Chapter 42: Stubborn to the Core

It must be said, Su Yicai's logic is utterly absurd! Even when faced with such a situation, he can twist things around and speak as if his words are full of reason. Yet, when considered from Su Yicai's perspective alone, perhaps it is not so unreasonable. From start to finish, Su Yicai's understanding has remained in the past, convinced that Ye Tianlin is completely incurable. Beyond this, the information available to Su Yicai is extremely limited. Thus, in the current environment, Su Yicai naturally comes up with such explanations. Or perhaps, it is purely because he refuses to accept reality, giving birth to these peculiar notions to deceive himself, to lull his mind.

The reason Old Master Su and Su Yixue immediately believed him is much the same—they share a similar psychology. After all, reality often proves more fantastical than any film. Unfortunately, no matter how the Su family behaves, as a branch of the Ye Clan, Ye Tianlin would never allow such events to continue, especially in the presence of the young master himself!

Therefore, Ye Tianlin spoke bluntly: "You'd best give up any illusions. This reasoning can only fool yourselves. If not for the young master's intervention today, I might never have seen your true colors. As for this marriage, I'm calling it off!"

"As for how the young master will deal with you, that is his private affair. I won't interfere further, but I advise you to conduct yourselves wisely!"

With that, Ye Tianlin turned, respectfully bowed to Ye Tianlin, offered a few words of apology, received Ye Tianlin's consent, and then left the Su family's villa first.

After his departure, the entire villa fell into an unprecedented silence, as quiet as a grave.

Finally, Ye Tianlin himself broke the silence. He turned his head and looked at Su Rulan, asking, "Rulan, what do you think I should do with them? Since you are related by blood, I must seek your opinion."

Su Rulan's mind was blank, her thoughts muddled like paste, unable to make a decision. The information was overwhelming, and she had not yet managed to process it all.

Seeing Su Rulan unable to speak, Ye Tianlin shifted his gaze to Su Weimin and Gao Yulan.

"We should go home first and talk later," Su Weimin said, pursing his lips. The events of tonight were so unexpected that his mind was in chaos; he hadn't thought things through at all.

Most crucially, hearts are made of flesh, and the Su family are blood relatives. One cannot act ruthlessly and instigate conflict within the family; that would be too cold-blooded. Besides, Su Weimin came from an ordinary household—he never dared to contemplate such things. If they really happened, he'd be haunted by nightmares.

"My father is soft-hearted, but I don't have the patience," Ye Tianlin said coldly. "So I advise you to think carefully about your next steps. Don't say I didn't give you a chance." With that, he led Su Rulan's family away from the villa.

Su Yixue collapsed, as if drained of all strength. The smug look she wore earlier was gone, her face now pale as paper, disheveled as she murmured, "How could things turn out like this? I was actually rejected!"

Su Yicai hurried over, pulled her up from the floor, dusted off her clothes, and nonchalantly insisted, "Sister, I told you brother-in-law is just acting—there's no need to be so pessimistic. Since he's testing our family's reaction, he's playing the part to the hilt!"

"You little rascal, how dare you spout nonsense here! I'll beat you today!" Su Zhengjun, deeply agitated, sprang up, grabbed Su Yicai's hair, and slapped him left and right, each blow echoing sharply.

Su Yicai howled in pain, his face burning, but he remained stubborn, insisting he was right, utterly unrepentant.

Seeing things going awry, Old Master Su intervened, pulling Su Zhengjun away and shielding Su Yicai behind him. He thundered, "Stop at once, Su Zhengjun! What if you hurt Yicai? Besides, Yicai is right, you should support him. Why lose your composure first?"

"When will you finally see reason? The facts are right before your eyes! Is it really so hard to admit you were wrong?" Su Zhengjun stamped his feet in anger.

Su Yicai poked his head out from behind Old Master Su and retorted, "I think you're just misled. You should know our family has a history, so regaining the Ye Clan's approval can't be easy. Last time brother-in-law met us, it was just to lull us into a false sense of security!"

Old Master Su nodded in agreement, declaring, "Yicai is right. No matter the angle, our thinking is correct. That idiot Ye Tianlin couldn't possibly recover overnight."

"This is clearly a deliberate test, or perhaps the Ye Clan already knows about us and arranged this on purpose. They're just seeking a suitable explanation for the Ye Clan."

"So tomorrow, when they come to reclaim the betrothal gifts and other valuables, we needn't be too anxious. If we can't withstand this trial, there's no hope for us to rise in the future!"

Hearing this, Su Zhengjun was almost beside himself with rage, feeling that the truly incurable ones were not Ye Tianlin, but the very faces before him.

"Then let's see," he said, "when more good fortune comes to Su Rulan, whether you can still deny it, or resist admitting your fault to her!" With that, Su Zhengjun turned and stormed upstairs, slamming the door.

Old Master Su snorted, "Yicai, your father is mad today, to be so easily convinced."

"It's not really his fault," Su Yicai replied, rubbing his face with a grimace. "Brother-in-law's tactics are deep—most others would believe him too."

Old Master Su leaned on his cane, scoffing, "Acting is just acting. Even if Su Rulan benefits as a foil, how great could those benefits be? Besides, we've just expelled her. Do you think they'd... actually set up a company for her?"

Su Yixue clenched her fists, her eyes full of malice. "My husband must have his reasons for acting this way. Let Su Rulan jump for now—the higher she leaps, the harder she'll fall!"

Su Yicai shook his head. "Actually, dealing with Su Rulan might not be so troublesome."

"You have an idea?" Su Yixue's eyes brightened.

Su Yicai explained, "Five years ago, through Grandpa, Su Rulan was betrothed to the Wang family of Yandu. Although the engagement was later broken and offended them, the Wang family is one of the few in Yandu that hasn't submitted to the Ye Clan and remains independent!"

"As far as I know, this year the Wang family is expanding aggressively, planning to enter Jiangnan. The wife of the Wang family heir—the very one who was engaged to Su Rulan—is now in charge of their Jiangnan expansion!"

Su Yixue looked puzzled. "What are you getting at?"

"It's simple. Spread some rumors, say Su Rulan still has ambiguous ties with that Wang heir, and that the child she's carrying is his. When the legitimate wife learns of this, Su Rulan will be in deep trouble!" Su Yicai said smugly.

Old Master Su applauded, praising, "Excellent idea! Su Rulan will be utterly disgraced, and the Ye Clan's young master, for the sake of his reputation, will surely not help her anymore!"