Walking along the main street, Lin Yun was naturally oblivious to his mother's thoughts. If he had known, he probably would have run away from home for a few years. 'Are you kidding me? Lu Bingning and I have only exchanged a few sentences, and she's already thinking about arranging a marriage?'
"Lin Yun, your parents are really fun. I wish my family was like that." Along the way, Lu Bingning chirped like a happy little bird. However, when the conversation turned to her own family, a flicker of sadness crossed her face.
"Isn't your father very good to you and your brother? You shouldn't worry too much about how things seem on the outside. Only you can truly know your own pain." For reasons he couldn't quite explain, Lin Yun reached out and gently patted Lu Bingning's head, offering a comforting smile.
It was the first time she had been so close to a man, and a faint blush crept onto Lu Bingning's cheeks. However, being treated this way by Lin Yun, she surprisingly felt no aversion at all.
In the past, plenty of Princes' sons had tried to get handsy with her, and she had always been utterly repulsed. But with Lin Yun, she found she actually liked the feeling.
'Could it be... I like him...?' A strange thought suddenly surfaced. Lu Bingning shook her head, silently scolding herself. 'What a lovesick fool I am. How could a girl think such things?'
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward. Lu Bingning was blushing, and Lin Yun realized his action had been far too intimate. He had no idea what to say after making such a move on a young woman.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to Lu Bingning.
"It's alright," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Neither of them spoke again, but Lu Bingning kept stealing glances at Lin Yun. They were the same age—eighteen—but at 1.8 meters tall, Lin Yun was more than half a head taller than her.
His chiseled face, smooth skin, hair like a black waterfall, combined with his tall, straight figure and resolute gaze... in that moment, Lu Bingning realized Lin Yun was truly handsome—far more handsome than any of the Princes she had ever met.
In this awkward atmosphere, Lin Yun walked Lu Bingning all the way to the gates of the Lu Mansion.
"Well, we're here. I'll see you off," Lin Yun said, standing at the gate.
The words had barely left his mouth when, before Lu Bingning could reply, a furious voice called out, "Lin Yun."
Lin Yun turned to see Lu Xiong standing furiously at the entrance to his home. Lu Xiong already disliked Lin Yun, and seeing his beloved daughter with him now stoked the flames of his anger even higher.
"Father," Lu Bingning called out when she saw him.
"Do you even see me as your father anymore? Sneaking around with someone from the Lin Family without a word! And in the middle of the night, an unmarried man and woman... all alone..." Lu Xiong raged.
Scolded so harshly by Lu Xiong, Lu Bingning immediately looked aggrieved. She knew about the animosity between her father and the Lin Family, but it wasn't some blood feud, merely the rivalry between two major powers.
Seeing Lu Bingning's expression, anger began to stir in Lin Yun. Lu Xiong's words were vile. 'What's wrong with the Lin Family? Are we some dishonorable, thieving Noble Family?'
In Lin Yun's heart, his parents were a line that could not be crossed. As someone who had lived two lives, his feelings for Lin Xiaotian and Zhang Jingxiang were incredibly deep—an affection that was etched into his very bones.
Now, hearing Lu Xiong insult his family, Lin Yun decided to strike back, and strike back hard.
A wicked grin instantly spread across Lin Yun's face. To Lu Bingning's utter shock, he reached out and took her delicate hand in his.
"Bingning, don't cry. Father-in-law probably just doesn't know about us yet. It's alright, we just need to explain things to him," Lin Yun said with a smile, ignoring her astonishment. He made no effort to lower his voice, ensuring Lu Xiong heard every single word.
Lu Bingning was completely dazed. As if in a trance, she allowed Lin Yun to lead her slowly toward Lu Xiong.
When they reached Lu Xiong, Lin Yun went even further, wrapping an arm around Lu Bingning's waist and pulling her close. A jolt went through her as if she'd been struck by lightning, and her whole body began to tremble.
'What's happening? Why won't my body listen to me?' Held in Lin Yun's embrace, Lu Bingning was utterly frozen.
As for Lu Xiong, his eyes were practically shooting flames as he glared at Lin Yun.
"Father-in-law, Bingning and I are truly in love. My father even gave his blessing for our marriage today. We were just about to tell you, but I didn't expect you to misunderstand things like this," Lin Yun said to Lu Xiong, lying through his teeth without so much as a blush.
"You... you little bastard! Let her go, or I swear I'll cripple you today!" Lu Xiong was so enraged he could barely speak, his words coming out as a vicious threat.
Lu Xiong was incredibly powerful; the current Lin Yun was like an ant before him. However, Lin Yun was certain Lu Xiong wouldn't dare make a move in public, so he continued to run his mouth without any fear.
"Father-in-law, our families don't have any real hatred between us; we're simply on opposing sides. It's a wonderful thing that Bingning and I have fallen for each other. My father has already said he's willing to reconcile with you and let bygones be bygones."
Furious. For the first time, Lu Xiong found the Lin Yun before him utterly detestable. Not only were his filthy hands all over his beloved daughter, but he was also spewing absolute nonsense.
"Get lost! I am NOT your father-in-law!" Lu Xiong roared, completely losing control of his emotions. His voice boomed like a lion's roar, echoing in all directions.
Soon, the Lu Family's soldiers and pedestrians on the street began to gather, whispering amongst themselves.
"What's going on? Why is the General so furious?"
"You haven't heard? They say Lin Yun of the Lin Family and Lu Bingning are in love and have secretly pledged to marry each other. Now Lin Yun has brought her here to confront Lu Xiong about it."
"Holy crap, really? That Lin Yun is something else. He even managed to win over Lu Bingning."
"I know, right? But I think Lin Yun and Lu Bingning make a good pair. He's handsome and she's beautiful. Aside from his lackluster Cultivation, he's practically flawless."
The surrounding chatter grew louder, and Lu Xiong's body began to tremble with rage. At this rate, the Lu Family's reputation would be completely ruined.
"SCRAM! ALL OF YOU, SCRAM! LEAVE NOW OR I'LL SHOW NO MERCY!" No longer able to contain his fury, Lu Xiong unleashed his immense Elemental Power. Feeling the oppressive force, the crowd backed away and quickly dispersed.
'That should be enough,' Lin Yun thought. 'If I push this any further, Lu Xiong might actually snap. If he loses control and kills me, that would be a truly pointless death.'
"Father-in-law, since this is difficult for you to accept right now, I'll take my leave. I'll come and pay a formal visit another day." With a smile to Lu Xiong and a final goodbye to Lu Bingning, Lin Yun gave a suave turn and briskly walked away from the Lu Mansion.
Behind him, he left an incandescently furious Lu Xiong and a dumbstruck Lu Bingning, who remained rooted to the spot.