Finest Servant - Chapter 222

Chapter 222 I Hate You To Death

Among the crowd, a few key members of the Hung Hing faction were the most ruthless. They savagely kicked at Wu Zhenghu’s legs. Wu Zhenghu’s terrible screams resounded in the air, and Lin Wanrong could even hear the sound of his leg bones breaking.

“Sigh, it seems that the Black Dragon Association has truly provoked public outrage,” said Lin Wanrong in feigned sympathy. “Miss Tao, you see, I kept reminding everyone not to use violence. But this Wu fellow provoked the crowd’s wrath to such an extent that we couldn’t stop it.” Seeing that Wu Zhenghu was barely breathing, more inhaling than exhaling, he knew that even if Wu Zhenghu didn’t die, he was close to it.

Tao Wanying gave him a glance but said nothing. Seeing Wu Zhenghu completely subdued, Dong Qingshan nodded at Lin Wanrong. He waved his hand, and the Hung Hing’s men swiftly and silently moved away.

Just as the Hung Hing members disappeared from sight, a loud battle cry was heard in the distance. A team of cavalry was approaching. Leading them was Cheng Ruinian, son of Cheng De.

The rescuers had arrived, but too late. Lin Wanrong chuckled and signaled to a few members of the Xiao family. Their house guards promptly retreated back to their workshop. Only Wu Zhenghu, with his broken limbs and frothing mouth, was left lying on the ground. Even if he were lucky enough to survive, he would be a cripple.

Cheng Ruinian led his cavalry to the scene. The area was already devoid of people. Looking at the scattered black clothes, the bloodstains, and the nearly dead Wu Zhenghu, Cheng Ruinian turned pale. Riding his horse around twice, he scanned the area unwillingly before finally gesturing harshly: “Let’s go—” Two soldiers stepped forward to pick up Wu Zhenghu, and the group quickly retreated.

Miss Xiao, who was in the workshop, had seen everything clearly. She breathed a sigh of relief when everyone had left. Looking at Lin Wanrong, she asked, “What should we do now? Should we just go back?”

Lin Wanrong shook his head. Cheng Ruinian had just retreated, and the outside situation was still unstable. After a moment of thought, he said, “Let’s send someone clever to scout the area. If there are no more soldiers nearby, we can return to our mansion.”

This was a prudent plan, and Madam Xiao also nodded, “Lin San’s proposal makes sense. We should wait a little longer before leaving. Yuruo, although today’s events happened suddenly, our house responded appropriately. Xiao Feng and Si De have rendered meritorious service, and Lin San is the most commendable. After returning to the mansion, we should reward them heavily.”

“Madam, you flatter me,” Lin Wanrong chuckled. “The Xiao family and I, we’re like fish and water, sharing the same breath and destiny. None of us is superior to the other. I was simply doing my duty.”

Miss Xiao gave him a smile, “You always know how to say the right things, but don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

‘What am I up to? If it were the Second Miss Xiao accusing me, it might make sense, but you, forget it, I wouldn’t bother with your suspicions.’

Tao Wanying held Xiao Yuruo’s hand and said, “Sister Yuruo, there should be no more trouble here. I should also take my leave. We failed to guard you properly today and caused you some alarm. I hope you won’t blame us.”

Under such circumstances, Tao Wanying had come to help, alone. Though she could not provide much physical assistance, her intentions were pure. Miss Xiao was moved and held her hand tightly, saying, “Wanying, thank you for today. Whatever happened before, let’s put it behind us. From now on, we’re close sisters. We should spend more time together and no more misunderstandings should come between us.”

Tao Wanying didn’t know why, but she felt incredibly aggrieved. At these words, she threw herself into Miss Xiao’s arms and sobbed, “Sister Yuruo, I, I, thank you.”

She had always thought that she had been defiled and that life held no more joy for her. It was Lin San who had awakened her, finding experienced midwives to check her condition, revealing that her fears were just her own imagination. The shock and relief made her emotions roller-coaster from the abyss to the sky, a contrast too extreme for ordinary people to comprehend. With no one to share these feelings, and Miss Xiao’s words being especially heartwarming, Tao Wanying recalled her experiences during this period and could not help but weep.

How much better has her Xiao family fared than her? Seeing her cry, Eldest Miss Xiao couldn’t help but feel sad. Her own tears started to fall, and the two women held each other, crying together.

‘Damn, why are you crying for no reason when the situation hasn’t been resolved?’ Lin Wanrong was quite annoyed. He couldn’t help but cough twice and say, “Miss, let’s focus on the matter at hand.”

Miss Xiao quickly wiped her tears, gave him an embarrassed look, and said to Wanying, “Dear sister, you should go home for today. Once things calm down, we’ll have a proper chat.”

Tao Wanying simply hummed in agreement, wiped her tears, and walked towards the door. She mounted her horse, glanced at Lin Wanrong, and said, “Lin San, I’ll forever remember your kindness.” With a clench of her teeth, she lashed the reins, and the horse took off. In no time, she disappeared from everyone’s sight.

