Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Facing the mocking crowd, Ye Fengyun replied with utter indifference, “What’s wrong? Isn’t food made to be eaten? Or do you expect it to lay eggs?”

“You—”

“What about me? If you don’t eat such delicious food, you’re disrespecting the chef! You city folk are so used to delicacies that you don’t appreciate what you have. These dishes are far tastier than anything from the mountains.”

“How outrageous!”

The crowd was furious and prepared to drive Ye Fengyun away.

Tang Shihan was already exasperated, pressing her temples in helpless resignation.

Just as the tension was about to erupt, another person arrived.

The villa’s door opened, and in walked a beautiful woman in a red bodycon dress and Balenciaga black stockings. She was none other than the woman who had been driving the BMW X3 and caused the accident earlier.

“Oh? You’re here too?” Ye Fengyun recognized her, looked up to ask while still chewing on a noodle.

The woman jumped in surprise.

How unlucky could she be to run into this ugly wretch at home as well?

“Who are you? What are you doing in our house? Are you trying to scam us all the way here?” she said angrily.

Tang Shihan stood up, puzzled. “Anqi, do you know him?”

“Cousin Shihan, this man is terrible!” Tang Anqi quickly clung to Tang Shihan’s arm and recounted what had happened on the road.

Everyone, upon hearing this, instantly deemed Ye Fengyun a shameless scam artist, each one righteously demanding he be kicked out.

Tang Shihan was helpless, but still stood up to apologize on Ye Fengyun’s behalf.

“Everyone, I’m sorry, but he’s my fiancé,” she said, her tone filled with resignation and grievance.

At her words, the room was stunned.

Tang Anqi was even more shocked.

Her parents had divorced when she was little; she had never known parental love. It was Tang Shihan who had cared for and accompanied her through the years. In her eyes, Tang Shihan was a goddess, flawless and untouchable—her very existence couldn’t be sullied by the slightest blemish.

Yet now, standing before her was not just a blemish, but a great, ugly stain.

“Cousin Shihan, what are you saying? This ugly freak is your fiancé? Impossible!” Tang Anqi was unable to accept this, her worldview on the verge of collapse.

She pointed at Ye Fengyun and berated him, “Ugly freak, I don’t care what despicable tricks you used, if you dare bully Cousin Shihan, I’ll drag you to hell with me! You’re a disgrace, a coward, a good-for-nothing!”

“That’s right, Shihan, how could you pick such a brute as a son-in-law? You’re shaming our Tang family!”

“Exactly! This marriage mustn’t happen!”

All the relatives panicked at once, rallying behind the banner of family honor to pressure Tang Shihan into sending Ye Fengyun away.

Yet Tang Shihan knew their motives well. They weren’t urging her to break off the engagement for her own good or for the family’s honor, but for their own interests.

Her reputation in the company was high, her abilities outstanding. If she had a fiancé and became pregnant, she would undoubtedly become the family’s heir.

That was what frightened the relatives; that was why they were desperate to stop her from marrying.

But who was Tang Shihan? She would not be morally blackmailed.

You want me to break off the engagement? Then I’ll do just the opposite! What’s mine will be mine!

As the arguments grew heated, an elderly, commanding voice suddenly cut through the commotion.

“Enough! Do you think this is a marketplace? Do any of you still respect me?”

At those words, the room fell instantly silent.

An old woman emerged from the inner rooms, dressed in a long robe and leaning on a cane with a dragon’s head—she was the family matriarch.

“Grandmother.” Tang Shihan bowed her head respectfully.

The old lady nodded, her aura still imposing.

“Sit down!” she ordered.

Everyone hurried to their seats, not daring to speak.

She sat as well, swept a stern gaze around the room, and, feeling the atmosphere was right, spoke: “You all know why I’ve gathered you. What do you think of Longhai Group’s move into Yunchuan City?”

“Longhai Group?” At these words, Ye Fengyun paused in his eating, a trace of coldness flickering in his eyes.

A voluptuous and striking woman spoke up, “Grandmother, Longhai Group is one of the top companies in the country. Their entry into Yunchuan City is a great opportunity for our Tang Corporation!”

