Chapter 3: The Heiress's Request

When Lin Shuyun spoke those words, the entire room fell into stunned silence. Everyone had assumed that Miss Lin had come to enliven the Xie family’s banquet. Yet, it seemed that was not the case.

Following Lin Ziqing’s gaze, all eyes turned to Xiao Nan, a poor man dressed in simple clothes. How could this be? How could Miss Lin possibly be connected to someone like him? One seemed like a cloud in the sky, the other mere dirt on the ground—there was no conceivable link between them. The guests felt their heads spinning, struggling to accept the reality before them.

Seeing Lin Shuyun’s excited expression, Xiao Nan rubbed his nose and smiled sheepishly. He had never expected her to chase after him like this.

“Miss Lin, are you alright?” Xiao Nan’s eyes rested on Lin Shuyun’s exquisitely beautiful face as he inquired.

She smiled gently and nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Xiao. With your help treating me, I already feel much better.”

Xie Wenqiang’s complexion shifted repeatedly, a vague sense of unease rising within him. He stepped beside Lin Shuyun and politely asked, “Miss Lin, do you know this man here?”

“Of course, he is my benefactor,” Lin Shuyun replied with a smile.

“Miss Lin, you must be mistaken. This guy is just a rustic from the mountains—how could he possibly have any connection to you…” Xie Meina hurriedly interjected, but her words were cut off by a sharp glance from Lin Shuyun.

“What’s wrong with being from the mountains?” Lin Shuyun asked calmly. “Can’t someone from the mountains be my benefactor? Besides, with the Lin family’s status, do we really need to judge friendships by a person’s origin?”

Her words left the Xie family speechless. Indeed, with the Lin family’s immense wealth, no matter how rich others might be, no one surpassed them; naturally, they need not concern themselves with one’s background.

Lin Shuyun’s attitude toward the Xie family gradually shifted. She was astute and could immediately sense the uneasy relationship between Xiao Nan and the Xies. On the way over, she had learned that today marked the union between the Xie and Li families. Xiao Nan, dressed in tattered clothing, had come to fulfill the marriage agreement—a fool could imagine what he was about to face.

“Miss Lin, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying, for someone of your status…” Xie Meina tried to speak again but was silenced by a warning look from Xie Wenqiang. He could tell that Lin Shuyun was siding with Xiao Nan. Continuing to trouble Xiao Nan would only alienate the Lin family. As the wealthiest in Luocheng, if the Lin family turned against them, the Xie family would find life difficult indeed.

“Miss Lin, allow me to introduce myself. I am Li Yadong of the Li family. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Li Yadong, straightening his suit and offering what he thought was a charming smile.

Unexpectedly, Lin Shuyun did not even glance at him, instead fixing her gaze on Xiao Nan.

“Mr. Xiao, I have a favor to ask of you. If it’s convenient, perhaps we can talk after stepping outside,” she said with a gentle smile, as soothing as a summer breeze, leaving one momentarily enchanted. Witnessing this smile, many lost their composure—it was truly like a celestial goddess descending. No wonder the Lin sisters were hailed as the two great goddesses of Luocheng.

Li Yadong felt awkward, sensing that Lin Shuyun was slighting him. He secretly bore a grudge against both Xiao Nan and Lin Shuyun. Yet he failed to realize that sometimes, one only loses face by forcing it upon oneself.

“Certainly, Miss Lin. Let’s step outside,” Xiao Nan replied with a smile and a nod.

Lin Shuyun led Xiao Nan toward the Xie family mansion. After only a few steps, Xiao Nan suddenly turned back, his face wearing a mischievous smile as he fixed his eyes on Xie Wenqiang.

Xie Wenqiang’s heart skipped a beat at Xiao Nan’s eerie grin.

Xiao Nan spoke slowly, “A word of advice to the Xie family: you’d best prepare the coffin in advance. I’m afraid Xie Wenqiang won’t live more than five days.”

At these words, the Xie family members were filled with righteous indignation and opened their mouths to shout insults, but Xie Wenqiang stopped them with a glance.

Only after watching Xiao Nan and Lin Shuyun’s figures disappear from sight did his expression darken. Being cursed by a mere youth in front of so many heads of families and entrepreneurs was no small matter.

Still, he did not take Xiao Nan’s words seriously. Only he truly knew his own health. He was feeling fine now and expected to live another ten or eight years. Xiao Nan was merely trying to curse him.

Yet he was curious. Xiao Nan had only just come down from the mountains—how did he know Miss Lin of the Lin family?

Once outside the Xie villa, Xiao Nan glanced at Lin Shuyun, who carried the bearing of a refined lady, and smiled. “Miss Lin, may I ask what brings you to me this time?”

Xiao Nan held a favorable impression of Lin Shuyun. She was well-mannered and reasonable. Even when he initially stopped the car, only she consented to let him board. And now, in front of the Xie family, she was willing to risk alienation to speak on his behalf. Such a gentle woman was irresistible to any man.

“It’s like this—my father has recently fallen ill with a strange disease,” Lin Shuyun explained. “We’ve tried every machine, but no one can identify the illness. His organs are failing day by day.”

Xiao Nan smiled faintly. “Miss Lin, so you’ve come to me for treatment. I can’t promise anything about others, but as long as I don’t want my patients to die, they will not die under my care.”

Hearing Xiao Nan’s bold words, a flicker of doubt rose in Lin Shuyun’s heart. Yet, recalling how he had healed her, she was convinced he could save her father.

Soon after, Lin Shuyun and Xiao Nan got into a car heading toward Luocheng’s First People’s Hospital.

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious private room at the hospital, a middle-aged man lay unconscious on the bed, his once robust face now gaunt and weary. Surrounding him were many people, including He Zhonghai, the hospital’s director, and Xu Wei, one of Luocheng’s three renowned doctors.

Xu Wei was attending to the man, withdrawing a silver needle from his body.

“Doctor Xu, how is my father’s condition?” Lin Ziqing asked anxiously.

Xu Wei shook his head and sighed. “It’s no use. Mr. Lin’s body is gravely ill. His internal organs are failing rapidly. My skills are insufficient to save him. Based on my judgment, Mr. Lin will not survive today.”

“Please, Doctor Xu, I beg you to save my father. He’s still so young—I don’t want to lose him,” Lin Ziqing’s eyes reddened as panic overtook him. His heart plummeted into despair, and his body went limp until his mother steadied him. The mother and daughter wept together, hiding their faces.

A man in military uniform stepped forward slowly. “Doctor Xu, please try harder. Save my elder brother. The Lin family will never forget your kindness.”

A stately man in a suit nodded in agreement. “Yes, Doctor Xu, please do your utmost. Whatever you need, just tell us—we will do everything possible to assist.”

The Lin family had become Luocheng’s foremost clan because of three outstanding members: the eldest, Lin Guodong, the city’s richest man; the second, Lin Guoliang, a distinguished official; and the youngest, Lin Guoan, a military man.

“Old Xu, please see if you can try once more,” urged He Zhonghai, the hospital director. If anything happened to Lin Guodong here, He Zhonghai knew he would lose his position.

“I’m sorry, everyone. It’s not that I’m unwilling, but this case is truly beyond hope,” Xu Wei said, taking a deep breath and shaking his head.

“Who said this gentleman is beyond saving?” Suddenly, a voice rang from outside the room.