26: You're So Generous

Shen Yifei’s smile instantly froze. That old harridan was truly infuriating.

"Mr. Shen and I are now engaged. My betrothal to Luo Tianyao has already been annulled," Su Muqing managed to force a cold smirk.

Before Shen Yifei could even begin his act, Qiao Lan scoffed, "Enough! Stop pretending. I don't care if you have a man or not, your engagement to Luo Tianyao must be fulfilled. You should be well aware of the consequences otherwise."

A bitter expression flickered across Su Muqing's beautiful face.

She had hoped to drag things out for as long as possible, fantasizing about Lingya International (a rival company) rising to power and providing substantial funds to rescue Tianrong International Group (her family's failing corporation). But she had too little time; now she was forced to make a decision.

In Qiao Lan's eyes, she was nothing but a commodity, to be sold off to Luo Tianyao. And quite a valuable commodity, at that.

Seeing Su Muqing fall silent, Qiao Lan's face twisted into a triumphant smile. Her gaze shifted to Shen Yifei, and she sneered, "You're Shen Yifei, aren't you? Living with Su Muqing now?"

"Yes. And what about it?" Shen Yifei chuckled dismissively.

Witnessing Shen Yifei's complete disregard for her, a flicker of irritation sparked in Qiao Lan's heart, though she didn't show it.

With a cold scoff, she reached into her custom Hermès handbag on the beach table, pulled out a check, and began to fill it in.

"Here's a check for two million (Chinese yuan). You can cash it at any major bank in Huahai City (a bustling metropolis). Leave Su Muqing, and the two million is yours," Qiao Lan stated coolly.

A mere two million was nothing to Qiao Lan. This was a critical time, and securing Luo Tianyao's favor was paramount. Su Muqing couldn't have any other men around her.

Shen Yifei stepped forward, taking the check from Qiao Lan's hand. His lips curved upwards as he said, beaming, "This is really for me?"

"Yes," Qiao Lan replied with a sneer of contempt, thinking, *A base commoner is a base commoner, getting so excited over a paltry sum.*

Qiao Lan then turned to Su Muqing, a cold smirk on her face. "You see? The fiancé you found is nothing but a money-grubber."

Su Muqing's beautiful face turned pale, her exquisite eyes wide as she glared at Shen Yifei, a wave of anger surging in her heart.

How could he do this?! For a mere two million, he would betray her?

This man… to think he was such a person! Though Su Muqing had kept her distance from Shen Yifei, she had still, deep down, trusted the nominal fiancé her grandfather had arranged for her.

But this man had betrayed her so easily. A bitter smile touched Su Muqing's lips, and her heart ached.

Suddenly, she felt utterly helpless, and tears welled up in her eyes before she even realized it.

Shen Yifei tucked the check into his pocket, then burst into hearty laughter, addressing Qiao Lan, "You're truly generous! Thank you, thank you."

With that, Shen Yifei walked over to Su Muqing's side.

Su Muqing's face was streaked with tears, yet she stubbornly refused to let out a sob. She glared at Shen Yifei with a myriad of grievances, a mocking, cold laugh escaping her lips. "Get out!"

Shen Yifei grasped Su Muqing's small hand and chuckled mischievously. "Your mom is quite generous, actually. She gave me two million! Let's go."

Su Muqing froze, a little slow to grasp Shen Yifei's meaning.

Qiao Lan's face instantly darkened, and she flew into a rage. "What do you mean?! I told you to take the money and get away from Su Muqing!"

Shen Yifei retorted, a look of annoyance on his face, "I only asked if the money was for me. I never agreed to leave Su Muqing! Since you said you'd give me the money, I can only begrudgingly accept it."

"You!" Qiao Lan shot to her feet, pointing an enraged finger at Shen Yifei, her face cycling through shades of green and white as she struggled for words.

From childhood, no one had ever dared to play such a trick on her. Qiao Lan was finally witnessing firsthand what truly unscrupulous tactics looked like.

"Pfft!" Su Muqing doubled over, bursting into laughter, nearly splitting her sides.

So that's what Shen Yifei meant! Su Muqing had almost believed he was abandoning her for money.

Shen Yifei looked at the radiant and captivating Su Muqing before him, unable to resist reaching out to wipe the tear streaks from her cheeks. He smiled gently, "Alright, CEO Su, no more sniffles from now on, okay? It doesn't suit you!"

Su Muqing's tears flowed uncontrollably again, but in that moment, she found the man before her far less detestable.

"I wasn't crying!" Su Muqing declared, wiping her tears, a slight catch in her voice.

As she spoke, a faint smile played on Su Muqing's lips.

Shen Yifei chuckled, "That's more like it. You look much better when you smile."

Su Muqing suddenly felt a pang of embarrassment. Aside from her grandfather, she had never shed tears in front of another man. Shen Yifei was the first, and it made her feel a little humiliated.

However, Shen Yifei's elaborate trick on Qiao Lan had significantly lifted Su Muqing's spirits.

Qiao Lan's face was terrifyingly grim. If she had a knife then, she would have been tempted to stab Shen Yifei several times. Shen Yifei was the first person audacious enough to mock her in such a way!

"Su Muqing, I'll tell you the truth. My purpose in having you come today was simply to deliver a message: Luo Tianyao is hosting a grand banquet on the Red River Cruise (a luxurious yacht) next weekend, inviting many influential figures from the business and political sectors, and you are among them. If you don't attend, you'll face the consequences yourself!" Qiao Lan scoffed.

Su Muqing's mood calmed. Luo Tianyao had just returned to China and was already organizing such a lavish banquet; there was certainly some major move afoot. Su Muqing was intelligent enough to deduce that it was likely related to her.

For now, she had no other choice but to take things one step at a time.

Gazing at the woman's sorrowful expression, Shen Yifei's eyes shifted to Qiao Lan, and he said with a dry chuckle, "Madam He, if there's nothing else, Miss Su and I will take our leave."

"Wait!" Qiao Lan's expression turned frigid, and she snapped, exasperated, "Insolent boy! Don't push your luck. Give me back that check!"

Shen Yifei sneered, "I just told you not to regret it, and you're already going back on your word? A CEO of Tianrong International who doesn't even keep her promises – no wonder this company is on the verge of collapse."