C8 The Crazy Van

Today was a particularly busy day at the Civil Affairs Bureau, with a larger crowd than usual coming in to register. Qin Tian and Lin Zhixi had to wait a full hour before it was their turn.

After taking photos and producing the necessary documents, Lin Zhixi held the marriage certificate in her hands, feeling somewhat dazed.

"Am I really married just like that?"

Even at that moment, Lin Zhixi found it hard to believe she was now a married woman, especially since she hardly knew Qin Tian.

"Let's go."

Qin Tian's voice brought Lin Zhixi out of her reverie.

"I'm not ready yet," she said, her voice tinged with nervousness, thinking Qin Tian might be suggesting something more intimate.

"I need you, but I won't force you. We'll wait until you're ready to consummate our marriage. Besides, I need to find something else first," Qin Tian explained calmly. Realizing his intentions were different, Lin Zhixi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

The two left the Civil Affairs Bureau and made their way to the parking lot. As they crossed the street, a roaring sound caught their attention. Instinctively, Lin Zhixi turned her head to see a silver van barreling towards them at breakneck speed.

The driver's face was twisted with viciousness as he continued to accelerate, closing in on Qin Tian and Lin Zhixi.

"Ah!" Lin Zhixi's cry was one of shock as the van bore down on her, mere feet away. The vehicle's speed must have been at least 120 miles per hour, and fear caused her legs to shake uncontrollably.

Though her mind screamed for her to run, her legs wouldn't obey, frozen in place. As the van loomed closer, Lin Zhixi shut her eyes, bracing for the inevitable collision.

"Boom!"

An explosive sound rang out, but the expected impact never came. When Lin Zhixi opened her eyes, she saw Qin Tian standing protectively in front of her, his fist embedded in the van.

"Is he even human?"

Lin Zhixi stared, wide-eyed, as the van's front end was completely crumpled, the driver trapped and bloodied, crying out in pain. She couldn't fathom how Qin Tian had managed to stop a speeding van with nothing but his fist—a feat beyond human capability.

"Qin Tian, are you alright?"

Lin Zhixi asked instinctively, shaking off her shock. Qin Tian didn't respond; instead, he stretched his hand through the shattered car window and yanked the driver out.

"Tell me, who sent you to kill us?"

Qin Tian's expression darkened as he dumped the driver on the ground. The driver, wincing in pain, remained silent.

"Don't feel like talking?"

A slight smirk appeared on Qin Tian's face as he pressed his foot down on the driver's arm. With minimal effort, the driver's screams echoed as if he were being slaughtered.

"It was Boss Hu. He sent me because the Lin family owes him money. He wanted to teach them a lesson."

The driver, unable to endure the pain, confessed loudly. Qin Tian nodded, then delivered a swift kick to the man's head, knocking him unconscious.

Taking Lin Zhixi by the hand, they made their way to the parking lot. The onlookers, now coming to their senses, watched in stunned silence as Qin Tian and Zhixi got into their car.

Just then, Lin Zhixi's phone rang. She inhaled deeply a few times, steadying her nerves before answering.

"There's an emergency at the company; I need to return immediately."

With a grim look post-call, Lin Zhixi informed Qin Tian. Seeing he had no intention of leaving the car, she said nothing more and drove towards the company.

"Qin Tian, are you Superman?"

Curiosity overcame Lin Zhixi during the drive, and she couldn't help but break the silence.

Unable to fathom any other explanation for stopping a speeding car with a single punch, she awaited his answer.

"Internal skill."

Qin Tian replied succinctly, eyes still closed.

At first, Lin Zhixi was skeptical, but recalling the earlier events, she realized that martial arts masters did exist and one was sitting right beside her.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at Morning Dew Cosmetics Company, owned by the Lin family.

Standing before the conference room door, Lin Zhixi took a deep breath, pushed it open, and entered. Qin Tian followed at a relaxed pace.

The spacious conference room was bustling with attendees, including not only the company's top executives but also members of the Lin family.

At the head of the room sat an elderly man with a full head of white hair, the patriarch of the Lin family, Lin Yuandong. Despite being seventy-three years old, Lin Yuandong was the picture of health, his cheeks rosy with vigor.

To his left was Lin Yi, and to his right, a woman in her fifties—his daughter, Lin Mengyao. Dressed in a white qipao adorned with peony flowers and heavily made up, Lin Mengyao bore the look of a fierce enchantress.

Lin Fei was present too, his right hand wrapped in a bandage and slung around his neck, casting venomous looks at Qin Tian.

"Grandpa, what brings you here?" Lin Zhixi asked, taken aback by Lin Yuandong's presence. He merely glanced at her before turning his attention to Qin Tian.

"Zhixi, is this young man your fiancé?" Lin Yuandong inquired, his voice devoid of warmth as he regarded Qin Tian with a detached expression. Lin Zhixi confirmed with a nod, informing him that they had officially registered their marriage.

"What? Zhixi, you've actually married this boy? Just look at him; he's not at all suitable for you," Lin Yuandong remarked with disbelief.

"Our Lin family's sole princess should marry into wealth, not someone like him who lacks any redeeming qualities."

"How could a penniless country bumpkin befit entry into the Lin family? It's a disgrace," he continued, his words sharp as knives.

No sooner had Lin Zhixi spoken than Lin Mengyao rose to her feet, berating Qin Tian with scorn etched on her face.

"Exactly, he's no better than a stray dog. He has no right to stand among us," Lin Yi chimed in, his words causing Lin Zhixi to tremble with indignation.

Murmurs rippled through the gathering of executives until Lin Yuandong's hand struck the table, silencing the room instantly.

"Qin Tian, is it? Kneel down," Lin Yuandong commanded, his voice booming as he fixed Qin Tian with a furious glare. Qin Tian, however, remained calm, meeting Lin Yuandong's gaze with serene indifference, uttering not a single word.

"Grandpa, what are you doing?"

Lin Zhixi was puzzled by Lin Yuandong's intentions, her eyes reflecting her bewilderment.

"I told you to kneel down."

Rising to his feet, Lin Yuandong strode over to Qin Tian, angrily pointing at his nose as he spoke.