Chapter Sixty-Nine: Do You Yield?

“Rest assured, your parents are safe with me,” Chen Yang said, narrowing his eyes at Yang Tiecheng.

Yang Tiecheng’s eyes blazed with fury. “I warn you, if a single hair on my parents’ heads is harmed today, I’ll make you pay with your life.”

“What makes you think you can speak to Mr. Chen like that?” Wu Guangde stepped forward, his gaze filled with disdain for Yang Tiecheng.

Yang Tiecheng, visibly disgruntled, nodded. “You’re all so bold—fine, release my parents.”

“Hey, releasing them is possible, but it won’t be as simple as you think,” Chen Yang said, hands clasped behind his back.

Yang Tiecheng stared coldly at Chen Yang. “And how exactly do you plan to let them go?”

“Leave Jiangdong Province at once, and stop making foolish moves.” Chen Yang’s eyes were sharp as he spoke.

They locked eyes for three seconds. Suddenly, Yang Tiecheng threw back his head and laughed. “Is that all you wanted to say to me?”

Chen Yang narrowed his eyes in silence.

Yang Tiecheng’s laughter faded, his gaze frosty as he looked at Chen Yang. “If you want me gone, then be prepared for chaos throughout Linhai.”

“You’re welcome to try,” Chen Yang replied, his voice cold as ice.

Yang Tiecheng curled his lips. “I have no patience for your nonsense. Release my parents—now.”

Wu Guangde, annoyed at Yang Tiecheng’s arrogance, frowned. “Do you really think you have what it takes to challenge Mr. Chen?”

Yang Tiecheng glanced at Wu Guangde with contempt. “Enough talk. Release my parents.”

“Let them go,” Chen Yang suddenly commanded.

Wu Guangde was momentarily stunned by Chen Yang’s order. Was he really going to let them go so easily? It felt far too generous toward Yang Tiecheng.

Wu Guangde’s brow furrowed as he sought confirmation from Chen Yang, who repeated firmly, “Let them go.”

Reluctantly, Wu Guangde protested, “Mr. Chen, isn’t this a bit—”

“I have my reasons. Release them first,” Chen Yang said, meeting Wu Guangde’s gaze.

Wu Guangde saw determination in Chen Yang’s eyes and said nothing more. He got into the car and released Yang Tiecheng’s parents.

Once freed, Yang Tiecheng’s parents hurried to stand behind him. Yang Tiecheng cast a cold glance at Chen Yang, said nothing, and turned to leave.

As soon as Yang Tiecheng departed, Wu Guangde asked Chen Yang, “Mr. Chen, this—”

Chen Yang raised his right hand to stop him. “Enough, I understand your concerns. I have a plan.”

Wu Guangde nodded seriously, sensing from Chen Yang’s demeanor that the next steps were already decided.

He refrained from saying more, not wanting to appear nagging.

Chen Yang then turned to Wu Guangde, smiling slightly. “All right, you can go now. Thank you for your hard work tonight.”

Wu Guangde gave a bitter smile. “Mr. Chen, working for you—hardship doesn’t matter.”

“Go on, get some rest,” Chen Yang smiled.

Wu Guangde nodded, then got into his car, lowered the window to say goodbye, and drove off.

When Wu Guangde left, Chen Yang took a taxi home.

He returned immediately because he wanted to check on his parents-in-law. After all, they had just endured Yang Tiecheng’s threats and were surely confused and frightened; he needed to comfort them as soon as possible.

Upon arriving home, he found his mother-in-law and father-in-law sitting on the sofa, as expected.

Han Qin, his mother-in-law, stood up abruptly, brow furrowed. “Chen Yang, what is going on? What happened? Tell me!”

Chen Yang quickly made a calming gesture. “Mom, Dad, please don’t get upset. I came back to explain everything to you.”

Han Qin’s eyes were a little aggrieved. “Then explain.”

“Mom, the man surnamed Yang is a powerful businessman and a mortal enemy of Ms. Shen. This whole affair—threatening you and causing trouble—was just another tactic to mess with Ms. Shen,” Chen Yang explained.

“But he called you ‘Mr. Chen’ and said you’re the chief manager of North Suburb New City. How do you explain that?” Han Qin scrutinized him.

Chen Yang smiled bitterly. “Mom, do you really believe I’m the manager of North Suburb New City? Dad, do you believe it?”

“No,” Han Qin said firmly.

“Well then,” Chen Yang sighed helplessly. “It’s just another trick from Yang. He knows I have a good relationship with Ms. Shen, so he’s using me to attack her.”

