C7 7 Come to My Door

Soon, Chen Yong arrived near Mengyao's home with Wenchao. Looking around, Chen Yong frowned. This was the slum area of Cloud City, and the environment was particularly poor.

“Dad, it’s this house,” Wenchao said, pinching his nose and pointing to a nearby low-rise building. Honestly, if it weren't for the contract, he wouldn't have come to a place like this.

The Chen family was quite wealthy, but Old Madam Chen held the reins tightly, and no one dared to challenge her authority. The sons worked at Fuhua, but they only received salaries and dividends.

Uncle Chen Qiang was a complete failure, neither academically nor practically inclined. He struggled even with small talk with strangers. Old Madam Chen would never let such a failure work at the company, fearing it would tarnish its image. So, over the years, Chen Qiang had relied on family support to get by.

Even though Cloud City was a third-tier city, the cost of living was high, and rent was expensive. As a result, they could only afford to rent in this foul-smelling area.

“Open up!” Wenchao knocked hard on the door.

“Who is it? Knocking so hard, you’re going to break the door,” came Qin Yulian’s voice from inside. When she opened the door and saw who it was, her expression immediately darkened.

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re here to see Yao,” Chen Yong said, pushing the door open and walking in. “Where’s Yao?”

Qin Yulian asked coldly, "What do you want with her?"

"Mengyao!" Chen Yong shouted, ignoring Qin Yulian, "Your uncle is here to see you! Where are you?"

Inside the house, Mengyao was startled by the call. She remembered Chen Yong once saying he was a man of high status, destined to remain among the wealthy even in death. Why would he lower himself to come to the slums?

"Let's go see what's happening," Xiao Tian said, taking Mengyao by the hand as they walked out.

Seeing Mengyao emerge, Chen Yong's face broke into a smile. "Yao, are you still upset with your brother?"

Mengyao remained silent, her expression calm as she looked at him.

"Wenchao, hurry up and apologize to your sister!" Chen Wenchao, clearly annoyed, replied, "Dad, why are you beating around the bush with her?"

"Mengyao, we're here for a simple reason today. We want you to sign that contract with Director Zhang. If you behave and do as you're told, I might feel generous enough to ask Grandma to let you back into the company!"

Hearing this, Mengyao trembled with anger. They had fired her without a second thought, and now that they needed her, they came back with an air of superiority, pretending to be doing her a favor.

"Did you really think she'd starve without the Chen family?"

Qin Yulian, standing nearby, finally understood. Her daughter was expelled because Chen Wenchao was behind it all! Already fuming, Chen Wenchao's attitude pushed her over the edge.

"Chen Wenchao, what do you mean by this? What do you take Yao for? What do you take our family for? Do you think we're beggars?"

"Come on, Auntie. If it weren't for Grandma's pity, you'd have starved long ago! Calling you beggars isn't even an insult," Chen Wenchao sneered. "The only reason I'm here is because Mengyao is still somewhat useful. Otherwise, why would I step into this dump?"

"What did you say?" Qin Yulian's face turned livid with anger, and she raised her hand to slap Chen Wenchao.

"You dare!" Chen Yong shouted, pointing a finger at her. "You shrew! My son is the future heir of the Chen family. Insulting you is a compliment, so don't push your luck."

Hearing this, Qin Yulian was so furious she nearly fainted.

"Smack!"

Suddenly, the sharp sound of a slap echoed. Chen Wenchao clutched his face, staring at Xiao Tian in disbelief.

"What are you looking at? Consider it a compliment that I bothered to hit you. I don't usually waste my time on just anyone," Xiao Tian said coolly.

"You!"

Wenchao was both angry and frustrated, but he didn't dare fight back. His hand was nearly broken by Xiao Tian, and it still felt numb. This guy might be a deserter, but he sure packed a punch. If he went crazy, Wenchao would be the one to suffer.

Yong's face turned sour. The deserter he brought along had the audacity to hit Wenchao right in front of him, completely disregarding his authority.

"Do you have a death wish?" Yong squinted, his eyes filled with malice. But when he locked eyes with Xiao Tian, it was like staring into an abyss—deep, cold, ruthless, bloodthirsty, and scornful. A chill ran down Yong's spine, and he couldn't help but shiver. How could someone's gaze be so terrifying?

"I'm alive and well, why would I want to die?" Xiao Tian replied, squinting. "Or maybe you're the one who's tired of living!"

His words were icy and devoid of emotion. Despite the summer heat, Yong felt a chill in his heart. Better not to mess with this deserter for now; it was more important to win over Mengyao. Once the contract was signed, he'd have plenty of time to deal with them.

With that in mind, Yong quickly changed his demeanor, smiling as he said, "Yao, your uncle was just a bit anxious earlier, so he might have sounded harsh. Don't take it to heart."

"Director Zhang specifically named you to handle the contract. Go back, don't be stubborn. You know how much the family has invested in this contract. You don't want to see Grandma worry, right?"

His face was full of smiles, but they were superficial.

Hearing this, Mengyao was unsure of what to do.

Yulian's expression was even more complicated. She never expected this.

Chen Yong personally coming to ask Mengyao to return was truly surprising.

As Mengyao wavered, Xiao Tian calmly said, "If you're asking for a favor, just ask. Why bring Grandma into it? Are you trying to threaten us?"

At these words, Chen Yong's face darkened. In all his years, he had never been so humble, especially not to someone younger like Mengyao.

Being contradicted repeatedly, he was both embarrassed and angry.

"Do you really think we can't sign this contract without Mengyao?"

"If you're so confident, then why are you here looking for her?" Xiao Tian replied calmly.

Yulian and Mengyao were both stunned.

Is this really the same son-in-law they just took in, who seemed like a deserter?

"Mengyao, don't be ungrateful. You won't get another chance like this!" Wenchao said angrily.

Looking at his swollen face, Mengyao suppressed a smile and said, "No need. Director Zhang will probably sign the contract with you because of your big face!"

Hearing this, Wenchao was furious. He couldn't believe he was being mocked by a young girl.

"You three, well done!"

Yong shot a cold glance at Xiao Tian and the others, then turned towards the closed master bedroom and shouted, "Qiang, I'll remember what happened today!"

With that, he stormed out with Wenchao, both fuming.

After they left, Qiang quietly opened the door and peeked out. "Are they gone?" he asked.

Yulian gave him a look of exasperation. What had she done to deserve marrying such a spineless man?

"Why didn't you come out earlier? Do you want to see us get bullied to death before you're satisfied?"

Qiang looked a bit embarrassed, scratching his head. "Now that my brother's angry, what do we do? Maybe we should go back and apologize?"

Yulian was nearly driven mad by his words.

"Dad, there's nothing more to say. Besides, it's not our fault, so why should we apologize?" Mengyao interjected, looking at her parents. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I can still take care of you both, even if we leave the family."

Yulian looked at her daughter, her heart aching. Such frail shoulders, yet she was ready to carry the weight of the family. It was truly hard on her.

"And me too."

At this moment, Xiao Tian spoke up, "I'll be there with Yao to take care of the folks."