Yang Chen was taken aback, thinking he might have done something to wrong Qin Xi, but he quickly understood everything from the look in her eyes.
He suddenly flashed a bright smile: "Because I like you!"
These words made Qin Xi lose control of her emotions. Tears streamed down her face, but she stared straight at Yang Chen: "You should know I don't have romantic feelings for you. Is it worth it, treating me so well?"
Yang Chen pulled out a tissue and gently wiped away her tears, wearing a tender smile: "You don't need to feel any psychological burden. Just think of me as a suitor."
"A suitor?" Qin Xi was somewhat surprised by his phrasing.
Yang Chen nodded: "Just think of me as a man who likes you and is pursuing you. If one day you realize you truly can't accept me, you can refuse."
Qin Xi fell silent. Yang Chen comforted her: "Don't overthink it. Let's have breakfast."
After breakfast, Yang Chen drove Qin Xi to her company.
"Yang Chen, if you're free, could you take me to the Qin Group first?" Qin Xi suddenly said.
Yang Chen didn't ask further and simply replied: "Sure."
The entire ride, Qin Xi was in low spirits. Even after arriving at the Qin family's place, Yang Chen had to remind her before she snapped out of it.
As soon as they got out of the car, they saw a familiar figure.
"You're still alive? What a surprise," Qin Fei said, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes when he saw Yang Chen.
Yang Chen smirked: "Haven't seen you in days. Seems like you're craving men again?"
Qin Fei flew into a rage: "Yang Chen, do you really think no one can deal with you?"
"Even if there is, it's not you," Yang Chen retorted sarcastically.
"Don't think just because Brother Xiong hasn't acted yet means he's afraid of you. He just hasn't had time to deal with trash like you. Once he's free, you'll be left dead on the streets!" Qin Fei gnashed his teeth.
Ever since his private video with Xiong Wei was leaked, tech-savvy netizens had turned his reactions from the video into memes—ones where he looked like he was enjoying it. Netizens even gave him a nickname: "Qin the Beast!"
Paparazzi often stalked and photographed him outside the Qin family home and the company.
There were even adult film directors reaching out, wanting him to star in their movies as the lead.
Just earlier, as he passed by a university, someone suddenly exclaimed: "It's Qin the Beast!"
Instantly, a crowd of nerds surrounded him, snapping pictures like crazy.
All of this was thanks to the bastard in front of him. Qin Fei wished he could kill Yang Chen on the spot, but seeing his arm still in a cast, he suppressed the urge.
"No need to waste time with this disgusting person. Let's go see Grandpa," Qin Xi said to Yang Chen.
"Stop right there!" Qin Fei blocked their path, furious: "Your whole family's been kicked out of the clan. What are you doing at the company?"
"Qin Fei, you'd better step aside. If you delay the cooperation between the Qin family and Sanhe Group, Grandpa will never forgive you," Qin Xi said coldly.
Since being bought by a mysterious buyer, Sanhe Group had secured collaborations with Yanchen Group and the Su family, making it a rising star.
Qin Fei wasn't stupid. Frowning, he asked: "What do you mean?"
Qin Xi raised the document bag in her hand: "This is the contract drafted by Sanhe Group. I'm now in charge of the cooperation with the Qin family. If you think the Qin family doesn't need it, I'll leave now."
Hearing this, Qin Fei was shocked.
He knew perfectly well that when the Qin family was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was Sanhe Group that stepped in to save them.
"Yang Chen, you know what? I genuinely feel sorry for you," Qin Fei sneered, turning to Yang Chen.
Yang Chen raised an eyebrow: "Shouldn't the pitiful one be you?"
"Your wife must've cuckolded you countless times just to get back into Sanhe Group, yet here you are, foolishly thinking you've got a treasure," Qin Fei mocked.
"Qin Fei!" Qin Xi erupted in anger: "How dare you spout such nonsense!"
"Am I wrong? You know the truth. All the Qin family's direct descendants in Sanhe Group were fired—except you. If you weren't sleeping around, how could you have stayed?" Qin Fei's face was full of disdain.
*Slap!*
Qin Xi immediately slapped him. Qin Fei's ears rang as he stared in disbelief: "You bitch—"
*Thud!*
Before he could finish, Yang Chen kicked him in the chest, sending him tumbling down the stairs.
The cast on his arm split open again, and he howled in pain.
It was rush hour, and many employees watched the scene in shock.
Yang Chen walked up to Qin Fei, looking down at him coldly: "Qin Fei, patience has its limits. This is the last time. If I hear you insult her again, it won't just be a kick."
Qin Fei's eyes burned with hatred: "Yang Chen, just you wait. I won't let you off—never!"
"Hmph!" Yang Chen snorted dismissively before turning to lead Qin Xi into the company.
