President’s Office, Nuanyao Film and Television.

A young man in a wheelchair appeared, his eyes dark with resentment and hatred.

"Qingtian-jie, you’re truly ruthless."

Yu Chengqun sat in his wheelchair—though not completely disabled, the doctors had confirmed his fertility was compromised.

"So? What do you want to say today?"

"I’m giving you a chance. Marry me, and this ends here. Otherwise, not just you, but your Chen family and that freeloader cousin of yours—I’ll make sure you all suffer a fate worse than death."

Yu Chengqun loathed Chen Qingtian. The damage she’d inflicted on him was irreversible.

Once a charismatic playboy, he was now reduced to a man who could barely perform. How could he tolerate that?

Since Chen Qingtian was the one who ruined him, she would be his compensation.

"Hah. If you came here just to say this, then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."

Chen Qingtian scoffed. The moment Yu Chengqun requested this meeting, she’d guessed his intentions.

She expected trouble, but never imagined he could be this stupid.

If Yu Chengqun targeted only her, they might have been evenly matched.

But if he dared lay a finger on her cousin? That would be a death sentence.

Yu Chengqun’s face darkened like storm clouds. "Your Chen family might not fear me. Your cousin might not either. But are you sure you can protect your little lapdog?"

Chen Qingtian’s eyes narrowed. Whatever sliver of guilt she’d felt for him vanished completely.

"I agreed to this meeting out of respect for our childhood ties. But if you insist on this delusion, then I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave."

Yu Chengqun seethed. Chen Qingtian’s PR team had exposed him to public scrutiny, unearthing his darkest deeds.

The reason for his desperation? His engagement to Ai Xianbai had been canceled—transferred to his younger brother.

His father hadn’t objected, tacitly endorsing his brother as the heir.

His position as the Yu family’s crown prince was slipping. He needed a lifeline.

In truth, he’d sneaked out mid-treatment to see Chen Qingtian, hoping to strong-arm her into marriage.

A union with the Chen family would secure his status.

The Chens weren’t as wealthy as the Ais, but their influence rivaled any capitalist dynasty.

Now, with Chen Qingtian’s refusal, Yu Chengqun’s fury boiled over.

"Chen Qingtian, you’ll regret this. Mark my words—you, your lapdog, even your cousin will beg me for mercy on your knees."

BANG! The office door was kicked open.

Lin Ran strode in with Abu. "Wow, talk about having one hell of a nerve."

Both Chen Qingtian and Yu Chengqun startled at his arrival.

"Cousin, what are you doing here?"

Yu Chengqun recognized Lin Ran—they’d been alumni.

Lin Ran studied finance; Yu Chengqun, sociology.

Their paths rarely crossed, but Yu Chengqun knew of him for one reason:

He’d once been Jingda University’s top heartthrob—until Lin Ran dethroned him last year.

His fanbase dwindled overnight. He despised Lin Ran but avoided confrontation, knowing he was backed by Luo Yao.

Yet his restraint had led to this? Lin Ran standing up for Chen Qingtian?

"Lin! Ran!"

Yu Chengqun gritted his teeth. The jab about his "nerve" (and missing anatomy) was salt in the wound.

"What do you want, Dad?" Lin Ran looked down at him.

Yu Chengqun stayed silent. On Nuanyao Group’s turf, he couldn’t retaliate.

"Lin Ran, I only came to discuss marriage with Qingtian-jie."

Lin Ran raised a brow. "A three-yuan key—think you’re worthy? Weren’t you going to make me beg? Well, I’m here. Show me how."

Marriage?

What a joke.

Lin Ran wasn’t fond of Fang Buxia’s personality, but at least the man had integrity.

Normally, Lin Ran wouldn’t meddle in others’ relationships—but Yu Chengqun?

This trash dared make demands?

Born into privilege, he’d have been gutted in the streets otherwise.

Lin Ran never claimed to be a saint, but Yu Chengqun embodied true evil.

Some evil served justice; some existed purely to torment. Yu Chengqun was the latter—a living nightmare.

"Lin Ran, we’ve never had issues. Must you oppose me?" Yu Chengqun’s voice shook with rage.

Oppose you? You’re not even worth the effort.

Lin Ran turned to Chen Qingtian, exasperated.

"Why entertain this fool? This isn’t like you."

Chen Qingtian lounged in her executive chair, reluctant to move. Being CEO suited her.

Though she owed it all to her cousin’s… wife.

Chen Qingtian: "He threatened Xiaxia’s safety to force this meeting. Cousin, he bullied me. Avenge me."

Lin Ran nearly rolled his eyes. Bullied her? The man’s manhood was her handiwork.

And she had a boyfriend yet met another man? Wait—no, that was normal for regular couples.

His love with Luo Yao was different. If he met another woman, she’d be furious.

Truly, his wife’s love was one of a kind.

Lin Ran glanced back at Yu Chengqun—the spark that ignited Luo Yao’s early corporate war.

The battle with the Yu, Ai, and Zhang conglomerates had stolen their time together.

But this clash was inevitable. Maybe sooner was better.

As for Yu Chengqun? A scumbag, yes—but Lin Ran wasn’t the law.

Luo Yao was.

Still, a beating was overdue.

"Abu, drag him outside the building. Let the streets see this trash suffer."