Inside the private room, several faces went icy, their eyes fixed on Ye Yifei as if daring him to move. Under the weight of those stares, Ye Yifei's bravado wavered.
Zhang Mazi was the first to erupt. "You think you're so clever? I'll teach your granny a lesson!" he barked, and lunged at Ye Yifei with a flurry of fists and boots.
Others surged in right behind him.
In an instant the office was filled with sharp, agonized cries.
After leaving the nightclub, Ye Chu and Sun Yurou walked into a shopping mall. Her clothes had been torn to tatters — she could not possibly return like that. Sun Xiuying might suspect all manner of scandal otherwise.
They drifted into a women's boutique.
"Welcome," a young salesgirl greeted them with practiced cheer. "We've just stocked new arrivals. Please try anything on you like."
Ye Chu replied coolly, "Recommend a few dresses for her."
The girl cast an appreciative glance at Sun Yurou and, impressed by her figure, selected a flowing purple dress. "Sir, this purple should suit your girlfriend's temperament."
Misunderstood as Ye Chu's companion, Sun Yurou flushed prettily. Seeing that Ye Chu made no objection, a small thrill lit up within her. She took the gown and admired it—until she saw the price tag and nearly swooned. Over thirty thousand for a single dress; it could cover a year of her tuition and living expenses.
"Ye Chu, I don't usually wear dresses… maybe we should try somewhere cheaper," she murmured.
Ye Chu knew her scruples and smiled. "Don't be afraid. Price isn't an issue. Try it on."
"But—" Sun Yurou hesitated. She couldn't bear spending Ye Chu's money frivolously.
"There's no 'but'—go change." Ye Chu cut her off, decisive.
The salesgirl's eyes shone with envy. "Lucky girl—you have such a wonderful boyfriend."
Sun Yurou's cheeks flamed scarlet, but she acquiesced and went to the fitting room.
An ill-timed voice interrupted the moment. "Oh, isn't that Sun Yurou? The girl from that noodle-shop family—what are you doing in a place like this?"
Ye Chu frowned and turned to see a woman, her make-up loud and polished, stride from the back of the store.
"Manager," the salesgirl said, quick to appease.
The woman's face hardened. "Zhang Xiaoli, how many times must I tell you—these clothes are expensive. Not everyone has the right to try them. If they get stained, who pays?"
Zhang Xiaoli lowered her head and said nothing, intimidated.
The woman sneered at Sun Yurou. "Sun Yurou, don't you know your place? You come here showing off and you expect to be treated like a queen? If you ruin anything, can you afford to pay?"
Sun Yurou's face burned. She wished the floor would swallow her whole.
Ye Chu gently patted her shoulder, then fixed the woman with a hard look. "Apologize to Yurou."
"Apologize?" The woman laughed, contempt thick in her voice. "As if she's worthy."
She surveyed Ye Chu from top to toe and mocked, "So this penniless boy is your boyfriend, huh? Tsk—your taste's awful."
Sun Yurou bristled. "Wang Yingying, mind your own business."
Wang Yingying sneered. "Who asked you? Now scram—don't block my view."
Sun Yurou, though furious, knew the woman's temperament and did not wish to cause a scene. She tugged at Ye Chu and prepared to leave.
"Not so fast. She hasn't apologized." Ye Chu's gaze hardened. "Are you sure you won't apologize?"
Wang Yingying folded her arms and raised her chin. "Poor little loser—apologize? Why would I? What are you going to do about it?"
Smack!
Ye Chu's hand came out in a single, precise slap. "I can slap you," he said coldly.
The fiery sting reddened Wang Yingying's cheek and stopped her breathless for a beat. Rage then flooded her face.
"You insolent wretch—how dare you hit me? Just wait." She snatched up her phone and dialed, wailing theatrically into the line. "Tian-ge, someone's causing trouble—he hit me! You must do something, you must—" The voice at the other end replied with a clipped, ruthless tone before hanging up. "I'll be there," came the cold male voice.
