Volume 1, Chapter 9: You Are Going to Be the Death of Me

"Get out! Who let you come to our Lin family house? We do not welcome you here!"

As soon as the two entered the house, Lin Xia's uncle, Lin Zhixing, pointed at Xu Qing and berated him.

"Get out! You aren't worthy of living off the Lin family, nor are you qualified to do so!" Lin Jian also chimed in, shouting with an angry expression.

Xu Qing frowned slightly, but for Lin Xia's sake, he remained silent.

"Enough, everyone be quiet!"

Just then, Lin Xia's grandfather, Lin Yuanshan, spoke up. He looked at Xu Qing with a complex expression. A year ago, Xu Qing had cured the chronic stomach ailment that had plagued him for years, despite multiple hospital visits. In a way, Xu Qing was his benefactor. However, this matter now involved the entire Lin family, making it quite thorny.

He had no doubts about Xu Qing’s medical skills. While his own stomach issue was not fatal, he knew that the elder of the Bai family had been cured of lung cancer by Xu Qing as well. In the current state of medicine, no one else could cure cancer, yet Xu Qing had managed to do it.

The Bai family? At this thought, Lin Yuanshan’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"This matter cannot be blamed entirely on Lin Xia. One can see from the project commissions the Tan family has been withholding that their ambition to swallow our Lin family has been brewing for some time. This incident involving Lin Xia and Dr. Xu is merely a pretext, an excuse for them to annex us."

Lin Yuanshan pondered for a moment, then looked at Lin Xia and Xu Qing. "However, since this matter started with the two of you, you must take corresponding responsibility."

Lin Xia looked bewildered. She had offended Tan Qiutong deeply; would Tan Sitong ever forgive her?

Just as Lin Xia was at a loss, Xu Qing spoke up. "Do not worry, Elder Lin. The Tan family cannot stir up any trouble. With me here, the Lin family will not suffer any losses."

Seeing the confidence in Xu Qing's eyes, Lin Yuanshan raised an eyebrow. He knew Xu Qing must have powerful connections. Although he did not know why Xu Qing had become a live-in son-in-law at the Tan family, he believed that anyone who had been treated by Xu Qing would surely grant him some face.

"Very well. Since Dr. Xu is so confident, I will trust you," Lin Yuanshan nodded.

"Dad, you are being muddled! He is nothing but a live-in son-in-law cast aside by the Tan family; what ability does he have to make them spare us? I say there is only one path: exile Lin Xia from the family. Her mistakes have nothing to do with us. Then, have her go and apologize to Tan Qiutong. Only by gaining her forgiveness will the Tan family let us go," Lin Zhixing urged anxiously.

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of Lin Xia and her parents changed instantly.

"Grandpa, my father is right. This Xu Qing is just a good-for-nothing parasite. If he had any real ability, the Tan family wouldn't have kicked him out! You cannot entrust the fate of our entire family to a loser!" Lin Jian chimed in as well.

"Enough. That is settled." Lin Yuanshan made the final decision. He turned to Xu Qing and said, "Little Xu, if you are truly sincere about my granddaughter, once the Lin family’s crisis is resolved, I will pick an auspicious date to hold a grand wedding for you both."

The room went silent. Everyone was shocked; they never expected him to actually agree to let Lin Xia marry Xu Qing. Lin Xia’s parents were particularly stunned, unable to believe their ears. Although they were reluctant, they dared not defy the old man.

Lin Zhixing and his son reacted even more strongly. "Dad, how can Lin Xia marry a loser? Wang Wenxue from the Wang family has shown interest in her. If she marries him, our family will have climbed a high branch. Even the Tan family would have to think twice before moving against us!"

"Dad, I agree with my brother," Li Yuqin added. "I know for a fact that Wang Wenxue has publicly expressed his feelings for Lin Xia. If we tell him she is willing to date him, he will surely help us overcome this disaster."

Lin Xia panicked and said angrily, "Mom! That Wang Wenxue is a playboy; I will never date him!"

Li Yuqin scolded, "Which man isn't a flirt before marriage? Once you're married and keep an eye on him, he won't act out anymore!"

Lin Xia’s face darkened as she raised her voice, "I don't care! I will make my own decisions, and I will not marry that playboy!"

"Nonsense!" Li Yuqin looked at her daughter with frustration. "What do you know? Even if he is a bit of a flirt, he is still better than this loser you chose—a second-hand, parasitic loser at that!"

Lin Xia, truly pushed to her limit, grabbed Xu Qing’s hand and said excitedly, "I don't care! I love Xu Qing! None of you are going to tear us apart!"

Li Yuqin trembled with rage. "You unfilial daughter, are you trying to be the death of your father and me?"

Ignoring her mother, Lin Xia looked at Lin Yuanshan and said firmly, "Grandpa, I love Xu Qing. Please, stand up for us!"

A faint smile appeared on Lin Yuanshan’s lips as he nodded. "Very well. Since you love him, Grandpa supports you."

Xu Qing had at least the backing of the Bai family. In front of the Bai family, the Tan, Ding, and Wang families were nothing. Moreover, with Xu Qing’s brilliant medical skills, surely there were many others he had saved over the years? Could he really only have connections with the Bai family?

Of course, Lin Yuanshan was gambling. If he won, he believed the Lin family would rise to new heights. If he lost, it could mean total ruin. But his intuition told him to trust Xu Qing.

"Dad..." Lin Zhixing began to protest, but Lin Yuanshan’s expression turned cold. "What? Can I no longer make decisions in this house?"

Lin Zhixing froze, filled with secret resentment, but he dared not argue further and shut his mouth.

Lin Yuanshan looked at Lin Zhengye and said, "Zhengye, take Little Xu and go."

Li Yuqin wanted to say something more, but Lin Zhengye pulled her away, bidding the old man farewell before they left.

"Grandpa, we are heading back now," Lin Xia said, leading Xu Qing out of the house.