Chapter 272

Chapter 272 War Has Just Begun

 

In the afternoon, Su Rui and Qin Yueran were already on the high-speed train back to Ninghai. With Su Rui’s forceful intervention, from now on, no one in the Qin family would ever question Qin Yueran’s marriage again.

Even if Qin Yueran wanted to get married in the future, Qin Zhizhang would likely have no say in the matter. She would need to consult Su Rui’s opinion first.

Having power means being able to act this willfully.

Thinking about what happened this morning, Qin Yueran still felt a sense of intoxication.

She secretly turned her face to look at Su Rui, who was resting with his eyes closed. His eyebrows and eyes were firm yet handsome, with such smooth lines that were simply mesmerizing.

Qin Yueran was certain of her feelings. She had developed feelings for Su Rui, a kind of undeniable and irrepressible attraction.

Just as she was staring at Su Rui, he happened to open his eyes, and their gazes met.

“Why are you looking at me?” Su Rui asked playfully.

“Looking at how handsome you are,” Qin Yueran smiled back, but her face was covered with a blush.

“Let me treat you to dinner tonight?” Qin Yueran broke away from the previous atmosphere, feeling too embarrassed to keep holding Su Rui’s arm, after all, on the surface, they were still just ordinary friends.

Just like that song lyric—in the realm of friendship, it’s easier to express care.

“Can I refuse?”

“No, you can’t.” Qin Yueran’s face reddened even more.

“Forget about dinner, you can invite me to sleep with you too.” Su Rui repeated Qin Yueran’s slip of the tongue from this morning.

Thinking about how all the guests had collectively coughed, Qin Yueran’s face turned bright red again.

…

Meanwhile, Su Rui’s reputation had already spread rapidly throughout the capital. His actions at the Qin family banquet hall this morning had thoroughly shocked everyone!

“Do you know that the guy who took down the five major families five years ago is back? This time he brought twelve helicopters, flew directly over the Qin family compound, and threatened to bomb the place if they didn’t hand over Qin Yueran!”

“So domineering? He’s absolutely my idol! Showing up with twelve helicopters? Is he a military commander?”

“I heard about it too, it was incredibly impressive, and there were special forces soldiers! All armed with real weapons! People living nearby reportedly heard gunshots!”

“That’s nothing compared to the key point—those old guys from the Ouyang, Qin, and Jiang families didn’t dare make a sound in front of Su Rui! They agreed to whatever he said! Those so-called great families and wealthy clans are just paper tigers in front of him, collapsing with a single poke!”

“Many women in the capital have secretly fallen for him! Although Su Rui took Ouyang Xinghai’s woman, it’s said that he and Qin Yueran are just friends. Now many women in the capital consider him the number one golden bachelor!”

…

Similar discussions were now commonplace in the so-called high society circles of the capital.

Crash!

An exquisite teacup was smashed on the ground! Fragments scattered everywhere!

“Outrageous, absolutely outrageous!” Ouyang Jian was furious. Even after an entire afternoon, he was still in this state of rage.

As for Ouyang Xinghai, he remained silent. Having his fiancée taken away at the engagement banquet and being forced to apologize was utterly humiliating!

Probably, for a long time to come, he would not attend any social events. Otherwise, he would certainly be the subject of gossip!

When people saw Ouyang Xinghai, they would definitely say—look, that’s the guy who could only cough up blood and do nothing else after Su Rui took his fiancée! What a coward!

Ouyang Bingyuan, with his effeminate demeanor, stood nearby and glanced contemptuously at his older brother, saying, “Honestly, Grandfather, you needn’t sigh like this. Humiliation is temporary; the one who laughs last is the true winner.”

Ouyang Jian was still angry and couldn’t calm down. Hearing his second grandson’s words, his anger surged again: “Your brother has suffered a setback, the family has lost face, and now you’re talking about laughing last? How can I possibly laugh?”

“Grandfather, bystanders see more clearly than participants. Sometimes, staying out of a situation might be the most clear-headed approach,” Ouyang Bingyuan said with a smile.

“What do you mean by that?” Ouyang Jian didn’t understand for a moment, and he began to vaguely feel that his second grandson seemed different from usual.

“Don’t worry about small gains and losses. Let him be arrogant; the moon still shines over the great river,” Ouyang Bingyuan said with a cold smile.

Ouyang Jian looked up: “You mean I should just watch and see Su Rui destroy himself? Even if we don’t act, the other five major families certainly won’t let him off?”

“Of course. After the five major families and Su Rui fight each other to exhaustion, we can step in at our leisure,” Ouyang Bingyuan’s smile was somewhat cold: “Grandfather, have you forgotten how our family has risen so rapidly over these five years?”

Ouyang Jian’s body trembled, and a gleam returned to his eyes: “You’re right. Our Ouyang family rose by taking advantage of the decline of the Zhang and Yun families in recent years. If the Jiang and Nangong families are also consumed by Su Rui, then the Ouyang family can become the undisputed first family.”

