Chapter 118: A Clear Answer

Seeing Lin Dong nod, Yang Ling understood that no further explanation was needed. He knew how important Tianhao was to the Yang family. This only deepened Yang Ling’s confusion—since he could appreciate Tianhao’s significance to the Yang family, he should also realize that, given Tianhao’s talent, he would be of unparalleled importance to any major sect. So why allow Tianhao to join a small sect?
Shutting out his distractions, Yang Ling stared intently at Lin Dong and said with firm eyes, “If Yang Qingting is correct, Tianhao was as fierce as a little tiger when he was first adopted. It took you almost a year to get him to call you ‘dad.’ That means, aside from you, no one else can win Tianhao’s trust?”
“More or less,” Lin Dong nodded. Besides himself, the people Tianhao cared about included his sister Lin Shuang, as well as Fu Chunjian and Xiao Tianchi, who must also hold a certain place in his heart.
“If that’s the case, the only way to make Tianhao wholeheartedly support the Yang family in the future is to treat you well,” Yang Ling said coldly. “It can be said that once you’re in the Yang family, even Yang Huailiang will have to try his best to please you.”
“And then?” Lin Dong asked.
Yang Ling explained, “Then, using your position in the Yang family, you can gradually help me take control of it. I won’t let you get too deeply involved.”
Lin Dong smiled and shook his head. “Marrying into the Yang family doesn’t bother me. I’m already married and have two dependents. If I wanted to remarry, I wouldn’t mind having another mouth to feed. But Tianhao must keep the Lin surname.”
Yang Ling’s gaze paused, then dimmed. With a bitter smile, he nodded. “I’ll think of other ways for this. As for the Yang family, given Tianhao’s talent and the Gu Huan Sect, I believe they won’t dare pressure you.”
Lin Dong shook his head. “I actually have a simple solution.”
Yang Ling suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.
“The sixth young master wants revenge. There’s no reason I wouldn’t help,” Lin Dong said calmly. “With the strength of the Gu Huan Sect, dealing with the Yang family shouldn’t be too difficult. I can find a way to persuade their sect leader.”
Yang Ling was stunned. After struggling for a moment, he slowly shook his head, his handsome face gradually twisting into a grotesque expression.
“What I want is for Peng Zhenfeng and his son to slowly suffer the pain of losing power. I want Yang Huailiang to kill his wife and children with guilt in his heart, forcing them to live in endless despair.”
In the dim room, the candlelight flickered as Lin Dong fell silent, leaving everything in quiet darkness.

The torment of hatred, amplified over ten years, brought about profound changes to the once sixth young master as well.
Although filled with hatred, the former sixth young master still cared for his younger brother, whom he had to protect with his delicate arms, as well as the countless beggars and commoners in Autumn Wind City. But now, his heart seemed to hold nothing but hatred.
After a long while, Lin Dong spoke up, “I can take Tianhao to stay at the Yang family for a few days and make sure everyone there understands that I was once your scribe and remain loyal to you even now! I’m even willing to risk my life for you.”
“Really?” Yang Ling stood up abruptly, his face filled with joy. “In that case, although the benefits to the Yang family won’t be as great as if you married into their family directly, my status there will only rise, not fall.”
“If you agree, let’s give it a try!” Lin Dong smiled. “By the time Tianhao returns, the work at the inn will be almost done, and we can head to Autumn Wind City together.”
Yang Ling nodded firmly, the heavy weight in his heart finally lifting.
“Lin Dong, what about Yang Qingting…”
“Other than you, everyone in the Yang family is just an stranger to me,” Lin Dong replied indifferently.
Yang Ling nodded.
After chatting briefly about their lives over the past ten years, Lin Dong got up to leave.
The next morning, upon learning from Yang Ling that Lin Dong had firmly refused to marry into the Yang family and only agreed to take Tianhao there, Yang Qingting felt an indescribable emotion. Was it disappointment, or perhaps heartache? She couldn’t tell.
During the five years since returning to the Yang family, she had only occasionally wondered how Lin Dong was doing. It was merely out of a sense of guilt due to his kindness, and she never sent anyone to Xilan City to check if he had fallen so low as to live on the streets. To her, Lin Dong, the man who had been forced to marry her, was just a passerby in her life.
Five years—neither long nor short. Just as she could no longer remember his face, this man had raised an eleven-year-old son who had reached the eighth level of the Lingdong Phase without any external help.
Looking back, this man had changed—so much so that he dared to confront even the Maple Forest Restaurant. Whether it was foolish or not, his courage to fight was worlds apart from before.
More importantly, this man was no longer the Lin Dong who used to obey her blindly and never dare to lift his head in her presence.
Yang Qingting thought she didn’t care, but after being clearly rejected, she still couldn’t help but feel inexplicable emotions.

Watching Lin Dong busily preparing breakfast with an apron on, Yang Qingting felt a faint sense of familiarity. Unfortunately, she could tell that Lin Dong’s breakfast was all for Lin Shuang—soy milk, fried eggs, steamed cakes… all foods that Lin Shuang liked. In the past, the first dish would have been her favorite spring rolls, followed by the fried eggs that Tianhao and Lin Shuang loved the most. As if trying to get rid of the sourness in her heart, Yang Qingting slowly exhaled, and her mood gradually calmed down. The large stone table was soon filled with food. Lin Dong took off his apron and sat down carelessly. After calling out, he grabbed a piece of steamed cake and devoured it with soy milk.

“Master…”

At the entrance of the courtyard, Lou Wentang stepped in quickly, his face brimming with joy.

“How did you get here? Have you had breakfast?” Lin Dong asked with a smile.

Seeing Yang Ling and Yang Qingting, Lou Wentang slowed down briefly before resuming his cheerful pace.

“I’ve already eaten. I’m here to tell the master some great news.”

Lin Dong raised his eyebrows slightly and said cheerfully, “Is Lou’s Winery about to collapse?”

“The master is wise!” Lou Wentang flattered him happily, nodding repeatedly. “Before dawn, Lou Jingsong brought Lou Wanzhang to apologize for the past incidents. They offered quite a generous compensation—there were over a hundred taels of silver in the gift box.”

“That’s indeed generous. You’re lucky.” Lin Dong smiled. Lou Wentang’s monthly salary was only twenty taels of silver.

Lou Wentang asked, “Master, they’re outside. Do you want to meet them?”

“Have you talked to Lou Jingsong about buying the thyme recipe?” Lin Dong asked.

Lou Wentang shook his head. “I wasn’t sure what terms to propose, so I haven’t discussed it with them yet.”

Lin Dong pondered for a moment before saying, “Let them in.”

Lou Wentang nodded and rushed back to the main hall.

“I didn’t expect you to have other businesses,” Yang Qingting said softly.

“Just good luck,” Lin Dong replied with a calm smile. He patted Lin Shuang’s shoulder. “Give your seat to Uncle Lou. Move a stool and sit next to me. You’ll be in charge of today’s negotiations. As long as you get the thyme recipe for dad, you’ll pass. Decide on the terms yourself—I promise not to interfere.”

“Really?” Lin Shuang’s eyes widened, her little face blooming like a flower.

Lin Dong nodded. Although Lin Shuang was still young, it wouldn’t hurt to let her gain some experience since she had the chance.

Yang Ling and Yang Qingting were surprised—letting a young girl make business decisions?