Chapter 19: The Truth Revealed

The face seated at the head of the table was none other than… Ye Tianlin!

“This can’t be… how could it be you?” Su Zhengjun was so shocked he stumbled backward, his heart pounding uncontrollably in his chest. For a moment, he even forgot to breathe, utterly dumbfounded.

Ye Tianlin smiled lightly and said, “I’ve made my true identity clear more than once, but unfortunately, your minds are too stubborn. You even believed Su Yicai’s nonsense and conjured up a host of ridiculous reasons.”

“That’s right. The person sitting before you is the genuine Young Master of the Ye family,” Zhao Shanhe added sternly.

Tang Jianren’s earlier flattery vanished, his tone turning cold. “The Young Master came here today to discuss business. Who would have thought you’d walk in of your own accord, and even hope to take several projects away? You’re simply dreaming.”

Only then did Su Zhengjun finally see the truth, as if enlightenment had struck him.

From the moment he entered, he’d been played for a fool. This was all orchestrated by Ye Tianlin, designed so he would be certain the betrothal gifts were meant for Su Yixue—just to slap him in the face all the harder.

The true recipient of the gifts was, in fact, Su Rulan!

The Su family company would gain nothing—not because the benefits were reserved for later, but because from the very start, they were destined to receive nothing at all. Out of spite for Su Rulan, they had chosen to believe Su Yicai’s lies.

Now, standing inside the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, he had walked straight into the lion’s den.

As for Zhao Shanhe, chairman of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, Su Zhengjun now remembered clearly: he was the man who’d come to the Su family with Ye Tianlin before, only to be mistaken for an impostor and promptly thrown out.

Su Zhengjun panicked completely. No longer caring for his dignity nor daring to play the future father-in-law, his legs buckled and he fell to his knees with a thud.

“How did it come to this? Young Master, Tianlin, my nephew-in-law, I didn’t do it on purpose, I…I… it was all a misunderstanding!” Su Zhengjun trembled violently all over.

Zhao Shanhe’s gaze was icy as he said, “A misunderstanding? How easily you say that. I remember perfectly well what happened at the Su family villa last time.”

“It really was a misunderstanding! Had I known your identity, I would never have put on airs before the Young Master. Chairman Zhao, please have mercy!” Su Zhengjun was so terrified he felt his soul leaving his body.

With the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce’s power and methods, erasing someone without a trace was a trivial matter—they could toss him into the river to feed the fish, and no one would ever find out.

At that thought, Su Zhengjun’s fear nearly made him lose control. Shaking like a leaf, he kowtowed desperately, his forehead banging against the floor, tears streaming down his face. “Tianlin, for the sake of our family ties, please be magnanimous and let me go. I promise, as soon as I return to the Su family, I’ll explain everything immediately!”

“Young Master, what do you think?” Zhao Shanhe asked with a slight frown. Though he was reluctant to let the man go so easily, the Young Master’s standing in the Su family was clearly more important. Besides, if they wanted to deal with Su Zhengjun, that could be done at any time.

“Let him go for now. It won’t be long before the rest of the Su family comes to beg forgiveness themselves,” Ye Tianlin replied with a nod.

Tang Jianren picked up on the cue, glared at Su Zhengjun, and barked, “Did you hear that? You’d better explain everything as soon as you get back!”

“I will, I will! Even if it kills me, I’ll make them see the truth this time!” Relieved beyond measure, Su Zhengjun kowtowed a few more times, sobbing and sniffling, and then scrambled out of the office on all fours, fleeing in utter panic.

Tang Jianren closed the door again and walked to Ye Tianlin’s side, unable to suppress a laugh. “Young Master, you should have seen Su Zhengjun when he came up in the elevator just now. The way he acted, you’d think the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce was his own home and he was really your father-in-law!”

“I imagine the Su family can’t find any more excuses this time. I wonder how surprised and delighted Rulan will be when she learns the truth.” Ye Tianlin couldn’t deny feeling a sense of satisfaction.

“Young Master, just put your mind at ease and wait for good news!” Zhao Shanhe said with a broad smile.

Meanwhile—

Su Zhengjun, still shaken, hurried out of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, got into his car, and sped away, gripping the steering wheel with trembling hands and cold sweat pouring down his back, heading straight for the Su family company.

All the way, the more Su Zhengjun thought, the more terrified he became. He had behaved abominably of late—deliberately accusing and even forcing Su Rulan into a corner with fines!

If he didn’t reveal the truth now, there would be no good end for the Su family.

All his previous fantasies had crumbled to dust. Now, he dared not hope for anything—he only wanted to save his own life.

Half an hour later, he finally arrived at the Su family company.

As soon as he entered, Su Zhengjun rushed to the office, where Su Rulan happened to be as well. It seemed she was being scolded by the old master for being late, her head bowed, not daring to argue.

Su Yicai sat on the office sofa, watching coldly, gloating over the scene.

Faced with this spectacle, Su Zhengjun felt his scalp prickle. He rushed forward and grabbed the old master’s hand, shaking his head desperately. “Please, sir, stop scolding her! Please, just stop!”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on leave today? Why aren’t you at home, and why are you in such a panic?” The old master’s anger subsided a little.

“We made a mistake. The betrothal gifts weren’t for Yixue!” Su Zhengjun was nearly in tears as he spoke.

Su Yicai, holding his teacup, rose slowly and asked in surprise, “Dad, what nonsense are you spouting? If they weren’t for my sister, who else could they be for? Su Rulan?”

“That’s right—the gifts are really for Su Rulan. She is the true Young Master’s bride, because I just… I went to the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce myself and saw the Young Master in person!” Su Zhengjun’s hoarse shout rang out, echoing even beyond the office.