“But why use you? Ms. Shen has plenty of important people around her—why not use them?” Han Qin asked.

Chen Yang replied, “Mom, think about it. Ms. Shen is wealthy, and everyone close to her is surrounded by bodyguards. Are they easy targets? Only I am vulnerable. I take responsibility for what happened to you two—I'm sorry.”

Finally, Chen Yang had explained everything, and felt a weight lift from his heart.

No matter how unexpected this incident was, at least he hadn’t exposed himself. That was the best outcome.

He owed so much to Shen Donghua, who had provided such a perfect cover. Without her, he would have been exposed countless times.

“I knew your father and I couldn’t be so unlucky,” Han Qin grumbled.

Chen Yang walked over with a laugh. “Mom, I’m sorry. I’m partly to blame. I’ll buy you both a gift to make it up to you.”

Han Qin shook her head, gazing at Chen Yang seriously. “Forget the gift. You should speak with Ms. Shen and sort things out. Don’t let her troubles spill over onto you. Business is like war—getting involved is a recipe for disaster.”

“Thank you for worrying about me, Mom.”

Chen Yang was genuinely moved. Though her words carried a hint of doubt about his abilities, she was clearly concerned for him.

After all, she was his mother-in-law—a second mother to him.

Being cared for by her warmed Chen Yang’s heart.

“Alright, don’t stay home. Go speak with Ms. Shen now,” Qin Guoshan, his father-in-law, said, waving his hand.

Chen Yang nodded quickly. “Alright. Mom, Dad, please take care of yourselves.”

Han Qin and Qin Guoshan nodded in unison.

Chen Yang left the villa, a satisfied smile on his face.

He had expected a barrage of reproaches from his in-laws, but their understanding surprised him. He felt a comforting warmth in his heart.

Seven o’clock in the evening.

In the Southwest Chamber of Commerce Manor.

Yang Tiecheng was being hosted at a banquet by Cui Shangkai and his seven brothers.

They were all in real estate and were particularly interested in the North Suburb project, which gave them plenty to talk about.

Yang Tiecheng’s background was straightforward. His family hailed from a medium-sized clan in a prefecture-level city in neighboring Dongshan Province. Their strength exceeded that of the Wang family in Linhai City, though they were nowhere near the great families of Yanjing.

Yang Tiecheng, cheeks flushed from drinking, was laying out his plans at the table.

He intended to assemble a larger team and a grander chamber of commerce in Linhai City. With this force, like a conquering army, they would seize the local real estate market—not only in Jiangdong Province but also in Dongshan, and perhaps even dominate the property business across the five provinces of northern Jiangbei.

Cui Shangkai shared Yang Tiecheng’s ambitions, so they toasted repeatedly.

Bang!

In the business suite of the Southwest Chamber of Commerce’s reception hall, the atmosphere was festive, until suddenly the door burst open with a bang.

A security guard from the manor, face covered in blood, was thrown inside.

Panic swept the room.

Yang Tiecheng himself was unsettled.

The injured guard lay on the floor for several seconds before a middle-aged man in a black trench coat, followed by eight tall and muscular subordinates, walked in with a smile.

Someone immediately recognized him and cried out, “Lin Qianyao!”

That’s right—the man in the trench coat, causing a stir in the Southwest Chamber, was none other than Lin Qianyao.

Lin Qianyao was there under Chen Yang’s orders.

With a smile, Lin Qianyao entered the room and fixed his gaze on Yang Tiecheng. “Yang Tiecheng, to make me come here in person—you must be very proud.”

Yang Tiecheng knew Lin Qianyao well; the most powerful real estate magnate in Jiangdong Province, unrivaled in influence. Yet Yang Tiecheng felt no fear, for the Yang family of Yishi City was not to be underestimated.

He glanced at the bloodied guard on the floor, then looked coldly at Lin Qianyao. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Swish!

No sooner had Yang Tiecheng spoken than one of Lin Qianyao’s bodyguards rushed forward and broke Yang Tiecheng’s arm in an instant.

Yang Tiecheng screamed in agony, tumbling from his chair to the floor.

Cui Shangkai and the others were silent with terror, not daring to utter a word.

They were well aware of Lin Qianyao’s unfathomable strength.

Previously, Cui Shangkai had dared to challenge Chen Yang only because he had Liu Xianghui backing him.

But now, Liu Xianghui had been thoroughly subdued by Chen Yang, and the Southwest Chamber of Commerce dared not offend Chen Yang or Lin Qianyao's group.

Lin Qianyao walked leisurely over to Yang Tiecheng, narrowed his eyes, and said quietly, “Do you yield?”