Chapter 014: Cousin Lin Xueling

In truth, what Lin Le did not know was that Lin Xueling had become something of a legend at Haizhou First High School. Not only was she the head of the school’s broadcasting station and president of the student council, but she had also already caught the attention of Haizhou Television. If she desired, she could become their special guest host at any moment—a dazzling success in every sense.

Such a talented and beautiful girl naturally became the object of admiration for many male students, and she was indisputably counted among the school’s four great beauties. Lin Xueling’s appearance inflamed the crowd, already envious of Lin Le, into a greater frenzy.

Xu Xier, Ji Xiaorui, and now Lin Xueling—three of Haizhou First High’s four great beauties all had close ties with Lin Le. That this transfer student managed to do so in merely a single day left everyone’s worldview thoroughly shaken.

“Uh, cousin—” Lin Le had just opened his mouth to call out to her, but Lin Xueling seized him by the arm.

“Come with me. I have something to say to you!” Without giving him a chance to refuse, Lin Xueling pulled Lin Le aside.

An ordinary action, but in the eyes of bystanders, it seemed extraordinarily intimate.

Not far away, a handsome young man dressed in high-end fashion frowned as he witnessed Lin Xueling and Lin Le together.

“Master Ma, that guy looks like Lin Le—the young master of Lin Corporation!” the slender boy beside him remarked, having just watched the video of Lin Le teaching Zhao Hu a lesson the day before.

“Lin Corporation? Didn’t that company go bankrupt ages ago? I heard Lin Tenghui, the boss, is drowning in debt. That so-called Young Master Lin probably can’t even afford new clothes—just look at his country bumpkin outfit,” sneered a girl named Liu Qian, whose family was in the clothing business and worth tens of millions. She fancied herself an expert in the rise and fall of fortunes, and was quick to scorn the fallen.

“But really, I wonder how Xueling knows that guy. Could it be they had some relationship before…” Liu Qian’s words were laden with implication—anyone could hear what she was hinting at.

Liu Qian harbored feelings for Ma Zhifeng. As the heir to the Tianma Group, worth billions and blessed with good looks, he was the ideal catch. If only she could secure a connection with him, she’d never have to divide her family’s comparatively meager fortune with her siblings again.

But Ma Zhifeng had his sights set on Lin Xueling, which filled Liu Qian with jealousy. Seeing an opportunity, she naturally tried to fan the flames.

“That’s enough. Can’t you keep your mouth shut?” Ma Zhifeng shot Liu Qian a look of disdain.

Liu Qian rolled her eyes and muttered curses under her breath.

Still, Liu Qian’s words had sown displeasure in Ma Zhifeng’s heart. As he looked at Lin Le, a trace of hostility flickered in his gaze.

Having pulled Lin Le aside, Lin Xueling immediately adopted a tone of righteous reproach.

“Yesterday after school, did you get into a fight?”

“I did, but—”

“But what! Lin Le, I thought after three years in the military you’d have matured, but you’re just the same as ever—always causing trouble!” She gave him no chance to explain.

“Do you think things are the same as before? The Lin family has gone bankrupt, your father’s buried in debt. If you get into trouble now, there’s no one left to clean up your mess!” Lin Xueling rebuked him sharply.

“Don’t worry. I’m grown now and don’t need anyone to clean up after me,” Lin Le replied, a trace of anger in his voice.

“You think I want to meddle in your affairs? With your family’s current state, if you hurt someone, can you afford compensation? Won’t you just come begging for money from us again?” Lin Xueling’s anger flared.

It had been three years since they’d last spoken, yet she hadn’t changed at all.

“Rest assured, from now on, we won’t borrow a single cent from your family!” Lin Le could hardly tolerate his cousin any longer.

“Anyone can make empty promises. All you have left are your words!” she scoffed. “Or are you still dreaming of inheriting the Tang family’s fortune? Otherwise, why do you cling so desperately to the engagement with their eldest daughter, Tang Nianchen?”

“Not in the mood to argue,” Lin Le retorted and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Lin Xueling caught up to him. “From now on, I don’t want anyone at school knowing about our family connection—understand?”

Lin Xueling’s record was spotless, her reputation that of a model student and rising media star. The last thing she wanted was any association with the bankrupt Lin family—such ties could ruin her future.

Lin Le shot Lin Xueling a cold look and strode away.

Watching his retreating figure, Lin Xueling’s heart simmered with resentment.

Three years in the outside world, and he’d learned nothing—what a disappointment!

