Chapter 54: All of You, Get Out

"Mr. Hong… Mr. Hong, have I offended you in any way?" Huang Wenhua stepped forward anxiously, fear and regret twisting his heart.

It dawned on him now—Hong Yu had been sitting behind him and Lin Shuyu the entire time, wearing a mask. If he’d overheard those things Huang Wenhua had said to Lin Shuyu, he was truly finished.

Hong Yu sneered, "Offended me? Weren’t you enjoying yourself trying to snatch that diamond necklace from me just now? Didn’t you even threaten me?"

A sigh of relief escaped Huang Wenhua. Strangely, instead of being scared, he felt a bit more at ease. Compared with stealing someone’s wife, a mere necklace was nothing.

He forced a smile. "Mr. Hong, I thought it was something serious. I did get a bit eager over that necklace, I admit. How about this—I was in the wrong, and I’ll own up to it. Twelve million, wasn’t it? I’ll transfer it to your account right away as an apology."

The crowd around them gasped in shock, jaws dropping at how casually Huang Wenhua offered up twelve million. Yet, some quick-witted spectators soon realized what was happening.

"Smart move by Huang Wenhua—he’s spending money to avoid disaster."
"He has no choice. If he doesn’t pay up, his trading company won’t last in Fengzhou. I’d bet my head on it."
"I heard recently he borrowed billions from Morgan Bank. If this goes badly, he’s in real trouble."
"There are three other big shots from Fengzhou here, any one of them could ruin him. And that Mr. Hong seems even more formidable."

These whispers soon reached Hong Yu’s ears. Xia Yurong was even more decisive—she leaned in close and whispered, "Mr. Hong, want me to step in? He owes Morgan Bank billions…"

"No need," Hong Yu replied, "Just stand aside for now." He then turned to Huang Wenhua. "So, you’re very wealthy, are you?"

Huang Wenhua shook his head rapidly. "Not at all, Mr. Hong. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to you."

Hong Yu’s lips curled into a cold smile. "If you’re not wealthier than me, why were you buying a diamond necklace for my wife?"

Damn! He really did overhear!

Huang Wenhua’s legs nearly gave out. As a man, he knew full well this was something every husband would loathe above all else. Wiping cold sweat from his brow, he forced a bitter laugh. "Mr. Hong, I don’t know what you mean. I really don’t understand. Did someone fill your ears with lies?"

He suddenly pointed at Shen Yue, who was still sprawled on the ground. "Was it that woman’s doing?"

Shen Yue had thought her part in this was over. Watching Hong Yu turn on Huang Wenhua, she silently prayed for a fight. But in a blink, Huang Wenhua threw the blame on her, and she could not let that pass.

Furious, she sprang up like a martial arts master and charged at Huang Wenhua. "Try slandering me again! I never said a word about any of this!"

"Hey, let’s talk this out!" Huang Wenhua staggered back in fear, seeing her claws ready to scratch. Panicked, he shoved Shen Yue back to the ground.

"Ouch!"

"Scum! You’ve got the nerve to covet someone else’s wife and not the guts to admit it?" Shen Yue shouted, then suddenly thought of Lin Shuyu. She scrambled over to her. "Xiaoyu, tell them—did I say any of those things?"

Lin Shuyu was still in a daze. So much had happened today, so much to process that she was overwhelmed. Hearing Shen Yue’s question, she found herself at a loss.

Hong Yu strode over and dragged Shen Yue away. "Stay away from my wife, you wretch!"

Shen Yue landed on the floor once more, but this time she dared not make a sound.

Huang Wenhua seized the moment. "Mr. Hong, you’re really mistaken. Please, Director Lin, help me explain—none of this is as your husband imagines!"

"You’ve got a lot of nerve, asking my wife to plead for you?" Hong Yu’s anger erupted as he stormed over and kicked Huang Wenhua.

Though Huang Wenhua was no weakling, he dared not fight back and took the blow without resistance. He saw he had no choice but to feign suffering, hoping to win some sympathy.

Lin Shuyu quickly pulled Hong Yu back. "Let it go, don’t make this any bigger."

"Bigger? I could kill this bastard and it still wouldn’t be enough!" Hong Yu roared.

Huang Wenhua was terrified, unable to even lift his head. Lin Shuyu pleaded, "It’s really not that serious, don’t be so impulsive!"

"Not serious? He dared make a move on my wife! That’s the most serious thing in the world to me!"

Hearing this, every woman present nodded in approval. A man who would go to war for his beloved, who had wealth, character, and would stand up for his woman—he was the stuff of dreams.

"If only such an amazing man were mine…"
"Don’t think about it. That’s fate."
"Who was it that called Lin Shuyu’s husband a coward? Come out and own up—spreading rumors like that could ruin someone!"
"Some people just hate the rich, can’t stand to see others happy."

Lin Shuyu was deeply moved, but she didn’t want Hong Yu to get into trouble on her behalf. The phrase "a beauty brings disaster" echoed in her mind. Even a cornered dog will bite, let alone a powerful man like Huang Wenhua.

She knew Hong Yu was hard to dissuade, especially when he was this angry. After a moment’s thought, she gently placed his hand on her wrist.

Hong Yu wanted to protest, but the moment he felt the freshly healed scar on her wrist, his anger melted away.

Softly, Lin Shuyu said, "Hong Yu, I really don’t want to see you get into any more trouble because of me."

So much was conveyed in that single sentence.

Hong Yu understood her fears. He didn’t care about the likes of Huang Wenhua. What he truly feared was that if something happened to him, Lin Shuyu might do something foolish again.

He sighed and held her close. "Xiaoyu, for your sake, I’ll let this go this time. But if something like this happens again, don’t try to stop me."

Before Lin Shuyu could speak, Huang Wenhua scrambled to his feet. "Mr. Hong, even if the heavens gave me courage, I wouldn’t dare cross you again. From now on, whatever concerns Manager Lin—no, Director Lin—I won’t involve myself in the slightest!"

Seeing this, Shen Yue hurried over as well. "Mr. Hong, I’m Xiaoyu’s old classmate. For her sake, you’ll let me off too, won’t you?"

Hong Yu waved them off as if shooing flies. "Get lost! Both of you! Don’t let me see your faces again!"

Neither Huang Wenhua nor Shen Yue dared linger. Having just escaped disaster, they were determined not to risk Hong Yu’s wrath again.

Sensing Hong Yu wanted to end the farce, Chen Dayong, Chen Tiancheng, and the others began clearing people out at once.

After the crowd dispersed, Zhang Tiancai sheepishly approached. "Mr. Hong, are you still coming to dine at Tianzi No. 1?"

"Of course! Why wouldn’t I?" Hong Yu snorted. "I’m in a foul mood today. I need a good feast!"

Lin Shuyu, puzzled, asked, "You have another dinner to attend? If so, I’ll head home first."

Hong Yu smiled. "No need, it’s just some old acquaintances. You’re just in time—come with me."