Chapter 73: This Man Is Rather Interesting-Villain: I Refuse to Be Cannon Fodder—Is It My Fault the Heroine Thinks I’ve Changed?(Accepted for payment)

Eastern Capital, Xia Family Residence.

“Get out, get out, get out! There’s nothing here for you anymore.”

“That’s right, how could a useless person like you possibly stay in the Xia family?”

Several people shouted harshly, driving a woman out without any room for protest.

At that moment, the woman’s face was haggard, marred by a hideous, terrifying scar. Her hair hung in disarray, and she pleaded, “Please, let me in. I don’t need to stay here; I only wish to take what belongs to me.”

She looked at the two servants blocking her path. The two men stood with their hands on their hips, laughing loudly.

“See? This is our former young lady,” one jeered. “Back then, your father thought himself untouchable. He never cared for any of us. Now your family has fallen, and you suddenly remember we exist.”

“Take my advice—leave while you can. There’s no place for you here.”

With that, the two men moved to force her away.

Lin Li arrived just in time to witness the scene.

The Xia family was well-known in the Eastern Capital, but their true renown was not for their business acumen. From the beginning, they were a family of martial artists, famous in the surrounding provinces.

Xia Ningshuang’s father had once been the head of the family, but several years ago, he died suddenly in an unexplained accident. To this day, the truth remains a mystery. After his death, all those loyal to him met strange and untimely ends. Xia Ningshuang herself survived multiple assassination and poisoning attempts, but in the end, her martial skills were destroyed. Even her once-beautiful face bore a dreadful scar.

Lin Li knew all these tragedies stemmed from her former connection with Ye Aotian. Unable to kill Ye Aotian, his enemies targeted his loved ones and friends instead. Because Xia Ningshuang was close to him, she became their first victim. Internal strife within the Xia family only made matters worse.

A truly pitiable woman.

Xia Ningshuang picked herself up from the ground. “I only want to take what is mine, yet you do everything to stop me. Do you really believe there is no justice left in this world?”

Just then, a man with the bearing of a steward appeared. “Justice?” he sneered.

“Xia Ningshuang, your relatives are all dead. This is no longer your home. If you don’t want trouble, leave now. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Xia Ningshuang glared at him, furious. “Wang Hongsheng! Have you already forgotten how my father treated you? You are nothing but an ungrateful wretch! You will pay for this.”

Wang Hongsheng smiled coldly. “Retribution? Let’s see it, then. As far as I can tell, I’m doing just fine.”

Seeing his arrogant demeanor, Xia Ningshuang was rendered speechless with rage. She tried to push forward and retrieve her belongings by force, but Wang Hongsheng was prepared. His henchmen immediately stepped up to block her way.

As they raised their fists to strike her, a figure darted out at lightning speed. One of the men, fist still in the air, was sent flying before he could react.

Wang Hongsheng was stunned. “Who dares cause trouble in the Xia family? Are you tired of living?”

Lin Li, hands in his pockets, stood before Xia Ningshuang, his gaze ice-cold. “I was just itching for a fight today. Why don’t you come and try me, you little runt?”

As a family of martial artists, the Xia family was by no means weak. But Lin Li had reached the level of a mid-tier master—not someone just anyone could challenge. And he hadn’t even used his trump cards yet.

Wang Hongsheng barked, “Men, seize him!”

The servants surged forward.

Xia Ningshuang thought Lin Li was in for a beating. To her surprise, the man vanished in an instant. Surrounded, Lin Li’s display of power was terrifying; in mere moments, he dispatched all his opponents.

Only then did he stretch his limbs languidly. “I’ve dealt with these fools for you. Now, let’s go and get what’s yours.”

Without waiting for her agreement, he took her by the arm and strode through the gates. When Wang Hongsheng glared at him, Lin Li slapped him hard. “I’m going in today. Anyone who stops me will regret it. One more step, and I'll cripple you.”

With Lin Li’s help, Xia Ningshuang finally reclaimed her father’s keepsake.

Lin Li had two reasons for helping her: first, to win her favor; second, because her father’s keepsake was of great importance—it contained a martial arts manual. The Xia family’s decline began with the loss of this manual and the massacre of the main bloodline. The collateral branches knew nothing of the technique. Their current prosperity was only temporary; decline was inevitable.

With this manual, Xia Ningshuang could quickly grow stronger, and in the future, she might prove useful to Lin Li in achieving his goals.

As for the fate of the Xia family, Lin Li could not care less.

After leaving with Xia Ningshuang, Lin Li arranged for her to stay at a hotel. “I’ve booked you a room here for three months. That should be enough time for you to adapt to your new life. From now on, you need to rely on yourself. If you wish for revenge, wait until you’re ready.”

Lin Li looked at her calmly.

Xia Ningshuang gazed back. “Why are you helping me? You don’t even know me.”

He smiled faintly. “No special reason. I just couldn’t stand that idiot. I never care about right or wrong—if I’m in a bad mood, I’ll do whatever I like.”

Xia Ningshuang stared at Lin Li in a daze, at a loss for words. This young man was clearly younger than herself, yet he spoke and acted with a world-weary openness.

Without another word, Lin Li turned and left, not lingering a moment longer. The entire episode had happened so quickly that Xia Ningshuang was still in shock, struggling to process what had just occurred. Had she really been rescued by such a strange man? And, oddly enough, she found him rather intriguing.