"Young Master Zheng, save me, save me..."
Big Mouth Zhang clung to Zheng Tianyi's leg, his words slurred and barely intelligible.
Lin Yu had terrified him to the point of madness—otherwise, with his "professional integrity," he wouldn’t have spilled the beans on Zheng Tianyi so quickly.
"Bullshit! I don’t even know you!"
Zheng Tianyi’s face turned deathly pale, panic flashing across his features as he kicked Big Mouth Zhang away.
"It was you?"
Xue Qin’s expression darkened as realization dawned. She shot Zheng Tianyi a glare so icy it could kill.
Watching him continue to act, she sneered internally. *Trash will always be trash.*
"Young Master Zheng, since this guy keeps accusing you, why don’t we call the police? Let them get to the bottom of it," Lin Yu suggested with a smile.
Zheng Tianyi’s back broke out in a cold sweat. If the police got involved—and his father found out he’d stupidly provoked the Song family—he’d be skinned alive.
"No need to call the police. You and Qin’er aren’t hurt..." Zheng Tianyi stammered.
"Fine. Then I’ll leave him to you. I hope you’ll handle this appropriately." Lin Yu patted Zheng Tianyi’s shoulder before motioning for Xue Qin to get in the car.
Xue Qin opened her mouth to protest, but Lin Yu waved her off.
"Disgusting trash. Don’t ever let me see you again!" Xue Qin spat at Zheng Tianyi before climbing into the car.
Big Mouth Zhang scrambled to move his car, desperate to get the hell away from Lin Yu.
On the way back, Xue Qin frowned. "Why did you let him off like that?"
"Leave some room for reconciliation. He’s a young master; I’m just a commoner. It’s better not to push him too far. If he’s cornered, he might fight back. Why bother?"
Lin Yu smiled. He wasn’t afraid of trouble—he just didn’t want to bring any to Jiang Yan’s family or his mother.
"Did you train in martial arts before?" Xue Qin asked curiously. His skills earlier had been astonishing—something she’d only seen in movies.
"Yeah. I had a master when I was young—a reclusive expert." Lin Yu lied effortlessly. "But I’d prefer to keep this quiet. Can you keep it a secret?"
He wasn’t just referring to tonight but also the fire incident.
"Of course. I won’t tell a soul." Xue Qin felt a strange thrill, like a fan who’d stumbled upon her idol’s secret. She’d never share it.
"Are you heading home now, or...?"
"Home."
Before Xue Qin could finish, Lin Yu cut her off without hesitation. A pang of inexplicable disappointment struck her.
She found herself ridiculous. The man she’d once despised, she now wanted to spend more time with?
Was it just because he’d saved her?
When they reached his apartment, Xue Qin called out, "Thank you," to his retreating back.
Lin Yu waved without turning around. "Don’t mention it."
At home, Jiang Yan was still awake, studying intently at her desk. Not wanting to disturb her, Lin Yu hung up his coat and headed for the shower.
"The woman who dropped you off—was that Xue Qin?" Jiang Yan’s voice cut through the room, icy cold.
She’d memorized the name after seeing the business card in Lin Yu’s pocket.
Lin Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Scratching his head, he said, "We’re just friends."
"You don’t need to explain. I’ve told you—you can see whoever you want. Just don’t let my parents find out. Next time, don’t let her drive you into the neighborhood."
Jiang Yan’s tone was frigid, though her chest felt oddly tight.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Got it." Lin Yu didn’t argue and went to shower.
Watching him leave, Jiang Yan slammed her book shut, her mood ruined. *Men. Not a single decent one among them.*
She told him not to explain, so he didn’t?
*Hah. Typical scumbag.*
---
The next day was the Qinghai City People’s Hospital physician qualification exam.
Lin Yu drove Jiang Yan there. Because she was organizing her exam materials, she let him take the wheel—which turned a 40-minute trip into a 90-minute ordeal.
"Drive any slower, and we’ll arrive just as the exam ends," Jiang Yan said coldly.
"Don’t worry. We’ll be there soon." Lin Yu focused on the rearview mirror, too preoccupied to chat.
He rarely drove, so he was out of practice. The Ferrari Shen Yuxuan had given him had mostly gathered dust.
Thankfully, they made it in time. After Jiang Yan went in, Lin Yu waited outside leisurely.
His phone rang—Shen Yuxuan.
"Jiarong, where are you? The imperial green jewelry from the other day is finished. Can I bring you some?" Shen Yuxuan sounded excited.
The imperial green jade had been top-grade, earning his family a fortune and boosting his status. Naturally, he was grateful to Lin Yu.
Lin Yu gave his location, and Shen Yuxuan soon arrived. Learning Lin Yu was there for his wife’s exam, Shen Yuxuan gave him a thumbs-up. "Good man."
Lin Yu smiled, examining the pendants. "Not bad."
If he added a protective charm, these would ward off disasters for life.
"These are nothing. Check out what I got for your wife."
Shen Yuxuan grinned, producing an exquisite velvet box. Inside lay a stunning imperial green necklace—platinum chain adorned with thumb-sized jade gemstones, radiating elegance and luxury.