This girl seems to have changed quite a bit, Lin Wanrong thought, watching Wanying’s retreating figure.

Miss Xiao gave him a look and sighed, “Look at the mess you’ve made. A perfectly good woman scared into such a state by you.”

“Eldest Miss, aren’t you too sympathetic? When Miss Tao was doing evil before, you didn’t say she was a perfectly good woman,” Lin Wanrong smirked. “Now you see her changed and consider her a good woman in your eyes, and I become the villain? That doesn’t make sense. Besides, if I hadn’t done a good deed, could she have become as obedient as she is now? Curing her illness without charging her was already a bargain.”

Eldest Miss Xiao looked at him and smiled, “Alright, I can’t win against you. You’ve done a great service today, how would you like me to reward you?”

“Forget it, I’m used to doing such things every day. If you really want to reward me, you’d never finish,” Lin Wanrong shook his head and declined.

From creating perfumes and soaps to stabilizing the situation at the Sunshine and Rain Restaurant in Hangzhou, Lin San’s contributions were clear for all to see, and Xiao Yuruo was no exception. It could be said that Lin San had saved the Xiao family single-handedly. As for rewards, she truly didn’t know what would be appropriate.

However, Eldest Miss Xiao was very clear about Lin Wanrong’s “wild ambitions”. She glanced at him and said quietly, “Our family has managed to bounce back, all thanks to your efforts. But I wonder how long you can stay with the Xiao family?”

This was a tough question. With Lin San’s capabilities, he couldn’t possibly stay with the Xiao family forever. Miss Xiao’s tone was somewhat desolate, and Lin Wanrong could only sigh. Despite their frequent disagreements, their long-term collaboration had forged a strong friendship.

“No one can predict the future. But rest assured, Eldest Miss, even if I leave the Xiao family someday, my heart will always be here. You can always count on me if there’s trouble. As you know, I’m quite extraordinary. There’s hardly anything I can’t handle,” Lin Wanrong said, grinning cheekily.

“What’s this about leaving but keeping your heart here? That sounds unpleasant,” Eldest Miss Xiao’s mood lightened a bit hearing his playful tone. “You’re the type who lies nine times out of ten, I don’t trust you. I bet you’ll forget all about us the moment you step out of the Xiao family.”

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, refusing to continue this topic, and earnestly said, “Eldest Miss, considering the situation tonight, I fear something significant will happen in Jinling. This workshop is our foundation. To avoid disaster, we need to strengthen our defenses.”

“Exactly,” Xiao Yuruo agreed, raising her eyebrows. “We should pick some loyal and capable people from our family servants to guard this workshop. We should also hire martial artists to train them. We cannot afford any mishaps here.”

Once this plan was mentioned to Madam Xiao, she readily agreed and urged Eldest Miss Xiao to get to it. Lin Wanrong had calculated this all along. The perfume and soap businesses were his industries, and the basis for his future wealth. He could only entrust them to his own people. His key player was Hung Hing, whom he had nurtured personally. He planned to have Qingshan select some loyal and capable brothers to join in. Hung Hing was his man, and the Xiao family was his. He intended to form an alliance of triads and merchants. Let’s see who dared to provoke him then.

“Second Miss is here, Second Miss is here—” There was a commotion outside, and a carriage screeched to a halt in front of the workshop. Xiao Yushuang hastily jumped off and shouted, “Lin San, Lin San, where are you—”

Eldest Miss Xiao rushed forward, alarmed, “Yushuang, why are you here? It’s not safe outside, why did you come out?”

Second Miss Xiao threw herself into her sister’s arms, urgently saying, “Sister, where’s Lin San, where is he?”

Xiao Yuruo gently patted her sister’s shoulder, asking with concern, “Why are you looking for him?”

Tears brimmed in Xiao Yushuang’s eyes as she said, “Sister, Lin San has taken some people out to fight. By the time I got the news, they had already disappeared. That man, he always bullies me in his free time, he’s not one to fight. What if he gets hurt? He’s such a scoundrel. Doesn’t he know how worried I am? Sister, please save him, sister—”

‘Bully you? Am I that bad?’ Lin Wanrong wiped his cold sweat. Seeing the young girl cry like a pear tree in the rain, he was deeply moved.

Upon seeing Yushuang’s deep affection for Lin San, Eldest Miss Xiao let out a slight sigh, her expression somewhat gloomy. Catching Lin San hiding in the corner and chuckling, she bit her lip in irritation, “Are you very pleased? Lin San, I hate you!”

“Lin San?” Second Miss Xiao exclaimed, quickly lifting her gaze. Lin Wanrong adjusted his small hat nonchalantly, waved, and said casually, “Hi, Second Miss, I’m here—”

“Lin San—” Second Miss Xiao was both shocked and delighted. She covered her cherry lips with her hand, stared at him for a few moments, and then the tears started falling. “You scoundrel, you’re absolutely awful—”

Eldest Miss Xiao’s eyes blazed with fury. She glared at Lin San, then lightly patted her sister’s shoulder, “He is indeed a scoundrel, Yushuang, don’t be afraid. From now on, I’ll help you deal with him.”