Zhang Chunlei seized the opportunity to press his advantage, continuing to threaten Xiao Qingcheng: "I see your little assistant is very loyal. If you don't agree to the two conditions I proposed, believe it or not, I'll hand her over to my brothers in the gang to have their way with her?
Oh, and by the way, the lives of your entire family are all resting on your single choice!"
Usually aloof and calm in the face of crisis, Xiao Qingcheng finally broke down at this moment.
Tears streamed down her face.
Faced with Zhang Chunlei's threat using the lives of her family and the safety of Assistant Sun, she had no chance to fight back!
She was thoroughly and completely defeated!
Biting her lip in resentment, she said, "I... agree! You... let the others go!"
"Hahaha! Good!"
Zhang Chunlei shouted with extreme excitement: "Everyone present here, bear witness! It is the Xiao Family that is voluntarily yielding the winning bid to my Tiger Might Group, not me forcing you, right?"
He swept a cold, menacing gaze across the crowd and threatened: "If anyone objects, you can step forward and tell me!"
The surrounding guests lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet his gaze!
Lai Jingye and Xie Bin even more so!
This gave Zhang Chunlei immense satisfaction!
But right at that moment, a leisurely voice rang out: "I, Ye Tiance, object!"
Swish!
In that instant, every single gaze fell upon him!
Zhang Chunlei looked at him with a dark, cold expression and asked, "You object? On what grounds?"
Ye Tiance with his hands in his pockets, said with apathetic indifference: "On the grounds that this winning bid was given by me to the Xiao Family. Without my permission, anyone—listen carefully to my words, *anyone*—has no right to change it! Violators will die!"
***
Chapter 20: Zhang Chunlei Kneels and Apologizes!
Ye Tiance's words carried a piercing, formidable strength, sounding like a sudden clap of thunder on a flat ground!
Xiao Qingcheng's eyes were filled with utter disbelief.
She had not expected that at a moment like this, the one who dared to stand up would actually be Ye Tiance!
A little further away, Han Ruoyun also looked over, subconsciously breaking into a sweat for Ye Tiance.
What on earth was this bastard playing at? Has he got a death wish?
Further away still, Rong Meiyan, dressed in a white cheongsam, sat like a queen, taking everything in with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
In short, at this moment, Ye Tiance was the absolute center of attention in the entire venue!
Zhang Chunlei looked Ye Tiance up and down.
He narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "The Xiao Family's winning bid—did you really give it to them?"
Ye Tiance nodded and said, "Indeed I did! And I only have one condition for you: get lost with your men."
Zhang Chunlei frowned.
For some reason, he felt an invisible pressure radiating from the man before him, making him somewhat nervous.
Could he be...
However, right at that moment, Ji Boduan, who was sprawled on the ground, suddenly shouted, "Young Master Zhang, he's actually just the ex-husband that the Xiao Family drove out! They're just about to get their divorce certificate—he's a total loser, please don't be fooled by him!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the onlookers immediately began to gossip and discuss:
"Goodness! So he's that good-for-nothing parasite who freeloaded off the Xiao Family for three years!"
"Almost fooled by him! I thought he was actually some incredible big shot!"
"..."
Hearing the crowd's discussion, Zhang Chunlei breathed a secret sigh of relief.
He turned to Ji Boduan and smiled: "You dog, you certainly know how to read the room, don't you?"
Ji Boduan immediately sycophanted, "Hehe, this is only what I should do. I beg you to spare my life this once, sir, and not hold it against a petty person like me."
Zhang Chunlei waved his hand and said, "I'll spare your dog's life for now!"
Feng Lei withdrew his dagger and released Ji Boduan.
Ji Boduan repeatedly thanked Zhang Chunlei.
His boot-licking demeanor was utterly nauseating!
Zhang Chunlei glared furiously at Ye Tiance: "Damn it! So he's just a worthless loser putting on airs, yet he dares to shoot off his mouth! Do you know the consequences of trying to trick me?"
Ye Tiance shook his head. "It seems you have no intention of leaving with your men, then?"
Zhang Chunlei almost laughed out loud.
"Trash, what time of day do you think it is to still be acting tough in front of me? Or do you not even know how to spell the word 'death'?"
