"She's already been removed from the family registry and expelled from the Dongfang family, hasn't she? And you said Dongfang Qingwu is also an heir to the Dongfang family, so she must have received a considerable amount of property from the Dongfang family, right?"
Lin Xingwan was puzzled. Although she had never met Dongfang Qingwu, just hearing Zhou Jinbai describe her made her seem foolish and unreasonable.
"The Dongfang family gave Dongfang Qingwu fifty billion yuan, five percent of their global company shares, and a lot of real estate. If Dongfang Qingwu hadn't gotten involved in all sorts of nonsense, this would have been enough for her to live a carefree life for several lifetimes. But her man got into gambling, and over the years, he's lost all that property. Yet, even now, Dongfang Qingwu still loves this man. I don't know what she sees in him."
Zhou Jinbai's tone was filled with helplessness, while Lin Xingwan had already formed a general impression of Dongfang Qingwu.
She truly hadn't expected the Dongfang family to produce someone like Dongfang Qingwu.
"She deeply resents everyone in our Dongfang family, so naturally, she won't give us the Eternal Flower. We can't even let Dongfang Qingwu know we want the Eternal Flower, or she'll definitely destroy it," Zhou Jinbai stated with certainty.
Lin Xingwan, however, shook her head. "Not necessarily! After all, Dongfang Qingwu's feud with the Dongfang family was over twenty years ago. While her current life isn't one of abject poverty, it's certainly tight. We can't use Dongfang Qingwu as a breakthrough point, but we can definitely use her husband."
Lin Xingwan's face was filled with clever calculation, and seeing her like this, Zhou Jinbai felt his throat tighten.
Indeed, his wife was endlessly captivating.
"Oh? It seems Madam has an idea?"
After speaking, Zhou Jinbai leaned in close to Lin Xingwan's ear and said, "I'm all ears!"
Thus, Lin Xingwan shared her plan with Zhou Jinbai. "Although this plan is still in its nascent stage, I believe Dongfang Qingwu's weakness is her husband. Over the years, her husband must have made many mistakes, but Dongfang Qingwu chose to forgive them all. This shows that Dongfang Qingwu will bear the brunt of any mistakes her husband makes. Why don't we just target her husband?"
Zhou Jinbai's mind was filled with Lin Xingwan's plan.
Even though it was a sudden inspiration and not yet perfected, he had to admit that his wife was becoming increasingly intelligent.
"I can let you carry out your plan, but I don't think you are suitable for the role. After all, you don't even have the ability to protect yourself. If you encounter any danger, I wouldn't know what would happen."
After Zhou Jinbai finished speaking, Lin Xingwan's face showed a look of great urgency.
"Then who else? I don't think anyone is more suitable than me right now!"
Lin Xingwan was very anxious, but Zhou Jinbai simply smiled slightly and uttered a name that made Lin Xingwan's eyes widen instantly.
"Xuan Yin—"
"What? Xuan Yin?" Lin Xingwan felt as if she were hallucinating. How could she have heard the name 'Xuan Yin'? And Xuan Yin was a man!
"Don't you remember Liu Mengqin's wedding? Xuan Yin was a bridesmaid, wasn't that good? Besides, there are very few people who can injure Xuan Yin at close range."
After Zhou Jinbai finished speaking, Lin Xingwan immediately pictured Xuan Yin in disguise.
Indeed... Xuan Yin in women's clothing was a beauty unparalleled.
Coupled with Xuan Yin's naturally heroic features, the combination of feminine grace and masculine spirit created an eye-catching and unforgettable stunning impression.
Lin Xingwan even felt that Zhou Jinbai's suggestion was excellent. This way, Xuan Yin could not only protect herself but also increase their chances of success.
"But will Xuan Yin agree?" Lin Xingwan remembered the expression of utter despair on Xuan Yin's face the last time they asked him to be a bridesmaid.
Now, not only was he being asked to wear women's clothing, but also to seduce Dongfang Qingwu's husband. Lin Xingwan couldn't even imagine the scene.
"Don't worry, I'll handle this. Xuan Yin never disobeys me," Zhou Jinbai said with utmost confidence.
As for Xuan Yin, it was a simple matter to issue an order.
Meanwhile, Lin Xingwan's gaze suddenly turned melancholic. She said to Zhou Jinbai, "After the funeral matters are settled, I want to see Helian Diejin."
Zhou Jinbai was not surprised by Lin Xingwan's words. In fact, even if Lin Xingwan hadn't said it, Zhou Jinbai had intended to take her to see Helian Diejin.
