"Xiao Tiance, hurry up and sign the divorce agreement prepared by President Xiao."
At the Ye Family Mausoleum, Assistant Sun, dressed in a professional miniskirt, hurried over and tossed the divorce agreement in front of the handsome young man standing before the grave.
Ye Tiance frowned slightly and asked, "Divorce? Why?"
Assistant Sun sneered, "Ha! Why don't you have the slightest clue? Our President Xiao is currently the most dazzling female executive in Jiangnan City, worth hundreds of millions, a figure at the very peak of the pyramid with countless pursuers. Look at you—aside from a handsome face, you have no money, no skills, and you're just a leech clinging to President Xiao. Do you really think you're still worthy of this marriage?"
Ye Tiance raised an eyebrow. "A leech... Is that really what Xiao Qingcheng thinks?"
Assistant Sun nodded, then ruthlessly added, "Aside from you lacking self-awareness, everyone around President Xiao thinks so!"
Ye Tiance lowered his gaze.
Three years ago, he returned to Jiangnan City from "that place" to fulfill the marriage pact his grandfather had made with the Xiao family.
At the time, the Xiao family was in desperate straits, on the verge of collapse.
It was he who secretly supported the Xiao family and propelled Xiao Qingcheng to become the most dazzling female executive in Jiangnan City.
Yet in the end, it all came down to a piece of divorce paper.
Assistant Sun continued, "As a divorce settlement, President Xiao has agreed to give you 10 million. You've shortchanged President Xiao so much in this marriage, yet she is being more than generous to you. You should learn to be grateful and sign the papers quickly."
Ye Tiance's tone turned cold. "You want me to be grateful to her? Tell Xiao Qingcheng that if she wants me to sign, she can come and talk to me herself!"
Assistant Sun frowned. "Who does President Xiao think she is? Is she someone a loser like you can see just because you want to? President Xiao got where she is today entirely through her own hard work. With her status and standing, she has countless ways to divorce you. The fact that she let me handle this privately is already showing consideration for your feelings—don't push your luck!"
A cold glint flashed in Ye Tiance's eyes. "Oh? In her view, choosing the death anniversary of my family of eight, proposing divorce right in front of their graves, and sending you here to mock me to your heart's content is showing consideration for my feelings? Ha! President Xiao truly lives in high places for so long that even her way of considering others' feelings is so unique!"
That's right. Today was the death anniversary of Ye Tiance's family of eight.
To propose a divorce, Xiao Qingcheng had actually gone out of her way to commission someone else, deliberately chosen today, and specifically come to the Ye Family Mausoleum!
How ironic.
Just then, in the distance, a cold, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful woman with an exquisite figure hurried over holding a bouquet of flowers.
She placed the flowers in front of one of the graves and softly said, "Grandpa Ye, I was delayed by something at the last minute, so I'm a bit late to see you."
Looking at the iceberg-like woman before his grandfather's grave, Ye Tiance felt a complex mix of emotions.
Because their grandfathers were close friends, he and Xiao Qingcheng had been betrothed since childhood.
However, fifteen years ago, the Ye family was suddenly struck by a massive fire. Apart from him, who miraculously survived after being rescued by his master and fleeing Jiangnan City, the rest of his family perished in the sea of flames.
It was Elder Xiao who helped arrange his family's funeral rites, a debt of gratitude too heavy to measure.
Three years ago, when he returned to Jiangnan City to fulfill the marriage pact, fearing he would pressure Xiao Qingcheng, he interacted with her as an ordinary person and secretly aided the Xiao family all along.
He had originally planned to have Tianlong Group command a bidding business conference tomorrow night, publicly announcing that the Xiao family was the sole winning bidder for the new district development project, securing an order worth 10 billion and pushing Xiao Qingcheng to the pinnacle of Jiangnan City in one fell swoop!
And by then, he wouldn't need to hide his identity anymore; he could tell Xiao Qingcheng everything!
Yet the day before...
