Chapter Seventeen They summoned a Rolls-Royce.

Lei Cheng was utterly astonished by these words, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Mr. Chen? Who could that be?

Could it be the very man he was about to fight?

Lei Cheng’s face darkened, ashen as mud. He had never imagined that this young man before him was someone whom Xiong Hu—one of Jiangjing City’s three underground bosses—would address as Mr. Chen.

Sweat began to bead on Lei Cheng’s back, nerves fraying as he opened his mouth to explain. But Xiong Hu cut him off, barking, “Damn it, I don’t want to hear a word from you. You’d better make sure Mr. Chen is satisfied, or I’ll have your hide.”

With that, Xiong Hu hung up.

Lei Cheng’s expression grew grave. He hurriedly removed his arm from around Chen Yang’s neck, squatted down, and forced a smile. “Oh, Mr. Chen, your shoes are dirty. Let me clean them for you.”

He used the sleeve of his expensive jacket to wipe the tops of Chen Yang’s sandals—a sight that stunned everyone present.

Qin Yan and Qin Guofu looked at Lei Cheng, eyes filled with incredulity, their minds a buzzing blank.

After Lei Cheng finished cleaning Chen Yang’s shoes, he stood up and said to Qin Guofu, “Apologize first, then leave—quickly.”

Qin Yan was, of course, deeply displeased. They had come here for revenge, and now, before anything had been settled, they were being told to leave? Worse, Lei Cheng was telling them to apologize!

She scowled. “Uncle Lei, what is going on?”

“Apologize now!” Lei Cheng roared. He had long been dissatisfied with Qin Guofu’s daughter.

Qin Guofu sensed something was off. Lei Cheng’s abrupt change in attitude must be linked to that phone call—he must have encountered some serious trouble. Assessing the situation, Qin Guofu said, “Chen Yang, you got lucky today. We’re leaving.”

Lei Cheng cursed Qin Guofu for being an idiot. Could he not see how fearful Lei Cheng was of Chen Yang? And still, he dared threaten Chen Yang.

Growing more annoyed, Lei Cheng shouted, “Old Qin, apologize to Mr. Chen. Now.”

“Me? Apologize?” Qin Guofu’s face was a picture of confusion.

“When I tell you to apologize, you apologize. Do it!” Lei Cheng’s voice was thunderous.

Qin Guofu was even more aggrieved. He had come here to settle scores, and now he was being forced to apologize to his adversary?

He frowned, pondering for a moment, then said, “Old Lei, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

Lei Cheng was furious. He knew he could afford to offend Qin Guofu, but not Xiong Hu—and certainly not this young man whom Xiong Hu called Mr. Chen. In a fit of rage, Lei Cheng grabbed Qin Guofu by the collar. “Damn it, are you looking for a beating?”

Qin Guofu’s dignity was trampled to the ground. Lei Cheng had been a good friend for years, and now here he was—threatened by the very man he’d called for help.

His mood plunged to rock bottom. He could only turn to Chen Yang and say, “Chen Yang, I apologize.”

Chen Yang knew Lei Cheng was afraid of Xiong Hu, and he had no desire to waste any more words with these people. His tone was icy: “Get out. You’re not welcome here. And as for you, Uncle of Mu Xue, when you get home, keep a close eye on your son and daughter. Next time, I won’t be so polite.”

Impressive! Utterly impressive!

Chen Yang’s dominance was palpable.

Qin Guofu was utterly dejected, and Qin Yan was no better off.

“All of you, get out,” Chen Yang repeated, impatient to be rid of them.

Lei Cheng bowed slightly to Chen Yang, then glared at Qin Guofu. “Damn it, you’re going to be the death of me. Let’s go.”

Qin Guofu, deeply puzzled, furrowed his brow. What on earth had gotten into Lei Cheng? Who had called him just now to make him so frightened?

As soon as they left the Qin Mu Xue villa, Qin Guofu asked, “Old Lei, what the hell happened to you today?”

Lei Cheng snapped, “Why didn’t you tell me in advance that he knows Xiong Hu?”

“Who?” Qin Guofu and Qin Yan were both bewildered. They didn’t mix in provincial circles and had no idea what kind of figure Xiong Hu was.

Lei Cheng’s face was grim. “You’ll be the death of me. Don’t ever contact me again. I’m done.”

He left decisively, cutting ties with Qin Guofu as easily as breathing. This left Qin Guofu even more frustrated; his heart was never strong, and now he clutched his chest in distress.

Seeing this, Qin Yan quickly supported him. “Dad, calm down. It’s not worth making yourself ill over this.”

Qin Guofu was exhausted and dispirited. “Yan, help me home. Just help me home.”

“Alright, Dad,” Qin Yan replied quickly.

Her own mood was just as terrible.

Meanwhile, back at Qin Mu Xue’s house, as soon as Qin Guofu and the others left, her mother-in-law Han Qin turned to Chen Yang in curiosity. “Chen Yang, what just happened?”

