C13 I Came to Apologize

After finishing his statement, Yang Shuozheng stood up and exited the room, leaving behind a palpable silence. Yang Ming was the chosen successor of the Yang Group, highly regarded by all the relatives. Such words would never have been spoken if the old man hadn't been truly furious.

Clutching his swollen face, Yang Ming approached Zhang Luo.

"There will come a time when you'll cry!"

Fuming with rage, Yang Ming got back into his car. He had thought that today's meeting would allow him to gracefully secure the Comoxize contract and regain control of Exbought, leaving it in Yang Miao's capable hands.

"I think we should pick up some things and visit Yang Yuan," suggested Yang Linchuan, aware that the old man's anger could spell trouble for both Yang Ming and himself if the situation wasn't handled properly.

"What gifts? Yang Yuan's family isn't worth the trouble," scoffed Yang Miao, her long hair perhaps a testament to her lack of wisdom. Despite this, Yang Ming took comfort in her words but still brought a box of pastries and a carton of milk to Yang Yuan's place.

"Look, you see that?" Zhang Luo pointed out from the bedroom window as Yang Ming's Mercedes-Benz pulled up.

Yang Yuan peered down from the windowsill, recognizing Yang Ming's car. She glanced at Zhang Luo in disbelief. Since being ousted from Exbought by Yang Ming, she had been confined to her home, with Zhang Luo handling all affairs. Now, her haughty cousin had actually come to see her.

As Yang Yuan moved to greet them, Zhang Luo firmly held her back, "Stay inside. No matter what happens out there, don't come out."

Confused by Zhang Luo's intentions but trusting him after all he had done for her recently, Yang Yuan decided to stay put.

Wang Yan opened the door to the sound of knocking and was greeted by Yang Ming and his family.

"Come in, come in! Oh, you shouldn't have brought gifts," she exclaimed.

This was the first visit from Yang Ming and Yang Linchuan since moving into the stairwell apartment. Their Mercedes-Benz drew curious glances from many in the neighborhood, which was mostly inhabited by workers and ordinary families.

Wang Yan couldn't wait to boast to her neighbors about her family connection to Yang Jianchuan. "This is our relative who came specifically to see my daughter," she'd say with pride.

"Hold on!"

Wang Yan was basking in her thoughts when Zhang Luo emerged from the bedroom and inquired, "What's the reason for your visit?"

"You don't have a say in this. Go wash the fruit in the kitchen!"

"We've come to see Yang Yuan. We'd like her to consider returning to Exbought."

Just yesterday, Wang Yan had been lamenting that her daughter was as ineffective as Yang Jianchuan. But now, Yang Ming and Yang Linchuan were here with gifts, seeking Yang Yuan's return.

"My wife is feeling unwell and isn't up for visitors. Please leave," Zhang Luo insisted, taking the gift from Wang Yan and ushering Yang Ming towards the door.

"You're really asking for trouble, aren't you?" Yang Ming fumed. He had restrained himself in the meeting room full of people, but now, pushed to the edge by Zhang Luo's defiance, he swung a punch at him.

Zhang Luo, caught off guard, instinctively leaned back, causing Yang Ming to miss. In a swift response, Zhang Luo kicked towards Yang Ming's chest, sending him flying out the door and forcing Yang Linchuan to stumble backwards.

"Come back when you're serious!" Zhang Luo shouted, tossing the gift after them and slamming the door shut with a resounding thud.

"Have you lost your mind? You good-for-nothing, go invite Yang Ming back in!" Wang Yan was shocked by the turn of events, only realizing what had happened as the door closed—her husband had just offended Yang Ming and his family.

Ignoring Wang Yan's outburst, Zhang Luo returned to the bedroom. By the time Wang Yan reopened the door, Yang Ming and Yang Linchuan were gone, the hallway deserted.

"I told you to bring a decent gift. Look where it got us," Yang Linchuan muttered, acutely aware of the need to bow to those above you.

Yang Ming, humiliated by someone he considered worthless, became even more resolute in his beliefs: his support came from someone influential.

Zhang Luo suggested that Yang Yuan and her best friend, Liu Xiao, go shopping to unwind. After being cooped up at home for two days and free from job worries, Yang Yuan was eager for a distraction. She had hoped Zhang Luo would join them, but he had declined.

Liu Xiao was a college classmate of Yang Yuan's. She harbored dreams of marrying into wealth, but she remained unmarried. Whenever they were together, Liu Xiao inevitably brought up the topic of Yang Yuan's marital status.

Zhang Luo had minimal interactions with Liu Xiao, yet she had always harbored a disdain for him. The image of him as a penniless nobody was firmly etched in her mind by the time Yang Yuan was wed.

After parting ways with Yang Yuan, Zhang Luo headed to the Ten Sun Bar by himself.

Upon reaching the entrance, Zhang Luo noticed Yang Ming's car parked outside. The usual gang of thugs was there, but this time they greeted him with deference, "Good morning, Brother Zhang Luo!"

Inside, Di San was absent from the private room. He had opened a bottle of champagne and was drinking solo.

The bar in daylight was a stark contrast to its nighttime bustle, quiet as a slumbering baby. In such stillness, the sound of a single glass shattering could startle anyone.

Zhang Luo was intent on exploring the bar properly, having only glimpsed it in his previous hurried visit.

Approaching a private room, he heard voices conversing inside. The sound was faint, but in the hushed atmosphere, the words were discernible through the door:

"Tonight, I will take care of this matter!"

"My dear brother, this isn't just me helping you—it's you helping me!"

"I've already booked a hotel for tonight. Just bring her there, and she'll be yours."

"You're hitting three targets with one arrow! You're smoothing over our relations, regaining control of the company, and lending me a hand."

"Hahaha…"

Zhang Luo listened intently at the door, catching every word.

"Mr. Zhang, what are you up to?"

Startled by Di San's tap on his shoulder, Zhang Luo jumped and shivered.

"Shh!"

Zhang Luo quickly ushered Di San back into the room. He suspected one of the speakers was Yang Ming, but the identity of the other remained a mystery. The only clue was that Yang Ming's car was parked outside the only occupied private room in the bar.

"Who's in the next room? What are they planning?"

Zhang Luo sensed something odd about their recent conversation.

"I'll go inquire right away!"

Di San, in Zhang Luo's presence, bore no resemblance to one of Zruhpus's three underground heavyweights.

Zhang Luo settled into the sofa, lighting up a cigarette. Di San was back before Zhang Luo could even finish it.

"Mr. Zhang, I've got the scoop!"

Di San entered, pushing the door open.

"The gentleman seated over there is Lin Kai, the heir to the Chawam Group, accompanied by Yang Ming and Yang Miao of the Yang Group."

"What are they plotting?"

The mere mention of these three names made Zhang Luo's teeth itch with irritation. Yet, to keep Di San from catching on to their connection, he asked with feigned indifference.

"They're planning to deal with a woman tonight. They intend to invite her for dinner, then proceed with an MJ."

Zhang Luo drew in a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke rings. He had already figured out that Yang Ming and Lin Kai's target must be Yang Yuan!