“Ahhh!!”
A string of miserable howls burst from Ye Chen’s mouth. The security captain struck mercilessly, one slap after another. After only a few blows, half of Ye Chen’s face was swollen, blood trickling from the corner of his lips.
“You dare lay a hand on me?!” Ye Chen roared with rage. He was the eldest young master of the Ye Family, a transcendent ancient martial clan hidden from the world, and his cultivation was on the verge of reaching the Grandmaster Realm. Being beaten at home by his wife and her friends was already humiliation enough, but now he was being slapped around by a mere security guard? This was utter disgrace!
His eyes turned bloodshot with fury. He wanted to fight back, but when he remembered the three-year term, he clenched his teeth and swallowed his anger again. “I’ll endure! I’ll endure! I’ll endure once more! When the three years end, I’ll return with a hundredfold vengeance!” Ye Chen endured the pain and humiliation, his gaze locked coldly on Lu Chen.
“Daring to glare at our Young Master Lu… do you really have a death wish?” the security captain sneered, swinging his arm again. He pummeled Ye Chen’s other cheek so brutally that his nose bone snapped, blood streaming down his face. Then, grabbing a brick from outside the lobby, he smashed it against Ye Chen’s face.
Ye Chen screamed, his cheeks swollen beyond recognition. One tooth flew out, and blood dripped slowly from the corner of his mouth. He was a wretched sight.
“Wife… save me…” Ye Chen covered his face, wailing miserably. He hadn’t expected Lu Chen to be so ruthless—this man was a madman!
But Liu Ruyan only glanced at him once before turning away, as if watching a stray dog being beaten. The indifference nearly made Ye Chen faint.
He had stayed in the Liu Family for over two years, enduring every kind of hardship. Not only did he tolerate Liu Ruyan’s constant commands, but also the disdain and abuse of the matriarch, the sisters-in-law, the maids, and even the drivers. Even a dog, raised for so long, would inspire some pity.
“Stop… stop hitting me…” Ye Chen begged hoarsely. But what met him was another pair of heavy kicks.
Finally, Lu Chen spoke, his voice calm, “That’s enough. You can stop now.”
Ye Chen’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, but he still forced himself to sit up, his eyes dark and cold as they stared at Lu Chen.
“Give him 200 yuan for medical expenses,” Lu Chen said flatly.
The security captain’s heart ached as he tossed the money at Ye Chen, then slapped him again. This useless fool had cost him 200 yuan—today’s shift was wasted! Still unsatisfied, he backhanded Ye Chen once more. “Hah… now I feel better.”
“Lu Chen, you’ve beaten him like this—are you satisfied now? Can we talk?” Liu Ruyan asked coldly.
Lu Chen shrugged, curling his lips disdainfully. “No need. I had planned to give you more time, but it seems unnecessary now.” He paused, then held up three fingers. “I’ll give you three more days. If you don’t make a decision by then, the Liu Family will be erased from Yanjing City.”
“W-what?” Liu Ruyan’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at him in terror. Did he really just say the Liu Family would be erased from Yanjing City?
Her body trembled, cold fear spreading through her heart. She had never expected Lu Chen to be this ruthless. This was cutting off every path of survival for her family!
She looked into his eyes, hoping to find even a trace of a joke. But when her gaze met his cold, sinister stare, she knew without a doubt—he was not joking.
Lu Chen withdrew his hand and said coldly, “I’ve always been a man of my word, especially toward my enemies. After three days, if you haven’t answered, I’ll personally send the Liu Family to the grave. Believe me, I do what I say.”
His tone was smooth, but it carried an aura of killing intent and bloodlust. Without another glance, he turned and walked deeper into the lobby, leaving Liu Ruyan only his cold, merciless back.
“Lu Chen! You’re insane!” she shouted furiously. “What right do you have to destroy the Liu Family!” She tried to chase after him, but a row of black-clad men blocked her path like an iron wall.
“Move aside!” Liu Ruyan commanded angrily.
The men didn’t budge, standing firm as stone. Lu Chen didn’t spare her a glance as he stepped into the elevator. Watching his retreating back, Liu Ruyan’s eyes grew moist, her voice trembling with anger and despair. “Lu Chen, you bastard… What did my Liu Family ever do to you? If you like me, why not just pursue me? Why do you have to force me like this? Don’t you know how much I hate it…”
The more she cursed, the fiercer her voice became. She even struck the bodyguards with her handbag, but it was useless. Exhausted, she panted heavily.
Ye Chen wiped the blood from his face, then walked up behind her. “Wife, let’s go back…” he whispered.
“Get lost, you useless trash!” Liu Ruyan snapped, kicking him in the stomach.
“Ugh!” Ye Chen groaned, clutching his belly and squatting down. Though his strength was formidable, he didn’t dare reveal it, afraid of exposing himself.
Seeing his pathetic state, Liu Ruyan’s beautiful face twisted with even greater disgust. “Look at you, such a spineless disgrace! You’ve completely shamed the Liu Family! How can there be such trash in this world? Get out of my sight before you humiliate us further!”
Ye Chen lowered his head, his face dark and eyes flashing with killing intent. “Don’t worry, wife. Once the two months are up and the three years end, I’ll make Lu Chen pay the price!” He clenched his fists and swore silently.
Standing up, he picked up Liu Ruyan’s fallen handbag, carefully dusted it off, and obediently trotted after her.
…
Meanwhile, inside Yanjing City First People’s Hospital.
Chen Mengyao sat on a bench in the corridor, staring blankly at the wall opposite her, lost in thought. Ever since her mother had been rushed into the emergency room, she had sat there dazed, her heart shrouded in gloom.
Chen Xuening had long since fallen asleep in her arms, her small hand still clutching tightly at her sister’s clothes.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before the surgery light went out and the door opened slowly.
“The patient has been stabilized, but she needs a second surgery. Who is the family member? Please come forward to pay the surgical fee.” A female doctor in a white coat removed her mask and asked.
Hearing this, Chen Mengyao immediately stood up with Chen Xuening in her arms and said urgently, “Me, me! I’m the patient’s daughter!”
“Good, come with me.”
The doctor nodded and led her into the operating room, instructing her to sign the consent forms. Chen Mengyao quickly wrote down her name and contact information.
But when she went downstairs to pay, her worst fear finally came true.
She didn’t have enough money…