Chapter 4: Without Ripples
1211 Words
Lin Xuan stood frozen in place.
It turned out he had been mistaken all these years!
He had discovered that there was indeed an identical hairpin!
It was clear now that the kind girl he remembered was not Xu Ting!
“Did I hit the nail on the head?”
Xu Ting observed Lin Xuan’s reaction, assuming she had struck a nerve, her gaze growing increasingly contemptuous.
Lin Xuan's mind was a whirlwind; he could hardly hear what Xu Ting was saying.
“Are you going to speak? You were quite the chatterbox just a moment ago—why are you playing mute now?”
Xu Ting furrowed her brows, becoming more aggressive. “How could I have spent five years with someone like you? Let me tell you, Lin Xuan, if you don’t compensate me for my emotional distress today, this matter will not end here!”
“You sick p*****t, you lecher! How long have you been coveting my friend?”
“Can you please be quiet?”
Regaining his composure, Lin Xuan's gaze turned somber as he addressed Xu Ting. “I did not steal anything from your friend!”
His emotions were tumultuous, and the noise around him was unbearable.
Xu Ting was taken aback.
How dare he yell at her?
After all, for five years of marriage, Lin Xuan had always been submissive to her!
“Ah!”
The more Xu Ting thought about it, the angrier she became, screaming at Lin Xuan, “You useless good-for-nothing! You’ve lived off me all these years; what right do you have to shout at me?”
“Can you stop yelling? Do you realize how loud you are?”
Lin Xuan looked at Xu Ting, irritation flashing in his eyes. “I’ve already told you, I did not steal anything from your friend.”
“You didn’t steal? Then explain where you got that hairpin!”
Xu Ting gritted her teeth, her face twisted with rage.
“What’s it to you?”
Lin Xuan's expression was icy.
“You!”
Her face turned pale with anger at his words. “So this is how you treat me after the divorce? I was truly blind to have chosen a man like you—one who lives off others and is utterly deranged! It's revolting!”
“Today, if you don’t compensate me for the emotional distress of these years, I will...”
“How much do you want? I’ll pay you!”
Lin Xuan's low voice interrupted Xu Ting.
He had no desire to waste more breath on this woman.
All he wanted was to find the true owner of the hairpin as quickly as possible!
Lin Xuan’s unexpected readiness left Xu Ting momentarily stunned.
But knowing Lin Xuan’s circumstances, she quickly revealed a look of disdain in her eyes.
“One million! Compensate me one million for emotional distress!”
She demanded a million from Lin Xuan.
To her, one million was a mere trifle.
Yet she understood that for Lin Xuan, it was an astronomical sum.
As a man who left the marriage with nothing, Lin Xuan would likely struggle to produce even a hundred dollars.
She made this demand merely to humiliate Lin Xuan, to expose his discomfort!
Who gave him the audacity to adopt such an attitude towards her?
“Fine, I’ll pay you.”
Lin Xuan wasted no time in his response.
“Listen carefully, it’s one million!”
Xu Ting’s tone was cutting.
“My ears aren’t deaf.”
Lin Xuan replied coldly.
He was well aware of Xu Ting's intentions.
Did she truly believe he was still the old Lin Xuan?
“Alright! Then hurry and get the money; I need it right now!”
Xu Ting stated with a commanding air.
She wanted to see how Lin Xuan would gather such a sum!
Lin Xuan’s expression remained indifferent as he took out his phone and called Black Emperor: “Black Emperor, send one million in cash to the company immediately; it’s urgent.”
“Understood, Master. I’ll have Manager Wang prepare it for you right away!”
After hanging up, Lin Xuan looked at Xu Ting impassively. “Wait two minutes; the money will be here shortly.”
“Ha!”
Xu Ting laughed mockingly, her eyes filled with scorn. “You can summon cash with a mere phone call? Who do you think you are, the richest man in Su City or a scion from a wealthy family?”
“And just to clarify, I didn’t mishear, did I? You called Black Emperor? Do you even know who he is? He’s the world’s richest man! Next time, at least come up with a name we haven’t heard of, so you don’t embarrass yourself!”
Lin Xuan chose to ignore her.
Xu Ting’s teeth gnashed in frustration.
What was this impoverished wretch trying to portray in front of her?
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Time passed in seconds.
Soon, over a minute had elapsed.
Yet, there was no sign of activity in the company.
Impatience etched on her face, Xu Ting urged, “Two minutes are up; where’s the money?”
Lin Xuan remained silent.
He counted the seconds in his mind.
Only thirty seconds left.
“Playing mute again, are we?”
Xu Ting sneered.
“Ha ha.”
Zhang Wen, observing the exchange, could no longer suppress his laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. “Come on, Xu Ting, you know he can’t possibly come up with that money. Let’s not waste our time on someone like him; remember, we have a date to attend.”
“Kid, I’ll cover that million; consider it a token of appreciation for taking care of Xu Ting all these years. Just remember, if you lack the means, don’t pretend to be something you’re not.”
With that, Zhang Wen wrapped an arm around Xu Ting’s waist in front of Lin Xuan, radiating the air of a victor.
“Darling, you’re so generous.”
Xu Ting playfully linked her arm with Zhang Wen’s, and to further provoke Lin Xuan, she deliberately kissed him on the cheek.
Lin Xuan’s expression remained indifferent.
Having realized the hairpin did not belong to Xu Ting, she no longer held any significance for him—she was not even worth a passing thought.
“Lin Xuan, consider yourself lucky this time; be sure to thank Zhang Shao properly!”
Unaware of his thoughts, Xu Ting tossed the remark over her shoulder before turning away with Zhang Wen, leaving the company in high spirits.
Ding.
Moments later, the elevator doors on the first floor slowly opened.
Just as the two minutes elapsed.
A middle-aged man, plump and clad in a black suit, stood in the elevator, perspiration beading on his forehead as he urged his two subordinates behind him. “You two, hurry up! If you delay Mr. Lin’s funds, not even ten of our positions will be secure!”
“Yes, Manager Wang!”
The two subordinates each dragged a large bag, their footsteps heavy.
As the middle-aged man exited the elevator, he looked up just in time to see Lin Xuan standing at the company entrance.
He immediately quickened his pace and jogged over, calling out, “Mr. Lin!”
- Writer
