Chapter 6: The Catastrophe of the Yun Family

At this moment, Yeqi Shanjian knelt trembling on the ground, watching Yeqi Meiyu approach step by step. His body quivered, all the arrogance he once possessed utterly vanished, replaced by a deep, consuming fear.

Yeqi Meiyu’s beautiful face was dark and cold as she stood before Yeqi Shanjian. To him now, her lovely features seemed terrifying, like the visage of a messenger from hell.

“Foolish creature,” she spat, and without warning, slapped him.

The crisp sound echoed throughout the hall.

Despite his heavy, corpulent frame, Yeqi Shanjian was sent flying by the seemingly delicate Meiyu’s slap, tumbling over and collapsing to the floor.

The crowd gasped in surprise. None could have imagined that such a frail-looking woman possessed such strength.

Yun Ketian watched the scene with a thoughtful expression.

Yeqi Shanjian’s face swiftly swelled, several teeth knocked loose, but he cared nothing for these injuries. He endured the pain, kneeling again before Yeqi Meiyu, awaiting her judgment.

Yeqi Meiyu was not only the president of the company but also the head of the Yeqi family. As a marginal figure in the family, Yeqi Shanjian had no right to resist her.

“From now on, you are stripped of all positions in the group and the family. Return to the country immediately and await a dual investigation by both the group and the family,” Yeqi Meiyu declared icily.

Hearing this, Yeqi Shanjian finally could not endure; his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

Facing the group’s investigation was tolerable—he would merely lose his position—but the family’s scrutiny put his life at risk. As family head, Yeqi Meiyu held absolute power over the fate of any errant family member; his survival hinged on a single word from her.

Watching Yeqi Shanjian lay sprawled on the floor, Meiyu’s face was filled with disgust.

Ignorant, stupid creature—how dare he offend the master, an existence beyond compare? It was nothing short of courting death. Were it not for being in a foreign country and in front of so many people, Meiyu would have killed him herself, offering his head to win even a hint of the master’s smile.

Suppressing her anger toward Yeqi Shanjian, Yeqi Meiyu bowed to the crowd.

“I apologize for the spectacle,” she said.

Then she turned and went to stand beside Huo Yutong, smiling as she began to converse.

Huo Yutong was someone personally designated by the master. No matter what difficulties or requests she had, Yeqi Meiyu had resolved to fulfill them unconditionally.

Ji Xizhao, meanwhile, watched everything unfold in stunned disbelief.

All of this had happened so abruptly, leaving him completely unprepared.

Lu Ming truly knew the president of Changwu Corporation—and had called her over. Most astonishing of all, Yeqi Meiyu had knelt before Lu Ming. What could this mean?

Ji Xizhao now realized that his order was doomed to fail, and moreover, he might be facing retaliation from Changwu Corporation.

Given the relationship between Yeqi Meiyu, Lu Ming, and Huo Yutong, he had to consider the consequences.

Changwu Corporation was a behemoth, capable of crushing him with a single finger. Ji Xizhao began to panic.

Yun Ketian, who had observed all, watched Yeqi Meiyu and Huo Yutong conversing in hushed tones. After a moment’s contemplation, he walked slowly toward them.

His status was sufficient to engage Yeqi Meiyu. He was deeply curious—how had Lu Ming compelled Yeqi Meiyu to perform such a profound gesture?

Lu Ming, meanwhile, left the Triumph Hotel and hailed a taxi directly back to his own general store.

Standing at the entrance, he looked at the two doors, left slightly ajar, and smiled before stepping inside.

As soon as he entered, he saw Huo Yufeng seated on the central sofa, flanked by two burly men in black suits.

Lu Ming remarked coolly, “Trespassing is illegal, you know.”

“Don’t try to scare me. This is a general store, not a private residence. The doors weren’t even locked—anyone can come in,” Huo Yufeng replied with a frosty expression.

“Fine, whatever makes you happy,” Lu Ming said. He lay down on another sofa, apparently preparing to sleep.

Huo Yufeng’s face darkened. She snapped, “You fraud, and you still dare to sleep? Hand over my family’s heirloom right now, or you’ll regret it!”

