Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 470: Destruction Together

The night of tender embrace did not make Yang Chen forget the serious business he had to attend to the next day. Moreover, this was not just any ordinary day; it was the day when Hui Lin would participate in the final round of the Yu Lei Star top three selection.

Yu Lei had now soared in popularity. In a country with one-fourth of the world's population, people always need something to talk about during their leisure time. For days, the Yu Lei Star competition had been occupying the entertainment headlines, and Lin Ruoxi even spent a lot of money to have numerous fashion brand magazines under her company start special columns.

In a way, this was her way of protecting her younger sister. Although Lin Ruoxi supported Hui Lin's choice to pursue a career as a singer, she didn't want Hui Lin to be subjected to negative news. In the chaotic entertainment industry, throwing money around is the most practical and effective way of protection.

With various connections and Hui Lin's own stunning looks and remarkable voice, attracting public attention seemed effortless.

This was only Yang Chen's second time entering the TV studio. The first time was when he accompanied An Xin, just having a quick look around. This time, however, he stayed backstage with some producers and staff from the TV station, patiently watching the stage rehearsals and planning to wait until the show officially ended.

Although the key officials at the TV station were not familiar with Yang Chen, they learned from Zhao Teng and Wang Jie that he was one of the major stakeholders of Yu Lei. For ordinary people, Yu Lei International was like a gigantic aircraft carrier, out of reach with its hundreds of billions in assets. Naturally, they treated Yang Chen with utmost reverence and endless hospitality.

When the performance officially started, Yang Chen sat quietly in the VIP box, accompanied only by Zhao Teng and Wang Jie. The three of them remained silent.

As the host's opening remarks concluded, the top ten Yu Lei Star contestants took the stage one by one. Liu Yanxi and two other musicians attended as the judges for this crucial elimination round, dressed splendidly for the occasion.

"Is that woman Liu still a judge for the finals?" Yang Chen suddenly remembered something and asked Wang Jie beside him.

Wang Jie was startled. Having followed Yang Chen for some time, she roughly understood her boss's thoughts and smiled, "No, with Miss Christine here, we don't need that woman."

Yang Chen was pleased with this answer. In fact, with his somewhat petty approach, he felt that Liu Yanxi should have been kicked out long ago.

Suddenly, the door of the box was pushed open. Yang Chen was surprised because the person entering was not someone from the TV station but Lin Ruoxi, dressed in a white lace European-style dress.

It was rare to see Lin Ruoxi not in her work suit. She was in a casual outfit, as if she were strolling on the beaches of the Mediterranean in Spain. The light jasmine fragrance filled the room as soon as she entered.

Wang Jie and Zhao Teng immediately stood up nervously and greeted, "Hello, President." Then, exchanging a glance, they sensibly exited the box.

With a blank expression, Lin Ruoxi merely nodded. After the two left, she slowly walked over to Yang Chen's seat, pulled over a rattan chair, placed her small bag on the carpet, and sat down next to him, smoothing her hair in an elegant manner.

Yang Chen watched her graceful and refined movements, noting that she seemed increasingly ethereal, almost otherworldly. He wondered if his wife was secretly practicing some kind of immortal cultivation and might one day ascend to the heavens.

"Didn't expect such a busy person to take time out to watch the competition," Yang Chen said with a smile. In truth, he was curious about what she discussed with the crazy woman Christine last night, but figured there was no need to ask. Lin Ruoxi would say what she wanted to say, and what she didn't want to say could be as unyielding as ice.

Lin Ruoxi glanced at him lightly, saying nothing, but her eyes clearly conveyed, "If even you came, of course, I had to come."

Yang Chen shrugged. They had a tacit understanding, and he quickly grasped her meaning, giving a bitter smile and not asking further.

The performances on stage were in full swing. The remaining ten female contestants were all strong singers and attractive, creating a fierce competition. Even though they called each other "good sisters" on the surface, that camaraderie vanished in the face of competition.

Everyone knew that having Christine as a judge for the finals would skyrocket the ratings. Making it to the top three meant immense popularity. If established singers could compete, these newcomers would have been pushed aside long ago.

When Hui Lin took the stage, the audience's cheers were especially loud. Clearly, her popularity among the public had been rising sharply.

