Chapter 4: An Alliance
Mo Ruxuan noticed the subtle movement and caught Lin Zijing's hand.
“Something like this could never hurt me.”
Lin Zijing flushed with anger. “What do you mean? Are you looking down on me?”
How dare he underestimate him?
Lin Zijing gritted his teeth. “I'll make you regret it!”
“Thank you. I already know I'm quite good-looking,” Mo Ruxuan replied shamelessly.
Lin Zijing's face reddened further. “You... you!”
His hands began to tremble with fury, and suddenly he could not breathe.
Seeing his condition, Mo Ruxuan pulled him into his arms. “Such a fierce temper?”
Lin Zijing struggled wildly against him. “Don't touch me! Get away!”
“Stop moving. Breathe slowly,” Mo Ruxuan said. “I'm saving your life.”
Lin Zijing had no choice but to listen. Gradually, his breathing steadied.
Then, while Mo Ruxuan was unprepared, Lin Zijing slapped him across the face.
“You dared to embrace me?”
He glared at Mo Ruxuan. “Is this your attitude when you come to negotiate? If so, there is nothing for us to discuss. I'll have you shown out.”
Mo Ruxuan finally voiced the question troubling him. “Young Master Lin, as far as I know, I have never made an enemy of you. Why are you so hostile toward me?”
Lin Zijing gave a cold laugh. “One doesn't need a reason to hate someone.”
Mo Ruxuan did not accept that answer.
He studied Lin Zijing. “Since you already know my identity, you must also understand that conspiring with me would be an excellent bargain for you.”
Lin Zijing glanced at him and thought the man unbearably arrogant.
“What makes you so certain it would benefit me? You offer me nothing. Why should I help you?”
For once, Mo Ruxuan was left without an immediate reply. At present, he truly had nothing Lin Zijing needed.
But he did not mind...
“You're right. I offer you no obvious advantage,” Mo Ruxuan said.
Lin Zijing reached for a knife to kill him, but Mo Ruxuan seized him first. Pain shot through Lin Zijing's wrist as if the bone might shatter. Years of poison had left him far weaker than before. His lips turned white, and cold sweat gathered on his forehead.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
Only then did Mo Ruxuan release him.
“Something simple. I need Young Master Lin to conceal my identity.”
Lin Zijing stared at him in disbelief. “That's all?”
“Yes.”
Lin Zijing considered it. He would lose nothing. His revenge against Mo Ruxuan and his agreement to protect the man's identity were separate matters.
“I have one condition. Whatever grievance exists between us, no innocent person may be dragged into it. We settle only what lies between you and me.”
Mo Ruxuan agreed without hesitation.
Lin Zijing immediately summoned someone to bring paper and ink. He made them write and seal the agreement, afraid Mo Ruxuan might later deny the condition.
After Mo Ruxuan departed, Bu Yan entered.
“Yi'an, do you truly intend to cooperate with that man?”
Lin Zijing nodded.
Lin Buyan had grown up with him and was like a brother. His father had worried himself sick over Lin Zijing's affairs.
Lin Zijing waved for him to leave.
“But he nearly killed you,” Lin Buyan protested. “That man is too dangerous for you.”
Lin Zijing looked at him. “Buyan, you have overstepped.”
Seeing his master's expression darken, Lin Buyan immediately lowered his head. “This subordinate deserves death.”
“It isn't that serious. I know you're worried about me.” Lin Zijing picked up a walnut from the table and rolled it between his fingers. “I know what I'm doing. Go attend to your work.”
Lin Buyan left the room looking thoroughly dejected.
Buyu saw him and asked, “Brother, did the young master throw you out?”
“Mind your own business!”
Buyu laughed at him. “So he did. Why shouldn't I say it?”
Buyan raised a fist and pretended he was about to hit her.
Lin Buyu immediately shouted, “He's hitting people!”