Chapter 19: A Resounding Slap in the Face

Ling Siyu’s voice was cold and devoid of warmth as he said, “Your Chu family mistakes common shells for pearls and discards precious jade like worn-out shoes. You accuse her of disrespecting her elders—do you even have the right to be her senior? If you dare insult Shi Yi one more time, do you believe I won’t throw you out?”

He never hit women, but this woman before him was truly detestable. Shi Yi had endured no small amount of bullying from her during her two years at the Chu family.

Song Yashi’s face darkened with fury, but she stammered, unable to utter a word.

Ling Siyu looked toward Shi Yi and gently asked, “Did she hurt you?”

Shi Yi was slightly taken aback. She noticed that Song Yashi seemed quite afraid of Ling Siyu. Could he really be just the fake young master of the Ling family?

She pursed her lips slightly and glanced at He Wen, signaling him to speak, as she was not very good at using words to defend herself.

He Wen hurried to explain, “Miss Shi didn’t provoke anyone. This Lady Song rushed at her, ready to strike, and uttered many insults toward Miss Shi. Miss Shi has a good temper and composure; if it had been someone else, Lady Song would have been beaten to a pulp.”

Hearing this, Ling Siyu’s heart ached deeply. What kind of life had Shi Yi endured these past two years in the Chu family?

A layer of icy coldness settled in his gaze as he turned to Song Yashi. “Apologize to Miss Shi.”

“Siye, she kicked me first. Why should I apologize to her? Besides, my hand was smashed yesterday—someone must have been hired by her,” Song Yashi defended.

Ling Siyu’s expression turned stern. “If Miss Shi’s hand was injured, who do you think was behind it? Do you want me to name Huang Quan outright?”

Song Yashi shrank back, terrified. Huang Quan was her secret lover—how did Ling Siyu know? These people were careless indeed, leaving such a huge vulnerability in her grasp.

She rolled her eyes, suspecting that Ling Siyu might be bluffing.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to say, “Siye, the Ling and Chu families have cooperated for so many years, and I’m your senior. Do you really have no regard for face?”

Ling Siyu pressed his thin lips together, a faint, almost mocking smile playing on them. “If you want to continue cooperating with Ling Corporation, I’m afraid Chu Corporation won’t have that chance.”

Not far away, Chu Yuancheng pushed Chu Yifan’s wheelchair and witnessed the scene, a wave of inexplicable panic rising in his chest. Qin Wan’er stood beside him, looking utterly disheveled.

Just then, the elevator doors suddenly opened, and several burly men wielding iron rods charged out.

“Well, well, Chu General, what luck! When do you plan to repay the two hundred million you owe our company?” the leader of the thugs sneered.

It turned out they were debt collectors. The men quickly surrounded the Chu family members.

“What are you doing? What do you want?” Chu Yuancheng shouted, frowning.

Page (2/3)

“What do we want? That’s up to your precious son, Chu General. He borrowed two hundred million from our company, and with interest, it’s now three hundred million. When do you plan to pay it back?” The leader tapped his iron rod menacingly.

Chu Yuancheng scolded, “A mere three hundred million—do you think the Chu family can’t pay? We’re relatives of the richest family in Jingdu, the Ling family.”

A heavy door slammed in response.

Ling Siyu helped Shi Yi into the hospital room, shutting out the noisy commotion.

Shi Yi sat on the hospital bed and glanced at Ling Siyu. “Did you hire these people? You’re really ruthless.”

Ling Siyu closed his eyes briefly and exhaled deeply. “If I hadn’t acted quickly, how do you think you would have managed?”

He shuddered at the thought. Fortunately, he had returned from abroad; fortunately, he had gone to see her that night; fortunately, it was still not too late.

Unable to restrain himself, he drew her into his embrace, his voice softening. “Yi Yi, don’t be afraid. From now on, I will protect you.”

Shi Yi’s body stiffened, and she poked his back with her elbow. “I—I’m fine.”

For the first time, she realized it felt good to be protected.

“Please don’t push me away, okay? You did very well today. You can’t always back down. Yi Yi, you’re just too kind.”

His voice was slightly hoarse, laced with unease.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll take good care of myself,” Shi Yi said awkwardly with a small smile.

She was no innocent soul; she just couldn’t say so, fearing it would scare the young man.

Outside the hospital room, the debt collectors laughed loudly. “Oh, we’re so scared! Does the Ling family care about you? Relatives of the Ling family? I’m a relative of the Heavenly King himself! No money to pay debts, but still money for medical treatment?”

Chu Yuancheng’s face flushed red as he glared viciously at Chu Yifan. How could he have given birth to such a prodigal son?

The debt collectors were thugs and scoundrels; when they couldn’t get money, they unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on the Chu family.

In a moment, Chu Yuancheng and Song Yashi were both beaten until their faces were bruised and swollen, gasping and crying out in pain.

Now, the whole family wore the marks of disgrace.

Page (3/3)

Once the illustrious Chu family, now humiliated before the public eye, their dignity shattered, they were thrown out of the hospital.

Even Qin Wan’er, pregnant and frail, unable to care for herself, was not spared.

Those who thrived on chaos snapped photos and recorded videos. Within an hour, major forums, Weibo, and Douyin exploded with news.

“Extra! Extra! The Chu family has defaulted on massive loans, their company and mansions confiscated, now homeless.”

“What? The Chu daughter-in-law wisely divorced the scumbag Chu man in advance.”

“Hey, have you heard? The Chu daughter-in-law snagged a golden husband and caught the eye of Ling family’s young master. This woman is truly something.”

“Oh my goodness, the Chu family must be regretting this to death; I feel like vomiting blood.”

“They deserved it, never treating that woman as a person. That scumbag Chu even got her best friend pregnant. It’s said she turned to the Ling young master in anger.”

“Hahaha, any woman noticed by Ling’s young master must be extraordinary.”

…

Chu Corporation’s website crashed under the barrage of insults.

By the roadside, the utterly despondent family looked at the sky and the earth, so furious they spat blood. Chu Yifan coughed up several mouthfuls of blood.

Qin Wan’er patted Chu Yifan’s back, crying out, “Yifan, are you alright?”

Song Yashi vented her resentment on her: “It’s all your fault, you fake and scheming tramp, seducing my Yifan. It made Shi Yi jealous, so she divorced my son. You didn’t stop him from gambling, you even went with him—what were you thinking?”

Qin Wan’er sobbed, “Mom, I begged Shi Yi on my knees to return to Yifan. I’m willing to leave if she comes back, but she refuses… she’s so heartless…”

“That wretched Shi Yi, I won’t forgive her,” Song Yashi grit her teeth in hatred, blaming all their misfortunes on Shi Yi.

That shameless woman clung to her son relentlessly. After all, Yifan married her, letting her live comfortably as the young mistress of the Chu family for two years. Yet she showed no gratitude and even turned against them.

Trash discarded by the Shi family was clearly no good at all.