He gestured toward Zhang Huilan and Xiao Nan. "The two of you are twisting the facts and framing others. You are truly shameless!"
Xiao Hongming’s face darkened as he turned to the pair. "Is this true?"
Xiao Nan defended himself immediately. "Grandpa, don't listen to his nonsense! How would I ever dare to insult Lord Long?"
Zhang Huilan nodded in agreement. "Ye Tiance is just being difficult and deliberately trying to drag us down with him. Dad, you must investigate this thoroughly!"
"This..."
Xiao Hongming frowned in contemplation. At this moment, he didn't know whose words to trust.
Xiao Qingcheng looked at Ye Tiance with irritation. "Are you ever going to stop? Even now, you’re still trying to shift the blame. Do you think the Xiao Family isn't in enough chaos already?"
Ye Tiance raised an eyebrow. "You don't trust me?"
"What other choice do I have?"
Xiao Qingcheng said, her voice filled with frustration and disappointment. "Because of your impulsiveness and willfulness, the Xiao Family lost its eligibility for the conference, ruining our future. What more do you want? Don't you think the family has suffered enough? Leave! I don't want to see you anymore!"
Xiao Hongming frowned. "Qingcheng! Don't say such things!"
He turned to Ye Tiance with a helpless look. "Don't take it to heart. This blow to the Xiao Family is simply too great. Not just Qingcheng, even I find it hard to accept."
Ye Tiance looked at Xiao Hongming’s dejected and helpless expression. He sighed inwardly. The old man had been as kind to him as a mountain. For his sake, he would help the Xiao Family one last time.
"Grandpa, don't worry. I can get Zhao Hailong to restore the Xiao Family's spot at the bidding conference."
As soon as these words were spoken, the room erupted in an uproar.
Xiao Nan clutched his stomach, laughing. "Hilarious! You’ll get Lord Long to restore it just like that? Is he your subordinate? You really can talk big!"
Zhang Huilan scolded him, "You good-for-nothing, can you stop embarrassing us here? Get out!"
Xiao Qingcheng said coldly, "Ye Tiance, take back that arrogant look of yours!"
Even Xiao Hongming shook his head and sighed, clearly not believing his words.
Facing everyone’s skepticism, Ye Tiance remained calm and unperturbed. "Wait a moment. Once I make a phone call, you will know the result."
With that, he left the living room. He found a secluded spot and dialed Zhao Hailong's number.
Meanwhile, the people in the living room paid no mind to Ye Tiance's words and continued discussing how to resolve the conference eligibility issue.
Assistant Sun reminded them, "President Xiao, didn't Young Master Ji say he would help look for Lord Long? Why don't you check on that?"
Xiao Qingcheng shook her head helplessly. "I've called several times, but nobody answers. Perhaps he can't actually help and is intentionally avoiding me."
Zhang Huilan quickly interjected, "How could that be? Young Master Ji keeps his promises. Do you think he’s like that good-for-nothing Ye Tiance? If he says he can help, he definitely can."
Xiao Nan chimed in, "Mom is right. Young Master Ji was able to help us secure the bid; a small thing like restoring our eligibility is nothing to him. Let’s just wait for the good news."
...
At the same time, at an upscale club, Ji Boduan sat on a sofa, enjoying a shoulder massage from two scantily-clad, sexy women.
Standing before him was a man with a head wrapped in bandages, whose face bore a three-part resemblance to his own. It was his younger brother, Ji Boxiao.
Ji Boxiao said with resentment and grievance, "Brother, everything was going according to plan. Who would have thought that Ye Tiance would pop up and cause trouble at the critical moment? If it weren't for him, I would have already been the Han Family's son-in-law!"
Ji Boduan sneered. "That good-for-nothing is just a leech. If you can't even handle him, what excuses are you making?"
Ji Boxiao poured a glass of wine for his brother. "Brother, don't be angry. The Han Family wouldn't have fallen for him anyway. I'll have plenty of chances to win over Han Ruoyun later. By the way, how are things going with Xiao Qingcheng?"
Ji Boduan said indifferently, "The rumors are spreading that Tianlong Group is going to blacklist the Xiao Family. They are on the verge of collapse."
Ji Boxiao asked, puzzled, "Brother, then what is the point of continuing to pursue Xiao Qingcheng? Their family has no chance of getting the 10-billion-yuan order, so they don't have much value to our family!"
In truth, the two brothers had divided their work from the very beginning. The older brother, Ji Boduan, pursued Xiao Qingcheng, while the younger brother, Ji Boxiao, went to the Han Family for the marriage match. Regardless of which succeeded, it would be a huge boost for the Ji Family!
Ji Boduan curled his lips into a smile. "I know that. In fact, it was I who spread the rumor that Tianlong Group was going to blacklist them."
