Chapter 14: Pushed Beyond Endurance

Night fell swiftly.

After work, Su Rulan returned home, ate a few quick bites, and immediately immersed herself in preparing the project proposal. But she had barely begun when Song Meili knocked on the door.

At the sight of this, Su Weimin’s heart skipped a beat; he instantly realized trouble was at hand. Yet, due to Song Meili’s special status, not even Zhao Qing’s involvement could truly affect her, nor could they afford to offend her. After all, the contract had been a bargain from the start—there was no denying that—and throughout the collaboration ahead, they would still need to rely on her.

Resigned, Su Weimin exchanged a glance with Gao Yulan and signaled her to open the door.

Song Meili strode inside in her towering heels. Spotting Su Rulan working at her desk with the project plan spread before her, she immediately grew cold.

“Su Rulan, you were lucky today—that Zhao Qing happened to help you. Otherwise, you’d never have gotten off so easily. But don’t think for a moment that this is over!” Song Meili’s voice was sharp, her words openly hostile.

Su Rulan had no choice but to set down her pen and rise, bowing her head in deference before Ye Tianlin. “Song Meili, if there’s anything I’ve done to displease you, I beg your understanding. But I truly don’t want anything to go wrong with this project.”

“Yes, yes,” Gao Yulan chimed in gently. “Besides, we’re renting your apartment. It’s all the more reason for us to get along. There’s no sense in making a scene.”

Song Meili’s eyes flashed dangerously. “So you’re saying I’m the one making trouble?”

Ye Tianlin, seated on the sofa, frowned deeply at Song Meili’s aggressive stance. But before he could speak, Su Weimin gripped his shoulder firmly and shot him a warning glare. Then, forcing a conciliatory expression, he turned to Song Meili and said, “That’s not what we mean. We just want to discuss things calmly with you.”

But Song Meili was relentless. She flew into a rage, cursing them outright: “You made me lose face today, and you think I’m still in the mood to talk? The contract can’t be canceled now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make your lives miserable—so miserable you’ll have no choice but to lose money in the end!”

At the threat of being forced to pay compensation, terror washed over Su Rulan’s face. In a voice full of humility, she pleaded, “For the sake of our old classmate bond, Song Meili, please give me a way out. I promise I won’t cause you any trouble.”

“Classmates? That’s nonsense. I’ll say it straight: I guarantee you won’t get away with this. And my husband, Tang Jianren, is returning from his business trip tomorrow. Once he hears how I’ve been treated, he won’t let you off, either,” Song Meili spat venomously.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Su Weimin quickly changed tack. “We’re at least the future in-laws of the heir to the Ye family. Aren’t you worried he’ll find out if you keep targeting us like this?”

Song Meili snorted in contempt. “You’re just fringe relatives of the Su family. Do you really think you’re important? The Ye family’s heir is only being polite. He probably doesn’t care if you live or die. Who are you trying to scare?”

“I—” Su Weimin was so humiliated his face turned red, as if something lodged in his throat.

At last, Ye Tianlin pried Su Weimin’s hand off, his expression icy as he stood. “If the Tang Group dares behave this way, then I see no need for it to exist!”

Song Meili burst out laughing. “Su Rulan, your husband is truly delusional. My husband is the nephew of the new president of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. Unless the Ye family’s heir says something himself, the Tang Group will only grow stronger!”

Su Weimin, watching Ye Tianlin’s cold expression, almost spoke to stop him. But after a moment’s deliberation, he realized that, though Ye Tianlin might be ill, his intentions were good—and with Song Meili so outrageously overbearing, for once, he let things be.

“A fine thing—to lord around as the new president’s nephew. I’ll let you explain yourself to him directly!” Without hesitation, Ye Tianlin took out his phone and dialed Zhao Shanhe.

The call connected quickly, and Zhao Shanhe’s respectful greeting came through.

Ye Tianlin explained the situation in a few brief words, then handed the phone to Song Meili, gesturing, “Aren’t you the new president’s niece-in-law? Go ahead, speak to your uncle.”

This bizarre gesture left Su Weimin and Gao Yulan dumbfounded.

Su Weimin’s mouth twitched. If only he’d stopped him earlier—now they were about to make a fool of themselves! Was Ye Tianlin out of his mind, calling some random number and claiming it was the president of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce?

Even Su Rulan was caught off guard. She tried to take the phone away, but Song Meili already had it to her ear.

Song Meili sneered at the family as she raised the phone. “I’m curious to see who’s really on the other end.”

But she hadn’t finished her sentence when a furious voice erupted from the phone.

“Song Meili, have you grown tired of living?”

“It’s bad enough you cause trouble at the Su company, but now you dare show off in front of the young master?!”

“Tang Jianren marrying someone like you is a disgrace to his entire family—an utter scandal!”

The voice was so loud that, even without speakerphone, everyone in the room could hear it clearly.

Su Rulan, Su Weimin, Gao Yulan, and the rest were utterly stunned.

Then came another outburst from the other end: “Song Meili, you’re finished as a Tang Group board member and shareholder. I’ll repossess all your shares. And you can wait for Tang Jianren to divorce you!”

Song Meili was utterly humiliated, bombarded by the scathing words and the unmistakably familiar voice. Her heart pounded violently.

Could it truly be Zhao Shanhe himself, president of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce?

And if that was Zhao Shanhe, then could this idiot husband of Su Rulan’s actually be…the heir to the Ye family?

At that moment, Song Meili felt as though she couldn’t breathe—her face drained to a deathly pallor.