Xiao Qingcheng walked up to Ye Tiance.
With her usual cold expression, she said, "I heard what you said just now. Choosing this time and place to propose the divorce was me neglecting your feelings; it's just that I've been too busy and completely forgot about this date, which is why I had Assistant Sun..."
Ye Tiance raised a hand to interrupt her. "Right, President Xiao even has to commission someone else just to propose a divorce—you must be busy indeed, so busy you've become practically heartless!"
Xiao Qingcheng could hear the grievance in his voice.
Yet she felt she had done nothing wrong, because she was busy preparing for tomorrow night's bidding business conference to secure Tianlong Group's tender and win the 10 billion order!
Moreover, rumors had long circulated that Zhao Hailong, the chairman of Tianlong Group, owed his current success entirely to a mysterious, powerful figure behind him.
Coincidentally, word had it that this powerful figure would appear at tomorrow night's business conference.
Such a precious opportunity to make connections was one she would certainly not let slip by.
She simply wouldn't mention these thoughts to Ye Tiance, because even if she told him, he wouldn't understand...
In a detached tone, she said, "Since things have come to this between us, we have to face the outcome. At least for myself, I have tried my best to maintain this marriage. On that point, whether I say it in front of you or in front of your family's graves, my conscience is entirely clear. I hope you can understand my difficult position!"
Ye Tiance retorted, "What is your difficult position? Money? Status? Are they really that important?"
Xiao Qingcheng shook her head in disappointment. "It's useless to explain it to you, because you will never understand what is truly on my mind."
Ye Tiance laughed at himself. "Right, I really don't understand you, which is why I only knew to pour you a glass of water when you were thirsty, cook for you when you were hungry, and comfort you and make you smile when you were sad..."
Xiao Qingcheng frowned. "Is there any point in bringing all this up? What I've needed has never been your so-called consideration! Because what I want, you can never give me!"
At that moment, a voice rang out from a distance: "Chengcheng is right, what she wants is something low-class trash like you could never give her!"
A young man in a white suit walked over.
This person was the eldest young master of the Jiangnan Ji Family, Ji Boduan.
He had been getting very close to Xiao Qingcheng lately.
Ji Boduan said softly to Xiao Qingcheng, "Didn't we agree to have dinner together later? My car is already parked outside the mausoleum."
Ye Tiance laughed bitterly. "Ha! So this is the real reason you want a divorce."
The result of three years of silent dedication made his heart completely freeze at this moment!
A flash of ruthless determination crossed his eyes as he said, "I agree to sign. I just hope you don't regret this!"
Neatly and decisively, he signed his name on the divorce agreement!
Ji Boduan mocked, "Did you know? Insider news has already leaked that Chengcheng is going to win Tianlong Group's bid and secure the 10 billion order. Once it's announced at tomorrow night's business conference, she will become the most dazzling female executive not just in Jiangnan City, but in all of Tiannan Province!"
He poked Ye Tiance in the chest with his finger and said arrogantly, "And you? A piece of trash who can't even step through the doors of the business conference—do you really think you're worthy of making Chengcheng regret anything?"
Ye Tiance brushed Ji Boduan's hand away and said calmly, "The bidding business conference was ordered by me to be hosted by Tianlong Group, and I was the one who ordered them to award the bid to Xiao Qingcheng!"
Ji Boduan burst out laughing. "Why don't you claim that Tianlong Group's chairman, the King of Jiangnan himself, Lord Long, takes orders from you too?"
Ye Tiance answered placidly, "That's right, he does take orders from me."
Ji Boduan sneered, "Oh, you surnamed Ye sure know how to blow hot air! Let me spell it out for you: Chengcheng was able to win Tianlong Group's bid this time entirely because my Jiangnan Ji Family asked Lord Long to mediate behind the scenes. What does that have to do with you?"
Ye Tiance hadn't expected Ji Boduan to be so utterly shameless!
