Chapter 2

5

Zhang Qianqian widened her eyes, her lashes fluttering as she gazed intently at Song Shisheng.

"Since you've lost a wife, how about I make it up to you?"

As she spoke, she placed Song Shisheng's hand in front of her.

Zhang Qianqian's blatant seduction made Song Shisheng panic; he pushed her away with one hand.

"Who told you to cut the rope! Zhang Qianqian, how could you let my wife fall into the sea? You've caused a disaster, do you know that?"

Song Shisheng roared in fury, continuously looking out at the sea, frantically clutching his hair, even contemplating jumping in to save her.

... But he didn't have the courage.

He grabbed the yacht manager by the tie, shouting, "Who told you to play along with Zhang Qianqian's games? If my wife really dies, we're all doomed!"

He was so angry that he started hitting the yacht manager. "What are you standing there for? Get someone to rescue her, now!"

Zhang Qianqian was puzzled, "Buddy Song, why are you so panicked? You're the heir to the Huanrong Group; what's there that you can't handle?"

"Because I'm not... " Song Shisheng suddenly seemed to have his throat constricted, falling silent, unable to continue.

The yacht manager found people to start a rescue.

After the commotion, Song Shisheng's friends surprisingly still had the mood to continue playing games.

It was still the same truth or dare.

Song Shisheng kept looking at the sea, waving them off, "I'm not in the mood today, you guys go ahead."

Zhang Qianqian gave them a look, and they cooperated seamlessly.

"Qianqian lost again, and this time the penalty is for two people to get cozy under a blanket together!"

Hearing this, Song Shisheng was stunned.

One of the men stepped forward, "If that's the case, I'll take the penalty."

"I can do it too!"

"Yeah, I can do it too!" "No way!"

Song Shisheng banged the table, furious. "Qianqian is a girl; how can you treat her like this?"

"It's okay, I can handle it!" Zhang Qianqian stood tall, "I said we're all buddies here, I can handle it!"

"Qianqian, you're crazy!" Song Shisheng gritted his teeth.

Zhang Qianqian suddenly confessed, "Song Shisheng, I've wanted to say this for years. I don't want you to be my son anymore... Be with me, marry me, I'll make it up to you."

"What, you... " Song Shisheng was dumbfounded, jumping back in shock, "Don't be ridiculous, who wants to marry a buddy? I love my wife very much."

"... "

The atmosphere turned awkward.

The group looked at each other, completely caught off guard by how things had developed.

Zhang Qianqian's face turned dark with anger, "Buddy Song, Ye Zhaozhao has already fallen into the sea. I know your feelings for me; you don't have to pretend anymore." "Pretend what?

What nonsense are you talking about!" Song Shisheng reacted strongly, agitatedly protesting, "How can you have such thoughts about me? You look like one of the guys to me; we're just friends! Why would you want to become my wife?"

6

Now it was Zhang Qianqian's turn to be dumbfounded.

Her voice grew louder, "I sat on your lap dressed like this today, and you hugged my waist and touched my leg. Doesn't that mean something?"

"... " Song Shisheng rubbed his nose, feeling a bit guilty, "We're all buddies, right? It's normal to touch each other. How about I let you touch me back?"

Zhang Qianqian gritted her teeth, "I know you're the heir to the Huanrong Group and look down on me, but we still have to complete today's dare punishment!"

She snapped her fingers, and the yacht manager brought people forward.

Song Shisheng suddenly felt something was wrong; he started feeling hot.

Zhang Qianqian walked over and hugged him, her face shy.

That night, in the yacht's room, the dare punishment was carried out.

Inside, the sounds of men and women continued.

In the hospital, I watched the yacht surveillance, rubbing my forehead, tossing the tablet aside.

It was disgusting, making my headache even worse.

"President Ye, it's our failure to protect you that led to this incident."

I waved it off, "It's not your fault; someone will pay for this. Go find out who saved me from the human traffickers back then. Investigate whether Song Shisheng just happened to pass by or if he took credit for someone else's work."

