C9 You Think You Are Worthy?

As he finished tidying up and prepared to leave, the shopping mall manager approached him with an ingratiating smile.

"Mr. Ye, could you please leave your address? We'd like to deliver the items to you."

Ye Tian was about to give Su Qingcheng's address when he suddenly realized a significant problem. Su Qingcheng's tiny rental could never accommodate all those toys.

"Let's do this: add me on Viber," Ye Tian suggested, pausing briefly before adding, "I'll send you the exact address later."

Noticing Su Qingcheng's confused gaze, Ye Tian offered no explanation.

No sooner had they stepped out of the mall than Su Qingcheng asked, somewhat anxiously, "What's the matter? Don't I have an address?"

"I just remembered, the Ye family allocated a mansion for me in Hang City. We could move in there together."

At this, Su Qingcheng's expression darkened, and she looked at Ye Tian with clear displeasure. "What kind of person do you take me for? You've just returned and you're already suggesting we live together? That's rather presumptuous, don't you think?"

Realizing Su Qingcheng had taken his comment the wrong way, Ye Tian hurried to clarify. "No, no, that's not what I meant."

"It's just that the rental isn't very accommodating for you and the child! Rest assured, I promise not to overstep any boundaries."

"Besides, the sea-view villa is secluded and peaceful, and it's close to schools. Moving there would provide a safer environment for the children, wouldn't it?"

Despite his reasoning, the idea of cohabiting so soon after reuniting did seem rather hasty.

Suddenly blushing, Su Qingcheng appeared bashful and alluring. Ye Tian understood immediately—she was shy!

Capitalizing on the moment, Ye Tian reassured her with a flurry of promises, and she finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.

As they drove, Ye Tian excitedly discussed their future plans with Su Qingcheng. Initially, she chimed in now and then, but eventually, she fell silent.

"Qingcheng, Qingcheng?" he called out several times without a response. Curious, Ye Tian turned to look and found Su Qingcheng fast asleep, curled up in the corner.

She seemed to be sleeping restlessly, her body subtly trembling, and she continuously murmured in her sleep.

"No... Don't..."

"Don't harm my child!"

"Mommy's here, baby, don't be scared... There, there!"

What kind of pain had she endured in the past?

A pang of empathy made Ye Tian drive even more cautiously, and he solemnly assured the slumbering Su Qingcheng,

"Rest easy. I'll make sure to protect you from now on."

It was as if Su Qingcheng could sense Ye Tian's promise, and her sleep gradually became a bit more peaceful.

...

The car eased into the sales center, and Ye Tian had Su Qingcheng take the five children inside while he went to park the car in a nearby lot.

Standing in the sales center, Su Qingcheng felt a wave of discomfort.

Such opulent decor – how many years had it been since she last saw anything like it? Would it really be okay for her to go in?

While Su Qingcheng was wavering, a piercing voice rang out.

"Hey, isn't that our former school beauty, Su Qingcheng?"

"What brings you to a small place like Hang City?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingcheng instinctively turned around to see a woman in business attire, her features sharp and her expression filled with scorn.

This was Fong Yanmei, Su Qingcheng's high school classmate.

Su Qingcheng had always been the belle of the ball, envied by many of her female peers, and Fong Yanmei was among the jealous. She had a malicious streak and once plotted to ruin Su Qingcheng's looks. However, Su Qingcheng was under the protection of the Su family, and such petty schemes were easily thwarted.

The saga ended with Fong Yanmei transferring schools.

Noticing Su Qingcheng's prolonged silence, a flicker of smug satisfaction crossed Fong Yanmei's eyes, and she grew more animated.

"Oh, now I remember. You, my old classmate, have been ousted from the Su family. Are you here today to pick up some free bread and water?"

"Come on, follow me. Even though I'm just a sales associate, I can still lend you a hand."

Faced with Fong Yanmei's feigned enthusiasm, Su Qingcheng's expression turned icy. She subtly brushed her aside and tightened her hold on the stroller, replying in a curt tone.

"No need, I'm just here to accompany my husband in picking up the keys to our new home."

"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

Fong Yanmei wasn't about to let Su Qingcheng slip away at a moment like this, not when she had finally caught her at a low point.

"I can help you with the house pick-up too! Come on in, right this way."

Without waiting for a response, Fong Yanmei hauled Su Qingcheng into the sales center.

As soon as Su Qingcheng crossed the threshold, Fong Yanmei bellowed behind her.

"Li, come here! Quick, check if there's a house under the name Su Qingcheng!"

"She's the second miss of the Su family! Don't bother showing us anything under ten million!"

The room filled with contemptuous glances at Su Qingcheng. Her expulsion from the Su family had once been the scandal of Hang City.

It was a story known far and wide across the Long Country.

Now, just five short years later, was the Su family's young lady causing trouble again?

"No!" Su Qingcheng's face flushed with embarrassment as she desperately tried to explain.

"This house belongs to my husband; I'm merely here with him."

"No worries. Tell us who your husband is, and we'll help you look it up together!"

But then, Su Qingcheng fell silent.

She was just a destitute young lady, once of the Su family, and now associated with the prestigious Ye family. What right did she have...

"Why the sudden silence?"

Sensing she had hit a nerve, Fong Yanmei's façade of kindness shattered.

"Are you too scared to say? Are you being kept by some wealthy, married man?"

"Su Qingcheng, I've been dreaming of this day!"

"You ruined everything for me, and now, I'll ruin you!"

With those words, Fong Yanmei lunged forward, hand raised to strike.

Panicked, Su Qingcheng instinctively shielded the children with her body, her eyes squeezed shut.

My dears, Mommy is powerless, unable to provide you with a better life, but...

I will certainly take good care of you!

"Swish!" "Crack!"

Two sharp sounds echoed, but the anticipated pain never arrived. Instead, Ye Tian's voice, laden with lethal intent, broke the silence.

"Who gave you permission to lay a hand on my woman?"

"Do you really think you're worthy?"