C21 A Close Bond

"Divorce papers?!"

Upon hearing those words, everyone froze in shock.

Lin Pohu was livid. He yanked Qi Xiao by the collar, pulling him close, and bellowed:

"Divorce papers? What are you implying? You have the audacity to divorce my daughter?!"

It took a moment for Xue Rensheng to come to his senses and recognize that this was Mr. Qi. Startled, he tried to stand, but Qi Xiao caught his eye and sent a stern glare his way.

Silenced by Qi Xiao's intimidating stare, Xue Rensheng didn't utter a single word, though he knew deep down that the Lin family was facing a crisis today.

Lin Pohu's wife, a stately woman whose robust figure rivaled her husband's, scrutinized Qi Xiao with her beady eyes and sneered:

"Well, well, if it isn't Qi Xiao. How come? Got a nose for trouble? You showed up uninvited?"

Lin Pohe, too, was taken aback to see Qi Xiao. He had once held him in high regard, but subsequent events had proven his judgment flawed. Now harboring no expectations for Qi Xiao, he simply hoped the man wouldn't embarrass himself further.

In a hushed tone, Lin Pohe reprimanded:

"Ridiculous! Do you think this is a place where you can just barge in? Get out of here, now!"

Qi Xiao, with a helpless shrug, replied:

"I intended to discuss this after the banquet, but upon hearing of Miss Lin's impending engagement, it seemed only right to dissolve our betrothal beforehand."

Lin Pohu huffed dismissively, releasing Qi Xiao's collar, and retorted:

"Dissolve? That's putting it mildly. To be frank, Qi Xiao, do you even measure up to the Lin family anymore? If I were you, I'd be looking for a dumpster to crawl into!"

"Exactly, dressed up like a gentleman, yet so full of yourself!"

Lin Cheng chimed in, reveling in the misfortune, certain that Qi Xiao's visit to the Lin household to call off the engagement would utterly destroy his reputation.

Young Master Pann also rose to his feet, adjusting his tie with an air of importance. He looked down his nose at Qi Xiao and said:

"Miss Lin is soon to be my betrothed. If you dare to insult her again, don't blame me for what happens next. I've trained in Taekwondo for years overseas!"

The crowd observed the stark contrast between Qi Xiao and Young Master Pann, snickering at Qi Xiao's expense.

"What's with this guy? Is his head made of iron?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's a case of love turned sour. This is hilarious!"

Qi Xiao, hearing Young Master Pann's threat of physical force and boasting about Taekwondo, barely contained his laughter. He gave Young Master Pann an amused glance.

"Alright, give it a try."

Young Master Pann hadn't anticipated Qi Xiao's fearlessness, let alone his challenge! Glancing at Lin Suxin beside him, he resolved to show this ignorant fool a lesson at the banquet.

"Just to be clear, if you end up dead or crippled, it's not on me!"

As Young Master Pann approached, Lin Cheng's face paled, and he quickly tugged at his arm.

"Stop! Young Master Pann, this kid is stronger than he looks!"

Young Master Pann glanced at Lin Cheng and reassured him with a smile.

"Don't worry, soon-to-be brother-in-law. Strength is irrelevant to me. Plus, I'm the stronger one here."

Lin Suxin blushed when she heard Young Master Pann casually refer to Lin Cheng as his brother-in-law.

Lin Pohu saw a perfect chance to play matchmaker, with only upsides to letting Young Master Pann strut his stuff. He chimed in:

"Very well, Young Master Pann, please do us the honor of teaching this fellow a lesson today!"

With a smug grin, Young Master Pann replied:

"How can you call it a favor? Dear father-in-law, if I don't have him kneeling and begging for mercy, I don't deserve to marry Suxin!"

Lin Pohu beamed with delight at his words.

Everyone eagerly awaited Young Master Pann's comeuppance of the mysterious Qi Xiao, except for one person who regarded Young Master Pann as if he were a simpleton.

Xue Rensheng mused to himself that Young Master Pann was in for a rude awakening. Mr. Qi's prowess was truly inscrutable!

Young Master Pann approached Qi Xiao and stood there with a casual air, one hand nonchalantly behind his back. He extended his other hand toward Qi Xiao and gave a teasing flick of his finger.

Qi Xiao responded with a smile, mirroring the gesture and hooking his own finger toward Young Master Pann.

Young Master Pann hadn't anticipated such audacity from the young upstart, daring to challenge him. Well, there was no longer any reason to show restraint!

He lunged at Qi Xiao, aiming a vicious kick at his head. Such a blow would have concussed an ordinary person, at the very least. Young Master Pann wasn't just posturing; his attack was fierce.

Everyone braced for Qi Xiao to be floored by the kick, but what happened next left them all in disbelief.

With a sharp snap, Qi Xiao caught Young Master Pann's leg in a vice-like grip!

Onlookers were stupefied, some even rubbing their eyes in astonishment. What just happened?

Young Master Pann's shock was palpable. His kick had been powerful enough to burst a sandbag, yet this kid had caught it effortlessly, without so much as shifting his stance?

He tried to wrench his leg free, only to find it immovable, as if clamped in a vise. Pain even began to seep through the spot where Qi Xiao's hand held firm.

With a slight increase in pressure, Young Master Pann's face contorted with discomfort, but he bit back any cries of pain. To yell out would be to lose face in front of the gathered crowd.

Yet Qi Xiao, with a mischievous grin, looked at Young Master Pann and inquired, "Does it hurt?"

Young Master Pann's face was a mottled mix of pain and rage, flushed to the hue of a liver.

"If it hurts, let it out!" Qi Xiao taunted.

Feeling the sting of humiliation and with his leg clamped in Qi Xiao's unyielding grasp, Young Master Pann was powerless.

Qi Xiao applied a bit more force, and the pain became unbearable. Young Master Pann felt as if his leg bones were on the verge of snapping, and he couldn't suppress a wretched scream.

"Ah!"

Lin Pohu immediately sensed something was amiss, yet he hadn't grasped that Young Master Pann had been subdued by Qi Xiao in a mere moment. It was only upon hearing Young Master Pann's agonized scream that he snapped to attention and hurried over.

"Release him! If you dare harm Young Master Pann, you'll regret it today!"

But before he could lay a finger on Qi Xiao, Qi Xiao deftly twisted his wrist, sending Young Master Pann spinning through the air. With a subsequent shove, Young Master Pann was sent flying, crashing into Lin Pohu, and the two tumbled to the ground in a tangled heap.

Unperturbed, Qi Xiao dusted off his hands and remarked:

"A son-in-law and his father-in-law should indeed share such a close bond!"

The room fell silent, shock written on every face. This young man had the audacity to humiliate both the head of the Lin family and Young Master Pann in public? Was he courting death?

Witnessing Qi Xiao's brazen behavior, Lin Pohe slammed his hand on the table, his anger boiling over:

"Qi Xiao! You've crossed the line! This is the Lin household, not a place for your wild antics!"

His fury propelled him to his feet, and with that forceful slam, his internal energy burst forth, snapping off a corner of the table!

Those seated at the two tables on the stage were visibly alarmed. They had only ever seen such a display of strength shattering tables with a palm strike on television. When had it ever been a reality?

Yet, Qi Xiao simply offered Lin Pohe a serene smile and spoke with measured calm:

"Uncle Pohe, you're mistaken. I'm here merely to call off an engagement. How is that presumptuous?"

He stepped closer to Lin Pohe, meeting his gaze directly, and declared with deliberate emphasis:

"From start to finish, it is your Lin family that has been excessively overbearing!"