Chapter 97: I’ve Got Your Back

“Move! You’re in the way.”

As Lin Xiao was deep in thought, a harsh voice abruptly interrupted him from behind. A strong arm reached out, clamping onto Lin Xiao’s shoulder, attempting to roughly yank him to one side.

The unexpected force was substantial, easily a few hundred pounds. An ordinary person would probably be thrown off balance and end up falling flat on their face.

However, the one on the receiving end was Lin Xiao.

Despite the sudden jerk, Lin Xiao stood his ground. No matter how the person behind him redoubled his efforts, Lin Xiao stayed unmoved, steadfast like an unyielding mountain.

Slowly, Lin Xiao turned around. Standing before him was a tall, menacing man with an ugly demeanor. And behind the man, there was another face, a clean-cut, handsome one, which belonged to Le Fangyun.

At this moment, Le Fangyun was looking at Lin Xiao with an air of superiority, as if a nobleman disdainfully gazed upon a commoner.

Lin Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at the hand gripping his shoulder.

“Unhand me,” he said, his voice calm but unmistakably firm.

The man holding him was no lightweight—Le Fangyun’s personal bodyguard. Thickly muscled, towering in stature, with arms nearly as wide as Lin Xiao’s thighs, he easily weighed over 150 kilograms. He radiated brute strength, his very presence like that of a caged beast on the verge of breaking loose.

But the bodyguard ignored Lin Xiao’s warning. A mocking grin twisted his face as he reached out with his other hand, gripping both of Lin Xiao’s shoulders. With a grunt, he tried to hoist him off the ground using every ounce of his muscle-bound frame.

To his astonishment, Lin Xiao didn’t budge.

Veins bulged, his face turned red with effort, but Lin Xiao remained exactly where he stood—unmoving, solid as stone.

The sensation was akin to an ant trying to topple a tree.

Disbelief flooded the man’s eyes. As Le Fangyun’s bodyguard, he had his skills, with strength being his crowning attribute. He had once hoisted a weight exceeding five hundred kilograms with bare hands.

Yet, he was unable to budge Lin Xiao the slightest bit now.

Le Fangyun, who was standing behind his bodyguard, flashed a trace of surprise across his typically indifferent face upon witnessing this scene.

“You’re biting off more than you can chew,” Lin Xiao said coldly.

With a sudden flex of his arms, a powerful surge coursed through his muscles. The bodyguard’s grip faltered instantly—he couldn’t hold on. Lin Xiao broke free with ease.

In the next breath, Lin Xiao’s palm shot forward, landing squarely on the bodyguard’s chest with explosive force.

The towering brute staggered back, his massive frame shuddering under the blow. Then, with a dull thud, he crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust as he hit the floor hard.

The loud noise caught everyone’s attention, and Le Fangyun’s face darkened. His gaze toward Lin Xiao was steeped in animosity. Nevertheless, he quickly masked his hostile expression, restoring his face to its usual calm and gentle demeanor.

By this time, people attracted by the uproar had gathered around. A few of them, brimming with aggression, rushed forth, encircling Lin Xiao.

“Who are you? How dare you wreak havoc here? Do you even know where you are?”

“How did they even let this guy in? He dares to assault someone, he better apologize to Young Master Le right now.”

“I don’t know where this country bumpkin came from, he has zero manners.”

These people weren’t ignorant of what had transpired. It was Le Fangyun’s bodyguard who had instigated the incident. However, in their eagerness to curry favor with Le Fangyun, they twisted the truth.

The scene was quickly rebranded: the burly man groaning on the ground had ‘accidentally’ fallen in a noble attempt to shield Le Fangyun.

The onlookers, ignorant of the true circumstances, glared at Lin Xiao in response to the crafted narrative.

Le Fangyun, standing calmly at the back of the crowd, couldn’t completely mask the satisfaction twinkling in his eyes. He looked at Lin Xiao with contempt, eager to watch the upcoming drama, and wondering how Lin Xiao would extricate himself.

Lin Xiao’s brow furrowed, his eyes emitting a cold spark. His demeanor instantly became as sharp as a blade.

He didn’t bother to explain. Even without specific knowledge of Le Fangyun’s background, it was clear from the situation that the man wielded significant influence.

The majority of the crowd were Le Fangyun’s lackeys, and Lin Xiao stood alone. Against such odds, any attempt at explanation would be futile. No one would listen, much less believe.

There was only one thing he could and wanted to do: fight.

Eloquent words might twist the truth, but strength breaks all deceits.

Lin Xiao took a step forward, poised to strike, ready to send those who twisted the truth flying.

However, just as he was about to strike, the crowd parted. A beautiful woman with an alluring figure walked towards him. This woman was Li Yunxi.

Following Li Yunxi was a group of young girls, all around seventeen or eighteen. Though young, they wore heavy makeup, giving them a rebellious appearance. Their hair, dyed in vibrant colors, and tattoos on their fair skin added to their punk aesthetic.

Li Yunxi herself stood out; her once-black hair was a captivating shade of purple. A black skull symbol was pasted on her arm, making her appear both seductive and edgy. Her beauty couldn’t be concealed. All around, people watched Li Yunxi with fervent admiration.

She strode gracefully into the circle, her sweeping gaze silencing the accusations directed at Lin Xiao.

“Le Fangyun, how far you’ve fallen. Twisting the truth and falsely accusing others—quite the talent you’ve cultivated. And one more thing: keep your dogs leashed. Their barking is insufferable. Understand?”

She delivered the words with cold disdain, her gaze cutting through the crowd to where Le Fangyun stood, basking in the spectacle.

The faces of Le Fangyun and the crowd that had accused Lin Xiao darkened in unison.

Le Fangyun’s handsome features twisted ever so slightly. His eyes locked onto Li Yunxi with simmering fury, fists clenched tight at his sides. Her words weren’t just mockery, they were a public slap to the face.

Had it been anyone else speaking to him like that, Le Fangyun wouldn’t have hesitated to make sure they didn’t live to see the next sunrise.

But his intimidation tactics proved futile against Li Yunxi. Or rather, he didn’t dare retaliate. Li Yunxi’s lineage was not inferior to his, it surpassed his. Her father was Li Liancheng, a tycoon in Jinghai City.

As for himself, although he was a rich second-generation heir, his family’s influence was mediocre. Even when the primary members of his lineage in the Le family had occupied positions in Jinghai City, he was only a distant relative of the Le family. Without riding on their coattails, he would never stand on par with the deeply rooted Li family.

“Li Yunxi, what are you implying?” Le Fangyun managed to contain his seething rage, demanding, “Explain your words.”

Unfazed by Le Fangyun’s question, Li Yunxi coldly chuckled. She then approached Lin Xiao, exuding an authoritative aura. As she casually patted Lin Xiao’s shoulder, she proposed generously,

“You’re quite skilled. What do you say about joining me? Big sister will look out for you.”