Chapter 2 I Will Not Let You Suffer Humiliation Again

Jiang Yang was the name of Qiu Mu-Hong’s husband. To be honest, he’s just a talented student at school, without any remarkable achievements to his name. After all, he’s still in his early twenties. What could he possibly achieve at that age? Jiang Yang’s father, however, was remarkable and held high office within Yunzhou city. Previously, when the Qiu Corporation ran into difficulties, it was his father who lent them a helping hand a number of times. Therefore, the entire Qiu family was willing to toady up to Jiang Yang. “Ye Fan, what are you blanking out for? Come help me move these things. Are you blind?” Qiu Mu-Ying turned around to scream at Ye Fan. She had utterly no respect for her brother-in-law. Ye Fan kept his peace and took on the role of mover in silence. Han Li and her husband looked on grimly. Ye Fan was also a son-in-law of the Qiu family and Mu-Ying’s elder. But now, he was being ordered around by his junior. It was a great loss of face for them. They mentally scolded him for being a useless piece of trash and an easy pushover. Qiu Mu-Cheng, on the other hand, was biting her lip in anger. She knew. She understood that Ye Fan was doing this to protect her last remaining shred of dignity. Now, he’s the only one being shamed. But if he resisted, their whole family would be shamed. “Be careful, don’t break it.” “That’s a bottle of Maotai. It costs more than a thousand. You can’t afford to break it.” Both Mu-Hong and her husband also held him in scorn. And Jiang Yang started issuing instructions to his brother-in-law because he’s afraid that Ye Fan might break the gifts. In this society, a penniless and powerless son-in-law gets no respect from anyone. After the arrival of Qiu Mu-Hong’s family, their relatives crowded around fawningly. Later, they were escorted into the hall by Wang Qiao-Yu and Qiu Mu-Ying. “Hong-Hong, rest on the sofa with Yang-Yang and your parents. Once everyone has arrived, we will set off for the hotel.” “If you need anything, let me know. Don’t stand on ceremony with your aunt. We are one family.” Both Wang Qiao-Yu and Qiu Mu-Hong behaved warmly towards their guests. And Wang Qiao-Yu kept holding Jiang Yang’s hand, as if he’s her son-in-law. “Eh?” “There are no seats left?” When they arrived at the hall, they found that there were no seats available. “Auntie and Ying-Ying, there’s no need to trouble yourselves. I will just stand around with Hong. We are leaving for the hotel soon anyway.” Jiang Yang said politely. “No way.” “You are an honored guest. How could we let you stand?” Wang Qiao-Yu rejected the proposal right away. After looking round the hall, her gaze landed on Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family. At this moment, Ye Fan had already finished moving the gifts and was about to take a seat himself. “Hey you, Mu-Cheng. Your family has already sat long enough. Why don’t you give up your seats? Hong and Yang-Yang have just arrived and they need to rest.” Wang Qiao-Yu informed Mu-Cheng promptly. And her daughter, Mu-Ying, simply pulled Ye Fan out of his seat without a word. Although they were unwilling, they couldn’t do anything since the host had already made her intention clear. Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family could only give up their seats to Qiu Mu-Hong and her family. And so, in the large hall of the Qiu’s family house, only Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family remained on their feet. Everyone else was seated and chatting among themselves. Since Han Li and company felt embarrassed, they decided to wait outside the hall instead. “They are looking down on us. Everyone else had a seat. Why were we the only ones forced to give up our seats?” “They are out to embarrass us!” Out in the courtyard, Han Li could no longer stomach the humiliation and howled in anger. Mu-Cheng’s father sighed quietly. Ye Fan bowed his head, his face expressionless. “It’s all your fault, you trash. You’ve shamed all of us.” “Go look at Jiang Yang and then look at yourself!” “Why is my life so difficult? My husband is useless and my son-in-law is a piece of trash!” Han Li was once again venting her frustration on Ye Fan. “Enough!” “You think we haven’t been embarrassed enough?” Qiu Mu-Cheng had finally snapped. “Yes, Ye Fan is indeed worthless. He’s a piece of trash. But, mom. Why don’t you ask yourself. Ask my father and ask me. Are we not worthless too? If there’s even one capable person among us, would they have humiliated us today?” Qiu Mu-Cheng was screaming in a guttural tone and trying her best not to choke on her words. She even clenched her teeth to prevent herself from crying. Ye Fan could see that. After suffering through three years of humiliation, this proud and independent woman finally broke down and cried. With tears streaming down her face, Mu-Cheng ran out of the hall and away from the Qiu’s family house. “Look at your daughter. Not only did she marry a piece of trash and shame our family, and now she has the nerve to yell at us?” “We can’t keep on living like this...” Han Li was still complaining. But while the couple was unaware, Ye Fan had already left the scene. A beautiful woman was crying by the moat, with tears streaming down her face. She looked as if she’s trying to let out all the grievance she had been enduring for the past three years. A man suddenly appeared beside her and stretched out his hand to wipe away her tears. “Mu-Cheng, I am sorry. You’ve suffered because of me.” Ye Fan paused for a moment and continued. “Let’s get a divorce. I am not worthy of you. You deserve a better man.” Piak! A clear sound rang out as Qiu Mu-Cheng’s slap landed on Ye Fan’s face. She looked at him with her teeth clenched and screamed in a tear-choked voice. “Ye Fan, why? Why can’t you be more like a man?” “A setback comes along and you immediately think of running away. For the past three years, I told you not to touch me and you didn’t. My parents abused you and you didn’t even retaliate. My relatives humiliated you and you just kept quiet. Why are you so useless? Why