Chapter 28: A Slap in the Face to All

At this very moment, even Xu Quan was stunned.

He stared at Su Xue, who had just removed the silk scarf from her face, and was completely mesmerized. He had previously thought Su Mei was a national beauty, but now, looking at Su Mei standing next to Su Xue, there was simply no comparison. Su Mei herself wore a look of utter astonishment; as she watched Su Xue’s disfigurement vanish, she felt completely eclipsed.

Just then, Xiao Yun stepped forward to Su Xue and said with great courtesy, "Ms. Su Xue, this is the partnership contract with the Xiao Group. It is yours now. From this day forward, you are the exclusive partner of the Xiao Group in Yunzhou."

As Su Xue took the contract, Xiao Yun turned to his assistant, A-San, and added, "Tell the Xiao Group’s publicity department to change the records. The Xiao Group is not partnering with the Yunzhou Su Group, but with Ms. Su Xue personally."

Old Madam Hu of the Su family, hearing this, hurried over in a panic. "Mr. Xiao, there is no need to change it. Su Xue is part of my Su Group!"

Xiao Yun looked toward Su Mei and Xu Quan and asked, "Didn't they just say that your Su family had expelled Ms. Su Xue from the family?"

Old Madam Hu nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Xiao, that was all a misunderstanding. Su Xue is such an excellent young woman. Though we had some unpleasantness before, it was all a mistake. It is in the past. I hereby announce to everyone that I am rescinding the order to exile Su Xue and welcoming her back home!"

Turning to Su Mei, she barked, "Su Mei, what are you standing there for? Go over and apologize to Su Xue immediately!"

"Grandmother, you want me to apologize to her? She doesn't deserve it!" Su Mei protested vehemently.

*Slap!*

Before Su Mei could react, Old Madam Hu struck her across the face. "Even Mr. Xiao holds Su Xue in such high regard, and you dare say she doesn't deserve it? Let me tell you, not only will Su Xue return to the family, but she will also take full control of the entire Su Group!"

"Grandmother, if you let Su Xue take control, what about me?" Su Mei had occupied the position of President of the Su Group ever since Su Xue was cast out.

"You will remain as Vice President, working under Su Xue," the Old Madam declared, then snapped, "What? Do you dare defy me?"

"Listen to me. If you do not apologize to Su Xue today—after I was misled by your words into driving away such a talented member of our family—I will have you cast out of the Su family instead!"

Faced with expulsion, Su Mei had no choice. Despite her intense resentment, she walked over to Su Xue, bowed, and said respectfully, "Su Xue, I am sorry. Everything that happened before was my fault. I am here to apologize to you now."

Su Xue ignored her, looking at Xiao Yun with wide-eyed surprise. "Mr. Xiao, am I dreaming? This is the first time we have met. How could you give me such an important contract?"

Xiao Yun nodded silently. "Ms. Su Xue, you are right; this is indeed our first meeting. However, Ye Fan is my benefactor. It was his wish that you take on this partnership with the Xiao Group."

The surrounding crowd was left speechless and pale with shock. None of them had ever expected that while they had spent their entire lives chasing a chance to work with the Xiao Group, a contract had been handed out today simply because of one person’s word. Looking at Ye Fan, many began to regret having ever looked down on him.

Su Xue, standing beside Ye Fan, said with great emotion, "Ye Fan, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I will work hard; I won’t let you down."

Ye Fan nodded slightly. "Su Xue, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just strive to have a clear conscience in all things."

Xiao Yun then turned to Xu Ming and the other business magnates of Yunzhou. "Since everyone is here, I have one more thing to announce: from this day forward, anyone who dares to look down on Ye Fan is looking down on the Xiao family!"

He then walked over to Ye Fan. "Mr. Ye, I had hoped to stay a few more days, but I have just received a call regarding a matter I must handle personally. Once I am finished, I will return to Yunzhou to see you."

Ye Fan nodded silently, escorting Xiao Yun to his car before returning to the scene.

As he returned, the members of the Su family who had previously looked down on him rushed to meet him. "Ye Fan, we were blind before. We were disrespectful and looked down on you. Please, accept our apologies!"

Even Old Madam Hu approached him, lowering her head. "Ye Fan, I, too, offer my apologies. Everything in the past was our fault. We were fools who drove away such capable talents as you and Su Xue. On behalf of the entire Su family, I welcome you as our son-in-law and welcome Su Xue back to lead the Su Group."

Su Mei stood by, her face drained of color, gritting her teeth in hatred. She had spent years meticulously plotting to drive Su Xue out of the family and the company, only to see her appointed by the Old Madam as the new President. Seeing the other family members—who had once sided with her—now apologizing to Su Xue only added to her fury.

Su Xue then spoke up: "Grandmother, for your sake, and for the sake of the affection you once held for my mother, I will agree to this for now. But if any of these things happen again, I will leave the Su family and the Su Group forever."

With that, Su Xue left the scene with Ye Fan.

The rest of the crowd slowly dispersed. Only the Xu father and son remained. Xu Quan watched the direction in which Ye Fan and Su Xue had disappeared. "Father, we cannot let them succeed. Especially that Ye Fan. If he is not removed—did you see the attitude of the richest man in the capital toward him? One day, he will seize all the resources of our Xu family. He cannot be allowed to live!"

Xu Ming nodded slowly. "Xu Quan, you have grown up; you understand the gravity of the situation. Do as you planned. Take Black Wind and find an opportunity to kill Ye Fan. He must not remain alive."

Xu Quan nodded, turned, and left to find Black Wind, who bore a tiger-head tattoo on his neck.

Meanwhile, as they returned to the Sanya company, Su Xue said to Ye Fan, "Ye Fan, thank you for today."

Ye Fan shook his head. "Su Xue, you are too kind. You endured so much for me and for the Ye family; everything I do now is only what I owe you."

Ye Fan had been away from the Ye family for five years, and he owed Su Xue too much. Now that he had returned, he would spare nothing to make Su Xue the happiest woman in the world.