C13 Are You Worthy??

"Hey, did it work out?" Yong asked Wenfeng over text.

Wenfeng sent back a photo showing Xinying passed out on a bed.

Yong jumped up excitedly and quickly replied, "Great! Once you're done, come back here to crash. I'll get the room ready for you."

Yong dashed out of the room, only to be stopped by Ying. "So, how'd it go? Did it work?"

"Are you kidding? When Wenfeng's involved, it always works out. I told them to come back here to sleep. By morning, my sister won't have anything to say."

Hearing this, Ying got excited too. Not only could they get rid of Fann, but they could also gain a high-profile son-in-law. It was a win-win situation. "We should pop open a bottle to celebrate."

"Shihao, are you hiding out in there like a turtle? Go grab that bottle of wine Wenfeng brought."

Shihao shook his head, worried but too scared to warn Fann. If Ying found out, his life would be miserable.

For the first time in over twenty years, Yong was this motivated. He cleaned up the room originally meant for Xinying and Fann until it was spotless, even adding a few bouquets of roses for a new touch.

Then, Yong and Ying sat in the living room, clinking glasses and celebrating this pivotal moment while waiting for Wenfeng to arrive.

Wang Ying had no doubt that with Bi Wenfeng and the support of his influential family, her own family would soon regain its former glory and respect in the city.

However, neither she nor Bi Wenfeng anticipated what happened next. After taking a shower in his hotel room, Bi Wenfeng eagerly jumped onto the bed, expecting to find someone special. But as he got closer, he was hit by a foul odor—like someone who hadn't bathed in years.

The skin felt strange too. Startled, Bi Wenfeng flipped the person over, only to find himself staring at an unkempt, dirty-faced man, at least in his fifties.

Next door, Ye Fann heard Bi Wenfeng's furious screams. He felt a sense of relief. The old man was a homeless guy Ye Fann had paid a few hundred dollars to find on the street, dressed in Xinying's clothes specifically for Bi Wenfeng.

Meanwhile, Xinying was peacefully asleep beside Ye Fann, her face flushed, occasionally letting out soft murmurs in her sleep. Ye Fann set down his glass of red wine and lit a cigarette, wondering if Bi Wenfeng would ever appreciate the effort he put into this plan. If it weren't for the phone he left recording in the next room, he might have been tempted to witness the chaos firsthand.

After quite a while, Bi Wenfeng was still next door, yelling and making a ruckus, with the occasional sound of things being smashed. It was quite the commotion.

After finishing a cigarette, Ye Fann couldn't resist the urge to check it out. Just as he reached the door, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

"Master," said a voice. It was Xiaoshan.

"Who's your master? You must have the wrong number," Ye Fann replied, ready to hang up.

"I stopped your restaurant reimbursement from yesterday," Xiaoshan interrupted, halting Ye Fann's intention to end the call.

"What?" Ye Fann was taken aback.

Xiaoshan chuckled mischievously on the other end. "Surprised? I'm now in charge of your coordination, including financial reimbursements."

Ye Fann frowned deeply. This little troublemaker was his new contact? What were they thinking upstairs? Had they lost their minds?

"Hello? Master, are you there? Are you listening?"

"I'm listening. Go on."

"Oh, I thought you were ignoring me."

"Cut the cuteness. What's up?"

"Fine, straight to the point. Your restaurant bill from yesterday was ridiculously extravagant, over a thousand bucks. What did you even eat?"

Ye Fann walked back to the bed and sat down. "I only spend that kind of money once in a while. You're not going to cover it?"

"It's not that... It's just lately... Oh, never mind. It's too complicated to explain in a few words. I'll just cover it for you."

"Thanks," Ye Fann said directly.

"What the heck, you're not even a little polite?"

Polite with you? Not happening.

"How about lending me some more money?" Ye Fann pushed his luck.

"How much?"

"Half a million."

"Oh..."

"And also, help me submit a funding application, code A701, authorization key S9093. Let them check it themselves. Initial funding is four million, and we'll discuss the rest later. Can you help me get this four million first?"

"Want me to just cover it for you?" Huang Xiaoshan interrupted.

Ye Fann paused, then...

"Get lost! Don't think you can lure me with money. I'm your mentor, not your toy. Goodbye!"

After yelling at Huang Xiaoshan, Ye Fann felt a lot better. Years of pent-up frustration were finally released, and he felt at ease.

Half an hour later, the noise next door finally stopped, and everything went quiet. Ye Fann lost interest and decided to take Xinying home.

Huang Yong opened the door himself, expecting Bi Wenfeng, but instead...

"Ye Fann? You, how come..."

Ye Fann carried Xinying inside, glancing between Huang Yong and Wang Ying. He noticed the wine on the table and the various snacks, then saw Wang Ying's flushed face and gradually understood.

"Mom, do you really not care at all that your own daughter has been hurt by someone?" For the first time, Ye Fann questioned Wang Ying with a challenging tone.

Wang Ying stood frozen, momentarily at a loss for words.

Huang Yong stepped forward, defiant: "Who the hell do you think you are, meddling in our family business? Put my sister down and get out—get out now!"

Ye Fann chuckled wryly, "Alright, I'm leaving."

With that, Ye Fann turned to leave, carrying Xinying in his arms.

Huang Yong blocked his path, "I told you to put my sister down! Are you deaf or just plain stupid?"

Ye Fann's expression shifted, a cold aura emanating from him.

Huang Yong shivered, involuntarily stepping back a few paces.

"Listen up, Xinying is my lawful wife. I have the freedom to take her wherever I please. If you want to stop me, either make a move or take it to court. Whatever you choose, I'll be waiting!"

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Neither Wang Ying nor Huang Yong dared to move, intimidated by the sheer intensity radiating from Ye Fann.

In the back room, Huang Shihao could only shake his head and sigh. How did things escalate to this point?

"Ye Fann, think it over. Once you walk out that door, you'll be out on the streets. It's one thing if you want to fend for yourself, but dragging my sister into it?" Huang Yong tried one last time, desperation in his voice.

Ye Fann sneered, "Your sister? Do you even deserve to call her that?"

"You..."

"Even if I have to beg on the streets with her, I won't let a lowlife like you treat her like some commodity to be traded."

"You're selling out your own sister to pay off your gambling debts? Huang Yong, you don't even deserve to call yourself a human being, let alone Xinying's brother!"

After shouting the last sentence, Ye Fann stormed out with Huang Xinying in his arms, slamming the door behind him as they disappeared into the vast night...