The Shen family and the Jiang family are two of the Four Great Families of Yunhai. For a century, the two houses have been locked in a cycle of grievances and rivalries, constantly battling one another. For instance, when Old Madam Shen purchased a plot of land by Egret Lake to build a private villa, the Jiang matriarch responded by buying the small hill nearby, spending a fortune to flatten it, and constructing an even more extravagant villa in its place.
The two families became neighbors, and the two women would trade barbs and insults at every opportunity. If there was a difference between them, it was that Liu Congrong, the matriarch of the Shen family, was a true iron-willed woman. After her husband passed away, she held the Shen family together single-handedly, raising her descendants and ensuring the family’s standing in Yunhai remained unshakable; she was the true pillar of the house. In contrast, Fan Hong, the matriarch of the Jiang family, was a pampered lady of wealth who had spent the better part of her life doing nothing but opposing Liu Congrong.
Perhaps their fates were too deeply intertwined, for half a month ago, both Liu Congrong and Fan Hong fell critically ill and were bedridden. Liu Congrong publicly announced that whoever could cure her illness would be welcomed into the Shen family, either as an adopted grandson or granddaughter. Once the news spread, families large and small across Yunhai began searching everywhere for a doctor, hoping to secure a place within the Shen family.
Seven o'clock in the evening.
Xu Guangyao drove Su Yan to Egret Lake. The entrance to the Shen villa was packed with countless luxury cars, all belonging to the powerful and influential people of Yunhai. There were so many vehicles that the path leading to the Jiang residence was completely blocked.
"My apologies, Mr. Su," Xu Guangyao said apologetically. "It seems I’ll have to let you walk the rest of the way; the Jiang villa is just inside."
"That’s fine," Su Yan replied, pushing open the car door and stepping out.
Since his release from prison, he hadn't had a chance to walk around outside. The scenery here was pleasant, and a stroll sounded like a good idea.
Xu Guangyao pointed ahead. "The Jiang villa is at the very end of this road. I’ll join you as soon as I’ve parked."
Su Yan gave a slight nod and headed inside on his own. Many people cast looks his way as he walked. The tailored suit the Xu family had specially ordered for him looked striking on his frame, and combined with the professional haircut he’d received that afternoon and his naturally handsome face, he immediately drew the attention of the passersby.
"Su Yan!"
A familiar voice rang out. He didn't even need to think to know who it was. He stopped at the entrance of the Shen villa and turned his head to see Yao Lingxuan looking at him, fuming. Beside her stood a young, unfamiliar man.
Yao Lingxuan glared at him, her eyes full of anger. "Who told you that you could come here? Is this any place for someone like you?"
Yao Lingxuan was furious. Tonight’s event was crucial to her future, and she would not allow any accidents to occur. Su Yan was a stain on her life; if the Shen family were to find out that her ex-husband was a former convict, they would surely be deeply disappointed.
She lowered her voice. "Get lost! Don't embarrass me here!"
Su Yan raised his eyes, his expression cold. "Didn't we get divorced? What business is it of yours where I go?"
"Su Yan!" Yao Lingxuan’s face darkened. "I don’t know how you found out where I was going, but I want to make it clear: there is no longer any possibility between us. Don’t even think about pestering me!"
Su Yan had long since seen Yao Lingxuan for who she really was. He replied with disdain, "You aren’t even worth my time, let alone my pestering!"
"Heh..." Yao Lingxuan let out a mocking laugh. She pulled out a bank card and briskly shoved it into the collar of his shirt. "Isn't money the only reason you’re clinging to me? Here is three million, just as I planned. Take the money and get lost!"
She felt that Su Yan was such a good actor; he was a pauper after getting out of prison, yet he insisted on putting on airs in front of her. Not having received any money, he had clearly come here specifically to hover around her. Doing all of this could only mean one thing—he wanted money. How disgusting!
Su Yan took the bank card out and let out a contemptuous laugh; the next moment, the card disintegrated into dust in his hand.
"Su Yan, you..." Yao Lingxuan gasped, shocked by his move. How could he have such power?
"So, you are Su Yan?" Chen Jinglun, who had been standing to the side, stepped forward and looked him up and down.
"And who are you?" Su Yan asked nonchalantly, dusting off his hands.
Yao Lingxuan introduced him proudly, "This is Little Divine Doctor Chen, the grandson of our Yunhai’s Divine Doctor Chen. Show him some respect!"
"Little Divine Doctor?" Su Yan asked, a mocking lilt in his voice.
Chen Jinglun’s expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. He offered an earnest piece of advice: "Su Yan, I’ve heard you spent three years in prison for a crime. Now that you’ve finally been released, you should be focusing on reform, not coming to places where you don't belong and causing a scene."
Yao Lingxuan tightened her face. "I was kind enough to give you three million so you could live comfortably for the rest of your life. Since you don't appreciate it, don't dream of getting another penny from me!"
"Kind?" Su Yan asked scornfully. "Do you even have a heart? Or was your conscience eaten by your family dog long ago?"
"You..." Yao Lingxuan glared at him in fury.
"No shouting allowed at the Shen entrance!"
"Who is bold enough to cause a disturbance at the Shen villa?!"
A voice rang out, and the crowd turned their eyes toward the young man emerging from the Shen villa. This was Shen Jianian, the fifth young master of the third generation of the Shen family.
His appearance caused the onlookers to wear sycophantic smiles, their gazes shifting between Su Yan, Yao Lingxuan, and Chen Jinglun. They had only heard that Yao Lingxuan and this stranger were having a disagreement, but no one had heard exactly what the conflict was about. The people present held high status and prided themselves on their decorum; even if they were curious, they couldn't afford to show it.
Yao Lingxuan’s expression changed drastically. She shot Su Yan a resentful glare and quickly spoke up, "My apologies, Fifth Young Master. I will have him leave at once."
Shen Jianian smiled when he saw Yao Lingxuan. "So it’s Miss Yao and a friend. It’s no trouble at all, please, take your time chatting. If you need anything, just let me know."
Yao Lingxuan was flattered. Even she didn't know why, but she had noticed that the scions of these great families treated her differently than they treated others. She had given it a lot of thought and concluded that perhaps it was because she was so beautiful and talented that these people took special care of her. If even the scions of these grand families held her in such high regard, what could Su Yan possibly amount to in comparison? The current Su Yan was no longer fit to stand beside her!
Yao Lingxuan pointed at Su Yan. "Fifth Young Master, this man broke into the Shen residence for no reason. Please, have someone throw him out."
Shen Jianian’s words to Yao Lingxuan had not been mere pleasantries. As one of the Four Great Families of Yunhai, they were well-informed about the city’s power dynamics. They had discovered that some invisible, massive force was assisting the Yao family, clearing the way for them to reach their current status in just three years. As for who was behind the Yao family, his grandmother had never explicitly stated it, only telling them to treat Miss Yao with extra respect.
Upon hearing Yao Lingxuan’s request, Shen Jianian tilted his head to look at Su Yan.
As he locked eyes with Su Yan, he felt that this young man was not simple. But soon after, he dismissed the thought. No matter how extraordinary Su Yan might be, could he possibly be more formidable than the person behind Yao Lingxuan?
"Someone! Throw him out!"