---
**Qin Group, Top Floor, Meeting Room**
"Chairman Qin, it's an honor for Chenhe Group to cooperate with you. We'll be counting on your support from now on."
Opposite Old Man Qin sat a well-dressed young man in his thirties, smiling amiably.
Old Man Qin felt flattered. He knew this young man's background—though not from a prominent family in Jiangzhou, his family was first-tier in another city.
"You're too kind, Young Master Yang. This is our Qin family's duty. Rest assured, Chenhe Group's investment in us won't disappoint," Old Man Qin replied eagerly.
The young man smiled: "No need for formalities, Chairman Qin. Just call me Yang Wei."
"Haha, alright. Then this old man won't stand on ceremony," Old Man Qin beamed.
"Young Master Yang, who might this lady beside you be?" Yang Wei suddenly asked, his gaze shifting to the woman next to Old Man Qin.
"Fang Yue, greet our guest properly," Old Man Qin chided.
Fang Yue was his granddaughter, meticulously dressed today. He'd brought her specifically to introduce her to Yang Wei. Now that Yang Wei had taken the initiative to ask, he was thrilled.
If the Qin family could form a marriage alliance with the Yang family, they'd surely rise to first-tier status.
Fang Yue put on a shy demeanor and stood up gracefully: "Brother Yang, hello. I'm Fang Yue. You can call me Yueyue."
Yang Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. Though Fang Yue wasn't a stunning beauty, she was decently attractive after some grooming.
He had no intention of marrying into a small family like the Qins, but since Old Man Qin was clearly offering her up, he thought it wouldn't hurt to have some fun.
"What a refined Qin family lady. Yueyue's beauty is unmatched in all of Jiangzhou, I'd say," Yang Wei lavished praise, though he knew it was all lies.
Yet, the foolish old man and young woman ate it up.
"Haha, you flatter her, Young Master Yang," Old Man Qin laughed heartily before giving Fang Yue a meaningful look. "Yueyue, Young Master Yang will be our guest for the next few days. Make sure to fulfill your host duties."
Fang Yue was ecstatic but maintained her demure act: "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll take good care of Brother Yang."
"Then I'll have to thank Yueyue," Yang Wei said with a smile.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Old Man Qin's smile vanished the moment he saw Qin Xi and Yang Chen. "What are you two doing here?"
Yang Chen frowned—not because of Old Man Qin, but because of the man in the room whose eyes hadn't left Qin Xi since she entered.
Yang Chen subtly stepped in front of Qin Xi, blocking the man's view. Yang Wei glanced at him and even nodded with a faint smile.
Seeing Old Man Qin's cold attitude, Qin Xi felt a pang of sadness. The Qin family was where she'd grown up, and she still held deep feelings for it.
"Grandpa, this is the contract Sanhe Group drafted. Please take a look."
Old Man Qin's expression shifted slightly at the mention of Sanhe Group, but he soon sneered: "Qin Xi, you're something else. All the Qin family's direct descendants were fired—only you managed to stay."
Qin Xi knew anything she said would only deepen his hostility, so she stayed silent.
Fang Yue, noticing Yang Wei's lingering gaze, grew jealous and smirked: "Grandpa, Cousin must have some special skills. I just wonder if her methods for getting into Sanhe Group are… presentable."
Yang Chen's eyes turned icy: "The Qin family really has no fear of death. Just now, some trash downstairs insulted her and got taught a lesson. Now there's another one asking for a beating."
At that moment, Qin Fei burst into the room.
"Fei! What happened to you?" Old Man Qin was furious seeing the cast on Qin Fei's arm broken and dust covering his clothes.
Qin Fei glared at Yang Chen: "Grandpa, it was this bastard! I tried to stop him from entering the company, and he crippled my arm! Grandpa, you have to stand up for me!"
"Grandpa, that's not what happened—" Qin Xi tried to explain, but Old Man Qin cut her off: "Shut up!"
Yang Chen watched Old Man Qin with amusement, curious how the old man would handle this.
Old Man Qin roared: "You worthless trash, get out now! Or I'll call security!"
"If you're kicking us out, don't regret it later," Yang Chen said mockingly. "Xixi, let's go."
No one else knew, but Qin Xi understood perfectly—Yang Chen was the one who'd bought Sanhe Group. Whether or not to cooperate was entirely up to him.
Hearing Yang Chen was about to leave, she panicked.
"Yang Chen, please give the Qin family one more chance. Please?" Qin Xi pleaded.
"Did I hear that right? Cousin is begging this loser to give the Qin family a chance?" Fang Yue exaggeratedly laughed.
Qin Fei scoffed: "This pair of dogs sure knows how to put on an act."
"Slap him!"
A cold glint flashed in Yang Chen's eyes as he lunged forward.
*Smack!*
Yang Chen's palm struck Qin Fei's face, sending him flying through the air. Several white teeth scattered mid-flight.