Feeling uncomfortable in the hospital room, I went downstairs for some fresh air, and ran into Zhang Qianqian.

Her charming smile disappeared in an instant, and she shouted angrily, "Ye Zhaozhao, how dare you still be alive."

I raised an eyebrow; this world is indeed small.

Zhang Qianqian strode towards me, raising her hand to slap me.

"You're not hiding even though you're alive, yet dare to show up in front of me. Ye Zhaozhao, how low can you get?"

"Pa—"

I caught her hand and slapped her face back.

The bodyguards immediately rushed forward at the noise.

I waved them off.

Zhang Qianqian shouted, "Do you know who I am? I'm about to marry into the Huanrong Group as the young mistress. Anyone with sense should save me! Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it."

The bodyguard's mouth twitched at her words.

Before he could speak, I deliberately coughed, and he fell silent.

Zhang Qianqian was still yelling, "Are you deaf? Offending me is like offending the Huanrong Group; I'll make sure none of you can survive!"

"Pa-pa—"

I slapped her a few more times, thinking she was just foolish, but she's both foolish and wicked.

Zhang Qianqian still wouldn't give up, "I'm about to be the young mistress of the Huanrong Group, I... "

"Pa-pa—"

"The Huanrong Group won't let you off, I... "

"Pa-pa—"

"Let go, help me, help... "

"Pa-pa—"

I slapped her until my hand was tired, then let her go.

The bodyguards detained Zhang Qianqian.

I gently tapped Zhang Qianqian's face, "What you did to me on the yacht isn't over. Today is just a small payback. If you have any plans, do them quickly, or get ready to spend your life in prison."

Hearing this, Zhang Qianqian trembled, her face showing fear.

But she was truly thick-skinned, quickly regaining her arrogant demeanor.

"Ye Zhaozhao, you're really courting death!"

"Zhaozhao, my wife, you're really alive, that's wonderful."

Zhang Qianqian's and Song Shisheng's voices rang out simultaneously, the latter overpowering the former.

"Buddy Song, you're just in time, look at how Ye Zhaozhao beat me up, you have to stand up for me." Zhang Qianqian dropped her "buddy" facade, clinging to Song Shisheng flirtatiously.

7

But Song Shisheng's focus was entirely on me.

He heard Zhang Qianqian's words and pushed her away forcefully, "Speak properly, remember we're buddies. Don't talk like a woman, it's disgusting."

"... " Zhang Qianqian bit her tongue.

I laughed, realizing Song Shisheng had a knack for cutting deep.

The bodyguards released Zhang Qianqian, standing in front of Song Shisheng to prevent him from getting close to me.

But that didn't stop him from confessing.

"Wife, that night was truly an accident. If you want, you can hang me over the sea to vent your anger! Just don't leave me!"

Song Shisheng's confession to me seemed to infuriate Zhang Qianqian even more.

"Song Shisheng, don't forget we already had a relationship!" Though Zhang Qianqian was speaking to Song Shisheng, she was looking at me, eyes filled with triumph, "We were naked, under the same blanket. What kind of buddies do that?"

She suddenly gently touched her belly, "Maybe there's already your child in here. You're the heir to the Huanrong Group; you wouldn't want your child to be left out. And Ye Zhaozhao has been married to you for over a year, clearly unable to have children, unworthy of your status as an heir."

"Shut up, stop talking!" Song Shisheng's gaze was intense, filled with anger towards Zhang Qianqian.

"Wife, it was all my fault before, I shouldn't have been swayed by bad friends." Song Shisheng didn't hesitate to kneel before me, begging for forgiveness, "They were just trying to drive a wedge between us, couldn't stand how much I liked you. I won't associate with them anymore; I'll stay by your side from now on!"

I said nothing, prying his hands off.

Song Shisheng, however, crawled forward on his knees, tightly hugging my legs, "Wife, I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong! Please forgive me, I beg you, I won't mess around anymore."

