Shang Yushang stayed by He Changning’s side the entire time, holding a glass of wine he neither drank nor put down. Whenever someone approached to chat, he responded with a blank expression. He Changning smiled politely and joined in the small talk, all while watching Lin Jingxian from the corner of his eye—her pale face and bloodshot eyes glaring at him with such intensity, her twisted expression ghostly and unnerving. But when she looked at Shang Yushang, her gaze became clouded with obsessive longing. He Changning couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. What a fickle woman. Switching between emotions like that—doesn’t she worry she’ll give herself facial paralysis? If her muscles cramp up any more, her whole face might end up warped. Tsk.
Yin Hao had been trying all evening to find an opportunity to separate Shang Yushang from He Changning and lure the latter to a prepared location. But those two were like conjoined twins—wherever one went, the other followed without missing a beat.
The wedding was nearing its end. If he didn’t act soon, it would be too late. Anxiety gnawed at Yin Hao. When he turned and saw his own wife staring longingly at another man, flames of fury flared inside him. But given the occasion, he couldn’t afford to make a scene, so he forcibly swallowed the anger and gently cleared his throat. “Jingxian, are you tired? If you are, go rest for a bit.”
His words snapped Lin Jingxian out of her daze. She quickly covered up her slip. “I’m fine.” She took a sip of juice, pretending everything was normal. “Look at He Changning, smiling like some slutty fox, flirting with everyone. Really makes the most of that face, huh.”
Yin Hao’s stomach churned with jealousy. My own wife is jealous of a man. What the hell is this?! He forced a grin. “I promised you before, right? Let’s make it happen now—but I’ll need your help.”
“How do I help?”
Yin Hao smiled meaningfully. “Didn’t you say you’ve always wanted a chance to talk to Shang Yushang? Looks like he hasn’t congratulated you yet. Go—start a conversation. It’ll help us both.”
He practically pimped out his wife, sending her off like a broker offering up a woman to curry favor. He followed close behind, ready to seize the moment and lure He Changning away.
Lin Jingxian touched up her makeup slightly, then walked toward Shang Yushang with elegant steps. To her, this moment felt like walking down the aisle toward her true love—the man she had longed for over so many years. If only he would reach out to her, she would give him everything without hesitation. If he told her to go with him, she would abandon everything and follow him to the ends of the earth. But all she had were these fantasies, which she used to fill the emptiness inside. The reality was: he didn’t even consider her worth a glance. All his love and attention belonged to the man beside him. A man. A filthy man. A man who sold his body.
Choking down the sweetness of her delusions and the bitterness of her hatred toward He Changning, Lin Jingxian approached Shang Yushang and greeted him gently and graciously. “Yushang, I’m so happy to see you. Thank you for coming to my wedding. I’ve always considered you my dearest friend over the years—thank you.” She extended her hand, eyes full of hope, wishing for even a brief touch from him.
But she was destined to be disappointed.
Shang Yushang’s eyes held no emotion. His face was expressionless, and a deliberate hostility radiated off him. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Yin. I’m here to attend this wedding with my lover.”
Lin Jingxian froze, her hand hanging awkwardly in midair. Her face turned red, then pale, as tears welled in her eyes. She tried to hold them back, looking pitiful enough to inspire sympathy in most men.
But Shang Yushang wasn’t most men.
This act meant nothing to him—he only had feelings for anything He Changning did. Everyone else simply didn’t register.
Lin Jingxian’s beauty trap had failed, leaving her humiliated. Crushed by defeat, she choked out, “Yushang… do you really not consider me a friend anymore? I thought… I thought you’d at least remember me, even after all this time.”
Shang Yushang’s brows furrowed deeply. This woman was like a buzzing fly—disgusting and persistent. Her words might give Changning the wrong idea. “Mrs. Yin, please behave yourself. Your words might make my lover misunderstand. I won’t let someone irrelevant ruin his mood.”
The guests around them gawked in stunned silence, jaws practically hitting the floor. What the hell just happened? That slap in the face came out of nowhere!
Lin Jingxian’s face flushed with a chaotic blend of colors before draining to a lifeless white. Her eyes widened. “Yushang, you—you…”
But Shang Yushang didn’t care how anyone else reacted. He gently took He Changning’s hand, his tone filled with tenderness and affection. “Tired? You’ve been standing a while. Let’s go home and rest.”
