The police took Liang Xu's body away. Lin Xiao Tian watched Liang Xu being carried out, feeling an immense sense of desolation.
Liang Xu hadn't genuinely intended to threaten him. Everything he had done was to repay a debt of gratitude to Lin Xiao Tian. He had even sacrificed his life for this favor.
However, Liang Xu hadn't told Lin Xiao Tian the real reason for helping Fang Wen Hua. Lin Xiao Tian had no idea what kind of deal existed between them. But Lin Xiao Tian didn't seek out the answer. As Liang Xu had said before he died, doing so would alert the enemy.
Fang Wen Hua was a troublesome opponent. He had been meticulously preparing to deal with the Lin family for years and was already ready for the current situation. He was now a hidden threat to the Lin family, and Lin Xiao Tian had to resolve him quickly, or the troubles would only pile up. After all, Lin Li Wen now had a child, and no one could guarantee that Fang Wen Hua wouldn't exploit this in the future.
Since he was part of the Lin family, Lin Xiao Tian naturally had to consider their interests. Moreover, Fang Wen Hua had shown him no mercy, constantly monitoring him.
Lin Xiao Tian warned Bai Xue to be careful recently before leaving the villa.
Shortly after, his phone vibrated. Lin Xiao Tian opened it to find an anonymous email. The email contained an audio file. Lin Xiao Tian put on his earphones and listened intently to the voice within. This was the last thing Liang Xu had left for him.
"Go to the ancient street!" Lin Xiao Tian said to Xiao Ming.
Not long after, Lin Xiao Tian arrived at the ancient street. After passing through a few secluded alleyways, Lin Xiao Tian familiarized himself with the route and knocked on the door of a house.
"Who is it?" a childish voice asked from inside.
"Nannan, it's me, Brother Xiao Tian."
"Brother Xiao Tian?"
Through his spiritual sense, Lin Xiao Tian saw Nannan climbing towards the window and peeking out through the gap at Lin Xiao Tian.
Soon, the door was opened.
"Brother Xiao Tian, why are you here?" Nannan blinked her eyes.
Behind Nannan stood a little boy, who also had poor health and a pale complexion due to a congenital condition. Lin Xiao Tian patted Nannan's head. "I'm here to pick you up."
"Where's Daddy? I don't see Daddy?" Nannan looked around. But besides Lin Xiao Tian and Xiao Ming, who followed behind him, there was no one else.
Lin Xiao Tian crouched down, looking directly into the little girl's eyes. He remained silent for a moment, unable to speak. Facing two innocent children, Lin Xiao Tian couldn't bear to tell them about Liang Xu's death.
"Uncle Xu... I've arranged other matters for him, and he'll be gone for a long time. So, for now, I'll have to take care of you."
Nannan looked at Lin Xiao Tian, her brows furrowed. But remembering what her father had said before, she finally nodded. However, the little boy behind her hadn't moved.
"Xiao Yue, why aren't you coming? Are you feeling unwell?" Nannan, being sensible, ran to her brother's side.
The boy, Xiao Yue, gave Lin Xiao Tian a deep look and then whispered a few words into Nannan's ear. His voice was low, but Lin Xiao Tian heard it clearly. The boy was very cautious and didn't trust Lin Xiao Tian at all. For such a young child to be so cautious, if properly nurtured, he would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.
Hearing her brother's words, Nannan looked from him to Lin Xiao Tian, caught in a dilemma. Lin Xiao Tian thought for a moment and then said to Xiao Yue, "Can I speak with you alone?"
Xiao Yue nodded. Xiao Ming took charge of looking after Nannan while Lin Xiao Tian went into the house with Xiao Yue. Lin Xiao Tian had paid Liang Xu a lot of money, but Liang Xu had never moved out of his old place, which Lin Xiao Tian found puzzling.
"You can speak now," Xiao Yue said, looking up at Lin Xiao Tian. "What happened to my father?" Xiao Yue's sharp mind had immediately guessed that something might have happened to Liang Xu.
Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath and finally revealed the news of Liang Xu's death. Upon hearing about his father's demise, Xiao Yue burst into tears. Lin Xiao Tian could feel Xiao Yue trying to control his emotions, likely not wanting his sister outside to worry. He even covered his mouth as he cried. Xiao Yue sniffled hard, but his tears continued to fall. After a while, he managed to calm down. Lin Xiao Tian wiped his tears. Since Xiao Yue was already pale, his crying wasn't immediately obvious.
The siblings were eventually taken from the ancient street. Lin Xiao Tian brought them into the Lin family, where they could receive an education, which would be beneficial for them. After handling these matters, Lin Xiao Tian began to cultivate. However, after Liang Xu's incident, Lin Xiao Tian was feeling troubled. Coincidentally, Qin Yu Xiang was visiting the Qin family, and there was no one around to talk to.
Just then, Xue Zi Yan sent Lin Xiao Tian a message, inviting him to try the new dishes at the Jin Yuan Grand Hotel. Lin Xiao Tian agreed.
Not long after, Lin Xiao Tian arrived at the Jin Yuan Grand Hotel. He hadn't been here for a long time. He was greeted by Xiao Zhi, who was now the hotel's lobby manager. It was thanks to Xiao Zhi that Lin Xiao Tian had the opportunity to sell his fish when he first entered the city. Under Xiao Zhi's guidance, Lin Xiao Tian met Xue Zi Yan.
Xue Zi Yan was still as beautiful and sexy as ever, dressed in a professional suit, a work skirt paired with black stockings, a white scarf tied at her chest, and her long hair tied back in a ponytail, giving her a capable aura.
"You've come at the perfect time. We've just finished preparing the new dishes; you should try them," Xue Zi Yan said, then signaled a waiter to bring out the food.
There were ten dishes in total, primarily fish, all sourced from Lin Xiao Tian's supply. Lin Xiao Tian tasted one, and the flavor was excellent. These fish were caught near Black Mountain, and their taste was naturally different from ordinary freshwater fish.
"How is it?" Xue Zi Yan looked into Lin Xiao Tian's eyes.
"It's very delicious," Lin Xiao Tian said with a smile.
Xue Zi Yan pouted. "You're so perfunctory."
"I'm not, it's genuinely delicious," Lin Xiao Tian replied, taking a few more bites. However, the desolation on his face didn't escape Xue Zi Yan's notice. Liang Xu's death had made it impossible for Lin Xiao Tian to be happy.
Xue Zi Yan didn't argue with Lin Xiao Tian but instead opened a bottle of white wine. "What can relieve sorrow but Duke Kang? This is the finest white wine only our most distinguished guests can enjoy. Try some." Xue Zi Yan poured wine for Lin Xiao Tian as she spoke.
Lin Xiao Tian sighed. This woman was truly clever; nothing could be hidden from her. In the time that followed, Xue Zi Yan accompanied Lin Xiao Tian, chatting with him. As the hotel owner, Xue Zi Yan was skilled at conversation. Unconsciously, Lin Xiao Tian had drunk a lot. However, as a cultivator, a few bottles of white wine were no problem for him. It was Xue Zi Yan who, as she drank, started to blush. Seeing that Xue Zi Yan was a little tipsy, Lin Xiao Tian helped her back to her office to rest.
Just as Lin Xiao Tian was helping Xue Zi Yan onto the office sofa and preparing to leave, he felt his hand being pulled. Looking down, he saw Xue Zi Yan gazing at him with hazy, enchanting eyes.