Chapter 80: I Am the Capital Consortium

The old matriarch entered the private room with a stately air, her dragon-headed cane tapping authoritatively on the floor. At the sight of her imposing face, Su Rulan shrank like a frightened rabbit, bowing her head in terror, not daring to meet the old lady’s eyes, humility writ large in every gesture.

“Matriarch, you must have heard wrong just now. Tianlin was about to apologize to you,” Jiang Yingxia quickly interjected, winking at Ye Tianlin in a desperate attempt to prompt him.

The old lady struck the floor with her cane, her face stern as she declared, “Jiang Yingxia, spare your excuses for him. I heard it all quite clearly. Some people think that by leaving the Ye family, they can make something of themselves—what a ridiculous notion!”

Despite the old matriarch’s forceful stance, Ye Tianlin showed not a trace of fear. He shielded Su Rulan protectively at his side and responded with solemn determination, “Grandmother, you underestimate people too much. Don’t think for a moment that the Ye family is the only path in this world!”

Jiang Yingxia immediately grew frantic, her voice rising in alarm. “Tianlin, are you out of your mind, speaking to your grandmother like that? Haven’t things been messy enough? This is the opportunity I found for you, you—”

The old matriarch silenced her with a raised hand, her expression grave. “Since this foolish boy insists on his delusions, I’ll let him persist and see how long he lasts, see what path he can possibly find. From where I stand, relying on his own abilities, no road he takes will amount to anything. To think he could rival me in influence is pure fantasy!”

Her words were sharp, cutting deep. Even Jiang Yingxia felt stung, yet there was nothing she could do. The old matriarch’s authority was unassailable. Without the support of the Ye family, anything Ye Tianlin achieved would only be a joke—no matter how great his accomplishments, they would never surpass the Ye clan.

Better, then, to stop struggling in the outside world, to leave Su Rulan behind, return to the Ye family, inherit the family legacy, and live obediently under the matriarch’s command.

“Tianlin, your grandmother’s words may be harsh, but there’s some truth in them. Su Rulan isn’t worth such a sacrifice from you. The Ye family has already laid out the best future for you,” Jiang Yingxia urged him.

Ye Tianlin shook his head in refusal. From the very beginning, the so-called position of young master was nothing more than being the matriarch’s puppet, a marionette on her strings. Never once had she respected his wishes; she was always willful, dictatorial.

Even his life’s direction was to be charted according to her desires, without the right to object, without the smallest measure of freedom.

And even if he did submit to her arrangements, she still, from the depths of her heart, looked down on him with utter contempt.

That was why, years ago, he broke away from the Ye family and founded the Imperial Capital Consortium—he wanted to prove to her, with his own hands, that even without the Ye family, he could carve out a world of his own.

“Grandmother, what makes you so certain that there’s no path for me outside the Ye family? Isn’t the Imperial Capital Consortium a worthy destination?” Ye Tianlin asked gravely.

“The Imperial Capital Consortium?” Jiang Yingxia’s face changed slightly.

The old matriarch was taken aback, surprise flickering in her eyes. “You mean you’re at the Imperial Capital Consortium now?”

“That’s right. I am currently the General Manager of the Business Department at Yunhai Chamber of Commerce, under the Imperial Capital Consortium,” Ye Tianlin replied with a nod.

The matriarch immediately scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “I thought you’d accomplished something impressive, but you’re just the head of a department at Yunhai Chamber of Commerce. Frankly, if you got that job, it’s most likely because of your status as the young master of the Ye family. You’re still relying on us in the end!”

“I can’t believe you ended up at Yunhai Chamber of Commerce. But your grandmother’s right—if it weren’t for your special status, you might not have gotten in at all,” Jiang Yingxia said, convinced that Ye Tianlin was too young and naïve.

“In your eyes, this position may seem insignificant, but I believe that as long as Rulan and I work hard together, everything we hope for will come to us,” Ye Tianlin declared with conviction.

The old matriarch narrowed her eyes, her tone turning cold. “Don’t forget, the Imperial Capital Consortium and our Ye family are business partners. With a single word from me, I could have you stripped of everything in an instant.”

“Yes, Tianlin, stop being stubborn. Going against your grandmother will bring you nothing but trouble,” Jiang Yingxia pleaded through gritted teeth.

Standing to the side, Su Rulan could not bear the pressure any longer. Gathering her courage, she spoke up, “Grandmother, I beg you, please don’t treat Tianlin this way. Please, just give us a chance!”

“Who do you think you are, calling me grandmother? Who gave you the right to speak here? If not for that wretched Tianlin, and my reluctance to be too ruthless, you would have disappeared from this world long ago!” the old matriarch thundered, her anger erupting.

Jiang Yingxia grew desperate, scolding, “Su Rulan, at a time like this, why aren’t you taking a stand? Must Tianlin die before you’re satisfied? Is this what you want?”

“I…” Su Rulan trembled, crushed by the invisible weight bearing down on her, her body shaking uncontrollably.

In that moment, seeing Su Rulan’s distress, Ye Tianlin could no longer restrain himself.

“Then what if I told you,” he said, his voice ringing clear, “that I am not just the General Manager of Yunhai Chamber of Commerce, but am someone who can control the entire Imperial Capital Consortium?”