Chapter 92: A Resounding Slap
Chapter 92: A Resounding Slap
The next moment, An Zhiheng’s face paled slightly.
The sensation in his grip was rigid—like grasping a block of hardened steel.
Lin Qi’s expression, however, remained unchanged, his smile unwavering.
Then, a sharp pain erupted in An Zhiheng’s palm.
Lin Qi’s arm veins bulged like coiled iron cables, unleashing terrifying power. A punch force exceeding 1200 kilograms erupted from his hand.
“Crack! Crack!”
“Augh!”
Gritting his teeth, An Zhiheng tried to hold on, but the pain was unbearable. His hand bones creaked ominously.
Watching An Zhiheng’s agonized face, Lin Qi’s lips curled upward. The sound of cracking bones filled him with quiet satisfaction.
An Zhiheng had always competed with him since childhood, influenced by his mother’s rivalry. After moving away, he’d return every Spring Festival to show off—especially enjoying humiliating Lin Qi with handshakes. This time, however, the tables had turned.
An Zhiheng yanked his reddened hand free, shaking it furiously as onlookers gathered.
Humiliated by the spectacle, his face flushed crimson.
“Xiaoheng, what’s wrong?” Yan Ying asked, puzzled by his reaction.
“Nothing!” An Zhiheng shoved his throbbing hand into his pocket.
“Oh, by the way, how’s Xiaoqi doing? He must study hard—senior year is crucial!”
“If he needs help, ask Xiaoheng!” Yan Ying shifted focus to Lin Qi, her tone insincere.
Lin Zhen and Fang Huiyi exchanged smirks. They’d been waiting for this.
“Yingchuan, Xiaoqi doesn’t need Xiaoheng’s guidance,” Aunt Huang interjected, her voice booming. “Xiaoqi’s already No. 2 at Tianhai No.2 High School—ranked ninth in the entire city!” She raised her thumb proudly.
“Exactly! Xiaoqi’s amazing now…” The other aunties chimed in.
“Ninth in Tianhai City?!”
“Seriously?”
Yan Ying and An Zhiheng’s hearts sank.
Lin Zhen chuckled modestly. “Just ninth place—nothing special.”
“Xiaoheng, you should ask Xiaoqi for help in the future,” Fang Huiyi added.
Lin Qi spoke up: “Zhiheng, Guo Heng, Lü Xiang, Wu Feng, and Qiu Siying from the Elite Class at No.1 High are my friends. You can consult them too.”
An Zhiheng’s face darkened. Lin Qi knows the infamous Guo Heng? And Lü Xiang? Could he actually be telling the truth?
Yan Ying forced a smile. “Xiaoqi’s really made something of himself.”
“We’ll head up now—urgent matters to attend to!”
She hurried An Zhiheng upstairs.
“Hahaha!”
Everyone burst into laughter at their hasty retreat, the air buzzing with delight.
“Let’s go, Aunt Huang, Aunt Li!”
“Coming!”
Lin Qi’s family loaded their gifts into the car, departing Rongshan Residential District.
In the car, Lin Zhen slapped his knee.
“That was satisfying! Seeing Yan Ying’s sour face—like swallowing a fly!”
Fang Huiyi grinned. “I feel lighter already!”
Lin Qi chuckled.
---
Tianhai City, Yuanzhou Residential District
Apartment 305, Building 1
“Alan, hurry—Huaiyi’s family is coming!”
A spacious, tidy 100-square-meter apartment. Fang Zhe, refined and scholarly, chopped vegetables with a middle-aged woman for lunch.
Alan, washing vegetables, sighed:
“I never expected your sister’s family would recover.”
“At the time, I resented lending them money. But their situation was dire—we had no choice.”
“It’s just… we couldn’t afford resources for Linlin.”
“Who knew they’d pay back everything? Xiaoqi’s even risen to Tianhai City’s Top 10!”
Fang Zhe beamed. “Xiaoqi was always sharp-minded, mature beyond his years.”
“Back then, I knew he’d go far.”
Observing his wife’s admiration, he felt vindicated. Previously, she’d been cold and distant after their loans caused arguments.
When he’d expected the debt to take a decade to repay, Lin Qi had surged ahead—clearing loans and climbing to ninth place. Now, everyone saw a brilliant future for his sister’s family. His wife’s attitude had transformed completely.
Dingdong!
The doorbell snapped him from thought.
“Lin Zhen’s here—Linlin, open the door!”
A radiant girl emerged from the bedroom.
Click!
“Is that Xiaolin?”
The door opened, revealing Lin Zhen, Fang Huiyi, and Lin Qi behind them.
“Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year!”
Fang Lin, wearing a blue down jacket, greeted them with a traditional bow.
“Happy New Year!” Lin Zhen chuckled, handing her a red envelope.
“Everyone, come in!”
Fang Zhe approached while Alan brought slippers.
“Cousin, your slippers!”
“Thanks!”
Fang Lin stared at her cousin, Lin Qi. Compared to last year, he seemed like a stranger—taller, broader, with sharper features and a cold, commanding presence.
Lin Qi entered, noting his cousin’s delicate features—her father’s genes shining through.
In the living room, the families exchanged pleasantries over fruits and snacks.
“Is this Xiaoqi? He’s changed so much!” The auntie gaped at Lin Qi, stunned.
“Xiaoqi’s ninth in the city now—truly impressive!” she recovered, praising him.
“Linning’s in senior year soon. She can ask her cousin for help.”
Fang Lin nodded obediently, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
Earlier, her mother had opposed her father’s loans to Lin Qi’s family, causing frequent fights. She’d even looked down on Xiaoqi when he ranked 100+ at Second High.
Yet months later, he’d soared to ninth citywide—among the top five seniors at No.1 High.
“Xiaoqi just signed an A-Rank Contract!” Lin Zhen casually dropped the bomb.
Fang Lin’s eyes widened. A-Rank?
She’d learned that her current Top 50 ranking only qualified for a C-Rank. The cousin she’d once scorned now held the elite A-Rank?
A mix of awe and insecurity washed over her.
---
That afternoon, returning from his uncle’s, Lin Qi heard the doorbell.
Opening the door, he found two familiar figures.
“Brother Qi, Happy New Year—red envelope, please!”
“Brother Lin Qi, Happy New Year!!”
Jiang Tao and Jiang Miaoyin stood in puffy coats, holding gift boxes.
Jiang Miaoyin’s cheeks were rosy from the cold, her pink coat accentuating a mischievous grin.
“Come in!” Lin Qi handed them two large red envelopes, laughing.
---
(End of Chapter)
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