Ji Boxiao was confused. "What? Shouldn't you be helping the Xiao Family to prove yourself to Xiao Qingcheng?"
Ji Boduan sneered, "How could I possibly change a decision made by Lord Long? Instead of helping them, it's better to spread rumors and kick them while they're down so everyone stays away from the Xiao Family. This way, I can make a strong move, easily manipulate the Xiao Family and Xiao Qingcheng, and absorb all their assets. That will be a great help to the Ji Family!"
Ji Boxiao gave him a thumbs up. "Brother, that’s a brilliant strategy. I admire you!"
Ji Boduan smiled triumphantly, glancing at the series of missed calls from Xiao Qingcheng on his phone. "She’s so anxious; it seems the heat is just right. I’ll go to the Xiao Family now to take advantage of the situation."
Ji Boduan rose and left. Ji Boxiao downed his drink, his expression dark as he gnashed his teeth. "You surnamed Ye, we aren't done yet. Don't let me find you!"
...
Outside the Xiao family villa, Ye Tiance had finished his call with Zhao Hailong, ordering him to restore the Xiao Family's eligibility and to change the bidding outcome from a predetermined deal back to a fair selection process.
Of course, it was also a fact that Zhao Hailong had been insulted by Zhang Huilan and Xiao Nan. Therefore, Ye Tiance had given Zhao Hailong a plan that would force them both to apologize. After all, one thing must be settled before moving to the next.
After hanging up, Ye Tiance turned to head back when his phone rang. It was an unknown number.
He answered. "Hello, who is this?"
A familiar, cold, and arrogant voice came from the other side: "This is Han Ruoyun. Are you free to meet? There is something I want to tell you."
Ye Tiance was quite surprised she was looking for him. "What is it that can't be said over the phone?"
Han Ruoyun said firmly, "It must be said in person! I’m hanging up now; I’ll send you the address later. Make sure you come!"
She hung up directly. Ye Tiance frowned and muttered, "Women these days... why are they all so bossy?"
Just then, a red Lamborghini pulled up to the villa gate. A well-dressed Ji Boduan stepped out. Seeing Ye Tiance, he said with a playful sneer, "Oh! If it isn't the useless son-in-law kicked out by the Xiao Family? How do you still have the face to return?"
Ye Tiance replied indifferently, "What does that have to do with you?"
Ji Boduan scoffed, "Still pretending? I suppose after your marriage match failed, you want to crawl back to the Xiao Family to keep leeching off them? Don't dream, the Xiao Family is finished!"
He walked up to Ye Tiance and lowered his voice. "Ultimately, I have to thank you for insulting Lord Long and implicating the Xiao Family; it gave me the perfect opportunity."
Ye Tiance raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Ji Boduan licked his lips greedily. "Rumor says the Xiao Family is being blacklisted by Tianlong Group. They are in dire straits and can only beg for my help. Once I use a little leverage, they will be at my feet. As for Xiao Qingcheng, I can do whatever I want with her!"
Ye Tiance narrowed his eyes. "I suspect you were the one who started that rumor, weren't you?"
Ji Boduan chuckled. "Heh! Who knows? In any case, it has nothing to do with a loser like you!"
He then sauntered into the villa, already fantasizing about how he would take control of the Xiao Family.
When he entered the living room, however, he was shocked to find no oppressive atmosphere. On the contrary, everyone present was extremely excited—there was no sign of a family on the verge of collapse!
What was going on?
Zhang Huilan rushed forward and grabbed his hand excitedly. "Young Master Ji, thank goodness you helped, otherwise our Xiao Family would have been doomed!"
"Helped?" Ji Boduan was dumbfounded, completely confused.
Zhang Huilan smiled broadly. "Lord Long just called personally to announce that the Xiao Family’s eligibility for the bidding conference is restored. This was all because you helped persuade him, wasn't it?"
"Wait, what?" Ji Boduan was even more confused. With his status, how could he possibly have the qualifications to persuade Lord Long? What had happened to make things suddenly reverse?
However, since the Xiao Family’s eligibility was restored, it meant Lord Long had forgiven them. He assumed the predetermined bid was likely still in place, so they still had value. Though he didn't understand why they mistakenly thought he had helped, he would just go along with it.
He cleared his throat and acted profound. "Ahem, I just had a meal with Lord Long and mentioned a word or two. I didn't expect him to agree so readily."
As soon as these words were out, everyone lavished him with praise. Even Xiao Hongming stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
Xiao Qingcheng walked over, her excitement barely contained. "Young Master Ji, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness."
"Qingcheng, with me here, forget about restoring your eligibility or securing the bid; even if you want me to introduce you to that great man to sit and chat, what would be the difficulty in that?"
Ji Boduan stood with his hands in his pockets, looking as though he had no equal.
