Chapter Twenty-One: My Mother's Keepsake

"Wushang, were those people just now sent by Wang Jiaolong?" Lan Ruoxue’s heart was uneasy.

Jiaolong Group was a renowned enterprise in Jinghan. Not only was its status top-tier, but its industries spanned every major field in the city. Anyone who could latch onto Jiaolong Group’s influence was halfway to success in Jinghan. The Lan family had long sought to form an alliance, but had never succeeded. Only recently, with the help of the Sun family, had they managed to establish a line of communication. If all that was ruined by this incident, it would be a tremendous loss.

"Just rest for now. I’ll call you when we arrive—"

"Ye Wushang!"

Lan Ruoxue sat up, her tone grave. "Tell me quickly, what did you do to those men?"

"I beat them up."

"What?"

"Do you even know who Wang Jiaolong is? If you offend him, it’ll be over for you!"

She had never met Wang Jiaolong, but the rumors in society said he was ruthless and vengeful—never letting a grudge go unanswered. Anyone he set his sights on had never met a good fate.

"Are you afraid of being implicated?"

Ye Wushang curled his lip.

"What do you mean?"

"I’m worried he’ll retaliate against you. Don’t mistake my intentions."

Lan Ruoxue scolded him angrily. Once, her word was law and he dared not contradict her. But now, every sentence clashed with hers, as if she meant nothing to him.

"Don’t trouble yourself about it. Mind your own business—"

"Enough!" Lan Ruoxue snapped.

He might not appreciate it, but the memory of him saving her was still vivid. Suppressing her anger, she pondered for a moment and advised, "In any case, keep yourself hidden these next couple of days. Don’t let Wang Jiaolong find you."

"I’ll try to make contact with him, and when negotiations are settled, I’ll come find you. When the time comes, you’ll come with me to apologize. Do you understand?"

Ye Wushang replied with calm indifference, "Of course I’ll go. But not to apologize."

"They poisoned the club, then sent people to kill me. I need answers for this."

"Idiot!" Lan Ruoxue slapped the seat hard, gritting her teeth. "You really don’t know your limits!"

"You think this is the Sun family? With me mediating, they won’t touch you for now—but this is Wang Jiaolong, the heir of Jiaolong Group. Not just you, even the Lan and Sun families combined aren’t his match!"

"And you want to confront him? You’re talking nonsense!"

Ye Wushang gave no answer. He merely drove on silently, deliberately turning the music up to its loudest.

Every time she tried to speak, he would tap the brakes. After several attempts, Lan Ruoxue finally gave up.

"You can give up on yourself, but I won’t sit idly by."

"We’re husband and wife. I’ll help you resolve this."

"Whether you appreciate it or not is your business, but you saved me just now and I owe you for that!"

With her mind made up, she leaned back and closed her eyes, quietly pondering how to negotiate with Wang Jiaolong. She needed to avoid implicating the Lan family, and prevent him from retaliating against Ye Wushang.

…

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Lan family home.

No sooner had they entered than they encountered Sun Chuanlong and Lan Ruoshang, both rushing anxiously.

"Trash, you dare send my brother to the police station? I’ll kill you!" Sun Chuanlong roared, grabbing Ye Wushang by the collar.

Ye Wushang pushed him away, sending him sprawling to the floor. He said coolly, "It was the police who arrested him. It had nothing to do with me."

"Trash, stop spouting nonsense!"

Lan Ruoshang shouted, "It was you! You had Sun Dashao dragged off to the police station!"

"You’re deliberately framing him! You haven’t finished with Long-ge, and now you start this? I won’t stand for it!"

As they cursed and raged, the two tried to charge forward again, but Lan Ruoxue stopped them. "Enough, you two! Stop making trouble!"

"If Grandpa hears, none of us will have a good time!"

"Go deal with your own affairs. I’ll handle this. Go!"

The truth was clear now: it was Wang Jiaolong who poisoned them; neither Ye Wushang nor Sun Chuanzhi were involved. The reason Sun Chuanzhi was sent to the police station was obviously Ye Wushang seeking revenge. She understood, but could not say so aloud.

This Ye Wushang—so petty!

"Trash, just wait. I won’t let you off!"

"Long-ge, let’s pick up your brother first—then we’ll come back to settle the score!"

As the two left, Lan Ruoxue sighed helplessly. "Wushang, what am I supposed to say to you?"

"You’ve offended both Sun brothers, and now you’ve provoked Wang Jiaolong..."

"So what?"

Ye Wushang remained unmoved. "President Lan, we’re already divorced. My affairs are none of your concern."

"Whether it’s the Sun family or the Wang family, let them come. It doesn’t matter to me."

With that, he walked straight upstairs.

Lan Ruoxue stamped her feet in anger. She never expected him to be so stubborn. To knowingly do what should not be done—what difference was there between this and reckless folly?

…

Upstairs bedroom.

Old Master Lan lay on his sickbed, drifting in and out of sleep, murmuring Ye Wushang’s name.

Ye Wushang hurried forward, grasped his hand, and choked, "Grandpa, Wushang is here."

"Wushang? Is that you? You’ve finally returned?"

Seeing Ye Wushang, Old Master Lan was overjoyed and instinctively tried to sit up. But his body was weak; just as he rose, he sank back down.

"Grandpa, don’t get agitated. Lie down. The doctor said you need rest."

Lan Ruoxue comforted him for a moment, then nudged Ye Wushang, reminding him, "Wushang, speak to Grandpa."

"Our divorce—was it your own choice? I never forced you, right?"

Ye Wushang glanced at her, said nothing, and checked Old Master Lan’s pulse. It was nothing serious, just a result of emotional distress.

His silence made Old Master Lan think he was hiding something. Patting his shoulder, Old Master Lan said apologetically, "Wushang, don’t be afraid. With Grandpa here, no one will drive you out—not the sisters, nor anyone else!"

Ye Wushang shook his head calmly. "Grandpa, Ruoxue didn’t lie. The divorce was my own decision."

"I came today first to see you, and secondly, to bid you farewell."

"Wushang!"

Old Master Lan’s eyes widened in alarm. "Good child, Grandpa knows you’ve been wronged."

"Don’t worry. With Grandpa here, no one will bully you."

"Lan Ruoxue, I order you now: remarry Wushang immediately, and apologize to him!"

"Apologize?"

Lan Ruoxue frowned, reluctant. "I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?"

"Our marriage ended up like this. He should reflect on his own faults. Grandpa, though you’re my elder, you can’t force me."

"You brat!"

Old Master Lan was furious, raising his hand to strike, but Ye Wushang intervened.

He took a deep breath and said calmly, "Grandpa, please don’t make things difficult for Ruoxue. Even if she hadn’t asked for a divorce, I would have."

"You have always been kind to me. For three years, I’ve worked hard without complaint."

"But Ruoxue loves excitement and grandeur, while I prefer peace and quiet."

"She pursues power and fame; I only want family happiness."

"Our values are different. Forcing us together will only bring pain."

"Better to go our separate ways—it's best for everyone."

With that, he stepped back, knelt, and bowed three times to Old Master Lan.

"Grandpa, I will never forget your kindness."

"But my marriage with Ruoxue is over. We can never be together again."

"Please... take care of yourself."

He rose and walked toward the door.

Old Master Lan wept bitterly, his heart breaking.

After hesitating, he couldn’t help but call out:

"Wushang, come back!"

"It is the Lan family that owes you."

"Grandpa has nothing more to give, except what your mother left me—I’ll return it to you."

"Just promise not to resent Ruoxue, nor the Lan family!"

…