"Is that so? Then how much longer do you think Yunyan will be back?"
"Well, the housekeeper said he should be back in at least an hour."
"Then I'll come back later. If Yunyan returns, just tell him I came by."
"Okay! No problem!"
When Shang Yunyan returned home, the housekeeper, Zhang Sao, told him that their neighbor, Xu Daqiang, had come over and would likely return later. Shang Yunyan nodded but was confused. What was the old man doing here again? They had already temporarily resolved the financial and tax issues, so why was he coming back?
By the time dinner was over, no one from the Xu family had shown up. Curious, Shang Yunyan thought for a moment and decided to take some tea leaves and visit the Xu family. After all, he wanted to see what Xu Yiru was up to.
As he reached the gate of the Xu family villa, he could hear voices arguing from inside. One of them was a man shouting angrily—Shang Yunyan recognized it as Xu Daqiang's voice. The other man's voice was unfamiliar; it definitely wasn't one of Xu's three sons. Besides, why would Xu's three sons be cursing each other? There was also a woman's voice, but Shang Yunyan couldn't identify it. It didn't sound like Xu Yiru's mother, nor did it sound like Xu Yiru herself.
Shang Yunyan thought for a moment. The Xu family must be trying to hide their dirty laundry, so he decided it was best not to interfere. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, the gate of the Xu family villa opened. He suddenly saw Xu Daqiang and an older man shouting at each other, while the woman—who Shang Yunyan had never met—was adding fuel to the fire, using the dirtiest words to attack every member of the Xu family.
At first, Shang Yunyan didn't react much when they cursed Xu Daqiang and his three sons. But when the woman started calling Xu Yiru a bitch, a bastard, a lifetime burden, and even a lowly prostitute, Shang Yunyan was utterly enraged. A surge of anger welled up inside him, and he knew he had to do something.
At that moment, the gate to the Xu family's front yard was still open, and Shang Yunyan walked in behind the woman, holding the tea leaves in his hand. He slowly said, "Hey, what did you just say about her?"
The two arguing people—Xu Dawei and Xu Xinru—froze when they heard someone behind them.
The plump woman turned around and instantly saw Shang Yunyan's face. In that moment, it felt like spring had returned, with flowers blooming and birds singing. Everything seemed perfect, and even the cold wind seemed to be a warm breeze brushing against her face. She felt like the happiest woman in the world.
But just as her face flushed with excitement, she was met with a slap from Shang Yunyan!
"Smack!" Shang Yunyan's hand wasn't particularly large, but it was fast and forceful, slapping the woman so hard that she saw stars.
"Ah!!!!" The woman screamed and fell to the ground.
"You... You dare hit me?!" Xu Dawei screamed.
"You're right," Shang Yunyan said coldly, "I should have killed her!" His gaze was icy and dangerous, and Xu Dawei immediately shut his mouth, terrified.
Even Xu Daqiang and the others were shocked.
"I'm asking you, what did you just say about her?" Shang Yunyan repeated.
"What? No... I didn't say anything! I would never curse anyone!" Xu Xinru stood up slowly, ignoring Shang Yunyan's slap. She came closer to him, trying to act cute and innocent.
This only made Xu Yiru even angrier!
"You fat pig! Get away from him! You filthy thing!"
Upon hearing Xu Yiru's words, not only Shang Yunyan, but also Xu Daqiang and the three Xu brothers couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time Xu Yiru had cursed anyone. Although her words weren't particularly harsh, it was still a form of insult, and it was directed at the woman for Shang Yunyan's sake. It seemed that this young man was quite important in Xu Yiru's heart!
"Who did you call a fat pig?!" Xu Xinru fumed.
"Enough!" Shang Yunyan said coldly, his tone harsh and threatening. "I'm giving you ten seconds. If you don't leave Xu's gate now, I will make you regret ever being born in Shenhua!"
Xu Dawei, who didn't know Shang Yunyan, was scared. He was just an old man, and even though he didn't want to back down, he knew he was no match for this tall, strong stranger. Seeing no other way, he could only drag his daughter away.
"Let's go, daughter!" Xu Dawei pulled Xu Xinru away, but before they left, Xu Xinru couldn't help but shout, asking Shang Yunyan for his age and name.
"Hey, Yunyan, sorry for making you see this... I should've gone to find you earlier, but I got so upset! Please come inside!" Xu Daqiang said weakly.
From Xu Daqiang's voice, Shang Yunyan knew that, based on the heated argument just now, Xu Daqiang had lost. He had been trying to shout louder than the others, but had no way to win the argument.