The Quiet Wrath

The evening air was thick with tension as the car pulled up in front of the house. Feng Xuelan continued her tirade, her voice rising with every word she flung at Jiang Yeming. He didn't respond. Instead, he calmly stepped out of the car, walked into the house, and disappeared into his room, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

He was still savoring the look of humiliation on Wei Jincheng's face at The Velvet Crown. For once, he had seen Feng Xuelan silenced by sheer embarrassment, and Lan Yueran hadn't hidden her amusement either. But satisfaction quickly gave way to concern as his thoughts drifted to his cousin, Jiang Ruifeng. Yeming could feel something sinister brewing. If Ruifeng was bold enough to send threats through gangs, then there was certainly another move coming.

He lay on his bed, trying to piece together the possibilities. There was something missing—something bigger at play. Then an idea sparked. He needed to return to the source. Those gang members might still be hiding a card up their sleeve. He would need to confront them again, but not just yet. First, he needed rest.

Morning light crept through the blinds as Yeming opened his eyes. Just as he was about to stretch, he heard hurried footsteps outside his room, followed by the sound of Lan Yueran's voice. Her tone was sharp, panicked. She was on the phone.

"No, just handle it from your end for now. I'll get back to you. Let's not make this bigger than it already is," she said quickly before ending the call.

Yeming opened his door and stepped into the hallway. "Is everything okay?" he asked calmly.

Lan Yueran looked startled, as if she hadn't expected him to be up. "It's nothing serious," she replied, waving it off. "Just business."

He didn't press at first, but something about her expression told him it wasn't just a routine problem. "What kind of business issue?" he asked again, his tone more serious.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "My cousin Lan Wenzhi has been sabotaging my deals. He's been following up with my clients after I meet them, telling them false stories about our company. Bad reviews, accusations of fraud, anything to shake their confidence. I think… I think he's trying to make me fail so he can report back to Grandfather Lan Guangsheng and claim my shares for himself."

Yeming felt a fire rising in his chest, but his face remained composed. He nodded. "That's serious. But don't worry too much about it."

"I'm not worried," she muttered, clearly lying.

He gave her a soft glance. "Just take it easy, and be careful."

With that, he stepped back into his room and picked up his phone. A moment later, he was on the line with Uncle Qiao.

"I need you to look into CrystalCore Properties. Find out exactly what's going on, and arrange a purchase—$50 million worth of property from them. Make sure it's big, clean, and completely anonymous. Also, find out who's been giving them negative press and leaking fake reports."

Uncle Qiao was silent for a moment before responding. "Understood. I'll mobilize our best. Discreetly."

Within the hour, Uncle Qiao called the company's top strategist, a man known in Celestine Haven's business circles as a predator—sharp, clean, and always one step ahead. His name was Ren Shixuan.

"Pack a bag," Qiao instructed him. "You're flying to Rainmere City. We've got a special assignment."

Later that day, Ren Shixuan boarded a Jiang Corporation private jet, arriving in Rainmere City by late afternoon. His mission was clear: make a significant investment in CrystalCore Properties, boost their public image, and discreetly identify the saboteur.

Ren's sleek black car rolled up outside the modest office of CrystalCore. To most, it was just another ambitious real estate firm, but he saw the potential. Inside, the receptionist guided him to Lan Yueran's office.

She welcomed him, still unsure what the visit was about.

"I'm representing a group of investors looking to break into the Rainmere property market," Ren said after exchanging pleasantries. "We've studied several firms, and CrystalCore stands out. We're interested in acquiring a few of your premium properties. Around $50 million to start. If all goes well, we might consider deeper collaboration."

Lan Yueran blinked in disbelief. "You're serious?"

Ren smiled. "I've already reviewed the files and proposals. You've built something solid here, Miss Lan. We'll transfer the funds today."

True to his word, the payment cleared within the hour. Shocked yet elated, Lan Yueran quickly prepared the documents and closed the deal without a single error.

When Ren left, the entire office buzzed with excitement. Lan Yueran couldn't believe what had just happened. She called her grandfather, Lan Guangsheng, immediately.

"Grandfather, we just closed a major deal. $50 million from a new investor group. They want to expand with us."

Lan Guangsheng sounded pleased. "Good work, Yueran. You're making your mark."

But not everyone in the hospital room shared the sentiment. Lan Wenzhi, seated nearby, scowled.

"So that's how you did it?" he sneered. "Sold your body for a contract?"

Lan Yueran froze. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Lan Wenzhi continued. "That kind of deal doesn't fall into your lap without a price. Don't think you've impressed Grandfather. Everyone knows the truth."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "You're disgusting, Lan Wenzhi."

She turned and stormed out of the room.

That night, after telling her mother about the deal, Lan Yueran kept the confrontation with her cousin to herself. But Feng Xuelan was ecstatic.

"You're finally being recognized in this family!" she exclaimed. "Just wait until I tell my friends. My daughter, the million-dollar CEO!"

As Yeming stepped out of the kitchen with a bowl of soup, he heard the last part of their conversation.

"Congratulations," he said sincerely.

Feng Xuelan didn't miss a beat. "Of course you'd say that. Living off our wealth must be a sweet life."

"Mom, please," Lan Yueran interjected. "Can we not ruin tonight?"

Feng Xuelan relented, smoothing her dress and declaring she was going out to meet her friends.

Once she left, the atmosphere grew quieter. Yeming turned to Lan Yueran.

"Did you tell your grandfather everything?" he asked.

She hesitated. "They're happy. That's what matters."

"But something's wrong. What happened?"

She looked away for a moment, then finally confessed. "Lan Wenzhi… he said horrible things. Claimed I must've slept with the investor to get the deal. Right in front of Grandfather."

Yeming's fists clenched at his side. "You don't deserve that. He's just threatened because you succeeded where he failed."

She nodded slowly, grateful for his understanding.

After a few seconds of silence, Yeming added, "By the way, I'll be stepping out tomorrow. Some errands to run."

She looked at him curiously but didn't question it.

Back in his room, Yeming texted Uncle Qiao. "Send me Ren Shixuan's number."

Once he had it, he made a call. "Ren, this is Jiang Yeming. Let's meet tomorrow. I'll send you the address. We'll talk over lunch."