Chapter 5: Let Me Take You Home

Half a year?!

If not for Lin Feng saving her godfather’s life, Li Bing’er would have erupted in fury once more. Was this some kind of joke? Otherwise, who could possibly remember what they’d eaten half a year ago!

“Thank you for your guidance, sir.”

A weak voice sounded nearby. Li Nantian’s eyes brightened as if something had just occurred to him. Yet he said nothing more, only bowed slightly to Lin Feng. “Sir, I will never forget the life-saving grace you’ve shown me.”

“It was nothing, just a small effort,” Lin Feng replied calmly, waving his hand. “If your goddaughter stops clamoring to make trouble for me, I’ll already be thanking the heavens.”

“You—!” Li Bing’er’s cheeks flushed crimson in an instant.

Seeing her torn between embarrassment and anger, Li Nantian was first taken aback, then burst out laughing.

“My goddaughter has only ever been obeyed by others. This is the first time I’ve seen her rebuffed like this.”

“Godfather, you’re making fun of me too!” Li Bing’er, flustered and indignant, looked all the more charming.

Li Nantian’s gaze returned to Lin Feng, and he solemnly promised, “I, Li Nantian, always repay my debts. For a favor as great as yours, I will reward you handsomely. Just name your request—there is nothing in River City that I cannot accomplish.”

At these words, Su Qingxue’s breath grew heavier. The saying “a promise worth a thousand gold pieces” might be exaggerated for others, but for Li Nantian, it fit perfectly. Throughout River City, there were few things that could stump him.

“Anything at all?” Lin Feng pondered for a moment. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “Then, Li sir, I ask for your help: please dissolve the engagement between Miss Su and the Bai family.”

“Hmm?” Li Nantian murmured in surprise.

The sheer audacity of the request left him momentarily at a loss.

Su Qingxue was even more stunned. She stared at Lin Feng in disbelief. This was the underground king of River City! His promise could elevate an ordinary person overnight to heights they’d never dare to dream of—and this man was using such a priceless wish for her?

“Hey, are you serious?” Li Bing’er looked at him in bewilderment. “With any other request, you could ensure a lifetime of wealth and glory, yet you’re using it to break off this woman’s engagement? You…”

She wanted to call Lin Feng a lovesick fool, but after a furtive glance at her father, she swallowed the words.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as she looked at Su Qingxue. “An engagement with the Bai family—who exactly are you?”

“I—I’m Su Qingxue,” she replied timidly.

Li Bing’er’s brows knitted. Beside her, Li Nantian’s expression turned grave as well. The Su and Bai family engagement was well known throughout River City, but they hadn’t expected Lin Feng to involve their own Li family in this matter.

Leaning closer to her father, Li Bing’er whispered, “Father, we have many dealings with the Bai family. Are we really going to risk making an enemy just for a debt of gratitude?”

Li Nantian fell silent for a long moment.

Then, with a sly smile, he said, “It’s only natural to admire beauty, but it’s not as if Miss Su is the only lovely woman in the world. Mr. Lin, why not broaden your horizons? Name any girl you fancy, and I, Li Nantian, will help you win her—even my own Bing’er…”

“Father, what are you saying?” Li Bing’er, realizing the subject had turned to herself, hurriedly clung to her father’s arm.

Lin Feng’s expression remained unchanged. He understood that Li Nantian’s words were a polite refusal.

With a faint smile, Lin Feng said, “I appreciate your kindness, Li sir. Let’s leave it for another time.”

“Sir, you—” Li Nantian’s face shifted, but it was too late to stop him.

Lin Feng led Su Qingxue away.

As their figures receded, Li Bing’er pouted and muttered, “He’s too rigid. If one condition won’t work, why not ask for something else?”

“Interesting,” Li Nantian murmured, a faint smile on his lips.

In truth, Su Qingxue felt much the same as Li Bing’er.

She followed quietly at Lin Feng’s side, stealing glances at him now and then, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink.

The cool night breeze sobered her a little.

Unable to hold back, she broke the silence. “You shouldn’t have asked Li sir for that. With his power, he could have given you anything you wanted.”

“But there’s nothing I want,” Lin Feng replied with a casual shrug.

Of course, that wasn’t entirely true. Though he had recovered his savings, who would ever turn down more wealth? He simply understood the weight of favors—once he made a request of Li Nantian, it would be difficult to ask for another in the future. Better to keep the favor in reserve until it was truly needed.

As for Su Qingxue’s marriage…

With a sigh, Lin Feng said, “I thought he could easily meddle in the Bai family’s affairs. Clearly, I was mistaken. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you more.”

“It’s all right. I should be the one thanking you,” Su Qingxue replied, her cheeks turning rosy again. “Counting the time you saved me before, this is already the second time you’ve helped me. I should be the one repaying you.”

A fleeting thought crossed her mind—since she could never escape her family’s constraints, perhaps she should give her most precious gift to the man before her. Compared to Bai Tianjiao, Lin Feng was far superior.

Ring.

A sudden phone call interrupted her wandering thoughts.

Only then did she realize how hot her face had become.

“I need to take this,” she said, stepping aside with her phone. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the answer button.

The words she heard made her face instantly pale.

“Su Shifeng, you’ve gone too far! Who gave you the right to come into my house!”

Her protest was futile; she could only tremble in anger, her small frame shaking so much she could barely hold the phone.

Suddenly, a warm hand covered her own.

“Don’t be afraid. What happened?”

“Su Shifeng brought people to my home, saying he’s preparing for my wedding. He—he’s gone too far!”

Facing Lin Feng’s steady gaze, all of Su Qingxue’s grievances surged forth, her voice trembling with tears.

Lin Feng frowned. “To think you have a brother like that. Come, I’ll take you home. Let’s see what he’s really up to!”