Zhang Qianqian was dumbfounded, trying to pull him up from the ground.

"Song Shisheng, Buddy Song, what are you doing! You're the heir to a wealthy family; the entire Huanrong Group will be yours. It's just one woman; can't you have some backbone?"

Just at the most inopportune moment, Song Shisheng appeared with Zhang Qianqian and their group of friends.

They were visibly startled upon seeing me, clearly feeling guilty.

Suddenly, Song Shisheng stood up, shedding his previous submissive demeanor.

The more defiant he acted, the more I wanted to put him in his place.

A loud slap echoed through the room as I struck Song Shisheng, then kicked him to the ground.

In an instant, Zhang Qianqian nearly lost her mind.

"What are you doing? How dare you treat Mr. Song like this? Are you crazy?"

Song Shisheng's friends chimed in:

"The Huanrong Group will make you pay."

"How dare a woman with a tarnished reputation act so arrogantly."

"Someone who escaped death once should learn to cherish life."

"It's hilarious. Mr. Song will deal with this woman."

I instructed the bodyguards to haul Song Shisheng back up.

Zhang Qianqian took out her phone and said, "Hello, Dad? Mr. Song is being bullied at the hospital. You need to bring people over quickly."

After making the call, she raised her head arrogantly, looking down her nose at me.

"Ye Zhaozhao, you're finished. My dad will be here soon. There's surveillance here, and we're witnesses. You'll definitely face jail time."

I laughed, "The Huanrong Group's legal department is indeed impressive."

"At least you have some sense, " Zhang Qianqian said, assuming the air of a wealthy lady. "But even if you kneel and beg for mercy now, it's too late! Song and I will make sure you can't live or die peacefully... "

"Shut up! Apologize to my wife!"

"Qianqian, apologize to President Ye, " both Song Shisheng and the newly arrived hospital director said simultaneously.

I raised an eyebrow, realizing that Zhang Qianqian was the director's daughter. It seemed the HR Director responsible for the medical department needed reassessment.

"My dad's here, and the chairman of Huanrong Group is also present today. They will definitely stand up for Mr. Song. Ye Zhaozhao, you're done for."

Director Zhang was on the verge of madness, "Shut up! Just shut up!"

Despite his age, he bowed to me in apology, his forehead slick with cold sweat.

"Dad, what are you doing? I'm already with Mr. Song, and I'll soon marry into a wealthy family. We're all family, no need to be so polite."

I looked at Song Shisheng, who jumped up as if electrocuted.

"Wife, it's all Zhang Qianqian's imagination. I never admitted to anything. You have to believe me. I never did!"

Zhang Qianqian seemed unable to grasp reality, confused, "Mr. Song, what are you doing? Over the past year, whether it's birthdays or anniversaries, you left your wife to be with me. Doesn't that show your intentions? Besides, I'm already yours... "

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Song Shisheng scolded her like Director Zhang, but more frantically.

I said nothing, my gaze cold and my smile chilling, as if I were looking at a dead person.

Unable to withstand the pressure of my gaze, Song Shisheng knelt on the ground, disregarding his pride in front of his friends, pleading for mercy.

But I refused to relent.

"We'll settle every score, starting today."

Song Shisheng felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss.

I smiled, "Director Zhang, because of your daughter, you should also be prepared."

With a thud, Director Zhang slumped against the wall, tears welling up in his muddied eyes.

He opened and closed his lips, wanting to plead.

But Zhang Qianqian reacted more violently, "You bitch, how dare you scare my dad?

I'll kill you!" "No!" "Don't!"

"President Ye!"

Several voices sounded at once, the most prominent being from Ye Weicheng, the chairman of Huanrong Group.

"Sir, you're here! This is wonderful!"

Zhang Qianqian, after being pushed against the wall, suddenly burst into tears and ran up to Ye Weicheng, saying, "I'm Mr. Song's next wife. From now on, we're family! You came just in time. Someone's bullying Mr. Song, challenging Huanrong Group's authority, and threatening Mr. Song and my dad. It's unforgivable!"

