In a state of semi-understanding, Xia Xue didn't understand politics and had never heard of the Xiao Family, or perhaps for small families like theirs, the Xiao Family seemed too distant.

"Xiao Lin is now implicated in a case of illegal organ trafficking, I think you should know about this matter."

"I don't know." Xia Xue instinctively spoke out. She had heard that Dan Qing's kidney source had problems, but she really didn't think in that direction. She didn't believe Xiao Lin would do such a thing. However, hearing this certainty from an outsider now gave her a sense of disregard.

"And do you know who holds the evidence to prosecute him now?"

"Who?"

"The Wang Family, Fatty Wang." Xiao Mu lowered his head in difficulty. "I know what the Wang Family did to your Xia Family, and Xiao Lin would confront the Wang Family because of you. We all know it's a trap, but now the other side holds strong evidence and can expose it any time."

"Why are they doing this?" Xia Xue's tension was evident to Xiao Mu, an enviable love, he mocked inwardly.

"Xiao Lin has a tape, he holds Fatty Wang's life in his hands. I think Miss Xia is smart and should understand the relationship among all this!"

"I've never heard Lin mention any tape." Xia Xue shook her head.

"I know it's bold for me to come and ask you to give me that tape, you may have other thoughts, but from my perspective, we don't want to blow this up. After all, Xiao Lin still has to go back and inherit the family business. If he gets embroiled here, it'll destroy his future. Do you want him to end up as a roadside vendor after ten years in prison?"

"I really don't know where that tape is."

"Miss Xia, I still hope you'll consider Xiao Lin's current situation, otherwise, I wouldn't come to you as his brother. If I can get the tape and negotiate with the Wang Family, Xiao Lin could be out soon, and it would be as if none of this ever happened, don't you think?"

Just then, Xia Xue's phone rang. "Sorry, I need to take this call." Xia Xue stood up from the chair and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Lian!"

"Something happened to Xiao Lin. I just got notified he's been caught up in an illegal organ trafficking case and is now at the City Police Department." Lian was sitting in Hua Qingyi's car, they were headed for Dragon Soul's headquarters.

"Yeah, I already know." Xia Xue looked towards where Xiao Mu was sitting. His calm face made her a bit doubtful; why did he look so at ease and not anxious? "A man named Xiao Mu, claiming to be Xiao Lin's third brother, is here with me now."

"Xiao Mu?" Lian exclaimed Xiao Mu's name. She turned to Hua Qingyi, who just shook his head at her. "Why would he come to you? We're heading over now."

"Xiao Mu is with Xia Xue, let's go over." Lian frowned, the Dragon Soul headquarters was just ahead, Hua Qingyi silently made a U-turn at the intersection and drove towards 'Rhein'.

"I just had a call, you can continue." This time, Xia Xue sat beside Xiao Mu. "I thought since you are Lin's brother and he's not here, I should at least invite you for a meal or something."

"Miss Xia, those are trivial matters. The key now is to find that tape, can you recall where it might be?"

"To be honest, recently Lin has seldom been with me, he's always busy, and I don't see him that often." Lian advised her to keep him there, Xia Xue was contemplating. "Is there no other way besides this method? I think Lin is being framed, surely we can find some evidence."

"Certainly, but we don't have much time. Moreover, Xiao Lin has offended the Wang Family over many matters because of you, and this 'inone' incident severely harmed the Wang Family, forcing them to resort to such desperate measures, so please understand our difficulties."

"Can't the Xiao Family's reputation be used in any way?" Xia Xue innocently asked. "I think it should work, right?" Xiao Mu didn't expect Xia Xue to ask this, and he squinted his eyes; was this woman truly stupid or pretending to be? "Third brother! Can I call you that? Although I don't know how powerful the Xiao Family truly is, knowing it's a trap, exchanging key evidence feels contradictory in itself. If that tape is really that important, we could use it to threaten the Wang Family, right? Why compromise then?"

"Miss Xia, I've done everything you mentioned, but this time the other party's attitude is firm. They prefer to break than to bend. The Wang Family is already like this, what else do they have to fear?"

Xia Xue pondered for a moment, it seemed reasonable. "I'll try to find out, but I can't guarantee I'll find anything."

"Thank you so much for your help. I will do my best to look as well." Xiao Mu, having achieved his purpose, stood up to leave.

