C7 Waste!

After getting home, Tang Hao took a well-deserved rest. His slumber was interrupted by a cacophony of crashing and banging sounds. With a furrowed brow, he descended the stairs to investigate.

Chen Shuhao was leading a group of thugs in a rampage through the Lin family's villa. A dozen bodyguards, clad in black, wielded hefty iron rods, smashing everything breakable in sight.

Seated in his wheelchair, Chen Shuhao resembled a corpulent pig, watching Tang Hao with a malevolent gaze. His grip on Lin Mengyao's hair tightened.

"Look, the exclusive audience for our romantic action film has arrived," he sneered.

Chen Shuhao rose from his wheelchair and dragged Lin Mengyao toward the only room that had been spared from destruction. Two men in black closed in on Tang Hao, ready to force him into the room.

Lin Mengyao's struggles were futile against the overwhelming strength disparity. "Let me go! You can't do this! You monster!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face as she was inexorably pulled toward the room.

Desperation filled Lin Mengyao's eyes as she pleaded with her husband, a glimmer of hope shining through. "Please, please save me. I know you can. Darling."

Enraged by the scene before him, Tang Hao swiftly incapacitated the two bodyguards beside him. Suddenly, the air was filled with a flurry of ice needles, precisely targeting the acupoints of the scattered bodyguards.

Finally, Tang Hao turned to face Chen Shuhao, who was shaking with fear and reeking of urine. A smirk crossed Tang Hao's face.

"You wanted me as a spectator? I'm not interested. However, I do have an action film I'd like you to critique. Let's go," he said, dragging Chen Shuhao by the hair toward the room.

Chen Shuhao was powerless to resist, his urine-soaked pants leaving a distinct trail as he was hauled into the room. The sounds of agony that followed were chilling. When Tang Hao emerged, he was the picture of composure.

Chen Shuhao was left incapacitated, his tools for wrongdoing rendered useless. He would never "perform" again.

A sigh escaped Tang Hao; it was indeed a cause for celebration.

Having dealt with Chen Shuhao, Tang Hao stepped outside, his spirits lifted. He saw Lin Mengyao sitting on the floor, leaning against a chair, and approached her with a reassuring presence.

He let out a sigh.

Lin Mengyao was clearly petrified, her entire being as tense as a drawn bowstring. Her pale skin, clad in a black silk pajama set, was marred with bruises. She buried her face in her arms, hugging her head and shivering uncontrollably.

At the sound of footsteps, Lin Mengyao looked up to see Tang Hao. She rose to her feet and flung herself into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Tang Hao paused for a moment before gently patting Lin Mengyao's slender back, comforting her as one would soothe a frightened child. He had underestimated Chen Shuhao's audacity, having gone to sleep without ensuring Lin Mengyao's safety.

"Don't cry anymore, you won't look pretty if you do," he said softly.

His large hand tenderly stroked Lin Mengyao's soft cheek, his voice a gentle timbre he seldom used, as he reassured her.

"Okay, okay," she managed between sobs, obediently heeding his words.

Tang Hao sighed again, looking at Lin Mengyao's compliance. How could she be so trusting? Didn't she fear that he might betray her?

Hand in hand, they left the chaotic villa behind, leaving the aftermath for those with the resolve to deal with it. Chen Shuhao would have to swallow the bitter pill of his own making, likely facing years behind bars for his attempt to coerce a woman. Upon his release, he would find nothing left: a bankrupt Chen family, their legacy in ruins, all because they had dared to provoke him.

Walking with Lin Mengyao through the villa's deserted park in the early hours, their pajama-clad figures went unnoticed. Gradually, Lin Mengyao's nerves settled.

Eventually, they reached the beach just as night gave way to dawn. Lin Mengyao let out a cry of joy, kicking off her shoes to frolic in the sand. She pointed to the slowly ascending sun over the ocean, exclaiming with glee, "I've never watched the sunrise with anyone before."

Tang Hao watched Lin Mengyao's childlike behavior with a smile, choosing to remain silent.

Wave after wave rolled in, lapping at Lin Mengyao's delicate ankles, the water shimmering against her pale, tender skin.

Seeing Tang Hao silent, Lin Mengyao suddenly felt a wave of panic. She realized she had developed a strong dependence on this man who had unexpectedly entered her life as her husband.

It was Tang Hao who had saved her grandmother's life and who had rescued her from the clutches of Chen Shuhao.

Forgetting about the sunrise, she discarded her shoes and ran towards Tang Hao.

"You won't leave me, will you? After all, I am your legally wedded wife; you can't just abandon me."

Lin Mengyao was well aware that the marriage certificate alone couldn't truly bind Tang Hao, yet she stubbornly sought a commitment from him.

"You'll take responsibility for me, won't you?"

Tang Hao gazed at Lin Mengyao, who looked exceptionally beautiful in the sunrise's glow. The soft, warm yellow light bathed her innocent and enchanting face.

Her dark, dense curls cascaded over her fair, delicate shoulders, lending an alluring touch to her pure appearance.

Lin Mengyao was stunning, with a figure to match. Having such a beauty wholly dependent on him was something most men could only dream of.

Yet, Tang Hao wasn't overly thrilled. With his status and resources, he could have any number of beautiful women he desired. A mere gesture from him would bring a throng of power-hungry women to his doorstep.

The one thing that set Lin Mengyao apart from these women was her genuine feelings for him.

Well, he thought, let's just consider it a diversion in life.

Tang Hao had felt an unexpected discomfort when he saw Lin Mengyao mistreated by Chen Shuhao.

Their accidental marriage had led Tang Hao to discover that love did indeed exist in the world. He decided to give it a try with Lin Mengyao. Starting a relationship in such an unconventional way, he wondered what it might turn into.

"Alright, I'll take responsibility for you," Tang Hao said, stepping forward to lift Lin Mengyao into his arms with an indulgent smile.

When they returned home, the atmosphere between them had noticeably changed, filled with a rosy, bubbly sensation.

The villa had been cleared of any extraneous individuals, and all the damaged items had been replaced with identical ones, leaving the house even tidier than before.

After changing their clothes, they hurried to the hospital. Lin Mengyao's grandmother had awakened and requested their presence.

Tang Hao was behind the wheel of the sole Mercedes-Benz in the Lin family's garage. The once full garage now housed only this moderately used Mercedes-Benz. The previously abundant luxury cars had been sold by Lin Mengyao to cover Lin Quansheng's hefty medical bills.

Tang Hao glanced at the somewhat shabby vehicle without comment. He neither scorned it nor offered to buy Lin Mengyao a new car with his own money.

He knew better than to make such an offer; Lin Mengyao might interpret it as a slight. Money can often complicate relationships in uncomfortable ways.

Upon reaching the hospital, the entire Lin family was already there. Lin Quansheng, along with his two brothers, Lin Xinguo and Lin Guoqing, surrounded their grandmother's bedside with their families in tow.

Lin Quansheng and Lee Wanqing stood off to the side, with Wanqing repeatedly attempting to move closer, only to be rebuffed each time.

Lin Xinguo was at the forefront with Lin Qing, who was missing a front tooth, making his speech whistle as he spoke incessantly.