Chapter 147

Chapter 147: Help Me Do Three Things

Lin Xin’s words were earth-shattering, leaving the three in the hall utterly stunned.

Especially Wang Li.

His expression turned serious, his eyes dark and terrifying.

"Third Young Lady, do you know what these words imply?" he asked gravely.

If Lin Xin sought to break the engagement due to having a liking for someone else, it would inflict tremendous damage to the Lin Family’s prestige.

Moreover, the Wang Family could seize this opportunity to demand substantial compensation from the Lin Family.

Lin Xin was fully aware of this.

Thus, she had initially intended to accept fate.

Yet when she learned Wang Lang disliked her as well, a subtle shift occurred within her.

Could a forced union of two people harboring no affection for each other ever bring happiness?

Lin Xin refused to yield.

With her status, strength, and innate talent, she shouldn’t be reduced to such a state.

Therefore, she lifted her head, meeting Wang Li’s intensely oppressive glare. "Uncle Li, you heard it yourself just now. Wang Lang also objects to this marriage."

"He will agree," Wang Li declared in an unyielding tone.

Could an unfilial son truly defy heaven?

"But why must the Lin Family allow a man who holds no feelings for me to marry into our household?" Lin Xin countered with resolute determination.

Reaching this point, she could only harden her stance further.

This alone could prevent the Wang Family from undermining her authority, and might even nullify any claims for compensation.

Wang Li’s eyes flickered.

As a Wang Family elder and pillar of its main lineage, his status was exceptional.

By rights, he should easily overpower his opponent.

Yet this young lady betrayed no fear of his authority.

"Are you certain this represents the Lin Family head’s will?" Wang Li retorted.

If this were merely Lin Xin’s personal opinion, resolving the matter would be simple.

But if it reflected the Lin Family’s collective stance, caution was warranted.

After all, the Wang Family wasn’t without fault in this.

"I’m not certain, but I believe Grandfather will endorse my choice to marry someone I love," Lin Xin answered truthfully.

In truth, Lin Tian Xiong had wished for her resignation.

Had Wang Lang genuinely cared for her, submitting might have been bearable.

But shared indifference — what meaning did such a union hold?

"You suggest your grandfather would sacrifice family benefit for your sake?"

Wang Li looked down upon her, emitting a slight imposing aura that was extremely oppressive.

Previously, he had worn a kindly expression, but now he had transformed back into the family elder.

This marriage alliance between the Wang Family and the Lin Family was driven by family benefit; how could two juniors possibly influence the family’s will?

Lin Xin deeply understood this.

Under these circumstances, unless she could show her grandfather greater family benefit, perhaps he might agree to her words.

But how could she secure greater benefit for the main family?

At this moment, Lin Xin thought of a person.

Suddenly, she looked up towards the silently standing Zhou Luo nearby.

Zhou Luo, who had originally intended to remain silent and minimize his presence, noticed this gaze and shuddered physically.

How could this be happening?

Third Young Lady, don’t look at me.

"What if the person I like is him?" Lin Xin blurted out.

The three people present were all astonished.

Especially Wang Li, his face was full of disbelief, the imposing dignity he had condensed completely vanished.

If the person she liked was truly Zhou Luo.

Then he believed that the Lin Family head would definitely choose him instead of Wang Lang.

After all, he was a future second level Pill Master.

Using any means to win him over wouldn’t be excessive.

"Third Young Lady, are you sure this is true?"

"As far as I know, Zhou Luo has married your sister."

Wang Li persisted.

"I know, but this doesn’t matter," Lin Xin said calmly.

At this moment, she finally grasped the key to breaking the deadlock, so her originally tense and disordered mind became calm.

But Zhou Luo, standing aside, now felt utterly helpless.

What had I done to deserve this?

How could I be used as a shield?

The only comfort was that this matter seemed to have not a bad effect on him.

Surely, the Wang Family wouldn’t hold a grudge against him over such a small matter.

Wang Li stayed silent for a long time and didn’t persist on this topic, only saying, "I will have my father and the Lin Family head communicate about this matter."

After saying that, he left.

In the hall, Zhou Luo couldn’t help but speak first, "Third Young Lady, that’s excessive."

Lin Xin, with an apologetic face, lowered her posture rare, said, "Zhou Luo, just take it as doing me a favor."

