Qin Xi was in a daze. Yesterday, after driving Yang Chen away, her daughter had been crying incessantly, demanding to see her father.
She had already started to regret her decision, fearing that the father her daughter had been waiting for so long would leave again. But to her surprise, just as she was about to face everything alone, Yang Chen had shown up.
Yang Chen's domineering demeanor seemed to touch a soft spot in her heart, causing it to tremble violently.
"Who are you? How dare you barge into the Qin family's meeting room? Security! Throw him out!"
At this moment, the old man didn't recognize Yang Chen. Back then, Yang Chen had barely interacted with the Qin family, and after five years, how could they recognize him at a glance?
"Grandpa, he's Yang Chen. The good-for-nothing who married Qin Xi five years ago and then suddenly disappeared."
Qin Fei, however, had heard about Yang Chen's return and immediately recognized him. He glanced at Qin Xi with a mocking expression.
The old man finally remembered who Yang Chen was. He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Yang Chen from head to toe. Apart from a slightly different aura, Yang Chen seemed unchanged, still dressed in shabby clothes.
Although Qin Xi wished someone could share the burden with her, Yang Chen's appearance at this moment would only complicate things further. She glared at him angrily, "Who told you to come here?"
Yang Chen wasn't surprised by Qin Xi's hostility. If he could gain her acceptance so easily upon his return, her approval would be too cheap, wouldn't it?
The old man waved his hand, silencing Qin Xi, and stared intently at Yang Chen, "So it's you, the good-for-nothing who ruined our Qin family's reputation. If it weren't for you, the Qin family would have already risen to the top tier in Jiangzhou. I never expected you to dare show your face here again."
A sharp glint flashed in Yang Chen's eyes as he sneered, "I ruined the Qin family's reputation? As the head of the Qin family, don't you know the truth?"
Ma Chao had already investigated the events of that year thoroughly. It was all a scheme orchestrated by the Qin family to seize Sanhe Group.
If it weren't for Qin Xi, the Qin family would have been destroyed last night.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
The old man was furious. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his eyes blazing with anger.
Overwhelmed by emotion, the old man suddenly began coughing violently, his body swaying unsteadily.
"Grandpa!"
Qin Xi rushed forward, but Qin Fei had already stepped in to support the old man.
"Get out of here!"
Qin Fei shouted angrily, "How dare you call him Grandpa? Did you bring this good-for-nothing husband here just to anger Grandpa?"
"If anything happens to Grandpa, we won't let you off the hook."
"Five years ago, it was because of your despicable actions that the Qin family was disgraced. Now, five years later, are you trying to kill Grandpa and destroy the Qin family?"
"In my opinion, your family is a curse. You should be expelled from the Qin family and never allowed to set foot here again."
...
Qin Xi had sacrificed so much for the family, even giving up her own Sanhe Group, which had been taken over by the Qin family. Yet now, she was left isolated and betrayed.
Seeing Qin Xi's fragile state, Yang Chen felt an indescribable pain.
The old man's anger gradually subsided. He looked at Qin Xi and said, "Xiao Xi, the decline of the Qin family was caused by you. Now, with Yanchen Group establishing a branch in Jiangzhou, only by securing a partnership with them can the Qin family hope to rise to the top tier. The only way to achieve this is through an alliance with the Wang family. Either you marry the young master of the Wang family, or you find a way to secure the partnership. Otherwise, your family will be expelled from the clan!"
Hearing the old man's words, Qin Xi's face turned pale.
Even the top families in Jiangzhou might not be able to secure a partnership with Yanchen Group. How could she possibly achieve it?
"Grandpa, I..."
Just as Qin Xi was about to refuse, Yang Chen, standing beside her, suddenly spoke up, "We accept this task!"
"Good!"
Qin Fei was overjoyed and sneered, "Xiao Xi, don't say the family is bullying you. It was your husband who accepted this task. Now, even if you want to back out, it's too late!"
"This is an impossible task, and yet he dared to accept it. He really is the good-for-nothing everyone says he is," some family members whispered.
One was a subsidiary of a top-tier family from Yanjing, while the other belonged to a second-tier family in Jiangzhou. With such a vast gap, how could Yanchen Group possibly agree to partner with Sanhe Group?
"Enough, today's meeting is adjourned!"
The old man stood up to leave, but before he did, he turned to Qin Xi, "Three days. I'll give you three days. If you can't complete the task, then you will leave the Qin family voluntarily!"
With that, the old man turned and left. Everyone else looked at Qin Xi with gleeful expressions.
"Haha, Qin Xi, how do you plan to compete with me? I am the legitimate heir of the Qin family. In Grandpa's eyes, I am the future of the family. In three days, I'll be laughing as I watch your family get expelled!"
"That's right. The daughter of a bastard son dares to compete with Qin Fei for power? How laughable."
"Qin Fei, I've always been on your side. When you become the chairman, don't forget about me!"
"Qin Fei, we all support you!"
...
Soon, Qin Fei left the meeting room surrounded by everyone, leaving only Yang Chen and Qin Xi behind.
*Slap!*
Qin Xi slapped Yang Chen across the face.
When Yang Chen saw the tears streaming down Qin Xi's face, his anger dissipated.
"Xiao Xi, I..."
Yang Chen tried to speak, but Qin Xi interrupted him, "I admit, five years ago, you were also a victim. But you took the 500,000 from my father as compensation. If you didn't want to marry me, why didn't you say so earlier? You disappeared right after we got married, leaving me to endure everything alone for five years. I'm already like this, why do you still want to take revenge on me? Tell me, why?"
Qin Xi's tears fell like pearls, shattering as they hit the ground.
Yang Chen's heart ached. He stepped forward and gripped Qin Xi's shoulders tightly, "I really didn't take your father's money, and I never intended to take revenge on you. I came back to make up for what I did to you and our daughter. Please believe me, I would never harm you."
"Shut up! You don't deserve to mention my daughter!"
Qin Xi pushed Yang Chen away, her face drenched in tears, "If you're not here for revenge, then why did you accept that task during the family meeting? It's an impossible task!"