Jiang Chen shrugged and said, "Why would it have anything to do with me? I'm just an orphan. How could I possibly know a big shot like Ye Xiong?"
"Tch, stop pretending. Then what about the Emperor's Residence?"
Jiang Chen explained, "How could I afford to live in the Emperor's Residence? It belongs to a friend I grew up with at the orphanage. He went abroad, and knowing I had nowhere to stay, he let me live there to look after the place for him."
"Is that for real?" Tang Chuchu looked at him with suspicion.
"Of course. What, are you going to divorce me just because the Emperor's Residence isn't mine? I didn't realize you were so snobbish."
"I am not!" Tang Chuchu pouted, saying, "You cured me and gave me a new lease on life. I’ve already married you, so I’m your wife. Being poor is fine—later on, I'll take care of you!"
"Chuchu, I was wrong. I was really wrong!"
Just then, a woman rushed over and threw herself against the car window. Her hair was disheveled and her face was swollen; she had clearly been beaten. It was Wu Jiajia.
As soon as Wu Jiajia arrived, Chen Lin walked up, grabbed her by the hair, and smashed her head against the car, leaving her dazed and confused.
"You bitch! It’s all because of you that I lost my job. I’m going to kill you!"
"Brother Jiang..." Xiao Hei said from the driver's seat.
Jiang Chen waved his hand slightly and said, "It's a small matter. Ignore it, let's go."
"Hubby, this..." Tang Chuchu looked at Wu Jiajia, who was covered in cuts and bruises with blood trickling from her forehead, and asked with concern, "Hubby, won't something happen?"
Jiang Chen laughed. "It's just a couple having a spat. Let's not get involved."
"Chuchu, I was wrong! For the sake of us being classmates, please go beg the Chairman for me. Tell him not to fire me, please... boo-hoo..."
Outside the car, Wu Jiajia’s crying could be heard.
Tang Chuchu recalled Wu Jiajia’s previous demands and felt a surge of anger—this woman had actually suggested she sleep with another man. Thinking of this, she rolled up the car window.
"Chuchu, I was wrong! I was truly wrong. I didn't know who you were and didn't realize you knew the Chairman. Please, give me a chance, I beg you!" Wu Jiajia knelt on the ground.
After beating her, Chen Lin also approached the driver's side. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one, saying, "Brother—no, Boss, could you roll the window down? I need to have a word with Miss Tang."
Xiao Hei turned to look at Jiang Chen in the back seat. Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. Only then did Xiao Hei roll down the back window.
Chen Lin leaned toward the back seat and offered a cigarette to Jiang Chen, but Jiang Chen didn't take it.
Chen Lin looked awkward and smiled, "Miss Tang, I had eyes but failed to recognize you. Please, just treat me like a fart and let it go. Go tell the Chairman not to fire me, can you?"
With that, he pulled out a prepared red envelope and held it out. "Ten thousand yuan—just a small gesture."
Tang Chuchu turned to look at Jiang Chen beside her. Jiang Chen put his arm around her and smiled, "Wife, let's go. Hurry up and take the contract back. Once we do, I’ll be able to win your grandfather’s approval. Then, you’ll be my legitimate wife."
Tang Chuchu immediately understood what Jiang Chen meant and nodded. Besides, she didn't know Ye Xiong and couldn't help them anyway. Furthermore, Chen Lin and Wu Jiajia were completely responsible for their own misfortune.
"Xiao Hei, let's go."
"You got it."
Xiao Hei started the engine and drove away.
"Chuchu..." Wu Jiajia screamed heartrendingly from her knees on the ground.
Tang Chuchu ignored her. Sitting in the car, she stuck her tongue out at Jiang Chen and smiled mischievously, "Hubby, did they lose their jobs because of me?"
Jiang Chen said, "Not entirely. Qianjun is a large corporation that doesn't tolerate parasites. Chen Lin abused his position; being fired was only a matter of time. Your appearance was just the fuse."
Hearing this, Tang Chuchu finally felt at ease.
Soon, the two arrived back at the Tang family home. The fact that Tang Chuchu had recovered her beauty gave the Tang family other ideas. Tang Lei, the eldest grandson, even invited a friend over to introduce him to her.
His friend was from the Xiao family, named Xiao Chen, a spoiled rich second generation.
A major event had happened to the Xiao family last night, but it was Xiao Biehe who had died. To a spoiled heir like Xiao Chen, death was just death. Over the years, his grandfather had controlled the family, and his allowance had dwindled. Now that he was gone, the position of family head would surely fall to his father. Once his father, Xiao Qi, inherited the family, his own status would rise sharply.
Moreover, Xiao Biehe’s funeral was kept simple, and the family didn't even observe a proper mourning period. Having heard from Tang Lei that Tang Chuchu had regained her beauty and become a stunning woman, he had come to the Tang family villa to see for himself just how beautiful this former "ugly duckling" had become.
