Perhaps Jiang Tian could claim self-defense. But Li Pengtao knew plenty of high-powered lawyers, and with enough money thrown at the case, Jiang Tian would undoubtedly lose.
The Jiang family did have some influence, but that was in Jinling. This was Lingnan, a different province altogether, and the Jiang family’s reach simply didn’t extend here.
“He harassed you first, and he still has the nerve to act like he’s in the right? Does he even have the face to sue?” Jiang Tian sneered.
“Li Pengtao is a master of disguise. He always puts on this act of being a kind, honest elder. My dad and stepmom already don’t like you. Who do you think they’ll believe—you or Li Pengtao?” Zhao Xueqing said, her voice tinged with frustration.
Jiang Tian remained calm, a faint smile on his lips. “Don’t worry. Even if he tries to sue, I have ways to deal with him.”
“What ways could you possibly have? No matter how this turns out, just promise me you won’t get into fights or lose your temper like that again!” Zhao Xueqing snapped, her voice rising. “I’m already exhausted from working overtime and dealing with all these social obligations. Can you please stop causing trouble for me?”
“My dear wife, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong! If you’re mad, just slap me to vent!” Jiang Tian quickly apologized, leaning in and offering his cheek.
“Ugh, you’re so annoying! How can you joke at a time like this? Are you a child or something?” Zhao Xueqing tugged at his ear, pulling his face away, torn between laughter and tears.
Jiang Tian’s actions earlier had been bloody, violent, and even cruel, but in the end, he had been protecting her. The thought that her husband had finally learned to stand up for her filled her with warmth and sweetness. Yet, the memory of Jiang Tian’s ferocity also left her with a lingering sense of worry.
When they arrived at Times Manor, Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing got out of the car. As they approached the villa’s entrance, they noticed a young woman waiting for them.
Tang Linglong stood there like a queen, radiating an air of regal elegance. Her crimson gown, crystal high heels, exquisite makeup, and expensive accessories made her stand out even in the bustling coastal city of Linzhou. She was a queen among commoners.
“Mr. Jiang, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Tang Linglong said, her face lighting up with a smile as she approached Jiang Tian, despite having waited for three hours and being bitten by mosquitoes.
Though she still had doubts about Jiang Tian’s abilities, her grandfather had instructed her to treat Jiang Tian with the utmost respect, and she had no choice but to comply.
Zhao Xueqing’s eyes widened in surprise. Since when did Jiang Tian know such a stunning, poised woman? Could she be an old flame?
“Oh? What is it?” Jiang Tian stopped and asked.
“Tomorrow is Saturday. I assume you’re not working. My grandfather would like to invite you to our humble home for a couple of days,” Tang Linglong said, trying to keep her tone as gentle as possible.
“Sorry, I don’t have the time,” Jiang Tian replied with a slight shake of his head. He wanted to spend more time with Zhao Xueqing and had no interest in getting to know Tang Linglong’s grandfather.
If Jiang Tian wanted power, he could reach the pinnacle within a year. If he wanted wealth, building an empire would be no challenge at all. But he had no desire for such things—no ambition, no greed, no need to flatter or climb social ladders.
Having lived for millennia, Jiang Tian had seen it all—the rise and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of life. In this lifetime, all he wanted was to be by his beloved wife’s side.
“Jiang Tian, what do you mean by that?” Tang Linglong’s heart raced as she watched Jiang Tian turn to leave. In a flash, she reached out and grabbed his shoulder, using a standard military grappling move.
The Tang family was one of the most powerful in Lingnan, their wealth and influence unmatched. Who in the region didn’t rely on the Tang family’s favor? And yet, this man had the audacity to brush her off.
Tang Linglong had been pampered since childhood, with suitors as numerous as the stars in the sky. Never had she been so blatantly rejected.
With a flick of his shoulder, Jiang Tian sent Tang Linglong stumbling back several steps.
“Jiang Tian, my grandfather wants to meet you. How can you act like this?” Tang Linglong’s palm ached, her arm numb, and tears welled up in her eyes as she cried out, “The more skilled a martial artist is, the more they understand that there’s always someone stronger. But you’re so arrogant, so dismissive! You’ve really disappointed me!”
“Hmph, if I’ve disappointed you, then stop seeking me out. I saved your grandfather out of respect for his past service to the country. But you clearly don’t understand propriety,” Jiang Tian’s voice, filled with pride, echoed as he walked away. “Daring to lay hands on me—from this moment on, any connection between me and the Tang family is severed. You and your grandfather are no longer welcome to seek me out.”
“Mr. Jiang, I know I was wrong. Please give me another chance!” Desperate, Tang Linglong fell to her knees.
According to her grandfather, Jiang Tian was a rare talent, someone who could change the Tang family’s fate and ensure their legacy. Now, she had ruined everything. How could she not be frantic?
“Jiang Tian, can’t you be a little more gentlemanly? Look, you’ve made her cry! This is unacceptable!” Zhao Xueqing chided.
The Tang family was a top-tier powerhouse, while the Zhao family was barely third-rate. Tang Linglong, who was deeply devoted to martial arts, kept a low profile, so Zhao Xueqing didn’t recognize her. But Zhao Xueqing’s kind and gentle nature made her soften at the sight of Tang Linglong kneeling and crying so pitifully.
