Chapter 2: Dongfang Ruoxue
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Did his father actually know Dongfang Sheng? Why had he never heard him mention it? As Lin Yun’s mind filled with doubt, Lin Tianhao’s hearty voice spoke.
“Brother Dongfang, please sit down.”
Dongfang Sheng sat down on the dilapidated sofa while Dongfang Ruoxue frowned. With a look of disdain on her face, she remained standing.
“Brother Tianhao, I’m here today because there’s something I want to discuss with you.” Dongfang Sheng looked down at his toes and spoke slowly.
“Brother, please speak freely. If there’s anything I can do, do let me know. Yun’er, get Uncle Dongfang a drink.”
Lin Yun was kept busy serving tea, but he was full of doubts. His father seemed to be familiar with Dongfang Sheng’s family. However, how was it that they had never been in contact before this and he had never heard his father mention them before? Why were they here now?
Dongfang Sheng did not take the cup. Instead, he took a bank card out from his jacket pocket and put it on the marble table. His expression was hesitant as he said slowly, “Brother Tianhao, I know Yun’er’s situation. Here are 100,000 Alliance Dollars. It will help to get Yun’er admitted to the Clearwater Academy.”
One hundred thousand Alliance Dollars? Lin Yun’s heart skipped a beat. Indeed, with 100,000 Alliance Dollars, he would be able to buy a spot for admission into Clearwater College. However, with his father’s government subsidy of just a few hundred Alliance Dollars per month, how could they afford 100,000 Alliance Dollars? Hence, Lin Yun did not even dare to think about buying the admission qualification.
Now that there were 100,000 Alliance Dollars in front of him, how could Lin Yun not be tempted?
However, Lin Tianhao did not show any excitement. Instead, he asked quietly, “Brother Dongfang, what do you mean by this?”
Dongfang Sheng seemed unwilling to lift his head and look at Lin Tianhao. His expression was uncomfortable and he did not speak for a long while.
Beside him, Dongfang Ruoxue stomped her foot and suddenly smiled at Lin Tianhao. “Uncle Lin, I’ve not come to visit you, please accept my apologies.”
Lin Tianhao chuckled and looked at Dongfang Ruoxue kindly with a smile on his face. “Niece, you have grown so big in the blink of an eye. Your eyes really resemble your mother’s.”
Dongfang Ruoxue smiled faintly and continued, “Uncle Lin, this year, I just passed the Level 4 Spiritual Apprentice assessment.”
Hearing that, Lin Yun’s heart stirred. Level 4 Spiritual Apprentice? The Spiritual Strength of an ordinary adult was usually Level 3. Dongfang Ruoxue was only 16-years-old and her Spiritual Strength was already Level 4?! She was so gifted! He noticed that Dongfang Ruoxue’s brows were raised and there was a hint of pride on her face.
Lin Tianhao was overjoyed and said happily, “Niece, you’re really talented. You’ll definitely pass the Clearwater College entrance exam.” Then, Lin Tianhao looked at Dongfang Sheng with reproach. “Brother Dongfang, why didn’t you share this piece of good news earlier?”
Dongfang Sheng remained quiet. He crossed his arms and seemed undecided about something.
Dongfang Ruoxue looked at Lin Tianhao directly and said, “Uncle Lin, in fact, I’ve been accepted as an apprentice by Guo Yun, the Deputy Dean of Clearwater College. Teacher Guo Yun said that as long as I pass the Level 5 Spiritual Apprentice assessment before the age of 18, she will recommend me to her master.”
Lin Tianhao was stunned for a while, then he broke into a big smile. “You’re talking about Guo Yun’s teacher? That would be the Level 8 Spiritualist, Guo Tianqiao!”
“Yes, as long as one gets the guidance of Mr. Guo Tianqiao, it’s not impossible to become a Level 6 Spiritualist, or even become a mecha knight before one turns 30.” Dongfang Ruoxue looked proud as she cast a disdainful glance at Lin Yun.
Then, she coughed lightly and said slowly, “Ms. Guo Yun has high hopes for me, but she’s also very strict with me. She requested previously that I must not enter into any relationship before I complete my training.”
After she finished speaking, Dongfang Ruoxue looked expectantly at Lin Tianhao.
The smile on Lin Tianhao’s face suddenly froze. The corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably and he asked haltingly, “So, what does Niece Dongfang mean to say?”