He Changning smiled faintly and let Shang Yushang lead him away.
Lin Jingxian snapped out of her shock and rushed to block Shang Yushang’s path. Spreading her arms wide, she cried out, “Yushang, what did I do wrong for you to treat me like this? It’s not fair!”
He Changning smiled and said calmly, “Mrs. Yin, this is your wedding day. Please show some self-respect.” With one sentence, he sent Lin Jingxian plummeting straight into hell.
Driven mad with humiliation, Lin Jingxian lunged at He Changning, shrieking vile profanities. “You shameless whore of a gigolo! How dare you steal my Yushang! I’ll show you what happens when you cross me. I swear I’ll make sure you get passed around by every man alive. You worthless tramp! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
Xiao Wu and Shisan stepped in front of her, shielding their master from even the slightest harm.
This woman was out of her mind. Her razor-sharp nails slashed open their arms and hands. Xiao Wu didn’t flinch—he simply landed a heavy kick square in her stomach, then rolled across the floor as if he’d been dragged down with her. The scene gave the impression that Lin Jingxian had pulled him down. Meanwhile, Lin Jingxian sat sprawled on the floor, ghostly pale, unable to get up, barely breathing. The force of that kick must have been devastating.
The sudden outburst left the entire room in stunned silence.
Yin Hao, snapping out of his shock, cursed Lin Jingxian furiously in his mind for ruining everything. He strode forward quickly, helping her up while profusely apologizing. “President Shang, I’m sorry. Jingxian’s exhausted from the wedding, that’s why she lost control. Please don’t take her seriously.” He grabbed her arm roughly without the slightest hint of tenderness and muttered through clenched teeth, “Jingxian, you’re tired. Go back to your room and rest. Now.” He squeezed her arm hard enough to bruise.
Wracked with pain, Lin Jingxian came to her senses. She knew she’d lost control. Bitterness flooded her chest, but she didn’t resist as Yin Hao dragged her away. Her pristine wedding dress was stained and dirty, her hair a wild mess. She looked like a frantic hen—pathetic and defeated.
Everyone thought the incident would end there. But Shang Yushang, radiating ice-cold fury, wasn’t about to let it go.
“Who said you could leave?” His deep voice thundered across the room. His eyes were like shards of ice, glaring at them with a predator’s intent. The tension was suffocating.
Yin Hao tried to remain composed, swallowing hard. “President Shang, I’ve already explained. My wife is overwhelmed by the wedding. Please don’t take offense—she’s just a woman.”
Shang Yushang’s cold eyes narrowed. “Do you think we’re all fools?”
Yin Hao’s legs almost gave out under the pressure. His voice trembled. “President Shang, once again, I sincerely apologize. I’ll bring gifts to your home to make amends.”
But Shang Yushang’s voice was mercilessly frigid. “You insulted my partner. Now, bring your wife over and apologize to him—immediately.” His tone left no room for argument.
Yin Hao’s jaw clenched. His eyes were bloodshot with rage. He didn’t want to apologize—especially not to that man. But he had no choice.
The Yin family, sensing things were getting out of control, jumped in to smooth things over. The Yin matriarch stepped forward first. “President Shang, please be understanding. Brides get emotional—nervous, even. It’s easy to say the wrong thing. After the wedding, I’ll personally accompany them to apologize.” Her tone was that of an elder expecting deference.
But Shang Yushang wasn’t buying it. “Yin Hao, I’ll say it one more time—apologize to my partner now. Or don’t blame me for what happens next.” A wave of menace rolled off him, forcing nearby guests to instinctively back away.
Yin Hao couldn’t take the pressure any longer. Pale and soaked in cold sweat, he dragged Lin Jingxian with him and stopped three steps away from Shang Yushang and He Changning.
Lin Jingxian cowered behind him, her regal air shattered. Her body ached, her heart pounded with fear. She was close to fainting—but didn’t dare collapse. Without Shang Yushang’s forgiveness, she couldn’t imagine what punishment awaited. Her eyes darted about, terrified to meet his gaze, knowing full well he would destroy her if she did. Regret consumed her—regret for ever provoking Shang Yushang, no, for ever challenging He Changning. She regretted it to her very bones.
