Chapter 123: Settling the Score Once and for All

"Uncle Liu, you must know that Aunt Yu wanted me dead. The punishment I am inflicting on her now is nothing compared to what she did."

Liu Chengzhi replied, "She was indeed in the wrong, but you were not harmed, were you?"

"Heh... I was not harmed because I have my own abilities. If I didn't, would I still be alive to speak to you? Uncle Liu, please say no more. I fear that if you continue, you will damage the bond between us, and we will no longer be able to maintain our relationship as uncle and nephew."

Although Lin Yang was deeply displeased, he did not want to burn bridges with Liu Chengzhi.

Hearing this, Liu Chengzhi seemed angered as well.

"Xiao Yang, are you truly unwilling to let your Aunt Yu go? Are you truly so heartless?"

"Ask yourself, how has Uncle Liu treated you since you were a child? Your Aunt Yu made a mistake in a moment of confusion; must you torment her like this?"

"I know you have learned some skills and found a powerful backer, and you no longer hold Uncle Liu in high regard. But this matter was your fault from the start."

Hearing these words from Liu Chengzhi, Lin Yang felt a chill in his heart.

"My fault from the start? What did I do wrong?"

"You were wrong to strike and injure Liang Kuan. Do you know the power the Liang family wields now? Liang Jian is a director of the Wanhao Chamber of Commerce and may soon become its vice president."

"Without the Liang family's help, I would not have secured the project contract with Dingsheng Group, and my company would have been swallowed up. Because you injured Liang Kuan, your Aunt Yu had no choice; she did it for our family."

"You have your skills and your backer, but we have not received the slightest bit of help from you, have we?"

Lin Yang shook his head in disappointment. "How do you know I haven't helped you? Uncle Liu, do you know that the Dingsheng Group contract was secured because I helped you? It had nothing to do with the Liang family; they do not carry that much weight."

"Enough! At this point, are you still lying? I do not want to waste any more breath on you. I will ask you one last time: are you going to let your Aunt Yu go or not?" Liu Chengzhi demanded impatiently.

Lin Yang felt a cold emptiness in his chest and scoffed at himself. "I understand now. Compared to Aunt Yu, I am ultimately an outsider. And compared to the Liang family, who bring you profit, it is clear where your loyalties lie. Good, very good. Uncle Liu, you have taught me another lesson."

"Go and bring Aunt Yu here. I will let her go."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengzhi could not help but say, "See that you keep your word."

"Of course. Uncle Liu, from this day forward, I owe you nothing," Lin Yang said, his heart turning to ash.

Liu Chengzhi said, "Then Uncle Liu will give you one last piece of advice: now that you have learned some skills, live your life honestly. Even if you have a backer, the Liang family is not someone you can easily provoke. No matter how powerful your backer is, they are no match for the Wanhao Chamber of Commerce. Take care of yourself; it would be best if you left Luo City and found somewhere else to settle. The Liang family will not let you go."

After saying this, Liu Chengzhi drove away to pick up Yu Ping.

Lin Yang shook his head slightly and muttered to himself, "Uncle Liu, your vision is too narrow. As I am now, I have no need for anyone's support in Luo City."

***

Not long after, Liu Chengzhi brought Yu Ping back.

Liu Chengzhi signaled to Yu Ping to humble herself and apologize to Lin Yang.

Yu Ping had been terrified by the torture she endured. Though she was deeply unwilling, the thought of the horrific suffering she had experienced forced her to apologize to Lin Yang.

"There is no need for apologies. I can let you go this time, but I must say one thing clearly first."

Lin Yang waved his hand, not requiring an apology; it no longer mattered to him.

"Say what you must," Liu Chengzhi said.

"Our two families have had decades of friendship. You two watched me grow up, and I was almost your son-in-law. My parents died long ago, and I had truly regarded you as my elders and family."

"It is a pity that fate is cruel, leading us to where we are today. From now on, the past friendship need not be mentioned again. We are even; no one owes anyone anything."

"Xiao Yang... what Uncle Liu said just now was a bit harsh." Liu Chengzhi’s anger had subsided, and he felt a pang of guilt, realizing his words had been biased.

"Old Liu, Xiao Yang is right. People must look forward. Let us not speak of past rights and wrongs, or grievances; let us each go our own way," Yu Ping said, desperate to draw a line between herself and Lin Yang.

"I am a person who holds a grudge and settles scores. If there are any future offenses against me, I shall treat them accordingly."

"It is a deal," Yu Ping said without hesitation.

Lin Yang wasted no more words. Using an acupuncture technique, he neutralized the internal energy he had planted in Yu Ping’s body.

"It is done. You may go now. I will not see you out."

"It’s fixed just like that? You aren't just putting on a show, are you?" Yu Ping questioned.

"Believe what you will."

Lin Yang turned and headed upstairs, saying to Shen Youwei, "Weiwei, see them out."

Yu Ping’s lips moved; she longed to curse Lin Yang to vent the resentment and rage from two days of torture, but fearing his current strength, she swallowed the words back.

"Let’s go."

***

Liu Chengzhi and Yu Ping walked out of Lin Yang’s villa and returned to the car, where Yu Ping immediately began to curse.

"Who does he think he is! He just learned a bit of martial arts and found a woman with some background to back him? Look at his attitude; his tail is practically in the sky!"

"And he wants to draw a line with us? I’m happy to do it! I want to see how much longer a grasshopper like him can hop before the Liang family crushes him to death." Yu Ping spat as she railed against him.

"Enough, enough. We said what needed to be said today. Whether he lives or dies from here on has nothing to do with us," Liu Chengzhi said.

Inside the villa, Shen Youwei had finished packing and sat beside Lin Yang.

"Brother Lin Yang, you must be feeling terrible about having a complete falling out with the Liu family, right?"

Lin Yang replied calmly, "The pain is only temporary, but being able to see through certain people and matters provides a lifetime of clarity. There is nothing wrong with that."

"They are blind and short-sighted; it is their loss. There will come a time when they regret this."

Lin Yang stood up, patted Shen Youwei on the head, and said, "Let’s go. I’ll take you there."

Lin Yang picked up the luggage, but noticed Shen Youwei standing frozen in place.

"What’s wrong? Did you forget something?"

Shen Youwei lowered her head, biting her lip, and shook her head slightly. Her hands were behind her back, fingers entwined, revealing her inner turmoil.

Suddenly, Shen Youwei ran over and threw herself into Lin Yang’s arms, hugging him tightly.

With his hands full of bags, Lin Yang was at a loss.

"Girl, what are you doing?"

Shen Youwei began to sob quietly. Lin Yang had no choice but to drop the bags and gently pat her shoulder to comfort her.

"Why are you crying all of a sudden?"

"Brother Lin Yang, I can't bear to leave you. I... I don't want to be separated from you."

Shen Youwei finally could not hold it back any longer and spoke what was in her heart.