When it came to scoring Hui Lin and another contestant, Liu Yanxi was the only judge who gave the other contestant a high score.

Seeing this, Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly, obviously displeased with Liu Yanxi's actions.

"It looks like that woman is trying to show us up. She knows Hui Lin can make it to the finals, but still wants to pull this stunt to make us uncomfortable because she knows we're here watching," Yang Chen remarked.

Lin Ruoxi nodded in rare agreement with Yang Chen.

Yang Chen yawned. To be honest, he wasn't very interested in such shows. If he hadn't promised Hui Lin he'd come, he wouldn't have bothered.

Just as Yang Chen was about to say something to Lin Ruoxi to pass the time and possibly get a bit closer, an unwelcome presence appeared outside the door.

Yang Chen frowned and looked back as the box door was pushed open from the outside.

Noticing Yang Chen's expression change, Lin Ruoxi followed his gaze. When she saw who it was, her face finally showed some emotion, a mix of surprise and panic.

The newcomer, dressed in a purple low-neck wool sweater and straight tight jeans, had a strikingly casual yet spirited look. With a few traces of masculine charm, he would undoubtedly turn heads on the street.

"Sorry to interrupt your happy moment, big brother and sister-in-law. It's been a while," Yang Lie said with a crooked smile, his eyes holding a thick, inky gloom.

Yang Chen had never thought he would see this young man, who had a significant connection to him, again so soon.

He had heard that Yu Jizi had taken Yang Lie back to Kunlun for recuperation. Now it seemed that Yang Lie had not only recovered but also likely enhanced his strength with some kind of elixir or powerful supplement.

Previously, Yang Lie's combat ability was on par with masters like Tian Long in the Yellow Flame Iron Brigade. Now, he seemed to have reached the level of top international agents.

Of course, even with such strength, he was still far from the threshold of the innate realm.

Hearing Yang Lie call her "sister-in-law," Yang Chen didn't feel anything, but Lin Ruoxi's pretty face turned slightly red. Although she knew Yang Chen didn't have a good relationship with his younger brother, from her perspective as a woman, there was nothing wrong with being called "sister-in-law."

However, Lin Ruoxi quickly noticed that Yang Chen's expression had turned sour.

"Actually, not that long. At least it felt short to me," Yang Chen said calmly.

Yang Lie spread his hands and sneered, "Really? Of course, it didn't feel long to you because you were standing. For me, lying in bed was a living hell."

"If you're just here to say these things, I think I should leave," Yang Chen replied, not wanting to engage further. Yang Lie's appearance had turned his previously relaxed mood into chaos.

Even though his martial arts skills had continuously improved, his mental state was still that of a young man in his twenties.

"I'm here to see the woman I love. You don't have to avoid me like this," Yang Lie taunted.

Yang Chen paused and squinted his eyes. "Don't try to force anything on Hui Lin. If I find out you try anything with her, just as I got you out of bed, I can put you back there."

"Are you threatening me?" Yang Lie's smile vanished, and his expression turned grim.

"I'm stating a fact," Yang Chen replied nonchalantly, then turned and walked out of the room.

Yang Chen had an uneasy feeling that Yang Lie's sudden appearance in Zhonghai wasn't simply to see Hui Lin. Considering the recent election issues, an unsettling suspicion began to form in his mind.

Seeing Yang Chen leave, Lin Ruoxi quickly stood up. Facing Yang Lie alone made her feel incredibly stifled and even a bit afraid of this man. He was like a black panther under a heavy stone, ready to break free and tear apart any enemy at any moment.

"You'll regret it. He can't make you happy," Yang Lie suddenly sneered.

Lin Ruoxi's steps halted at the door, but she didn't turn around.

Yang Lie turned and said mockingly, "He will lead you to destruction."

Lin Ruoxi's body trembled slightly as if an icy chill had swept over her entire being.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Lin Ruoxi turned back with a faint smile of indifference. "Really? Before I met him, I had already been destroyed several times. So, it doesn't matter to me."

With that, Lin Ruoxi followed Yang Chen out of the box.

As Yang Lie heard the door close, he slowly reached for the round table beside him.

"Bang!"

With a painful grunt, the wooden round table shattered under the immense pressure, turning into a pile of wood chips.