Chapter 175
Everyone quieted down when Shentu Wei-Ye hit the floor tiles .
Xia Lei continued where he left off . “Gramps, I know what you’re thinking . You’re not concerned about money . You just want to leave a fortune for the future generations of the Shentu clan and have the clan develop into a prominent clan, am I right?”
Shentu Wei-Ye made no sound but Xia Lei’s words seemed to have struck a chord with him .
“Male inheritance is an old-fashioned, traditional way of thinking for us Chinese and it is commonplace for women to be less valued in society . I am not surprised an old man like you thinks like this but have you thought about this? Even the emperor’s family gets forgotten after generations and generations . To put it bluntly - who would still remember you, Grandfather Shentu, after a hundred years or so?”
“What impudence!” Shentu Tian-Feng did not want to hear words like these; he was afraid that Xia Lei would persuade Shentu Wei-Ye with these ideas . He pointed at Xia Lei and shouted, “Shut up!”
Xia Lei suddenly roared back at Shentu Tian-Feng, “YOU shut up!”
“You… dare tell me to shut up?” Shentu Tian-Feng was so angry he laughed, disbelieving .
“What right have you? Don’t think that you can bully Tian-Yin because you have your grandfather’s support . Let me tell you - don’t even think of it with me around!” said Xia Lei disdainfully .
“You…”
Xia Lei pointed a warning finger at Shentu Tian-Feng . “I, what? You can’t beat me in a fight, you can’t win with curses - what can you do? You’re eating someone else’s food and eyeing his bowl . You have no gratitude and instead spend the whole day scheming to get your hands on someone else’s fortune . You even used an old man to support your schemes! If I were you and lived your life I’d rather drown in my own piss . You’re a disgrace of a lifeform on this Earth!”
If he was going to be the bad guy, he’d go all the way . Xia Lei pulled no punches when provoking Shentu Tian-Feng to make him absolutely mad with anger .
“Motherfucker!” Shentu Tian-Feng cursed and shook Tan Jing-Jing off . He came charging at Xia Lei with a slap aimed at his face .
Xia Lei raised a hand and his fist was already in front of Shentu Tian-Feng’s face before the slap reached him . He did not hit Shentu Tian-Feng, however . His fist stopped before Shentu Tian-Feng’s nose and no further - he wanted him to understand that he could hit him any time .
He was not hit but Shentu Tian-Feng could feel the wind from Xia Lei’s fist . He was paralysed; he didn’t dare move an inch .
Xia Lei retracted his fist . “Don’t overestimate yourself . I didn’t hit you because you’re Tian-Yin’s ‘Big Brother’ . ”
Shentu Tian-Feng looked as if he would like nothing more than to feast upon Xia Lei’s flesh and blood but he didn’t dare .
Everyone stared at Xia Lei, gobsmacked . Not one of them could believe that an unofficial son-in-law of the Shentu clan would dare speak to one of the clan like that, and Shentu Wei-Ye’s favourite at that!
“Did you hear that, Grandfather?” cried Wang Fang all of a sudden, “He’s too much! Don’t you all have something to say? When have we Shentu stood to be bullied like this? You, you… If this punk marries our Tian-Yin in the future and enters our clan, I, I… I will not stay in this clan if he is in it!”
Xia Lei laughed . “Me or you? Sure . Do you know the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau? Divorce procedures are very simple these days; they can be done within the day . ”
“He makes my blood boil!” Wang Fang started to make a scene, crying and fussing . “Have you Shentu men all dropped dead? Nobody made a sound when he’s bullying me like this! Boohoo…”
Xia Lei had long seen through the thoughts of the unmoving Shentu clan . These people were just waiting for the result before they decided which side to stand on . There was no clear victor yet so they were unwilling to take a side .
Shentu Wei-Ye pointed at Xia Lei with his cane and gave an angry laugh . “Very good, very good, an outsider who hasn’t even entered the clan yet is throwing the clan in turmoil . What’ll happen if I actually let you in? Tian-Yin, send him away!”
Shentu Tian-Yin pretended not to hear; she stood silently, watching Xia Lei . In the past few minutes, she suddenly discovered that she didn’t really know Xia Lei that well . This was also her first time seeing Xia Lei be so intense and overbearing . However, it was this unreasonable and uncouth Xia Lei which stirred her heart and gave her a strong sense of security!
Some women liked overbearing men and some liked gentle, thoughtful men - Xia Lei seemed to possess both of these characteristics .
Xia Lei did not notice the small changes in how Shentu Tian-Yin looked at him . He continued, “I’ll leave, but I’ll say my piece first . You want Tian-Yin to hand over Vientaine Group - based on what? Based on the fact that you’re surnamed ‘Shentu’? Tian-Yin’s father built Vientaine Group from scratch . He did not forget you all after his success and that is why you are wealthy . But now that Tian-Yin’s father is bedridden, you’re already trying to force Tian-Yin to hand over Vientaine Group when he’s not dead yet . Search your conscience . What is this if it isn’t biting the hand that feeds you?”
The assembly was silent .