"Third Brother, have a meal before you go. At least let me fulfill the duties of a host!" Xia Xue was saying, just as two silhouettes pushed the door open and entered.

"Xiaoxue, as soon as I came in, I heard you say you were treating. Do we count as uninvited guests?" Hua Qingyi's beautiful face lit up with a signature smile, resting one hand on Lian's shoulder.

"No, it's Lin's Third Brother here." Xia Xue quietly pointed to Xiao Mu sitting on one side.

"Xiao Mu?" Hua Qingyi turned abruptly and met Xiao Mu's gaze. "Why is Third Brother here? Did you come specifically to see your sister-in-law?"

"Hmm, Xiao Lin is in some trouble, I came to inquire and to see the beauty he's been hiding." After greeting Hua Qingyi, Xiao Mu turned his gaze to Lian. "If I'm not mistaken, you're the Dragon Soul's Military Advisor, right?"

"Third Young Master has a good memory. It's been over ten years since we last met." Lian generously extended her right hand, shaking Xiao Mu's.

"You've grown more beautiful." Xiao Mu naturally caressed Lian's hair. "I have some matters to attend to and will take my leave first."

Watching the person leave, Hua Qingyi led Xia Xue to look around. "He didn't do anything to you, right?"

"No." Xia Xue noticeably shook off Hua Qingyi's hand, her mood low, facing the window alone. "Can someone explain to me about the Xiao Family? I wanted to wait until Xiao Lin told me himself, but I ended up hearing a bit from an outsider."

Lian came up and embraced Xia Xue from behind. As a woman, she understood Xia Xue's feelings at this moment, hearing about Xiao Lin from others was a kind of neglect, especially when it came from Xiao Mu. Xia Xue was a sensitive woman, it was unavoidable she would be hurt.

"Xiao Lin's birth could be described as fraught with difficulties. He was born into a rich family. The Xiao Family has carried the responsibility of protecting Huaxia for generations. By the time it reached his father's generation, they had accumulated immense power and wealth. He represents the entire Huaxia, overseeing its safety. Every Xiao Family descendant bears this mission, and the one who can sit in the Xia Family's seat has an even heavier burden."

Xia Xue hugged her shoulders; she knew Xiao Lin was no ordinary person. The Dragon Soul's identity had already intimidated her, but what she heard from Lian went beyond intimidation—what kind of family was that?

"Xiao Lin was predetermined to inherit this position at the age of sixteen, hence he chose to join the Dragon Soul. Whether deliberately or intentionally, his fate was shaped under such preordainment. In the Dragon Soul, he endured more hardship and training than anyone else, because they groomed him as the Xiao Family heir, needing a strong backing to navigate this path smoothly."

"So, he can't come to harm, can he?" Xia Xue suddenly asked an unrelated question, leaving Lian puzzled.

"The Xiao Lin I know wouldn't come to harm. He's not that weak." Lian was confident in this. From the age of sixteen, Xiao Lin stepped into a world full of deceit, where traps, false affection, and hidden talents were everywhere. Any negligence could lead to a disastrous abyss. Surviving such a world until now wasn't easy. Ruthless elimination and relentless ambition, devoid of any emotion—this was the real Xiao Lin. The Xiao Lin seen by Xia Xue was merely what he hoped to be.

"What should we do now?" For the first time, Xia Xue realized how helpless she was without Xiao Lin by her side.

"Stay away from Xiao Mu. There isn't much time until Elder Xiao retires, and anyone in the Xiao Family could become Xiao Lin's enemy." Among the two women, Hua Qingyi maintained a calm mind. While Lian may understand Xiao Lin's growth, Hua Qingyi, sharing a similar fate, was more aware of the dangers. Both he and those around him could be used as living targets, because the closest family members make the best leverage.

"What do you mean?"

"It's simple. Whether Xiao Lin is by your side or not, you must protect yourself and not become a burden to him. He won't have the time to care for your safety next, and even if he has more people to protect you, there will always be loopholes. Your presence is the greatest threat to Xiao Lin, understand?"

"Qing Yi!" Lian couldn't help but call out, constantly stroking Xia Xue's shoulders. She was just a woman, not having experienced life-and-death struggles, like a flower in a greenhouse. "You're scaring Xia Xue." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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