Chapter Eighty-Four: The Chen Family

"Why leave in such a hurry? It would be just the same to have dinner first."

Seeing the two women rise, Chen Ning hurriedly stood as well and spoke to them.

The evening's intended star was leaving. Then who was all his elaborate display for?

"Young Master Chen, how kind of you. We truly do have some matters to attend to. Another time, then. The four of us can make a separate arrangement, and I shall be the host."

Xiao Ye offered Chen Ning an apologetic smile, then turned as if to take the two women away.

"How long can a meal possibly take? I have a car here. I'll see you back afterward; it won't delay you for long."

Chen Ning stepped anxiously into their path and tried to explain.

"Please make way, Young Master Chen."

Xiao Ye had no wish to tear the face between them, but to his surprise, Chen Ning cut him off coldly.

"I wasn't speaking to you. You weren't part of tonight's dinner in the first place. I invited the two ladies to eat; what does that have to do with you? If you're busy, then you can leave first."

With that, Chen Ning let the warmth vanish from his face and fixed Xiao Ye with an icy stare.

Having discarded his mask, Chen Ning realized he had lost composure and hurriedly changed his tone.

"I mean no offense. Everyone sits together, makes a friend, has a simple meal. There's no need to make this so troublesome."

"I do not wish to repeat myself. Move aside."

Xiao Ye's gaze also turned unfriendly as he spoke to Chen Ning in a frosty voice.

The two men stood off against each other, and Qin Xue'er and Shu Ran, sensing the gunpowder in the air, quickly retreated behind Xiao Ye.

Seeing this, Chen Ning, eager to preserve his image, cleared his throat and went on.

"To me, this is very easy to settle. I can give you some money."

As he spoke, he drew a thick wallet from his pocket.

"Ten thousand? Twenty thousand?"

"Seeing how shabby you're dressed, you could buy yourself a couple of outfits, find a decent job, or perhaps a little more?"

When Chen Ning took out the money, he deliberately flicked it in the air, convinced he looked dashing.

He believed he was handsome enough, and richer than the man before him besides. There was no way the two women would leave with Xiao Ye.

"I do not want to repeat myself. Move!"

Xiao Ye's eyes grew even colder. Chen Ning was not merely targeting him.

The way he waved his money around showed complete contempt.

For people like that, Xiao Ye had never had a kind face to show.

"Otherwise what? At least I'm better than a man with no money like you."

Chen Ning was still doing his best to flaunt his strength. By now he had even begun to imagine that the two people behind Xiao Ye were looking at him with flirtatious eyes, and that thought made his heart stir all the more.

To his surprise, when Xiao Ye heard that, he did not rage but laughed instead.

"Farewell. Let's go."

After speaking, he turned to the two women behind him, brushed past Chen Ning's shoulder, and prepared to leave.

"Stop right there. If you dare take them away today, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Chen Ning could hardly believe it. He had been displaying his charm so frantically, and yet Xiao Ye had ruined everything.

His fury clogged his chest like a stone. Casting aside all pretense, he threatened Xiao Ye outright.

Damn it. If he had not come here without bodyguards because he was handling business today, would those people still be acting so arrogant?

"Say whatever you like."

Xiao Ye tossed back the words and led Qin Xue'er and the other woman out of the restaurant.

At once, a crushing sense of defeat settled over Chen Ning.

In a fit of rage, he snatched the plate beside him and hurled it to the floor, where it shattered with a crash.

A waiter hurried over to clean up, only to be driven back by Chen Ning's shout.

"Get lost. All of you, get the hell out!"

In the vast restaurant, only Chen Ning's roar remained.

He truly could not understand it. He was so rich—why had Shu Ran and Qin Xue'er not chosen him?

Xiao Ye. This was all that loser's fault!

Chen Ning forced himself to calm down, picked up his phone, and stepped outside the restaurant.

The call connected quickly. On the other end was the voice of a young man.

"What is it, Young Master Chen? Run into another problem and calling me again?"

"Cut the crap. I'm in a very bad mood. Look into someone for me, a man named Xiao Ye. I want him dead!"

...

After hanging up, Chen Ning got into his car, slammed the door, and drove off.

Once the three had left the restaurant, Shu Ran sat down and let out a long breath.

"Thank you both. If not for you, I don't know what would have happened tonight."

"Ran, how did this man even get to meet you?" Qin Xue'er asked in some confusion.

"Don't remind me." Shu Ran sighed and then continued.

"At first I thought it was just a case of the same name, but I never expected it to really be that young master from the Chen family."

"The Chen family?"

Xiao Ye was somewhat puzzled; from beginning to end, he had never heard of this family.

"This Chen family isn't from Jianghai City. They're from the Jiangnan district."

"This Chen Ning actually went to visit my home first and got my address from my parents."

These past few days, Chen Ning had nearly driven Shu Ran mad, sending her messages every day.

He even used those supposedly clever tricks to show off his wealth before her.

Xiao Ye was somewhat surprised. So it was another family from the Jiangnan district.

He wondered whether they had anything to do with Jiang Zhongtao or Ye Gang.

"I have another question. Why was I specifically called along tonight?"

Qin Xue'er still could not understand what Chen Ning had been thinking.

"Who knows what he wanted to do? The situation tonight felt off, and the only person I could think of was you."

Shu Ran shook her head and said this.

Xiao Ye understood in his heart that Chen Ning was absolutely not as innocent as he appeared.

"I really am at my wit's end. I don't know what my family is thinking, saying I'm not so young anymore and wanting me to marry him."

"That Chen Ning doesn't just give me a bad feeling; according to the rumors, his character is rotten. He's nothing but a gentleman in appearance and a beast at heart."

Just thinking of Chen Ning's face made Shu Ran feel sick.

"Then simply don't marry him. Someone like that cannot be relied on even if you do get married. Tell your family what his situation is. I don't believe your uncle would not think of your happiness."

Qin Xue'er said with some indignation.

"It's useless. Chen Ning clearly did his homework. He's charmed my family into being delighted with him. Now they're all speaking up for him; no one listens to me at all. And besides, the forces behind the Chen family are numerous. To put it plainly, we do not dare offend them."

When Shu Ran said this, her expression held a trace of irony.

She very much wanted to resist, but lacking the strength to do so, she could only submit.

After she finished, the three of them fell silent. Qin Xue'er understood that helpless feeling; she had once felt it herself.

"I think there is still a way to turn this around."

At that moment, Xiao Ye suddenly spoke slowly.