This was Tang Yilin, Tang Shihan’s cousin—beautiful and curvaceous, but forever jealous of Tang Shihan’s superior talents. She had always worked hard to make her mark in the family.

Her naturally foxy eyes gave her a seductive, dangerous air—like a black rose, beautiful but deadly.

The matriarch nodded and looked at the man beside Tang Yilin.

He was Lin Lei, Tang Yilin’s husband, a scion of the Lin family. Their marriage was a business alliance, but he was a notorious womanizer—upright in appearance, but a beast in disguise.

Lin Lei’s gaze had been fixed on Tang Shihan’s chest and legs, only snapping back when he noticed the matriarch watching him. He adjusted his glasses, feigning depth and wisdom.

“Grandmother, I understand your intentions. Longhai Group is seeking investment from across Yunchuan’s business world. If we secure this contract, it will be a huge opportunity for the Tang family—perhaps even elevating us to the ranks of the super-clans!”

The matriarch nodded, turning to Tang Shihan, her expression still severe. “Shihan, what’s your opinion?”

Tang Shihan answered calmly, “Grandmother, you know me—I never waste words. I’ll do my utmost to secure this partnership.”

Her response softened the matriarch’s expression slightly; though her face remained stern, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes.

Tang Yilin sniffed disdainfully, glancing at Tang Shihan.

Lin Lei, seeing Tang Shihan stand, took the opportunity to ogle her shapely figure.

What a gorgeous backside—I could admire it for a year.

He adjusted his glasses with a lecherous smile.

At that moment, Ye Fengyun suddenly spoke. “Secure the partnership? Longhai Group is nothing. If I tell their president to hand the position over to my wife, he wouldn’t even dare object.”

The room was stunned.

Tang Shihan stared at Ye Fengyun in disbelief, cursing him a fool in her heart.

Even she couldn’t guarantee securing the deal, yet Ye Fengyun boasted about taking over the president’s seat?

She was furious—throughout the family meeting, Ye Fengyun had embarrassed her time and again.

Tang Yilin seized on the opportunity to belittle her, smirking, “It’s good for a new brother-in-law to want to impress the family, but he should also know his own limits.”

“That’s right. Lin Lei is from the Lin family, with vast connections. Yilin’s family will handle the partnership just fine.”

“I agree. Ye Fengyun is nothing but a country brute—rude, ill-mannered, and ugly. He’s an embarrassment to the Tang family!”

“I suggest Tang Shihan’s family withdraw from this deal, or Ye Fengyun leaves the Tang family. Otherwise, our family’s reputation will surely suffer!”

“Yes, yes, let this ugly freak get out!”

The crowd denounced Ye Fengyun.

Lin Lei, amused by the spectacle, said, “No need to be so harsh—Ye Fengyun means well.”

“Means well? He barged in and gorged himself, with no manners at all!”

“Someone like him should just go back to the mountains!”

Ye Fengyun tilted his head, grinning. “What, you all think I’m bragging?”

“Bragging doesn’t cover it. You’re beyond shameless,” Lin Lei mocked.

Ye Fengyun chuckled. “How about a bet? One million as the stake—if I secure the partnership—”

Tang Shihan, alarmed, cut him off. “You don’t have that kind of money, and I’m not giving it to you!”

Ye Fengyun spread his hands helplessly. “Nothing I can do—my wife keeps a tight hold on the purse strings. I may be broke, but I’ll still win. If I don’t get the deal, I’ll run three laps around the public square naked.”

At this, everyone burst into laughter.

Tang Shihan was mortified, suppressing her fury. “Are you an idiot?”

Tang Anqi, however, smiled slyly to herself. “Perfect—if he loses, he’ll be disgraced and forced out of the Tang family. Cousin Shihan won’t have to suffer anymore!”

“A gentleman’s word is his bond. No going back, or you’re no man at all!” Tang Anqi declared immediately.

“Anqi, you—” Tang Shihan was exasperated.

Lin Lei thought, “Interesting. Let’s see how this plays out. A million is just a few months’ pocket money—well worth it for a good laugh.”

“Very well. I look forward to seeing you make the news in your birthday suit,” Lin Lei sneered.