Chapter 98: I Don’t Need Your Protection

The next day.

When news reached the Lin family that Lin An had been severely injured and hospitalized, everyone rushed over, even the patriarch could no longer sit still.

Seeing Lin An lying in bed, wrapped in bandages and plaster, his parents were simultaneously enraged and heartbroken.

Hearing the doctor say he suffered severe fractures, even the usually composed patriarch was visibly shaken.

"Lin An, what exactly happened?!"

"Grandfather, Mom, Dad, uncles and aunts..." Lin An lay immobile on the bed, eyes red, gritting his teeth. "It was Xia Yu, all because of that outsider Xia Yu."

"He's deliberately taking revenge on our family, it's all that damned outsider!"

"What? Xia Yu did this to you?" Lin Zhen barked.

"Damn, it was that useless fool?"

"Shit, he must still resent us for casting him out."

"Does he think a little martial arts makes him untouchable, thinks our family is easy prey?!"

"We must teach that trash a lesson, make him disappear from Shen City for good."

Upon hearing Xia Yu was responsible, the Lin family erupted in furious outcry.

The old patriarch's expression darkened. The reason he hadn't acted against Xia Yu before was because of those people who had insisted the Lin family take Xia Yu as a son-in-law.

He'd believed those people would introduce a worthy candidate, so he agreed without hesitation.

But later, it became clear he had been played. Xia Yu was, in truth, a thorough failure!

Although the old man didn't know exactly who those people were, he knew they were a powerful force, and so he'd once held high hopes for Xia Yu.

But after a whole year, Xia Yu had proven himself to be nothing but a coward. The patriarch had given up on him, but out of respect for those people, he hadn't taken action.

Now, however, Xia Yu had attacked a member of the Lin family, and with such severity—it was more than the old man could bear.

"Rain Qing is the only one still in contact with him, isn't she? Bring Rain Qing to the ancestral house immediately."

"Grandfather, you have to stand up for me!" Lin An pleaded from his hospital bed, pitifully.

He was the eldest grandson; though the patriarch often wished he were more capable, he still doted on him and felt his pain.

He nodded and walked out.

Rain Qing hadn't been to the office today. She was at home preparing her script, for tonight would be her first live broadcast since the incident, sure to draw countless eyes—she needed to be meticulous.

—

Rain Qing answered the call and hurried back to the ancestral house. Once she understood what had happened and the old patriarch asked her to bring Xia Yu back to the Lin family, she realized they intended to harm him.

Of course she refused, even speaking up for Xia Yu, promising that he would never again harm the Lin family.

Only then did the old man reluctantly step back. Rain Qing's status in the family was significant, and he had to consider her feelings.

The others, seeing Rain Qing so adamant in defending Xia Yu and making so many assurances, had nothing more to say.

But Rain Xin, witnessing all this, felt deeply unsettled. There was jealousy, and perhaps a hint of bitterness.

After all, she'd been Xia Yu's wife for a year, and hadn't said a word—yet her sister defended him so fiercely?

Was Xia Yu really worth it? Why was Rain Qing so good to him?

Mostly, it was envy. It was clear from this incident that Rain Qing's words now carried immense weight in the family—just as hers once did.

Everything that once belonged to her had been seized by the sister she always looked down upon!

Not because she was more capable, but merely because she'd been lucky enough to latch onto Xiao Jun.

Now, Rain Qing even dared to ignore her in the company, often showing her contempt.

All these events combined had made Rain Xin hate Rain Qing intensely—her hatred rivaled even that for Xia Yu.

But Rain Xin had grown wiser; she wouldn't oppose Rain Qing openly, knowing Rain Qing now held people's hearts.

She herself, after the wedding debacle, hadn't yet secured her position in the Liang family, so she could only endure for now.

Leaving the ancestral home, Rain Qing immediately called Xia Yu.

"Yu, where are you? I'll come find you."

"I'm taking Xiao Mi to the park. What's up?" Xia Yu replied.

"Which park? I'll come to you."

Rain Qing hung up and drove the company car to the park.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived, walked through the main gate, and soon spotted Xia Yu and Liu Xiao Mi waiting on a bench by the lawn.

"Xiao Mi, it's been so long! Did you miss your big sister?"

She walked up with a sweet smile to greet Liu Xiao Mi.

"Hello, beautiful sister."

Liu Xiao Mi instinctively edged closer to Xia Yu, looking at Rain Qing somewhat shyly.

Rain Qing paused, then said, "Hey, you little rascal, last time you were all playful and cute—why so quiet now? Are you afraid of me?"

—

"Last time, sister was so fierce to godfather... I'm... I'm scared," Liu Xiao Mi replied timidly, recalling the slap Rain Qing had given Xia Yu in the square.

"I..."

Rain Qing was speechless, a bit embarrassed.

Xia Yu couldn't help but laugh.

Rain Qing scolded, "You little brat, calling me fierce!"

"Do I look like a bad person? Why are you afraid?"

Liu Xiao Mi looked at her and nodded seriously, "Yes, sister, you look pretty fierce right now."

"Haha..."

Xia Yu burst out laughing.

Rain Qing, annoyed, pinched him hard at his waist, 'That'll teach you to laugh!'

Then she turned and smiled gently, "Xiao Mi, sister's not fierce at all, last time was just an accident..."

After her explanation, Liu Xiao Mi finally believed her, smiling, "Okay, I believe you, sister. You're a good person."

"That's better. Later I'll buy you ice cream," Rain Qing said with satisfaction. "Go play up ahead for a bit, but don't wander off. I need to talk to godfather."

"Okay..." Liu Xiao Mi jumped up and ran to play with ants on the lawn.

"Yu, what on earth happened!"

Rain Qing's face grew stern as she looked at Xia Yu.

"What did I do?" Xia Yu asked, confused.

"Did you send Lin An to the hospital?" Rain Qing said. "This mess is huge, the entire family is furious and wants to go after you. Do you know how many promises I had to make to calm things down?"

"Yu, we've just started a new life. Please, don't stir up trouble again, or next time my words won't carry any weight."

Xia Yu felt a ripple in his heart. "He deserved it. You know Lin An's character better than I do."

"Rain Qing, I've told you—you don't need to protect me. Just take care of yourself, that's enough..."