As his voice fell, four burly men in black closed in.
Each of them emanated a fierce murderous aura, waiting only for Zhang Chunlei's command to pounce!
Xiao Qingcheng suddenly spoke up: "Stop!"
Zhang Chunlei smiled and asked, "Oh? Beautiful Ms. Xiao, any advice?"
Biting her lip, Xiao Qingcheng said, "This matter has nothing to do with Ye Tiance... I've already agreed to your two conditions, let him go!"
She had said it herself: since they were getting a divorce, they would no longer interfere in each other's lives from now on.
Therefore, she refused to drag Ye Tiance into this!
Zhang Chunlei hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I'll listen to the beauty!"
He then barked at Ye Tiance, "Trash, you hear that? Your wife—no, I suppose she should be considered your soon-to-be ex-wife—is telling you to leave. Why aren't you getting lost yet?"
Yet Ye Tiance stood utterly unmoved!
Zhang Chunlei gave a sinister laugh. "Not leaving? I get it now. I heard that even after three years of marriage with Xiao Qingcheng, you never even touched her, so you want to stay and watch me sleep with her with your own eyes? And once I'm finished, you can line up for your turn behind me?
Haha, well, that's not out of the question—just kneel down and call me Grandpa! Hahahahaha!"
The brothers of the Black Tiger Society burst into a round of jeering laughter!
Ye Tiance shook his head. "You brought this upon yourself!"
Suddenly, he flashed forward and rushed right in front of Zhang Chunlei.
He raised his right hand and swung it down!
*Slap!*
A heavy, resounding slap knocked Zhang Chunlei straight to the ground, his mouth full of blood!
Silence!
A pin-drop silence fell over the entire venue!
No one had expected that Ye Tiance would actually have the guts to lay a hand on Zhang Chunlei!
Ji Boduan's eyes widened in horror as he hopped on one foot and cursed at Ye Tiance, "Ye, are you fucking insane? You even dare to hit Young Master Zhang? Do you want to drag all of us down and get us killed?"
He hurriedly rushed over to help Zhang Chunlei up, asking with concern, "Young Master Zhang, are you alright?"
Zhang Chunlei clutched his cheek and spat out a mouthful of blood—along with two teeth!
In that split second, an unstoppable wave of rage surged straight to his brain!
"Get lost!"
Enraged, Zhang Chunlei shoved Ji Boduan aside.
With bloodshot eyes, he roared the command, "Brothers, all of you get on him! Beat him to death!"
All the burly men in black howled as they swarmed forward to surround and attack Ye Tiance!
Everyone assumed the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
Then, the tables turned!
Ye Tiance simply raised his hand gently, clenched his fist, and threw a punch!
It looked slow, but in reality, it was as fast as lightning!
*Bang, bang, bang!*
In less than three seconds, more than a dozen burly men in black were all knocked flat to the ground. Tables and chairs crashed down in a pile, leaving the floor in utter chaos!
Yet Ye Tiance remained completely unscathed, without even moving his feet from their spot!
Everyone present stared in absolute shock!
Zhang Chunlei was equally incredulous.
Gritting his teeth, he yelled at Feng Lei, "Brother Feng, hurry up and finish him off! Kill him!"
Feng Lei drew his dagger and lunged swiftly toward Ye Tiance!
"Go to hell!"
Just as the tip of the dagger was a mere inch away from Ye Tiance,
Ye Tiance grabbed his wrist and twisted hard!
*Crack!*
Feng Lei let out a piercing shriek of agony.
Ignoring him entirely, Ye Tiance delivered a vicious uppercut straight to Feng Lei's chin.
*Bang!*
The latter's eyes rolled back into his head, and he passed out cold on the spot.
At this moment, the entire banquet hall fell dead silent.
Everyone looked at Ye Tiance as if he were some ferocious beast, feeling a chill run down their spines!
Xiao Qingcheng's mouth hung slightly open, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Since when did he have combat skills like this?
A little further away, Han Ruoyun wore a look of utter astonishment.
This bastard—he was actually this good at fighting?
Further away still, Rong Meiyan's seductive pupils contracted slightly.
