Volume One, Chapter 19: Blind to What’s Before You

Everyone present gathered in the banquet hall, the atmosphere tense and silent like the calm before a storm.

At that moment, Lei Ting smiled faintly and turned to Lei Jingyao. “Jingyao, call Uncle Wei. I plan to bankrupt the Huo family in Shen City within half an hour.”

Huo Yunfeng was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into laughter. “Who do you think you are? Bankrupt the Huo family in half an hour? That’s a fantasy.”

He simply couldn’t believe that this old man wielded such influence.

Those around them exchanged doubtful glances. After all, the Huo family was a formidable clan locally; it was inconceivable they could be destroyed so easily.

“That old man must be joking...”
“He talks big, but I wonder if his tongue will get blown off by the wind!”

No one trusted Lei Ting’s words. Even when Lei Jingyao left to make the call, they thought it was just a show.

However, Fang Tao felt something stir within him when he heard Lei Ting’s declaration.

A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, a vague sense that this elder was not bluffing but truly capable of what he claimed.

He also understood that Lei Ting was extending a gesture of goodwill toward him.

Not long after, Lei Jingyao returned and said, “Grandfather, I’ve informed Uncle Wei.”

“Hmph, I think it’s all a bluff! Ignore them for now. First, break that brat’s leg to avenge Young Master Ye!” Huo Yunfeng commanded coldly to Fang Tao.

Yet, Ye Mingyuan remained calm and composed. “No need to rush. I want to see exactly what game they intend to play.”

Huo Yunfeng hurriedly agreed, “Yes, Old Master.” His obsequiousness elicited a cold smile from Fang Tao.

Old Master Tang Zhaoyu wanted to speak several times but swallowed his words under the immense pressure from the Ye family. He could only wait anxiously, pondering how to quell their wrath.

Lei Ting glanced at Fang Tao and asked, “Why is this happening?”

Ye Mingyuan answered angrily, “This is a banquet hosted by the Ye family, yet this brat comes to disrupt it. Breaking his leg is already an act of mercy.”

Lei Ting’s expression turned serious, surprised by the situation. “Oh, it seems I truly missed quite a spectacle!”

“What do you mean by that? Are you here to mock the Ye family?” Ye Mingyuan was nearly furious.

---

Lei Ting spoke steadily. “Master Ye, I believe this matter should end here. Since Miss Tang holds the marriage certificate, they are legally married.”

Huo Yunfeng sneered, “Who do you think you are to say that?”

Lei Ting ignored Huo Yunfeng, his gaze icy as he looked directly at Ye Mingyuan. “This is my advice—and your chance.”

Ye Mingyuan scoffed, disdain on his face. “The Ye family doesn’t need anyone’s charity.”

Lei Ting smiled faintly, though disappointment gleamed beneath. A family like the Ye dared to dream of joining the Lei clan? How presumptuous.

Time slipped quietly by, the hall growing oppressively silent. Ten minutes passed.

Just as everyone thought Lei Ting was bluffing, a sudden phone ring shattered the silence.

Huo Yunfeng was startled, hastily answering. Seconds later, his face turned pale, panic in his voice. “How could this be?”

Urgent words came from the other end: “I can’t figure it out either. Clients suddenly halted cooperation, several shareholders demanded withdrawal, and… the factory received a shutdown notice for rectification. Brother, we must act immediately, or the Huo family is finished…”

Huo Yunfeng’s hands trembled, barely able to hold the phone.

A moment later, he dropped it weakly, eyes filled with terror, looking at Lei Ting.

Everyone noticed his change, astonishment spreading across their faces.

“The Huo family… is finished!” Huo Yunfeng said in despair, then turned to Ye Mingyuan with a glimmer of hope. “Master Ye, please intervene and save the Huo family!”

To Huo Yunfeng, the Ye family was now the only lifeline. He firmly believed that with their aid, the Huo family could weather this crisis.

Yet Ye Mingyuan was equally shocked. He hadn’t expected Lei Ting to truly bring the Huo family to ruin within half an hour.

“The Ye family probably can’t help either,” Lei Ting added coldly.

When Ye Mingyuan met Lei Ting’s gaze, he suddenly felt an invisible pressure, as if utterly suppressed. He asked, “Who… exactly are you?”

“Lei Ting,” the elder replied calmly.

This answer stunned Ye Mingyuan, his eyes wide. “You… you are the Old Master Lei?”

---

“Master Ye, you have sought an audience with the Lei family many times. Now I stand before you, yet you do not recognize me?” Lei Ting said.

Ye Mingyuan’s breath quickened, his legs weak, barely able to stand. “You… truly are the Old Master of the Lei family in Sheng City?”

Lei Jingyao couldn’t help but interject, “In Chu Nan, who else but the Lei family could wield such influence?”

Ye Mingyuan’s face instantly paled. He hurried forward a few steps, bowed deeply, and sincerely said, “I was blind not to recognize the honor of Old Master Lei’s presence. I apologize for my rudeness…”

This sudden turn left everyone speechless. Who would have thought that the usually aloof and powerful patriarch of Shen City’s elite would show such humility before an old man?

“Greetings, Old Master Lei!” The others quickly recovered, bowing as they recognized the legendary Lei Ting.

Zhang Zhijie and Huo Yunfeng looked extremely embarrassed, not daring to raise their heads.

Lei Ting asked lightly, “Master Ye, shall we release them now?”

Despite his reluctance, Ye Mingyuan gritted his teeth. “Since Old Master Lei has spoken, I will comply.”

The Lei family’s prestige in Chu Nan Province was unmatched—one word from them could determine a family’s fate.

It was said that behind the Lei family stood a mysterious figure whose power could influence the entire nation’s affairs.

For this reason, Ye Mingyuan had long sought to join the Lei family to secure his own clan’s prosperity.

But now, faced with this rare opportunity, his recklessness had cost him dearly, filling him with both fear and regret. Yet there was no remedy for regret in this world.

Lei Ting nodded calmly. “I hope this matter ends here.” Then, accompanied by Lei Yuan and Lei Jingyao, he left the banquet hall.

Tang Zhaoyu hurried after them, suggesting, “Old Master Lei, it’s dinner time now. Let me arrange a banquet in your honor.”

He saw this as a chance to curry favor, knowing that winning the Lei family’s support meant glory for the Tang family’s future.

But Lei Ting did not look back, responding indifferently, “No need.” Without hesitation, he walked away.