C21 You Better Behave Yourself

The person who arrived was none other than Zhao Chengyi!

Zhao Chengyi approached Lin Shuyu and Xia Ming, making no attempt to hide his lustful gaze toward Lin Shuyu. As he spoke, he brazenly reached out and took Lin Shuyu's hand, preparing to press his lips to the back of her hand.

Holy crap!

Xia Ming's blood boiled with anger!

Was he blatantly disrespecting me?

Zhao Chengyi had been pestering Lin Shuyu every other day, but since he hadn't crossed any lines, Xia Ming had let it slide. But today, in front of a crowd of relatives, Zhao Chengyi dared to make a move on Lin Shuyu?

Xia Ming couldn't tolerate it any longer!

He swiftly grabbed Lin Shuyu's arm, yanking her wrist away. With a swift backhand, he slapped Zhao Chengyi across the face, exclaiming, "Damn, my wife is beautiful, what's it to you?"

Smack!

The sound of the slap echoed sharply throughout the hall.

Grandma, Lin Feng, the Second Uncle, the Third Uncle, and everyone else were completely stunned.

Zhao Chengyi, hand clutched to his cheek, stared at Xia Ming in shock. "Damn? A worthless nobody, you dare hit me? Screw you, it's an honor for you when I kiss your wife!"

As he spoke, Zhao Chengyi raised his hand to return the slap.

But as Zhao Chengyi's arm began to move, Xia Ming seized his wrist with a surge of force, snapping it with a sickening crunch.

"Ah!" Zhao Chengyi's face turned a ghastly shade of green from the pain, and he screamed miserably. His body contorted awkwardly as Xia Ming continued to grip his wrist, twisting it grotesquely.

Acting tough in front of me?

Xia Ming had previously kept his cool because the family's prohibition had not been lifted, and he didn't want to draw too much attention. But now, Xia Ming had decided he'd had enough!

"Stop, Xia Ming, what are you doing?" Grandma rose from her seat of honor, berating Xia Ming loudly, "Mr. Zhao came to wish me a happy birthday today. He is our guest. Is this how you treat a guest? Are you showing no regard for your grandmother?"

Did Grandma think using her status as an elder would intimidate Xia Ming? Not a chance!

Xia Ming, easily threatened? Hardly!

Yet, out of respect for his grandfather and Lin Shuyu, Xia Ming released his grip on Zhao Chengyi, "Mr. Zhao, you'd better keep in line! Otherwise, don't blame me for not being polite."

As soon as Xia Ming let go, he channeled a surge of hidden strength and deftly popped Zhao Chengyi's arm back into place. The pain sent shivers through Zhao Chengyi's entire body.

Lin Shuyu sat next to Xia Ming, giving him a tender glance.

This Xia Ming, he was so different now!

The Xia Ming of the past was timid, hardly ever raising his voice. But since yesterday, he seemed to have come into his own, exuding a commanding presence and a newfound masculinity.

That vibe made Lin Shuyu's heart flutter.

After breaking free from Xia Ming's hold, Zhao Chengyi quickly retreated to where Grandma and Lin Feng stood, glaring at Xia Ming, "You're nothing but a coward, strutting around... Just so you know, your Lin Family begged me to come to Grandma's birthday party. Hmph! I expect to see you on your knees begging me later!"

Beg him?

Xia Ming was taken aback, but before he could respond, Lin Zhong hastily interjected, "Mr. Zhao, please, let's not get angry. We can talk this out."

Zhao Chengyi flexed his recently dislocated arm and snorted, "How are things going with your situation?"

At Zhao Chengyi's question, Lin Feng, Lin Zhong, and the others looked disheartened. "Don't even bring it up, Young Master Zhao, we've made a miscalculation! We're going to need your help moving forward," Lin Feng said, sounding somewhat deflated.

Naturally, Lin Feng didn't go into details. He simply claimed that Xia Ming had used underhanded tactics to threaten him, rendering him unfit for the role of president.

