Chapter 16: Incontinence

Ye Tianci blinked, his expression calm. “I don’t mind at all.”

“Tch!”

Lin Hao rolled his eyes so hard they nearly reached his temples, his lips curling in disdain. “Ye Tianci, who do you think you are?”

“You really consider yourself Lin Qingqian’s fiancé? Think you’re already a son-in-law of the Lin family? And here you are, threatening me. Why don’t you take a good look at yourself!”

“A crippled country quack like you dares threaten me?”

Behind Lin Hao, several younger members of the Lin family echoed his scorn, rebuking Ye Tianci for his alleged lack of manners.

At that moment, Lin Changren spoke. “Ye Tianci, Lin Hao was just speaking carelessly. Don’t dwell on it.”

Lin Changyi added, “Let me be fair. The head of the Liang family has already laid out the truth of the matter—let’s leave it at that. There’s no need to bring it up again and spoil the harmony.”

Ye Tianci’s gaze was icy. “When you all were slandering my fiancée and hurling insults at us, did any of you care about harmony then?”

“And now, suddenly, it’s all about not hurting anyone’s feelings?”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone says. Lin Hao must kneel and slap himself!”

Upon hearing Ye Tianci openly call her his fiancée in front of the family and stand up for her so fiercely, Lin Qingqian felt a strange warmth stir within her. Her gaze toward Ye Tianci shifted subtly.

Lin Hao was enraged by Ye Tianci’s words and was about to lash out when Liang Xianrong spoke up, his tone slow and deliberate. “Brother Daonan, this Lin Hao—is he your grandson?”

Lin Daonan nodded. “Lin Hao is the eldest grandson of the Lin family.”

Liang Xianrong gave a meaningful “oh,” then said, “Brother Daonan, I came to your family today intending to invest in your holiday resort. I had planned to invest a hundred million.”

“But after seeing the character displayed by your grandson, I have my doubts. If the rest of your family is like him, it would be difficult for me to proceed. After all, character is crucial—without it, no business can flourish.”

Lin Daonan’s expression changed dramatically. The Lin family was in dire straits thanks to Liang Wei’s recent machinations; they desperately needed this hundred million. Liang Xianrong’s investment was their only lifeline.

If this investment fell through because of such a trivial matter, not only would their resort fail to develop, they might not even keep it running.

“Master Liang, what are you suggesting?” Lin Daonan asked, nervous.

Liang Xianrong bowed respectfully to Ye Tianci and said with conviction, “Since Lin Hao said what he did earlier, he should keep his promise, as Mr. Ye asked.”

“And, I owe Mr. Ye a favor as well. Brother Daonan, I trust I need say no more?”

Lin Daonan understood, his face dark as he turned to Lin Hao. “Lin Hao, do as you said—kneel and give yourself a hundred slaps! Apologize to Ye Tianci and Qingqian!”

“Grandfather, I—” Lin Hao’s arrogance vanished, replaced by panic and a dry mouth.

Seeing his grandfather’s grim face, Lin Hao looked to his father for help.

Lin Changren shook his head, his expression bleak. “Hao, listen to your grandfather and Master Liang. Kneel.”

“Dad!” Lin Hao cried out, unwilling.

“Even I can’t help you now,” Lin Changren replied with a resigned sigh.

Lin Hao’s once-proud face turned purple with humiliation. He looked at Liang Xianrong in desperation, silently pleading for mercy.

But Liang Xianrong’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. Lin Hao only had to meet his eyes to feel his courage vanish.

With a dull thud, Lin Hao’s legs buckled and he fell to his knees.

He hesitated, arm raised, unable to bring himself to act.

Liang Xianrong, losing patience, waved a hand coldly. “You two, help him finish his performance.”

Two burly men strode forward, ignoring the Lin family’s shouts. One pinned Lin Hao down, while the other raised a palm as broad as a fan and began to strike Lin Hao’s face with rapid, resounding slaps.

