Chapter 108: You Can Leave

Xiao Ran took in Lin Aoxue’s hesitation, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes before he quickly masked it.

This woman, Lin Aoxue, was truly pushing her luck. Thinking back to Jingcheng, what kind of woman couldn’t he get with just a crook of his finger? When had he ever needed to put in so much effort? If not for the sake of making things difficult for Ye Xuan, Xiao Ran had a hundred ways to make her submit. But forcing her would be entirely meaningless. Only if Lin Aoxue willingly fell in love with him and abandoned Ye Xuan would it bring the man the utmost agony.

The waiter standing nearby was highly perceptive. Hearing Xiao Ran’s words, he promptly brought over a new bottle of red wine. He even swapped out Lin Aoxue’s glass and poured her a fresh drink right in front of her.

Looking at the glass filled with dark red liquid, Lin Aoxue furrowed her slender brows. On the surface, Xiao Ran was proving his innocence, but in reality, he was forcing her to drink. Now that he had gone to such lengths, if she still refused the drink, she would be blatantly slapping him in the face.

Terrified that Xiao Ran would get angry, Lin Guodong hastily picked up the glass and shoved it into Lin Aoxue’s hands.

"You silly girl, Young Master Xiao isn’t a bad person. Do you think he’d harm you?

"Besides, I’m right here. What is there to be afraid of? Hurry up and drink."

Faced with Lin Guodong’s urging, Lin Aoxue hesitated for a moment before finally tilting her head back and draining the glass.

"Xue’er truly has a great capacity for liquor," Xiao Ran praised with a grin, seeing that she had finally taken the drink.

"Young Master Xiao, I’ve drank the wine and you’ve apologized. Can I leave now?" Lin Aoxue said coldly, licking the red wine off her lips.

She had absolutely zero affection for Xiao Ran; every passing second spent sitting here was pure torture. She had no mood to enjoy the scenery. All she wanted was to go back.

Her words made Xiao Ran’s expression stiffen, the smile on his face beginning to falter. A trace of chill crept into his eyes. This woman really was pushing her luck!

"How can you speak to Young Master Xiao like that! Apologize right now!" Lin Guodong broke out in a cold sweat. Raising his hand, he slapped Lin Aoxue across the face and scolded her furiously.

This time, Xiao Ran didn’t intervene. Instead, he watched coldly from the sidelines. This made Lin Guodong feel even more uncertain.

"Young Master Xiao, Xue’er has been spoiled by us since she was young. She’s a bit willful, please don’t be angry.

"Come, let me toast you to apologize on her behalf."

He forced a smile, raising his glass as he looked at Xiao Ran with a fawning expression. But the latter didn’t even spare him a glance, his eyes fixed squarely on Lin Aoxue.

"Xue’er, you’re making me very disappointed."

The faint words drifted into Lin Aoxue’s ears, making her involuntarily shudder. She looked up at Xiao Ran. Even though she was terrified inside, she still refused to bow her head.

"Young Master Xiao, I’m feeling a bit unwell. Excuse me."

With that, Lin Aoxue stood up and prepared to leave. However, the waiter who had been standing nearby immediately blocked her path.

Lin Aoxue knitted her brows tightly, a flash of anger in her eyes. "Young Master Xiao, is this your attitude when apologizing?"

Faced with her questioning, Xiao Ran leaned back against his chair, looking utterly arrogant.

"Xue’er, my attitude depends entirely on you. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll find that I can be a very gentle man.

"But if you refuse to appreciate my kindness, don’t blame me for being ruthless. My patience is limited."

This was a naked threat!

Lin Aoxue’s pupils contracted violently, her grip on her handbag tightening. "I’ve already told you, there is someone I like. It’s impossible between us."

Again and again, she trampled on his pride. Xiao Ran’s patience was completely depleted.

SMACK!

He slammed his palm onto the table, making both Lin Guodong and Lin Aoxue jump in fright.

"Lin Aoxue, don’t force me to do things the hard way.

"It is your honor that I desire to pursue you. There is no woman in this world that I, Xiao Ran, cannot have.

"Lin Guodong, you must be full by now, right? Please head home first. I have matters to discuss with Xue’er."

Done wasting time with Lin Aoxue, Xiao Ran shot the waiter a look. Instantly, Lin Aoxue was forcefully grabbed by the man. Lin Guodong wanted to step in and save her, but his movements were abruptly halted by Xiao Ran’s previous dismissal.

"Xiao Ran! What are you doing! Let me go!"

Everything that had happened last night flooded back into Lin Aoxue’s mind. Boundless fear enveloped her heart. She struggled desperately while screaming at Xiao Ran.

"Take her to my room," Xiao Ran commanded, waving his hand at the waiter indifferently.

The waiter, perfectly obedient, kept his grip on Lin Aoxue and moved to drag her away.

Lin Guodong’s legs trembled in fear. He wanted to step forward to stop them, but he shrank back hesitantly.

"Dad! Save me!" Lin Aoxue panicked, crying out to Lin Guodong for help.

Hearing his daughter’s pleas, a flash of heartache crossed Lin Guodong’s eyes. He walked up to Xiao Ran, shamelessly begging, "Young Master Xiao, this isn’t right. This will cause great harm to Xue’er. Could you please..."

"Lin Guodong, I hear your company is currently expanding into overseas markets and needs an investment of five billion.

"If you need it, I can provide you with this funding."

Before Lin Guodong could finish, Xiao Ran offered a condition that thoroughly tempted him.

Five billion! As long as they had this money, the Lin Family’s push into Jingcheng would be within reach.

"Dad! I’m your daughter!" Seeing that Lin Guodong was wavering, Lin Aoxue’s eyes filled with despair as she screamed hoarsely.

Looking at his daughter’s miserable state, Lin Guodong was incredibly conflicted. Five billion, or his daughter? How was he supposed to choose?

"If you think that’s not enough, I can have Su Xiaobai return all of his shares in the Lin Clan back to the Lin Family.

"I wonder if such conditions are enough to buy your daughter for one night?"

Not in a rush for an answer, Xiao Ran smiled faintly and threw in another condition. This final addition prompted Lin Guodong to make an instantaneous decision.

"Xue’er, just keep Young Master Xiao good company tonight. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow."

Five billion, plus twenty percent of the company’s shares—it was enough for Lin Guodong to sell out his own daughter. Moreover, in his eyes, this transaction wasn’t a loss at all. In fact, the Lin Family was making a massive profit.

"Men, escort Uncle Lin ashore."

Hearing Lin Guodong’s response, Xiao Ran smiled with deep satisfaction. He called his bodyguards over to see the older man out.

Lin Aoxue’s small face was deathly pale. She stared at her father with hollow eyes. She never could have imagined that her own biological father would actually sell her out.

"Lin Guodong! I hate you! Let me go! Let me go!"

Watching Lin Guodong’s retreating figure, Lin Aoxue completely broke down. She kicked and punched at the waiter, screaming like a madwoman.