Chapter 105: Apology

"Young Master Xiao, please calm down. I’ve already called the Lin family, and they are extremely apologetic.

"They also said they would personally bring Lin Aoxue to apologize to you. Would you like to meet them?"

Yang Jie didn’t dare to make any more decisions on his own, so he quickly sought Xiao Ran’s permission first.

Hearing Lin Aoxue’s name, a crazed look of possessiveness filled Xiao Ran’s eyes. He stubbed out his cigar and broke into a greedy smile.

"The Lin family knows what’s good for them. Tell them to send Lin Aoxue to my bed tonight, and we’ll write off what happened yesterday.

"Otherwise, you and the Lin family can just wait to die."

How could Yang Jie dare to disobey Xiao Ran? Hearing this, he agreed profusely. He then turned around, called Lin Guodong, and relayed Xiao Ran’s message.

Lin Guodong agreed with fear and trepidation, not daring to utter a single word of protest.

"Eldest son, go and talk some sense into your daughter. Tell her to put the big picture first and stop being so willful."

Mrs. Lin had been listening from the side the entire time. Upon learning Xiao Ran’s intentions, she tapped her walking stick on the floor twice. She gave Lin Guodong a deep look. After delivering her instructions, she motioned for the servant to wheel her back to her room.

Lin Guodong looked up at Lin Aoxue’s room, a flash of determination in his eyes. He knew Lin Aoxue didn’t like Xiao Ran; in fact, she harbored deep resentment toward him. But this concerned the future of the Lin family. For the sake of the family, he had to sacrifice his only daughter.

"Xue’er, can Dad come in?" Lin Guodong knocked on Lin Aoxue’s door, his voice more than twice as gentle as before.

Lin Aoxue, who was currently trying to find a way to contact the outside world, jumped in fright and quickly shut her laptop to hide it. Just as she shoved the device under her blanket, Lin Guodong pushed the door open and walked in.

Lin Aoxue glanced at him but didn’t speak. Instead, she turned her back to him, refusing to look his way.

"Xue’er, are you still mad at Dad?"

Seeing Lin Aoxue’s back turned to him, a flash of anger crossed Lin Guodong’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, replacing it with the facade of a loving father.

"Silly girl, Dad is only doing this for your own good. So many people would kill for a chance to marry into the Xiao family, yet here you are, failing to cherish the opportunity placed right in front of you.

"Dad knows what happened last night hurt you deeply, and you hate Young Master Xiao right now.

"But you have to understand that Young Master Xiao is not someone our Lin family can afford to offend. Su Xiaobai alone was enough to deal a devastating blow to our family.

"If we offend Young Master Xiao too, you’ll be driving our Lin family to a dead end."

As a father, Lin Guodong had Lin Aoxue’s temperament completely figured out. Lin Aoxue was the type of person who responded to a soft touch, but never a heavy hand. Moreover, she valued emotional bonds above all else. As long as he showed a little weakness and played the victim, she would compromise.

Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Guodong’s words, Lin Aoxue’s expression softened. She spun around suddenly and yelled at him emotionally.

"So we can’t afford to offend Xiao Ran! Is that why you want me to compromise myself and sell my body to please him?

"I am your daughter! The Lin family’s future is important, but what about my happiness? Does my innocence mean nothing?"

Faced with his daughter’s questioning, Lin Guodong’s face stiffened for a moment.

Lin Aoxue had originally thought he would indiscriminately scold her like before. But to her shock, not only did Lin Guodong not get angry, he actually slapped himself hard across the face twice.

Looking at Lin Guodong’s reddened cheeks, Lin Aoxue was dumbfounded.

"It’s all because I’m useless. It’s because Dad is incompetent. If I could make the Lin family as powerful as the Xiao family, you wouldn’t have to suffer such grievances.

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Xue’er. It’s all Dad’s fault. I deserve to be beaten!"

With that, Lin Guodong raised his hand as if to slap himself again.

A dull ache seized Lin Aoxue’s heart. She grabbed Lin Guodong’s hand and cried, "Dad, stop hitting yourself. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. It’s the Xiao family who is pushing us too far."

Truth be told, the Lin family was already considered quite wealthy in Jianghai City. Reaching their current status was something many ordinary people could only dream of. Therefore, Lin Aoxue didn’t believe for a second that her father was a useless incompetent.

Seeing Lin Aoxue’s heart soften, a sly gleam flashed through Lin Guodong’s eyes.

"Xue’er, Dad has let you down and caused you to suffer. But I have no other choice. I am the Patriarch of the Lin family; I shoulder an immense responsibility.

"I don’t just have to consider your feelings; I also have to prioritize the bigger picture. We have over a dozen people in our family. If we offend the Xiao family, how are we supposed to survive?"

Having finished his self-inflicted guilt trip, Lin Guodong began to play the victim once more. He wiped his tears while playing the family card.

Lin Aoxue, who had originally been utterly disappointed in the Lin family, was moved once again by his words. She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes downcast, leaving it a mystery as to what she was thinking.

"Xue’er, don’t worry. Dad definitely won’t let anyone hurt you.

"I’ve already smoothed things over with Young Master Xiao. As long as you give him a proper apology, yesterday’s incident will be written off."

Striking while the iron was hot, Lin Guodong began to coax Lin Aoxue into taking the initiative to see Xiao Ran.

"Dad, I’m the victim here. Why should I apologize to him?" Lin Aoxue felt incredibly dissatisfied with this. She obviously hadn’t done anything wrong. Kicking Xiao Ran yesterday was purely out of self-defense. Why did she, the victim, have to apologize to the bad guy in the end?

"Dad knows you’ve been wronged, but we simply cannot afford to offend the Xiao family. Just be good. Give Young Master Xiao a sincere apology tonight. Grin and bear it, and this will all blow over.

"Your grandmother is getting old; she can’t handle any more turmoil. The Lin family has been through too much this year; we can’t afford any more trouble.

"Don’t worry, Dad will be by your side the whole time. If Xiao Ran dares to try anything inappropriate with you again, I’ll be the first to deal with him!"

Having said so much, Lin Guodong was gradually losing his patience seeing Lin Aoxue’s continued reluctance. However, he still tried his best to restrain his temper and persuade her to apologize to Xiao Ran.

Lin Aoxue struggled internally for a moment, but ultimately succumbed to the pressure of familial ties.

"Fine, I’ll go apologize to him. As long as he doesn’t target the Lin family, I can let bygones be bygones and be friends with him."

Hearing Lin Aoxue agree, Lin Guodong was overjoyed. He patted the back of her hand and said in relief, "That’s my good daughter. Get some rest first, then dress up nicely tonight and give Young Master Xiao a proper apology."

Although Lin Aoxue still despised Xiao Ran in her heart, she had no choice but to compromise for the sake of the Lin family. Besides, Lin Guodong would be accompanying her to the dinner tonight. No matter how bold Xiao Ran was, he couldn’t possibly try any dirty tricks right in front of her father.

Therefore, Lin Aoxue didn’t overthink it and obediently went to sleep.