Jiang Tian scratched his head helplessly, muttering, “How am I not being gentlemanly? She was the one who attacked me. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“Tell her to get up and talk properly!” Zhao Xueqing nudged Jiang Tian in the ribs.
Jiang Tian walked over and said softly, “Alright, get up. Stop crying. If you can handle one thing for me, I’ll consider meeting your grandfather.”
“Mr. Jiang, please tell me. I’ll make sure it’s done!” Tang Linglong quickly wiped her tears and stood up, her face filled with excitement, like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline.
“I just injured someone—badly. He might be permanently disabled. Do you think you can help me settle this?” Jiang Tian asked.
Tang Linglong was genuinely surprised by Jiang Tian’s request. Despite today’s misunderstanding, Jiang Tian seemed like a mature and steady person. Yet, he had beaten Li Pengtao to the point of severe injury. Was it because of her?
Tang Linglong glanced at Zhao Xueqing, who stood gracefully by the door, and a faint flicker of envy crossed her eyes.
Linzhou was a big city, but its elite circle was small. Li Pengtao was one of the top twenty executives in Linzhou, a special talent recruited by the municipal government. Tang Linglong knew of him.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Jiang. I’ll take care of this for you,” Tang Linglong assured him before hurrying off.
The next day, Tang Linglong used the Tang family’s extensive network to quickly gather information on Li Pengtao’s condition.
Apparently, Li Pengtao was severely injured, with one foot already in the grave. Fortunately, thanks to his connections, a top surgeon from the provincial capital had been rushed in to perform emergency surgery, pulling him back from the brink. However, his male functionality was completely destroyed.
Li Pengtao’s wife and family were furious. They had already reported the incident to the police and hired a top-tier lawyer, determined to bring Jiang Tian to justice.
…
Linzhou First People’s Hospital, ICU.
Li Pengtao lay in bed, an oxygen mask over his face, his breathing shallow. He hadn’t woken up since the previous night.
“Honey, don’t worry. I’ll make sure justice is served,” a well-dressed woman in her thirties said, sitting by the bed and wiping away tears.
Just then, the door opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit walked in, whispering a report to her.
After hearing him out, the woman shot to her feet, her face a mix of shock and anger. “Lawyer Zhang, what do you mean, a settlement?”
Lawyer Zhang smiled. “That’s right. The Tang family has intervened. They’re offering Mr. Li a position as an industry consultant at Third Master Tang’s company, with an annual salary of one million. I think any rational person would accept such an offer.”
“Lawyer Zhang, whose side are you on? Look at what they did to my husband! Eight broken ribs, and…” The woman pointed at Li Pengtao, her voice rising to a shrill pitch. “My happiness is ruined!”
“Mrs. Li, according to the police’s initial investigation, Mr. Li is suspected of sexually harassing Zhao Xueqing. I know Zhao Xueqing isn’t highly regarded in the Zhao family, but she’s still the boss’s daughter,” Lawyer Zhang explained, his tone a mix of coaxing and warning. “If word gets out that a top executive tried to assault the boss’s daughter, no one will hire him. His career is over.”
“But with my husband like this, I’ll be left a widow!” Mrs. Li’s anger began to fade, replaced by a deep sense of despair.
“Mrs. Li, you’re young and beautiful. Aren’t there plenty of men out there? If he’s no good, you’ll be even happier!” Lawyer Zhang’s eyes lingered on Mrs. Li’s exposed chest, and he felt a sudden dryness in his throat. As a skilled lawyer, he felt it was his duty to comfort his client. He gently wrapped an arm around her slender waist and whispered in her ear, “There are plenty of good men out there, aren’t there?”
“Oh—not here. The door isn’t locked…” Mrs. Li’s voice was a mix of reproach and excitement as she felt something pressing against her. Her heart raced.
Her husband had always been fond of flirting with college girls, coming home late and too tired to perform his marital duties. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man.
…
…
On Jiang Tian’s side, the fact that Li Pengtao and the police hadn’t made any moves by the next day suggested that the matter had been resolved. As for how it was settled, he wasn’t interested in the details. A family like the Tangs had plenty of leverage to trade.
However, the incident with Li Pengtao had taught Jiang Tian a lesson.
According to Tang Linglong, Li Pengtao had hired a top lawyer, and the police had already completed their investigation, ready to arrest him. At the time, Jiang Tian had lost control when he saw Li Pengtao’s inappropriate behavior, wanting to tear the man apart.
Looking back, Jiang Tian realized that if he had simply rescued Zhao Xueqing, created an alibi, and then discreetly dealt with Li Pengtao later, he could have avoided all this trouble.
Jiang Tian felt out of place. During his travels across the universe, he had visited many planets and encountered countless civilizations. Some were orderly, but in most, the strong ruled, and violence was the norm. Power was everything.
Now, he felt like a primitive man thrust into modern society, bound by rules and constraints at every turn.
“Xueqing, why aren’t you up yet?”
By mid-morning, Jiang Tian noticed that Zhao Xueqing still hadn’t gotten out of bed. He knocked on the door, but there was no response.
Worried, he pushed the door open and found Zhao Xueqing lying in bed, her face flushed, her brows furrowed, her breathing shallow and weak.
What’s wrong with her? Jiang Tian’s heart sank.
