Fang Yuhao frowned, looking at Chen Haiyan with a face full of disdain as he sneered, "Mom, you really don't understand anything! He's wearing the latest LV clothes; it's just that the logos are more subtle. I told you to visit luxury stores more often but you wouldn't listen. All you know how to do is brag to the neighbors every day. It's so low-class and embarrassing!"
Being scolded like this by Fang Yuhao, Chen Haiyan didn't get angry at all. Instead, she looked afraid that he might be upset, coaxing him gently like one would a small child.
"Alright, alright, Mama knows. I'll study it more in the future."
Chen Haiyan retracted her overbearing aura from moments ago and looked at Zhou Ying with a beaming smile. "Ying'er, you really know how to pick a boyfriend. I was just saying, from the first moment I saw him, I knew he was no ordinary man. He has such a noble air about him."
After speaking, Chen Haiyan gave Fang Wende a meaningful look.
Receiving the hint, Fang Wende immediately put on a fawning smile and said to Fang Yuan, "Sister, please don't misunderstand your brother. Don't take what I said just now to heart. How could I ever harm you? It was all for your own good. I only did it because I was afraid you and your daughter would have no one to rely on in the future and wanted to find you some support. You have no idea how many connections I had to pull, but it's fine; owing people favors is a small price to pay when it's all for you. But if you're unwilling, then forget it. I'll keep an eye out for someone else you might like in the future."
As soon as he finished, Chen Haiyan immediately followed up, "Exactly. We've been sisters-in-law for so many years, don't you know me? I've been so good to Ying'er since she was little. We're family, what conflict could there be? If I said something unpleasant, don't take it to heart. Everyone's starting point was for your own good. We're all one family; who doesn't have a little bickering? If you really mind, then I'll apologize to you first."
In the eyes of Chen Haiyan and Fang Wende, one had to be flexible and adaptable.
Socializing was a business in itself. Through alliances and maneuvers, they would firmly grasp even the slightest opportunity.
Just like how they had clung to Zhou Ying's father's coattails back then.
Although they didn't know how powerful a backer Jiang Cheng was yet, it was good to get to know him first.
Who knows if they might need his help in the future?
In reality, there was nothing wrong with this way of thinking.
But the problem was that they were hypocritical and ungrateful.
They only knew how to be opportunistic and cling to others, but they didn't know the meaning of gratitude.
To achieve their goals, they would use any means necessary, even sacrificing the happiness of their own relatives.
Seeing Chen Haiyan and Fang Wende return to the sycophantic behavior they had before their family went bankrupt, not only Zhou Ying and Fang Yuan, but even Jiang Cheng on the side couldn't stand it. This was the complete opposite of what he had heard from outside just now.
If Jiang Cheng hadn't heard their conversation outside the door earlier...
He might have been deceived by their current display of heartfelt sincerity.
This whole family was quite disgusting. Wasn't this a real-life version of 'The Farmer and the Viper'?
After Zhou Ying's confrontation with them, Fang Yuan had also come to her senses.
"If owing favors is a small matter, why didn't you help me when I asked you to use your connections back then?"
"Why are you bringing that up again? It was a special time back then, your brother really had no way..."
"Stop lying to me..."
Meanwhile, Fang Yuhao was still pestering Jiang Cheng, staring at his wristwatch.
With eyes gleaming, he asked, "Bro, you're my sister's boyfriend, so that makes you my brother-in-law. Can you lend me this watch for a few days? Let me show off a bit in front of my friends."
Seeing Fang Yuhao reaching out to touch his watch, Jiang Cheng's face filled with disgust as he backhanded him with a sharp slap.
A crisp "thwack" echoed through the entire living room.
Fang Yuhao stumbled back from the force of Jiang Cheng's slap.
This single slap left everyone present stunned for several seconds.
The conversation between Fang Yuan and Fang Wende also came to an abrupt halt.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and the whole world went silent.
Everyone stared blankly at Fang Yuhao. His cheek had swollen instantly, and a trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
Jiang Cheng, however, reached out and gently blew on his watch, saying with a disdainful gaze, "Where did this hillbilly come from? You think you're worthy of touching my things?"
It all happened so suddenly that no one could process it for a moment.
Even the victim of the slap was dazed.
Fang Yuhao clutched his face. It wasn't until he realized his gums were bleeding that he started to wail with an "Ah!"