Just as he was about to retort, Xiao Qingcheng scolded him, "Ye Tiance, that's enough! Do you have any idea what nonsense you're spouting?"
She handed over a bank card and said coldly, "Here is 10 million in compensation. After tomorrow night's conference is over, we'll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau the morning after to get our divorce certificates."
Ye Tiance didn't even glance at the bank card.
"I don't want a single cent of the money. See you at the Civil Affairs Bureau the day after tomorrow, and from now on, we're even!"
Though his words were calm, his tone carried an unfamiliarity unlike anything she had ever heard before.
Xiao Qingcheng bit her lip. She wanted to say something, but in the end, the words failed to cross her lips. She turned and left alongside Assistant Sun and Ji Boduan.
Leaving the mausoleum, they got into Ji Boduan's car.
Ji Boduan asked eagerly, "Chengcheng, since we agreed on dinner, where would you like to go?"
With a hint of fatigue, Xiao Qingcheng said, "Let's skip dinner. Just send me back to the company."
Ji Boduan said awkwardly, "Then... alright."
Xiao Qingcheng looked out the car window.
In the distance, Ye Tiance stood solitary before the graves.
His figure carried a faint, lingering sense of desolation.
As the car started moving, his back gradually faded from her field of vision.
For some inexplicable reason...
She felt as though something vital within her heart was also gradually fading away at this very moment...
Standing before his grandfather's tombstone, Ye Tiance sighed, "Grandpa, I've let down your expectations. This marriage has ultimately ended in failure. Come to think of it, though, that might not be a bad thing. Without the burden of marriage hanging over me, I'll have more energy to investigate the truth behind the fire that destroyed the Ye family back then!"
In truth, all these years, Ye Tiance had always suspected that the fire that consumed the Ye family wasn't just an accident.
It was man-made.
Therefore, after returning to Jiangnan City three years ago, he had been investigating in secret, and recently, he finally caught a glimmer of a lead...
Buzz, buzz~
At that moment, his phone vibrated.
He answered the call.
From the other end came Zhao Hailong's flattering voice, "Mr. Ye, the invitations for tomorrow night's bidding business conference have all been sent out, and the 100 billion investment contract specifically designated for President Xiao has also been drafted. What are your instructions?"
Ye Tiance said indifferently, "Thank you for your trouble, but she and I are already divorced."
"Divorced? I'm sorry, subordinate... didn't mean to pry."
Zhao Hailong's face paled. Despite being the chairman of Tianlong Group and revered as the King of Jiangnan—someone whom anyone would address with utmost respect as Lord Long—
he understood that all of this had been quietly bestowed upon him by Ye Tiance three years ago.
Taking it all back would take just a single word!
Ye Tiance didn't want to dwell on the matter and instead asked, "How did that investigation I assigned you go?"
Zhao Hailong hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Mr. Ye, my subordinates discovered that the Jiangnan Ji Family might have some connection to the fire that destroyed the Ye family back then."
The Jiangnan Ji Family?
Ye Tiance's pupils constricted, a cold glint flashing through them!
Zhao Hailong continued, "I've already compiled the relevant information and would like to present it to you in person. When would be convenient for you?"
Ye Tiance nodded. "I'm at the Ye Family Mausoleum. Come over..."
"Understood!"
Ye Tiance had just hung up the phone.
Footsteps approached from a distance.
Turning his head, he saw a gorgeously dressed middle-aged woman and a young man walking over.
They were none other than Xiao Qingcheng's mother, Zhang Huilan, and her younger brother, Xiao Nan.
Over the past three years of marriage, this pair had spared no effort in targeting him!
Zhang Huilan walked up, frowning as she asked, "Surnamed Ye, did Chengcheng bring up a divorce with you?"
Ye Tiance nodded. "Just signed the agreement."
Zhang Huilan breathed a sigh of relief. "Fantastic! Our Chengcheng really had the worst kind of bad luck marrying you for the past three years. Now she's finally rid of a useless parasite like you!"
