Ruan Jin’s expression changed abruptly.
If he let Ruan Tang leave like this, what would beco of them?
Yet, to kneel and beg for rcy would be an unbearable humiliation.
Just then, Ruan Qingshan’s knees gave way and he knelt on the ground. "Ruan Tang, I’m sorry!"
His voice was thick with reluctance, and one could even detect a hint of resentnt.
Ruan Tang remained calm. She never dared to imagine that her overbearing uncle would one day kneel before her, begging for forgiveness. But when that day actually arrived, she felt no emotional turmoil, only calmness—no joy, and certainly no anger.
So, she said not a word.
Song Ru’s expression twisted again. "What is the aning of this? Your uncle has knelt and apologized, yet you still refuse to forgive us!"
"You two kneel as well," Ruan Qingshan said, grinding his teeth. "Furthermore, I will contact a lawyer to transfer ownership of the Ruan’s Clothing Company back to you."
"Dad!" Ruan Jin yelled, unwilling to accept it.
"Kneel!" Ruan Qingshan roared.
Ruan Jin and Song Ru knelt reluctantly and spat out, "Ruan Tang, we’re sorry."
Ruan Tang spared them a single glance before raising the car window and driving away.
"Damn it!" Ruan Jin clenched his fists in anguish, seething with rage.
Ruan Qingshan stood up, frowning. "Son, this matter concerns the Ruan Family’s very survival. What’s more important, our face or the Ruan Family?"
Ruan Jin fell silent. Dignity was worthless in the face of a life-or-death crisis.
"What we’ve lost today—the company and our face—we will take it all back one day!" Song Ru vowed viciously.
However, it seed the family of three had forgotten that the Ruan’s Clothing Company had never belonged to them in the first place.
「...」
Back ho, Ruan Lan was still beaming. She felt utterly refreshed. You have to fight fire with fire.
"Sis, why would Eighth Master help us?" Ruan Lan asked delightedly while eating waterlon. "Could it be that he’s taken a liking to you?"
PFFT!
Water spurted from Ruan Tang’s mouth. "Shut up!" she scolded indignantly. Old Jiang Ba was old enough to be her grandfather! Her sister really had no filter.
"Does it have anything to do with you?" Ruan Tang looked at Xu Lai. She had an inexplicable feeling that he was hiding sothing from her.
"Yes," Xu Lai nodded.
"Stop bluffing," Ruan Lan pouted. "If you can command Eighth Master, I, Ruan Lan, will acknowledge you as my brother-in-law. I’ll even drive away any other man who tries to get close to my sister for you!"
"Alright, it’s a deal." Xu Lai nodded in satisfaction. His sister-in-law was as reliable as ever.
Ruan Tang’s gaze toward the two turned icy. "I am not a bargaining chip."
"Then I’ll be the chip," Ruan Lan blurted out. "I’ll marry him!"
PFFT!
This ti, it was Xu Lai who sprayed his tea.
"Ruan Lan!" Ruan Tang’s voice shot up an octave. "Get back to school this instant!"
"Oh..." Ruan Lan, realizing her mistake, stuck her tongue out playfully and scurried away.
"If I ever find out you have any inappropriate thoughts about my sister, or make any moves on her, I will..."
"So, it’s fine if they’re about you, then?" Xu Lai interrupted. "Don’t worry. Although I’m outstanding enough to be the dream man of every woman in the Universe, I will only be devoted to you for the rest of my life."
With that, he gazed affectionately into Ruan Tang’s eyes. "I’ve confird it with a look—I’ve t the right person."
Ruan Tang suddenly felt her heart grow weary. How could her daughter’s deadbeat dad be so shaless? *I’ve seen that look in your eyes, and you’re the one I want to punch!* If it weren’t for Yiyi’s sake, she really would have kicked this heartless, freeloading scumbag who had vanished for five years to death.
「After lunch.」
The Ruan Family’s lawyer arrived at Ruan Tang’s ho with the prepared contract. After the docunts were signed, the company was back in Ruan Tang’s hands.
Of course, this ant the partnership with Huashang was back on, and Ruan Tang couldn’t wait to return to the company and get busy.
What was most unexpected, however, was that the change of leadership at Ruan’s Clothing Company didn’t affect its business at all.
On the contrary, in the first afternoon after Ruan Tang’s return, orders poured in like a tidal wave, with individual deals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million. Although each order was small compared to Huashang’s "thirty million contract," every little bit added up.
Ruan Tang was astonished. Could this be from Huashang’s channels?
But Xu Lai knew the truth. Behind these orders were the wealthy families of Hangcheng, all trying to show him goodwill. Xu Lai silently took note of their gesture.
BZZZT. BZZZT. BZZZT.
His phone vibrated. It was an unknown number.
When he answered, he heard Tan Chang’s voice. "Xu Lai, co to the seaside now. I have sothing to discuss with you."
Xu Lai furrowed his brow. "I’m at ho with my daughter. I don’t have ti."
"Are you saying a Martial Ancestor can’t even ask you to co?" Tan Chang’s voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Xu Lai chuckled to himself. This guy is getting ahead of himself. I just helped him advance to Martial Ancestor, and his Boundary hasn’t even fully stabilized yet. Now he’s trying to act tough with ? Who gave him the courage?
"Of course, Tan Wuzong," Xu Lai said agreeably.
"Good. You know your place." Tan Chang hung up, imnsely satisfied.
He felt his entire body brimming with power, fueling the illusion that he could shatter the void with a single punch. Although Xu Lai had helped him advance, and he had promised to protect Xu Lai’s daughter, he was a Martial Ancestor. Their numbers were few and far between in Hua Country, a true symbol of status and power.
Even Liu Bei had to visit the thatched cottage three tis to recruit Zhuge Liang. What’s wrong with making Xu Lai co to in person?
One minute passed, then five, then ten...
An hour went by.
Xu Lai was still nowhere to be seen.
Tan Chang’s expression remained unchanged. Hmm... there might be traffic. I’ll wait a bit. I’m a Martial Ancestor, after all. Mustn’t panic!
However, two hours, then three, then four hours passed.
Standing by the sea with his hands clasped behind his back, Tan Chang had been baking in the sun all afternoon. The sun felt blinding, the sea breeze unpleasantly salty.
"Mommy, that weird uncle has been standing there since noon. Why is he still there?" a little child asked in a hushed voice.
"Let’s go, let’s go." The young mother pulled her son away, giving Tan Chang a wide berth. "He’s sick in the head. Don’t let it rub off on you."
As a Martial Ancestor, Tan Chang’s senses were now extraordinary. Even from thirty ters away, he heard the mother and son’s conversation and couldn’t help but roar, "ntal illness isn’t contagious!"
"Waaah!"
The three-year-old boy burst into tears. His mother’s face paled, and she scooped him up and ran for her life.
Watching her stumble and fall as she fled, Tan Chang’s face was grim. He shouted again, "Brain diseases aren’t contagious!"
Wait. Sothing seems... off, doesn’t it?
Tan Chang frowned, but before he could puzzle it out, two figures—one tall, one small—finally ca into view.
Holding Xu Yiyi’s hand, Xu Lai walked slowly along the narrow seaside path, bathed in the twilight glow of the setting sun.
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