Liu Jian, the brother-in-law, recognized Yang Fan, but he didn't recognize Yang Rong.
Back when Yang Fan had married Liu Dan because of an unplanned pregnancy, Liu Jian had only shown up as a formality to collect red envelopes. How could he possibly remember what his in-laws looked like?
Looking at Yang Rong’s long legs, the sheer black stockings, and the way the buttons of her blouse were strained against her chest, Liu Jian was practically salivating. He couldn't wait to get his hands on her!
As it happened, Yang Fan was just unlucky. Liu Jian had arranged a date with a girl today, intending to take her to a hotel after a meal at Lanxin. But two bites in, the girl had found an excuse to slip away, leaving him with a belly full of frustration and nowhere to vent it. Now, the two of them had crossed paths.
"You piece of trash," Liu Jian sneered, eyeing Yang Rong with growing interest. "You don't have much going for you, but you sure have a way with women. To think you managed to land such a stunner! Hey, beauty, you look like a decent woman—how could your taste be so poor?"
"If you ask me, instead of being with a leech like him, you'd be better off with me. I guarantee you’ll live in luxury, and you can have whatever designer bags you want!"
"Liu Jian, what nonsense are you spouting? This is my third sister!" Yang Fan said, his face cold.
The shout actually caught Liu Jian off guard. He had always known this kid as a pushover who took abuse without a word; seeing him suddenly show some backbone, he figured he might have actually made a mistake. But then again, so what?
"Who the hell do you think you're shouting at? Don't know your place?" Liu Jian stood with one hand on his hip, pointing a finger at Yang Fan's nose. "My sister is at home suffering and having a hard time, and you? Where are you? You’re out here spending my sister’s money, wining and dining your 'third sister'!"
"Hmph, don't think I don't know the truth. This woman claims to be your sister, but there's not a drop of blood between you. Who knows what kind of relationship you two have behind closed doors!"
The restaurant erupted in whispers. It was as if everyone were now convinced they were having an affair.
It was Yang Rong’s first time dealing with something like this, and she was so frustrated her face flushed bright red, unable to find the words to defend herself.
Yang Fan wasn't one to stir up trouble, and he had felt that dirty laundry should stay at home, which was why he had just touched on the issue earlier and deliberately skipped over the topic of Liu Dan’s child. But now? To hell with it.
"Liu Jian, how exactly have I been 'wining and dining'? Do you even know what happened to me these past few days or where I’ve been? I was in a car accident! I was unconscious in the hospital for three days!"
"In those three days, did your family ask about me once? What kind of in-laws don't say a word when their daughter's husband is nearly dead? You have the nerve to slander me? Open your eyes and look at these discharge papers!"
Yang Fan was furious now. He pulled the documents from his pocket and slammed them onto the table. "And besides, even if none of this had happened, you have no right to question where I go! Do you have any idea what kind of thing your sister gave birth to? Do I look like a Black man to you? Can I just mutate and produce a Black baby? Your sister is the one who isn't clean! I, on the other hand, am perfectly clean. I wouldn't do anything as disgusting as that!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Every diner in the restaurant turned their gaze toward Yang Fan. Some were gloating, some felt pity, but most were indifferent, preferring not to get involved.
Liu Jian, known for his volatile temper, felt his blood boil at hearing Yang Fan insult his sister in public.
"Damn you!"
"I'm going to kill you!"
Liu Jian rolled up his sleeves, balled his fist, and swung at Yang Fan.
Truth be told, if this had been the old Yang Fan—a mere corporate drone—he never would have stood a chance against a thug like Liu Jian. But things were different now. In Yang Fan’s eyes, Liu Jian’s punch seemed to move ten times slower. He dodged it with almost zero effort.
"Damn it! You dare to dodge?"
Missing the punch only made Liu Jian angrier. At the same time, Yang Rong snapped out of her shock and pulled out her phone, threatening, "Liu Jian, this is a public place with surveillance everywhere. If you dare lay a finger on my brother again, I’m calling the police!"
"Call the police? Go to hell!" Liu Jian cursed, instinctively reaching out to shove Yang Rong.
Could Yang Fan let that slide? He lifted his leg and kicked Liu Jian in the stomach, sending him flying nearly five meters back!
"Whoa!"
He was that strong? Yang Fan was stunned. He had actually held back his strength, and it still had that much power? If he had hit him with everything he had, he might have killed the man!
"You... you dare hit me?" Liu Jian clutched his stomach, his face a mask of disbelief.
Yang Fan, now getting a taste of the changes brought by his X-ray Vision, felt his confidence soar. "If you dare touch my sister, I’ll hit you! And I promise, every time will be harder than the last!"
"Fine, fine! You little piece of trash! I see you're really looking to turn things upside down! Don't you worry that I'll go back and tell my sister to lock you out of the Liu family for good?" Liu Jian threatened.
But he had no idea that for Yang Fan, that was the best news he had ever heard.
"Fine by me! Go ahead and tell her!"
"I’ve had enough of you pieces of trash anyway. I'm done living like a beast of burden!"
"Also, be sure to tell Liu Dan: I want a divorce! Tomorrow at three, at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
Yang Fan stood tall, feeling a sense of backbone he had never possessed before.
Liu Jian had never seen Yang Fan like this, and with the sharp, twisting pain in his abdomen from the kick, he had no heart left for a fight. He spat out a final threat and ran off.
"Whew..."
As soon as he left, Yang Fan collapsed onto the sofa, feeling completely drained.
"Yang Fan, you..."
Yang Rong’s voice wavered as tears started to fall. The impact of the last few moments had been too much for her; her heart felt twisted in knots.
"You silly boy, why didn't you tell me any of this? If I had known you were suffering so much in the Liu family, I never would have let you marry Liu Dan..."
"How have you managed to hold all this in for half a year?"
The old Yang Fan had been stifled, but from today on—and for all the tomorrows to come—he would never live that pathetic, dehumanized life again.
Yang Fan steadied his breathing and let out a long, heavy sigh. After a long moment, he looked at Yang Rong and smiled. "Third sister, I'm fine. I just feel so much lighter now that I've finally said it all out loud!"
"Grandma used to say that if you're going to live, you have to be true to yourself and your conscience. The Liu family are the trash, not me. I, Yang Fan, have nothing to hide. I can face anyone with a clear head!"
"Good, good. As long as you feel that way, things will get better for us..." Yang Rong wiped her eyes and gave a relieved smile.
"They will! And they’ll get better every single day!"
Yang Fan nodded, his gaze burning with intensity.
Because now, he possessed the power of X-ray Vision.