Chapter 16: A Visit to Apologize

“Do you still not realize the disaster you’ve brought upon yourself?”
“You even dare to ask me why I’m here?”
“The person on the phone just now was me!”
Zhao Shanhe exploded in fury, nearly driven to murderous rage, and unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks on Song Meili, who sat slumped on the floor.
Song Meili was kicked so hard she rolled across the ground, screaming in agony, and only then did she finally understand that the phone call earlier truly had been Zhao Shanhe’s private number.
In an instant, Song Meili paled in terror, trembling with fear.
So Su Rulan’s idiot husband was actually the heir of the Ye family!
The betrothal gifts were meant for Su Rulan, and both contracts, before and after, were as well—only someone had twisted the facts, mistakenly believing they were for another Miss Su.
What made Song Meili utterly despair was that she had flaunted her fortune right in front of them, boasting incessantly, and even proposed to record a video to send to their classmates, all in an attempt to humiliate Su Rulan.
In this moment, Song Meili’s mind finally cleared; she was struck by sudden realization, and regret flooded her so intensely she felt sick. No matter how she wracked her brain, she couldn’t fathom why she’d acted so recklessly, daring to show off in front of the Ye family’s heir.
“Uncle, I didn’t know beforehand. If I’d known, no amount of courage or madness would have let me do such a thing,” Song Meili pleaded for mercy, bruised and battered.
Zhao Shanhe’s anger only grew. He grabbed Song Meili’s hair, hauled her upright, and slapped her face back and forth, cursing, “If not for that phone call, I wouldn’t have known things could get so outrageous. You’ve utterly disgraced me!”
“Uncle, I’ll go tomorrow to kneel and apologize. Please give me another chance—don’t tell my husband! If you do, he’ll surely divorce me, even without your urging. I swear I’ll never dare to do this again,” Song Meili sobbed, her face aching, bruised and swollen, terrified that Zhao Shanhe might beat her to death in his rage.
“You’re dreaming!” Zhao Shanhe snarled, striking her even harder.
After more than ten minutes, his hand was swollen and purple, his breath ragged, and he finally stopped. He immediately contacted Tang Jianren, who was out of town, explained everything in detail, then shot Song Meili a furious glare before turning and leaving in his car.

Song Meili collapsed to the floor, her face swollen beyond recognition, blood streaming from her mouth and nose, barely clinging to consciousness. Thinking of her husband, Tang Jianren, who now knew everything, her terror only deepened.
...
The next day.
Su Rulan woke early as usual, filled her stomach with a simple breakfast, and prepared to leave for work.
As she opened the door, she found a man in his thirties, dressed in a suit, approaching with an apologetic expression and carrying several expensive gifts.
“Miss Su, good morning. I’m Tang Jianren, Song Meili’s husband. I’ve learned the truth of what happened and have come to offer you my sincere apologies, hoping you will be merciful,” Tang Jianren said with deep shame, bowing with a ninety-degree angle.
The sudden apology stunned Su Rulan, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, standing behind her, exchanged surprised glances.
Tang Jianren swallowed nervously, catching sight of Ye Tianlin seated inside. His face instantly turned pale as paper.
After learning last night of Song Meili’s actions, Tang Jianren had rushed back before dawn, unable to contain his rage, and had sent Song Meili to the hospital, filing for divorce immediately.
If this crisis couldn’t be resolved, Tangren Group’s future would be in jeopardy, and Zhao Shanhe would surely freeze him out—he’d never rise again. So he hurried here without delay.
“Song Meili acted without my consent, abusing her identity as a board member’s shareholder to make reckless decisions and behave outrageously. As her husband, I am deeply ashamed.”
“Miss Su, as chairman of Tangren Group, I personally guarantee the project contract will not be canceled; everything will proceed as planned, and no one will interfere!”
“As for the apartment you’re renting, to show our apologies, you may stay as long as you wish without paying rent. Please also accept these gifts.”
Tang Jianren trembled as he bowed and presented the gifts with utmost sincerity.

“Did I hear that right?” Su Rulan was astonished.
Su Weimin, recovering from his surprise, laughed heartily. “Of course you didn’t mishear. He’s come in person to apologize—how could that be false?”
“This is unprecedented; I never dreamed things would turn out this way. Chairman Tang is truly reasonable and decent. I do wonder, though, what’s become of Song Meili?” Gao Yulan said, her face alight with joy.
Tang Jianren gritted his teeth and replied, “That blind woman has already been sent to the hospital by me, and she’s currently in the ICU. I will be divorcing her.”
Hearing this, Su Rulan was even more stunned; she hadn’t expected Tang Jianren to be so ruthless.
“That’s a relief; Chairman Tang’s decisiveness is truly admirable!” Su Weimin said, thoroughly satisfied.
“If Chairman Tang weren’t so understanding, who knows what sort of trouble we’d be facing. Now that it’s resolved, really, we should be thanking you.” Gao Yulan said gratefully, her hands quickly and honestly accepting the gifts.
Su Rulan let out a deep breath, feeling much lighter—her relief was undeniable, especially at the mention of divorce.
Yet, upon reflection, she felt a lingering doubt, and said, “Thank you, Chairman Tang, for stepping forward, but surely my issue didn’t warrant something as serious as divorce?”
Before Tang Jianren could explain, Gao Yulan interjected, “We are, after all, the maternal relatives of the Ye family heir. With Song Meili’s outrageous behavior, divorce is only to be expected!”
“That’s right. Although we’re marginal members of the Su family, we’re still significant—otherwise the Ye family heir wouldn’t be so helpful. Perhaps we’ve just been thinking too little of ourselves,” Su Weimin agreed, nodding. He was certain this was correct.
Just then, Ye Tianlin slowly stepped forward...