"Alright, I'll take you to see her."
After Zhou Jinbai spoke, he took Lin Xingwan's hand and they left the house where Zhou Bingwen was staying, heading towards the lower part of the island.
"What about the forces behind Helian Diejin? Are they trying to rescue her?" Lin Xingwan hadn't forgotten that Helian Diejin's ability to build such a powerful 'empire' was due to the support she received.
And now that they had captured Helian Diejin, the forces behind her would surely not allow such a humiliation.
"Don't worry, those people can't stir up any trouble. They've already lost many of their strongholds in China. Furthermore, I've heard that Mr. Moses' family has been pursuing these individuals, even issuing threats. If they tortured Rex to this extent, the Nord family will spare no expense in hunting down those terrorist forces. Coupled with the help of Cen Jue, Xu Jingkuan, and the Dongfang family, those people are struggling to protect themselves, let alone worry about Helian Diejin, who is now a liability."
Zhou Jinbai's tone was filled with certainty. Those people had long lost their humanity and had no compassion.
The reason Helian Diejin was with them and grew powerful under their wing was because she brought them increasing profits. Otherwise, they would never have cared about her.
Now that Helian Diejin had lost her value, she was like trash thrown by the roadside, utterly useless.
"Moses hates these people to death. If it weren't for this fluke that Rex was rescued, who knows how much worse these bloodsuckers would have tortured Rex." Lin Xingwan couldn't forget the first time she saw Rex. The man was indeed handsome, with a blend of Chinese and Western features, his deep, sculpted face unforgettable.
But Rex was skin and bones, and his exposed skin was covered in scars. Not to mention the skin beneath his clothes, which was undoubtedly riddled with wounds.
"Rex's condition is slowly recovering now, but he was tortured for too long, and many of his ailments require long-term care. However, something interesting happened during this time," Zhou Jinbai said to Lin Xingwan in a sharing tone.
Lin Xingwan inquired, "What interesting thing?"
"Rex has become attached to Cen Zhiyuan. He trusts no one else but her. In just a few days, Cen Zhiyuan's position in Rex's heart has surpassed that of his own family."
After hearing Zhou Jinbai's words, Lin Xingwan couldn't help but recall that every time she saw Rex, he seemed to be hiding behind Cen Zhiyuan.
But she had to admit, Rex looked like a delicate little wife, giving the impression that their personalities had been swapped.
However, because Cen Zhiyuan's aura was so powerful, the scene between the two appeared remarkably harmonious.
"If I were Rex, I would choose Cen Zhiyuan too. After all, Cen Zhiyuan is beautiful and so outstanding. Any man with Cen Zhiyuan would feel a strong sense of security," Lin Xingwan sighed. Unexpectedly, Zhou Jinbai retorted with a hint of jealousy.
"So, does that mean some people feel insecure being with me?"
"Ahem, I didn't say that. Don't misinterpret my meaning." Lin Xingwan felt that Zhou Jinbai was becoming increasingly petty.
Loose lips sink ships; she should say less.
About fifteen minutes later, Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai, escorted by bodyguards, finally arrived at the place where Helian Diejin was being held.
This was the Dongfang family's dungeon. The environment was terrible. As soon as they reached the entrance, they could smell the stench of decay and blood emanating from within.
Lin Xingwan frowned, and Zhou Jinbai said, "Dungeons are used to imprison criminals. Those who are locked up here will never get out. They will only be tortured. When we go in, you will see many unpleasant sights. If you can't bear it, you don't have to come."
Zhou Jinbai looked at his wife's haggard and weak face with concern. He knew she hadn't been well these past few days, and thinking of the cruel scenes in the dungeon, he wished Lin Xingwan could live a carefree life like a princess forever.
"It's alright. I've been through so much on this journey; my heart has long since become incredibly strong."
Lin Xingwan smiled, and Zhou Jinbai felt reassured as they walked into the dungeon.
As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the air seemed to become stagnant. There were countless cages on both sides of the corridor, and the eyes of the prisoners within were filled with despair and ferocity. Especially when Lin Xingwan and the others entered, the gazes cast upon them were not those of normal people.
It was as if they wanted to devour Zhou Jinbai and the others alive.
Just being looked at like that sent a shiver down Lin Xingwan's spine.
Not only that, but some prisoners were being tortured, and their screams were piercing and chilling.
The group walked through the dungeon for a full ten minutes before Lin Xingwan's gaze finally fell upon Helian Diejin.
At this moment, Helian Diejin's hands were cuffed, and thick iron chains held her hands high above her head. Her feet were also chained.