Zhang Qianqian lifted her head towards me, exuding the confidence of someone who believed I was doomed.

Yet, she failed to notice Song Shisheng, kneeling on the ground, trembling.

I walked past Zhang Qianqian with a smile, slowly approaching Ye Weicheng, and affectionately took his arm, saying, "You were right. I misjudged people."

Ye Weicheng shook his head with a sigh, patting my head indulgently, "It's okay. Just consider it a bite from a pet; it's nothing serious."

Suddenly, Zhang Qianqian exclaimed, "Ye Zhaozhao, not only did you betray Mr. Song, but you're also having an affair with your father-in-law. Do you have any shame? You're the biggest disgrace in the world... mmph... "

Director Zhang, having regained his composure, desperately covered her mouth.

He repeatedly bowed to Ye Weicheng and me, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Chairman. I'm sorry, President Ye. It's my fault for not raising her well. I'll definitely deal with her when we get back."

Song Shisheng was dragged up by the bodyguards, trembling all over, "Dad... Dad, I'm sorry. I misjudged people... "

"Enough." Ye Weicheng exuded an unapproachable aura, "My last name is Ye, and I only have one daughter. I have no relation to you."

Zhang Qianqian stood there, dumbfounded, realizing something was off despite her ignorance.

In the next moment, in utter panic, Song Shisheng started pointing fingers, "It was all Zhang Qianqian who seduced me. They led me astray. I was deceived too. Wife, Dad, give me another chance. I'll definitely stay true to my family from now on."

My mocking gaze swept over Zhang Qianqian and her group of friends, "So you were the ones who led my husband astray. Well, we'll have to settle this in a different way."

Zhang Qianqian's eyes were unfocused, no longer resisting Director Zhang.

Director Zhang released her, and she seemed to have her soul sucked out, muttering, "This can't be true. How could it be... How could you be the heir of Huanrong Group? Was Mr. Song lying to me? He actually lied to me! How dare he lie to me!"

Zhang Qianqian lunged at Song Shisheng, grabbing and hitting him, "So you were just a gold digger, pretending to be the heir of a wealthy family? You ruined me! You should die! You should die!"

Her friends, realizing the truth, quickly distanced themselves from Song Shisheng.

"President Ye... I was deceived."

"Yes, if we had known President Ye's identity, how could we have treated you this way?"

"Spare me this once. Don't kill me. I don't want to die."

"I'll do anything, just spare me, spare me!"

At this moment, all these "close friends" were utterly fed up with Song Shisheng.

I said nothing, merely watching the scene unfold with interest.

Perhaps inspired by Zhang Qianqian, the group lunged at Song Shisheng.

Punches and kicks rained down on him, and he could only cry out in agony:

"Help! Someone help me!"

"Stop hitting me, please, my dear, save me, I beg you."

"I know I was wrong, I truly do."

"Please stop, no more."

When Song Shisheng was nearly at his limit, he crawled to me like a dog.

I looked down at him, as if he were a stray dog.

"Dear... "

"Hm?"

"No! Ms. Ye! Ms. Ye!" Song Shisheng finally wised up, but still attempted to play dumb. "Considering I saved you once, spare me this time, and I'll leave everything behind, never to bother you again."

"Speaking of that, " I said, my smile vanishing, "that's all the more reason you deserve this."

Song Shisheng shrank back instantly, his guilty and fearful expression said it all.

In that moment, my anger became tangible. "It was Fu Yiheng who saved me back then. He was your best friend, and not only did you scheme to cripple him to claim all the credit, but you also drove his family to bankruptcy! Song Shisheng, after knowing you for so long, being married for a year, I've realized you're nothing but a devil in human skin."

Years ago, a young man saved me from human traffickers.

He never revealed his name, but I was deeply grateful and remembered him.

I always thought it was Song Shisheng who saved me, and despite my father's disapproval and the ridicule from others, I married him.