With that cry, Chen Haiyan immediately snapped back to her senses. She quickly stood up and ran forward to support Fang Yuhao, asking heart-wrenchingly, "Son, are you okay? You lunatic, why did you hit my son?!"
Chen Haiyan's tone was filled with rage and confusion.
Seeing Chen Haiyan take out a tissue to wipe his mouth, tears immediately welled up in Fang Yuhao's eyes. He gritted his teeth and glared viciously at Jiang Cheng. "Mom, I just touched his watch once and he hit me! You have to get justice for me, wahhh!"
"Alright, alright, let Mama look at you first. Are you okay? Where else are you hurt besides your bleeding gums?"
Seeing his mother's concern, Fang Yuhao took the opportunity to try and get an even more expensive watch out of her.
He knew that as long as he acted pitiful enough, his mother would soften and buy him anything he wanted.
Thus, he cried even harder, kicking his legs while rolling on the floor like a three-year-old child.
"It hurts so much, Mom! I just want that watch of his. Buy me one exactly like it, okay?"
As he expected, Chen Haiyan felt a pang of pity looking at Fang Yuhao's swollen cheek.
She knew Fang Yuhao had always been competitive and would get jealous whenever he saw others with nice things.
She immediately nodded and coaxed, "Alright, alright, Mama will definitely buy you one. It's just a lousy watch, isn't it? Our family can afford it. Mama will buy it for you later. Don't cry, be a good boy."
Seeing his son throwing a tantrum on the floor, the usually strict Fang Wende also felt distressed.
He stood up angrily and chimed in, "Stop crying, son. Dad will buy it for you. It's just a mere twenty million or so; if you want it, I'll get it for you."
After saying that, Fang Wende glared fiercely at Jiang Cheng. "What is the meaning of this? He just touched your lousy watch once, so why did you hit him? Are you crazy?! Apologize to my son!"
Looking at the behavior of this whole family, Jiang Cheng only felt disgusted.
Even though the man was Fang Yuan's biological brother, in Jiang Cheng's view, such relatives were better off discarded.
The reason he hadn't come in earlier while standing at the door was twofold.
First, he hadn't fully understood the whole situation yet.
After all, the initial trigger he heard was just about Fang Yuan's blind date.
Second, it was because Fang Yuan had hugged him, and that soft, warm embrace had momentarily dazed him.
"I find it filthy. I have a short fuse and can't stand disgusting things like you putting on an act in front of me."
Jiang Cheng's blunt words made Fang Wende jump up again. "Fang Yuan, this is the boyfriend your daughter found? Take a look at his character for yourself!"
Fang Yuan stood to the side, her heart filled with pain and helplessness.
But remembering what Fang Wende's family had done to her, she hardened her heart and said directly, "I told you, if you say one more bad word about my daughter, I will sever all ties with you."
Chen Haiyan immediately stood up upon hearing this. "Sever them then! What are you anyway? You still think you're the wealthy lady of the past? Can't you see reality? Right now, you're the one begging us, not us begging you!"
After saying that, Chen Haiyan rushed toward Jiang Cheng, her ten fingers extended as she tried to claw at his face. "What do you think you are? Hitting my precious son, I'll kill you..."
Before Chen Haiyan could finish her sentence, Jiang Cheng sent a backhand slap flying her way. "Get away from me. Don't let your spit get on me, it's filthy."
"You brat, you actually hit a woman! You..."
Seeing his son and wife being hit one after another, Fang Wende could no longer contain himself.
He wanted to step forward to teach Jiang Cheng a lesson and get justice for his wife and son. "Who do you think you are? You're just an outsider, what right do you have to interfere here? I'll kill you!"
Before Fang Wende could even rush at Jiang Cheng, a dozen Bodyguards in black suits suddenly burst into the house.
They were all tall and burly with a thick, murderous aura, and they all wore identical black earpieces.
The group of men, with cold expressions, packed the entire living room.
The people who entered were Wang Sheng and the group of Bodyguards.
After the Bodyguards lined up, they spoke in unison to Jiang Cheng, "Young Master Jiang!"
The murderous aura emanating from these Bodyguards caused Fang Wende's body to stiffen, and his face instantly turned ashen.
He hadn't expected Jiang Cheng to have so many Bodyguards, and they all looked highly trained.