Lin Xiao Tian looked at Lin Li Wen’s innocent expression, his heart filled with conflict.
He knew better than anyone else why Fang Wen Hua had disappeared.
When Lin Xiao Tian had captured Fang Hai earlier and interrogated him, he learned that Fang Wen Hua might be involved.
Combining this with Li De Ping’s confession, a not-so-mature deduction formed in Lin Xiao Tian’s mind.
The conclusion to this deduction was finally provided by Fang Hai’s family. It turned out that Fang Wen Hua was the one who had sent Fang Hai to ambush Lin Xiao Tian.
What shocked Lin Xiao Tian even more was that the assassin Lin Li Wen had encountered at the hotel banquet was also acting under Fang Wen Hua’s orders.
Fang Wen Hua had intended to sow discord between the Lin family and the Jiang family, as they were the only ones capable of such an act at the time.
Lin Xiao Tian’s appearance, however, had thwarted his plan.
However, Fang Hai’s situation couldn’t be kept from Fang Wen Hua. He then had Liang Xu take Lin Xiao Tian to a secluded mountain, intending to eliminate him, but Lin Xiao Tian escaped.
From the current situation, Lin Xiao Tian and Fang Wen Hua were already enemies.
With Fang Wen Hua attempting to murder Lin Xiao Tian, he could never let such a deep-seated hatred go easily.
Therefore, facing Lin Li Wen, Lin Xiao Tian appeared extremely conflicted.
Regardless of Fang Wen Hua’s actions, Lin Li Wen was innocent, especially since she was pregnant.
Lin Xiao Tian dared not tell her about Fang Wen Hua, and facing her request, he could only pretend to agree.
In reality, at this point, both sides were already irreconcilably opposed.
Lin Xiao Tian could not tolerate Fang Wen Hua’s existence threatening him, and Fang Wen Hua was also certain that Lin Xiao Tian would not let him go. The two were like fire and water.
After bidding farewell to Lin Li Wen, Lin Xiao Tian did not return to his room but walked in the garden.
The Lin family’s garden was vast, the entire estate meticulously decorated like a palace, but Lin Xiao Tian had no inclination to appreciate the scenery. As he walked, someone appeared ahead.
“Grandmother.”
Lin Xiao Tian looked at the old woman before him.
The old lady sighed and walked up to Lin Xiao Tian, “Are you feeling pressured?”
Lin Xiao Tian nodded.
“Do you know why I publicly announced that you were a descendant of the Lin family?” the old lady asked Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian shook his head.
“I was forcing you to make a decision today.”
Lin Xiao Tian did not understand, “What do you mean?”
“Although you would be wary of Fang Wen Hua, I know you would never kill him. It’s because you are too sentimental. Out of past affection, even if you eventually inherited the Lin family, Fang Wen Hua would still be well, and his strength might even grow under your leadership.”
“But I don’t want that.”
“I want you to deal with him.”
“Because his existence poses endless future troubles for you, and for the entire Lin family,” the old lady said earnestly.
Only then did Lin Xiao Tian understand why the old lady had initially asked him to keep his identity a secret, and then later stepped forward to acknowledge him as a descendant of the Lin family.
Everything she did was to force Lin Xiao Tian to make a decision.
Fang Wen Hua was ambitious. Upon learning of Lin Xiao Tian’s identity, he would undoubtedly do everything in his power to deal with Lin Xiao Tian for his own position, even resorting to assassination.
At that point, Lin Xiao Tian would have no choice but to disregard past sentiments. The old lady understood Lin Xiao Tian; she knew he wasn’t someone who would let things slide.
“I will appease Li Wen. Rest assured, I will keep her at ease. You just do what you need to do.”
The old lady then turned and left.
Lin Xiao Tian watched the old lady’s figure recede, finally making up his mind.
Being merciful to an enemy is cruelty to oneself.
If Fang Wen Hua were not dealt with, given his nature, he would undoubtedly cause a lot of trouble for Lin Xiao Tian in the future.
Just then, Xiao Ming sent a message.
“Young Master, Liang Xu’s whereabouts have been found.”
“Where?”
“At…” Xiao Ming paused on the phone before stating the location.
Lin Xiao Tian was surprised.
Wasn’t this Bai Xue’s residence?
“I’ll be there immediately!”
Lin Xiao Tian hung up the phone and left.
Not long after, Lin Xiao Tian arrived at the scene.
A large number of police officers had already gathered outside. Xiao Ming briefed Lin Xiao Tian on the situation: Bai Xue was currently being held hostage by Liang Xu, but her life was not in immediate danger.
Both sides had been at a stalemate for a long time. Liang Xu had taken many hostages, including Bai Xue and her mother, as well as innocent residents from the surrounding area.
Liang Xu's counter-surveillance skills were excellent, and the police had no effective solution to rescue the hostages without risking their lives.
“What are his demands?” Lin Xiao Tian asked.
Since Liang Xu hadn’t killed Bai Xue but instead taken her hostage, it indicated a possibility for negotiation.
“He requested to see you,” Xiao Ming said, looking at Lin Xiao Tian. “He has a gun.”
Lin Xiao Tian frowned.
But he could not ignore Bai Xue’s safety.
“Let me talk to him first!”
The police quickly contacted Liang Xu, informing him that Lin Xiao Tian had arrived.
The next moment, Lin Xiao Tian received a call from Liang Xu.
“Come in alone,” Liang Xu said only one sentence before abruptly hanging up.
Lin Xiao Tian pondered for a moment, then decided to go in.
He knew Liang Xu well; if his demands weren’t met, he would never surrender.
The police tried to dissuade Lin Xiao Tian from acting rashly, and Xiao Ming repeatedly tried to stop him. But Lin Xiao Tian was resolute, and they could only compromise.
The police provided Lin Xiao Tian with a bulletproof vest, and then he entered the villa.
The villa had automatic doors that could be opened remotely. After Lin Xiao Tian entered, Liang Xu closed the door.
Lin Xiao Tian used his divine sense to scan and easily located Liang Xu’s position.
At this moment, Liang Xu’s phone rang again. “Go upstairs, the first bedroom.”
Liang Xu hadn’t lied about his location; it was indeed where he was. Lin Xiao Tian complied and went upstairs.
The bedroom door opened, revealing Bai Xue’s terrified face first. Several other hostages were bound and gagged, their mouths taped, including Bai Xue’s mother.
Behind Bai Xue, Liang Xu held a gun to her.
“Xiao Tian, we meet again,” Liang Xu said, looking at Lin Xiao Tian with a gentle expression.
Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath. “Why are you looking for me? Do you want to kill me?”
In Lin Xiao Tian’s opinion, Liang Xu was doing this for himself. Previously, he had been willing to crash his car to kill Lin Xiao Tian, and his objective this time was likely the same.
“No! I’m here to talk to you,” Liang Xu replied.
“Alright! Then speak. I’m listening,” Lin Xiao Tian said flatly.
The betrayal before him made it difficult for him to respect the man as he once did.
Liang Xu smiled.
His smile grew increasingly sad.