Inside the villa, the Tang family swarmed around Xiao Chen as if he were a god. Tang Lei felt immense pride. Sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, he said, "Grandfather, Xiao Chen is a great buddy of mine. I told him that my cousin Chuchu is a great beauty, and that's why he's here. Chuchu must divorce that loser Jiang Chen and become Xiao Chen’s girlfriend."
Tang Tianlong sat nearby and smiled, "That’s a must. Only a young master of the Xiao family is worthy of Chuchu."
The flattery of the Tang family satisfied Xiao Chen’s vanity. This was the status of the Four Great Families in Jiangzhong; no matter where they went, people groveled before them.
"Grandfather."
At that moment, Tang Chuchu walked in with Jiang Chen. As soon as she entered, she held up the contract, beaming. "Grandfather, I’ve brought back the contract! It’s the order contract from Qianjun Group. Will you stop making Jiang Chen leave the family now?"
Tang Lei stood up immediately, pointed at Xiao Chen—who was lounging on the sofa—and introduced him: "Chuchu, let me introduce you. This is Xiao Chen from the Xiao family. You know the Xiao family, right? Head of the Four Great Families of Jiangzhong. Hurry up and light a cigarette for Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Chen’s eyes went wide when he saw Tang Chuchu. He had known about her, but he hadn't expected her to be such a breathtaking beauty after her recovery. It was worth the trip; the current Tang Chuchu was more exquisite than any woman he had ever slept with. He swore to himself that he would get her into bed.
Tang Chuchu glanced at Xiao Chen, his gaze making her feel deeply uncomfortable. "Who is he? Asking me to light his cigarette? Not a chance."
"Impudence!" Tang Tianlong shouted coldly. "Is that any way to speak to Young Master Xiao? Apologize at once!"
Xiao Chen acted magnanimously, waving his hand slightly. "Tang Tianlong, don’t scold Chuchu. I like women with spirit. By the way, what was that about Chuchu getting an order from Qianjun? What’s going on?"
Tang Lei immediately explained the situation.
Only then did Xiao Chen notice Jiang Chen behind Tang Chuchu. He had assumed Jiang Chen was just the driver; he never expected him to be the grandson-in-law Tang Tianlong had recruited. His expression darkened. "Tang Tianlong, I’ve set my sights on Chuchu. End the engagement immediately. Otherwise, I’ll make one phone call, and even if she did get that order, Qianjun will cancel it in an instant. Don't forget, my Xiao family is Qianjun Group’s close partner. Qianjun only gives surplus orders to other companies once they've satisfied us."
Jiang Chen glanced at the arrogant Xiao Chen and said, "I heard Xiao Biehe died. You're a member of the Xiao family; what are you doing here at the Tang house instead of mourning at home?"
"You little brat, you’re looking for death!" Xiao Chen stood up instantly, grabbed Jiang Chen by the collar, and swung a slap at him.
Jiang Chen raised his hand slightly, blocked the slap, and pushed him away with a light touch. Even though the push was soft, Xiao Chen stumbled and fell back onto the sofa. His fury surged instantly. He was a member of the Xiao family, one of the Four Great Families! No matter where he went, people catered to him. Now, he had been pushed down by a live-in son-in-law, and even worse, this loser dared to mention his late grandfather!
Xiao Biehe’s death was public knowledge, but no one dared to bring it up. Yet this brat Jiang Chen dared to speak of it.
He pulled a switchblade from his waist, threw it on the ground, and shouted coldly, "Cut off one of your own hands, and this young master will spare your life. Otherwise, I’ll throw you into the river to feed the fish!"
Tang Lei stood up promptly, smiling obsequiously. "Brother Xiao Chen, sit down and have a smoke, calm your anger. It’s too easy to get rid of this loser. You don't have to give the Tang family any face—go ahead and kill him, we don’t care at all. Once he’s dead, Chuchu will be your woman."
Tang Chuchu listened to these vile words, her face filled with anger, her teeth clenched tightly.
Xiao Chen sat down, staring fixedly at Jiang Chen, and said coldly, "Kid, because of what you just said, you’re as good as dead. No one can save you."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly and paid him little mind. If they weren't in the Tang house, Xiao Chen would already be dead.
Tang Chuchu handed the contract over with a look of grievance. "Grandfather, you said it yourself—if I could land a ten-million-yuan order, you would acknowledge Jiang Chen as my husband. This isn't a thirty-million-yuan order; it’s a one-hundred-million-yuan order. Please, take a look."
"What? One hundred million?" Tang Tianlong’s body shook.
"Grandfather, big news! The Chairman of Qianjun Group has personally invited Chuchu to Qianjun Building!" A woman ran in, looking panicked.