Chapter Nineteen: The Family Council

“Shut up! Don’t call me Dad!” Mr. Liang glared at Liang Xiaoyu, veins bulging on his forehead. The more Xiaoyu called him father, the more irritable he became, wishing he could personally dispose of the infamous “Old Wang from next door” who had once made a fool of him. The worst part was that the culprit had vanished without a trace.

“Honey, let’s not discuss this in front of outsiders, alright? When we get home, I’ll confess everything and tell you the truth. For now, you need to focus on the matter at hand, or else we’re all finished!” Mrs. Liang pleaded, fear flickering in her eyes as she reminded him.

Mr. Liang seemed to come to his senses, casting one last hateful glance at Liang Xiaoyu before striding toward Su Zheng.

The Chen family’s faces lit up with anticipation. The show was finally about to begin! That useless Su Zheng was about to be harshly dealt with by the Liang family’s men.

But then—

With a heavy thud, Mr. Liang, who had marched confidently up to Su Zheng, dropped to his knees!

He knelt before Su Zheng, in front of everyone!

Kneeled…? He actually kneeled!?

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Even Su Zheng was taken aback, frowning slightly as he looked down at Mr. Liang.

“Liang Xiaoyu, that ungrateful wretch, offended you, Mr. Su. I swear I had nothing to do with it. Do with him as you wish—I won’t interfere. I beg you, Mr. Su, please spare me!” Mr. Liang spoke with trembling fear, his attitude utterly humble as he begged for mercy.

The Chen family: “Uh…”

“Honey, you can’t just abandon Xiaoyu! He’s called you father all these years, how can you turn your back on him like this?” Mrs. Liang’s face went pale, her voice breaking as she pleaded.

The crowd grew even more confused.

This looked less like coming to defend Liang Xiaoyu and more like coming to beg for forgiveness, even sacrificing Xiaoyu if needed.

Wasn’t he supposed to stand up for his son? Their child had been beaten, and now the father was here to apologize? Had he lost his mind?

Su Zheng frowned; he had no idea why Liang Xiaoyu’s parents were acting this way. Whatever their intentions, he was unafraid.

“I won’t hold it against you. Leave now.” Su Zheng’s tone was calm.

Mr. Liang, as though receiving an imperial pardon, bowed repeatedly in gratitude and, without a glance at his wife or son, hurried out with his entourage.

Outside, he quickly pulled out his phone, the voice message still open, and reported respectfully, “President Qiao, is this solution acceptable?”

Sitting in her car, Qiao Lan listened to everything that had transpired at the Chen family’s ancestral home. She snorted coldly, “Get lost. If there’s a next time, your Liang family will disappear from Qingyang for good!”

“Yes, yes, thank you, President Qiao, thank you for your mercy!” Mr. Liang wiped his brow, finally breathing a sigh of relief as he led his people away.

When he’d received the call from Mrs. Chen, he’d intended to cause a scene, arriving with a fierce group. But just as they got out of the car, they ran into Qiao Lan.

In front of Qiao Lan, he was nothing but a minor character.

After Qiao Lan understood the situation, she slapped him across the face and ordered him to go in and apologize to Su Zheng, leading to the spectacle everyone had witnessed.

Back inside, Mrs. Liang wanted to leave but worried for her son. She knelt before Su Zheng, begging for his mercy.

“Take him and get out!” Su Zheng barked impatiently.

Mrs. Liang was overjoyed, signaling her attendants to carry the battered Liang Xiaoyu away.

“Let’s go, dear,” Su Zheng said gently, helping Chen Muxue toward the door.

Mr. and Mrs. Chen Jianguo also wanted to leave, but Mrs. Chen blocked their way.

Today’s events were far too strange. Mr. Liang, who was a powerful figure in Qingyang, had knelt before the so-called useless Su Zheng. Something was off!

Especially since the trouble with the Li family had yet to be resolved. Mrs. Chen wanted the couple to stay so she could learn more about Su Zheng’s situation at home.

Su Zheng ignored them, supporting Chen Muxue as he left the ancestral house.

Just outside, a young man approached with a set of car keys.

“Mr. Su, my boss said you may use this car for now. It’s the black one over there.”

Su Zheng was surprised, then his phone chimed with a message from Qiao Lan.

“Brother Zheng, there’s an emergency at the company—I have to go back. The car’s for you to use, so don’t refuse!”

Reading the message, Su Zheng understood. Since Muxue’s car wasn’t available, Qiao Lan had thoughtfully made arrangements.

He did not stand on ceremony, nodding to the young man and helping Chen Muxue into the car.

But as he prepared to start the engine, he paused.

“Let me drive,” Chen Muxue offered.

Su Zheng didn’t have a license and had never driven before; she knew this well.

“No need, I can manage. Your health isn’t good—please rest. I’ll take you for treatment right away,” Su Zheng insisted stubbornly, unwilling to let Chen Muxue drive while ill.

Understanding, Chen Muxue didn’t argue further, softly guiding Su Zheng through starting the engine.

The car wobbled out of the parking lot, slowly departing.

Meanwhile, the Chen family’s ancestral home was abuzz with heated discussion.

Many voiced their opinions, speculating about the events that had just unfolded.

“I think there must be some misunderstanding here. We all know Su Zheng’s a useless good-for-nothing—he can’t even lift a finger. How could he make the Liang family kneel?”

“I agree. That Su Zheng is less useful than our guard dog. Besides lazing around at home, what else can he do?”

“Following that logic, do you think the Li family orchestrated something?”

“What for?”

“It’s simple. In my opinion, Liang Xiaoyu’s nothing but a paper tiger. He never speaks the truth, and it seems his relationship with his father is quite strained. When he said the invitation was sent because of him, he must have been lying!”

“And now the Li family discovered it, so they must have intimidated the Liang family. Out of respect and fear for the Li family, Mr. Liang disavowed his son and mistakenly thought Su Zheng had powerful connections—hence the kneeling and begging for mercy!”

“Yes, go on!” Mrs. Chen’s eyes brightened, feeling this made sense, and she signaled the Chen family member to continue.

“Ahem… So, I think the issue lies with the invitation!”

This family member, Chen Peng, was Chen Xiong’s son. Seeing his grandmother’s approving gaze, he cleared his throat proudly and continued, “Many may not know, but my sister’s boyfriend is actually the grandson-in-law of the Li family patriarch—a genuine relative!”

“When Liang Xiaoyu spouted nonsense earlier, I didn’t bother to expose him. When the Li family hosts a banquet and sends us an invitation, how could an outsider like Liang Xiaoyu take credit? Isn’t it obvious? It’s thanks to my sister’s connection that we got the invitation!”

Chen Peng looked around at everyone, his face radiating pride. “My sister even posted on social media today. She and her future fiancé will attend the Li family banquet!”