After leaving the Triumph Hotel, Huo Yufeng had grown increasingly angry. Rather than going home, she called two company security guards. With her status, this was easily done. Bringing the guards with her, she waited at the general store for the return of this so-called swindler.

She was determined to expose his true nature and reclaim her family’s treasure. She wanted to prove to her sister and grandfather that she was no longer a child, that she was capable of handling family affairs.

Just as Lu Ming lay down, he said lazily, “Sorry, anything I receive is non-refundable.”

“Hmph, still so stubborn? Teach him a lesson!” Huo Yufeng ordered. The two security guards moved to seize Lu Ming.

Without even opening his eyes, Lu Ming kicked out with both legs.

“Bang! Bang!”

With two loud crashes, the burly guards were sent flying out the door, landing atop one another and clutching their stomachs in agony, unable to rise.

Only then did Lu Ming open his eyes, giving Huo Yufeng’s impressive chest a lingering look. He laughed oddly and said, “I don’t hit women. Do as you please.”

Under Lu Ming’s gaze, Huo Yufeng felt uneasy. She glanced at the guards sprawled outside, then back at Lu Ming’s words, and found herself unsettled.

She had never expected this vagrant, this fraud, to possess such formidable strength. The guards were utterly powerless before him.

Now, she was caught in an awkward bind—unable to sit still, and equally unable to leave.

After a moment, cheeks flushed with anger, Huo Yufeng snapped, “Just wait, you’ll see—I won’t let this go!”

With that, she hurried out of the store, kicking the two guards in frustration as she left in a huff.

Lu Ming simply rolled over and began snoring.

***

At seven in the evening, Yun Ketian finished his social engagements and drove home in a modest Audi A6, reflecting deeply.

This banquet had been rewarding. His conversation with Huo Yutong and Yeqi Meiyu introduced him to the existence of the miraculous Forget-Worry General Store.

Huo Yutong’s experiences, and Yeqi Meiyu’s reverence for Lu Ming, convinced him that this was no mere rumor.

Lu Ming was truly a figure of immense power—the very kind of person Yun Ketian needed to connect with.

He intended to go home and share this news with his father, so his father could decide how best to engage with the store’s enigmatic proprietor.

Given his special status, every action was closely watched; caution was paramount.

***

More than half an hour later, Yun Ketian arrived at the provincial government compound, parked his car, and entered Villa Number One.

By now, his father should be home—perfect timing to discuss the matter.

As soon as he entered, he saw his father sitting sternly in the living room, his mother’s eyes wet with tears as if she had just been crying.

“What’s wrong, Dad, Mom?” Yun Ketian asked, bewildered.

In all of Northwest Province, what could possibly trouble his parents so deeply?

“Come, sit. There’s something we need to discuss,” said Yun Ketian’s father, Yun Shengguo, the province’s top official. In his early sixties, his square face radiated authority, a natural result of years in power.

Yun Ketian obediently sat down, sensing an unusual tension in the air.

Yun Shengguo sighed. “Ketian, before I tell you, I hope you’re mentally prepared.”

Yun Ketian paused, sensing something extraordinary.

“Go ahead, Dad. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

Yun Shengguo nodded slowly. “Actually, three months ago, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer—late stage. To spare you and your mother worry, I kept it from you. After a period of treatment, I regret to say the illness is now beyond control. My life—at best, a few days; at worst, a few months.”

“That’s impossible,” Yun Ketian blurted, rising abruptly.

He had sensed something out of the ordinary, but thought perhaps his father had suffered a political setback.

He could never have imagined it would be this.

His father was barely in his sixties, at the pinnacle of his career, poised for further advancement—an opportunity that might have led to lasting fame.

But cancer!

It shattered everything. Yun Ketian felt as though the sky itself were collapsing.

He was still young, merely working in a minor office for training. Once his father was gone, all former connections would dissolve. His future suddenly looked bleak, and his family had lost all prospects.

Yun Shengguo waited for his son to calm down.

After a while, Yun Ketian murmured, “Dad, is there truly nothing that can be done?”

“Oh, it’s cancer. We mustn’t harbor false hopes. Sooner or later, we have to face it,” Yun Shengguo replied wistfully.

“No, I don’t believe it,” Yun Ketian said, pacing anxiously around the living room, his mind in chaos.

Suddenly, he remembered what Huo Yutong had just told him.