Hearing this, Ye Tiance, who had followed him in, couldn't help but scoff. *Heh, this guy is truly shameless!*
Zhang Huilan glared at him viciously. "You good-for-nothing, you still have the nerve to laugh? Look at Young Master Ji, he changed Lord Long's mind so easily. Look at you—you have no skills other than causing trouble!"
Ye Tiance asked, "What makes you think it was him who made Zhao Hailong change his mind?"
Zhang Huilan glared at Ye Tiance in disgust. "If it wasn't Young Master Ji, could it have been you?"
Ye Tiance nodded. "It was me."
Xiao Nan laughed mockingly on the spot. "You surnamed Ye, would you die if you didn't brag? You said you went to make a phone call and then disappeared for ages. Now that Young Master Ji has solved the problem, you jump out to steal the credit? Do you have no shame at all?"
Assistant Sun echoed this: "You insulted Lord Long and brought disaster to the Xiao Family. If it weren't for Young Master Ji, you would have been killed by Lord Long already. Now, instead of being grateful, you're stealing someone else’s credit? Can you be any more of an ingrate?"
Ji Boduan waved his hand, acting magnanimous. "Forget it. I am a person of stature; I won't lower myself to his level."
Xiao Qingcheng looked at Ye Tiance earnestly. "I don't expect you to learn Young Master Ji’s grace, but at least say thank you. After all, he helped you!"
"You want me to thank him?" Ye Tiance shook his head and sneered. "A person like that isn't worthy. If you want to thank him, do it yourself!"
Xiao Qingcheng couldn't hold back anymore. "Ye Tiance, why are you so ungrateful? I really don't understand why you’ve become like this!"
Ye Tiance said calmly, "No matter what I've become, you've never looked up to me anyway, have you?"
"You... you are truly hopeless!" Xiao Qingcheng bit her lip, completely disappointed in him.
Xiao Nan then proposed to Xiao Hongming, "Grandpa, you see how ungrateful and arrogant this guy is? You should order his legs broken, make him divorce my sister, and kick him out of the Xiao Family so he doesn't bring any more harm to us!"
As soon as this was said, the entire Xiao family expressed their support!
"This..." Xiao Hongming sighed. For three years, everyone in the family besides him had been dissatisfied with Ye Tiance, but it was usually over small, insignificant things. But today was different. Ye Tiance’s actions had not only angered everyone, they had nearly destroyed the Xiao Family! And even after causing such a disaster, he was still unrepentant and making excuses! *Could it be that my persistence for the past three years was a mistake?*
After hesitating, he asked Xiao Qingcheng, "Qingcheng, this is your marriage. Grandpa... respects your decision."
"Grandpa, I..." Xiao Qingcheng bit her lip. She had wanted her grandfather to respect her marriage choices countless times. Now that he had suddenly given her that power, she didn't know what to say.
Zhang Huilan urged her on the side, "Silly girl, what are you hesitating for? Hurry up and agree to the divorce!"
Xiao Nan chimed in, "Sister! Cut ties with him completely. This is a rare opportunity!"
A look of determination finally flashed in Xiao Qingcheng’s eyes. "Grandpa, I won't lie to you. I already asked Ye Tiance for a divorce this morning. After the conference, we will go to the civil affairs bureau to get the papers. That is my decision."
"Sigh..." Xiao Hongming sighed and looked at Ye Tiance. "Tiance, you..."
"Grandpa, you don't need to say anything." Ye Tiance raised a hand to interrupt Xiao Hongming. "I have already agreed to Xiao Qingcheng’s proposal. Thank you for your care over the past three years. Goodbye!"
Ye Tiance bowed deeply to Xiao Hongming—a final farewell to the Xiao Family. Then, he turned and walked straight out without sparing a glance at anyone else!
The Xiao family members erupted into cheers. "Haha, this jinx has finally been kicked out! The Xiao Family is finally going to rise!"
"He’s been a curse on the Xiao Family for three years. Tomorrow night, after we secure the 10-billion-yuan order and get to know the big shots behind Lord Long, he’ll be green with envy!"
For some reason, as their cheers fell into Xiao Qingcheng's ears, she couldn't feel excited. Instead, she felt a sense of bewilderment, as if she had lost something important.
Zhang Huilan cleared her throat. "I say, since we’ve overcome this crisis thanks to Young Master Ji, we should host a banquet to thank him properly. Especially you, Qingcheng—you must accompany him for a few drinks."
Everyone agreed.
Ji Boduan acted cool. "Lord Long just treated me to a meal, so I'm not hungry, but since you are all so insistent, I suppose I will accept your hospitality."
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold, elegant voice rang out from the door: "When did you have a meal with Lord Long? Why didn't I know about it?"
