Chapter Six: Slapping the Su Family’s Face

“This betrothal gift was indeed given by me,” Ye Tianlin declared. “Wife, you’ve suffered too much for my sake, and this is my way of making it up to you. I had the gift delivered here so that every member of the Su family could see it with their own eyes!”

His words, though brief, were resolute and unwavering.

Su Rulan was utterly shocked; she could never have imagined that this was all Ye Tianlin’s doing—it was truly beyond belief.

Yet before she could even rejoice, the old master of the Su family suddenly appeared behind them, barking coldly, “This is utterly ridiculous! How could someone as useless as you possibly afford such a betrothal gift?”

Uncle Su Zhengjun added indignantly, “This gift was obviously sent by the young master of the Ye family for my daughter Su Yixue. What has it got to do with you?”

Su Yicai glared and snapped, “Ye Tianlin, didn’t I tell you yesterday that dogs and idiots aren’t allowed in here? Get out at once—stop making a spectacle of yourself!”

The value of the betrothal gift was plain to see. No one in the Su family believed for a moment that Ye Tianlin was capable of such a thing.

Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, after careful consideration, also found the accusation reasonable. Everyone knew just how severe Ye Tianlin’s illness was.

“You wretch, since you already left yesterday, why did you come back? Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?” Su Weimin ground his teeth in fury.

“Even a dog is better than you—at least a dog knows when to keep quiet! But you? Shameless as ever, spouting nonsense every day. If the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce finds out you’re impersonating the Ye family’s young master, won’t we suffer even more?” Gao Yulan scolded mercilessly.

Faced with such hostility, Su Rulan’s hope was extinguished as quickly as it had ignited—snuffed out by a bucket of cold water. She was nothing but a scapegoat despised by the family, whereas Su Yixue was their cherished star. How could someone as important as the young master of the Ye family possibly be interested in her, let alone be her husband?

“Enough!” barked the suited man standing behind Ye Tianlin, stepping forward with a stern rebuke.

Only then did the Su family notice the presence of this middle-aged man.

Su Yicai looked him up and down with disdain. “And who are you? Since when do you get to speak here?”

“Zhao Shanhe, newly appointed president of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce,” the man replied without hesitation, producing a business card.

The card bore the unmistakable insignia of the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. At the sight of it, Su Yicai paled in terror, his legs almost giving out beneath him.

Uncle Su Zhengjun, equally stunned, felt as if a stone was lodged in his throat.

The old master frowned and took the card, only to sneer, “I’ve never heard that the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce has a new president.”

“That happened just last week,” Zhao Shanhe replied sternly. “There hasn’t been time to announce it publicly, but the news will be out soon.”

“Utter nonsense. Did Ye Tianlin hire you to play a part, or are you mad as well?” the old man laughed, tearing the card to pieces and grinding them underfoot.

Uncle Su Zhengjun slapped his forehead and jeered, “I almost believed it! Turns out you’re just like Ye Tianlin—a lunatic come to make a scene.”

Su Yicai burst out laughing. “Ye Tianlin, did you break out of the asylum last night and bring your fellow patients with you? No wonder they say lunatics are all geniuses—your acting is truly something.”

“Ye Tianlin, as your father-in-law, I beg you—just leave. You’ve already dragged us down enough,” Su Weimin pleaded, nearly beside himself with rage.

“He’s right! Please, just let us be. We can’t afford any more trouble,” Gao Yulan echoed, clutching her side in anger.

“The young master stands right before your eyes, yet you fail to recognize greatness. The Su family is truly beyond reason,” Zhao Shanhe thundered.

“Coming to the Su family to make trouble? I’ll have you all locked up in the asylum!” the old master threatened, whipping out his phone to call the police.

Startled, Su Rulan hurried to intervene. “Grandfather, please don’t call the police! Tianlin didn’t mean any harm; he’s just sick. I’ll take him away right now and make sure we don’t cause any more trouble.”

With that, she hurriedly dragged Ye Tianlin out of the villa.

Zhao Shanhe swept his gaze coldly over the scene and growled, “If not for the young master’s sake, none of you would walk away unscathed today!”

The old master raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll have your legs broken.”

“You will regret this,” Zhao Shanhe forced out between clenched teeth as he turned to leave and give chase.

But when he stepped outside, the pair had already vanished.

In a matter of moments, Su Rulan and Ye Tianlin had disappeared without a trace, leaving Zhao Shanhe staring in disbelief.

Five minutes later, at a hotel nearby.

Su Rulan used the last of her money to book a cheap single room.

Once inside, she said, “Tianlin, stay here for a few days. Don’t wander around. I need to go to work and try to sort things out. I’ll come back for you after my shift.”

“Wife, do you truly not believe me?” Ye Tianlin asked.

She bit her lip, wrapped her arms around him, and wept softly. “It’s not about belief—it’s about reality. I wish I could believe you, but reality won’t allow it. All I want is for you to be safe.”

After a few more words of reassurance, she left for work, her body still weak.

Shortly after she left, Zhao Shanhe called and tracked down the hotel.

“Young master, no matter what, the Su family needs to be taught a lesson—especially that stubborn old man,” Zhao Shanhe declared.

Sitting in the chair, Ye Tianlin nodded in agreement. “Clearly, the betrothal gift alone isn’t enough. We need to make some noise—give the Su family a real shock.”

“And you mean—?” Zhao Shanhe’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Ye Tianlin beckoned him closer, and Zhao Shanhe bent down to listen.

After Ye Tianlin whispered a few brief instructions, a look of anticipation spread across Zhao Shanhe’s face. “Brilliant, young master! The Su family will regret this dearly and suffer a resounding humiliation!”