C13 Are You Worthy?'?

"Brother Feng, is it taken care of?" Huang Yong messaged Bi Wenfeng on WeChat.

Without a word, Bi Wenfeng sent over a photo. In it, Huang Xinying lay on the bed, completely out cold.

Huang Yong leapt up, thrilled, and shot back a reply, "Great that it's settled. Head back and get some sleep when you're done. I'll get the room ready for you."

Bursting with excitement, Huang Yong dashed out of his room, only to be grabbed by Wang Ying. "Well? Did it work out?"

"Are you kidding? When Brother Feng gets involved, how could it not? I told them to come back and sleep here later. By morning, my sister won't have a leg to stand on."

Wang Ying's excitement matched his. Not only could they now easily dismiss Ye Fann, but they'd also snag a high-profile son-in-law without lifting a finger. It was a win-win, a cause for celebration... time to pop open a bottle of wine.

"Huang Shihao, what are you doing, hiding away like a turtle? Go on, fetch that bottle of red wine Wen Feng sent us."

Huang Shihao shook his head, sighing inwardly with worry. He dared not tip off Ye Fann, knowing full well that if Wang Ying caught wind of it, his days of peace would be over.

For the first time in over two decades, Huang Yong was a whirlwind of activity, tidying up the room that had been Huang Xinying and Ye Fann's. He even arranged bunches of roses, adding a fresh touch to the decor.

In the living room, Huang Yong and Wang Ying clinked glasses, toasting to this game-changing moment, all the while awaiting Bi Wenfeng's arrival.

Wang Ying was certain that with Bi Wenfeng's and the Bi family's backing, their family was set to reclaim their influence and stand tall in Lin City once again.

Little did she know, nor could Bi Wenfeng have anticipated, that after his shower in the hotel room, he'd pounce onto the bed with gusto, strip down, mount the figure, and start kissing down the back... only to be hit by a foul stench.

A nauseating body odor, as if someone hadn't bathed in years.

And the skin... something was off about the skin...

Jolted into sobriety, Bi Wenfeng flipped the person over and was utterly dumbfounded.

There was a man, his beard unkempt and his face smeared with grime, easily in his fifties!

Next door, Ye Fann could hear Bi Wenfeng's crazed, furious bellows.

He felt a wave of relief wash over him. That old man was a vagrant he'd paid hundreds to pluck from the streets, dressed up in Huang Xinying's clothes, all for Bi Wenfeng's benefit.

Meanwhile, Huang Xinying herself was fast asleep beside him, her cheeks flushed, occasionally emitting soft moans as if murmuring in her dreams.

Ye Fann set his wine glass down and lit up a cigarette, pondering whether Bi Wenfeng would ever appreciate the lengths he'd gone to.

If he hadn't left a phone recording everything in the next room, he might have been tempted to witness the spectacle himself.

Bi Wenfeng's rage and the sounds of destruction continued unabated next door, creating quite the commotion.

Finishing his cigarette, Ye Fann couldn't resist the urge to check things out. But as he approached the door, his phone rang with an unfamiliar number.

"Master," came the voice. It was Huang Xiaoshan.

"Who's your master? You've got the wrong number," Ye Fann retorted, ready to end the call.

"Your meal expenses from yesterday's restaurant visit were intercepted by me," Huang Xiaoshan cut in, halting Ye Fann's attempt to disconnect.

"What?" Ye Fann was taken aback.

On the other end, Huang Xiaoshan chuckled mischievously. "Surprised, aren't you? I'm now handling your liaison work, including financial reimbursements."

Ye Fann's brow creased in irritation. This little troublemaker was his new point of contact? What were the higher-ups thinking? Had they lost their minds?

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

"I'm listening. Go ahead."

"Oh, I thought you were ignoring me."

"Cut the cutesy act. Just get to the point."

"Hmph, fine. The point is, your restaurant bill from yesterday was outrageously extravagant—over ten thousand! What on earth did you eat?"

Ye Fann returned to the bed and sat down. "In a few years, that's the only time I've spent that much. So you're saying it won't be reimbursed?"

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

"Thanks," Ye Fann replied curtly.

"Wow, not even a hint of politeness from you?"

Polite? That's not happening.

"How about you also lend me some money?" Ye Fann pushed his luck.

"How much?" came the response.

"Half a million."

"Oh..."

"And I need you to submit a funding request for me. Codename A701, Authentication Key S9093. They can look into it themselves. I need an initial four million, and we can discuss additional funds later. Just get that four million sorted for me..."

"Or I could just front the money for you?" Huang Xiaoshan cut in.

Ye Fann paused, then...

"Scram, don't even think about baiting me with money again. I'm your master, not your plaything. Goodbye!"

Ye Fann felt a rush of relief after his outburst at Huang Xiaoshan. Years of pent-up frustration dissipated, leaving him feeling liberated.

Half an hour later, the noise next door ceased, and all was quiet.

Bored, Ye Fann decided to take Huang Xinying back home.

Huang Yong, expecting Bi Wenfeng, opened the door to find...

"Ye Fann? What are you doing here...?"

Carrying Huang Xinying inside, Ye Fann's eyes darted between Huang Yong and Wang Ying, then lingered on the red wine and the assortment of dishes on the table. He caught Wang Ying's flushed face and pieced it all together.

"Mom, do you really not care at all that your own daughter has been hurt?" It was the first time Ye Fann spoke to Wang Ying with such accusation in his voice.

Wang Ying stood there, stunned, unable to find the words.

Huang Yong stepped up defiantly, "What right do you have to meddle in our family affairs? Put my sister down and get out—just leave!"

With a bitter smile, Ye Fann conceded, "Fine, I'm leaving."

He turned to leave, still holding Huang Xinying.

Huang Yong stepped in front of him, blocking his way, "I said put my sister down. Are you deaf or just stupid?"

Ye Fann's demeanor shifted, a chilling aura enveloping him.

Huang Yong, overcome with an involuntary tremor, retreated several steps.

"Listen up, Xinying is my lawful wife. Where I choose to take her is my prerogative. If you intend to snatch her away, either make a move or take me to court. Whichever path you choose, I, Ye Fann, am ready for you."

His words hung in the air, leaving a palpable silence.

Wang Ying and Huang Yong were frozen in place, intimidated by the sheer intensity of Ye Fann's presence.

In another room, Huang Shihao was incessantly shaking his head, sighing at the situation.

How had things escalated to this point?

"Ye Fann, think carefully. Once you step out that door today, you'll be left to the streets. You may be willing to beg, but do you really plan to drag my sister down with you?" Huang Yong, mustering his courage, made a desperate plea.

Ye Fann let out a cold laugh. "Your sister? Do you even deserve that title?"

"You..."

"Even if I have to beg with her by my side, I'll never allow a beast like you to treat her as merchandise to be bought and sold."

"To pay off your gambling debts by trading your own sister, Huang Yong, you lack even the basic decency of a human being. How dare you claim to be Xinying's brother?"

With his final roar, Ye Fann scooped up Huang Xinying and stormed out, vanishing into the vast night beyond the neighborhood.