Looking at the self-important faces before him, Ye Chu almost wanted to laugh.
A million a month, to "keep" the eldest daughter of the Huangfu family.
How utterly demeaning.
Huangfu Shiyue's delicate face darkened, her expression as cold and still as winter water. Dongmei suddenly leapt forward in a single stride.
With a resounding smack, her palm struck out, sending Zhao Sen flying.
"What filthy trash dares to speak so rudely to my lady?"
The sudden outburst stunned Qin Dongyang and his companions.
"Outrageous! How dare you strike him—do you even know who Brother Zhao is?" Qin Dongyang barked in fury.
The two young women with him quickly rushed forward to help Zhao Sen up.
"Young Master Zhao, are you alright?"
Zhao Sen spat a mouthful of blood, several bloodied teeth scattering across the floor.
His gaze burned with venom. "You whore, I'll make sure you beg for death before this day is done!"
Dongmei's face turned to stone. She lashed out with a kick, sending Zhao Sen crashing into the wall with a thud. His chest caved in slightly; several ribs snapped.
Qin Dongyang's rage flared to its peak. "Slut! You dare strike him again?"
"Manager Li! Call the security guards!"
Li Muduan did not dare hesitate and quickly summoned the guards.
Qin Dongyang strode forward, supporting Zhao Sen. "Brother Zhao, rest easy. I'll see you avenged."
Zhao Sen, teeth gritted against the pain, hissed, "I want that bitch dead. And those two as well—they all must pay the price."
"They won't escape," Qin Dongyang vowed, then cast a venomous glare toward Ye Chu and the others. "Trash. You're finished. Even the Jiang family won't be able to save you."
"Listen well—Brother Zhao is the heir of the Zhao family of Jingkou City. Their power is no weaker than the Jiang family's. You dare raise a hand against him? Prepare to rot in prison."
He had expected to see fear on their faces, panic even—but all three remained calm, unflinching.
His brows knitted in frustration.
At that moment, a group of security guards stormed in.
Li Muduan barked, "Seize those three!"
Just as the guards prepared to move, Huangfu Shiyue's cold voice rang out:
"I'd like to see who dares."
An invisible wave of pressure swept through the room.
The guards hesitated, their steps faltering.
Li Muduan snapped, "What are you afraid of? Get them! I'll take full responsibility!"
"You?" Huangfu Shiyue's lips curled into a frosty smile. "When did a mere lobby manager gain such authority?"
Li Muduan's face grew dark. "You'll soon find out just what authority I have."
"Take them! I'll have my cousin double your bonuses after this."
The guards' eyes lit up. His cousin was the manager of Jianghuai Pavilion—double pay was just a word away.
Without further hesitation, they closed in on the three.
"Move aside."
Dongmei's icy voice cut through the air as she struck, taking down the guards with swift, precise movements.
"You're a martial artist?" Qin Dongyang narrowed his eyes, his tone cold. "No wonder you're so brazen. But even if you are, you won't leave here unscathed."
Li Muduan's face twisted. "Good. No one has ever dared cause such trouble at Jianghuai Pavilion. Wait here—your reckoning will come."
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
Moments later, a middle-aged man entered—the pavilion's manager, Lu Shanchuan.
"What's going on here?" he demanded.
Li Muduan immediately twisted the truth. "Cousin, these people not only occupied Young Master Qin's reserved room but also assaulted him."
He also mentioned Ye Chu and Zhao Sen's identities.
Lu Shanchuan's face darkened. He first turned to Qin Dongyang with a courteous nod. "Rest assured, Young Master Qin. I will see this matter resolved."
Then he turned to Ye Chu and his companions, his gaze lingering on Ye Chu.
He had heard rumors of the Jiang family's "live-in son-in-law."
"Ye Chu, a mere son-in-law, and you dare cause trouble in my Jianghuai Pavilion? Quite the courage."
Ye Chu felt irritation rise. Must everyone take turns stepping on him, as if he were easy prey?
"You haven't even investigated and yet you presume I'm the troublemaker?" His voice was like ice.
Lu Shanchuan sneered. "You're a convict and a son-in-law. Your character speaks for itself. Why bother investigating?"
A flicker of doubt passed through Huangfu Shiyue's eyes. With Ye Chu's ability, how could he have ever agreed to such a humiliating marriage?
But prejudice is a mountain that weighs heavily on the heart.
Ye Chu couldn't be bothered to argue. His tone was flat, almost bored.
"I suggest you leave now, before you bring disaster upon yourself."
"A worthless son-in-law dares utter such arrogance? Know your place." Lu Shanchuan's disdain was palpable.
"Kneel and apologize to Young Master Qin. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can bear."
Li Muduan chimed in eagerly, "And have that woman spend the night with Young Master Qin to show sincerity."
"One night?" Qin Dongyang sneered. "A month at the very least."
Lu Shanchuan nodded in agreement. "Best comply—otherwise, you won't leave this pavilion alive."
Their voices overlapped, dripping with contempt, as though Ye Chu and his companions were nothing but insects.
Huangfu Shiyue laughed in sheer fury. "Impressive. I never thought Huangfu Yun's subordinates would be so 'capable.'"
For Jianghuai Pavilion was, in fact, a property under the Huangfu family.
Its owner, Huangfu Yun, was a collateral member of the clan.
This backing was precisely what gave Lu Shanchuan such insolence.
Lu Shanchuan's brows furrowed. "Who are you, to dare speak our owner's name so casually?"
A trace of doubt flickered in his mind—could this woman be someone important?
But after thinking for a moment, he recalled no such figure from Jiangdu.
Qin Dongyang scoffed. "Manager Lu, don't overthink it. Anyone who associates with this useless man can't be of much standing."
Lu Shanchuan nodded slightly, reassured, and was about to speak when Huangfu Shiyue said calmly,
"I suggest you call him here and ask."
Li Muduan snapped, "Who do you think you are? Our boss is not someone you can meet at will!"
Huangfu Shiyue ignored him, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.
When the call connected, her voice was icy.
"I'm at Jianghuai Pavilion's Imperial Hall in Nancheng. You have thirty minutes to get here—or you're finished."
Lu Shanchuan's doubts only deepened. Could she truly know the boss?
Li Muduan snorted. "Keep acting, see if anyone believes you."
Qin Dongyang, completely dismissive, said coldly,
"Even if you really know the boss, you'll still apologize today. The Qin family is not to be trifled with."
"I'll remember the Qin family," Huangfu Shiyue replied frostily.
Seeing her confidence, Lu Shanchuan dared not make a move and chose to wait.
Time ticked by—twenty minutes later, a man in his thirties burst into the room, panting.
Lu Shanchuan's face blanched, a dreadful premonition rising in his heart.
"Boss, why are you here?"
He stepped forward with a forced smile, but Huangfu Yun brushed past him, heading straight for Huangfu Shiyue.
"Miss, had I known you were coming, I would have arranged a proper welcome," he said obsequiously.