Chapter 26: Hierarchy and Distinction

This time, Zhao Qing delivering the contract in person was, without a doubt, the best opportunity for Su Zhengjun. As long as he could clarify things face to face, the truth would come to light, and he would no longer have to live in fear and trepidation. Yet right at this critical moment, before Su Zhengjun could finish his explanation, Su Yicai once again stepped forward to stir up trouble.

Feigning cooperation, Su Yicai grinned and nodded repeatedly, exclaiming, “Yes, yes, my father is absolutely right. Su Rulan, you’re the biggest beneficiary here. That idiot Ye Tianlin must be the young master of the Ye family, without a doubt!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Weimin and Gao Yulan’s faces turned ashen with shock. Su Zhengjun, seething with anger, clenched his teeth and pressed hard on Su Yicai’s shoulder, scolding, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Su Yicai retorted mockingly, “Ha! Of course, I’m just playing along with your little act. Otherwise, some people might get too full of themselves, forgetting who’s in charge. That wouldn’t do at all!”

“The question of rank and standing…” Su Rulan felt the humiliation deepen, and her heart grew cold.

Catching the change in Su Rulan’s expression, Su Zhengjun’s lips twitched, his blood pressure surging with rage. He wished he could send Su Yicai straight back to his mother’s womb, cursing him inwardly for twisting his words and causing chaos at every turn.

“Enough, enough, there’s no need to get worked up over this,” the old patriarch interjected, raising his hand to calm them. “It’s just a contract from Huasheng Group—nothing so extraordinary. Perhaps this is a test deliberately set by the young master of the Ye family.”

Given the Ye family’s prominent background, it was certainly no easy feat to be accepted as one of them. It wasn’t out of the question that this was a deliberate trial.

Even if tomorrow’s contract ended up in Su Rulan’s hands again, the old patriarch had already steeled himself for it.

“Though I admit, this contract doesn’t please me much, it’s a far cry from the wedding gifts we received from the young master of the Ye family. Still, your grandfather is right: this may well be a test from the Ye family’s young master. So you can enjoy this little windfall for now,” Su Yicai said, folding his arms and sneering with obvious disdain.

Su Rulan, awkward and embarrassed, clutched the contract tightly. She wanted to argue, but no matter how she tried, she could find no confidence to do so. It was as if these contracts were nothing but a pitiful handout.

Yet when she thought of Ye Tianlin, shut away in his rented room, and the unborn child she carried, Su Rulan forced herself to compose her feelings. No matter how humiliating this was, it was still better than before.

“No matter what, I did benefit from this contract, so… thank you, Grandfather,” Su Rulan said, forcing herself to bow ninety degrees before him.

The old patriarch, hands resting atop his cane, cast her a cold glance. “Remember well: you must see this contract project through thoroughly and without mistake. Do not bring disgrace to the Su family, or I’ll reduce you to nothing in an instant!”

Su Yicai snorted, “Exactly! Everything you have is thanks to us. In this household, your whole family is nothing more than beggars—don’t overestimate yourselves!”

Listening to these words, Su Weimin and Gao Yulan could not lift their heads for shame; they wished they could simply disappear.

Choked by indignation, Su Rulan could do nothing but lead her parents out of the office, defeated.

Su Zhengjun stamped his foot in frustration. The perfect chance had been ruined. Not wanting to linger, he found a random excuse and left the company for some air.

Moments later, the office door closed once more.

Su Yicai’s smile vanished, replaced by a deep, bitter jealousy. He slammed his fist onto the desk, cursing, “Grandfather, Su Rulan is absurdly lucky! I nearly died of anger just now, and I still had to pretend I didn’t care!”

The old patriarch raised his hand for calm. “Yicai, you must learn to be steady. Don’t lose your composure over such minor gains.”

“But what if tomorrow’s contract goes to Su Rulan again?” Su Yicai gritted his teeth. “We can’t keep letting her take advantage like this!”

A sly smile touched the old patriarch’s lips, his eyes glinting coldly. “Don’t worry. While Su Rulan is in charge of these projects, she’ll still need the company’s support to see them through. So…”

He trailed off, but Su Yicai’s eyes lit up as realization dawned. “So we can use the company’s power to coerce her and make her hand over the benefits!”

“Exactly. Su Rulan is far too weak to stand against the company. We can have her sign a private agreement. Once she signs, it’s voluntary—no one can say a word against us, nor will anyone know,” the old patriarch said with an icy smile.

“Haha, Grandfather, you’re a true strategist! So in the end, Su Rulan is working for us for free, and she’ll have to hand over everything anyway. Now I feel much better,” Su Yicai exclaimed excitedly.

The old patriarch poured himself a cup of tea, speaking leisurely, “There’s no rush. Let Su Rulan enjoy her good fortune for now. That way, her fall will be all the more painful. Besides, your sister, the true star of the show, has yet to return.”

Su Yicai grinned smugly. “I can’t wait to see Su Rulan’s face when my sister comes back. Two brothers-in-law with the same name, yet what a world of difference between them. No, wait—Ye Tianlin the idiot isn’t even worthy of being called my brother-in-law!”