Not long after, Zhao Dazhi hurried over.
"Xiaotian, where is that brat?"
Zhao Xiaotian pointed straight at Ye Chu. "Father, that's him."
Zhao Dazhi's gaze fell upon Ye Chu. Seeing his plain attire and unremarkable bearing, his suspicion only deepened.
"Boy, speak honestly. From where did you steal the Jiangnan Dragon Card?"
Ye Chu's expression remained indifferent. "It was given to me."
"Nonsense!" Zhao Dazhi roared. "The Mayor's wife, with her exalted status, would never bestow such a priceless treasure upon a useless son-in-law like you. Cease your lies and confess the truth. For the Jiang family's sake, I may yet show leniency."
Ye Chu's voice was calm, almost cold. "I have no need of your mercy. In fact, I never intended to spare you."
Father and son laughed in anger at his audacity.
"What an arrogant fool," Zhao Xiaotian sneered. "At death's door, and still you spout bravado."
Zhao Dazhi's tone turned icy. "Since you crave death, I shall oblige you." He pulled out his phone, ready to call his superior and escalate the matter. Once the storm broke, not even the Jiang family could save Ye Chu.
Unperturbed, Ye Chu drew Sun Yurou to a seat beside him, his eyes faintly mocking. He wished to see just how far these petty clowns could go.
At the Huang family estate, Li Jingxuan was conversing with a refined young woman. Beside them stood a secretary with gold-rimmed glasses.
"Zheya, what brings you to Jiangdu?"
Zhuge Zheya smiled lightly. "Naturally, I came because I missed you, Sister."
Li Jingxuan curved her lips into a knowing smile. "Spare me your sweet words. I suspect you came for Shiyue."
"Ah, Sister sees through everything." Zhuge Zheya feigned surprise, then her expression grew solemn. "You're right. I heard Huangfu Shiyue has taken charge of a trillion-yuan project. I, Zhuge Zheya, cannot afford to lag behind."
Li Jingxuan rolled her eyes playfully. "Still as competitive as ever."
At that moment, a phone rang. Zhuge Zheya's brows knitted slightly. Her secretary's face changed as she hurriedly answered the call.
"Who is it?"
"The general manager of Jiangnan Mall, Zhao Dazhi."
"Ask what he wants."
The secretary quickly connected and inquired, listening as Zhao Dazhi recounted the situation in haste. She hung up, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, then reported everything to Zhuge Zheya.
Zhuge Zheya turned toward Li Jingxuan. "Sister, did you give away the Jiangnan Dragon Card?"
At once, Li Jingxuan thought of Ye Chu, and her face darkened.
"Zheya, it seems your management leaves much to be desired. A mere mall manager dares trouble my friend?"
Zhuge Zheya's heart stirred. From her tone, this friend clearly held an unusual place in Li Jingxuan's regard.
"Rest assured, Sister. I shall personally see to this matter."
She rose to leave, and Li Jingxuan followed. "I'll come along."
Zhuge Zheya's beautiful eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. "Very well. Let us go together."
Back at the mall, Zhao Dazhi received word that Zhuge Zheya's own secretary would come in person. Startled at first, he quickly reasoned it out—given Li Jingxuan's standing, perhaps it was only natural.
"Boy," he sneered, his gaze dripping with scorn, "our boss's secretary is on her way. Prepare yourself for prison."
Ye Chu remained utterly calm. "Very well, I shall wait."
Though Sun Yurou had been uneasy, Ye Chu's quiet confidence reassured her. Since their reunion, he had never faltered before any challenge.
Half an hour later, three elegant figures stepped into the store. Zhao Dazhi rushed forward eagerly, only to freeze when he recognized them—Zhuge Zheya, board member of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce and scion of the Jinling Zhuge clan, and beside her, the Mayor's wife, Li Jingxuan herself.
His heart leapt with joy. Clearly, they deemed the matter grave. Surely he would be rewarded after today.
"Director Zhuge, Madam Li, had I known you were coming, I would have—"
But the three ignored him entirely, walking straight toward Ye Chu.
"Divine Doctor Ye, I am truly sorry for arriving late and allowing you to suffer such indignity." Li Jingxuan's face was full of apology.
The sight struck Zhao Dazhi and his companions dumb. The Mayor's wife… apologizing to Ye Chu?
Wang Yingying and Zhao Xiaotian blanched, realizing they had plunged headlong into disaster.
Ye Chu smiled faintly. "Madam Huang, you need not blame yourself. If fault lies anywhere, it is with the owner of Jiangnan Mall, for employing such trash."
Zhuge Zheya's expression soured. His words were a slap across her face. Yet, for Li Jingxuan's sake, she held her tongue.
"You are right, Divine Doctor Ye," Li Jingxuan nodded gravely. "Rest assured, you shall have justice." She then glanced at Zhuge Zheya, who inclined her head before fixing Zhao Dazhi with a cold stare.
"Explain. What truly happened here?"
Zhao Dazhi, ignorant of the full truth, turned in panic toward his son. Zhao Xiaotian stood trembling, head bowed in silence. Their guilt was undeniable.
"Heh, allow me," Ye Chu said lightly, recounting the earlier events with calm precision.
By the time he finished, Zhao Dazhi's face was ashen, beads of sweat rolling down his brow. In fury, he kicked Zhao Xiaotian to the ground.
"Useless wretch! Always stirring trouble—I'll beat you to death!"
Zhao Xiaotian wailed under the blows, while Wang Yingying cowered in terror. Only when the boy's face was bruised and swollen did Zhao Dazhi finally stop. Trembling, he shuffled toward Zhuge Zheya, bowing low.
"Director Zhuge, it was my failure as a father that allowed my son to offend this gentleman. I beg your forgiveness."
Zhuge Zheya's voice was glacial. "For old times' sake, I'll forgo harsher measures. But tomorrow, hand in your resignation."
The words struck Zhao Dazhi like thunder. He nearly staggered to the floor.
"Director Zhuge, I beg you, show mercy. I may have no great merit, but I have labored for years—surely you cannot cast me aside so ruthlessly?"
"I will not repeat myself," Zhuge Zheya said coolly. A silent pressure filled the air, and Zhao Dazhi dared not protest further. With despair etched across his face, he stumbled away, not even glancing at his battered son.
Zhao Xiaotian scrambled after him, only to be halted by Ye Chu's voice.
"Stop."
The youth froze, trembling, and turned back with terror in his eyes. "Wh-what more do you want?"
Ye Chu's lips curved in amusement. "Tell me—how does it feel to be humiliated?"