Xiao Nan also chimed in with a smug laugh, "Once my sister recovers her single status, she can be with Young Master Ji Boduan. When they attend the bidding business conference together this time, they'll definitely secure the 10 billion order and piss a loser like you to death!"
Ye Tiance frowned and said, "If you two are here to gloat, please take it somewhere else and stop disturbing my family's rest!"
Xiao Nan curled his lip. "What's the rush? Now that you're divorced from my sister, it's only natural we settle some accounts!"
Xiao Nan lifted an old black crossbody bag.
"When you came running to our Xiao family three years ago, you came empty-handed, with nothing to your name except this battered bag. Now that you're divorced, hurry up and take this piece of junk with you—don't keep soiling our place!
Though I am curious what kind of trash is in here that's worth you holding onto for three years?"
With that, Xiao Nan carelessly unzipped the bag, only to find a stack of marriage certificates inside!
A full nine of them.
"What are these?"
Xiao Nan casually pulled one out and opened it.
It read: *United in hearts and minds, joining two families in a joyful union, singing songs of family harmony, sealing a century of peace and beauty...*
Male: Ye Tiance.
Female: Han Ruoyun.
Xiao Nan looked utterly surprised. "Han Ruoyun? Isn't that the only daughter of our Jiangnan City wealthiest tycoon! How do you have a marriage certificate with her?"
Ye Tiance said coldly, "None of your business. Give it back to me along with the bag!"
Truth be told, these nine marriage certificates were given to him by his master before he returned to Jiangnan City.
His master had even babbled on about how these nine fiancées were carefully handpicked by him, a match made in heaven, and told him to seize the opportunity.
However, Ye Tiance hadn't taken it to heart at all.
After returning to Jiangnan City and marrying Xiao Qingcheng, he had simply thrown these nine marriage certificates to the back of his mind.
If Xiao Nan hadn't dug them out just now, he wouldn't even have remembered them.
Xiao Nan closed the marriage certificate and sneered. "Hmph! Let me guess—you heard the rumor that the Han family is looking for a prospective husband for Han Ruoyun recently, so you whipped up a fake marriage certificate yourself and wanted to go pull off a fraud?
Does the Han family even look twice at a loser like your kind? A guy like me would stand a much better chance."
With that, he shoved the marriage certificate back into the bag and tossed the bag right at Ye Tiance's feet.
Zhang Huilan impatiently ordered Ye Tiance, "I heard Chengcheng gave you 10 million in the divorce settlement? What face does a loser like you have to accept it? Hurry up and hand it back to us!"
Ye Tiance stated the truth, "I didn't want the money!"
Xiao Nan cursed, "You dog! You turned down 10 million? Who are you trying to fool?"
Ye Tiance said coldly, "Watch your mouth. I said I didn't want it, and I didn't. If you don't believe me, call your sister!"
Zhang Huilan spat, "Bah! I don't believe your ghost stories for a second. I'm searching you right now—the bank card must still be on you!"
She then stepped forward and started rummaging frantically through Ye Tiance's pockets.
Suppressing his anger, Ye Tiance said, "That's enough!"
Ignoring him entirely, Zhang Huilan continued her thorough search.
In the end, she found nothing.
"Strange. Could it be this loser really didn't take the money?"
Zhang Huilan looked extremely resentful.
At that moment, Xiao Nan's eyes rolled as he said, "Surnamed Ye, even if you didn't take the money, don't you still owe our Xiao family?"
"What do you mean?"
Xiao Nan held up a single finger. "You ate and lived for free at our Xiao house for three years. Shouldn't you pay us back after the divorce? Let's not ask for too much—at least 1 million!"
Zhang Huilan added, "Not just that. You waste of space also wasted three years of my Chengcheng's youth, so that's at least 3 million in compensation. And what's more, after divorcing you, whenever my Chengcheng marries again, she'll be a divorcee, which damages her reputation—that's another 3 million. Add it all together, that's 7 million! Hand over the money right now!
