Chapter 1631: Chapter 1933: Deception (Part 1)
"Zhu Qian, I’ve said so much, let me be clear: you should know how much debt the Zhu Family owes the Lin Family. With the current income of the Zhu Family, it won’t be paid off even in twenty years. However, as long as Zhu Qing marries Ziyang, I can decide to waive one-third of the Zhu Family’s debt. I’m already showing a lot of sincerity, now it’s up to you."
"I..." Zhu Qian glanced at Zhu Qing, who was lightly biting her thin lip, hesitated for a moment, and nodded, "Alright then..."
"Wait! Family Head, for such a big matter, you should think it over before making a decision."
As the voice came, everyone turned their heads to look, only to see Ling Chen walking in from the entrance of the main hall. Zhu Houchang frowned slightly and said, "Mr. Ling, this is Zhu Family’s matter, please don’t interfere."
Ling Chen smiled slightly, "Mr. Zhu, I’m not speaking to you as a business client of the Zhu Family now, but as a friend of Zhu Qing. This concerns her lifelong happiness, and as her friend, I naturally care about it." Saying this, he found a seat for himself and sat down, looking at Lin Rong and Lin Ziyang opposite him, "You two, Zhu Qing is unwilling to marry into your Lin Family, why are you stubbornly forcing her? Your Lin Family is big and wealthy, surely you have no shortage of women to choose from, if you ask me, you shouldn’t force it, a forced melon is not sweet."
"You are Ling Chen?" Lin Rong scrutinized Ling Chen coldly and said, "This is our family’s private matter. We don’t need an outsider like you interfering. I advise you not to meddle, lest you invite trouble for yourself."
Ling Chen laughed indifferently, "I value friendship above all, and would do anything for a friend. Since Zhu Qing is my friend, this matter is not idle to me at all. Instead, I advise you not to overdo it in life and affairs, it’s best to leave room for yourself."
Hearing this, Lin Rong squinted and said, "What do you mean by that?"
"Lin Family Master, I think you know well in your heart, why make it so explicit? In short, Zhu Qing will not marry Lin Ziyang, even if the Zhu Family agrees, I won’t agree." Saying this, Ling Chen turned to Zhu Qian, "Family Head, I apologize in advance if there’s any disrespect, please forgive me."
"Ling Chen!" Lin Ziyang, who had been standing behind Lin Rong, shouted angrily, "It looks like you’re tired of living. Get out of here immediately, or I’ll make sure you won’t leave alive."
"Mr. Lin, what you say really scares me. However, since your attempt to assassinate me at the night market failed, do you think you have another chance now?"
At these words, Lin Ziyang’s expression changed instantly, hurriedly saying, "Don’t falsely accuse me, I haven’t done anything."
Ling Chen replied with a sly smile, "Whether you did or not, the Zhu Family should know best. Family Head, am I not right?" My safety in Dengzhou City is managed by the Zhu Family; besides Zhu Qing who is always by my side, there are quite a few Zhu Family elites following secretly. Therefore, the Zhu Family must know about my assassination encounter at the night market. However, due to the relationship between the Zhu Family and the Lin Family, as long as no one initiates this matter, the Zhu Family will certainly turn a blind eye, pretending nothing happened."
Faced with Ling Chen’s inquiry, Zhu Qian did not give a direct response but diverted the topic elsewhere.
"Ling Chen, can you do me a favor and not intervene in this matter anymore? I know you care about Zhu Qing, but this involves the Zhu Family regulations. If exceptions are made because of you, how can the Zhu Family demand anything from other disciples in the future?"
"Family Head, I heard about the marriage alliance between the Zhu Family and the Lin Family from Zhu Qing. Honestly, in this day and age, you’re still arranging marriages, which is illegal. You should keep up with the times, advocate for free love, and not sacrifice the lifelong happiness of Zhu Family disciples for family bloodline and development." Ling Chen advised sincerely, "Family Head, over the centuries, too many have sacrificed their happiness for the growth and continuity of the Zhu Family. If this continues, the Zhu Family will inevitably be ruined by its own members."
Zhu Qian sighed lightly and said, "Ling Chen, I understand everything you said, but we have our own difficulties."
"Difficulties?" Ling Chen shook his head and said, "Family Head, I understand the difficulties you mentioned, but what I want to say is that the Zhu Family ended up in its current predicament because you trusted others too easily. If it weren’t for the Lin Family, you wouldn’t be in this suffering."
"Ling Chen, what are you saying?" Lin Ziyang shouted, "You’d better watch your words and not falsely accuse people."
"Have I falsely accused you?" Ling Chen replied with a meaningful smile.
"Enough!" Lin Rong said coldly, "Zhu Qian, I’ve had enough of this person, please get him out immediately, don’t let him spout nonsense here."
"Lin Family Master, is it because I struck your sore spot that you’re afraid to let me continue talking?"
Lin Rong snorted lightly, "My Lin Family has never regretted any conduct, so why should I fear anything? I just don’t want you, an outsider, damaging our relationship between the two families." Saying this, he looked at Zhu Qian, "The Zhu Family and Lin Family are old friends, you know us best. Over the years, whenever the Zhu Family faced financial difficulties, our Lin Family would unhesitatingly lend a helping hand, helping you through tough times. Now, an outsider defames my Lin Family in your presence, attempting to sow discord between our families. Are you going to just sit back and ignore it? Well! Since you’re keen on supporting him, I won’t say much more. Let’s settle accounts today, pay off the debt the Zhu Family owes to the Lin Family completely, and from now on, our two families will regard each other as strangers."
"Lin Family Master, please calm down," Zhu Houchang interjected, "We do not intend to support Ling Chen, but..." He hesitated for a moment before walking over to Ling Chen, saying, "Mr. Ling, you should return to your room first. We’ll handle Zhu Family matters ourselves."
Ling Chen glanced at Zhu Qian, who remained silent, and couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Family Head, I get it; the Zhu Family’s biggest problem is being too rigid, remembering the Lin Family’s kindness to you, thereby allowing them to have their way. Alas! It’s a pity, the Zhu Family once thrived in the martial arts world, but now must endure such bullying from them. If it were me, I would have wiped them out long ago."
"Ling Chen, don’t be excessive," Zhu Qian said sternly, "The Lin Family is a friend to the Zhu Family, you’re not allowed to speak of them that way."
"Family Head, you consider the Lin Family a friend, but they don’t consider you a friend. Instead, the Zhu Family is unwittingly manipulated by them like fools." Saying this, Ling Chen turned his focus to Lin Rong and Lin Ziyang nearby.
"Ling Chen, don’t be too arrogant," the Zhu Family was very angry.
