Chapter 24 My Love Amidst Hatred

Chapter 24 My Love Amidst Hatred

Five thousand yuan! Lin Mianmian's heart skipped a beat; that was half a month's worth of surgery fees for her grandmother. She looked up, her eyes reddening.

His gaze swept over the familiar figure in the corner of the sofa. Xie Lin leaned back on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, surrounded by swirling smoke.

His sculpted face was somber, and his eyes held emotions she couldn't decipher.

She knew Xie Lin was watching her, but she couldn't beg him.

She had promised Xie's father that she would stay far away from him and not become his weakness again.

Seeing that she didn't move, Mr. Wang chuckled again, took out a thick wad of banknotes, and threw them on the coffee table, scattering the banknotes.

He revealed a glaring red color: "What? You think it's too little? Or are you ashamed? Kneel down and imitate his pronunciation a couple of times, and the money is yours."

The people around her burst into laughter, and those laughs pierced Lin Mianmian's heart like needles.

She looked at the banknotes on the coffee table, and then she remembered her grandmother's pale face on the hospital bed, and the doctor's words, "If we don't raise the money for the surgery soon, it will be too late."

Dignity seems so cheap in the face of life-saving money.

Lin Mianmian's shoulders trembled slightly. She bit her lower lip until she tasted blood, then slowly bent over.

As her knees hit the cold marble floor, she heard the sound of her heart breaking.

She kept her head down, her voice hoarse and barely audible.

Lin Mianmian knelt down.

Mr. Wang clapped his hands and cheered, just about to lift his foot to rub against Lin Mianmian's shoulder, when a voice filled with hostility suddenly rang out: "Get lost."

Xie Lin suddenly stood up and stubbed out the cigarette between his fingers in the ashtray.

He walked step by step toward President Wang, his aura frighteningly low, his eyes brimming with anger.

Mr. Wang's smile froze: "Young Master Xie, what do you mean?"

"What do you mean?" Xie Lin sneered, raised his hand and grabbed President Wang's wrist, twisting it sharply backward.

With a sharp "crack," Mr. Wang let out a pig-like scream, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Xie Lin's strength did not diminish at all. He raised his foot and kicked President Wang hard in the back of the knee, forcing him to kneel on the ground in a sorry state, level with Lin Mianmian.

"You think you're worthy of throwing money at people? You think you're worthy of making her kneel before you?" Xie Lin's voice was as cold as ice.

“Starting tomorrow, my Xie family will completely withdraw investment from all of Wang’s projects. I will make sure that your businesses disappear from this city completely within a week.”

Mr. Wang's face turned deathly pale instantly, cold sweat soaked his back, and even the words of begging for mercy were stuck in his throat.

Xie Lin didn't bother to look at him again. His gaze fell on Lin Mianmian on the ground. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice became extremely hoarse.

With a hint of suppressed questioning and tenderness, she said, "Lin Mianmian, tell me, why would you rather kneel here than turn around and beg me?"

Mr. Wang's screams still echoed in the private room. Xie Lin didn't even glance at him again, gripping Lin Mianmian's wrist tightly.

The force was astonishing; without saying a word, he dragged her out of the KTV.

The night wind made people shiver.

Xie Lin pinned her against the wall deep in the alley. In the narrow space, only their heavy breathing could be heard.

Xie Lin's chest heaved violently, his eyes churning with anger, heartache, love and hate, and a hint of despair that was about to break free.

"Lin Mianmian, tell me the hell, how long are you going to keep being stubborn?" His voice was filled with rage, yet he dared not actually yell at her.

Her voice trembled at the end, "For that money, you knelt before that greasy old man? Do you know how heartbroken I was watching from the private room?"

Lin Mianmian's wrist ached from being gripped so tightly, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

It trickled down his cheeks and splashed onto the back of his hand, burning him so badly he jerked.

The little girl's voice was hoarse and broken, filled with despair: "What can I do if I don't kneel? My grandma is lying in the hospital waiting for money to save her life! What can I do? Xie Lin, let me go! We're even!"

"Even even? I can't possibly be even with you!" He suddenly tightened his arms, holding her tightly in his embrace, and lowered his head to kiss her.

The kiss was devastating; he bit her lips so hard that they both tasted blood.

But the moment she let out a sob, he clumsily slowed his movements, his tongue tracing her lips and teeth with a desperate longing.

Lin Mianmian struggled, pressing her hands against his chest, but the force of her pushes became lighter and lighter.

In the end, only helpless trembling remained, and tears welled up, wetting their intertwined lips and teeth.

Xie Lin's heart felt as if it had been softened by her tears, and his previous overwhelming anger crumbled instantly, leaving only a dense, persistent pain.

He released her lips, his forehead pressed against hers, their heavy breaths mingling, and the bloodshot veins in his eyes were clearly visible.

"I love you, Mianmian," Xie Lin said earnestly, enunciating each word clearly.

Lin Mianmian's heart skipped a beat, and she was about to run away.

He hurriedly grabbed the hem of her clothes, slowly squatted down, looked up at her like a loyal dog afraid of being abandoned, his eyes frighteningly red: "Don't go."

The arrogance and haughtiness of a Beijing socialite prince just moments before had vanished, leaving only a humble, almost imperceptible plea: "Don't go."

