Chapter 43: Clinging to Life, Fearing Death

“Lin Yang?”

Lin Yimo hadn’t expected Lin Yang to step forward at this moment.

“You little punk, who the hell are you? Are you looking for trouble?” Qi Tianyong snarled.

“You seem to enjoy slapping people, don’t you? Then let me show you what it feels like,” Lin Yang replied, and with that, he delivered a resounding slap to Qi Tianyong’s face.

The force of Lin Yang’s slap sent Qi Tianyong flying to the ground, where he lay dazed, stars spinning before his eyes, his ears buzzing, blood trickling from his nose and mouth.

“Holy crap!”

The onlookers were stunned by the scene.

“Who is this guy? He actually hit Qi Tianyong?”

“Another reckless fool trying to play the hero and save the damsel in distress.”

Both Lin Yimo and Dou Jun were dumbfounded, never imagining that Lin Yang would dare strike Qi Tianyong.

But Dou Jun was secretly delighted, thinking to himself, “Lin Yang, you want to play the hero in front of Lin Yimo? You’re dead meat!”

“Lin Yang… you… how could you hit him?” Lin Yimo, though proud and unwilling to kneel, was still afraid of Qi Tianyong.

“I felt like it, so I did,” Lin Yang replied nonchalantly.

“Do you even know who he is? By hitting him, you’ve gotten yourself into serious trouble!” Lin Yimo said anxiously.

“Kid, you did this yourself—nothing to do with us,” Lin Dehai quickly distanced himself from the situation.

“Grandpa… don’t say that,” Lin Yimo frowned.

“Your grandfather’s right. I hit him because I couldn’t stand him. It has nothing to do with you,” Lin Yang said with a smile.

Qi Tianyong staggered to his feet, finally catching his breath. He spat out a mouthful of blood along with a tooth.

Face twisted with rage, Qi Tianyong roared, “You dare hit me? Do you even know who I am? You’re dead! I’ll wipe out your whole family!”

Dou Jun also hurried to disassociate himself. “Mr. Qi, I don’t know this guy at all. If you want revenge, go after him. This has nothing to do with me,” he said, terrified of being implicated.

“Fine. I live in Building 18, Imperial Garden. You’re welcome to come for your revenge anytime,” Lin Yang said.

“You little brat, you’ve got guts. Just you wait!” Qi Tianyong spat, then stumbled down the mountain, likely to gather reinforcements.

With Qi Tianyong gone, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Dou Jun, his face swollen like a pig’s head, walked over and said, “Lin Yang, you really have guts, hitting even Mr. Qi. Just wait for your death.”

“My life is none of your business. Worry about yourself, pig-head,” Lin Yang replied.

“You!” Dou Jun clenched his fists in fury, but recalling the power of Lin Yang’s slap, he restrained himself.

“I can’t be bothered with you. You won’t survive the day anyway.” He then turned to Lin Yimo and said, “Grandpa Lin, Yimo, let’s go. Don’t get dragged into this because of him.”

“Yes, yes, let’s go quickly.”

Lin Dehai’s foot was swollen and he limped, eager to get away.

“Dou Jun, how could you say that? Lin Yang helped us resolve the situation just now,” Lin Yimo said, displeased.

“I didn’t ask for his help. Besides, can’t you see? He just wants to show off in front of you, make you grateful.”

“Qi Tianyong is ruthless and has many underworld connections. Do you really want to stay and go up against him? Someone could get killed! Take my advice and leave now. This mess is his own doing—it’s got nothing to do with us.”

Dou Jun reached out to pull Lin Yimo, but she shook him off.

She’d had some fondness for Dou Jun before, but now, even that was gone.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Yimo, be reasonable! None of us can bear the consequences of this. Do you want to get our whole family killed?” Lin Dehai said.

“I…” Lin Yimo was torn, her mind in turmoil.

To leave would go against her principles, but Dou Jun and her grandfather’s words made her realize how serious things were.

“Listen to your grandfather and go. I’ll be fine,” Lin Yang said.

Lin Yimo bit her lip, gazing at Lin Yang with guilt in her eyes.

“Lin Yang, I’m sorry.”

Lin Yang just smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Lin Yimo and Dou Jun, supporting Lin Dehai, prepared to descend the mountain. Lin Yang said, “Your grandfather’s ankle is sprained—it’ll be difficult for him to walk down. Let me treat it first.”

“No need, I can walk,” Lin Dehai insisted, not wanting to linger on Zixia Mountain for a moment longer, afraid Qi Tianyong would return with reinforcements.

“Grandpa Lin, I’ll carry you down,” Dou Jun offered, hoisting Lin Dehai onto his back while Lin Yimo supported him from the side.

Lin Yang also strolled down the mountain.

But Dou Jun, pampered and weak, soon found himself trembling under Lin Dehai’s weight, his legs unsteady.

“At this rate, I’ll reach the bottom before you do. If Qi Tianyong really brings people back, you’ll be trapped. Let me treat his foot,” Lin Yang suggested.

Dou Jun, unable to carry on, quickly set Lin Dehai down, saying, “Yimo, my stomach hurts, I can’t go on. I need to get to the hospital. You stay here and take your time getting your grandfather down.”

With that, Dou Jun slipped away.

At this moment, chasing girls was the last thing on his mind—his life was more important.

Dou Jun made the best choice for himself: abandoning Lin Yimo and running off alone.

“Jun, don’t go!” Lin Dehai called several times, but Dou Jun didn’t look back.

“Grandpa, stop calling him. Haven’t you seen his true colors?” Lin Yimo said, feeling almost relieved that this incident had revealed Dou Jun’s character.

Lin Yang knelt and examined Lin Dehai’s ankle. It was a sprain and dislocation, not serious, but still needing treatment.

He took out a silver needle to numb the nerves and relieve the pain, then quickly reset the joint.

“It doesn’t hurt at all?” Lin Dehai exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Yang used the needle again to reduce swelling and bruising, and soon the ankle was completely healed.

“All done,” Lin Yang said, standing up and putting away the needle.

Skeptical, Lin Dehai tested his foot and found it pain-free.

“Well, it really doesn’t hurt at all. Yimo, let’s go, let’s get down the mountain,” Lin Dehai said, not even pausing to thank Lin Yang as he tried to hurry away.

“Grandpa!” Lin Yimo called out angrily, standing her ground. She then turned to Lin Yang with genuine gratitude. “Thank you. Do you know medicine?”

“I know a little. Your grandfather’s head wound needs to be treated and bandaged. I live in Imperial Garden; I have gauze and antiseptic at home. You can come to my place first,” Lin Yang offered.

“I won’t go, I’d rather die!” Lin Dehai shook his head furiously. “You brat, you’re up to no good. You want to drag us down with you and get us killed?”

“Grandpa, don’t say that!”

“My head’s fine. Let’s go!”

Lin Dehai pulled Lin Yimo away, determined to leave.

“Lin Yang, I’m sorry, I…” Lin Yimo said awkwardly.

“It’s all right, just go with your grandfather,” Lin Yang waved.

Lin Yimo had once been his classmate, a kind-hearted class monitor who always helped others.

Even just now, she hadn’t mocked him like their other classmates had.

For that alone, Lin Yang felt a certain fondness for her.