Wang Yingying pocketed her phone, venom in her words. "You poor loser—just you wait. Tian-ge will come and teach you a lesson."
Ye Chu ignored her entirely and told Zhang Xiaoli, "Bring a few more outfits. Let Yurou try them."
Zhang Xiaoli hesitated—she feared Wang Yingying's wrath. Ye Chu's reply was calm and measured. "Don't be afraid. With me here, no one will dare trouble you."
She nodded and fetched several dresses, leading Sun Yurou into the fitting room. Sun Yurou wanted to refuse, but Ye Chu gently pushed her inside. Wang Yingying did not interrupt; she privately hoped Sun Yurou would try on several items so she could later demand compensation.
Sun Yurou emerged moments later and Ye Chu's eyes brightened. The purple gown flowed about her like a shimmering cloud; she seemed more radiant than before, touched with an otherworldly grace.
"How is it? Do you like it?" she asked, hopeful.
"You look stunning—like a celestial being fallen into the mundane world," Ye Chu said without restraint.
Sun Yurou's lashes curved; her smile could not be concealed. She tried on a succession of dresses, each more flattering than the last. It was plain Zhang Xiaoli had excellent taste—yet it was Sun Yurou's innate beauty that made the garments sing.
Suddenly a tall youth burst in with a squad of security guards. Wang Yingying's eyes lit up as she rushed to meet him. "Tian-ge, you're finally here—look what he did to my face!" she wailed.
Tian Zhao's expression hardened. "What happened?"
Wang Yingying embellished the story with relish, and Tian Zhao solemnly promised, "Don't worry. I'll set this right."
Ye Chu stepped out of the fitting room at that moment. At once Tian Zhao's lips curled in disdain. "Well, who'd be bold enough to cause a scene at Jiangnan Mall? Oh—it's the Jiang family's son-in-law," he said, sneering.
Wang Yingying blinked, surprised. "You know him?"
Tian Zhao nodded. "This is Ye Chu—the so-called son-in-law of the Jiang family. His photo's been circulated among the city's second-generation set." He had recognized him at a glance.
Wang Yingying's face fell. She hadn't expected Ye Chu to have that connection—no wonder he dared such brazen behavior.
"Tian-ge—what should we do?" she murmured, anxious but hopeful.
Tian Zhao waved a hand. "Relax. He's just a worthless son-in-law. The Jiang family won't offend the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce over him." His father was the mall's general manager and the Chamber's influence loomed large—far from petty.
Wang Yingying breathed easier.
Sun Yurou returned to Ye Chu. "That's enough. No need to try more."
Ye Chu nodded and instructed Zhang Xiaoli, "Wrap them all up."
Sun Yurou protested, shaking her head. "Ye Chu, just one will do—buying them all is too extravagant."
Ye Chu waved her off. "It's nothing—tens of thousands at most. I can afford it."
Tian Zhao's sneer sharpened. "What an act. Truly living up to the reputation—the famed Jiang son-in-law."
Ye Chu spat back coolly, "None of your business."
The smile froze on Tian Zhao's face and his eyes turned hard. He looked down on Ye Chu, contempt dripping from his voice. "You think being a son-in-law of the Jiang clan makes you anything? You pathetic cad—you're nothing among real second-generation elites. On the Jiang family's account, I'll give you a chance: kneel and apologize, then hand this girl over to me. Maybe I'll consider sparing you."
Wang Yingying's eyes darkened with spite at Tian Zhao's open proposition. In high school she had once hooked a wealthy beau, only to be cast aside when he fell for Sun Yurou. Since then she nursed a burning grudge. Now the man who had jilted her had eyes only for Sun Yurou, and she saw her chance for revenge in that.
"Come over here, Yurou," she cooed, honeyed and false. "If you play nice, Tian-ge might take a liking to you. You'll be rewarded."
Sun Yurou trembled with anger. What did they think she was? Ye Chu lightly patted her shoulder. "Don't bother with two self-important fools."
Tian Zhao's temper flared. "You little waste—do it! Take him down." With a flick of his hand, the guards closed in on Ye Chu.