Chapter 46: Trouble Arrives

That evening, Su Weimin and Gao Yulan finally returned to their housing complex. Su Rulan could hardly contain herself; she immediately poured out everything she had seen and heard that day without reserve.

Su Weimin sank into the sofa, his mouth twitching as he listened, his gaze full of bewilderment as he stared at Su Rulan. “I could understand you indulging Ye Tianlin, but now you’re joining him in his antics?”

“Exactly, Rulan, you’re going to spoil him with this behavior. Sooner or later, he’ll get himself into real trouble. The doctor may have said there were no aftereffects, but who knows, maybe they just haven’t found them yet,” Gao Yulan remarked, sipping her tea leisurely.

“But you—” Su Rulan stamped her foot anxiously, intending to continue her explanation, but was abruptly interrupted by the sound of knocking.

She swallowed her words and hurried to open the door.

Standing outside was a young woman, a complete stranger.

“May I ask who you’re looking for?” Su Rulan asked politely.

Li Jiaojiao frowned slightly, glanced around inside, then fixed her icy gaze on Su Rulan. “You’re Su Rulan, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am Su Rulan. May I ask what brings you here?” Su Rulan inquired courteously.

Before Su Rulan could react, Li Jiaojiao suddenly raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.

The slap echoed loudly.

Su Rulan was stunned, standing motionless in disbelief.

Ye Tianlin and the couple heard the commotion at the door and rushed out. When they saw the handprint on Su Rulan’s cheek, the couple nearly lost their minds with anger.

“Who are you, barging in here and assaulting people?” Su Weimin roared furiously.

“Are you out of your mind? What did Rulan ever do to you? How dare you lay hands on her?” Gao Yulan rolled up her sleeves, ready to retaliate.

Li Jiaojiao crossed her arms, her posture arrogant and her voice sharp. “This wretch, Su Rulan, dared to seduce my husband and is carrying some bastard child. She’s lucky I didn’t kick her stomach in!”

“Wait a moment.” Ye Tianlin sensed something amiss and said in bewilderment, “Are you mistaken? I’m the father of the child. When did Rulan ever have relations with anyone else?”

“Nonsense! Slander! My Rulan is pure and decent, she would never do anything improper. Stop falsely accusing her!” Su Weimin was livid.

“Regardless of who your husband is, you’re clearly mistaken about my Rulan. You owe her an apology, or we’ll call the police and charge you with assaulting a pregnant woman!” Gao Yulan snapped.

Li Jiaojiao sneered disdainfully. “And what if my husband is Su Rulan’s ex-fiancé?”

At those words, Su Weimin and Gao Yulan blanched, all their bravado evaporating in an instant; they wilted like frightened quails.

“You wouldn’t happen to be Wang Teng’s wife, would you?” Su Weimin wiped sweat from his forehead.

“It’s a misunderstanding! Rulan couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the past. That engagement was canceled long ago, and Rulan and Wang Teng never developed that kind of relationship,” Gao Yulan explained frantically.

Ye Tianlin understood and stepped protectively in front of Su Rulan. “Most likely, someone outside is deliberately slandering Rulan. You came here without knowing the facts, causing trouble. No matter what, you are in the wrong!”

“And who are you to lecture me, Ye Tianlin? Even if the rumors I heard are false, so what? Do you think I can’t handle a mere Su Rulan?” Li Jiaojiao was not only unapologetic, she was brazen about it.

“Do you even know who I am?” Ye Tianlin said coldly.

“I don’t care who you are. Su Rulan has offended me, and I promise she won’t get away with it. No one can help her!” Li Jiaojiao’s arrogance was palpable.

Su Weimin’s heart tightened; he forced a smile and spoke humbly, “I’m terribly sorry, this is truly a misunderstanding. If Rulan’s past has caused you any discomfort, I hope you’ll be magnanimous and not take it out on our humble family.”

“Yes, it’s all in the past, nothing worth fussing over. The rumors you heard are surely false,” Gao Yulan added.

Li Jiaojiao showed no mercy, glaring ferociously at Su Rulan and snarling, “I will absolutely make an issue of it. After all, not just anyone can marry into the Wang family of Yandu!”

“All you talk about is the Wang family of Yandu. I suspect you’re here to cause trouble and to show off. Is the Wang family really so impressive? From what I know, they’ve been desperately selling off assets in recent years. Their situation isn’t as rosy as you think,” Ye Tianlin retorted.

“You know nothing! How dare you spout nonsense here? Get back inside—this is none of your business. Next time you speak, you’d better consider if you have what it takes. They are the Wang family of Yandu, a truly powerful lineage!” Su Weimin, like a panicked ant, shoved Ye Tianlin back inside.

“You’re just making things worse!” Gao Yulan muttered, giving him a reproachful glare.