Chapter 82: Aging Is One Thing, But Why Become So Cunning?

“Is there even a need to ask?” Old Madam Shen sneered coldly. “The reason our Shen family can cooperate with the Chu Group is because of Linglong’s relationship with Xinghe!”

“Who else could it be?”

Shen Miaoyu had promised Chu Fei not to reveal the truth to the Shen family. But given the current situation, if she didn’t make things clear, they would offend Chu Fei completely. If Chu Fei truly got angry, this partnership would be ruined.

“You’re mistaken, Grandma,” Shen Miaoyu replied. “The person who made this cooperation happen wasn’t Meng Xinghe—it was me! I begged Chu Fei to give the Shen family a chance!”

The moment she finished speaking, aside from the sound of Chu Fei slapping Meng Xinghe, the entire hall went silent.

Shen Miaoyu thought that by coming clean, her family would realize their mistake. But to her surprise, just a moment later, the Shen family burst into laughter, loud and raucous, as if they’d heard the funniest joke in the world.

“Miaoyu, you’ve really lost your mind!” Shen Linglong jeered. “You tried to fool me last time and now you want to deceive Grandma? You begged Chu Fei to give our family a chance? Who do you think he is—the chairman of Chu Group?”

Even Shen Miaoyu found the situation absurd, but Chu Fei really was the chairman. So she nodded. “Yes, Chu Fei is the chairman of the Chu Group.”

Now, not only the Shen family, but everyone at the birthday banquet laughed. The Shen family members began mocking her even more.

“Miaoyu, are you dreaming? How could that country bumpkin possibly be the chairman of the Chu Group?”

“I admit, I was surprised to learn that bumpkin is an alchemist, but he absolutely can’t be the chairman!”

“That’s right—if he really were, would you need to grovel here and wish Grandma a happy birthday?”

Confronted by their ridicule, Shen Miaoyu was so angry she was lost for words. She was telling the truth, so why did no one believe her?

She could only look to Chu Fei, hoping he would say something. Yet Chu Fei was thoroughly enjoying slapping Meng Xinghe and hadn’t stopped. The Shen family, meanwhile, seemed to completely ignore the scene, too busy mocking Shen Miaoyu to notice that their so-called Young Master Meng was about to meet his ancestors.

“Miaoyu, you’ve truly disappointed me!” Old Madam Shen rebuked Shen Miaoyu. “This cooperation was secured by Linglong through Young Master Meng, it has nothing to do with you! How can you shamelessly claim this as your achievement?”

“Do you really think we’re all fools, unable to tell the difference between kings and knaves?”

Shen Linglong laughed coldly. “Forget it, Grandma. Miaoyu was cast out of the family for that wild man—her mind isn’t right. It’s no surprise she’d indulge in such wild fantasies!”

“Linglong is right, Grandma. Don’t waste your breath—make her leave at once! Just seeing her is disgusting!”

“She’s ruined the birthday banquet and now spouts madness, embarrassing us all!”

“Someone like her deserves to be expelled from the Shen family!”

“Enough!” A shout broke the tension. It wasn’t Shen Miaoyu—it was Uncle Zhao, who was sprawled on the floor and couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Can someone please help my young master? He’s rolling his eyes!”

Prompted by Uncle Zhao, the Shen family finally remembered that Meng Xinghe was still being slapped by Chu Fei. Old Madam Shen immediately called out, “Stop at once! Hurry up and stop!”

Chu Fei ignored her, but eventually let Meng Xinghe go—not for any other reason, but simply because he was tired.

Meng Xinghe collapsed on the floor, wanting to cry but unable to. He felt utterly wronged. With so many foul-mouthed people around, why was he the only one being beaten?

“Have you given up?” Chu Fei walked over to Shen Miaoyu and asked her quietly.

Shen Miaoyu looked at the crowd, then sighed. “I have. The Wanlicheng project shouldn’t be handed to such fools.”

“I’m glad you’ve given up.” Chu Fei picked up his phone and dialed Secretary Jin.

“Proceed as planned—cancel all cooperation with the Shen family.”

Then Chu Fei left with Shen Miaoyu. Before departing, he turned to Old Madam Shen and left her with one last remark.

“Getting old is one thing—why become a monster?”

His words were deeply cutting, but Old Madam Shen dared not retort. She had no wish to make another trip to the gates of hell.

After they had gone, Shen Linglong spoke up. “That country bumpkin really thinks he’s the chairman. He says cancel and it’s canceled? I’ve already signed the contract with the Chu Group!”

“That disobedient girl—she’s infuriating!” Shen Qiushan cursed, then turned angrily to Jiang Hong. “I warn you: if you dare to bring that girl here again without my permission, I won’t spare you!”

Jiang Hong could only look helpless. She had hoped to take this opportunity to bring Shen Miaoyu back into the family, but not only had she failed, she had thoroughly offended Old Madam Shen.

“Dad, don’t blame Mom,” Shen Linglong acted the peacemaker. “She only meant well for that woman. But Miaoyu is insane—she actually thinks her wild man is the chairman. It’s hilarious!”

“Once the Chu Group announces our cooperation, she’ll come begging us in tears!”

At this, Shen Linglong looked apologetically at Meng Xinghe. “Xinghe, you’ve suffered.”

“If only that boy hadn’t run so fast—I’d have beaten him to death!” Meng Xinghe’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, his words slurred, yet he still put on airs.

Shen Linglong didn’t expose him, only reminded him that revenge was necessary. After these incidents, Meng Xinghe hated Chu Fei more than ever. Even without Shen Linglong’s reminder, he was planning revenge—fortunately, the Meng family had plenty of experts at their disposal. If a half-step Martial Lord wasn’t enough, they’d find a true one.

Just then, Shen Linglong’s phone rang. Seeing it was Secretary Jin, she immediately began showing off to everyone.

“Grandma, look, someone from the Chu Group is calling me—it must be about the cooperation!”

“Go on, answer!” Old Madam Shen urged excitedly.

Since Shen Linglong hadn’t brought back the contract, the Shen family remained uneasy. Though they had Meng Xinghe’s connection, without the contract in hand, there was always some worry.

Eager to make a splash at the banquet and restore the family’s reputation, Shen Linglong pressed the speaker button in front of everyone. “Hello, Secretary Jin, this is Shen Linglong!”

“Miss Shen, regarding the Wanlicheng project, your Shen family is now out.”

“Yes, our family will certainly... wait, what did you say? Out?”

“Yes, out. This project will have nothing to do with your family from now on.”

“But Secretary Jin, didn’t we already sign the contract—”

Before she could finish, Secretary Jin hung up.

The Shen family exchanged glances, stunned and speechless. Could it be that the man they had repeatedly humiliated—Chu Fei—was truly the chairman?