C14 The 14th Chapter Was a Forced Shirk.

"Boss, you're incredible."

The worm jogged over, expressing his disappointment: "Man, looks like I have to concede this time. You've had so much to drink; it wouldn't be right for me to claim victory."

"You?"

"Hey, Boss, you're underestimating me, huh? Just remember, a lot can change in a short time. Today, you're going to witness just how formidable I've become!"

Half an hour later, Luo Yun emerged from the bar, dragging the worm behind him like a lifeless pig.

He hesitated as he glanced around, still somewhat dazed.

Thankfully, his mind was relatively clear.

He located the worm's car and tossed him inside.

Then Luo Yun hailed a cab and left the scene.

Upon arriving home, Luo Yun was met with an icy stare as soon as he opened the door.

He looked over to find Wang Yulan seated on the sofa in the opulent living room, watching him with a frosty gaze.

Catching his look, Wang Yulan scoffed, "You finally remember to come back? Do you even realize the time?"

Luo Yun checked the wall clock; it was just ten o'clock.

Still, it was indeed bedtime.

He stepped inside.

At that moment, Wang Yulan caught a whiff of something and asked with a frown, "Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah."

"I'm warning you, we're dining with the Tang family tomorrow. If you embarrass me after tonight's drinking, you'll have me to answer to!" Wang Yulan said through clenched teeth.

It seemed she was almost hoping for Luo Yun to slip up, to give her a reason to lay into him.

Luo Yun, however, wasn't bothered in the slightest, his head swimming from the alcohol.

He grunted an acknowledgment, slumped onto the sofa, and stretched out with a lazy air.

Wang Yulan's prattling was a distant murmur in his ears, the content of her words lost on him.

After a while, Wang Yulan realized Luo Yun had dozed off and her expression soured.

She rose in a huff and stormed out.

The next morning, Wang Yulan was up early.

Or more accurately, she hadn't slept well at all, too consumed by irritation to find rest.

Seeing Luo Yun still sprawled on the sofa, unchanged from the night before, she approached him.

She was about to rebuke him when Luo Yun's eyes snapped open, startling her.

Wang Yulan clutched at her racing heart and snapped, "Why do you have to be so startling, like some kind of ghost?"

"Why did you come over here?" Luo Yun asked, casting her a glance before getting up to freshen up.

Wang Yulan was left without a comeback.

Once Luo Yun was done with his morning routine, he showered, changed clothes, and then left with Tang Xueqi.

All the while, Wang Yulan kept up her tirade, muttering about how no good comes from a man who comes home drunk.

Luo Yun couldn't be bothered to engage.

"Put on some music."

"Music?" Tang Xueqi was taken aback.

"Just to clear the air," Luo Yun said nonchalantly.

Tang Xueqi shot a discreet glance at Wang Yulan's grim expression and subtly nudged Luo Yun, signaling him to be cautious.

Thankfully, Wang Yulan quieted down after his comment.

They soon arrived at Old Master Tang's villa, where several luxury cars were already parked, indicating others had arrived earlier.

Luo Yun joined the group as they entered.

Ahead, two young men were chatting merrily, but their smiles vanished as soon as they spotted Luo Yun and his company approaching.

"Isn't that Director Tang?"

"Director Tang?"

Tang Xueqi's brow furrowed slightly at the remark, which felt rather cold.

The speakers were her cousins, Tang Yun and Tang Feng.

Their use of "Director Tang" was a clear sign of distance.

Tang Feng, the shorter of the two, sneered, "What else should we call her but Director Tang? With her level of skill, we wouldn't dare call her anything else."

"Yeah, thanks to Director Tang's stellar leadership, the Tang family keeps racking up losses. Give it another two or three years, and we'll probably be selling off our pots and pans to fund her company," Tang Yun added with a sneer.

Luo Yun noticed the pair's sarcastic tone.

Tang Xueqi's face soured at their comments, but she remained silent.

Indeed, Tang's Group had seen better days under her management. Despite her reasons, no one seemed to care about those. Results were what mattered.

She walked toward the villa with Luo Yun, her mood heavy.

Tang Feng and Tang Yun exchanged a glance and followed, their sneers trailing behind them.

There's a saying that silence is complicity in the face of insolence.

Tang Xueqi remained quiet, and they pressed on.

Suddenly, Tang Feng aimed a slap at Luo Yun's head—a move that seemed all too familiar.

Luo Yun caught his hand mid-strike and turned, "What's this about?"

"Wow, Luo the Fool has learned to dodge, huh?" they mocked.

"Right? He didn't even see it coming and still reacted!" they exclaimed, surprised that Luo Yun had thwarted their gesture.

Tang Xueqi's expression darkened. "Enough, you two. How many times must I tell you not to hit people on the head?"

"Heh, Director Tang speaks, and we're so scared," they mocked without a hint of fear.

"Come on, let's go. What's with you, Luo the Fool? Let go already," they jeered, continuing their taunting.

Luo Yun arched an eyebrow.

"Don't stoop to their level," Tang Xueqi advised.

Luo Yun released his grip in response.

Tang Yun and Tang Feng shot them a contemptuous look before striding into the villa.

Wang Yulan couldn't hold back her criticism, "Luo Yun, it's all because of you, you fool. We're the laughingstock every time we come here. If you were of any use, would Tang's Group be in this state?"

Luo Yun hadn't seen that coming.

Tang Xueqi quickly interjected, "Mom, it's my issue, not Luo Yun's. Please, stop blaming him."

"What, you're defending him now?" Wang Yulan retorted angrily. "Xueqi, listen to me, Luo Yun is nothing but bad luck. Just look at his family. Can't you see? If he stays with our Tang family, we're headed straight for bankruptcy."

With that, she stormed off.

Tang Xueqi managed a wry smile.

"Why can't I remember anyone ever hitting my head?" Luo Yun wondered aloud, puzzled by the lack of such memories.

Tang Xueqi shook her head, just as uncertain.

Luo Yun's eyebrows lifted slightly. Perhaps the original owner of this body chose not to remember such things?

As they pondered, they entered the villa together.

The living room was already filled with people who had arrived early, clearly placing great importance on the Tang family gathering.

In other words, they had been eagerly anticipating this day and had made sure to come early.

The atmosphere had been quite lively, but as soon as they arrived, it instantly chilled.