“How can I start a family when my career has not taken off? I’m afraid I will hold Brother Lin Yun back, so I hope Brother Lin Yun will select another partner.”
1“What?”
The smile on Lin Tianhao’s face froze instantly. The glass cup in his hand was suddenly crushed. Shards of glass cut his calloused palm and blood dripped from his hand.
Lin Tianhao did not seem concerned about the injury on his hand. Instead, he turned his head to look at Dongfang Sheng and asked aloud, “Are my niece’s words yours?”
Dongfang Sheng sighed and seemed to avoid Lin Tianhao’s eyes. After a long pause, he slowly said, “Brother Lin, although I’ve not visited you all these years, I always remembered your kindness.”
Lin Tianhao sneered and looked at him quietly.
“I know you are a prideful person, so I didn’t try to ease your life with money. I’ve always regarded you as a friend, that’s why I betrothed Ruoxue to Yun’er at that time.”
Hearing this, Lin Yun shuddered. He finally understood the whole story. If it was an hour ago, he might have been ecstatic about the marriage contract. But now, Dongfang Ruoxue was just a hateful person to him.
Lin Tianhao’s hand trembled as he said slowly, “So, you don’t consider me a friend now?”
Dongfang Sheng reached out as if to pat his old friend’s shoulder. However, seeing the coldness in Lin Tianhao’s eyes, his hand froze in mid-air. He explained helplessly, “My daughter is destined not to be bound to this little Clearwater City. Even if Yun’er’s Spiritual energy was like that of an ordinary person, he will inevitably be subject to ridicule. Brother Lin, it’s not necessarily a good thing for him to marry my daughter.”
Lin Tianhao was furious. He shouted, “So, you’re using this 100,000 Alliance Dollars to buy a bright future for your daughter?”
“Shut up! How can you talk to my dad like this?” Dongfang Ruoxue glared at Lin Tianhao and yelled. “My dad is already showing you respect by coming to your broken-down house! One hundred thousand Alliance Dollars is not compensation for breaking the marriage contract, but to soothe your friendship. I’ll tell you, in my mind, this marriage contract never existed!”
“Shut up!” Lin Yun could not tolerate Dongfang Ruoxue insulting his father. He clenched his right fist and moved to strike Dongfang Ruoxue’s face.
However, his fist was firmly caught by Lin Tianhao.
Lin Tianhao suddenly laughed, then stared into Dongfang Sheng’s eyes. He said clearly, enunciating each word, “Our Lin family is not a match for your Dongfang family. However, we will not go so low as to live off your money. Take the money back. Henceforth, we no longer owe each other anything and we will no longer have anything to do with each other!”
Dongfang Sheng frowned. He seemed to want to further explain but did not say anything in the end. Finally, he slowly stood up and sighed. Then, he pulled the fuming Dongfang Ruoxue and slowly walked out of the Lin family door. He seemed to have forgotten the bank card with the 100,000 Alliance Dollars in it.
Lin Yun grabbed the bank card, rushed out of the door, and flung it at Dongfang Sheng and his daughter. He yelled, “Take back your stinky money!”
Dongfang Ruoxue looked at Lin Yun contemptuously and said mockingly, “You with your sub-standard Spiritual Strength, do you think you’re a match for me? Hahaha, what a joke!”
Saying that she followed Dongfang Sheng and left without looking back.
Lin Yun felt the anger rise in his chest, and for a long time, he was unable to calm himself down. He returned home and saw his father sitting on the ground, staring at the Tri-Star Medal of Honor.
Suddenly, Lin Tianhao raised his head and smiled wryly. “Yun’er, am I very useless?”
Lin Yun raised Lin Tianhao’s injured hand slowly. His voice was full of emotion as he said, “In my heart, you’re the best father in the world!”
Lin Tianhao patted Lin Yun on the shoulder and asked, “I haven’t told you about the marriage contract before because it occurred to me that this day might come. Do you blame me?”
Looking at his father’s aged face and his hands that were full of calluses, Lin Yun choked. “How can I blame you? I know, I understand.”
Lin Tianhao struggled to stand up. He seemed to have made a decision. He gave Lin Yun an intent look and said firmly, “Yun’er, rest assured. You will definitely get into Clearwater College!”
Lin Yun looked at his father’s tall figure with tears in his eyes. He vowed secretly in his heart. “I, Lin Yun, swear that I will repay the humiliation you gave my father today!”
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