Smack! Smack! Smack! The sound was sharp and relentless, the rhythm unyielding.

“Ah! That hurts! Not so hard! Ow!” Lin Hao wailed.

“Please, go easier! I beg you!”

Kneeling, Lin Hao could not move, his pleas for mercy lost amid the torrent of blows.

In just a minute, the two men finished administering a hundred slaps. They withdrew, leaving Lin Hao sprawled on the floor.

More than a dozen of his teeth lay broken in his bloodied mouth. His cheeks were grotesquely swollen and red, puffed up like an angry pufferfish. Both corners of his mouth were split and bleeding, froth mingling with saliva and streaming down his chin. His eyes were so swollen they barely opened, mere slits in his battered face.

He looked both pitiful and comical.

A sudden noise broke the silence, and the sharp stench of urine filled the air. Lin Hao had lost control of his bladder, soaking his trousers.

Lin Qingqian nearly burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.

Lin Changren motioned for two servants to carry Lin Hao away. He dared not utter a word, standing silently to the side with a cold face.

Lin Daonan looked to Liang Xianrong, his voice cautious. “Master Liang, is this sufficient?”

Liang Xianrong smiled faintly and nodded. “Excellent. I have regained my confidence in the investment.”

He turned to Ye Tianci, just as deferentially. “Mr. Ye, are you satisfied now?”

Ye Tianci smiled lightly. “As expected of Master Liang—decisive and efficient. Come here.”

Delighted, Liang Xianrong hurried to stand before Ye Tianci.

Ye Tianci pressed along Liang Xianrong’s back, from the nape of his neck down to his tailbone.

Liang Xianrong winced in pain but gritted his teeth and bore it without a sound.

Then Ye Tianci produced a talisman, folded it, and handed it over. “Place this under your pillow tonight. By tomorrow, all your symptoms will be gone.”

“Truly?” Liang Xianrong exclaimed. “Thank you, Mr. Ye! When I recover, I will present you with a generous gift!”

He bowed respectfully to Ye Tianci, overjoyed. Turning to Lin Daonan, he said, “Brother Daonan, tomorrow send your granddaughter to Dongliang Group to sign the contract.”

“The hundred million investment will be transferred as soon as the contract is signed!”

With that, he strode away without looking back.

As soon as Liang Xianrong departed, Lin Changren said, “Father, once the contract is signed tomorrow, we’ll have a hundred million in the account. We ought to celebrate tonight—how about a banquet?”

The others quickly voiced their agreement.

Lin Daonan nodded. “It is something worth celebrating. Changren, you see to the arrangements. I’m tired.” The servants helped him away to rest.

Lin Changren, smug, turned to look at Ye Tianci and Lin Qingqian, his expression suddenly turning cold. “Qingqian, have you decided to go through with the engagement to Ye Tianci?”

Lin Qingqian, having pondered it most of the night, had made up her mind. She answered without hesitation, “Yes.”

Lin Changren snorted coldly. “You certainly know how to bring glory to the Lin family.”

“Tonight’s banquet ought to be a happy occasion, but your decision has thoroughly disappointed your family. I think there’s no need for you or your family to attend. Go enjoy yourselves with your fiancé.”

“Changli, sister-in-law, you needn’t come either. Don’t blame me for being heartless—it’s your precious daughter’s doing. She really found us a fine son-in-law!”

Lin Changli left in silence, Zheng Mei stamped her foot and stormed out in anger.

Outside, Ye Tianci turned to Lin Qingqian. “Did you really just say you’d fulfill the engagement?”

Lin Qingqian gazed into Ye Tianci’s face, her eyes resolute. “Last night, I thought it through. Perhaps Grandfather’s decision was right. I’m willing to fulfill the engagement. I hope you won’t let me down.”

“Qingqian, you won’t regret your decision,” Ye Tianci replied with a warm smile.

Lin Qingqian smiled, shy and sweet, and took his hand. “I believe you. Come on, let’s go home.”