But it turned out he was an impostor!

Now it's too late to repay the real savior. Fu Yiheng was left disabled by Song Shisheng, and the Fu family went bankrupt and moved to the countryside.

By the time I found them, Fu Yiheng and his parents had passed away, leaving only a sixteen-year-old sister, bullied by relatives.

Fortunately, my savior had a sister, and I vowed to take care of her with all my heart.

For this, Song Shisheng deserved even more punishment.

Hearing my words, Song Shisheng collapsed to the ground.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Dear... No, Ms. Ye, we were married for a year, didn't our time together mean anything? You loved me so much, defended me even when I repeatedly let you down!"

Song Shisheng grew more fervent: "You obviously loved me so much! I was just testing how deep your love was... I won't test you anymore, can't I? Why did everything change so suddenly, why am I left with nothing now?"

"Ha! Hahaha... " Zhang Qianqian laughed loudly.

It was so inappropriate, yet so fitting.

"Serves you right! A gold-digger in a wealthy family, taking advantage of the Huanguang Group! Instead of being grateful, you impersonated Ye Zhaozhao to deceive others! This is what goes around comes around! You deserve it! Deserve it!"

Zhang Qianqian's laughter pierced through the already crumbling Song Shisheng.

He suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Zhang Qianqian by the throat.

"You! We agreed we were all brothers, what's wrong with a bit of flirtation? You were willing too." Song Shisheng roared, "If you hadn't pushed things, if you hadn't provoked my wife, she wouldn't have left me!"

"Zhang Qianqian, you ruined me! You did!"

"Ah, ah... help... help... "

Zhang Qianqian gasped. Director Zhang, terrified, hurried to pry Song Shisheng's hands away, casting a pleading look at Ye Weicheng.

My father often said I was naive and soft-hearted, but now, faced with the muddled Director Zhang, I showed no mercy.

Security guards stepped in to separate them.

Zhang Qianqian and Song Shisheng were sedated and thrown into a corner like trash.

Director Zhang, thinking he had saved his daughter, was immensely grateful.

But having nearly drowned at sea, I wasn't about to let them off that easily.

Once the divorce was finalized, Song Shisheng left with nothing.

He still tried to win me back, clinging like a desperate servant: "I'll do anything, even if it's just to shine your shoes, Ms. Ye, I can't leave you, please give me another chance."

I kicked him away and had the Huanguang Group announce their intent to hold Song Shisheng accountable.

Suddenly, his former friends turned on him—some mocked and bullied him, others demanded money, and some sought revenge.

Song Shisheng's life became even more difficult.

He tried every way to contact me, constantly sending messages of regret, but I ignored them all.

After collecting evidence of Director Zhang's corruption, my father feigned ignorance and promptly fired him.

But I was relentless. To avoid prison, Director Zhang agreed to marry Zhang Qianqian to Song Shisheng.

The two, who had once flirted under the guise of "good brothers, " were now truly a pair of bitter exes.

Their life was more dramatic than a soap opera.

Soon, Zhang Qianqian couldn't stand the miserable life and started looking for her next target, using the same old tricks of flirting with "good brothers."

But her luck seemed to have run out. Within a month, she was publicly beaten by a man's wife.

This time, the incident was caught on video and spread online.

Many netizens condemned her behavior, saying it tarnished the reputation of innocent women.

Unable to bear the public backlash, Zhang Qianqian exposed Song Shisheng's past deeds, using him to start a social media profile.

Before she could earn much, she nearly died one night.

Song Shisheng, along with the yacht manager who had lost his job, planned to sell Zhang Qianqian to Southeast Asia, but their sloppy execution led to Zhang Qianqian discovering the plot.

Zhang Qianqian turned the situation to her advantage, selling them out and escaping with the money.

But she didn't get far before being caught and brought back.

The lawyer contacted me: "Ms. Ye, everything is settled. She'll be in prison for a long time."

I expressed my approval: "Well done."