C4 One More Wicked than the Other

The bedroom exuded an exceptional warmth, awash in hues of pink that spoke to a youthful heart.

Lin Mengyao, having come to her senses, wore a look of melancholy that lingered on her face. She glanced at Tang Hao, who had just stepped into the room, and murmured, "You know, you really shouldn't have hit anyone today..."

"Hit someone? Wasn't it you who wanted the dog thrown out?" Tang Hao replied with an indifferent smile, seemingly unbothered.

"Dog?"

"Well, it's an apt description, but you're unaware that Chen Shuhao came prepared. If I didn't comply with his wishes today, the Lin family would have dismissed me soon enough," Lin Mengyao sighed softly.

She admired Tang Hao's assertive demeanor, yet she was acutely aware that one could never truly depend on a madman. And Chen Shuhao would surely seek to harm Tang Hao!

Tang Hao, however, wasn't concerned with such matters. The power dynamics within Jaafmont City didn't intimidate him in the least. To him, the Lin family was nothing more than a punchline.

But he kept these thoughts to himself to avoid further speculation about his sanity. "Take your medicine and get some rest. If you quit, just enjoy the comfort of staying home. This cozy two-story house is lovely. If need be, we could sell it and rent a place in the suburbs. You'd be set for a carefree second half of your life."

"Sleep? You mean on the floor? Behave tonight, or I'll have the nurse come over and make you take ten bottles of medicine!" Lin Mengyao retorted, exasperated.

She believed that many, like Tang Hao, were oblivious to the intricate codes of the elite. If her family were to be ousted from the Lin clan, they would never again hold their heads high in Jaafmont City, becoming easy prey for their adversaries.

This was not about pride. Once you're enmeshed in the world of the wealthy, it's like being in the depths of the ocean.

"Sleep on the floor? How generous. If you're going to marry me, I should at least be put to good use, right? What's the point of relegating me to the floor?" Tang Hao quipped, arching an eyebrow as he suppressed the impulse to climb into bed.

He couldn't bring himself to take advantage of her kindness. Indeed, Lin Mengyao's innate gentleness was something that couldn't be feigned—it was as natural to her as breathing.

"You're nuts. Just get some sleep! I have to work tomorrow. You stay put at home and don't go out, or someone might take advantage of you."

Lin Mengyao offered a gentle smile, speaking in the soothing tone one might use with a child.

She had a hard life, yet she couldn't bring herself to resent Tang Hao; after all, he was innocent.

The husband she had brought into her home.

Tender and delicate, a beauty with a fate as fragile as her charm.

Tang Hao found this unbearable. He was on the verge of coming clean to her, but after some thought, he kept his silence.

The Lin family simply wasn't privy to his secrets, and Lin Mengyao's family wouldn't be able to weather the ensuing storm.

The mood turned slightly awkward. Lin Mengyao tossed out a couple of quilts and buried herself in the blankets, soon drifting off to sleep.

"I have a feeling she'd get along great with my sister. Could they possibly know each other?"

Tang Hao pondered, having just left the psychiatric hospital. He wasn't the least bit concerned about the scuffle with Chen Shuhao. To him, such riffraff wasn't worth the effort.

He had only used a pair of ice needles today. It wouldn't be long before Chen Shuhao regained feeling in his legs. If he came looking for trouble again, Tang Hao wouldn't hesitate to up the ante.

For the time being, he needed to stay with the Lin family.

...

The night seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Before Tang Sheng could drift off, a flurry of urgent footsteps approached rapidly.

The noise was loud, jolting Tang Sheng to full alertness.

Bang! Bang!

"Mengyao! Quick, come help take your dad to the hospital. Grandma's not going to make it!" Lee Wanqing burst into the room, calling out before dashing back downstairs.

"What? Grandma's not going to make it!?"

Lin Mengyao broke out in a cold sweat, quickly dressing and leaping out of bed.

In under thirty seconds, the family of four was at the front door.

"Why are you coming along? Don't make a scene; just stay home and behave!" Lee Wanqing said, clearly annoyed. What was this son-in-law thinking?

