Chapter 15 Begin Your Performance
“Brother Dao Nan, I hope my unannounced visit isn’t unwelcome to your family?”
Liang Xianrong strode into the center of the living room, smiling as he cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Dao Nan.
“The Master of the Liang Family gracing us with his presence brings nothing but honor to our humble home. How could we possibly not welcome you?”
“Quick, prepare a seat!”
Lin Dao Nan was clearly overwhelmed by the honor.
He was not alone; the rest of the Lin family shared the same feeling of astonishment. The Lin family was but an inconspicuous third-rate clan in Shu City, and for a man of Liang Xianrong’s stature to come visiting in person—surely, it must be a sign of some extraordinary fortune.
“Master Liang, please, have a seat!”
Lin Changren personally moved a chair behind Liang Xianrong, bowing low, his face brimming with flattery.
As Liang Xianrong sat down, just as he was about to speak, Lin Changren hurriedly interjected, “Master Liang, Lin Qingqian is my niece—young, rash, and unfamiliar with proper etiquette. If she offended your son Wei last night during her visit to your home, we sincerely ask your forgiveness.”
“If your son was injured and she was involved, please, hold her accountable as you see fit. Our Lin family will not be lenient with her!”
Lin Hao immediately chimed in, “That’s right! We will be sure to give the Liang family a satisfactory explanation.”
Liang Xianrong’s brow furrowed slightly.
Noticing the change in his expression, Lin Changren felt a surge of unease and quickly added, “I heard Master Wei was seriously injured. We’re willing to offer compensation, since this all started because of our Lin family.”
“We’ll cover all medical expenses for Wei’s recovery, and in addition, we’ll pay another million. Would that be acceptable to you?”
His face was filled with humble submission, his servile demeanor reminiscent of late Qing officials negotiating humiliating treaties with foreign powers.
Ye Tianci watched with undisguised disgust and remarked coolly, “Are the two of you done groveling yet? Apologizing and offering compensation before understanding the situation?”
“Liang Xianrong isn’t here to settle scores. He’s come to ask for my help, and incidentally to extend goodwill to your family.”
Had he remained silent, it might have been better, but the moment he spoke, the Lin family erupted in a chorus of harsh rebukes.
“Ye Tianci, shut your mouth!”
“How dare you address Master Liang by name? Such arrogance and lack of manners!”
“What does a country bumpkin like you know about etiquette? Someone like you isn’t worthy of Qingqian, nor of being our family’s son-in-law!”
“Are you insane, Ye Tianci? Claiming Master Liang is here to ask you for help and show favor to our Lin family? I can’t imagine how muddled your brain must be to spout such nonsense!”
…
The Lin family berated Ye Tianci, their spittle flying across the room.
Lin Hao was the most agitated, jabbing a finger at Ye Tianci, his eyes wild with fury. “You hillbilly! You crippled Young Master Wei last night, and now you stand here mouthing off? Get on your knees and apologize to Master Liang!”
Then, bowing deeply before Liang Xianrong with a sycophantic smile, he said, “Master Liang, rest assured—there’s no need for you to demand justice in person. Our family will not let that Ye fellow off.”
“Even if it means breaking both his legs, we’ll force him to apologize and make amends.”
Liang Xianrong rose to his feet, a look of displeasure on his face, his voice icy. “You’re mistaken. Step aside.”
“Master Liang, are you planning to handle this yourself? No need, no need—let me punish him for you—”
Lin Hao grinned like an eager lapdog, wagging his tail in front of Liang Xianrong.
“Smack!”
A resounding slap echoed through the Lin family’s living room—Liang Xianrong had struck him across the face.
Lin Hao was stunned.
So was everyone else. No one had expected such flattery to be rewarded with a stinging slap instead of praise.
The blow left everyone momentarily speechless.
Liang Xianrong’s glare was fierce. “Why are you yapping like a dog here? Out of my sight!”
Lin Hao clutched his cheek in a daze, the flesh trembling as tears of humiliation threatened, but he dared not utter a word.
Lin Changren stepped forward. “Master Liang, my son may have overstepped, but he was only standing up for your son, Wei—”
Liang Xianrong cut him off coldly, “So you’re all standing up for Liang Wei?”
“Yes, yes! Young Master Wei is your son—handsome, a perfect inheritor of your bloodline. Seeing him injured, we were all deeply—”
“Smack!”
A second slap, just as merciless, cut off his words. Liang Xianrong had struck him as well.
Liang Wei was not his biological son and had even tried to harm him; to hear Lin Changren praise Liang Wei as his perfect heir was more than he could stomach.
The Lin family were once again dumbfounded, their faces blank with shock.
What on earth was Liang Xianrong doing?
Lin Changren and Lin Hao had humbled themselves to the utmost, yet not only did Liang Xianrong show no gratitude, he struck them outright?
No one in the family could make sense of it, but none dared question him. All eyes turned to the family patriarch.
Lin Dao Nan frowned deeply, but not daring to provoke Liang Xianrong, he could only cast a pleading glance toward Ye Tianci.
Ye Tianci spoke calmly, “Liang Xianrong, just now they claimed I was the one who crippled your son Liang Wei. Since you’re here, why don’t you tell them what happened last night?”
To everyone’s astonishment, Liang Xianrong gave Ye Tianci a slight bow before announcing, “My rebellious son Liang Wei committed a heinous act last night and has already been cast out of my household!”
“I crippled Liang Wei with my own hands—it had nothing to do with Mr. Ye.”
“My purpose here today is to thank Mr. Ye and to seek his assistance. I am only visiting your Lin family in passing.”
“You stand up for that unfilial son against me, and slander Mr. Ye in my presence. A slap apiece is letting you off lightly!”
His voice rang with authority throughout the Lin family home.
Lin Hao and the others stared in wide-eyed shock, frozen in place.
So Ye Tianci and Lin Qingqian had been right all along!
Ye Tianci looked at Lin Hao with indifference. “Lin Hao, just now you said that if what I and Lin Qingqian claimed is true, you would kneel, slap yourself a hundred times, and apologize to us.”
“Is that so?”
Lin Hao swallowed hard and forced himself to reply, “I was joking.”
Ye Tianci’s lips curled in a cold smile. “I wasn’t.”
“Go on, a hundred slaps. Show us your performance.”
Lin Hao glared at Ye Tianci, snorting disdainfully, “What, you mean if I don’t kneel and slap myself a hundred times, you’ll force me? Is that it?”
Ye Tianci, though young, possessed the composure of someone far more seasoned, but that did not mean he was meek.
On the contrary, he always repaid enmity—and never with mercy.
From the moment he entered the Lin family home yesterday, Lin Hao and his family had targeted him relentlessly. Ye Tianci had no intention of letting them off easily.
“You’d best keep your word and fulfill your promise. Otherwise, if I have to make you, it will not end well for you,” he said softly.
Lin Hao curled his lip, scorn in his eyes. “What, you think you can make me if I refuse?”