This man... is rather interesting...
As for Zhang Chunlei at this moment, he was trembling all over, his face drained of color!
One had to know that Feng Lei was one of his uncle's most capable confidants and possessed extraordinary combat skills.
And yet, he was defeated in a single move!
Ye Tiance walked slowly up to Zhang Chunlei, his eyes cold and apathetic. "Now it's your turn. Tell me, how do you want to die?"
Zhang Chunlei shuddered in terror.
Gritting his teeth, he tried to threaten him: "Damn it! My uncle is Zhang Xiaohu! You dare kill me? If he finds out, he'll tear you to pieces!"
Ye Tiance sneered, "Even if I killed you, when Zhang Xiaohu stands before me, all he'd be fit to do is kneel and kowtow!"
After all, in the City of Fallen, Zhang Xiaohu was at the very bottom of the food chain, fit for nothing but shoveling manure!
Kneeling and kowtowing before him would already be elevating Zhang Xiaohu!
The next second, Ye Tiance was about to make a move on Zhang Chunlei!
When Xiao Qingcheng stepped in to stop him.
"Ye Tiance, that's enough! Stop making a scene!"
Ye Tiance frowned slightly. "You're sure *I* am the one making a scene? I'm helping you!"
Xiao Qingcheng bit her lip and said sternly, "I know, but Zhang Chunlei has powerful backing. If you keep going like this, you'll only destroy yourself. Let it go."
Ye Tiance asked coldly, "Then what about what he did to you earlier? Should that be let go too?"
Xiao Qingcheng lowered her head and remained silent.
In the face of absolute power, what else could she do besides let it go?
Ye Tiance sighed. "Since it's your choice, whatever!"
He lowered his hand.
Zhang Chunlei wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glared resentfully at Ye Tiance, and said, "You just wait! I'll definitely come back to settle the score tonight!"
With that, he and his gang quickly fled in a panic.
The guests present looked at the littered mess of the banquet hall with deep worry.
There was only ten minutes left before the start of the chamber of commerce event—it was already too late to clean this up!
When Lord Long and that big shot arrived later and saw this scene, how were they supposed to explain themselves?
However, right at that moment, Ji Boduan suddenly pointed at Ye Tiance and rebuked him: "Tonight's bidding banquet was personally organized by Lord Long, yet you've turned it into a complete mess! You reckless, suicidal wretch—how dare you offend Lord Long? Kneel!"
***
Chapter 21: So What If You Stand Against Everyone?
Ye Tiance sneered, "When Zhang Chunlei was making trouble here earlier, you didn't even dare let out a peep. Now that he's gone, you're suddenly full of bravado. Don't you feel any shame?"
A flash of awkwardness crossed Ji Boduan's eyes.
Putting on a facade of calm on the surface, he explained, "What do you know? What I did just now was a measure of expediency to buy time!
We were just waiting for Lord Long and that big shot to arrive so we could report everything truthfully, and they would naturally deal with Zhang Chunlei.
Look at you—acting on your own accord to mess things up, letting Zhang Chunlei escape and leaving behind a total mess. How do you expect the rest of us to answer to Lord Long? How do you expect us to answer to that big shot!?"
This righteous-sounding speech caused the surrounding guests to chime in and echo his sentiments:
"He's right! This fellow surnamed Ye let Zhang Chunlei go. When Lord Long arrives later and doesn't see him, he'll only blame us for incompetence!"
"That's right! What if it angers that big shot as well? We'll all end up taking the rap along with this fellow surnamed Ye. He's sabotaging us!"
"..."
In an instant, complaints arose from all corners of the banquet hall!
Ye Tiance, who had been a hero in their eyes just a minute ago, had now become the primary culprit who disrupted the chamber of commerce!
Watching the antics of this group of clowns, Ye Tiance sneered, "A bunch of cowards who didn't dare offend the Black Tiger Society, so you make me your scapegoat. Pathetic!"
He knew very well that none of the guests present wanted to take the blame.
So they were shifting the blame onto him, the one who seemed to have the least backing!
Ji Boduan said with a serious expression, "Fellow surnamed Ye, stop talking nonsense! We are merely sharing Lord Long's burdens, with no selfish motives whatsoever!