"I’ll thank Jiang Yan for you." Lin Yu accepted it without hesitation. The necklace was exquisite, devoid of gaudiness. He planned to gift it to her on their second anniversary.
Shen Yuxuan left in a hurry, citing urgent business.
Around noon, the exam ended. Crowds streamed out, including Jiang Yan, who was flanked by a man in his thirties clutching documents and speaking obsequiously.
Lin Yu frowned. The man’s attire suggested he wasn’t a candidate but a hospital staff member.
"Miss Jiang, since we might be colleagues soon, why not join us for lunch? I’ve already bet my department I could convince you."
The man was persistent.
"Sorry. My husband’s waiting." Jiang Yan’s refusal was frosty.
"Call him. Tell him to go home first." The man sighed inwardly. Such a beauty—already married.
"Jiang Yan, everything okay?" Lin Yu called out, stepping forward as a subtle warning.
"Fine." Jiang Yan walked over briskly.
"D-Doctor He?!"
The man had assumed Jiang Yan’s husband would be some wealthy, middle-aged slob. Never had he expected Lin Yu!
He stiffened, bowing slightly in deference.
He’d been present when Lin Yu treated Dr. Baynes in the ER. More importantly, as a direct subordinate of Director Li Haoming—who treated Lin Yu with utmost respect—he had to be even more reverent.
Hearing the title "Doctor He," Lin Yu frowned and mouthed, *"Leave!"*
He didn’t want Jiang Yan knowing about his hospital visit, nor was she fully aware of his medical prowess—she thought he only handled rare conditions and antidotes.
The man took the hint and scurried off.
"What did he call you just now?" Jiang Yan frowned.
"Nothing." Lin Yu smiled. "How about dumplings for lunch?"
"You go. I’m heading back to the clinic."
After dropping Jiang Yan off, Lin Yu went to the dumpling shop.
Just as he finished helping his mother, Xie Changfeng called, asking if he was free that afternoon. His ailing brother-in-law was in town and needed treatment.
Lin Yu agreed. His afternoon was clear.
"Great. My driver will pick me up first, then swing by for you. We’ll head to my place together." Xie Changfeng told him to wait at the dumpling shop.
Suddenly, a clattering noise erupted outside—a steamer basket tumbling in from the street stall.
Their stall was being wrecked. Lin Yu and his mother rushed out to find a squad of light-blue-uniformed city officers ransacking the food street, smashing any outdoor setups.
Their stall and steamers were demolished.
Lin Yu’s blood boiled. "What gives you the right to destroy property?!"
"The right? You’re illegally operating! You deserve it!"
The officers, accustomed to bullying, sneered arrogantly.
"Bullshit! Since when can’t we set up outside?" Lin Yu snapped.
Their stall had been there for over a decade. Now these clowns suddenly decreed it forbidden?
"I said so. Got a problem?!"
One officer kicked their table over.
"Jiarong, don’t argue." Qin Xiulan held Lin Yu back, fearing he’d provoke them. Turning to the officers, she pleaded, "Officers, when was this rule announced?"
"Days ago. Didn’t you get the notice?"
"We did, but it said stalls could extend three feet from the storefront. Ours doesn’t exceed that." Qin Xiulan’s voice trembled with injustice.
"Doesn’t exceed? Looks like five feet to me!"
The officers scoffed. "By regulations, you’re fined 2,000 yuan. Pay up, or your stall stays closed."
"Ah, so it’s about extortion." Lin Yu smirked coldly, finally understanding. "Where’s your supervisor? I’ll file a complaint!"
"Who’s complaining?!"
A thick-necked man with a protruding belly swaggered over from another shop, eyeing Lin Yu disdainfully. "I’m the supervisor. Go ahead—complain."
As the district’s deputy chief—and the bureau head’s brother-in-law—he ruled the area with impunity. The idea of someone daring to complain struck him as laughable, if not idiotic.
One word from him could shut down any shop on this street.
"You’re the supervisor? And you let your men run wild like this?" Lin Yu’s voice was icy.
"Kid, I’m enforcing the law."
The thick-necked man smirked, turning to his subordinates. "How much was their fine again?"
"2,000, boss."
"Good. For resisting enforcement, double it—4,000! No payment today, and your dumpling shop is done!" The man smirked triumphantly.
*You dare challenge me? You’re digging your own grave.*
"Fine. Let’s wait, then. When Secretary Xie arrives, let him judge whether this is lawful enforcement!" Lin Yu suppressed his fury.
"Who? Secretary Xie? Which Secretary Xie?" The man frowned, wondering if Lin Yu had official connections.
"Municipal Party Secretary Xie Changfeng!" Lin Yu declared.
The crowd burst into laughter.
"Are you insane? Secretary Xie would come to this dump?!"
The thick-necked man clutched his stomach, howling. In all his years patrolling this grimy food street, never had a high-ranking official set foot here.
"And why wouldn’t I visit a place like this?"
A deep, authoritative voice cut through the laughter from behind.