Ouyang Bingyuan nodded: “Exactly, Grandfather. While they’re fighting, we can also take action. We don’t necessarily have to go all out against Su Rui; we could even help Su Rui against the five major families!”

What a sinister and vicious plan.

The light in Ouyang Jian’s eyes grew brighter. As he listened to his second grandson’s analysis, he seemed to envision an infinitely bright future for the Ouyang family.

Beside them, Ouyang Xinghai sat in a chair, staring blankly at the floor, seemingly not hearing the conversation between his grandfather and brother.

“Well said, helping Su Rui secretly against the five major families,” Ouyang Jian said approvingly: “Bingyuan, it’s remarkable that you can maintain such a calm and clear mind in difficult times. I’m very pleased, very pleased indeed.”

As he spoke, Ouyang Jian glanced at Ouyang Xinghai, his once-glorious grandson who was now completely dejected. This fall was truly devastating; it was hard to know how long it would take him to recover.

“Bingyuan, let’s do this. I see your brother isn’t in good shape lately. Give him some time to recover. During this period, all his responsibilities will be yours,” Ouyang Jian said, his expression now completely relaxed, with no trace of anger left.

Fortune and misfortune are interdependent. This bride-snatching incident seemed like a heavy blow to the Ouyang family, but from another perspective, it was also the best opportunity for their rise and breakthrough!

Hearing this, Ouyang Bingyuan nodded: “I won’t disappoint you, Grandfather. I’ll perform even better than my brother.”

After saying this, he glanced coldly at the dispirited Ouyang Xinghai.

Perhaps when his brother recovered and wanted to return to his original position, he would find that there wasn’t even a foothold left for him!

“Xinghai, take good care of yourself. Don’t think about anything during this time, just relax,” Ouyang Jian patted his eldest grandson’s shoulder and left with Ouyang Bingyuan.

After they left, the previously dejected Ouyang Xinghai raised his head, looking in the direction they had disappeared, a flash of brilliance in his eyes.

Was the Ouyang eldest young master, acclaimed as the most talented of the capital’s younger generation, really so easily defeated?

For both the Ouyang family and Su Rui, this war had only just begun.

…

On the rooftop of the Junlan Kaibin Hotel.

Qin Yueran and Su Rui sat facing each other, enjoying the sea view and drinking wine, truly relaxed.

Away from the capital, where even the air felt oppressive, Qin Yueran was noticeably happier. To thank Su Rui, she had the executive chef personally prepare an exquisite meal and brought out the hotel’s treasured wine, drinking with Su Rui on the rooftop.

“Beautiful lady, don’t open any more wine. We’ve already finished two bottles,” Su Rui said helplessly, watching Qin Yueran with a bottle opener in hand.

This girl became happier the more she drank, with a capacity that rivaled most men. Eventually, she was holding her glass and playing drinking games with Su Rui.

Such boldness and fierceness truly amazed Su Rui.

Qin Yueran was still wearing her signature qipao tonight, though it was a summer version. The pure white fabric was lighter, and the length only reached mid-thigh. Against the white background, the contours of her chest appeared more distinct, and her extremely long legs were exposed to the air, making it impossible to look away once one’s eyes landed on them.

“What, are you afraid I’ll take advantage of you if you get drunk?” Qin Yueran laughed, skillfully opening another bottle of red wine.

Well, with Su Rui’s waste-not personality, once opened, the bottle had to be finished.

“To celebrate my return to freedom, I’ll drink first, and you do as you please,” Qin Yueran had repeated this sentence countless times tonight.

Qin Yueran told Su Rui to do as he pleased, and he actually did, just taking a small sip before putting down his glass.

“Hey, how can you be like that? That’s so unmanly.”

Qin Yueran was immediately dissatisfied.

“Beautiful lady, you told me to do as I please, so I’m following your words,” Su Rui sighed: “Women’s thoughts are really hard to guess.”

“I don’t care, you have to finish it, all at once.” Qin Yueran truly had the boldness of a northern girl, directly taking the glass and pouring it into Su Rui’s mouth.

And so, they finished the third bottle of wine.

“No more drinking, or I’ll burst,” Su Rui adamantly refused to let Qin Yueran open more wine. This girl was really something—this wasn’t celebration, it was torture. Even if he could drink, there was no need to go this far!

“I’m feeling a bit dizzy too,” Qin Yueran held her head and said: “How about we go get some fresh air?”

“Of course you’re dizzy after drinking so much!”

Su Rui looked at Qin Yueran and unceremoniously pulled her up. After the hugging and embracing in front of many guests this morning, Su Rui now found small gestures like holding hands quite familiar.

The sea breeze gently caressed her hair, and a faint fragrance emanated from the beauty. In this scene, Su Rui also felt quite delighted.

“Su Rui, can I ask you a question?” Qin Yueran suddenly turned her face, but her tone was hesitant.

Su Rui laughed: “We can even sleep together, what question couldn’t you ask?”

“In your life, do you have any plans to get married?” Qin Yueran stared into Su Rui’s eyes, her gaze intense.