"Ye Jiuliang, you crazy girl, how dare you scam me? If I canât have peace, neither will you."
She raised her hand to strike Ye Jiuliang, completely disregarding the occasion and manners.
In that moment, everyone broke out in cold sweat.
Ye Jiuliang let out a cold snort, neither dodging nor evading. Her pale hand shot up, grabbed Su Yishanâs wrist, and twisted it behind her back.
"Miss Su, is this fun for you?"
Ye Jiuliang held one of her hands in a grip and the other at her neck, her lips curling into a bloodthirsty smile.
Piercing pain traveled up from her wrist and Su Yishanâs face turned crimson, her forehead dripping with cold sweat.
"Ah."
"Ye Jiuliang, donât you dare hurt my daughter, let her go, let go!" Wang Lian, seeing her precious daughter being choked, grew frantic.
"Not allowed?"
Ye Jiuliang savored her words with a playful smile, "Just because you say I canât, I canât? Who do you think you are, hm?"
"It hurts, Mom, save me, save me." Su Yishan felt as if her wrist was about to be crushed by Ye Jiuliang, her expression twisting in agony.
"Ye elder, do you really want to push our two families into mutual destruction?" Mr. Su, the Su family patriarch, said.
"Even considering our past friendship, please look the other way this time and make her stop. The Su Family will remember your kindness. Ye Jiuliang is still young; surely you canât let her carry the burden of a murder charge, right?"
The Ye family elderâs expression turned complicated upon hearing this.
The Su Family indeed could not compare to their Ye Family, but a full-blown feud would not be good for either partyâs reputation. And with so many witnesses around, if Jiuliang really did kill someone, it wouldnât end well.
With this in mind, he looked up at Ye Jiuliang and said in a calm and gentle voice, "Jiuliang, let go first. Letâs discuss this matter peacefully. This is Su Yishanâs fault; your grandfather will have her apologize and make amends, okay?"
Ye Jiuliang glanced at him and said in a mild tone, "Apologize?"
"What could she offer as compensation, hm?"
"Miss Ye, this is all Yishanâs fault. Just let her off this once, and you can name your terms," the Su family patriarch said hastily.
Wang Lian nodded in agreement, "Exactly, we can give you money, lots and lots of money."
Everyone was speechless.
With Li Mochan backing her, did Ye Jiuliang need money?
"Money, Iâm not interested." Ye Jiuliangâs eyes darkened, "I only want her pair of hands."
Before anyone could react, they heard a "crack".
It sounded suspiciously like bones being dislocated.
"Ahhhhâ"
The scream was horrific and piercing.
Su Yishanâs eyes bulged, her face as pale as a zombieâs.
Ye Jiuliang released her grip; Su Yishanâs body went limp, and she fainted.
"Yishan, Yishan..." Wang Lian rushed over, seeing her daughter unconscious, her eyes reddened with rage as she glared at Ye Jiuliang, "What have you done to my daughter, you heartless butcher?"
"Nothing much, she just wonât be able to hold chopsticks anymore," Ye Jiuliang said dismissively, shaking her hand off.
Unable to hold chopsticks?
Wasnât that essentially crippling her?
Everyone looked at the unconscious Su Yishan, feeling a chill run down their spine.
In such a short time, had Ye Jiuliang really disabled Su Yishanâs hands?
Was she even human?
What kind of monster had the Ye Family raised?
"Ye Jiuliang, you lunatic! How dare you cripple our Yishanâs hands? I will not let this go, the Su Family wonât let you off the hook," Wang Lian screamed hysterically.
She had only one daughter, and Ye Jiuliang dared to ruin her. Even as a ghost, she would not forgive her.
The raucous noise was giving her a headache; Ye Jiuliang pinched the bridge of her nose, no longer in the mood to stay.
Suddenly, a large hand settled on her head, gently massaging the top of her hair.
"Are you tired?"
She lifted her head and unexpectedly met the manâs deep, cold gaze.
Pressing her lips together, she gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Letâs go," said Li Mochan as he took her hand, pulling her toward the exit.
"Stop, youâre not allowed to leave," Wang Lian chased after them, blocking their way.
"Ye Jiuliang, youâre not leaving. You hurt my daughter, you cannot go."
Seeing the weariness in the girlâs features, Li Mochan drew her into his embrace and coldly swept a gaze over Wang Lian, "If you donât want the Su Family to become history in the capital, move aside now."
Behind them, when the Su Family patriarch heard these words, his face turned pale.
He knew Li Mochan wasnât joking. If truly angered, he would indeed make a move against the Su Family.
After weighing his options multiple times, he took steps forward, "Wang Lian, step aside."
"Dad," said Wang Lian, looking incredulously at the Su Family patriarch.
Hadnât he seen how Yishan was being treated?
"Step aside," the Su Family patriarch commanded sternly.
Wang Lian bit her teeth fiercely, reluctantly moving aside.
With no one else to obstruct them, Li Mochan and Ye Jiuliang left without any further hindrance.
A farce had finally come to an end.
The bystanders looked at Su Yishan, who was still passed out on the floor, with a sense of melancholy.
They thought they were dealing with a pushover, but it turned out to be an iron plate instead.
The Su Family had lost face, both inside and out.
...
The orange glow of the lamp filled the room, and the air conditioning coolness circulated all around.
On the sofa, Ye Jiuliang curled up, her eyes half-closed as she watched the man not too far away organizing clothes.
Now that it was all out in the open, living in the same room didnât need to be a concern.
As he organized Ye Jiuliangâs clothes, Li Mochan noticed that all her clothes were shirts and trousers, with no skirts.
Those unaware would think this suitcase belonged to a man.
He put her clothes together with his, placed the suitcase properly, then turned and walked toward her.
Bending over, he picked her up, "Why donât you go to bed if youâre tired?"
Ye Jiuliang smiled, "Who says Iâm tired?"
As expected, she predicted that soon, there would be more visitors.
As the thought emerged, someone knocked on the door.
"Thud, thud, thudâ"
Ye Jiuliang jumped out of his arms, ready to answer the door with bare feet.
"Put on your slippers, Iâll get the door," Li Mochan held her back, seated her on the sofa, and went to open the door himself.
When the door opened, a group of people blocked the entrance.
All of them were from the Ye Family.
Standing at the forefront, the Ye Family patriarch was the first to speak, "Mohan, I have something to discuss with Jiuliang. Please let her come out for a moment."
Li Mochan frowned, "Come in."
He turned and entered the room, and the Ye Family members exchanged glances before following him.
Ye Jiuliang, seeing that a group from the Ye Family had arrived, raised the corners of her eyes slightly.
"Jiuliang, letâs talk," said the Ye Family patriarch. Glancing at Li Mochan, it was clear he wanted to talk without others present.
She had no interest in talking, and spoke coolly, "Just say what you have to say."
The Ye Family patriarch, left with no choice, spoke earnestly, "Jiuliang, about tonightâs incident, Grandfather was also helpless. You saw the situation yourself; all evidence pointed towards you."
"Anyway, the Su Family is at fault first, and I will make sure to get justice for you."