### Chapter 297: Lin Jie Arrived
Jiang Kekai and Jiang Hanhang seemed completely unfazed by all these shenanigans, so naturally, they didn’t have a care in the world when going out. Xia Ling felt the same. She couldn’t understand why that streamer insisted on filming the big bad guy. Wasn’t he courting d*ath?
Xia Yu, however, who was slightly more kind-hearted, always found herself glancing back inside to check what was happening, even though she was still being dragged by her little sister Xiao Ning. Her mind was quite active, after all.
It wasn’t until they returned to the car that Xia Yu sheepishly looked away from Jiang Kekai towards Jiang Hanhang and said, “Little Ning Sister, you think he… will be okay?”
“Of course not. ” Jiang Kekai stroked Xia Yu’s head, trying to reassure her, saying, “At worst, they’ll just ban him and confiscate most of his assets. It’s for the best if he’s just left to live peacefully as an ordinary person.”
“Ah? That sounds pretty serious.”
“Do I look like I care? I’m not turning him into a beggar, which would already be generous. Can you imagine if someone else, do you think they’d succeed in extorting four thousand bucks like this?”
Faced with Jiang Kekai’s questions, Xia Yu didn’t know what to say. She suddenly realized her little sister was exactly right; someone else might well have ended in a much worse situation.
Seeing Xia Yu fall into silence, Jiang Kekai sighed and tried to change the topic. “Little Yu, you’ve been silent about your own affairs for so long now, don’t you think it’s time to tell your father? I can help you.”
Hearing this, Jiang Hanhang, Xia Ling, and even Zhao Wei, who was driving, were all intrigued by the gossip. Without hesitation, Xia Yu shook her head decisively, rejecting the idea outright, “No, no. I find everything as it is suits me nicely. I don’t want to talk about it.”
As usual, Xia Yu was too scared to take such risks. Even with Jiang Kekai’s care, she still dared not make a move. One could call her greedy, but she didn’t want to lose anything or anyone. Xia Yu spoke with such conviction, and her tone betrayed her fear—enough that even Jiang Kekai didn’t press the matter further, giving Xia Yu a pat on the head before pulling her close, “Alright, forget about it. I’ll cover for you, sis.”
All the girls couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed. They thought Xia Yu was finally confessing, but no, she still wouldn’t do it.
Eventually, they got home. As expected, Xia Le was there, and he had even invited Lin Jie and the rest of the “Peng City Four Youngsters” over to play games and have fun.
Jiang Kekai, whose mood had turned sour due to Xia Yu’s indecision, couldn’t believe Xia Le was bringing danger into their home. She was fuming.
But Jiang Kekai remained level-headed, recognizing that she was merely a visitor in Xia Le’s house—and his home, to boot.
So, without saying much, she grabbed Xia Yu with one hand and Jiang Hanhang with the other and pulled them out, “Let’s go play at the other house.” Yes, Jiang Kekai feared that facing off against Lin Jie might put Xia Yu in harm’s way. Wasn’t hiding better than fighting?
Jiang Hanhang knew her elder sister’s thoughts and obediently followed her to the next room. Just as they stepped out, Lin Jie hurriedly got up, saying, “Hold up!”
Though they heard him, Jiang Kekai didn’t pause. She intended to protect Xia Yu in another room before dealing with Lin Jie. Seeing his words were ignored, Lin Jie made a dash, targeting Xia Yu, reaching out to grab her arm.
Quick as lightning, Jiang Kekai loosened her grip on Jiang Hanhang and swiftly swatted Lin Jie’s hand away. “If you’ve got something to say, say it! No hands or feet.”
Before the door opened, Lin Jie was already in hot pursuit. Left with no choice, Jiang Kekai faced him head-on, keeping timid Xia Yu behind her.
Seeing Xia Yu stay firm, Lin Jie relaxed and then looked at Jiang Kekai with a threatening expression. “I need to talk to Xia Yu. Can you let us through?”
“I know what you’re doing, and I have an idea of why you’re here. So, get lost. I’ll never agree to this, so give up.”
“I’m talking to Xia Yu here, not you. Can you step aside?”
“Not a chance.”
Zi La~
Lin Jie knew very well how Jiang Kekai rolled—stern as steel, fierce when confronted, and indomitable in spirit. Then, as if realizing something, he deflated slightly. “Because of last time’s affair, every R&D project we’ve got in Pong City is being crushed by the guys in the capital. They’ll only stop pressing us if you… give Xia Yu over.”
Without letting Lin Jie finish, Jiang Kekai cut him off mercilessly. “What does it matter to me? In my eyes, Xia Yu means more than your clan. Besides…”
With a sly smile, she continued, “I’d actually love for your family to go bankrupt. If y’all hadn’t messed with things, would you even be in this mess?”
Indeed, over in Peng City, the Lin family and Jiang family had been sworn rivals. The weaker the Lins got, the happier the Jangs were. Why would Jiang Kekai ever help them?
But Lin Jie’s speech wasn’t aimed at her. He turned to Xia Yu, “If you help my family through this ordeal, I can offer you a hundred million as a token of gratitude from our side. Alright?”
Hearing this, Xia Yu froze. Was she worth such a fortune? But the higher Lin Jie offered, the more frightened she became, fearing these billions were meant to buy her life. Terrified, she stepped back.
It was only then that Jiang Hanhang opened the door and rushed Xia Yu and Xia Ling inside, “Quick, sis, get inside!”
After so long, opening the door was a bit late, but better still in effect. Seeing Xia Yu safe, Jiang Kekai sighed, “You’ve seen your answer. Good luck with your schemes, Xia family.”
With that, Jiang Kekai turned to leave.
“Hold it, I recall you still owe us a favor?”
Jiang Kekai stopped briefly, turning to face the struggling Lin Jie, “I won’t help with anything concerning Xia Yu.”
“No, I’m asking if you could lend us the Jiang family’s power to get us through this crisis?”
Lin Jie suddenly felt humiliated but, driven by desperation to save his family, what other choice did he have? He didn’t wish to see his father bear it all alone.
“Can you make that decision for your dad?”
“Yes.”
—
(Comedy injected throughout to match stylistic request.)
