Chapter 72: Taking Pleasure in Harming Others?

At this moment, Yuan Xiang’s face was flushed bright red. She had not expected Chen Yuyi to thrust her and her daughter into the center of attention; in her panic, she couldn’t help but glance at Chen Yuyi with a trace of quiet resentment. Little Bunny, however, had puffed out her chest. Though young, her mind was far more mature than her peers’. These people had always looked down on her and her mother, but now, with an elder brother by her side, she finally felt a sense of vindication and pride.

Huo Songxian was the first to regain his composure. He realized the crux of the matter likely lay with this mother and daughter. If only he had paid them proper attention from the start, none of this would have happened. He walked over to the two of them, his attitude sincere. “Ms. Yuan, I must apologize. I invited you here today but did not treat you as guests should be treated. You have suffered because of my negligence. I am truly sorry.” As he spoke, he even bowed slightly to Yuan Xiang, a genuine display of remorse.

Yuan Xiang wanted to say something, but found herself at a loss for words.

Seeing this, the others dared not be careless. They surged toward Yuan Xiang and her daughter, the air filling with a chorus of apologies.

Yuan Xiang was completely stunned, her hands unsure where to rest, uncertain if she should stop them from apologizing or simply let them be. She stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do.

Meanwhile, Little Bunny looked every bit the princess, her expression tinged with pride. This was the honor her big brother had brought her, and she intended to savor every moment. She even pursed her lips, quietly humming to herself in her mind: “Hmph, now you finally see me as a real person. Just wait—I’ll grow up to be a beautiful woman one day!”

Thinking this, she glanced shyly at Chen Yuyi, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks.

At that moment, Fang Kai suddenly shivered. He realized that it was because he had pushed this woman earlier that the man had demanded he kneel, and his refusal to do so had nearly cost him a leg. The realization struck him hard, and he scrambled on hands and knees to Yuan Xiang’s feet. “Ma’am, I was wrong! Please, have mercy—ask Mr. Chen to spare me!”

Ma’am? Yuan Xiang was at a loss, nearly in tears. She was only in her thirties, yet she was already being called “ma’am”? She thought of the toll life had taken on her appearance, how she truly looked little different from the older women in the crowd. She allowed herself a silent, bitter smile. Every woman loves to be beautiful, and she was no exception, but hardship had long since stolen away her vanity.

She could only sigh inwardly. Ma’am, so be it. At heart, she was still kind.

“Get up,” she said, not wanting things to escalate further. Though Chen Yuyi’s words had been decisive, she hoped there was still room for leniency.

Fang Kai was overjoyed, feeling that perhaps things might be resolved. He began to rise from the floor.

“Who told you to get up?” Suddenly, Chen Yuyi’s cold voice rang out.

Fang Kai’s legs buckled beneath him, and he could only look at Yuan Xiang with pleading eyes.

Yuan Xiang bit her lip and summoned her courage to speak to Chen Yuyi. “Mr. Chen, can we let the matter rest for today?”

“What did you call me?” Chen Yuyi raised an eyebrow, but there was a gentle warmth in his eyes.

Looking into his gaze, Yuan Xiang’s parched lips trembled. “Yuyi, can we let it go?”

A shocked gasp swept through the crowd. Was this woman really addressing Mr. Chen by his given name? How did she have such privilege? They all knew him only as Mr. Chen, and none even knew what his real name was. If she hadn’t just said it, some suspected they might never have learned it at all—a realization that brought a pang of envy to Qi Yun.

Now, everyone looked at Yuan Xiang and her daughter differently, their minds racing. What exactly was the relationship between these two and Mr. Chen? Of course, no one dared to ask outright now, but once things settled, they would certainly try everything to find out, or perhaps curry favor with the mother and daughter.

“Hmm, that’s more like it,” Chen Yuyi nodded lightly.

Then his gaze turned cool again as it fell on Fang Kai. “Even if they forgive you, I said it: no one can change my word.”

Fang Kai collapsed onto the floor in terror, and the others instinctively backed away from him.

At this moment, Lin Pojun stepped forward. “Mr. Chen, I’ve already pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Must you pursue this so relentlessly?” His displeasure was clear in his tone.

Chen Yuyi glanced at him.

Everyone’s hearts raced with anxiety. At such a moment, someone still dared to speak out?

Fang Kai looked at Lin Pojun with desperate hope, as though salvation might be found in him.

“You want to meddle?” Chen Yuyi asked mildly.

“Mr. Chen, regardless of this man’s faults, for my sake as Lin Pojun of Shangdu’s Lin family, let the matter rest today,” Lin Pojun announced. At his words, the crowd gasped in surprise. The Lin family of Shangdu had a certain repute, and Lin Pojun himself was famed as the “Young Dragon of Shangdu.” Of all those present, only he had the standing to intervene.

At the same time, a silent comparison grew in their hearts: who was more formidable, Mr. Chen or Young Master Lin?

Chen Yuyi’s eyes narrowed slightly. This Lin Pojun certainly had integrity, but he had already spoken, and there was no reclaiming his words.

Without another glance at Lin Pojun, he walked toward Fang Kai.

Fang Kai scrambled toward Lin Pojun in terror.

“Mr. Chen, are you truly determined to give me no face at all?” Lin Pojun’s brow arched.

“Young Master Lin, save me!” Fang Kai cried, clutching Lin Pojun’s leg.

Lin Pojun shook him off, moving with sudden speed and throwing the first blow at Chen Yuyi.

Bang!

A dull thud echoed as Lin Pojun’s body flew backward through the air. Yet Mr. Chen seemed not to have moved a muscle, leaving everyone chilled to the bone. Just how terrifying was this man? Their confidence was utterly shaken.

As Lin Pojun hit the ground, he braced against the floor with both hands and sprang upright, though he still stumbled back several steps, his face filled with shock as he stared at Chen Yuyi.

Chen Yuyi did not look at him. If it were not for the sake of his sworn sister Wang Xinyan—since this man was likely Lin Jie’er’s elder brother—Lin Pojun might never have stood up again.

He walked up to Fang Kai. In front of everyone’s horrified eyes, he brought his foot down hard on Fang Kai’s leg…

A wretched scream pierced the air, sending a shudder through everyone present, their nerves raw with terror.

Yuan Xiang quickly covered Little Bunny’s eyes and turned away, unable to watch.

Huo Songxian shook his head and sighed, waving for his men to carry Fang Kai away.

The young heirs in the room were all trembling uncontrollably, not daring to so much as look at Chen Yuyi. He was simply too terrifying. This day’s events would be burned in their memories for life.

The two young masters of the Huo family were twitching, their legs so weak it felt as if their own bones had been shattered.

Lin Pojun, somewhat embarrassed, stepped forward and cupped his fist in salute. “Mr. Chen, thank you for your restraint today. Should you ever visit Shangdu, allow me to properly host you.”

With that, he left, not caring for any further ceremony.

The crowd understood; he had lost face here, and none would have stayed in his place.

Huo Songxian knew well that Young Master Lin was a proud man, and harbored no resentment. Huo Chao, a little embarrassed since he was friendly with Lin Pojun, hurried after him.

At that moment, the renowned traditional doctor, Luo Songxing, who had until now remained silent, finally spoke. “Mr. Chen, you have quite the methods. I have spent my life saving others, yet compared to your delight in causing harm, I am sorely lacking!”