The Lesson They Never Expected

The next morning, tension hung thick in the Goldrise Holdings household. Jiang Ruifeng stormed through the sitting room, cursing Lan Yueran at the top of his lungs. His mother, Yu Yanyun, sat in a corner, equally furious. They had managed to calm down after their humiliating visit to the Jiang residence, but the latest news had reignited their fury like a match to gasoline.

Lan Yueran had just closed another contract worth fifty million dollars.

"This is impossible! That low-class girl!" Jiang Ruifeng bellowed, slamming his hand on the glass table. "How dare she humiliate us like this again?!"

Yu Yanyun, seething, stood up slowly. "We begged that useless son-in-law to help us win Grandfather's favor back. And now this? They spit on our apology, and Lan Yueran dares to soar while we crawl?" She clenched her fists. "No more. We must teach them a lesson."

She paused, pacing, then said, "I have a friend who knows people. Dangerous people. If we can't handle them the normal way, we'll use force."

Jiang Ruifeng raised an eyebrow. "Gangsters?"

"Exactly," she said with a devilish smile. "Garbage that handles other garbage. We give them a scare, just enough to remind them who they're messing with. Nobody from our family will ever know."

He considered it, then gave a slow nod. "Let's do it."

Ten minutes later, Yu Yanyun was on the phone. Her voice was careful but assertive. "I need a contact. Top-tier gang in Rainmere City."

She soon received a number, and immediately called. "There's a low-level family trying to destroy us. I need them taken care of," she said.

"Send the person's picture and location," the voice on the other end replied. "The price is $200,000."

"Agreed," Yu Yanyun responded quickly. "I don't have the husband's photo, but I have his wife's—Lan Yueran. Use her to draw him out."

She sent the image.

Within minutes, the picture landed in the hands of the Red Fang Gang. Several gang members paused, confused.

"Wait," one of them muttered. "Isn't this Master Jiang Yeming's wife?"

They rushed to show the image to Mo Heng.

Mo Heng's eyes widened. "Who sent this?"

"No name yet. We'll call back."

Mo Heng nodded. "Good. This is serious. If Jiang Yeming finds out we touched his wife without knowing..."

When they called again, Yu Yanyun arrogantly responded, "This is Yu Yanyun of the Lan family. Top-tier. Make sure you do your job well."

The gang member stiffened. "Understood."

They turned to Mo Heng. "It's from Yu Yanyun. Lan family."

Mo Heng immediately called Jiang Yeming.

Still in bed, Jiang Yeming was staring at the ceiling, mind heavy with thoughts of escape and protection. His phone rang. Seeing Mo Heng's name, he sat up sharply.

"Mo Heng? Why are you calling so early?"

"Master Yeming," Mo Heng said urgently, "a woman named Yu Yanyun contacted us to kidnap your wife."

Yeming's eyes darkened instantly. His voice dropped. "What did you just say?"

"She didn't know your identity. She offered $200,000. Sent your wife's photo. We confirmed with you first."

Yeming breathed heavily. "Set a trap. Tell her you've got my wife. I want them dealt with. Don't kill them—but make them regret this. And don't mention me."

"Understood."

A storm swirled in Yeming's mind. So even Jiang Ruifeng is capable of stooping this low. He would never allow Lan Yueran to get hurt again.

Later, after Lan Yueran got ready for work, Yeming silently walked her to the car, face composed but eyes burning.

Once she was at work, he called Mo Heng. "Tell Yu Yanyun you have her. Set the meeting."

Yu Yanyun, upon hearing the news, was thrilled. She called Jiang Ruifeng. "They've got her already! Come on! Let's go finish this."

They sped to the address given—a secluded, rusted warehouse on the city outskirts. Upon arrival, they were greeted by several gang members and escorted inside.

"Where is she?!" Yu Yanyun snapped.

WHACK.

A thick stick slammed into her back. She collapsed with a scream.

"Wha—!" Jiang Ruifeng turned, but another blow knocked him to the floor.

Three hours later, they awoke—soaked in cold water, bound to chairs.

Mo Heng stepped forward. "In this life, never touch Lan Yueran again. If you do, the next time we won't spare your lives."

Yu Yanyun's face contorted. "Why?! Who is she to you?!"

"That's not for you to know."

They were beaten again. Bruised, broken, and terrified, Jiang Ruifeng finally agreed to pay an extra $500,000.

Hours later, in silence and shame, they drove home. Yu Yanyun wept uncontrollably.

"I've never… never been treated like this in my life…"

Jiang Ruifeng said nothing, his face blank, his ego crushed.

Back at the Lan residence, Jiang Yeming received confirmation. The plan had gone smoothly. That evening, he drove to pick up Lan Yueran from work.

She stepped into the car, puzzled. "You're smiling. What happened?"

He scratched his head. "Nothing much. Just felt like treating you today. We've been married a while, and I've never taken you out properly."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really."

He drove them to The Velvet Crown. Lan Yueran's jaw dropped at the grand, velvet-lined entrance.

Inside, Yeming flashed a black card. The waiter's eyes lit up, and they were led to a luxurious private lounge. The meal was exquisite—top-tier dishes paired with rare champagne.

When the bill came—$1.1 million—Lan Yueran gasped.

Yeming calmly handed over his card.

Payment approved.

Outside, Lan Yueran glanced at him, filled with questions.

He met her eyes. "I know you have questions. And I promise… when the time is right, I'll give you answers."

She looked away, disappointed—but not angry. Her heart stirred with a strange curiosity.

Who are you, Jiang Yeming? Who are you really?

That night, Jiang Yeming returned home. He lay down, staring into the darkness. Sleep came slowly. His mind raced.

How much longer before I leave this city? How much longer before they all know… who I truly am?