"Brother, what's wrong?" Su Ziyan walked toward Su Ding in confusion, then pointed at Chen Yang. "Brother, this is the guy who hit me! He slapped me twice!"

Su Ding stood stiffly, his face pale, wishing he could find a crack in the earth and crawl into it.

He ignored his sister and turned to Chen Yang. "I... my sister is undisciplined. I'm sorry, I apologize to you on her behalf. I... I'm so sorry..."

Who is this man? The Nine Gates Admiral! The Zhennan Prince! Just one word from him got my uncle, Su Huai'an, taken away by the Patrol and Arrest Team, and rumor has it he's going to be shot.

Having already suffered such a huge loss, Su Ding wouldn't dare offend a man like him even if he had a hundred times the courage.

Opposing this titan? Nine lives wouldn't be enough.

Chen Yang pointed at Su Ziyan. "She said that after you arrived, she was going to show me the meaning of a fate worse than death."

BOOM!

Su Ding couldn't hold on any longer and dropped to his knees with a thud. "A misunderstanding! There must be a misunderstanding!"

Su Ziyan: "..."

Yan Long: "..."

This sudden scene was filled with drama. It didn't just stun Su Ziyan; it left everyone else present speechless, their mouths dry.

Was the ever-domineering Mr. Su, the Su Family's young master, actually kneeling of his own accord?

Everyone was dumbfounded, their minds unable to process what was happening.

Pei Xiaoyi looked at Qin Mo with a questioning gaze, but Qin Mo appeared even more shocked than anyone else.

What... what in the world is going on?

Su Ziyan wasn't stupid. How could she not realize something was wrong? She tugged on Su Ding's sleeve. "Brother, what are you doing? He's just a worthless matrilocal husband who married into the Qin Family! Did you mistake him for someone else?"

If she hadn't said that, there might have been a chance it was a case of mistaken identity. But her words sealed the deal, confirming Chen Yang's identity for Su Ding beyond any doubt.

Su Ding gritted his teeth. "Ziyan, kneel and apologize to Lord Chen! Now!"

"I won't! Why should I apologize to a good-for-nothing!" Su Ziyan's expression shifted several times before she stubbornly held her ground.

With so many of my classmates watching, what about my reputation?

"I told you to kneel!"

Su Ziyan tried to resist, remaining defiant.

BANG!

With a grim expression, Su Ding said no more. He grabbed Su Ziyan and threw her heavily to the ground.

Pain shot through Su Ziyan's knees as she bit her lip. Before she could erupt, Su Ding roared, "Apologize! I said apologize!"

Su Ziyan was dumbfounded. Now she was truly afraid. Although she still couldn't believe it, she lowered her head. "I'm... sorry."

"How about you slap yourself now?" Chen Yang said coolly.

Su Ziyan: "..."

SLAP!

Before Su Ziyan could react, Su Ding had already struck her across the face.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she stumbled to the side.

"And then, how about you help me tear her mouth to shreds?" Chen Yang added.

Su Ding froze, clenching his jaw as he hesitated.

In an instant, Su Ziyan was paralyzed by a terror so profound it felt as though her insides were on fire. The others watched on, their hearts filled with pity and fear.

This guy... he's so imposing.

Then, Pei Xiaoyi began cautiously, "Chen... Chen Yang, maybe we should let it go? We're all classmates, and Ziyan has already apologized. I'm sure she'll never do it again."

"Fine. I'll listen to you today," Chen Yang nodded.

After all, it was her birthday. It was already embarrassing that the situation had become so chaotic, so he had to give her some face.

Otherwise, I would have torn that mouth of hers to shreds!

Su Ding was greatly relieved, nearly collapsing to the ground. He thanked Chen Yang profusely. "Th-thank you, Lord Chen."

Not daring to linger a second longer, Su Ding grabbed Su Ziyan and fled.

Outside the restaurant, Su Ziyan ripped her arm from Su Ding's grasp and roared in fury, "Brother, what are you so afraid of? Since when did the Su Family become so cowardly? We had to kneel and beg for mercy like servants!"

Su Ziyan was burning with rage. She was a well-known figure at school, admired by thousands, the dream girl of countless male students. And today, she had been forced to kneel and apologize.