"But paper can’t wrap up fire," Zhou Luo replied.

Such things can’t be kept secret forever.

Even if the family head agreed to her choice, what about after returning home?

Could Lin Xin really be with him?

"I’ll write to grandfather. Once the engagement is called off, you can just sternly reject me," Lin Xin said with an air of taking it for granted.

Her idea was simple.

After all, she still had a long time before returning home.

First, have the family cancel the engagement. Then, when she eventually went back, have Zhou Luo show that he didn’t like her.

That way, the family would have no choice but to accept it.

And to preserve the family’s face, they surely wouldn’t propose to the Wang Family again.

Then the matter would be perfectly resolved, wouldn’t it?

"Third Young Lady, you don’t consider me at all," Zhou Luo said with a mix of anger and laughter.

Didn’t she realize that rejecting such things wasn’t that straightforward?

He wasn’t at the elder level now.

How could he refuse on a whim?

Lin Xin also realized she hadn’t been careful enough.

A bit embarrassed, she said, "I’ll compensate you."

"It’s not about compensation," Zhou Luo immediately said, but quickly added, "Alright, compensation is necessary, but you have to guarantee that I can definitely refuse, and I won’t be targeted afterward."

"I…" Lin Xin was stuck for words.

Wang Yu Wei, who had been watching from the side, finally spoke up with a laugh, "If I may say, Xin’er, why not just marry Zhou Luo? Won’t that perfectly resolve it?"

"Wang Yu Wei, what are you saying?" Lin Xin glared at her.

Then she looked at Zhou Luo and said, "Sorry, I can’t guarantee it."

Zhou Luo’s expression darkened slightly, and he shrugged, "Then I’ll have to explain it to Elder Wang."

He wouldn’t do such thankless work for no reason.

With that, he turned and walked toward the exit.

"Wait a moment," Lin Xin suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm.

Zhou Luo turned back.

He saw her biting her lip, looking extremely conflicted.

"What?" he asked.

After a long pause, Lin Xin made a major decision and said earnestly, "At worst, I’ll really marry you when the time comes."

Ah?

Zhou Luo couldn’t help but be stunned.

Marry myself for real?

Is that even possible?

But it seems she has fifth-grade spiritual roots just like Lin Xi, so it wouldn’t be unacceptable to have her marry over here.

It’s just this temperament of hers needs to be adjusted.

"We could pretend to be together, and then just not interfere with each other’s lives," Lin Xin explained.

This was the best solution she could think of.

Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow slightly.

Contract marriage?

Do they play that kind of game in the cultivation world too?

If that’s the case, then it might be alright.

Not only would he gain more say within the family this way, but he also wouldn’t have to worry about Lin Xin interfering with the Zhou Garden.

The only concern was the attitude of the Great Elder.

But fortunately, there was still room to maneuver before he officially took over the position of the Sixth Elder.

This favor wasn’t impossible to do.

He didn’t continue walking out, which made her sigh with relief.

Then, Zhou Luo suddenly extended his right hand.

Lin Xin looked puzzled.

"Compensation?" Zhou Luo asked.

Lin Xin’s expression darkened.

After sacrificing this much, I can’t believe he still wants compensation. Have you no conscience?

Even as she thought it, she reluctantly handed over a portion of the cultivation resources she had accumulated over the years.

Seeing the bountiful resources, Zhou Luo nodded satisfactorily and stored them away in his storage ring. He then added, "Besides this, you also need to do three things for me."

"What?" Lin Xin frowned slightly, her tone tinged with displeasure.

"Hmm?" Zhou Luo sounded confused.

"What things?" Lin Xin asked, her face sullen with annoyance.

"Haven’t figured them out yet. But I promise they won’t be anything bad. Agree to this, and I’ll help you." Zhou Luo’s tone was serious.

Knowing she didn’t have the right to refuse, Lin Xin conceded, "Fine, I agree, alright?"

Only then did Zhou Luo nod. He then produced a spiritual talisman.

"What is this?" Lin Xin asked, still puzzled.

"A record sound talisman. I need to preserve some evidence, just in case you try to back out later," Zhou Luo stated plainly.

Lin Xin’s face turned ashen; she hadn’t expected him to be so thoroughly prepared.

In the end, however, she recounted the whole sequence of events onto the talisman, particularly emphasizing that everything was entirely her own idea and doing.