If you can't cough up the cash, go sell your blood, sell your kidneys..."
Zhang Huilan and her son's aggressive and overbearing posture pushed shamelessness to its absolute limit.
Ye Tiance narrowed his cold eyes and said in a deep voice, "My divorce is a matter between Xiao Qingcheng and me; it has nothing to do with you two. I won't give you a single cent. Get lost!"
Showing utter disdain, Xiao Nan arrogantly declared, "Who do you think you are, telling us to get lost? If you don't pay up today, I'll dig up your Ye family ancestral graves!"
With that, he actually raised his foot and kicked hard against the tombstone of Ye Tiance's grandfather!
Bang!
A dirty footprint was left right on the tombstone!
Dropping his foot, Xiao Nan swaggered. "Hear that? Hand over the money, or else I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Ye Tiance suddenly swung the back of his hand across his cheek.
Slap!
The tremendous force sent Xiao Nan spinning twice on the spot.
He was even bleeding from the corner of his mouth!
"You unbred beast, I've tolerated you for a long time!"
With icy eyes, Ye Tiance followed up with a kick that sent him crashing to the ground.
The latter writhed on the ground in agony.
"Aiyo! It hurts so much! Mom! Help me get back at him!"
Pointing at Ye Tiance, Zhang Huilan shrieked curses, "You ungrateful loser, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit my son? I'll fight you to the death!"
With that, she lunged forward, claws out, aiming for Ye Tiance's face!
Right at that moment, a furious roar echoed from afar: "Stop right there!"
A plump, middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses walked over quickly, flanked by two bodyguards in black suits.
Zhao Hailong shouted sternly, "What do you think you're doing?"
Frightened by the newcomer, Zhang Huilan lost a bit of her bravado and instinctively took two steps back.
The man in front of her looked somewhat familiar, but for a moment she couldn't place where she'd seen him.
Zhao Hailong turned around and respectfully asked Ye Tiance, "Are you alright, sir?"
Ye Tiance shook his head to indicate he was fine.
He really didn't want to waste any more time on this mother and son.
So he gave Zhao Hailong a look, and the latter caught on immediately, directly ordering the bodyguards to throw them out!
The two bodyguards each seized control of Zhang Huilan and Xiao Nan.
Struggling violently, Xiao Nan shrieked, "You bastards, tell your men to let go right now! My sister is Xiao Qingcheng of the Xiao Group—is that someone you can afford to offend?"
Zhang Huilan also threatened Zhao Hailong, "Fatty! I'm Xiao Qingcheng's mother, make your men let go at once!"
Zhao Hailong's face darkened. If not for the fact that this mother and son were relatives of Mr. Ye's ex-wife,
he would have long since had them thrown into the river to feed the fish!
So he barked, "I don't care who you are, stay away from the mausoleum. Take them away!"
Without a moment of hesitation, the two bodyguards dragged them away.
Ye Tiance wiped the footprint clean off his grandfather's tombstone and asked,
"You said the fire that destroyed the Ye family back then was connected to the Jiangnan Ji Family. Where is the information you prepared?"
"Right here."
Zhao Hailong hurriedly handed over a document.
As he read through the contents, the expression on Ye Tiance's face grew progressively colder:
Two days later, the head of the Ji Family, Ji Wuli—who was Ji Boduan's father—was planning to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The banquet was scheduled to feature a small auction to mark the occasion, and one of the auction items was a tiger-shaped jade pendant, which was precisely the one Ye Tiance's grandfather had always worn close to his body!
He had thought it was buried together in the sea of flames, but it turned out to be in the hands of the Ji family after all?
Zhao Hailong explained, "I uncovered this intelligence following the clues you provided. As for how the Ji family managed to get their hands on this jade pendant, I'm afraid I don't know."
Ye Tiance commanded, "Help me make arrangements. Two days from now, I will attend Ji Wuli's birthday banquet!"
"Yes!"