Chapter 99: Trouble

"I don’t need your protection. Just take care of yourself.” Even though certain things had happened between them, subtly shifting the nature of their relationship, Lin Yuqing still looked out for him as always, which left Xia Yu both helpless and amused. It seemed this girl truly thought he was weak. Little did she know, the one who had always been protecting her in the shadows was himself.

“Yu, I know you’re not afraid, but can you please not underestimate them?” Lin Yuqing’s voice was tinged with worry. “You’ve been with the Lin family for so long—you should understand how important power and influence are.”

“Without power, they can easily destroy you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“So think twice before acting rashly. You were lucky this time that it was the Lin family. If it had been anyone else, who could save you?”

Seeing the sincerity in her words, Xia Yu replied earnestly, “Yuqing, I don’t care who they are.”

“At least here in Deep City, there’s no one I need to fear. Their so-called power means nothing to me—do you believe that?”

Lin Yuqing stared at him in silence for nearly two minutes before finally covering her mouth and laughing quietly.

“That’s enough, Yu. You men are all the same, so proud you’ll never admit weakness. I’m only saying this for your own good—it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Do you really need to brag so much?”

Of course she didn’t believe him. It was too outrageous—to dismiss everyone in Deep City? All those people others could only look up to, and he thought they were nothing?

Good heavens, Xia Yu had been the Lin family’s son-in-law for so long; how could he be so naive? Even Xiao Jun, the most powerful figure in the city, wouldn’t dare speak with such arrogance!

“Alright, I’m just bragging…” Xia Yu smiled wryly, knowing she wouldn’t believe him.

“Okay, enough about that.” She didn’t want to upset Xia Yu, so she changed the subject. “How are things going between you and Sijie?”

But Xia Yu was even less eager to discuss Zhao Sijie with her. Still, he answered, “We’re doing well.”

“Oh, that’s good…” Lin Yuqing forced a smile. “I… I’ve already met Li Hao’s family.”

Xia Yu frowned, clearly surprised. “That’s fast.”

If she and Li Hao were truly determined to be together, even to the point of marriage, Xia Yu would be worried—not out of jealousy, but guilt. Lin Yuqing believed Li Hao had done so much for her, and that was why she agreed to be with him. The problem was, Li Hao hadn’t done anything; he’d merely shamelessly stolen the credit. If Xia Yu didn’t tell her the truth, she’d remain in the dark, and the thought troubled him.

But her next words put him at ease.

“It really is moving fast, which is why I think it’s time to break up with him,” Lin Yuqing said with a hint of bitterness. “I tried to make myself like him.”

“But I failed every time. Some people are simply meant to be just friends.”

“Sometimes I feel shameless, accepting his kindness even though I don’t care for him.”

“So I need to find an opportunity to make things clear. We shouldn’t waste any more of each other’s time.”

Xia Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Yuqing, you should have thought this way a long time ago.”

Lin Yuqing paused, then changed the subject. “Alright, enough about me—this was supposed to be about you. Anyway, remember what I told you today, okay? If you get into trouble again, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?”

“I’ll tell Sijie, and let her deal with you!”

Xia Yu was left speechless, feeling something was off.

After that, Lin Yuqing spent the afternoon with them at the park, took Liu Xiaomi out for ice cream, and the three enjoyed themselves thoroughly. It wasn’t until after three in the afternoon that they parted ways at the park. Lin Yuqing hurried home to prepare material for her live stream that evening, while Xia Yu took Liu Xiaomi and drove the sports car back to the villa.

“Wolf King, the target has appeared.”

“Is the little girl with him again?”

“Yes, awaiting your orders.”

“Panther and the others are already in position. Work with them. The girl may be a useful burden—use her to take the target out if possible.”

“Understood!”

Moments after Xia Yu’s car pulled away, a group of men sat inside an unremarkable black Audi by the roadside.

“This is bad.”

Driving, Xia Yu suddenly felt a sharp sense of unease. He checked his rearview mirror, brows furrowed. He felt as if he were being watched, though nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was just an instinct, one he had honed on the battlefield.

Even if he saw nothing unusual, Xia Yu trusted his intuition; it was never baseless.

Up ahead, he spotted a small plaza and quickly pulled over, hustling Liu Xiaomi out of the car and into a bustling Starbucks.

He scanned the room, then walked straight over to a woman dressed in business attire. “Excuse me, could you do me a favor?”

She looked up at him, then glanced at Liu Xiaomi, clearly puzzled. “What is it?”

Xia Yu took out all the cash from his wallet and placed it on her table, speaking earnestly, “I have an urgent matter. Can you please watch this child for me?”

“Please don’t leave this place. I’ll be back as soon as possible, within an hour—can you do that?”

The woman stared at him in astonishment, as if she couldn’t believe anyone would make such a request.