Chapter 47: Zhou Ran’s Outburst!

"Su Yi... you know Master De?" Zhou Ran stepped forward, his tone somewhat heavy. There was even a hint of interrogation in his voice.

Su Yi frowned and looked at Zhou Ran. "Is there a problem?"

"Then why didn't you say so earlier..." With Master Tang absent, Zhou Ran's true feelings surfaced, and his gaze toward Su Yi turned unfriendly.

"You never mentioned that you knew Master De, or that Master Tang regarded you as his disciple. You never said a word... Ha! Now you've effortlessly made a million—must be feeling pretty pleased with yourself!" He spoke with a mix of anger and forced laughter, his tone sarcastic and biting. Su Yi recognized the imbalance in his heart and understood his shifting emotions, but that didn't mean she was obliged to endure them.

"You're not yourself right now. Whatever you say, I can pretend I didn't hear it. When you're more rational, we can talk again..." With that, Su Yi walked right past him.

Her indifferent posture and cold gaze only fueled Zhou Ran's rage, already simmering from the scorn he'd suffered that day. Once again, memories of his ordinary background and the injustices it had brought him in society flashed through his mind, followed by the image of that million-yuan check.

The corners of his eyes reddened with fury!

Suddenly, Zhou Ran seized Su Yi's arm with force.

It happened too quickly and too close for Su Yi to avoid—her instinct was to strike back.

But in the end, she restrained herself.

"Su Yi, don't think I don't know that Master Tang gives you money on the side. Now you’re even living in his house. I know all about what you're doing with him! Why is Master Tang so good to you? Why does he teach you so much? I know it all—so stop pretending in front of me!"

His voice was rough and loud, purposely making a scene. He wanted everyone to see that this so-called outstanding woman, praised by Elder Han and the others, was nothing but a kept woman.

Those about to leave were stunned by the outburst, their heated, probing gazes landing on Su Yi. The looks were sharp and cutting.

She had once been exposed to such stares before, as if she were filth on the street, something to be avoided at all costs.

Su Yi paused, her gaze flickering over Zhou Ran's angry, contemptuous face. She seemed to recall some past kindness he'd shown her.

She was not one to use force lightly, nor did she like to harm those who had been good to her. Still, kindness had its limits; when it was worn away, her mercy ended.

Now, her patience was nearly exhausted.

"My character, my deeds, right or wrong—I've never needed anyone's judgment, including yours. If you let go now, I can pretend this never happened."

Her voice was calm and distant, as thin and cold as a sheet of paper. Her expression betrayed nothing.

But Zhou Ran only grew angrier, sneering, "Oh, so now you've got money, and suddenly you're bold! I won’t let go—I want everyone to see what kind of person you really are. You cozy up to whoever has money! First Yu Hang, now even Mr. Yi! I wonder how much they pay you for one night—"

At these words, many faces in the crowd instantly darkened.

What an utter fool—had he lost his mind?

Su Yi's brow tightened, her slender fingers curling slightly as a chill flickered through her eyes.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand shot through the air, grabbing Zhou Ran's wrist. There was a sharp crack as the bones shifted, and just as Zhou Ran's face turned deathly pale, a fist came flying at him.

Bang!

Zhou Ran's head snapped to the side, his body lifted off the ground.

Smack!

The young man who had thrown the punch stepped down hard on Zhou Ran's chest.

"Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to spout filth at a woman?" The youth, a toothpick dangling from his lips, pressed his canvas shoe against Zhou Ran’s suit and glared down at him with a menacing expression.

Zhou Ran, furious, turned his head—and his face went ashen.

Master Tang, Master De, and Yu Quan were standing right at the entrance, watching everything unfold.

Their faces were icy cold.

Clearly, Zhou Ran had managed to offend all three of them with just a few words.

"Zhou Ran, you don’t need to come in to work tomorrow," Master Tang said heavily.

Zhou Ran had already scrambled to his feet. Hearing this, and seeing the expressions around him, pain throbbed in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he decided to throw all caution to the wind.

He sneered, "I didn’t want this job anyway! Better to quit than be bullied by someone with connections..."

He shot Su Yi a look full of malice and walked off without looking back.

The others exchanged meaningful glances.

"Young people these days, really..." Old Han shook his head, clearly unimpressed by Zhou Ran’s behavior.

To put it plainly: all ego, no ability, and rotten character.

Rotten was rotten.

He’d once seemed like a decent fellow—how had he turned into this?

Master Tang frowned, baffled.

"Ha! Master Tang, where did you pick up this little mad dog? Bites whoever he sees... A-A, well done! Only a mad dog needs a good beating," Old Lin laughed, clapping A-A on the shoulder before turning to Su Yi.

"Don’t pay attention to the tantrums of a hothouse lapdog—he’s just jealous of you."

Su Yi gave him a small smile, but she didn’t find Zhou Ran’s behavior surprising.

It’s hard for people to become better, but all too easy for them to get worse.

—There’s a demon in everyone’s heart.

Smiling faintly, Su Yi turned to Master Tang, who seemed to want to say something. "Master Tang, I have something to do—I’ll be going now."

Master Tang didn’t know what to say. Su Yi’s face gave nothing away.

Normally, when a girl is publicly insulted like that, she’d be devastated. Anyone else would have broken down.

But Su Yi... after being splashed with filth, she merely remarked that it was refreshing.

She didn’t even need a towel to wipe her face?

"Zhou Ran is just a madman. Don’t listen to a word he says. Where are you off to?" Master Tang’s face was still dark, any trace of fondness for Zhou Ran gone. Damn it—what kind of people did Zhou Ran think he and Su Yi were?

"I already took leave a few days ago. I’m heading to the countryside," Su Yi replied, tilting her head. With her hands in her pockets, she turned and saw the luxury car parked at the foot of the steps.

The window was still down—Yan Qingwu and Tang Hanyan’s faces were just a breath away, their world so distant and unattainable.

Yan Qingwu was the first true friend Su Yi had ever hoped to make.

But it seemed that would be difficult now.

If I am blessed to gain it, that is my fortune. If I am destined to lose it, that too is fate.

With a soft laugh, she turned and walked away.

———

A-A flexed his knuckles, spat out his toothpick, and turned to Old Lin. "I’m heading off too."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"She owes me a favor—she’s taking me out to dinner."

"What? The two of you know each other?" Old Lin was surprised; he’d never noticed before.

Well, they sure know how to keep quiet.

Below, the car window rolled up and the luxury car glided away.

Inside, Yan Qingwu heard Tang Hanyan say, "She’s a good person..."

"But she’s too complicated."

Complicated?

Yan Qingwu closed her eyes wearily and replied, "But she is a good person."

Tang Hanyan was taken aback, then smiled.

Li Ling, meanwhile, was completely lost.

These two speak in riddles, she thought. I can never grasp the main point.

Two ‘buts’?

No one is perfect. You have your principles, and I have mine.

This was the first time Yan Qingwu had ever defied Tang Hanyan.

Tang Hanyan was both wistful and a little proud, thinking perhaps her daughter really was growing up.

But what was it about Su Yi that could make her aloof daughter treat her so differently?

(P.S. The story goes VIP tomorrow—chapters will require payment. I know it’s the same old plea, but I’m begging everyone to subscribe to the official version and support the release! And if you can, please give some ‘little pinks’ for tomorrow’s debut. I don’t expect much, but let’s give it a shot—maybe it’ll take off!)