As the saying goes, when you hit someone, hit them in the face; when you kill someone, destroy their spirit.
With just a few words, Chen Beiyuan had practically beaten the face of Lin Xiao, the genius doctor protagonist, until it was swollen.
What did it mean to try to show off, only to end up humiliating yourself instead?
This was exactly that!
Lin Xiao's face instantly turned green.
He considered himself quite eloquent.
But Chen Beiyuan's mouth was even more vicious. He could probably anger a dead man back to life.
"You!!!"
Lin Xiao wanted to argue.
But when he saw Leng Ruobing standing beside him with her head lowered, he suddenly didn't know what he could possibly say.
The hero had feelings, but the beauty had none!
She didn't even want him to save her.
What could he do about that?
"Leng Ruobing, looks like Lin Xiao really is deeply devoted to you!"
"Beiyuan, I'm not close to him!"
Faced with the meaningful tone in Chen Beiyuan's voice, Leng Ruobing's delicate body trembled. She hurriedly explained herself.
And that action undoubtedly dealt another devastating blow to Lin Xiao, the genius doctor protagonist.
Yet Chen Beiyuan still had no intention of stopping his relentless attacks.
Instead, he turned his attention back to Lin Xiao.
"Lin Xiao, it seems you really do like Leng Ruobing. You're always so eager to stand up for her."
"Unfortunately, one person can be deeply in love while the other remains completely indifferent. It's obvious that Leng Ruobing doesn't have any feelings for you!"
"Since you and I are acquaintances, I'll give you a chance."
"As long as you cut off one of your own arms, I'll consider ordering all the forces targeting the Leng Family to stand down. I'll also let bygones be bygones. How does that sound?"
"This would be the perfect test of your love for Leng Ruobing."
Chen Beiyuan's deep, seductive voice echoed throughout the banquet hall.
Both Leng Ruobing and Lin Xiao's expressions instantly changed.
"Chen Beiyuan, stop trying to manipulate people!"
Lin Xiao's expression shifted slightly as he immediately understood Chen Beiyuan's sinister intentions. He hurriedly turned toward Leng Ruobing.
"Ruobing, you can't believe anything Chen Beiyuan says. Trust me! I've already joined the Donghua Lin Family. The Lin Family and the Chen Family are both among the Empire's top aristocratic clans. The Lin Family will definitely be able to protect you and the Leng Family!"
A hint of hesitation flashed across Leng Ruobing's face.
But at that very moment, Chen Beiyuan's seductive voice rang out once again.
"Oh? So you're that capable?"
"But as far as I remember, your godfather, Qiong Baicang, has already been exiled to the front lines to develop the wastelands."
"So, was it because you weren't capable enough, or because the Lin Family wasn't strong enough?"
"You can't even protect your own godfather, yet you expect everyone to believe you can protect someone else?"
The moment those words were spoken, the confident expression on Lin Xiao's face froze.
His eyes became vicious.
Chen Beiyuan had struck him exactly where it hurt the most.
And he had twisted the knife as deeply as possible.
Seeing Lin Xiao's expression, the last trace of hope in Leng Ruobing's eyes completely faded.
He couldn't even protect his own godfather.
And he expected her to believe he could protect the Leng Family?
What a joke.
Seeing Lin Xiao rendered speechless, Chen Beiyuan smiled calmly and continued.
"Lin Xiao, what I said earlier still stands. As long as you cut off one of your arms, I'll consider sparing the Leng Family."
"Think about it carefully. You'll only lose one arm, but you might gain true love in return!"
"Don't tell me you're afraid?"
"You're a grown man. It's only one arm. If it were me, I'd chop off both without even blinking!"
Faced with Chen Beiyuan's mocking, sarcastic tone—
Lin Xiao's face instantly flushed red.
He trembled with rage.
Some of the people surrounding them couldn't help but laugh.
Even Leng Ruobing had lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. No one could tell whether she was crying or laughing.
"Looks like your love for Leng Ruobing isn't worth much after all."
"You're not even willing to pay such a tiny price."
"Fine. I'll add another bargaining chip."
"Your godfather, who was exiled to the front lines to develop the wastelands, should still be on his way there. He hasn't actually reached the prison camp yet."
"I can say a word and have someone bring him back."
"The price remains the same."
"All I want is one of your arms."
"Now, it's time for you to give me an answer."
"Are love and family affection really worth less than one of your arms?"
Chen Beiyuan added another layer of pressure, directly forcing Lin Xiao into a desperate situation.
At this moment, he was like a devil wearing a human face, constantly threatening and tempting Lin Xiao, manipulating his emotions and forcing him to make a choice.
Lin Xiao's expression completely changed.
He gritted his teeth and stared at Chen Beiyuan.
For the first time, he truly felt how terrifying Chen Beiyuan was.
Using words and power as blades.
Using family affection and love as cages.
Chen Beiyuan had practically forced him into a situation where there was nowhere left to retreat.
This was almost a dead end!
If he agreed, he would lose an arm.
If he refused, he would immediately be branded as an ungrateful and heartless man.
And once that label was attached to him, who would dare trust him in the future?
Who would dare employ him?
His reputation would be completely ruined!
As for remaining silent?
Heh.
Did something like this even require silence?
Everyone already knew exactly what kind of person he was.
At this moment, Lin Xiao felt as if Chen Beiyuan's calm gaze had seen straight through his selfish nature and deliberately constructed this trap specifically for him.
This man's understanding of human nature was almost inhuman.
Even the people surrounding them now looked at Chen Beiyuan differently.
Their eyes contained a much deeper sense of awe and fear.
"Looks like family and love aren't even worth one of your arms."
"How disappointing."
"Fine. I'll give you one last chance."
"All you have to do is kneel down and kowtow to me once."
Chen Beiyuan looked at Lin Xiao's darkened expression and suddenly changed his tone.
He knew very well that with Lin Xiao's personality, there was no way he would cut off one of his own arms.
Slap!
Without the slightest hesitation—
Lin Xiao immediately dropped to his knees.
Under the eyes of everyone present, he slammed his forehead against the floor.
He did it so quickly and with such force that the floor tiles beneath him cracked.
Many people present didn't even have time to react.
"Chen Beiyuan, you said you'd keep your word!"
"The reason I remained silent just now was because I was overwhelmed with excitement at the thought that sacrificing one arm could save my godfather and Leng Ruobing from their suffering. I simply didn't react in time."
"By the time I came to my senses, you'd already lowered your demand. So now, it's no longer my problem."
Lin Xiao calmly tried to explain away his earlier silence.
Whether anyone believed him or not was none of his concern.
Judging from the mocking expressions on everyone's faces, it was obvious that no one believed his ridiculous explanation.
But Lin Xiao didn't care in the slightest.
Internally, he was secretly relieved.
Fortunately, Chen Beiyuan had lost patience first and voluntarily lowered his demands.
That had given him a tiny opening to escape from what had seemed like a dead-end situation.
He stared directly at Chen Beiyuan, his tone becoming more forceful.
"Chen Beiyuan, I've fulfilled your demand."
"Now it's your turn to fulfill your promise!"
Faced with Lin Xiao's intimidating gaze and the sudden anticipation appearing in Leng Ruobing's eyes—
Chen Beiyuan merely smiled calmly.
Sitting on the sofa, he rested his chin on his right hand.
"You really are too young."
"You actually believed something like that?"
"I only said I'd consider it. I never said I would actually agree."
"How about this?"
"You kowtow a few more times, and I'll consider it a few more times."
"Perhaps I'll be in a good mood and actually agree."
"Chen Beiyuan, you motherf***er! Are you playing me?!"
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