Zhao Chengyi cast a cold glance at Xia Ming and turned to his grandmother, "Grandma, why bother keeping such an idiot around? If you ask me, they should get a divorce, and Shuyu should be with me. I'll take good care of her, I promise!"

Grandma offered a gentle smile. "There's no need to rush, Mr. Zhao. We'll handle this matter one step at a time."

After a brief pause, Grandma exchanged a knowing glance with Zhang Lan, who was seated at the adjacent table. Aunt Zhang Lan promptly interjected, "Shuyu, none of us object to you remaining as president. However, there's an issue that needs to be addressed."

"To my knowledge, the company's capital chain has snapped, hasn't it? With a shortfall of 50 million, if the funds aren't raised within three days, the company will face bankruptcy. How do you plan to resolve this?"

Lin Shuyu cast a glance at Xia Ming. The company's financial woes had been resolved by Xia Ming the previous night, but Lin Shuyu had kept the news of the secured funds under wraps.

"Aunt, Uncle, Second Uncle... there's no need to fret over the financial issue. I'll handle it. Given the trust my cousin and uncles have placed in me, I'm committed to keeping the company thriving!" Lin Shuyu was far from timid, seizing the chance to assertively but diplomatically push back.

Lin Feng and Lin Zhong were livid, their faces flushed with anger. Trust her?

What a joke!

If Xia Ming didn't have a hold over Lin Feng, would they have shown any deference?

Neither Second Uncle nor Lin Feng dared to speak up, but Lin Feng covertly passed something to Third Uncle Lin Cheng. With a snap, Lin Cheng slammed the item onto the table, "Shuyu, you're supposed to come up with a solution? Ha! Is this your idea of a solution? Schmoozing with a bunch of old men, utterly disgraceful and dishonorable!"

Photos scattered across the table, capturing Lin Shuyu as she toasted with Boss Zhang and his companions at the KTV. The sleazy gazes of Boss Zhang's balding cronies were unmistakably visible.

At the sight of these photos, both Lin Shuyu and Xia Ming's expressions shifted noticeably.

"Have you been spying on me?" Lin Shuyu demanded, her anger palpable as her eyes settled on Lin Feng.

Second Uncle and Third Uncle were too old for such antics, unlikely to stoop to this level. That left only one suspect—Lin Feng.

Lin Feng, taking refuge behind his Second Uncle, remained silent.

As long as Xia Ming was in the room, he wouldn't dare utter a word!

"Do you think investigating will change anything? Remember, you're the eldest granddaughter of the Lin family. You might be shameless, but we need to maintain our dignity! Is this how you plan to raise funds?" The Third Uncle spoke with a tone of grave concern.

Sitting nearby, Zhao Chengyi grabbed a photo, kissed it with a look of revulsion, and turned to Lin Shuyu with a smile. "Shuyu, is it just investment you need? You'd prefer the company of those old men over mine? Hehe, just tell me how much you need, and I'll transfer it immediately!"

As Zhao Chengyi's words hung in the air, Lin Zhong eagerly chimed in, "Really? Young Master Zhao, you're too kind! Lin's Group only needs 30 million to weather this storm!"

Zhao Chengyi nodded, pulled out a check, and briskly filled in a series of numbers. He flaunted the check, "Shuyu, here's the check for 50 million! I've already booked the room. The check is yours. What do you say? Give it some thought?"

Zhao Chengyi wore a smug expression, oblivious to the fact that Xia Ming's gaze had darkened to a chilling degree.

"Zhao Chengyi! You're despicable and utterly shameless!" Lin Shuyu exclaimed in outrage. Yet, her aunt, Zhang Lan, rushed over to intercept her, pleading, "Shuyu, don't make a scene. It's 50 million we're talking about. Why not keep Young Master Zhao company? If you ask me, you should just accept. It's the only way the company will survive this hardship!"