Chapter Eighteen: Do You Think I Would Dare Strike?

At this moment, Nangong Lingyue was leaning against the wall, her eyes blackened into panda circles and swelling rapidly, her lips too were puffed and bleeding from the corners, despite the blows being somewhat restrained. Compared to the icy, regal princess who entered moments ago, she now looked like a completely different person.

“Mmm…” Nangong Lingyue, far from a pampered maiden, gritted her teeth and glared furiously at Lin Qingyun, but she could no longer summon her powers.

Lin Qingyun approached her with a cold expression. “I struck your mouth so you’ll remember not to spout nonsense in the future. I bruised your eyes so you’ll learn to see clearly before acting. You’re the sole daughter of Nangong Ao, the Desert Wind King. Our families have been close for generations. Your father and my parents’ friendship is exceptional; I know well the things they once said in jest. But do you really think, in this day and age, that a joke between parents can decide our fates?”

“Besides, my parents have vanished now. I make my own decisions. If I’m not mistaken, my second uncle and aunt must have spoken to your family. But remember this: I’ll leave a message for Uncle Nangong myself. My life, my choices—no one else can speak for me. Not even my parents, let alone others, can dictate matters of the heart.”

“As for you, whether it’s your princess temperament or your tendency to lose yourself in a role, I have no patience for it. This time, I’m letting you off for the sake of our families’ bond; otherwise, according to the law, I could have dealt with you far more harshly.”

Lin Qingyun had already guessed the situation, especially when Chao called out his name and after Nangong Lingyue's furious tirade. He knew well the relationship between their families; he’d heard the talk of marrying their children if one had a boy and the other a girl, but never took it seriously. Times had changed. Arranged marriages and parental mandates were relics of the past; childhood promises were made in jest.

“You… hit… me…” Nangong Lingyue’s words were slurred from her swollen lips.

Lin Qingyun chuckled. “Why not? You attacked me first. If it were someone else, I’d have been well within my rights to fight back. Don’t give me that nonsense about not hitting women. You two can have a good chat; I won’t waste more words.”

With that, he waved at Chao, who still stood dazed. “Don’t just stand there. Let’s go somewhere else to eat and leave these two foolish women to talk.”

“Oh… alright…” Chao finally snapped out of it and followed Lin Qingyun out.

“You… bastard…” Nangong Lingyue wanted to curse him as a scoundrel, but after Lin Qingyun’s merciless beating and scolding, she realized she was merely a pawn in someone’s game. Power struggles among wealthy families were ruthless; she’d seen it often. It was her father’s fault for not clarifying matters and insisting on honoring a promise, saying that with Lin Qingyun’s parents gone, it was all the more important not to break his word. After arguing with her own parents, she’d rushed over in anger, intending to confront Lin Qingyun.

“Miss Nangong… are you alright?” Chu Qing approached, intending to help her up.

Bang!

Suddenly, the door that had just closed was kicked open. Lin Qingyun strode back in.

He squatted before Nangong Lingyue. “Let’s make a deal. Whether you livestream or tell your parents or anyone else, you must let the world know you beat me badly, and say you don’t dare marry me. Add that you’ll hit me every time you see me until your family is no longer threatened by old jokes. That’s your message.”

Nangong Lingyue’s eyes were now so swollen she could only squint, and her lips were worse. She’d come in a hurry, without any healing pills, and Lin Qingyun had sealed her powers, so she couldn’t heal herself quickly.

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Now Lin Qingyun wanted her to cooperate, but that was impossible. She glared at him with cold fury, making it clear—he could kill her, but she would not comply.

Even Chao, who had come back with Lin Qingyun, and Chu Qing, could see it; even if he killed her, she wouldn’t cooperate.

“If you refuse, I’ll drag you outside, heal your wounds, then livestream another public beating. If you won’t cooperate on my terms, I’ll go another route—as a villain, I’ll beat you publicly.”

Lin Qingyun was unfazed, unconcerned about her refusal.

“You… dare…” Nangong Lingyue tried to stand, glaring at him, but in her current state, her rage lacked any force.

