Chapter 35: A Forced Explanation

Faced with Ye Tianlin’s question, Su Weimin was even more exasperated.

“The young master of the Ye family would certainly never admit it himself; these contracts were all delivered by people he sent,” he declared. “Right now, in the entire Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, only a handful truly know the facts. Most, like Zhao Qing, have no idea about the real reason; everything is still confidential!”

“After all, the relationship between the young master and Su Yixue hasn’t been officially made public. They have to find a roundabout way to help the Su family lay the groundwork first,” he continued. “Otherwise, if the news were just blurted out and the Ye family found out, considering how far the Su family has fallen, wouldn’t that be utterly humiliating?”

Su Weimin’s face was flushed and his voice full of conviction.

Gao Yulan immediately voiced her agreement. “That’s exactly right. No other explanation makes as much sense. All the young master’s actions come down to one thing: while smoothing the way for the Su family, he’s also testing our character and abilities. All the benefits are left for the end!”

Even Su Rulan found it difficult to refute this. The facts were plain to see.

The contracts they’d received these past days were indeed a test of the Su family’s character, to see how long they could endure. That was why, the moment the old master saw fit, he suggested returning the betrothal gifts—he didn’t want the other side to think the Su family was greedy for wealth.

Moreover, these contracts helped foster connections, tightening the bond between the Su family and the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce, laying a foundation in advance. She was, after all, just a stepping stone.

As long as the Su family passed this test, greater benefits would surely follow.

All in all, the pieces fit together logically.

“I don’t know where you get all these ideas,” Ye Tianlin interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. “It’s a simple matter, yet you insist on twisting it into something else. Don’t you think that’s ridiculous, forcing an explanation like that? But let me ask you—has he ever admitted it himself? Has anyone in the Su family ever directly asked him if he’s the young master of the Ye family?”

Ye Tianlin was upset; time and again, his actions were dismissed for all sorts of reasons. This time, just as he was finally about to be believed, a few words had turned everyone’s opinion again!

Ultimately, what stung him wasn’t these convoluted justifications, but the fact that he was never trusted—not even as much as the idle words of outsiders.

Su Weimin glared at him. “Is that even worth asking? Don’t think that just because your head’s not screwed on right, we’re as foolish as you, doing things that disgrace ourselves!”

Gao Yulan sneered. “Exactly. We were so muddled yesterday to even believe your tall tales. The money you used to buy that car in full must’ve been sent over by the young master while we weren’t around. You’d best hand it over at once!”

“I’ll say this only once more: I am the young master of the Ye family. If you don’t believe me, so be it.” Ye Tianlin, unwilling to waste another word, turned and went into the bedroom.

Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, furious, grabbed Su Rulan and began urging her to make Ye Tianlin hand over all the money, lest it be lost.

Unable to withstand her parents’ pressure, Su Rulan had no choice but to muster her courage, enter the bedroom, and gently tug at Ye Tianlin’s sleeve. “Tianlin, just how much money did the Ye family’s young master give you?”

“I haven’t taken a single cent from anyone,” Ye Tianlin replied.

Su Rulan pursed her lips, and seeing how firm he was, she couldn’t bear to push further. With a sigh, she said, “Since you don’t want to explain, just keep the money here. You don’t spend much anyway, so I’m at least reassured if you hold it. I’ll talk to my parents. But please, don’t go wandering off again in the future.”

With that, she left the bedroom. Soon, the sounds of arguing drifted in from outside.

Ye Tianlin listened, a bitter taste in his mouth and anger rising on his face. He pulled out his phone and dialed Zhao Shanhe, who was at the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce.

The call connected. Zhao Shanhe greeted him respectfully, “Young master, do you have any instructions?”

Ye Tianlin’s voice was icy. “Find out immediately—who is Su Yixue’s boyfriend? Which branch of the Ye family is he from?”

On the other end, Zhao Shanhe was momentarily stunned. “Su Yixue is this lucky, to have found someone from a Ye family branch?”

“That’s none of your concern. I need an answer as soon as possible, and bring this person before me. You have two days at most,” Ye Tianlin ordered, leaving no room for argument.

“Yes, yes, right away!” Zhao Shanhe dared not refuse, marveling at this strange twist of fate—just what kind of luck had befallen the Su family?

Yet judging from Ye Tianlin’s tone, it was obvious that the Su family’s good fortune was about to run dry.

Meanwhile, at the Su family villa.

The old master returned, leisurely seated in Su Yicai’s BMW 7 Series. As soon as he entered, he saw Su Zhengjun sitting in the hall, his face twisted in frustration.

The old master settled down slowly and remarked, “Zhengjun, why do you look so unwell? Do you need to see a doctor?”

“Yeah, Dad, your face is practically green!” Su Yicai chimed in with concern.

“No need. A few days’ rest and I’ll be fine.” Su Zhengjun’s lips twitched; in truth, he was just fuming. Staying home these last few days on sick leave, he’d barely been able to sleep, afraid he wouldn’t live to see the next sunrise.

The old master relaxed and broke into a smile. “Zhengjun, there’s good news I haven’t had a chance to tell you. Today, the young master of the Ye family personally visited our company.”

“What?” Su Zhengjun jerked his head up.

Su Yicai, beaming, added, “We wanted to call you in, but he heard you weren’t well and didn’t want to tire you out, so we didn’t.”

“Wait a minute. Something doesn’t add up,” Su Zhengjun said, bewildered. “If the young master of the Ye family came himself, the truth should be clear by now. Why do you all look like this?”

The old master smiled. “This is wonderful news! If I didn’t look like this, what should I look like—should I cry, perhaps?”

“The young master of the Ye family should be Ye Tianlin!” Su Zhengjun stood up.

Su Yicai clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Come now, there’s no one else here—let’s not keep up the act.”

“You really are something,” the old master said with conviction. “How could that fool Ye Tianlin possibly be the young master? We saw it with our own eyes today—they’re not the same person, just share the same name.”

“In the Ye family, the young master belongs to the ‘Tian’ generation. It’s just a coincidence of pronunciation. You’ve mistaken him,” the old master insisted.

Su Zhengjun was so frightened he was on the verge of tears; inwardly he cursed, knowing this situation was spiraling out of control.

The old master glared at him. “That’s enough, Su Zhengjun. Don’t go on and on. I’m in a good mood right now—don’t spoil it.”