Chapter 1
“Hurry up!”
“Faster!”
A group of men in black suits rushed out of the airport exits, their expressions serious and determined, as though facing an imminent battle. The commotion caused all the other passengers to quickly step aside, unsure of who or what could have caused such urgency.
The leader of the group furrowed his brow, a deep frown crossing his face. Without a word, he abruptly turned, his mind clearly racing with some newfound thought.
Within moments, they reached the pavement outside the airport. There, sitting calmly on a long bench, was Jiang Ning. He exhaled a steady stream of cigarette smoke, seemingly indifferent to the flurry around him.
“Master hopes you will return. He misses you dearly,” the leader said, standing a few steps behind him, his tone respectful yet filled with deference.
To the world, this leader held a position of immense authority—no one dared challenge him. But in front of Jiang Ning, he seemed insignificant.
“He misses me?” Jiang Ning turned slightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Is it my influence he’s missing? Or my wealth?”
The leader stiffened. Under normal circumstances, he would have found such a remark ridiculous. After all, the Jiang family from Jingdu was a powerful dynasty—one that was never in need of anyone else’s influence or riches. But Jiang Ning was different. He wasn’t just anyone; he was the heir to the Jiang family, a man whose reputation and power were legendary.
What surprised the leader even more was the fact that Jiang Ning wasn’t just known as a wealthy heir—he was the War God of the East. A man whose power could command nations and whose wealth surpassed most. He was the very definition of invincibility.
“When he cast me out of the family, when he married that woman fifteen years ago, Jiang Ning died,” Jiang Ning muttered coldly, his voice tinged with bitterness. He took one last drag from his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him like a cloak of defiance. “The Jiang Ning of today has no ties to the Jiang family in Jingdu.”
With that, he stood up and began to walk away.
“Don’t send anyone after me again,” he called over his shoulder. “If you do, I’ll kill every one of them.”
His words, filled with lethal intent, seemed to hang in the air, pressing down on the leader with an overwhelming weight.
The leader remained frozen for a moment, his fists clenched as the chilling aura of Jiang Ning’s threat washed over him. It wasn’t until Jiang Ning was out of sight that he dared to relax, wiping beads of cold sweat from his forehead.
With a trembling hand, he signaled for his men to stand down. Despite his authoritative position, in front of Jiang Ning, he felt powerless.
Outside the airport, a sleek car waited in the parking lot.
Jiang Ning entered, pulling out his phone as he settled into the backseat.
“Fei, have you made all the arrangements?” he asked, his voice low and focused.
A voice crackled through the phone on the other end. “Give me the address.”
Without another word, Jiang Ning ended the call, his mind lost in thought. He absentmindedly crumpled a sweet wrapper in his hand as his memories drifted back to fifteen years ago.
At fifteen, he had been cast out of the Jiang household and left to wander the streets, cold and hungry. It was during that time that a simple, unassuming little girl had given him her only sweet, an act of kindness that had remained etched in his memory ever since.
That moment had set in motion everything that followed. He was taken away by a mysterious figure, and the world would soon tremble at the rise of the War God of the East. Just three years later, at the age of eighteen, Jiang Ning had earned that title—a title that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.
Now, twelve years had passed. With the power of a god, he could shake the very foundations of the world. Yet, despite all he had achieved, Jiang Ning had chosen to return quietly to the city that had once rejected him.
The sweet wrapper, a simple token, was a reminder of a time long past. He couldn’t forget the girl with the pure eyes, the kind face—the one who had shown him an act of humanity when the world had turned its back on him.
Jiang Ning folded the wrapper and tucked it away carefully, taking a deep breath. If anyone knew the great War God could feel nervous, they would be shocked.
“I’m back,” he muttered to himself.
The car sped away, heading toward its destination.
