Chapter 44: Offering the Medicine

Lin Yang walked down the mountain at a measured pace when he received a call from Qi Yixin.

“Mr. Lin, I’ve found two stalks of Dragon Saliva Grass and had them delivered overnight from the provincial capital,” Qi Yixin said.

“Thank you for your trouble. Please bring them to me yourself. I live in Building Eighteen at Imperial Glory Garden.”

It so happened that Qi Tianyong was Qi Yixin’s nephew, so it made sense to let the old man handle the family matters himself.

“Mr. Lin, you’re too polite. It’s no trouble at all. I’ll be there right away,” Qi Yixin replied, delighted. He was more than eager to run errands for Lin Yang, hoping to curry favor.

Lin Yimo led Lin Dehai down the mountain and stopped outside Dou Jun’s house.

“Grandpa Lin, are you alright? My stomach was killing me earlier, I couldn’t stand it. I really didn’t mean to leave you behind,” Dou Jun said apologetically.

“Come inside first, let me treat your wounds,” he offered.

“Alright,” Lin Dehai replied, knowing Dou Jun was simply afraid for his own life and had run off. He didn’t blame him—after all, the Dou family was wealthy.

“No need, Grandpa. I’ll take you to the hospital,” Lin Yimo said, opening the car door for Lin Dehai.

“Yimo, don’t misunderstand me,” Dou Jun said, coming over and grabbing her hand.

Lin Yimo shook him off coldly. “There’s nothing to misunderstand. I’ve seen your character clearly enough. Thank you for standing up for my grandfather today—it cost you a beating. I owe you one and I’ll repay it someday.”

With that, Lin Yimo climbed into the car and drove away.

“Damn it! That bitch! One day I’ll get her in bed, make her beg under me,” Dou Jun muttered, his expression dark with anger. He’d suffered a beating and gotten nothing in return; he was bitterly resentful.

“Yimo, you shouldn’t have fallen out with Jun. Don’t you know what shape our family is in? We need the Dou family’s financial support,” Lin Dehai complained from the car.

“Find a chance later and make up with him,” he urged.

“Grandpa, please don’t say that. I could never be in a relationship with someone like him,” Lin Yimo replied.

After leaving Imperial Glory Garden, Lin Yimo parked by the roadside, got out, and began scrolling through her contacts, searching for someone who could help Lin Yang. After all, this trouble originated entirely because of her grandfather. She couldn’t just turn a blind eye and enjoy her own safety without guilt.

Among her classmates, many came from affluent families, but few could speak on equal terms with someone like Qi Tianyong.

Lin Yimo made several calls in succession. At first, her classmates were polite and agreed to help. But as soon as they learned she’d offended Qi Tianyong, they quickly backed out, claiming they were powerless.

Growing increasingly anxious, Lin Yimo finally came to a contact she hesitated over for a long time before taking a deep breath and dialing.

“Mr. Wei, it’s Lin,” she said.

“Lin, what can I do for you?” Wei Dagang asked gently.

“I’ve run into some trouble and was hoping you could help,” Lin Yimo said.

“No problem, tell me what it is,” Wei Dagang replied readily.

Lin Yimo quickly explained the situation.

Wei Dagang was silent for a moment. “I’m indeed on good terms with Qi Tianyong and can speak to him, but your friend was really reckless—he beat up Mr. Qi. This won’t be easy to resolve.”

“Mr. Wei, please, I know you have connections and influence. If you help protect my friend, I’ll always remember your kindness and repay you,” Lin Yimo pleaded.

“It’ll take a lot of effort to settle this. If I do it for you, you’ll have to agree to what I mentioned last time,” Wei Dagang said.

“This… I…” Lin Yimo hesitated. Wei Dagang wanted her as his personal secretary, which was little different from being his mistress.

“Lin, you know your family’s situation. Your father owes tens of millions in loan shark debt and can’t pay it back. The deadline is approaching. You know what those loan sharks are capable of, right?” Wei Dagang pressed her relentlessly.

“If you agree, not only will I resolve today’s matter, but I’ll also deal with your father’s debt—he’ll only need to repay the principal, no more interest. I can even help him make a comeback. In short, it’ll be very beneficial for you.”

Lin Yimo clenched her teeth, closed her eyes, and two tears slid down her cheeks.

“Alright! As long as you keep your word, I’ll accept your terms.”

Once, Lin Yimo was brimming with confidence. She graduated from a prestigious university, ready to make her family’s company thrive.

But reality delivered the harshest blows. Now the Lin family company was drowning in debt, on the verge of collapse.

Dating Dou Jun was a last resort—she hoped to leverage the Dou family’s wealth and connections to save her family business.

But Dou Jun’s cowardice and selfishness had left her bitterly disappointed.

Lin Yang’s trouble was the last straw, the weight that finally crushed Lin Yimo under mounting pressure.

“Wait for my good news,” Wei Dagang said.

After hanging up, Lin Yimo squatted by the roadside, burying her head in her arms and sobbing.

Lin Dehai opened the car door. “Yimo, you’ll just have to resign yourself to fate. I know you’re hurting, but what else can we do? The whole family depends on you.”

Lin Yimo cried for a long time, then wiped her tears and returned to the car, saying nothing as she drove Lin Dehai to the hospital.

Wei Dagang called Qi Tianyong, asking him to show mercy and spare Lin Yang.

“Old Wei, this time, I can’t do it! That little bastard dared to hit me in public—even if the king himself asked, I wouldn’t grant it,” Qi Tianyong said through gritted teeth.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t take revenge. Just don’t kill him today—let him live for now, and finish him off in a few days,” Wei Dagang plotted, planning to get Lin Yimo into bed first, so that once the deed was done, Lin Yang’s fate would mean nothing to him.

“Fine! I’ll leave him breathing for now,” Qi Tianyong agreed and hung up.

Lin Yang returned home, showered, and was just coming downstairs when Qi Yixin arrived.

Qi Yixin brought a case. “Mr. Lin, please have a look. These two stalks of Dragon Saliva Grass are even better than the last one. Besides them, I’ve brought a hundred-year-old wild ginseng and a hundred-year-old purple wisteria vine.”

Wild ginseng and purple wisteria were both needed for medicinal baths; last time, he’d only managed to buy ones a few decades old.

“Excellent! Thank you. How much do I owe you?” Lin Yang smiled, very satisfied.

“It’s nothing, really. Consider it my apology for what happened before,” Qi Yixin said hurriedly.

“If you have time, I’d be grateful for your guidance. Otherwise, I’ll take my leave. If you need anything in the future, please just let me know,” Qi Yixin said respectfully.

“Qi Tianyong is your nephew, isn’t he?” Lin Yang suddenly asked.

“Yes, he lives right here in Imperial Glory Garden. If you don’t mind, I’ll have him come and pay his respects,” Qi Yixin offered.