If Grandma saw them bring a lunatic to the hospital, she'd likely be upset enough to fall ill herself.

"Mom... don't leave him by himself at home. If Chen Shuhao sends someone to cause trouble again, I'm worried he'll..." Lin Mengyao trailed off, her concern evident.

Tang Hao felt a pang of emotion. "Exactly, I have to be there! If Grandma doesn't see me, she might think the wedding party didn't show up and get upset. That would be bad for our family!"

"Just drop it! And later, make sure you watch what you say!"

Lee Wanqing realized the logic in his words. Caught up in the urgency of the moment, she didn't have the time to bicker with the person in front of her.

Shortly thereafter, the taxi departed.

...

At the First Hospital of Jaafmont, in a luxurious private room on the top floor, Tang Hao saw the elderly woman with silver hair, deep in a coma.

Her complexion was ghostly pale, an oxygen tube inserted in her nose, lying completely still on the hospital bed. The beeping of the medical equipment sounded faint and slow.

"Grandma..." Lin Mengyao's eyes welled up with tears at the sight of her grandmother. She hurried over with a grief-stricken look and called out softly.

"Hey, she's the one who married you off to a nutcase, yet you're still so caring?" Tang Hao mused to himself, but he kept his thoughts unspoken and approached the bed to check her pulse.

"Tang Hao! You nutcase, let go and get out of this room!" Lin Qing burst into the room, his displeasure evident.

"Lin Qing! Keep it down, don't disturb Grandma's rest," Lin Mengyao gently pulled Tang Hao away, trying to calm the situation.

Hearing this, Lin Qing's anger flared. "What do you all think you are? Grandma made it clear she didn't want to see you! Now get out!"

Lin Qing was incensed by the Lin family. They had just crossed Mr. Chen and now were causing a scene in the hospital. Didn't they have any sense of propriety?

Tears swirled in Lin Mengyao's eyes, feeling deeply hurt by the treatment she received.

Tang Hao shot Lin Qing a cold look. In the past, such a person would have been straightened out with a swift slap.

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*

Suddenly, the monitor's alarm blared. Lin Qing yelled in panic, "You idiots! Call the doctor in, now! Grandma's heart has stopped, don't you see?"

The attending medical staff hurriedly sprang into action to resuscitate her.

They increased the oxygen supply, performed chest compressions, and attempted to defibrillate her heart. However, it wasn't long before the electrocardiogram flatlined, triggering an alarm.

"I'm sorry, you should prepare for the funeral..."

Buzz!

Upon hearing this, Lin Mengyao's mind went blank. She collapsed to the ground, her tears streaming down in a continuous flow. Meanwhile, a smug look crept into Lin Qing's eyes, impossible for him to conceal.

Grandma hadn't missed the wedding by choice; she was comatose and unable to preside over the ceremony from her hospital bed. She had been unconscious for over half a month, a situation orchestrated by Lin Qing himself. Few within the Lin family were privy to this information.

Grandma's time was nearing its end, and Lin Qing had only just leaked the news. Once she passed, the entirety of the Lin family's assets would fall to him and his father.

True to form, Lin Xinguo feigned sorrow, but the triumph in his gaze was unmistakable. Once he inherited the Lin family's legacy and cemented ties with the Chen family, he would lead the Lin family of Jaafmont to new heights of glory!

"Hey, isn't this just cerebral palsy? It's an acute cerebral infarction caused by a blockage in the cerebral vessels. A couple of ice needles should do the trick." Although Tang Hao had no intention of intervening, he couldn't help but be moved by the sight of Lin Mengyao in tears, so he deliberately made the comment within earshot of the doctor.

"Utter rubbish! How could it be a cerebral infarction? Could Professor Han Deng have missed such a symptom?" Lin Qing retorted with scorn.

After speaking, he wondered why he was even bothering to argue with a madman.

"Shut your mouth," Tang Hao muttered coolly, offering no further explanation as he turned and walked out of the ward. He knew he could revive the elderly woman in a matter of minutes if he chose to.

But why bother? The Lin family members were all morally bankrupt, each one worse than the last. Why should he lift a finger to help any of them?