Chapter 31 Collective Petrification!
The sudden turn of events brought a momentary silence to the surroundings.
After a brief hush, the guests exploded into chaos.
“My goodness! He actually slapped the Tang family’s little princess in public? Has he lost his mind?”
“He’s not insane; he’s simply courting death!”
“That’s right. To cause trouble at the Longxiang Grand Hotel, and to slap the Tang family’s little princess in front of everyone—he’s doomed! No one can save him now!”
The guests murmured in shock.
Many even stepped forward, pointing at Ye Tianci and berating him, demanding he kneel and apologize to Tang Jiao at once.
Seeing Ye Tianci slap Tang Jiao, Lin Weiwei nearly burst out laughing—what an idiot!
Suppressing her glee, she put on a facade of concern and asked with feigned sympathy, “Miss Tang, are you alright?”
“You may not know, but this Ye fellow is mentally unstable; he hits people without warning. You must not let him off!”
Lin Hao chimed in, fanning the flames, “Yes, Miss Tang. If he dares to slap you in public, who knows what he might do if no one’s around? You must make him pay with blood!”
“Slap!”
“Slap!”
Two sharp slaps rang out—Tang Jiao, furious, smacked the brother and sister each across the face.
Humiliated in public, Tang Jiao’s rage was unmatched, bordering on madness. With her fury seeking an outlet, Lin Hao and Lin Weiwei’s sycophancy only provoked her further. She cared not who they were; she simply raised her hand and slapped them.
“Get out!” Tang Jiao roared, her eyes bloodshot with anger.
Lin Hao and Lin Weiwei clutched their faces, not daring to make a sound, retreating in shame.
Tang Jiao glared at Ye Tianci, her gaze murderous. “You dare slap me in public? From childhood to now, no one has ever dared lay a finger on me!”
Ye Tianci regarded her calmly and spoke slowly, “Don’t let anger cloud your judgment; it will rob you of reason.”
“Remember what I told you yesterday? You’ll become penniless. But if you remain rational and apologize to me, there’s still a sliver of hope.”
His words sent another wave of astonishment through the crowd.
“Did I hear that right? He wants the Tang family’s little princess to apologize to him?”
“He slapped her, and now demands her apology? He must be insane!”
“I really want to see just how miserable his end will be.”
The guests watched Ye Tianci gleefully, as if he were already a dead man walking.
Tang Jiao, grinding her teeth, waved her hand. “Guards! Make this lunatic kneel before me!”
The security guards, unable to contain themselves, readied to act.
“Stop!”
At that moment, a voice rang out—authoritative and commanding.
An elderly man in traditional attire strode in, powerful and imposing.
His face was solemn, his gaze sharp, radiating natural authority—the master of the Tang family, Tang Zhenguo, whose very presence could shake the city of Shu.
Behind him followed four men in black suits, unmistakably experts.
The guests immediately parted to clear a path.
Tang Jiao, clutching her face, stepped forward and pointed at Ye Tianci, aggrieved. “Grandfather, this man caused a scene and slapped me in front of everyone!”
Tang Zhenguo had already seen Ye Tianci and was about to reprimand Tang Jiao when Lin Hao suddenly stepped forward, bowing obsequiously. “Master Tang, this Ye fellow is my cousin Lin Qingqian’s fiancé, but he and Lin Qingqian’s family have been expelled from the Lin family!”
“This man slapped your granddaughter in public and caused trouble, showing utter disrespect for you and the Tang family!”
“You must punish him severely—break his legs and set an example, or else the Tang family’s prestige will be diminished!”
Tang Zhenguo regarded Lin Hao coolly, “You make a fair point. And who are you?”
Lin Hao was instantly flattered, bowing deeply and grinning in praise, “I am Lin Hao of the Lin family. My father, Lin Changren, has just become the general manager of the Eastern Liang Group.”
Even now, he didn’t miss the chance to boast about his father.
Lin Hao was inwardly elated; surely both he and his father would leave an impression on Tang Zhenguo, bringing great benefit to the Lin family!
Behind him, Lin Changren and the others accompanied him with forced smiles, bent at the waist, none daring to stand upright.
“Lin Hao of the Lin family?” Tang Zhenguo narrowed his eyes and coldly waved his hand. “Come, break Lin Hao’s legs!”
The smile on Lin Hao’s face froze instantly. Eyes wide, he protested, “Master Tang, you’re mistaken! The one who slapped your granddaughter was Ye Tianci, not me!”
“Punish Ye Tianci, not me!”
Tang Jiao frowned as well, “Yes, Grandfather, you have the wrong person.”
“I haven’t!” Tang Zhenguo’s face darkened. “I, Tang Zhenguo, do not take orders from others!”
With that, a black-suited bodyguard flickered into motion, ghostlike, appearing beside Lin Hao.
Without warning, a swift movement—Lin Hao’s legs were broken before he could react!
“Aaah!” Lin Hao collapsed, screaming in agony.
The entire Lin family was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the scene. No one dared protest; not a single word escaped the mouths of more than a dozen people.
“Throw all the Lin family members out!” Tang Zhenguo ordered with icy authority.
Bodyguards and security swarmed in, ejecting the stunned Lin family from the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
No one dared resist. Supporting Lin Hao with his broken legs, they fled like a pack of defeated dogs.
Tang Zhenguo’s face was grim as he turned to Tang Jiao. “Tang Jiao, do you realize your mistake?”
“Grandfather, what did I do wrong?” Tang Jiao asked, bewildered and nervous.
Like the other young members of the Tang family, she feared nothing—except this elder.
“You are arrogant and domineering, bullying others with your status! Blind and unrighteous!”
“It seems your parents have spoiled you rotten!”
“I hereby declare that from this moment, all your pocket money is confiscated! Your bank and credit cards are suspended! All cars and houses under your name are reclaimed!”
“You are to be confined in the old mansion for a month! Step out once, and I’ll break your legs!”
Tang Zhenguo’s expression was impassive, his voice fierce.
Tang Jiao’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. “Grandfather, why?”
Tang Zhenguo snorted coldly, stepped forward to Ye Tianci, clasped his hands in respect, and bowed deeply. “Mr. Ye... My granddaughter is unruly. I have punished her severely. I hope you will be magnanimous.”
His demeanor was as deferential as a schoolchild before the strictest headmaster.
The guests were stunned!
Even more astonishing was Ye Tianci, who stood with hands behind his back, giving a faint reply. He accepted Tang Zhenguo’s bow as if it were only natural!
“What is this?”
“Am I hallucinating?”
“Master Tang bowing to this Ye fellow? And he accepts it so casually? Heaven help us, has the world gone mad?”
“Someone slap me so I wake up, I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“Slap!”
A loud smack rang out, followed by a curse. “That hurts! Damn it, it’s not a dream!”
Amid the clamor, Tang Jiao was left utterly stunned.
She couldn’t understand why her grandfather was so respectful toward Ye Tianci.
Nor could she fathom why he seized all her cards, cars, and properties.
Just as Ye Tianci had said, she had truly become penniless!
Two men in black stepped forward, and without a word, escorted Tang Jiao to the old Tang mansion.
Tang Zhenguo led the way personally, guiding Ye Tianci into the Longxiang Grand Hotel.
Witnessing this, the guests arriving for the banquet were left petrified.