Chapter 246

Chapter 246: A Slap in the Face On the Spot Chu Tang's dark eyes gleamed with a cold light. "You're the one asking for death." Seeing Tan Bin's hostile expression, Lu Shuci instinctively stepped in front of Chu Tang, forming a protective stance. But Chu Tang reached out and pushed Lu Shuci aside. "Step aside. I want to see exactly how he plans to court death today." Chu Tang walked past Lu Shuci and sneered at Tan Bin. "Want to go back to the detention center?" "F*ck you!" Tan Bin cursed and lunged forward to throw a punch. Chu Tang sidestepped his attack and was just about to strike back. Suddenly, a foot shot out from the side and slammed into Tan Bin's stomach, sending him flying several meters away. Gasps rippled through the crowd. The Suzhou locals among the onlookers widened their eyes in disbelief and covered their mouths. Who was so fearless? Who would dare kick Tan Bin like that in front of so many people? Everyone's gaze converged on the man. And when they saw him, they froze. What an extraordinary face! The man had sharp, handsome features, deep-set contours, and a tall, imposing figure. He radiated an intimidating coldness, murderous intent flashing in his eyes, enough to make anyone's heart race. At that moment, some among the growing crowd recognized Jiang Shixu and Ruan Chutang. Someone muttered, "Isn't that the young master of the Jiang family and the young miss of the Ruan family? What's going on?" The crowd buzzed with excitement. "No way, are you serious? That guy in the black shirt is the Jiang family's young master? The Jiang family I'm thinking of?" The person replied, "Yeah, the man who kicked Tan Bin to the ground is Jiang Shixu, the young master of Jiangcheng and sole heir to Jiangshi Group. The beautiful woman next to him is his former fiancée, Ruan Chutang, the young miss of the Ruan family in Jiangcheng." "So he's the Jiang family's young master! No wonder he's so handsome. He's absolutely mesmerizing—seeing him in person beats hearing about him a hundred times over." "So that gorgeous woman Tan Bin was about to hit is the young miss of the Ruan family in Jiangcheng? Holy sh*t! That's insane! He's screwed then—the Ruan family is the richest in Jiangcheng. I heard the Ruan family's young miss was even engaged to the Jiang family's young master before. Tan Bin really stepped on a landmine this time." "You play with fire long enough, you're bound to get burned. He's been so arrogant and offended everyone left and right. This time he picked a fight with the young master of the Jiang family and the young miss of the Ruan family. He said they were asking for death—if you ask me, he's the one asking for it." "I've hated Tan Bin for ages. I hope the Jiang family's young master gives him what he deserves." "Perfect. I was just worried something would happen to that beautiful lady. Now Tan Bin's in for it. Justice served!" "Liang Chuman even accused her of wearing fakes and carrying counterfeit bags. I didn't believe it back then—that lady's aura screamed heiress." "Exactly, I thought the same. She exudes an air of refined nobility from head to toe. She doesn't look poor at all. Meanwhile, Liang Chuman—relying on her plastic surgery face to latch onto Tan Bin—actually thinks she's rich now." "You hate Liang Chuman too? Me too! It's so satisfying when someone you've despised for so long finally gets exposed." ... Tan Bin struggled to his feet. Clutching his stomach, his face pale, he cursed under his breath, "You motherf—" The rest of his words died in his throat the moment he recognized Jiang Shixu's face. Tan Bin's expression shifted instantly, a fawning smile plastered across his face. "Young Master Jiang, what brings you here?" He had met Jiang Shixu twice before. The first time was five years ago, at the birthday banquet of Suzhou's top official. Back then, Jiang Shixu had accompanied the elder of the Jiang family to the banquet, and even the powerful Suzhou official treated the Jiang elder with utmost respect and deference. The second time was three years ago, at a business cocktail party. His father had brought him along to network and strike deals. Jiang Shixu was the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of people. Many wanted to approach him but never got the chance. His father had told him, "You can fool around however you want outside, but you must never offend that young master from Jiangcheng. If you offend the Jiang family's young master, don't bother coming home. We'll sever ties with you to avoid being dragged down with you." Tan Bin knew his father wasn't joking or trying to scare him. He was the third son, with two older brothers above him. Not only that. His father also kept three mistresses on the side. Two of them had borne him children—one illegitimate son and one illegitimate daughter. Both of his biological brothers were more capable than him, and the illegitimate children were also deeply favored by his father. He, the son raised to be useless, could truly be discarded at a moment's notice. In the span of a few seconds, Tan Bin's mind raced through all of this, and he broke out in a cold sweat. Then, Tan Bin witnessed a sight that terrified him. The young master of the Jiang family turned to the woman who had sent him to the detention center, his face full of concern as he asked, "Tangtang, are you alright?" What! That woman actually knew the young master of the Jiang family? And judging by how concerned the young master looked, the two of them were close. Tan Bin couldn't stop himself from trembling, his legs going weak. Chu Tang shook her head and replied to Jiang Shixu, "I'm fine." Seeing the situation take a turn for the worse, Liang Chuman had long lost her earlier arrogance. She slunk away, hoping to slip off unnoticed in the chaos. Someone in the crowd of onlookers stuck out a foot and tripped her. Liang Chuman fell to the ground in an awkward sprawl. The spectators jeered at her. "Oh, Miss Liang, where are you off to in such a hurry?" "What was that you said earlier? Right—you said the young miss of the Ruan family was cheap and vain, wearing fakes and carrying counterfeit bags, didn't you? Why aren't you saying it now?" "That's right. We all heard you humiliating Miss Ruan in front of everyone just now. Aren't you going to apologize to her?" "Got slapped in the face, didn't you? Didn't expect the pretty lady to be the young miss of the Ruan family of Jiangcheng, huh? Heh, you love spreading rumors and slandering people. If you've got the guts, don't run. You dare to do it but not own up to it, is that it?" Liang Chuman picked herself up off the ground, more humiliated than she'd ever been in her life. Not far away, Jiang Shixu shot her a chilling, intimidating glare. Liang Chuman shuddered and walked over timidly to apologize to Ruan Chutang. She kept her head down and muttered quietly, "I'm sorry, Miss Ruan. I shouldn't have said those things about you." "Said?" Ruan Chutang had no intention of letting her off so easily. "You insulted and defamed me in public, and in your mouth it's just a flippant little 'said things about you'?" Liang Chuman pouted, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at Jiang Shixu with a pitiful expression, trying to play the victim and win his sympathy. She spoke in a soft, syrupy voice, "Mr. Jiang, this is all a misunderstanding. I've already apologized to Miss Ruan. Can you please let me off the hook?" She thought she understood men well and was confident in her looks. No man could resist her delicate, tearful appearance. However, Jiang Shixu looked at her with disgust and said coldly, "No."