As for you, if you kneel and confess your wrongs now, there might still be some room for redemption. Otherwise, when Lord Long's wrath descends, you'll be smashed to pieces! Why aren't you kneeling yet?"
Ye Tiance stepped forward and said coldly, "You want me to kneel? You aren't qualified!"
At that moment, a man in a grey suit stepped forward.
Putting on a lofty, condescending posture, he said, "If Young Master Ji isn't qualified, what about adding me—Lai Jingye, Chairman of Ningyuan Group?"
Ye Tiance shook his head. "Not enough!"
Following that, a man in a Zhongshan suit stepped forward with a threatening air. "Oh? Then what about adding me—Xie Bin, Chairman of Hongda Group?"
Ye Tiance scoffed, "A bunch of stinking fish and rotten shrimp. Far from enough!"
Such an attitude left the guests present utterly dumbfounded!
One had to know that Ningyuan Group and Hongda Group both held considerable weight in Jiangnan City, their influence second only to the three major families. They could rightfully be called the absolute upper crust of Jiangnan City!
Yet these two chairmen, plus Ji Boduan, were merely stinking fish and rotten shrimp in Ye Tiance's eyes?
This brat was simply too arrogant!
At this moment, Xiao Qingcheng hurried forward and barked, "Ye Tiance, that's enough! Shut your mouth at once!"
Ye Tiance narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you also think this is my fault?"
"I..."
Of course, Xiao Qingcheng didn't think that.
But to say so in front of so many people would be equivalent to slapping Ji Boduan and the two chairmen across the face!
Right now, the Xiao Family was at a crucial stage of its rise, and they absolutely could not afford to offend people!
She warned Ye Tiance, "Hurry up and leave! This banquet is no longer a place where you can stay!"
Ye Tiance calmly replied, "Why should I leave? I didn't do anything wrong!"
Xiao Qingcheng said anxiously, "Why are you so ungrateful? When Lord Long and that big shot arrive later, how are you going to explain yourself? I'm trying to help you, don't you understand?"
Ye Tiance stated indifferently, "I don't need anyone's help!"
Xiao Qingcheng's chest heaved with anger. Driven by exasperation, she spat, "If you don't need it, then don't! I couldn't care less about you!"
Assistant Sun scolded, "Ye Tiance, if you want to court death, go right ahead! Don't drag our President Xiao down with you!"
Watching all this unfold from the side, a cold sneer crept onto the corner of Ji Boduan's mouth.
He had lost face in front of Zhang Chunlei earlier, and he needed to win it back through Ye Tiance!
He rebuked, "Fellow surnamed Ye, you caused chaos in the banquet hall and uttered wild words. You can't run even if you wanted to—just wait to hand over your little life!"
Right under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ye Tiance walked straight to the main table at the very center of the hall.
He casually pulled out a chair and sat down with a swagger!
Sweeping his cold gaze across the crowd, he said, "I'm not running. In fact, I'm sitting right here, and I'd like to see who among you present can make me hand over my life?"
This action was tantamount to pushing everyone into the opposition, emanating the formidable aura of a single man holding the pass against ten thousand!
A little further away, Han Ruoyun couldn't help biting her lip.
This bastard—he's offending everyone. Has he gone mad?
Further away still, Rong Meiyan rested her chin on one hand, her eyes filled with curiosity!
She wanted to see what this interesting fellow was actually trying to do.
In contrast, the rest of the guests in the hall completely snapped, unable to hold back their furious curses:
"Brat, get down from there! That seat is specifically reserved for Lord Long and the big shot behind him!"
"Utterly arrogant! You'll come to a bad end!"
"I've been in the Jiangnan City business world for thirty years, and this is the first time I've ever encountered someone so brazen. This fellow cannot be allowed to live!"
Faced with the public outcry, Ye Tiance remained completely unfazed, even crossing his legs.
He dismissed them with contempt: "A bunch of cowards who shrink back the moment they hear the name of the Black Tiger Society. I really don't understand what use Zhao Hailong has in hosting a business banquet and inviting a bunch of good-for-nothings like you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the anger throughout the entire banquet hall flared up even higher!
