<h4>Chapter 1088: Chapter 1095: The Pain of Losing a Father (1)</h4>


    Hearing the shout from behind, Ling Chen stopped in his tracks, turned to look, and a trace of surprise shed in his eyes.


    It was her?


    Ling Chen never expected to meet her here. He was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained hisposure and smiled at her, saying, "Miss Lin Qiqi, long time no see. I didn’t expect to meet you here."


    This woman was none other than Lin Qiqi, who had once impersonated the leader of the God Organization to negotiate with Ling Chen in an attempt to rescue Lin Guodong. It had been several months since they parted; it turned out she was staying with the Ling Family.


    "Ling Chen!" Lin Qiqi shouted sharply, "You sure have guts to run wild on the Ling family’s turf."


    "Miss Lin, I have always been bold; don’t you know that?"


    "Enough!" Lin Qiqi looked at Ling Chen with gritted teeth and hatred in her eyes, coldly saying, "You’re here just in time. Release Uncle Lin immediately, or I’ll make sure you have no chance to walk away alive."


    Uncle Lin? Ling Chen was slightly startled and immediately realized she meant Lin Guodong. Strange, Lin Guodong was already dead; why would she demand his release? Could it be... she still didn’t know about Lin Guodong’s ident? Ling Chen increasingly felt this could be the case.


    The rtionship between Lin Qiqi and Lin Guodong was quite unusual, as evidenced by Lin Qiqi’s risky attempt to rescue Lin Guodong.


    Perhaps... he could use this as an opening.


    With thoughts racing, Ling Chen spoke, "Miss Lin, maybe you’re mistaken, Lin Guodong is not in my hands."


    "Who would believe your lies? My intelligence shows that Uncle Lin wasst captured by you. Don’t you even have the courage to admit it?"


    "Miss Lin, you are correct; Lin Guodong was indeed captured by me, but he is not currently in my hands. I handed him over to government authorities long ago."


    Upon hearing this, Lin Qiqi’s eyes showed a glimmer as she hurriedly asked, "Then... where is he being held now? Tell me. I need to rescue him."


    "Toote," Ling Chen replied. It was clear that Lin Qiqi cared deeply about Lin Guodong’s safety. Despite not wanting to tell her, Ling Chen chose not to hide the truth any longer at this point.


    "Toote?" Lin Qiqi stared at Ling Chen, asking anxiously, "What do you mean by that?"


    "Lin Guodong is already dead."


    "What?" Ling Chen’s words were like a bolt from the blue, turning Lin Qiqi’s face deathly pale, her lips devoid of any color. She stood there dazed, motionless, as two streams of tears slowly flowed from the corners of her eyes, dripping onto the ground.


    Dead... dead... no... don’t... Lin Qiqi murmured to herself, her body trembling slightly. Though she tried hard to conceal it, Ling Chen could still feel the deep sorrow within her heart.


    "It was you... It must have been you who killed him," Lin Qiqi red at Ling Chen, gritting her teeth, her eyes full of hatred.


    "Ling Chen, blood for blood, I’ll kill you." With a sharp shout, Lin Qiqi rushed up, regardless of whether she was a match for Ling Chen, wildly swinging her fists.


    Seeing Lin Qiqi’s fistsing at him, Ling Chen casually grabbed and immediately locked her wrist. Lin Qiqi struggled desperately to break free, but how could her strengthpare to Ling Chen’s? She couldn’t budge at all.


    "Miss Lin, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t kill Lin Guodong. On the contrary, Lin Guodong reached an agreement with me, and I handed him over to government authorities hoping he could have a chance to enjoy his twilight years. You should know, with Lin Guodong’s identity and actions, he would be doomed in anyone’s hands. It was already fortunate enough for him to survive for a while. Moreover, Lin Guodong signed a witness protection n with the government and lived under their protection, hidden and unnamed during this time."


    "Then how did he die?" Lin Qiqi asked, tears streaming.


    "Believe it or not, it wasn’t us who killed Lin Guodong; it was the Ling Family."


    "The Ling Family? No, that’s impossible!" Lin Qiqi screamed hysterically, "Ling Chen, you’re lying! How could the Ling Family have killed him?"


    Ling Chen spoke calmly, "Nothing is impossible. Miss Lin, you’re a sensible person. Lin Guodong made a deal with the government, betraying the Ling Family; how do you think the Ling Family would treat a traitor? You’re part of the Ling Family; I don’t need to exin—you should understand in your heart."


    Upon hearing this, Lin Qiqi’s tears flowed continuously from her eyes, her two arms hanging weakly.


    Just as Ling Chen said, Lin Qiqi was very familiar with the Ling Family’s ways. Moreover, she believed Ling Chen wasn’t deceiving her. Some time ago, Lin Guodong had secretly called her once, saying he was doing well and she shouldn’t worry. As to where he was, Lin Guodong didn’t say a word. Not only that, Lin Guodong had urged her not to reveal his whereabouts to the Ling Family.


    At that time, she didn’t understand why, but as long as Lin Guodong was safe, she felt at ease. Now, after hearing Ling Chen’s words, she finally realized Lin Guodong didn’t want to implicate her.


    "Miss Lin!"


    At this moment, a shout came from nearby. Ling Chen looked attentively, only to see several security personnel quickly heading their way. Seeing Ling Chen’s unfamiliar face, the security personnel became immediately alert, suspiciously scrutinizing him and asking, "Miss Lin, who is this man?"


    Lin Qiqi looked at Ling Chen, a trace of hesitation shing in her eyes. A few secondster, Lin Qiqi seemed to make a decision and said, "He’s sent by my second uncle to protect my safety. All right, there’s nothing for you here; go ahead and help the others upfront."


    "Yes!" Upon Lin Qiqi’s instructions, the security personnel, though puzzled about Ling Chen’s identity, didn’t ask further. They had just received notification that numerous people had infiltrated the Ling Family, and they needed to fend off the offensive.


    Watching the backs of the security personnel depart, Ling Chen shifted his gaze back to Lin Qiqi and nodded, "Thank you!"


    "Are you clearing out the Ling Family this time?" Lin Qiqi asked.


    "Pretty much. The Ling Family sent people to kill Lin Guodong, undoubtedly a provocation to the higher-ups. Orders were issued from above to strike at the Ling Family’s forces with full force."


    "The core members of the Ling Family have fled before their wrongdoing was exposed. Those left behind are mostly peripheral members. Like me, most once served in the God Organization." At this moment, Lin Qiqi’s emotions had returned to calmness.


    "I know. Our operation isn’t meant to eliminate everyone in the Ling Family but to make a statement. From now on, we won’t remain silent anymore." As Ling Chen said this, he hesitated for a moment and continued, "Miss Lin, for Lin Guodong’s sake, I don’t wish to make trouble for you. Leave now, find a ce where no one knows you, live quietly, and stay away from this conflict."