A stunning woman in a red hip-hugging dress and black stockings walked into the living room. Though she looked no older than thirty, she radiated the aura of someone in a high position.
Ji Boduan frowned. "Who are you? What evidence do you have that I didn't eat with Lord Long?"
The woman said coldly, "I spent the entire afternoon in meetings with Lord Long. I never saw him eating with anyone. Did you travel through time?"
*Swish!* Every eye in the room turned toward Ji Boduan. He had been saying all along that he’d had dinner with Zhao Hailong—was he lying?
Ji Boduan stubbornly countered, "Don't listen to her! She’s just a pretty woman who probably can't even find the door to Tianlong Group, and she’s bragging about having meetings with Lord Long all afternoon? Only a fool would believe that!"
As he finished speaking, Xiao Qingcheng suddenly stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the woman. "President Qian, how did you come here? Forgive our poor reception."
Ji Boduan was stunned. "Qingcheng, what President Qian?"
Xiao Qingcheng introduced her to the family: "This is Qian Qinian, Vice President of Tianlong Group and one of the persons in charge of this Tianlong conference."
Ji Boduan’s eyes widened. "Qingcheng, are you sure you aren't mistaken? How come I've never heard of this person?"
Xiao Qingcheng shook her head. "I am not mistaken. President Qian joined last month, and I have met her once. Young Master Ji, didn't you go to Tianlong Group to ask Lord Long to restore our eligibility? How did you not see President Qian?"
"Ah? This..." Ji Boduan stammered.
Qian Qinian said coldly, "I have never seen this 'Young Master Ji.' Besides, the decision to restore the Xiao Family's eligibility—is that something a person of his character could be involved in? What a joke!"
Everyone present was shocked.
"So this had nothing to do with Young Master Ji? Then why did he claim he helped?"
"He was just bragging in front of us! Tsk, tsk, I never expected him to be this kind of person!"
"Damn it, we almost fell for it!"
Xiao Qingcheng frowned. "Young Master Ji, what is the meaning of this?"
Ji Boduan’s face flushed red as he explained awkwardly, "Ahem... there must be a misunderstanding! Well, I just remembered an urgent matter, so I must take my leave!"
With that, he scrambled to flee the scene!
At this moment, Qian Qinian produced an invitation. "I came here specifically to deliver the invitation for tomorrow night's bidding conference to the Xiao Family."
Xiao Hongming quickly stood up from his seat, walked to Qian Qinian, and said politely, "To think that President Qian had to come in person for such a small matter—thank you for your trouble!"
He reached out to take the invitation, only to find that Qian Qinian didn't hand it to him.
"This is...?" Xiao Hongming was confused, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.
Qian Qinian smiled faintly. "Master Xiao, this invitation can be given to the Xiao Family, but our Lord Long said there is one condition: the person who insulted him must apologize to him. Doing it in front of me will suffice!"
"An apology is no problem at all, but..." Xiao Hongming said with difficulty, "Ye Tiance has just left our family."
Xiao Qingcheng also added, "President Qian, if it’s truly impossible, could I apologize to Lord Long on his behalf?"
"Ye Tiance?" Qian Qinian shook her head. "It's not him; I don't know who that is. Lord Long said that the people who insulted him were two people—one who called himself your brother, and one who called herself your mother!"
*Boom!* The entire room was stunned!
Countless eyes turned toward Zhang Huilan and Xiao Nan. Both of them were trembling, sitting on pins and needles! *We're finished! We've been exposed!*
Xiao Hongming’s face grew dark. "Give me an explanation!"
Xiao Nan tried to argue, "Grandpa, this must be a frame-up! We wouldn't dare insult Lord Long!"
Xiao Hongming slapped Xiao Nan across the face! "Bullshit! What kind of status does Lord Long have? Would he lie to frame you? You will tell me exactly what happened from beginning to end, and if you hide even a single detail, don't blame me for using family discipline!"
Terrified, Xiao Nan turned deathly pale. "Grandpa... please don't, I’ll tell you... I’ll tell you everything!"
Xiao Nan then confessed everything without omission: the humiliation of Ye Tiance at the Ye Family Mausoleum, the insults hurled at Zhao Hailong, and the scheme to frame Ye Tiance upon returning home.
After he finished, Zhang Huilan and Xiao Nan both knelt on the ground, weeping and begging for forgiveness, even offering apologies to Lord Long! They went so far as to slap themselves across the face, the sounds ringing through the room.
At this moment, Xiao Qingcheng was trembling with rage! So that was why Ye Tiance had hit her brother. It turned out her brother and mother had been making unreasonable demands for money, and had even kicked her grandfather's tombstone on the anniversary of his death! Anyone would have lashed out under such abuse!
Coupled with her mother twisting the truth and framing others, it had led her to believe their lies and repeatedly wrong Ye Tiance!