Chapter 84: Silencing Witnesses!

“Zheng Yiren, let go of Master Xu!”

Seeing this, An Lan was furious and about to act, when Master Wang suddenly leapt onto the stage!

With a resounding punch, the fruit knife in the assailant’s hand was knocked into the air.

Xu Zifeng seized the opportunity to break free, but Zheng Yiren, by reflex, tried to grab him. In a bizarre twist of fate, as the fruit knife fell, its blade struck Xu Zifeng’s forehead!

A crisp sound, blood sprayed forth, and Xu Zifeng died instantly!

“Wretch!”

“You’re exposed and instead of repenting, you dare take a hostage and kill someone?”

Master Wang bellowed, rushing forward to seize her. But Zheng Yiren, panic-stricken, tried to run. Unluckily, she tripped over Xu Zifeng’s corpse, her neck landing squarely on the handle of the fruit knife!

Another sharp sound rang out, and she was killed on the spot, her throat cut, blood splattering everywhere.

“This is just the consequence you brought upon yourself…”

Witnessing this, Master Wang seemed regretful on the surface, but inside, he was secretly delighted.

He even glanced up, exchanging a reassuring look with the Pei father and son.

The gesture was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Ye Wushang caught it!

“Ruthless.”

“He killed Xu Zifeng without leaving a trace, eliminating the Pei family’s worries.”

“It’s obvious that Pei Huaide and his son orchestrated this, but now Zheng Yiren is dead—no one left to testify.”

“And all his actions appeared so logical, not a shred of evidence to accuse him of silencing witnesses.”

Ye Wushang’s heart sank.

He had hoped to take this chance to strike at the Pei family.

Perhaps he couldn’t destroy them, but at least he could shame them enough to make them think twice before openly opposing the An family.

But now…

“Apologies, Mr. Ye. We misunderstood you just now.”

At that moment, Pei Huaide approached, offering an apology with a look of shame.

At the same time, he winked at his son, signaling him to apologize as well, to smooth things over.

They were responsible, but with the video as evidence, dealing with Ye Wushang would be impossible.

Besides, with Huang Pianruo backing him, it was unwise to stir up further trouble.

After all, Xu Zifeng was dead; the Pei and An families were once again at the same starting line. Their goal was reached—no need to push further.

As for dealing with Ye Wushang and An Lan, they could consider it at length once they returned.

“Yes, Ye Wushang, don’t take it to heart. We were deceived by that wretched Zheng Yiren as well.”

Pei Qinghu understood his father’s intention.

He hated Ye Wushang fiercely, but he knew what was best for the Pei family at this moment. Suppressing his emotions, he stepped forward and said offhandedly, “Still, as the head of security and someone so skilled, you were careless to let that wretch plant evidence on you without noticing…”

“It’s true she planted it.”

“But you know very well who really gave the order.”

Pei Qinghu’s face darkened, his tone icy: “Ye Wushang, what are you implying?”

“That’s enough, Qinghu. Mr. Ye was framed and nearly misunderstood. It’s natural he’s upset.”

“A few complaints are understandable, nothing serious.”

Seeing the atmosphere turn tense, Pei Huaide quickly pulled his son back, soothed Ye Wushang with a few words, and then turned to the grim-faced An Lan with a smile. “President An, we were invited tonight primarily to witness your choice of agent for the An family.”

“Now that the agent is settled, and we’ve tasted Master Xu’s dishes, if there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave.”

“Oh, and in two days, our families will compete in medicinal cuisine. I hope you can find another master chef for that event.”

“Best of luck.”

With that, he glanced sideways, and Pei Qinghu and Master Wang laughed heartily as they strode out.

In truth, they had secured another medicinal cuisine expert.

But compared to Xu Zifeng, the gap was vast.

Now that Xu Zifeng was dead, the Pei family’s candidate was unmatched, practically guaranteeing victory in the competition!

Finding a suitable replacement in just two days was as likely as the sun rising in the west.

As the three departed, An Lan’s gaze turned venomous, her face ashen.

She was no fool—Master Wang’s so-called righteous intervention was clearly a calculated move to kill both Xu Zifeng and Zheng Yiren with one stroke!

His intentions were as plain as day.

He had silenced both of them, and yet his actions were seamless, leaving no trace of evidence.

Alas.

She had hoped to use tonight to display her power before the Pei family, to make them back down.

Who could have predicted this outcome?