Meanwhile, at Wanshun Hotel in Donghai
The scene inside the hotel was bustling with activity. The renowned Lin family of Donghai was hosting an event to find the perfect suitor for their granddaughter, Lin Yuzhen. The spectacle was drawing significant attention, as men from all walks of life vied for the chance to marry into the prestigious family.
Lin Yuzhen sat in one of the hotel’s private rooms, her small fists clenched in frustration. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying, and she felt utterly powerless in the face of what was happening.
Her mother, Lin Sumei, stood nearby, equally angry, her face flushed with rage. “Lin Wen, they’re clearly trying to ruin our daughter’s future! If you were a real man, you’d reject your father’s decision!” she yelled.
“What kind of nonsense is this? Finding a ‘good husband’ for her? This is just a trap!” Sumei spat, her words sharp and bitter. She knew the real motive behind her father-in-law’s actions. The Lin family had been a small-time shopkeeper’s business, but under the leadership of Lin Xiao, they had grown into a wealthy third-tier family. Lin Xiao was proud of what he had accomplished, but Sumei saw through the façade.
Lin Xiao had three sons: Lin Qiang, Lin Wu, and Lin Wen. Lin Qiang had taken charge of the family business, while Lin Wu expanded it into other cities. But Lin Wen, due to a tragic accident that left him paralyzed, had been relegated to a life of inactivity. He was looked down upon by his brothers.
It was Lin Qiang and Lin Wu who had convinced Lin Xiao to arrange a marriage for Lin Wen’s daughter, Lin Yuzhen. They promised to find her a suitable husband, one who would be a perfect match. But when the candidates were revealed, none of them were worthy. One was even ten years older than Lin Yuzhen, and had a history of mental illness.
This was no genuine attempt to find a good husband for her. It was a ploy to ruin Lin Yuzhen’s life and prevent her from claiming a role in the family business.
Lin Wen, though equally angry, dared not challenge his father. He knew Lin Xiao’s temperament all too well—his word was final, and no one could oppose him.
“He’s your grandfather, and he would never do anything harmful,” Lin Wen said softly after a long pause, trying to justify his father’s actions, though he was deeply conflicted.
Sumei was beside herself with anger. “How did I marry such a weakling?!” she cried, her voice trembling.
Lin Wen’s helplessness was evident. He could not oppose his father’s wishes, even though he knew it would bring disaster upon his daughter.
Lin Yuzhen managed to force a small smile through her tears. “Mum, please don’t shout at Dad. Maybe Grandpa will find me a nice man after all.”
It was clear that Lin Yuzhen understood the situation all too well. She had excelled in her career, overtaking her uncles’ children in no time, which made them nervous. They had orchestrated this marriage to ensure she would never be able to compete for control of the family business.
They had succeeded. No one in the Lin family dared defy Lin Xiao’s will.
As the clock chimed, Lin Yuzhen stood up. “Let’s go. If we keep Grandpa waiting, we’ll hear it from him again.”
Lin Wen, his face full of bitterness, knew it was pointless to argue. He could only follow as Lin Yuzhen led the way.
The main hall was a grand sight. Lin Xiao sat at the center, wearing an elaborately crafted tangzhuang, his walking stick in hand. He beamed with pride as guests congratulated him on his family’s success.
“Congratulations, Mister Lin!”
“Congratulations, Mister Lin! You’ve found an excellent grandson-in-law!”
As the guests took turns to offer their well-wishes, Lin Qiang, standing beside his father, called for attention.
“It’s time to make the announcement,” Lin Qiang said loudly, glancing at Lin Yuzhen, who was seated nearby.
“We’ve chosen the most promising young man from the applicants,” Lin Qiang declared, his voice booming.
The “most promising young man” was nothing more than a pawn in their scheme—a man with hidden issues, someone unworthy of Lin Yuzhen. But as long as she married him, she would be sidelined from the family business, her ambitions thwarted.
Lin Xiao stood, his gaze sweeping the room. “Everyone, today I am pleased to announce the man we have chosen for my granddaughter, Lin Yuzhen!”