“If you obey, I have healing pills, and I can unseal your powers, let you leave with dignity. It’s your choice. As for whether I dare, just look at your swollen eyes.”

He’d already proved himself; there was no need to question his resolve.

Nangong Lingyue longed to beat Lin Qingyun herself, but she had to face reality. If she didn’t agree, he would certainly act. Yet, cooperating felt humiliating.

“Ten…”

“Hm?” Suddenly, she heard Lin Qingyun counting.

“Nine…”

She realized he was counting down.

“Eight…”

“You…” Fury threatened to explode within her. He was giving her no room, not even time to consider—forcing her consent.

“Seven…”

Lin Qingyun paid her no mind, counting steadily, one number per second.

“Six…”

When he reached six, he unceremoniously grabbed the front of her beautiful princess dress, preparing to drag her out, while in his other hand he had a pill ready, intending to force it down her throat.

“Five…”

A moment ago, Nangong Lingyue had been determined not to cooperate. She was no stranger to threats, having survived countless life-and-death trials, unafraid of dying. But she had millions of followers, and cared deeply for her reputation. She couldn’t bear to let the world see her beaten into a swollen mess in public; life would be impossible afterward.

Unfortunately, Lin Qingyun didn’t care for delicacy; he truly dared to do anything.

“Four…”

“I… agree…” Her voice trembled, her hands clenched, her body shook—she felt forced into submission, humiliated.

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“There we go.” Lin Qingyun released her, but flicked a healing pill he’d crafted into her mouth. Using such a pill for mere bruises was wasteful, but he didn’t care—a wealthy man’s whim.

“Don’t act so aggrieved, as if I were assaulting you. Think about the things you shouted, what you tried to do. What if you’d succeeded?”

“Never mind that you let yourself be used, like a fool, attacking me as a pawn. How would you explain yourself to my parents, or your father? My parents saved your father many times; is this how you repay me?”

“People are always focused on their own grievances, acting as if they’ve suffered so much. Reflect on why things turned out this way. Had you come in and spoken calmly, everything would be clear. If you’d cooled off and considered, it’d be simple. You could have asked me to help explain things to your father. But what did you do?”

“You attacked and cursed me, so now you must face the consequences. I don’t care if you hate me, or how you respond later, but you must accept your punishment. When you do wrong, you’re punished—stand up straight and take it.”

“What you do going forward is your affair. Since you’ve agreed to cooperate, don’t try any tricks. If you want to settle scores later, you know where to find me.”

Lin Qingyun took advantage of the moment as she absorbed the medicine, warning her once more.

“Wuwu… Qingyun, I’m… I’m sorry…” Before Nangong Lingyue could react, Chu Qing broke down, crying and apologizing.

She hadn’t acted against Lin Qingyun like Nangong Lingyue, nor was she involved in any engagement, but she too had been manipulated, or tempted to guide Lin Qingyun.

Nangong Lingyue, now with her eyes mostly recovered and struggling to her feet, looked at Chu Qing in disbelief. When she’d entered, Chu Qing was crying, and the atmosphere suggested something dramatic. But now, after Chu Qing’s apology and recalling the earlier conversation…

“Chu Qing, forget it. We were classmates. Though you were tempted, you didn’t harm me. You’re about to become an alchemist; you need to form your own judgments. Remember, Zhang Baole granted you tremendous benefits. Even if they seem trivial, are they really?”

“This time you tried to lure me; next, will he ask you to seduce me, spy on me, betray me? Think about it. He’s deliberately drawing you in, whether at school or elsewhere. Some things are left unsaid, but as you sink deeper, imagine the consequences.”

“You have many options—your academic performance is excellent, your future promising. You could approach pharmaceutical companies or universities for cooperation. With hope of becoming a high-level alchemist, as long as you prove your worth, your problems can be solved.”

He’d intended to finish his conversation with Chu Qing, but was interrupted by Nangong Lingyue’s arrival. If not for Chu Qing’s repeated apologies, Lin Qingyun would have left it at that.

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