Xu Zifeng was dead.

Where could she possibly find a replacement now?

“President An, we’ll take our leave as well.”

“Tonight’s banquet was truly spectacular.”

“Though the process was harrowing, the outcome was favorable.”

“Mr. Ye’s innocence was proven, and Zheng Yiren took her own life out of guilt—a happy ending for all.”

“We’ll continue to follow the partnership between the An and Lan families and wish you even greater success.”

“When you prosper, perhaps we’ll share in the rewards as well.”

Other guests also came forward to offer their congratulations and flattery before departing one after another.

“Wushang, what’s going on between you and Miss Huang?”

Just then, Lan Ruoxue approached, her expression curious and puzzled as she looked at Ye Wushang.

Ye Wushang turned, about to reply, when Lan Ruoshuang sneered, “How many times have you cheated during the marriage, you useless man?”

“First An Lan, now Huang Pianruo—who knew you were this disgusting!”

“And both are stunning beauties. You really have a knack for living off women, don’t you?”

Before she finished, a loud slap landed on her cheek!

An Lan stepped forward, her voice cold: “There’s nothing improper between Wushang and me. If you spread rumors again, I’ll kill you!”

“Sis, she hit me again…”

Lan Ruoshuang clutched her stinging cheek, aggrieved.

“Enough!” Lan Ruoxue snapped.

Though she was her own sister, she could never control her mouth.

Especially when the target of her insults was her ex-husband.

Her feelings towards Ye Wushang were complicated; she didn’t know how to face him.

He’d been proven innocent—the bomb had nothing to do with him.

But first An Lan had defended him, then Huang Pianruo clarified the misunderstanding.

Both women, unmatched in status and beauty, had close ties to him.

Just days after their divorce, he was already involved with them. It was hard not to suspect he’d been unfaithful during their marriage.

She was supposed to be disappointed, even hate him.

Yet his abilities, revealed time and again, made her heart tremble.

“We’re divorced, but things can’t just end ambiguously like this.”

“I have to find out the truth. I don’t want to live with a guilty conscience; I need to know if he cheated during the marriage.”

“But he won’t talk to me now. The only chance left is at Grandpa’s sixtieth birthday.”

Resolute, she kept her thoughts to herself, took a deep breath, then turned to An Lan and said, “President An, my sister was out of line. Please forgive her.”

“Now that we’ve agreed to the partnership, as for the subsequent paperwork and formalities…”

“In a couple of days,” An Lan waved her hand, saying casually, “I need to prepare for the medicinal cuisine competition with the Pei family.”

“Only by winning that can the An family’s status rise, bringing more resources and privileges.”

“That would also benefit both our families’ cooperation.”

“Wushang is our liaison and overseer.”

“I’ll have him come to your company to sign the agreement.”

With that, she nudged Ye Wushang’s arm and smiled, “Isn’t that right, Wushang?”

“No problem,” Ye Wushang nodded helplessly.

Having promised in public, he had no way to refuse.

He would have to adapt as circumstances required.

“Very well. I’ll await your arrival at the company, Mr. Ye.”

“Ruoshuang, let’s go.”

Lan Ruoxue, cold as ice, shot Ye Wushang a frosty glance, then left the hall with her sister.

For some reason, Ye Wushang felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

He didn’t intend to have anything more to do with her.

But why did she suddenly call him “Mr. Ye,” and say she’d await his arrival?

Three years together, he knew her well enough.

Whenever she acted like this, it meant she was plotting something.

“Stop staring, Wushang—they’re gone.”

“So, tell me, what’s the story between you and Miss Huang?”

An Lan teased, nudging his arm and signaling with her eyes—Huang Pianruo and Xiaocui were still present.

An Lan had no particular fondness for Lan Ruoxue; she’d chosen her as agent purely for her abilities, not because of any connection to Ye Wushang.

It was actually Huang Pianruo’s appearance that made her feel a strange sense of rivalry.

She was eager to know what was really going on between the two.

“Miss Huang, thank you for what you did today,” Ye Wushang said, finally coming back to himself and expressing his gratitude.

Huang Pianruo smiled softly and waved her hand. “Mr. Ye, you flatter me. Compared to you saving my brother, what I did was nothing.”

“You saved your brother?” An Lan frowned, puzzled. “You mean the eldest son of the Huang family who’s been bedridden, Huang Pianqiang?”

…