When Lin Xueling returned, Ma Zhifeng courteously handed her a steaming cup of milk tea.

“Xueling, do you know that student?” Ma Zhifeng asked casually.

“Oh, him? Not really. Just a middle school acquaintance,” Lin Xueling replied, lacking conviction.

“I see…” Ma Zhifeng’s words were mild, but his eyes flashed with a barely perceptible chill.

When Lin Le entered his classroom, the students of Senior Three, Class Eight, regarded him with newfound awe. The video of him confronting Zhao Hu and his past identity had already spread throughout the school.

Young Master Lin! Who would have thought this unremarkable transfer student carried such a storied background?

Pan Hao and his friends fell silent with apprehension at Lin Le’s arrival. It was Pan Hao who had brought Zhao Hu yesterday, and now he feared Lin Le’s retaliation.

But Lin Le, still vexed by Lin Xueling’s earlier scolding, ignored Pan Hao entirely and returned to his seat.

No sooner had he sat down than Lu Hongzhe threw an arm around his shoulders.

“Brother Le, you were the young master of Lin Corporation! Why didn’t you say so?” Lu Hongzhe exclaimed excitedly.

“What’s there to say?” Lin Le replied, unwilling to discuss the topic.

“Actually, my family has a bit of history with yours,” Lu Hongzhe revealed.

“What kind of history?” Lin Le asked, curious.

“My parents used to work for Lin Corporation. They weren’t in high positions, but they respected the company and your father deeply. Everyone thought Lin Corporation was a great enterprise.”

“And now? How are your parents doing?” Lin Le asked.

“They’re a bit stubborn, not good at adapting. They’ve changed jobs a few times since, but nothing’s worked out. Now they run a small business from home—getting by, I suppose.”

Hearing this, Lin Le felt a pang of emotion.

At its peak, Lin Corporation had tens of thousands of employees. After its bankruptcy, most were left jobless. With the company’s former momentum, Lu Hongzhe’s parents could have secured a good living in Haizhou. Now, judging by Lu Hongzhe’s knockoff brands, things at home weren’t easy.

“Don’t worry. When Lin Corporation rises again, I’ll make sure your parents are welcomed back. I keep my promises!” Lin Le declared.

If his cousin Lin Xueling had heard this, she would have scolded him for boasting again.

But Lu Hongzhe’s face lit up with excitement. “If Brother Le says so, there’s hope for Lin Corporation yet!”

Lu Hongzhe’s trust left Lin Le both surprised and touched. In just one day, a near-stranger had shown more faith in him than his own cousin—a fact both ironic and poignant.

Lin Le quickly settled into his new school life. The day passed uneventfully, with no further disturbances.

When class ended in the afternoon, Lin Le had just reached the ground floor when he spotted a black Audi parked steadily below the teaching building.

Haizhou First High never allowed cars into the academic area, not even those belonging to the wealthy students. At dismissal time, such an exception naturally drew a crowd.

Yet, compared to the woman standing beside the car, the vehicle itself seemed entirely unremarkable.

Today, Gu Ya wore a flowing white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her manner refined and ethereal—like a fairy stepping from a painting.

One glance revealed her distinguished background—her temperament and beauty set her far apart from the ordinary.

A fine car and a lovely woman—enough to make every male in Haizhou First High green with envy.

Several sons of Haizhou’s elite recognized Gu Ya instantly, and fear crept into their hearts.

The eldest daughter of the Gu family, here to pick someone up in person—what a shock!

Faced with Gu Ya’s unexpected arrival, Lin Le could only manage a wry smile. “Miss Gu, don’t you think you’re being a bit too conspicuous?”

“Am I? I don’t think so,” Gu Ya replied with a gentle, captivating smile.

In truth, this was intentional. Before coming, Gu Ya’s grandfather, Gu Huaishan, had specially reminded her: Lin Le was not only the man who had saved his life, but could well be the Gu family’s greatest benefactor.

If what Gu Ya said was true—if Lin Le, at just seventeen or eighteen, had already reached the level of internal mastery—he was nothing short of a martial arts prodigy.

Given time, if Lin Le’s strength advanced to the Transformation Realm, he could well become a grandmaster.

The Transformation Realm stands at the very pinnacle of martial cultivation. Those who attain it are impervious to blades and bullets, their might unthinkable to ordinary people.

To take a general’s head amidst ten thousand soldiers, or to face an army alone—these feats would be child’s play.

In ancient times, men of such power were at least generals or lords in their own right—dragons among men, not to be confined by the shallow waters of the common world.