Chapter 457: Chapter 457: Severing All Ties
"Yes, all three of us were hired by the Jiaoci Medical Equipment Factory," Wang Yuejin said, putting on airs.
He was probably annoyed by the sight of the Xu family, or maybe he just wanted the Xu Brothers to see them in a better light, so he went ahead and admitted it.
The girl who looked like an immortal had already told them they’d passed the assessment. She’d even given them motorcycles.
But that was something he didn’t want to brag about to the Xu family.
Wang Yuejin knew the Xu Brothers had a terrible impression of him, but he didn’t care anymore.
He was utterly disappointed in Xu Lin, to the point of disgust. He could have understood if she’d just rejected him.
But she never said so, letting him believe she was still considering it. That’s why he’d been chasing after her all this time.
"How is that possible? Do you have any idea how many people are fighting tooth and nail to get into the Jiaoci Medical Equipment Factory?" the eldest Xu grandson challenged, full of disbelief.
Xu Haifeng’s face was also a mask of incredulity. "He’s right. The Jiaoci Medical Equipment Factory is a modern enterprise; you need connections to get in. You shouldn’t just make things up. People get beaten up for less."
"Believe it or not, I don’t care. Brother Yuejin, let’s go. We’re never coming to see Xu Lin again," Wang Dashu said, his voice low.
’The more powerful the family, the more schemes they have. The Lin Family mother and daughter tried to trick me into marrying into their family!’
’They painted such a rosy picture that I actually started considering it.’
’It’s terrifying to think about now. If I had married into the Lin Family, I would’ve been no different from a slave in ancient times!’
"Alright. Dashu, Gou Sheng, let’s go."
After speaking, Wang Yuejin glanced at Xu Haifeng, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. He had always respected him.
"Wait! You think you can just leave that easily? Wang Yuejin, don’t you have anything you want to explain to me?"
Xu Lin called out to him. ’This country bumpkin follows me around every day, and it’s so annoying. But now that he’s talking about cutting all ties, I feel reluctant to let him go.’
’After all, these country bumpkins give me clothes and delicious food every day, and they’ve never tried to get handsy with me.’
’If I don’t take his hand, he absolutely never tries to hold mine. Aside from his low status as a country bumpkin, he’s not bad-looking.’
"Explain? Why should I have to explain anything to you? If we’re settling scores, you’re the one who owes us. We don’t owe you a single thing!" Wang Yuejin said coldly.
"Didn’t you come to the Imperial City to court me?"
"Yeah, we came with Brother Yuejin to court you, but not only did you lead him on, you tried to get us thrown in jail."
The more Wang Dashu spoke, the angrier he became, his eyes blazing with fury and resentment.
"You’re standing right here, perfectly fine, aren’t you? What harm did I ever do to you?" Xu Lin stomped her foot in a huff.
"Xu Lin, it’s true that I once made it my life’s goal to marry you. In the Imperial City, your Xu Family is considered wealthy and influential."
"I always felt I was punching above my weight, so I never dared to complain when you were hot and cold with me. After all, I was the one pursuing you."
"But who would have thought that a malicious rich girl like you would actually try to get me and my brothers thrown in prison."
"If you didn’t want me pursuing you, you should have just said so. If you had told me straight up..."
"...and I kept harassing you, then I’d have nothing to say if you wanted to send me to prison."
"But you! You accepted my gifts, pretending we were dating, while scheming behind my back to have us thrown in jail."
"I never would have imagined it. Xu Lin, we’re through. From now on, I won’t give you a second glance."
After speaking, Wang Yuejin swung his leg over the motorcycle again, and Wang Dashu and Gou Sheng quickly followed suit.
"You... How can you blame me? I..." Xu Lin put on an innocent, aggrieved expression.
"You what? Are you going to say I forced you? That you’re going to report me for harassment?" Wang Yuejin shot back with a sneer.
Xu Lin bit her lip. Without denying it, she said demurely, "That’s right. You forced me. Have you no self-awareness? A country bumpkin like you could never be worthy of me."
"HA HA..." Wang Yuejin threw his head back and laughed. "I’m not worthy of you? Then why were you chasing after me every day, calling me ’Brother Yuejin’?"
Xu Lin stomped her foot in fury. She had been treated like a princess her entire life, the center of everyone’s universe. She was used to being showered with praise; when had she ever been cornered like this?
"Calling you ’brother’ was my way of honoring you! Your Wang Family must have done something right in a past life to deserve it. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"
Her words only made Wang Yuejin more furious. "Let me tell you something! If you hadn’t been the one chasing me around and calling me ’brother’ in the first place, would I even know who you are? If you hadn’t given me your address, how would I have known where you lived?"
"A country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin. So clueless. Playing innocent after taking advantage of me..."
"That’s enough!" Xu Haifeng couldn’t take it anymore and roared. He turned angrily to his sister. "Linlin, let’s go home."
After being half-pulled, half-carried into the car by Su Shuochi, Gu Jiaojiao recounted everything that had happened to her that day.
She went over everything, from meeting the foreign expert that morning and how Frank had asked to be her apprentice, to the Lin Family causing trouble, and finally, the run-in with the men in black.
Geng Haoyi’s blood was pumping with excitement as he listened. "Gu Jiao, you’re incredible! No wonder those people want you dead."
"You’re saying the agents have a mole inside the school?" Gu Jiaojiao asked. ’I’d already suspected as much.’
The men in black this time weren’t after her because she was the Divine Doctor, which meant her identity as the Divine Doctor hadn’t been exposed.
"I’m not too sure about the details myself. Gu Jiao, I’ll drop you home first. Su and I have to go make a report."
Geng Haoyi planned to drive Gu Jiaojiao home first, since he and Su Shuochi had to go report to his grandfather.
"Let’s all go. Jiaojiao was a witness; she can tell Elder Geng some of the details," Su Shuochi said, squeezing her hand, unwilling to let go.
"Are you two hungry? Have some snacks to tide you over. We can get a proper meal later."
As she spoke, Gu Jiaojiao pulled out some savory braised pig’s trotters and several other snacks from her magical backpack.
"Gu Jiao, you carry this many snacks with you every day?" Geng Haoyi asked in surprise.
"Yep. Better to be prepared. Besides, they aren’t heavy," Gu Jiaojiao said with a perfectly straight face.
’It wasn’t exactly a lie. After all, her pocket dimension went everywhere with her, so it was basically the same as carrying them.’
Su Shuochi tore open a package of the savory braised pig’s trotters and handed it to Geng Haoyi. "You can eat while you drive, right?"
"Su, I can open it myself. Just toss a couple more packs on the passenger seat. You and Gu Jiao go ahead and eat, don’t worry about me."
Geng Haoyi let out a goofy laugh. He’d had these savory braised pig’s trotters a few times before, always courtesy of Su.
He’d tried looking for them at the department store and the Overseas Chinese Store with no luck. ’Gu Jiao must make them herself,’ he thought. ’They’re absolutely delicious.’
Without another word, Su Shuochi tossed him a few more packages. Then he tore open one for Gu Jiaojiao and handed it to her. "Here, darling, you eat first."
By the time they’d eaten their fill, they had arrived at Elder Geng’s government compound. They were only allowed inside after passing through multiple security checkpoints.
It was dusk by then, the city’s lights just beginning to glow. Elder Geng was clearly waiting for them.
