Chapter 44: A Test of Strength

Cheng Yiyi braced herself to speak.

The media, like stray dogs catching a scent, turned their cameras toward her.

She had to minimize the incident’s impact, but she had no choice but to answer head-on.

A lengthy response would only increase her chance of slipping up.

For now, a stalling tactic was the best option.

She would say she had long intended to change her name, but the Shen family’s banquet had been scheduled first.

As for later? The steward had said that many things could be resolved as long as they weren’t in front of the cameras.

Meanwhile, under the stage, a shadow flickered in Xiao Wangyun’s eyes.

He had already predicted Cheng Yiyi’s words.

He would simply press for a specific date.

Then she would be forced to change her name!

Although this would have no real effect on the contest between the Xiao and Shen families, making the Shens look bad was enough.

Xiao Wangyun wasn’t stupid.

From what he knew, the Shen family must be honoring Cheng Yiyi’s parents by using this tactic.

Once the deadline for the name change came, wouldn’t the Shen family appear to be backing out?

Wouldn’t that give him more material to exploit?

Onstage, Cheng Yiyi quickly formed her answer.

The crowd turned their eyes to her, waiting for the beautiful figure to reply.

Offstage, a man with extremely sharp eyes and a steady stride walked straight toward the Xiao family.

His black hair stood out sharply in the crowd, strands of it falling against his forehead, emitting the pressure of one who forbids approach.

His features were deeply sculpted and, from beginning to end, devoid of any smile.

A pair of red eyes was the darkest point on his face, vivid as blood-soaked gems, with slightly upturned corners that carried no warmth whatsoever.

“Who’s that?! Can’t you watch where you’re going?” someone muttered impatiently.

He turned and met those crimson eyes, and a chill pierced his bones.

He was instantly wrapped in deep fear, his breath frozen solid.

Finally, he managed to utter the newcomer’s name: “Shen… Shen Yanci!”

His voice was tiny, but the people around him reacted as if struck by lightning.

Trembling, they pressed hard to both sides, as if avoiding a heavenly disaster.

Xiao Chongyuan felt a chill run down his back, as if watched by something extremely terrifying.

‘Didn’t sleep well last night?’ he thought, touching his chest uneasily.

When the chill passed, he smiled to himself and murmured, “Just like my son, knowing how to scheme.”

Xiao Chongyuan could already predict Cheng Yiyi’s response.

He even planned to collect information on Cheng Yiyi’s parents after the banquet and hire people to interview them.

Nothing else mattered as long as he could get from them the fact that the Shen family had never demanded Cheng Yiyi change her name.

With a little maneuvering, he could label the Shen family as going back on their word and lacking kindness in wealth.

Even if his son didn’t push for the exact date, he was ready to swallow his pride and act himself.

“Old man…”

Xiao Chongyuan heard a voice from very close behind him.

He was irritated, assuming it was his other good-for-nothing son, who had changed his mind upon seeing the Shen family’s young lady and showed up midway.

But then he realized the voice didn’t sound right.

Besides, that brat would never call him that in public.

Didn’t he want his allowance?

“Move aside.”

Shen Yanci’s voice was heavy with murderous intent, clear and sharp.

The youthful tone had mostly faded, mixed with the noble coldness of the legitimate heir.

It was flat and unvarying.

He didn’t shout or cause a scene, yet it held a condescending cruelty that seeped into Xiao Chongyuan’s bones through his ears.

Only then did Xiao Chongyuan realize something was wrong.

He turned to find himself face-to-face with Shen Yanci’s blood-red eyes!

He instinctively sought protection, but his bodyguards had already retreated to the side, their arms bent at unnatural angles.

Some couldn’t even stand, crouched on the ground, uncertain whether they were alive or dead.

It was… this monster!

Xiao Chongyuan’s heart nearly stopped.

Didn’t the report say this man wasn’t coming back?

Which dead man had provided that intelligence?

He would drag them out and execute them!

As the current head of the Xiao family, Xiao Chongyuan cared little for most people in the world.

Even those of noble status were at best his equals.

They would always show him some respect.

But this man in front of him was different.

Unlike others who were quick-witted, far-sighted, and self-preserving…

Shen Yanci was simply strong, that was all.

Yet he stood out among the younger generation of the major clans, crushing everyone!

Before wondering why, one might consider his opponents.

Among the younger generation, who wasn’t raised on countless resources?

Were there ever a lack of cunning and treacherous individuals?

There were also countless gifted young men, even those from ordinary families who had made names for themselves.

But Shen Yanci, relying only on his sheer force, rose above them all.

Every member of the younger generation willingly lowered their own achievements to stand behind him.

At this point, one ought to consider just how great his strength was.

For strength could decline…

Xiao Chongyuan sat before Shen Yanci, looked down upon from above, and experienced the most primal fear of all living things: death!

Without further hesitation, he didn’t even get up from his seat.

He lifted his stool and shifted left with lightning speed, clearing the direct line between Xiao Wangyun and Shen Yanci.

Then he murmured under his breath:

“Son, don’t blame your father… I never encouraged you to make trouble for Cheng Yiyi. That was all your own doing. It has nothing to do with me. Amitabha… Buddha preserve me. If my son gets beaten, I can’t afford to be beaten. These old bones of mine can’t take it. Abracadabra, let it be. Mommy, go boom…”

Xiao Wangyun stood below the stage, a smile curling at his lips.

But then he sensed something off.

Why were Uncle Shen and Xie Chengyu looking at him with such… pity?

Was there another scheme?

No way, right?

Had the Shen family also taught Cheng Yiyi how to answer this sort of situation?

That shouldn’t be.

Just as he was deliberating, he felt a hand clamp onto his left shoulder, and a piercing pain shot through him.

He wanted to speak, but a terrifying thought rose in his mind, forcing him to swallow the curses he’d been about to utter.

He turned his head slightly and finally saw the hand.

It was long and evenly formed, not the flimsy skin of a spoiled heir.

Its lines were cold and clean, its wrist bones sharply defined, carrying the imposing air of a true family’s legitimate son.

Despite the immense force pressing on him, the hand seemed effortless, as if its owner hadn’t even begun to try.

“Are you bullying my little sister?”

A voice that haunted his dreams sounded calmly by his ear.

Xiao Wangyun had long lost control of his body.

He stood only because Shen Yanci held his shoulder with a single hand.

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