Chen Yang deliberately baited her, “Mom, didn’t you just wish they’d beat me to death?”

Han Qin frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense. I never said that.”

Chen Yang grinned. “Even if you did, it doesn’t matter. No one can push me around—simple as that.”

Han Qin shot him a glare, a bit annoyed.

Qin Mu Xue then rebuked him, “Be more respectful when you talk to Mom.”

Chen Yang chuckled. “It’s fine. Mom can handle it.”

Qin Mu Xue rolled her eyes but asked, “By the way, I want to know too—what really happened?”

“It’s simple. President Shen helped us out, that’s all,” Chen Yang replied with a laugh.

Truthfully, if his mother-in-law had a better temperament, he would have revealed his secret. But just now, she’d actually supported Qin Guofu in attacking him—that had truly chilled his heart. It only convinced him further not to reveal anything.

Let it be hidden, then. It didn’t stop him from being outrageous.

Qin Mu Xue frowned but didn’t dwell on it. She certainly wouldn’t have guessed Chen Yang had twenty billion in assets. Since he said President Shen was behind it, she found that reasonable.

At this point, Han Qin spoke again, “Chen Yang, you’ve been behaving decently lately. Tomorrow, I’ll give you a task.”

Chen Yang arched an eyebrow. “Oh, Mom, you have a task for me?”

Han Qin said, “Take it seriously. Tomorrow, your aunt and Mu Xue’s cousin Ling are coming to stay for a few days. They’re taking the long-distance bus and should arrive around eleven. Go pick them up and bring them home.”

“My aunt? The one who’s a doctor in Xinhai City?” Chen Yang confirmed.

Han Qin nodded. “That’s right. You met her before, didn’t you?”

Chen Yang thought back—it had been five years since they’d met, and his memory of her face was hazy now.

Still, for Mu Xue’s sake, and because he had some free time lately, he accepted the task.

Qin Mu Xue also chimed in, “Be sure to get there early and make a good impression.”

Chen Yang laughed. “Don’t worry, picking up people is my forte.”

“That’s true. You deliver food all over the city—you must know the roads well,” Han Qin said with a hint of sarcasm.

Chen Yang grinned. “Mom, there’s nothing wrong with delivering food. I can still bring in a ten-million sponsorship for Mu Xue’s company, can’t I?”

Han Qin was left speechless by that retort.

Chen Yang smiled and waved it off. “Alright, time for work. Enough with the chatter.”

Han Qin, Qin Guoshan, and Qin Mu Xue all looked at Chen Yang with strange expressions. He had changed so much lately, it was as though he’d become a different person.

Han Qin suspected that Chen Yang must have gotten close to Shen Donghua, emboldening him. Qin Mu Xue, however, didn’t think much about it—she was simply happy. After five years, she’d always hoped Chen Yang would become more ambitious and stop being looked down upon. Now, she finally saw a glimmer of hope.

The next morning at ten, Chen Yang took a taxi to the bus station. At eleven-twenty, he met Han Xiang, Mu Xue’s aunt, and her daughter Su Xiaoling at the station entrance.

Han Xiang was a beautiful woman in her forties, with a round, lovely face and well-maintained skin—she looked barely in her thirties. Su Xiaoling, a senior at the Conservatory majoring in piano, was tall, graceful, and as pretty as her mother.

Su Xiaoling was outgoing and vivacious, a stark contrast to Mu Xue’s gentle and reserved demeanor.

Han Xiang carried a high-end black handbag on her right arm. Seeing that only Chen Yang had come to pick them up, she was displeased. “Why are you here?”

“Mom asked me to come,” Chen Yang replied.

“Where’s Mu Xue?” Han Xiang frowned.

Chen Yang smiled, “She’s busy at work these days. I hope you understand.”

Han Xiang looked around, wanting to see what kind of car he’d brought, but saw nothing. Her displeasure deepened. “You’re still delivering food, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Chen Yang replied cheerfully.

In truth, he was now a billionaire, but he’d found that food delivery was an excellent cover for his real identity.

Su Xiaoling laughed, “Seriously? You’re still delivering food?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s a good job,” Chen Yang replied lightly.

Su Xiaoling covered her mouth, giggling.

Han Xiang, growing more annoyed, had no desire to waste words with this “useless” man. She asked, “So how do you plan to get us home?”

“I—” Chen Yang began.

Su Xiaoling interrupted, “Don’t tell me you’re riding an electric scooter.”

“Of course not,” Chen Yang said.

Just then, a blue Rolls-Royce came to a stop behind Chen Yang. The door opened, and a well-dressed young man stepped out, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, “Mr. Chen, your car is here.”

Han Xiang and Su Xiaoling were stunned at the sight of the Rolls-Royce.

But what happened next was even more shocking: Chen Yang pulled a thick wad of ten-thousand-yuan bills from his black bag and handed it to the attendant. “Here’s your tip. Make sure you provide good service.”

Han Xiang and Su Xiaoling’s eyes grew wide in disbelief.