can’t you be more like a man and teach those bastards who humiliated us a lesson? Why can’t you protect me from all these troubles?” “I don’t want to be looked down upon. I don’t want others to mock me. I want the people who have humiliated us to regret what they did...” “wu wu wu~” Qiu Mu-Cheng continued to cry. Cold, strong, independent and stubborn – these were the words Ye Fan would use to describe his wife. But look at her now. The formerly strong and independent woman was crying like a child. “Ye Fan. I really, really don’t want to keep living a sad life like this~~” Qiu Mu-Cheng’s tears poured forth like rain. At that moment, she looked as weak and helpless as a child. Ye Fan was stunned. It’s been so many years since they had known each other and this was the first time Qiu Mu-Cheng talked to him like this. Ye Fan had always thought that he was just a piece of useless garbage to Qiu Mu-Cheng. But now, he knew that Qiu Mu-Cheng had always considered him to be her husband, a man who could shelter her and take care of her for life. “Mu-Cheng, I’m sorry for being useless all these years.” “But I promise. From now onwards, nobody will be able to bully you.” The cold wind blew, causing ripples to form across the moat and the leaves to rustle in the trees. Ye Fan clenched his hand tightly as he made an unbreakable vow to Qiu Mu-Cheng! That night, Ye Fan made a call. “Han, arrange a meeting. I will go see him.” On the other end of the line, the old man reeled in surprise for moment. And then, unable to suppress the joy in his heart, he asked excitedly: “Young Master Fan, is that true? Have you agreed?” “Okay. I will go make the arrangements right away. You stay there and we will send someone to pick you up.” The old man was in quite a state of excitement. A car was dispatched immediately, for fear of Ye Fan changing his mind and running away. When the news reached the middle-aged man, he was so agitated that his eyes grew teary. “It’s been ten years. Fan, you are finally willing to see me.” After composing herself, Qiu Mu-Cheng returned to the Qiu’s family house for her cousin’s engagement ceremony. If she absented herself, it would just give her relatives something to use against her in the future. And she would become an object of criticism. It’s just that, Ye Fan was no longer with her when she returned. As for Ye Fan, he had already left after making that promise to you. Qiu Mu-Cheng was a little worried that he might do something outrageous because of her. Although Qiu Mu-Cheng was dissatisfied with Ye Fan, she recognized his silent efforts to support her over the past three years. And she had seen his submission to various humiliations in the Qiu family as well. Therefore, it was only natural that she felt a little something for him. If Ye Fan had gone and done something illegal because of her complaints earlier, she would never forgive herself. On the way back to the family house, she tried to call Ye Fan but nobody picked up. Finally, Qiu Mu-Cheng decided to send him a text message. “Qiu Mu-Cheng, where on earth did you go? Everyone had to wait for your family? Hurry up. We are going to the hotel.” Qiu Mu-Ying’s impatient voice could be heard coming in from the front. Qiu Mu-Cheng grunted in response and tapped the “Send” button on her phone. Then she went into the hall and followed everyone else to the hotel where Qiu Mu-Ying’s and Chu Wen-Fei’s engagement banquet was being held. Outside the Qiu’s family house, Chu Wen-Fei had already arranged for a fleet of Audi cars to stand by and ferry the guests to the hotel. After everyone had gotten on board, the Audis departed in a roar of engine noise. Nobody noticed that Ye Fan was not on board any of the vehicles. Who would pay attention to a useless live-in son-in-law like him? Meanwhile, a crowd of envious bystanders were looking at the departing Audis. “Mister Qiu’s daughter had found herself a good man.” At the same time, a fleet of luxury cars were speeding towards the moat. A dozen or so heavily-built men were standing neatly in two rows to greet the young man standing in front of them. “Young Master, please board the car!” “Young Master, please board the car!” Their shouts resonated through the air and frightened away the birds in the vicinity. A few seconds later. Boom~ The roars of engine noise and streams of orange-red lights from the cars tore through the horizon. And like a herd of primordial beasts, the vehicles sped into the distance. “Whoa!” “Come look. Rolls-Royce!” “Damn! Six of them!” “Look at the one in front. Isn’t that an explosion-proof car? That’s fit for a head of state.” “It costs at least ten million!” “Next to the Rolls-Royces, the Audis look like a pile of shit!” “Heavens!” “What’s going on? Who’s coming?” “Is there a VVIP in Yunzhou?” Along the way where the fleet passed, the atmosphere was rather lively. The vampish and ummaried women could only blush in agitation when they saw the opulent procession. If you have to get married, that’s the kind of guy you should marry! The passerbys who saw the procession of black Rolls-Royces could only go crazy with envy and yearning. What’s a rich family? That’s a rich family right there! In comparison with this family who could afford to use Rolls-Royces to escort and clear the way for them, the other tycoons in Yunzhou looked like losers. While there was a clamor going on outside, Ye Fan remained calm inside the vehicle. His head was bent forward as he looked at the message on his phone. “Ye Fan. Just now, I behaved in an unbecoming manner. It’s not your fault. And I don’t need you to do anything. I will deal with my own family matters. When you see this message, please hurry home. – Qiu Mu-Cheng” Ye Fan turned off the phone. His face was expressionless as he looked out of the window at the deep night sky. That deep gaze gave him the air of a glaring dragon and a tiger returning to its domain! “Cheng, from today onwards, I will have the power to protect you for the rest of your life.” Whoosh! The car continued speeding towards Haiyuan Pavilion, the most luxurious restaurant in all of Yunzhou city.