Chapter 6: The Final Twelve-Hour Ultimatum!

The speaker was Lin Changren, the eldest son of the Lin family.
“Dad, our family is facing a crisis. If the issue with the West Mountain Resort isn’t resolved soon, we’ll be ruined!”
“Liang Wei, the third young master of the Liang family, has always admired Qingqian. If we can arrange for Qingqian to marry him, not only can we save the resort, but we’ll also gain the Liang family’s support—two birds with one stone!”
“But if Qingqian marries Ye Tianci, there’s nothing for our family to gain! That’s why I firmly oppose this marriage!”
Lin Changren’s words echoed with authority and righteousness.
“My father makes sense!”
“That’s right! On one hand, there’s the wealthy Liang family’s third young master, and on the other, a barefoot doctor from the mountains who’s a cripple—the difference is too great!”
“If Qingqian marries Liang Wei, even if she faces domestic violence daily, it would be a hundred times better than marrying a cripple!”
...
The Lin family members voiced their agreement with Lin Changren’s stance.
Lin Daonan frowned and looked to the side. “Changli, Zheng Mei, what do you two think?”
Zheng Mei spoke up directly, “Big brother is right. As her mother, I also oppose this marriage!”
“My daughter is as beautiful as a flower, like a fairy. Even if she doesn’t marry a prince, she must at least wed a wealthy young master!”
“A cripple wants to marry my daughter? Maybe in his next life!”
As she spoke, Zheng Mei cast a disdainful glance at Ye Tianci, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Beside her, the middle-aged man was Lin Qingqian’s father, Lin Changli, who spoke timidly, “Dad, let’s just listen to Zheng Mei.”
Lin Daonan raised the marriage contract in his hand, his face livid and breathing heavily. “Years ago, I begged others for this contract!”
“Without it, the Lin family wouldn’t exist today!”
“Even if I die, I’ll never be unfaithful or break my word!”
“Qingqian must fulfill the engagement and marry Ye Tianci!”
Zheng Mei scoffed, “Dad, what era do you think this is? Why are you still clinging to such old-fashioned ideas?”
“You may have signed the contract, but Qingqian is my daughter. My word is final!”
“You’d better focus on your health and stop meddling!”
“You... cough, cough, cough!”
Lin Daonan was so enraged that he began coughing violently.
At that moment, a shout came from outside the door, “Gao Hongqiang, General Manager of East Grain Group, has arrived!”
The Lin family was shocked—Gao Hongqiang was one of the Three Dragons of Shu City!
Stories about him circulated everywhere—a truly ruthless figure!
Why would such a man suddenly visit the Lin family?

Before the family could react, the door was kicked open, and four men in black suits filed in.
The last to enter was a middle-aged man dressed casually, with a scholarly demeanor.
Lin Changren quickly approached him with a smile. “Mr. Gao, what brings you to our humble home today?”
“Our Young Master Wei passed gas, so I came over. Tell me, was it fragrant or foul?”
Gao Hongqiang teased Lin Changren.
Lin Changren blinked and grinned, “Of course, Young Master Wei’s is fragrant.”
Suddenly, Gao Hongqiang slapped him hard across the face.
Lin Changren spun around, stunned, clutching his cheek.
He never expected Gao Hongqiang to turn violent without warning.
Seeing their father struck in their own home, Lin Hao and Lin Weiwei, who had previously mocked Ye Tianci, now lowered their heads in fear, not daring even to breathe loudly.
The rest of the Lin family, too, dared not protest, knowing Gao Hongqiang’s reputation for ruthlessness.
“One man enters Lin’s home and silences a hundred birds.”
“Good. That’s how the Lin family should behave.”
Gao Hongqiang sneered, mocking everyone present.
Lin Qingqian stood up, calm and unyielding. “Gao Hongqiang, coming to our home to assault people—do you respect the law at all?”
“Hah, I thought the Lin family was all cowards, but there’s someone bold enough to rebuke me?”
“A bunch of men, and none as brave as a young woman!”
He sized up Lin Qingqian with a mocking look. “You look delicate, but your spirit is fiery. You must be Lin Qingqian, the leading beauty of Shu City.”
“Tsk tsk! Truly a stunning woman!”
“You just asked whether I respect the law? Let me tell you—in Shu City, the Liang family is the law! East Grain Group is the law!”
His presence was overwhelming, pressing down on everyone so that they could hardly breathe.
“Cough, cough, cough...”
Lin Daonan coughed weakly, “Gao Hongqiang, what are you here for?”
“Lin Daonan, you’re still alive?”
Gao Hongqiang looked at him gleefully. “Perfect. Listen carefully. Our Young Master Wei only wanted to invite Miss Lin for a gathering, but not only did she refuse, she had my brother and several bodyguards beaten.”
“Young Master Wei has decided to show no more courtesy to your family. I’m here with his ultimatum—the final twelve-hour warning!”
“Within twelve hours, either you sell West Mountain Resort to the Liang family for ten million, or you send your granddaughter Lin Qingqian to Young Master Wei. Choose one!”
“If you fail to satisfy him when time’s up, your family has no reason to exist!”
He drew his finger across his throat in a threatening gesture.
Everyone in the Lin family turned pale with fright!
The younger generation, like Lin Hao, was so scared they could hardly stand!
They had no doubt at all that Gao Hongqiang meant what he said. If the Liang family wanted to destroy them, it would only take a word.
Seeing the Lin family petrified, Gao Hongqiang burst out laughing. He stepped forward and pinched Lin Qingqian’s cheek, “Such soft skin! It feels like it could drip water!”
“My advice? Accept your fate. Be obedient and lie down on Young Master Wei’s bed, ha ha ha!”
Gao Hongqiang laughed arrogantly and turned to leave.
“You can go, but whichever hand touched her, that hand stays behind.”
A cold, clear voice suddenly rang out.
Gao Hongqiang paused, slowly turning around.
A wicked curve appeared on his lips, and he let his murderous intent show in his eyes.
Everyone in the Lin family stared in shock at the source of the voice.
It was Ye Tianci again!
“Ye Tianci, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“This is a Lin family matter. Why are you, an outsider, butting in?”
“Daring to demand that Mr. Gao leave a hand behind? Are you mad?”
“So what if Mr. Gao touched Qingqian’s face? It’s not as if she lost anything. But you—you’re disgusting, so hurry up and leave!”
...
The Lin family cursed and shouted.
Lin Hao and Lin Weiwei were the loudest, glaring fiercely, spittle flying several meters!
“When our father was slapped, none of you stood up so dutifully. Now you’re all so bold?”
Ye Tianci’s words left Lin Hao and Lin Weiwei red-faced and speechless.
Their faces burned with shame.
Ye Tianci’s words stung more than any slap.
Gao Hongqiang eyed Ye Tianci, who limped out of the crowd, with a mocking expression. “No one in Shu City dares speak to me like this, especially not a cripple. Where did you find your courage?”
“You’re so eager to chop off my hand, fine—bring the knife.”
With a wave, one of his men placed a dagger in his palm.
He handed the knife to Ye Tianci, his lips curled with challenge and mockery. “Here’s the knife. Let’s see how you’ll cut off my hand.”