since their marriage, she knew she had never shown Lin Feng a kind face.

If not scorn and derision, then it was cold violence.

They had never shared a bed, nor even the semblance of a normal married life.

Yet suddenly, when a top heiress who surpassed her in every way—origin, background, looks, figure, intellect, and grace—showed such favor to Lin Feng, Yao Qianqian felt a sudden emptiness welling up inside her.

Could it be that Lin Feng wasn’t lacking, but rather that she had overlooked all his virtues from the very start?

Suddenly, memories of their three years of marriage flooded her mind.

Every occasion when he tended to her with utmost care during illness;

Every time he brought her a delicious breakfast;

Every silent concession during their arguments;

Every occasion when he tolerated her unreasonable demands with patience...

Such is human nature: we seldom value what we possess, only realizing its worth when we are on the verge of losing it.

Now, Yao Qianqian found herself in this very situation.

Only when a beautiful, outstanding woman with an even greater background threatened to take Lin Feng away, did she finally recall his goodness.

But what meaning did that hold now?

Love is truly a consumable thing.

Three years of relentless coldness were enough to exhaust all the affection in a man’s heart, leaving behind nothing but ice.

Yao Qianqian opened her mouth, wanting to speak, yet she couldn’t find the words.

After three years of marriage, she suddenly realized she knew nothing at all about the man standing before her.

Lin Feng, seeing her at a loss for words, merely shrugged and offered no explanation. Quietly, he entered the building, returned to his study, and sat down to cultivate.

Having lived a second lifetime, Lin Feng had long lost hope for this marriage. All he cared about now was gathering his strength, recovering his abilities, and, when the time came, seeking bloody vengeance...!

The next morning, just after dawn.

Lin Feng’s cultivation was interrupted by a crisp knocking at the door. Opening it, he found Yao Qianqian standing there.

Her eyes were rimmed with exhaustion—she had obviously slept poorly the night before.

“So early in the morning, what do you want?” he asked.

“Lin Feng, may I come in and talk?” For the first time, Yao Qianqian let go of her usual air of superiority, showing a hint of gentle femininity.

Lin Feng frowned slightly but allowed her inside.

She sat down slowly, looked up at him, and sighed deeply.

“Lin Feng, the woman who brought you home last night was the Tang family’s heiress—Tang Yunyun, wasn’t she?”

“That’s right.”

“Lin Feng, people say you’re a kept man living off women. I used to think it was just gossip, but now I can’t help believing it. Don’t forget—she’s a high-and-mighty heiress, while you’re just a live-in son-in-law from a minor family! The difference between your statuses is immense, do you understand?”

“At best, she’s just treating you as a plaything.”

“Yes, by clinging to her, you can indeed gain the Tang family’s support and even use treasures worth hundreds of millions at the old master’s birthday banquet to impress people. But do you think this can last?”

“Family alliances are the true fate of someone like Tang Yunyun. Do you really think you’re qualified to be compared to the Tang family?”

Yao Qianqian’s face was filled with sorrow. Piecing together earlier clues, she had arrived at what seemed to her a most ‘reasonable conclusion’!

“Yao Qianqian, is that your deduction?” Lin Feng nearly laughed at the absurdity, his tone turning cold.

“Lin Feng, are you still trying to deny it? There’s no other explanation that makes sense. Do you really believe you have some extraordinary ability that would make the Tang family go to such lengths, or that Tang Yunyun would try to seduce you?”

“And if it’s not as you say?” Lin Feng replied blandly.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! Wake up, Lin Feng. Stop dreaming!” Yao Qianqian finally lost all restraint, her voice rising in anger.

“Yao Qianqian, what you see as a dream is, to me, a reality. You could never understand my world. If your deduction makes you feel better, then so be it—I don’t care.”

Lin Feng had no interest in further argument. He simply turned and walked away.

A dream?

Who, in the end, was truly dreaming?

Lin Feng’s silent departure only cemented Yao Qianqian’s suspicions. She took out her phone and dialed the Tang family’s residence.

“Hello, Tang Residence, this is Tang Yunyun speaking. Who is this?”

“Miss Tang? This is Yao Qianqian, Lin Feng’s wife. There’s something about Lin Feng I think we should discuss in person.”

“...Ah, all right.” After a moment’s silence, Tang Yunyun agreed.

They arranged a time and place. Hanging up, Yao Qianqian murmured softly to herself:

“This marriage has never meant anything to me. Miss Tang, if you truly care about Lin Feng, then show your sincerity!”

Clearly, Yao Qianqian was preparing to use Lin Feng one last time as leverage for her own ambitions.

...

Meanwhile, just as Lin Feng reached the entrance to the neighborhood, a gray Lincoln sedan stopped in front of him.

A young man wearing sunglasses stepped out.

“Mr. Lin, long time no see! I have a big deal on my hands—are you interested?”

The man removed his sunglasses, revealing himself as Wang Haiyang, the very same gangster Lin Feng had beaten up last time.

“Wang Haiyang, whatever business you have has nothing to do with me. Get out of the way.” Lin Feng was already in a foul mood and had no desire to be involved with this petty thug. He waved Wang Haiyang off.

Instead of being angered, Wang Haiyang grinned widely.

“Mr. Lin, have you ever heard of martial artists?”

“Martial artists?” Lin Feng frowned. He hadn’t expected that, after recently encountering a so-called sorcerer, he would now run into a martial artist. It seemed this world was far less peaceful than it appeared.

“That’s right—martial artists! According to legend, there are five levels: Innate, Internal Strength, Grandmaster, Martial Lord, and Sage. Each is a chasm to cross; with every breakthrough, one’s strength multiplies. Even the lowest, Innate, surpasses ordinary human limits. Sages are said to be ‘supermen’ capable of splitting mountains with their bare hands!”

“This big deal you’re talking about—is it related to martial artists?” Lin Feng asked calmly.

“Exactly. As long as you can defeat a peak Innate-level martial artist, fifty million is yours!” Wang Haiyang’s expression was grave and resolute.

Lin Feng glanced at Wang Haiyang indifferently. A mere fifty million was nothing to him, but he was curious to see what these so-called ‘martial artists’ were truly capable of.

“Very well, I accept. When do we start?”

“Right now. Let’s get in the car and talk on the way, shall we?”

“Hmph, fine.”

His job at the Yao Group was utterly inconsequential to Lin Feng. He sent a quick message to Wang Lun to ask for leave, then climbed into Wang Haiyang’s car.