Her hair was disheveled, her expression haggard, and her eyes had long lost their former pride, making her look even more tragic than a prisoner.
Perhaps sensing footsteps and the discomfort of being watched, Helian Diejin slowly raised her head. Upon seeing Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai, a fierce anger appeared on her listless face.
"Lin Xingwan, if you have the guts, kill me! What's the point of torturing me here? I'm telling you, if I get the chance, I will never let you go!"
Helian Diejin had been locked in this dark, sunless place for days, barely getting enough to eat. These people were merely keeping her alive.
Lin Xingwan didn't take Helian Diejin's deliberate provocation to heart and walked towards her.
"Wife—" Zhou Jinbai immediately stopped her when he realized Lin Xingwan's intention.
"It's alright. In this place, Helian Diejin can't do anything."
Lin Xingwan smiled slightly, and Zhou Jinbai had no choice but to let her proceed.
Soon, Lin Xingwan stood before Helian Diejin. She looked coldly at the prisoner, this woman who was once so proud, now appearing before her in such a pathetic state.
Lin Xingwan raised her hand and slapped Helian Diejin hard.
Then, with a cold sneer, before Helian Diejin could utter another word to provoke her, Lin Xingwan slapped her several more times.
Lin Xingwan's expression grew increasingly disdainful, and Helian Diejin was stunned by the slaps.
"If not for my mother, you would have lived a life of hunger and constant bullying, perhaps not even surviving this long. But you are ungrateful and tried to usurp her position. Helian Diejin, you don't need to provoke me, because I know you wish for death, but death would be a reward for you. You have committed countless evils. I, Lin Xingwan, swear today that I will ensure you live a long life."
At this moment, Lin Xingwan exuded a chilling aura.
Her appearance reminded Helian Diejin of the first time she saw Helian Lingruo.
She was the most humble ant in the world. Even if she died, the world wouldn't change because of her death. She might even be discarded by the roadside.
But Helian Lingruo was different. She was like a goddess descending from the heavens, saving her from dire straits.
At that time, Helian Diejin was so envious. Why was the gap between people so vast?
Later, the foolish Helian Lingruo gave her an opportunity, allowing her to gradually approach the world of high society.
Finally, she had replaced that woman.
But she never expected these decades of fame to be like a fleeting dream. Now that the dream had ended, she was being humiliated by this inexperienced woman, Lin Xingwan.
"Lin Xingwan, you bitch. Even as a ghost, I won't let you go." Helian Diejin had no other recourse but to threaten Lin Xingwan in vain.
Lin Xingwan paid no attention to Helian Diejin's words and even said, "The suffering you inflicted upon my mother that day must be experienced by you personally. Don't worry, I will treat you exactly as you treated my mother. Let me think... how did you scheme to make my mother fall into hell step by step? It started with... stripping my mother of her chastity, right?"
As soon as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, Helian Diejin's eyes widened in terror. "What do you want to do?"
"I don't want to do anything. It's just that the people who insulted me last time have all been captured. I thought they would be useful later, and now it seems they are indeed useful." Lin Xingwan's words made Helian Diejin's face turn extremely grim.
"Then, I'll send you to a small village. I believe in a village with limited information, you will experience the joy of having multiple husbands."
After Lin Xingwan finished speaking, the mere thought of what Helian Diejin had done to her mother made her want to slice the woman's flesh off piece by piece.
But she wouldn't do that. She would return everything Helian Diejin had done to her mother, back to her.
"But don't worry, I will never let you disappear from my sight. I will assign people to watch you twenty-four hours a day and record your miserable moments."
Lin Xingwan, like a vengeful ghost emerging from purgatory, her eyes filled with the desire for revenge, made Helian Diejin tremble with fear.
Helian Diejin felt no discomfort recalling what she had done to Helian Lingruo. Seeing the woman who was once like a goddess become an ant that everyone could scorn and trample upon gave her an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.
Helian Diejin also knew very well how desperate Helian Lingruo had been.
Now, the thought of those things happening to her made Helian Diejin's heart turn to ash. She even felt that ending her own life now would be the most sensible choice.
But even death had become a luxury for her.
"Lin Xingwan, I know I was wrong. Please, spare me. I truly know I was wrong. As long as you spare me, I'll do anything."
This time, Helian Diejin's face no longer showed anger or resentment.
In her eyes, there was unprecedented fear.
Seeing this, Lin Xingwan took out a small transparent bottle from her pocket.
Helian Diejin looked at the small transparent bottle with wide, terrified eyes. "What... what is this?"