I know it won't be long before this news spreads through the entire school. How can I possibly stay here after that?

Su Ding took two deep breaths. He didn't answer right away. Instead, he lit a cigarette with a trembling hand, took a long drag, and finally said slowly, "Ziyan, I want you to remember this: as long as our Su Family isn't all-powerful, there will always be people in this world we cannot afford to provoke."

"But that trash! He's just a worthless bum who survives by sponging off his wife! What right does he have to make our family walk on eggshells?"

"It's not about walking on eggshells," Su Ding corrected her. "It's that we *cannot* afford to provoke him."

"Hmph!" Su Ziyan scoffed.

"Ziyan, do you remember a month ago, when our family almost collapsed?" Su Ding asked grimly. "And do you remember when Third Uncle was dragged away from the hotel by the Martial Department's Patrol and Arrest Team?"

Su Ziyan's expression changed drastically. How could she not understand the implication of his words?

"It... it was all him?"

"That's right. It was all his doing," Su Ding nodded. "The 'worthless bum' you're talking about can send our Su Family from heaven to hell with a single sentence!"

Su Ziyan trembled, her eyes bulging so wide they looked like they might pop out of their sockets. She couldn't believe it. "How... how is that possible? He's just a worthless freeloader..."

Su Ding shook his head. "No matter what anyone else calls him, you must remember this: he, Chen Yang, is someone the Su Family can never, ever afford to provoke! Do you understand?!" His tone was laced with a heavy warning.

Su Ziyan nodded numbly, her spirit gone.

...

After the meal, the others quickly dispersed. It was the most oppressive and unforgettable meal they had ever had—an excruciating experience.

Just as Chen Yang was about to leave, he bumped into Fan Xiaoxian, who was passing by.

"Brother Chen, what brings you here? Are you here for our school's evening gala?" Fan Xiaoxian's eyes lit up as she ran over to him, smiling excitedly. "Xiaomo and I are both performing tonight. I'm so happy you could come!"

"What are you so happy about?" Qin Mo rolled her eyes. "He just came to drop off my dress, he's not here for the gala."

"But you're already here, and the gala's about to start. Of course you have to watch!" Fan Xiaoxian said, grabbing Chen Yang's arm and batting her eyelashes.

Chen Yang was stunned. He could see the hint of mischief in her expression. As expected, Fan Xiaoxian leaned in and whispered, "Go on. It'll be a good way for me to keep your secret."

Chen Yang: "..."

That remark hit its mark, a fatal blow. Resigned, and with nothing else to do that evening, Chen Yang naturally agreed.

「Across the street.」

In a milk tea shop, two pairs of unfriendly eyes stared at Chen Yang.

"Bro Fan, that must be the guy who hit Su Ziyan," said a tall, skinny boy with a sharp, weaselly face named Li Qiang, pointing at Chen Yang.

The boy, whose name was Li Fan, shot to his feet. "Let's go get him!"

He was a hulking figure, standing over 1.9 meters tall. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, he was as solidly built as an iron tower.

Li Qiang shrank back in fear and quickly grabbed Li Fan. "Bro Fan, I heard this guy has connections. A direct confrontation isn't the best idea. We need to think of something else."

"What's your bright idea?" Li Fan frowned. He had also heard about Su Ziyan kneeling and begging for mercy, and the thought of it fueled his rage.

My girlfriend kneeling to another man... How am I, the president of the Lingjin University Martial Arts Society, supposed to keep my dignity?

Li Qiang's eyes darted around cunningly. "Looks like they're heading to the gala. Bro Fan, don't you have a martial arts performance? After your act, you can challenge him publicly. Force him onto the stage, and then you can beat him down in front of the whole school!

"I'll find out where he's sitting and give a heads-up to the student on lighting," Li Qiang continued, a sly smile making his weaselly face look even more treacherous. "Once the spotlight is on him, where can he possibly run? And when it's all over, won't Su Ziyan be completely touched by what you've done?"

"HAHA!" Li Fan laughed triumphantly. "You little rascal, you really are devious!"

"You flatter me, Bro Fan."

...

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