Fan Jielan was attempting to find an opportunity to detach her son from her potential daughter-in-law. She wanted to talk about the ring she saw and give her blessings. Her husband might've disapproved of the marriage, but she knew he would eventually come around. The worst-case scenario was that it might take a grandchild or two before he did.

She heaved a sigh. During the entire dinner, he refused to speak to her and was throwing a temper tantrum with his passive-aggressive silent treatment. That was fine with her. He needed her more than she needed him. She knew everything about him from his diet to where he misplaced his things.

Finally, she saw an opening when Yang Feng was called to privately converse with Elder Yang. She watched him bend his head, whispering something into her ears, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek and walked off.

Other people began to approach Zhao Lifei now that her guard dog was gone. Fan Jielan skimmed through the banquet where everyone parted for her.

"Lifei.

"

Zhao Lifei raised her head and turned around to see Fan Jielan approaching with intent in her eyes.

"Madam Yang.

" Her lips curled into a smile.

"Come and take a walk with me in the garden.

" Fan Jielan offered her the curve of her arm to Zhao Lifei, who graciously placed her hand onto it. Never exchanging any more words, the two approached the garden, leaving everyone wondering what they would chat about.

- - - - -

"What is your intention on targeting Xia Mengxi?

" Yang Mujian cut straight to the chase. He rested his palms on the golden cane that was also an unsheathed sword. He was sitting on the grand couch of a room in the hallway.

Yang Feng did not make any moves of sitting down. He planned on returning to Zhao Lifei as soon as possible.

"Someone has to pay for Yang Ruqin's trauma.

"

"Someone already did pay.

" Yang Mujian referred to Mu Ting and the nameless model.

Yang Feng nonchalantly glanced at his grandfather. Were two people enough for the bloodshed of his favorite granddaughter?

Yang Mujian already knew what Yang Feng was thinking.

"In most circumstances, I do not care who you target. You sank Zheng Tianyi's stock for being disrespectful. That was fine with me. You wanted to marry Zhao Lifei. That was fine with me. But when your heart wavers for her happiness, it's not okay.

"

"Have I lost power and my ruthlessness after meeting her?

" Yang Feng slowly asked.

Yang Mujian's lips twitched. Everyone knew the answer to that. Ever since Yang Feng encountered Zhao Lifei again, he became more merciless.

"I'll ask for the last time, are you in love with her?

"

"Is a King in love with his disposable pawns?

" Yang Feng retorted without missing a heartbeat.

"Then why do you abuse your power for the sake of a forgotten grudge?

"

"So you'll allow a commoner to lay their dirty fingers on Yang Ruqin and get away with it?

" Yang Feng's words also implied a different message. Yang Mujian was getting weak. He was beginning to care about miscellaneous opinions and consequences.

Yang Feng took out the contract from his suit. He placed it onto the marble coffee table that was designed to mimic the ones found in Buckingham Palace.

"Xia Mengxi will not be the only thing I end.

"

Yang Mujian picked up the contract and read through the thick packet. The only noise that could be heard was the sound of pages being turned and the ticks of the grandfather clock by the fireplace. After a few minutes, he settled the contract onto the table.

"You plan on cutting off one of my major supporters. Is it because the five-year meeting is approaching?

"

"When a dog walks ahead of his master, he should be thoroughly disciplined.

" Yang Feng recited the phrase Yang Mujian had uttered in the past when the puppy was brutally beaten to death.

Yang Mujian was quiet for the longest time. He contemplated his grandson's words. The reasoning was there and should anyone raise any objections, this contract would be proof.

"I hope your decisions were not influenced by Zhao Lifei.

"

"Do I seem like the type to be influenced by a woman?

"

Yang Mujian had a knowing look in his eyes. He was on the thick side of the ice and did not want to tread over the thin layer.

"Fine then.

"

"Ruining Xia Mengxi will also have the Zheng's grateful to us. A change of CEO is always possible.

" He didn't bother to take back the copy of the contract and left without another glance towards his grandfather. He was allowing the words to marinate.

It was true Xia Mengxi was trying her hardest to have everyone like her. With the charm of a dashing female lead, she was slowly turning over the stones one by one. But she was going for the pebbles and not the boulders. None of it mattered now.

An extensive background check of Xia Mengxi came in a few days ago. He knew her biggest secret and it was one that would tarnish her reputation beyond repair. Her glass castle would come shattering down. It was a small price to pay for hurting his Xiao Lili.

- - - - -

Yang Feng walked back to the banquet. His sour mood worsened when his woman was nowhere in sight. 'Who stole her from him?' He didn't want to ponder over this thought anymore.

He took out his phone and easily located where the bodyguards were stationed. He turned around and headed in the direction of the garden, but a familiar raven-haired head stopped him.

"President Yang, forgive me for speaking out of line, but may I—

"

Yang Feng brushed past Su Meixiu without glancing her way. She was practically air to him.

Su Meixiu knew she would suffer his wrath sooner or later. She preferred to get it done as soon as possible. She had finally concluded her indecisive heart.

She mustered up all of her courage and grabbed his sleeves, forcing him to stop walking. He shook her off, fury written all over his face. He then dusted his sleeves as if she had dirtied it.

"Please! I just need five minutes to explain myself.

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"How pathetic can you get?

"

His words slapped her in the face. She was stunned to the core, her heart aching and tears building up in her eyes. All she wanted to do was talk and nothing more. Did he have to react like that? All she did was not stand up in a meeting and she was severely punished like this.

"Get out of my face. You disgust me.

" He spat out the words, turning his back to her.

Zhao Lifei was quietly watching the conversation unfold. Something about the way Yang Feng spoke to Su Meixiu rubbed her the wrong way. It was like witnessing herself in the past, the nightmare she had a few months ago when she still lived in Sky Arc Complex 1.

"Five minutes is all you have.

" Zhao Lifei turned the corner, her words surprising Fan Jielan.

Fan Jielan had expected Zhao Lifei to storm into the scene and make a possessive claim over Yang Feng. By not doing so, she was demonstrating how much she had matured and changed from the woman she was two years ago. If this was the previous Zhao Lifei, she would've slapped Su Meixiu in the face and accused her of attempting to covet Yang Feng.

Yang Feng swiveled around with a startled expression. He didn't expect her to be lurking and eavesdropping on the conversation. 'How long has she been standing there?' He glanced down at his phone and saw the positions of the bodyguards had changed to their current location.

Su Meixiu's throat ran dry. She felt like scum, for Zhao Lifei had just killed her with kindness. She tried so hard to sabotage the young woman in Elder Yang's eyes. Yet today, Zhao Lifei showed who was the adult in this one-sided dispute.

Yang Feng's eyes connected with Zhao Lifei's. The two shared a silent conversation. In the end, she left to give them some space.