Xia Lei kept talking . “I know you all feel like you’ve contributed to Vientaine Group and you’re also Shentu but go to any other company and you’ll see that you’ll have to actually work . Is there any law that supports your wanting Tian-Yin to hand over Vientaine Group to you? Is it your conscience? From what I see, you’re trying to take the opportunity to seize the fortune Tian-Yin’s father left her because he’s bedridden and she’s just one woman!”
Xia Lei said his piece but the hall was still so silent one could hear a pin drop .
Xia Lei’s words were ugly but they were all true .
“I’m done talking . I’m going . ” Xia Lei turned and walked towards the exit .
“Wait . ” Shentu Tian-Yin called him to a stop . “Wait for me . I’ll say something and we’ll leave . ”
Xia Lei halted in his tracks .
Shentu Tian-Yin looked at Shentu Wei-Ye, her face calm . “Grandfather, you asked me to make a decision earlier . I’ve reached a decision . What Xia Lei said was right - why do I have to hand over Vientaine Group? It is the product of my father’s life’s work and I will guard it . I’ve also been doing very well and I don’t think anyone in the Shentu clan can succeed my position . About the future, I’d like to wait till my child is born before I think about it . That’s it . I’m leaving . You all continue your discussions . If anyone feels like it is impossible to stay on at Vientaine Group anymore I’ll welcome your resignation anytime . ”
The assembly was stunned . This was Shentu Tian-Yin’s decision - no compassion at all!
“Go! Don’t come back again if you walk out of here with that punk!” thundered Shentu Wei-Ye .
“You are old, Grandfather, and cannot distinguish between right and wrong . Don’t meddle in this anymore; you’re being used, don’t you know that?” said Shentu Tian-Yin indifferently .
“Get out!” Shentu Wei-Ye was so angry he was panting .
Shentu Tian-Feng did not go up to pat him on the back this time .
The old man couldn’t be used anymore so he held no more value to Shentu Yi’s family . They wouldn’t treat him like they used to anymore .
Shentu Tian-Yin held Xia Lei’s hand and said intimately, “Let’s go see my father . ”
“Nn . ” Xia Lei made a sound of agreement and looked back at the Shentu clan in the ancestral hall . They avoided his gaze, as if afraid that he’d remember their faces and come settle scores with them later .
From their point of view, Xia Lei had muscled his way into the Shentu clan and was sure to be in control of Shentu Tian-Yin . Who would dare offend him?
Shentu Tian-Feng, Shentu Yi and Wang Fang watched Xia Lei and Shentu Tian-Yin walk off intimately, their eyes spitting flames . Their calculated move had ended in humiliation and a result like this was an unbearable, venomous mocking of them .
“This way won’t work anymore,” said Shentu Yi in a low voice .
“She chose her own path so don’t blame me for being ruthless . ” Shentu Tian-Feng’s voice was cold .
“It’s all that Xia Lei’s fault! He’s like mouse shit that ruins the pot of soup! I don’t know what that bitch likes about him . They’re not married and yet she’s pregnant with that punk’s bastard - oh the shame!” said Wang Fang hatefully .
“Didn’t you see? Shentu Tian-Yin likes that punk’s intensity . She deliberately looked for a man like this to support her . Things will get difficult now . This punk is a hard one to take care of,” said Shentu Yi .
“Hard? Dad, you overestimate him . I know someone who’ll gladly take care of him . I’ll contact that person right now . ” A sneer appeared in the corners of Shentu Tian-Feng’s mouth .
Shentu Yi paused . “You mean… Gu Ke-Wu?”
Shentu Tian-Feng nodded . “It’s no secret that Gu Ke-Wen likes that bitch . He’s also doing similar calculations but he shall be a statistical number in our calculations this time . Just wait - the show’s just begun!”
On the way to see her father, Shentu Tian-Yin kept looking at Xia Lei with a strange gaze .
Xia Lei grew uncomfortable and smiled as he asked, “Why are you looking at me like this?”
“Just curious . You were so fierce earlier . I’ve never seen you so intensely overbearing . Are you so fierce to Liang Si-Yao when you’re with her?” said Shentu Tian-Yin .
Xia Lei smiled wryly . “We’ll sometimes joke around or cause a racket but that earlier situation will definitely not occur . Besides, aren’t I helping you? I’ve thought about it - infuriate those people enough and they won’t be able to stop themselves from putting plans in motion . Your problem will be solved then too . ”
“You want to solve this problem quickly?”
“Of course . A problem like this is best solved as quickly as possible . You’ll have less protection the longer this drags on and that’ll be dangerous for you,” said Xia Lei .
Shentu Tian-Yin lips moved as if she wanted to say something but no words came out .
“Let’s not talk about these things here . Remember I said that I wanted to tell you a bit of good news when I came looking for you?”
“What good news?”
“I’ve taken a look at your father’s condition and I don’t think it’s as serious as you think it is . I’ve learnt martial arts and know some acupuncture so if you’re willing to let me try I may be able to wake him . "
“What?” Shentu Tian-Yin gaped at Xia Lei .
“I’m saying the truth . ” Xia Lei looked serious . “But you have to move your father to a place that’ll be easier for me to treat him at . I don’t want to come here again . ”
Shentu Tian-Yin suddenly hugged Xia Lei .
Xia Lei froze on the spot .
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