"Mianmian, I was wrong." His voice was thick with emotion, and he was choked up.

“I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you, I shouldn’t have pressured you. I’ll pay for your grandmother’s surgery. Please don’t make yourself suffer anymore.”

He reached out to touch her cheek, but hesitated for a moment.

He withdrew his hand, afraid of upsetting her.

The shadows of the two were stretched long and thin by the dim light, and an atmosphere of intertwined love and hate permeated every corner, so intense that it was hard to breathe.

Lin Mianmian felt a sharp pain in her heart as she recalled what Xie's father had said.

I really can't get entangled with him any longer. He is the heir of the Xie family, and I shouldn't become his weakness or a stumbling block to his bright future.

Lin Mianmian used almost all her strength to push Xie Lin away and then turned and ran out of the alley.

Tears mingled with the night wind, smearing my face.

She dared not turn around, afraid that if she did, she would be captivated by the humility and deep affection in his eyes, and would be unable to take another step.

She ran all the way back to her school dormitory before collapsing onto the edge of her bed, her chest heaving violently.

Jiang Nuan, who was on the upper bunk, woke up, rolled over, rubbed her eyes, and asked, "Mianmian, you're back."

Lin Mianmian hummed softly and wiped away her tears. Jiang Nuan noticed that Lin Mianmian was not in a good mood.

Thinking she was worried about her grandmother, she said, "Mianmian, have you heard? Guiyuan Temple in the suburbs is very effective for praying for health and peace. My aunt had a disease that she couldn't get cured for a long time, but she went there to pray and got better."

"Moreover, I want to take the postgraduate entrance exam in my senior year, and I want to go to a temple on the weekend to seek peace of mind."

"Seeking a marriage partner isn't necessarily about hoping for an effective outcome."

Pray to Buddha? She had never done so before. Lin Mianmian thought to herself, why not go and pray? She's been having a lot of trouble lately, and Buddha might really be able to help her get rid of the bad guys. Besides, she also hopes that her grandmother will be safe, healthy, and recover soon.

"Can I go with you, Nuannuan?"

Lin Mianmian's voice was very soft, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness, "I want to pray for Grandma's safety and well-being."

"Of course!" Jiang Nuan excitedly stood up on her dorm bed, not even bothering to sleep anymore, full of excitement and anticipation: "I'll search for a strategy guide."

On weekends, Guiyuan Temple is filled with the smoke of incense, and the lingering echoes of the morning bell resonate throughout the ancient temple.

The stone path has been polished smooth by time, and the ancient pines on both sides are evergreen.

A breeze carries the faint scent of sandalwood.

There weren't many worshippers; most were young people who came to pray for blessings, whispering their wishes with devout expressions.

Lin Mianmian and Jiang Nuan bought incense and followed the crowd, walking step by step towards the main hall.

Inside the hall, candlelight flickered, the Buddha statues were compassionate and solemn, and wisps of smoke drifted upwards.

In a daze, even the hustle and bustle of the world seemed to fade away.

Lin Mianmian knelt on the hard prayer mat, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes and prayed devoutly, "May Buddha bless Grandma so that her surgery goes smoothly and that she can recover safely and well."

Not far away, by the release pond, Xie Lin leaned against the vermilion railing, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

He was wearing a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing his well-defined wrists.

His silver hair was slightly ruffled by the wind, his eyebrows and eyes were deep, and his nose was high and straight—he was definitely a handsome man with striking features.

Wherever Xie Lin stood, he made the young girls passing by itch with desire.

It's definitely the most eye-catching scenery in the ancient temple.

The group of Gen Z girls who had come together to pray for blessings immediately erupted in excitement. They all took out their phones and secretly snapped photos in his direction, completely forgetting about praying for blessings.

"Holy crap! This guy is way too handsome! I'd marry him even as a concubine!"

"Quick, take a picture! Don't let them find out! Could this be my destined soulmate?"

"Ahhhhh! I declare that he is about to become my new crush. With this kind of charisma, it would be a shame if he were just an idol."

The bolder girl, clutching her phone, hesitated and took two steps forward, her cheeks flushed: "Um, handsome, could we add each other on WeChat?"

Xie Lin didn't even lift his eyelids, but just turned his face slightly to the side, his eyes showing a distance like a thin layer of ice.

The little girl was instantly intimidated by his aura, blushed, and ran back to her companion, clutching her chest and squealing softly, "Oh my god! Cold face is cute, I love him even more!"

The surrounding gazes were like spotlights shining on him, but Xie Lin was completely unaware.

His gaze remained fixed on the direction of the main hall, on that delicate woman.

He knew she came here for her grandmother, and he also knew that she harbored the thought of taking the postgraduate entrance exam.

Whether his daughter chooses to take the postgraduate entrance exam or the civil service exam, he will fully support her. If she fails either, it doesn't matter. He has already arranged everything. As long as she is willing to turn back, he is willing to support her.

The wind blew through the release pond, carrying the fragrance of lotus leaves, and rustled the hem of his shirt.

Xie Lin sighed softly, put the cigarette back in his pocket, took a step, but then stopped.

He was afraid that if he went up to her, he would scare her away again.