Volume 1, Chapter 17: The Opportunity is Right Before Us

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Fang Tao was momentarily stunned, quickly wrapping himself in the blanket like a dumpling. He thought to himself, she shouted so loudly and watched so closely—what kind of logic was this?

“Hurry up, it’s almost eight o’clock,” Zheng Li said, turning around, her heart pounding like a drum. The scene from just now left her a bit dazed.

“I thought it was supposed to be nine o’clock? It’s not time yet,” Fang Tao replied reluctantly; his pleasant dream had been interrupted.

“Why don’t you prepare earlier? We're about to leave. Are you going to stay home and be a master or what?” Zheng Li was clearly worried he might change his mind.

Fang Tao had no choice but to start getting dressed.

After freshening up, he stepped out of the bedroom, about to stretch, but suddenly froze, nearly choking and coughing several times.

In the living room, Tang Xinyi wore a pure white evening gown, like a blooming lily, stunning enough to captivate anyone’s gaze. The gown outlined her graceful figure, utterly breathtaking.

Fang Tao stood rooted to the spot, arms raised halfway, eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Had enough? Come downstairs,” Tang Xinyi called out, waving her slender fingers lightly.

Fang Tao felt his heart leap out of his chest and quickly went downstairs, circling around Tang Xinyi and sincerely saying, “Miss Tang, you are truly as beautiful as a celestial goddess.”

Tang Xinyi showed no expression. “That’s what I was waiting to hear. Hurry up and drive.”

“Drive?” Fang Tao was taken aback—this was too sudden!

“What exactly do you want? A twenty-thousand-yuan monthly salary doesn’t just fall from the sky!” Tang Xinyi frowned impatiently. Seeing Fang Tao still dawdling as work time approached, she snapped, “Hurry up and drive. Do you want me to do it myself?” Fang Tao’s gaze made Tang Xinyi uneasy all over.

Sighing, Fang Tao reluctantly shuffled toward the villa’s gate, muttering under his breath, “You say you don’t like Ye Ziqing, but I think you’re secretly thrilled.”

“What were you just mumbling?” Tang Xinyi keenly sensed something was off.

“N-nothing... I’m going to drive now,” Fang Tao stammered, quickly climbing into the car.

Tang Xinyi sat in the front passenger seat, while Zheng Li silently took the back, curiously observing Fang Tao.

They arrived at a hotel together. Tang Xinyi linked arms with Fang Tao and slowly entered the banquet hall, where all eyes shone on them like spotlights.

The moment Tang Xinyi appeared, she captured everyone’s attention. This beauty from Shen City dazzled like a radiant star.

She tilted her head slightly and whispered to Fang Tao, “The atmosphere feels tense today. What do you think?”

Fang Tao smiled faintly. “I’ll be by your side.”

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At a nearby VIP table, a middle-aged man whispered, “I heard the patriarch of the Lei family from the provincial capital has come to Shen City. He might attend the banquet.”

Everyone at the table looked surprised.

If this were true, it would be a tremendous boost for the Ye family.

The Ye family had long sought to expand into the provincial capital; securing the presence of Patriarch Lei would undoubtedly mark a qualitative leap.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly grew tense. Ye Ziqing’s gaze pierced Fang Tao like a blade. “How dare you bring a stranger here?”

Ye Ziqing stood before her. Since high school, he had silently loved her.

The commotion drew everyone’s attention.

“Look, he just divorced Wang Rong yesterday and is already with Miss Tang today,” someone whispered. “Isn’t this way too frivolous?”

Fang Tao held Tang Xinyi tightly, enjoying the moment as the center of attention.

Beside him, Ye Ziqing’s face was ashen, full of unwillingness.

He trembled with rage, nearly losing control.

“Tang Xinyi, well done!” Ye Ziqing gritted his teeth, struggling to suppress his fury.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Fang Tao. “Daring to steal my woman—are you tired of living?”

He roared, ordering his bodyguards to step forward.

Tang Xinyi quickly stepped in front of Fang Tao, fearless as she confronted Ye Ziqing. “Ye Ziqing, what do you want to do?”

“I have to teach him a lesson, or where’s the face for the Ye family?” Ye Ziqing threatened, clenching his fists until his knuckles whitened.

As the heir of a martial arts family, his hatred toward Fang Tao had reached its peak.

The surrounding crowd began whispering; most sided with the Ye family, casting contemptuous looks at Fang Tao.

“Who does this guy think he is, challenging Young Master Ye? He’s just asking for trouble,” someone said quietly.

In this tense moment, Tang Xinyi stood firmly by Fang Tao’s side.

Patriarch Ye furrowed his brows. “Everyone, please calm down.”

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At that moment, a middle-aged man at the main table slowly stood up, like a refreshing breeze, instantly drawing all eyes.

In such a sensitive moment, who would dare defend the Tang family? It seemed like courting trouble.

Yet the one who stepped forward was Gu Yuanzhou, the current head of the Gu family and Tang Xinyi’s elder uncle.

His heart churned like waves. Although the Gu family was the second greatest power, it still lagged behind the Ye family substantially.

Moreover, the Tang family was indeed at fault in this matter.

But Fang Tao’s life-saving debt weighed heavily on Gu Yuanzhou’s conscience, compelling him to intervene.

Though aware it might be unwise to speak now, Gu Yuanzhou mustered courage and said, “Patriarch Ye, their handling of this matter was indeed improper.”

He chose his words carefully. “But Miss Tang and Mr. Fang are legally married. Perhaps we could—”

Before he could finish, Ye Mingyuan, the Ye family patriarch, thundered angrily, “Head of the Gu family, what do you mean by this? Their actions have brought shame upon the Ye family!”

Sweat beaded on Gu Yuanzhou’s forehead as he forced a faint smile. “I humbly beg Patriarch Ye to calm down.”

“Bang!” Ye Mingyuan slammed the table in fury. “Head of Gu, even if your third son commands the provincial defense battalion, the Ye family fears no one! Stay out of this!”

Gu Yuanzhou was left pale, speechless. Fang Tao gave him a calm yet resolute smile.

Witnessing Ye Mingyuan’s raging wrath, those usually friendly to the Tang family fell silent, unwilling to speak out.

If even the Gu family and the defense battalion commander were denied face, who would dare meddle?

The hall fell into a heavy silence. Ye Mingyuan’s gaze, sharp as an icy blade, pierced Tang family patriarch Tang Yuanchao, the Tang family once again feeling a bone-chilling coldness.

“Hmph, how dare you cause trouble at a Ye family event? You must be tired of living! Our Huo family will never let such people off easily,” a burly middle-aged man stood, issuing a threat.

He was Huo Yunfeng, the newly appointed head of the Huo family, eager to lead his clan to new heights. At this moment, he sensed opportunity at hand.

If the Tang family fell, an alliance between the Huo and Ye families, with their support, might allow the Huo family to replace the Tang family’s position.