Chapter 91: The Final Farewell

Bai Xu deliberately dangled bait, only to reel it in just as the fish was about to bite. “But I really can’t talk about this. I promised Lin Xi I wouldn’t tell outsiders.” When he said “outsiders,” he put a subtle but unmistakable emphasis on the word, as if settling the score for being stopped at the door by Qin Yu earlier.

That was so like Bai Xu. He always avenged grievances on the spot; the idea that “a gentleman waits ten years for revenge” was, in his eyes, utter nonsense. If he wanted revenge, he’d never wait until tomorrow.

He adjusted his glasses, affecting a look of solemn propriety. “After all, Third Brother, you know I don’t have much credibility with Lin Xi. There are things I’ve wanted to say for a long time, but I simply can’t.”

It had to be said, Bai Xu knew exactly how to get under someone’s skin. With those words, he elevated himself while successfully fanning Qin Yu’s anger.

Anyone else would have thought twice before speaking in front of Qin Yu, but Bai Xu was different.

He spoke whatever came to mind.

Because whatever the consequences, he could handle them.

To put it plainly, he relied on the old man and his mother; he knew that no matter how furious Qin Yu became, at most he’d take a swing or two. Beyond that, there was nothing more he could do.

He had his umbrella of protection and could act with impunity.

“So after all this, what is it you want?”

In the back seat, Qin Yu’s long legs were casually crossed as he lounged against the leather. At some point, the prayer beads had been slipped off his wrist; now he rolled them between his fingers, the scent of agarwood rising as the smooth beads slipped beneath his thumb.

Bai Xu snickered at the sound. He slid off his glasses. “I’m not looking to make a deal.”

With a soft click, Bai Xu narrowed his eyes toward the sound, catching the subtle shift of Qin Yu’s fingers as two beads struck each other with force. He knew at once that the situation was dire.

Whenever this scene played out, it meant Qin Yu’s patience was nearly spent.

If he pushed any further, the next moment those hands on the beads might well find their way to his face.

This was the final warning; it would be foolish not to take the hint.

He remembered the last time he’d seen Qin Yu make that gesture—it hadn’t been long before he’d been given a sound beating.

Of course, Qin Yu himself only laid hands on him once; at first glance, it wasn’t so bad.

But then he’d sent his bodyguards after Bai Xu, and they hadn’t held back in the slightest.

Even with his own bodyguards present, Bai Xu hadn’t dared fight back.

If he resisted, it would be more than just a beating—it would be a direct slap in Qin Yu’s face. Push him too far, and not even the old man could shield him.

So, over the years, whenever Qin Yu disciplined him—whether personally or through others—Bai Xu never once fought back.

After all, sometimes you have to know when to back down.

He could get into all sorts of trouble outside, but back in the family compound, he’d kneel when he was supposed to. He’d been trained so well that if he made a mistake, he’d kneel by himself before Qin Yu even said a word.

It was almost a conditioned reflex.

And truly, it was laughable.

Time ticked by, Qin Yu’s patience all but exhausted.

“I haven’t decided what I want yet. How about you give me Feiyun, Third Brother?” he said. But though his words sounded uncertain, the naked ambition in Bai Xu’s eyes was impossible to miss.

From the beginning, his purpose in bringing this up had always been Feiyun.

So much for “no deals”—Qin Yu didn’t believe it for a second.

Bai Xu’s schemes were difficult to read, but Qin Yu understood him well enough to guess his motives.

Clearly, he’d planned this from the start.

You couldn’t expect him to offer information out of pure good will—impossible.

Qin Yu’s hand never ceased its motion as he replied in a low voice, “Feiyun belongs to Lin Xi.”

“Does it?” Bai Xu shrugged. “Does Lin Xi know about that?”

“She’ll find out sooner or later. You’d better stop eyeing Feiyun.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” Bai Xu sighed. “In that case, how about LX Capital? Third Brother, why not let me buy in?”

At that, Qin Yu let out a cold laugh, turning to look at him as the beads in his hand stilled.

“Quite an appetite you have.”

Bai Xu grinned, shrugging it off. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m putting a lot on the line here—I need something worthwhile in exchange.”

“Fine.” A shadow flickered in Qin Yu’s eyes. “Anything else?”

He was curious to see what Bai Xu was up to. If he had the nerve to ask, he’d better have the means to see it through.

Sometimes empty ambition was nothing but a death sentence.

This time, Bai Xu was genuinely surprised. He’d expected Qin Yu to agree, but not so readily.

There was hardly a moment’s hesitation.

Yet, for some reason, he felt no satisfaction.

Though everything was proceeding as he’d planned, he found himself oddly dissatisfied.

Perhaps, all along, what he’d been aiming for wasn’t what he truly wanted.

Then what was it that he truly sought...?

The darkness in his glasses deepened. Bai Xu lowered his gaze and readjusted them. When he looked up again, his expression was once more casual and indifferent.

“That’s enough. If I ask for more, you’ll really give me a beating, Third Brother.”

He knew when to stop, not overreaching.

Since Qin Yu had agreed, there was no turning back, so he chose his words with care and recounted the events of that year to Qin Yu in broad strokes—

“That year, Aunt asked you to return to the capital for a matchmaking session with Song Ning, right? You two started developing a relationship, and word of it reached Lin Xi. That wasn’t much on its own, but the main thing is, Aunt and Song Ning went together to Lin City to meet Lin Xi.”

At this, Bai Xu deliberately paused, watching Qin Yu’s hand from the corner of his eye.

At some point, Qin Yu’s movements had ceased, and the atmosphere inside the car grew heavy.

To Qin Yu, there were some discrepancies in Bai Xu’s account. Back then, he’d been busy for several days and hadn’t been able to see Lin Xi as often as he wished. He had to admit, his mother had tricked him into returning to the capital for other reasons, only for him to discover Song Ning’s presence upon arrival.

But his extended stay in the capital had nothing to do with Song Ning.

At first, it was for work. Later... it was because of Lin Chen.

The situation had been urgent. He’d abruptly received a call that Lin Chen had been seriously injured on a mission and transferred to the Army Hospital in the capital for emergency treatment.

At the time, only he, his second brother, and Bai Xu were in the know, taking turns at the hospital.

Even in the Lin family, only the eldest uncle was informed.

The surgery had gone smoothly at first, and they’d all breathed a sigh of relief. Just as they were about to notify the rest of the family, disaster struck.

That night, he hadn’t slept well for days. He’d planned to pick up a cake and rush to Lin City to spend midnight with Lin Xi for her birthday and finally rest.

But before he could leave the hospital, Lin Chen passed away.

It was six hours before Lin Xi’s birthday.

He left so suddenly, without a word.

Looking back, aside from the doctors and nurses, Qin Yu was the only one who witnessed Lin Chen’s passing with his own eyes.

(End of this chapter)