Yin Hao wasn’t in much better shape. Facing Shang Yushang head-on was like standing before a death sentence. As a man, he wanted to hold on to some pride—but not in front of Shang Yushang. Here, he was nothing. Even if he groveled, he might still be ignored.
With trembling lips, he finally said, “Changning, we’re here to apologize. I’m sorry. Please don’t take it to heart. Don’t stoop to her level, alright?”
Yin Hao, even now, couldn’t resist taking a jab at him. He Changning suddenly smiled. “How could I dare? Your esteemed wife is hardly just an ordinary woman.” He shot a meaningful glance at Yin Hao. “I’ve always been a reasonable person, but I’m not so generous that I’ll just smile and laugh off being humiliated. I’m Shang Yushang’s acknowledged partner, recognized by the Shang family. My own dignity may not mean much, but I can’t allow my incompetence to disgrace the Shang name. You two had better give me an explanation today—or else you’re not just disrespecting me, but the entire Shang family. And my partner. Yin Hao, Madam Yin… have you decided how you want to handle this?” There wasn’t the slightest warmth in He Changning’s eyes. His clear gaze was now filled with icy frost. His presence and authority allowed no room for insult.
Shang Yushang let the hostility in his expression fade, his gaze filled with admiration as he looked at his little lover. It was as if, in an instant, the boy had grown up. That innate grace and power radiated unmistakably now—yes, this was truly his little one.
Sweat dripped steadily down Yin Hao’s face. He didn’t have the power—or the guts—to go up against the entire Shang family. His throat felt like it was filled with sand, and though it hurt like hell, he had no choice but to speak. Reaching behind him, he yanked Lin Jingxian forward. “Jingxian. Apologize.”
Shrinking with fear, Lin Jingxian knew the moment the family abandoned her, her only lifeline was Yin Hao. She had crossed He Changning, and even if she died on the spot, she had to follow Yin Hao’s orders and apologize. She couldn’t afford even the slightest show of disrespect. She might loathe He Changning so much she wanted him dead, but now she could only keep those feelings buried deep. “Mr. He, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking and said the wrong things. Please… forgive me.” She bowed deeply, head nearly pressed to her chest, her posture bent at a full ninety degrees, displaying a very convincing apology.
He Changning didn’t speak. He turned his gaze to Yin Hao.
Gritting his teeth, Yin Hao also bent forward. “Changning, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
Just as everyone waited for He Changning’s response, a crazed man suddenly burst in from the side. His eyes were bloodshot, his clothes in disarray, and his exposed skin was flushed red. Anyone with experience could tell he’d likely been drugged—he was clearly in the throes of some powerful aphrodisiac.
He lunged at people, trying to rip off their clothes while spewing vulgar, filthy words. The guests screamed and scattered in terror.
Shang Yushang narrowed his eyes and pulled He Changning behind him, while Xiao Wu and Shisan moved protectively in front of them.
Yin Hao’s eyes widened in horror. Why was that man here? He was supposed to be locked in a prepared room. How did he get out—and why was he in this state?
Panic-stricken, he dragged the trembling Lin Jingxian toward the house.
Chaos erupted in the garden. Screams mixed with the sounds of things crashing, the noise rising like a market in frenzy.
The drugged man, growing more agitated by the noise, attacked indiscriminately—man or woman, he’d pounce, trying to pin them down. The sound of tearing fabric, along with chilling screams and cries, pierced the air.
Just then, the main gate of the Yin estate was thrown open, and a team of uniformed police officers rushed in. The chaos momentarily calmed as their presence brought some order, though the person pinned beneath the man was still screaming hysterically.
The police quickly dragged the man off, rescuing the victim. Only then did people dare take a closer look to see who the attacker and the victim were.
The man was forcibly pinned to the ground by the police, but the drugs in his system had him struggling violently. His red eyes glared at everyone present, as if he wanted to throw them all down and ravage them.
The one who’d been attacked was a man. The fear and panic overwhelmed him the moment he was freed, and he fainted on the spot.
The police carried him off to the hospital. For now, the chaos was under control.