If not for their wariness of Ye Tiance's combat prowess, someone probably would have already rushed up to use physical force!
Seeing this, a flash of worry crossed Xiao Qingcheng's eyes.
She wanted to go over and persuade Ye Tiance to stand up and stop provoking everyone's anger!
Only to be grabbed and blocked by Ji Boduan.
"Qingcheng, this ungrateful wretch is setting himself against all the dignitaries present—he's courting his own death. Don't get yourself dragged into this!"
Xiao Qingcheng said with displeasure, "My affairs are none of your business!"
Knowing she was still angry about what happened earlier, Ji Boduan immediately explained, "The reason I said those things earlier was actually because I wanted to avoid escalating the conflict, ruining tonight's bidding banquet, and messing up your 10-billion-yuan contract!
Besides, I had already foreseen that Zhang Chunlei was just talking big—he wouldn't dare bully you. After all, you are the winning bidder chosen by that big shot; how could Zhang Chunlei possibly change that? That's why I endured it and didn't stand up for you!"
Assistant Sun also chimed in, "President Xiao, I believe Young Master Ji. When you trace it all back, this is entirely Ye Tiance's fault. If it weren't for him, Young Master Ji's plan would have already succeeded!"
Xiao Qingcheng still looked somewhat unconvinced. "But I don't understand—why would Ye Tiance risk his life to save me?"
Ji Boduan curled his lip and sneered, "Save you? He wasn't saving you at all! He's clearly harboring bitter resentment because you brought up the divorce, so he deliberately came to the banquet to spout nonsense and run amok. His true purpose is to ruin the banquet, prevent the Xiao Family from winning the bid, and stop you from securing that 10-billion-yuan contract!"
Hearing this explanation, Ye Tiance had no choice but to laugh self-deprecatingly:
"Ji Boduan, sometimes I really can't tell if your brain has a hole in it or if your imagination is just running wild. You can even come up with a reason like that—impressive!"
With a gloomy face, Ji Boduan said, "Every word I've said is true. Not just me, but I believe the other guests present can all see through your petty intentions!"
Lai Jingye, Chairman of Ningyuan Group, nodded. "Your petty intentions are obvious to everyone!"
Xie Bin, Chairman of Hongda Group, scolded, "Using despicable means to ruin President Xiao's 10-billion-yuan contract—his intentions are truly punishable!"
The rest of the people followed suit, disparaging Ye Tiance!
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Qingcheng looked at him seriously and asked, "Ye Tiance, is this really the reason why you acted out so recklessly tonight? Answer me!"
Ye Tiance laughed self-deprecatingly. "Xiao Qingcheng, even now, you still think I'm acting recklessly! Then even if I give you any more answers, would you believe them?"
A slight pang of pain shot through Xiao Qingcheng's heart.
Assistant Sun said with dissatisfaction, "Fellow surnamed Ye, are you blaming our President Xiao now? If it weren't for her supporting you with food and shelter for three years, you would have long since..."
Xiao Qingcheng raised a hand to cut Assistant Sun off.
Biting her lip, she said with utmost seriousness, "Can you please stop making a scene? For the sake of the fact that you and I were once husband and wife, as long as you agree to stand up and apologize to everyone present, I will find a way to intercede on your behalf with Lord Long and that big shot to spare your life!
Tomorrow morning, as soon as we get our divorce certificate, you and I will be completely through!"
***
Chapter 22: Divorcing Such a Foolish Woman is a Good Thing!
Ye Tiance shook his head and laughed self-deprecatingly. "Hehe, talking about marital affection—when in reality, you're just worried about whether you'll still win the bid, aren't you?"
Xiao Qingcheng knitted her brows.
Explaining herself, she said, "Ye Tiance, I actually..."
Ji Boduan raised a hand to interrupt her. "Qingcheng, you've seen the true nature of this ingrate yourself—there's no need to help him! Besides, what he did tonight is unforgivable. No one can save him!"
Lai Jingye, Chairman of Ningyuan Group, reminded her, "President Xiao, the Xiao Family is at a crucial stage of its rise. Don't let a little personal sentiment affect the bigger picture!"
Xiao Qingcheng still hesitated. "I..."