The Yang family was considered a second-rate family in Qingzhou City, possessing considerable assets. Within the Yang family courtyard, Old Master Yang was admiring flowers in the garden, accompanied by a beautiful young girl.
"Grandpa, I've finished reporting on the company's matters!" The woman's skin was like white jade, appearing even more radiant against the backdrop of the flower petals.
"Jiaqi! You are the pillar of the Yang family. If it weren't for you managing things, Grandpa wouldn't be this relaxed. After a hundred years, the Yang family will be handed over to you," Yang Ding Tian said with a smile.
"Don't say such things, Grandpa. I don't want you to leave," Yang Jiaqi said earnestly. "However, I will share the company's burdens with you, after all, my abilities are not inferior." Su Dan Novel Network
"That's true, the esteemed Iron Lady of Qingzhou would naturally not be weak, but you mustn't neglect yourself!" Yang Ding Tian said. "Your brothers are all unpromising; the Yang family will have to rely on you in the future."
Yang Jiaqi's face was full of confidence, and a sense of superiority surged within her. At a young age, she had become a company director, controlling half of the Yang family's fortune. She was also the foremost Iron Lady of Qingzhou, with suitors lining up like a dragon, enjoying immense prestige.
"Master, someone is asking to see you outside. He claims to be your grandson-in-law," the butler said as he approached the Old Master.
"Grandson-in-law?" Yang Jiaqi chuckled and said, "Grandpa, I'm your only granddaughter. Where would a grandson-in-law come from? Hurry and send him away."
"Wait!"
Yang Ding Tian snapped back to attention, suddenly remembering something. He then asked the butler, "What was the man wearing?"
"He was dressed in rags, with shifty eyes, and didn't look like a good person," the butler replied. "I'll send him away right now!"
"Did he say who sent him?" Yang Ding Tian asked again.
"He did say that. He said his master sent him down the mountain this time, to fulfill a promise and marry the eldest young lady," the butler said awkwardly.
"He actually came!" Yang Ding Tian sighed.
"Grandpa, what's going on?" Yang Jiaqi asked, bewildered.
"In the past, our family declined. We were fortunate to receive guidance from a master, which led to the Yang family's current prosperity," Yang Ding Tian reminisced about the past. "To repay this kindness, I made a marriage engagement with that master. Ten years later, his disciple would descend the mountain to marry you. I thought it was just a joke, but he actually came."
"I thought it was something important!" Yang Jiaqi laughed. "Such arranged marriages are long out of fashion. Moreover, I have countless suitors; how could I marry a bumpkin?"
"The master's disciple might not be easy to deal with!" Yang Ding Tian shook his head and personally walked towards the entrance.
Lu Fan had been waiting at the door for a long time, holding some gifts, which were all local specialties.
"You must be the master's disciple!" Yang Ding Tian said warmly. "Please come in and have a seat."
Yang Jiaqi, standing behind, glanced at Lu Fan and almost sneezed. She knew Lu Fan was from the mountains, but she hadn't expected him to be so shabby.
"I have descended the mountain this time on my master's orders to marry Miss Yang," Lu Fan said politely. "These are the gifts I've brought for you all!"
"This..."
Yang Ding Tian stood there stunned, then smiled and said, "There's no rush for this matter. How is my master?"
"He is doing very well, eating and drinking well on the mountain every day," Lu Fan replied with a smile. "I didn't expect you to still remember him!"
"Grandpa, you're not actually planning to make me marry him, are you?" Yang Jiaqi said dismissively. "Someone like him, I would rather die than marry!"
"Insolent!" Yang Ding Tian roared. "Don't you see we have a guest? How can you be so rude!"
Lu Fan stood aside, naturally understanding that the person before him was Miss Yang. However, her words displeased him.
"Grandpa, look at his poor appearance; he's not worthy of me at all. I didn't agree to this marriage, and I won't allow it," Yang Jiaqi stated directly.
Yang Ding Tian frowned, then smiled at Lu Fan. "This marriage has been arranged for over ten years. I'm afraid I can't make the decision anymore. Perhaps you should go back and tell your master that the agreement from back then is now void."
"Does Old Master Yang mean that the Yang family is going to break the engagement?" Lu Fan sneered. "I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate!"
"Young man, you jest. My Yang family has some standing in Qingzhou, so nothing is inappropriate," Yang Ding Tian said with a smile. "The reason I'm being polite to you, young man, is out of consideration for the past kindness. However, breaking an engagement is a serious matter, so please name your price."
"I came down the mountain on my master's orders, and it has nothing to do with money," Lu Fan stated directly.
"Young man, know when to stop pushing your luck. Don't be too greedy," Yang Ding Tian chuckled. "Otherwise, you might end up with nothing."
Yang Jiaqi stood to the side, her arms crossed, glaring at Lu Fan indignantly. In her eyes, Lu Fan was a ruffian, not a good person, and lacked any refinement, far from the young masters she knew.
"Old Master Yang, I hope you don't regret this," Lu Fan said with a cold smile. "Fortune turns, thirty years east, thirty years west. Don't bully a young man when he's poor."
"Even if you were given three hundred years, you'd still be a salted fish!" Yang Jiaqi retorted coldly. "Haven't you inquired about how many suitors I have in Qingzhou? How dare you come here to propose?"
Old Master Yang sat aside, silently sipping his tea. He greatly agreed with Yang Jiaqi's words.
Recently, a young master from a first-rate family had been pursuing Yang Jiaqi. If they were to become a couple, the Yang family's status would likely advance further. How could he let Lu Fan ruin this good opportunity?
"It seems I've caused a disturbance!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Since that's the case, I don't need this marriage contract!"
With the marriage contract in hand, Lu Fan tore it in half and scattered it in the Yang family courtyard. Just as he was about to leave, Yang Jiaqi stopped him. "This is no place for you to run wild. Pick up all these things and throw them out, or you won't be allowed to leave!"
"What if I don't pick them up?" Lu Fan said abruptly. "Miss Yang, you should remember, it won't be long before the Yang family in Qingzhou completely collapses!"
"Arrogant!" Yang Jiaqi said with disdain and yelled at the bodyguards, "What are you waiting for? Go and beat him out!"
Several men stepped forward, preparing to attack Lu Fan. Old Master Yang continued to drink his tea, paying no attention to the matter.
Lu Fan was enraged. Just as he was about to make a move, more than ten cars arrived outside the Yang family's gate. A middle-aged man, dressed in a suit and with a black coat draped over his shoulders, slowly got out of a car, smoking a cigar. More than ten men in suits followed him.
"Master Bai!"
Yang Ding Tian was startled and quickly rose to greet him.
Bai Tian Chen didn't even glance at him, walking directly towards Lu Fan. "Mr. Lu, it was my Lu family's rashness before. The Old Master is on the verge of death, and we hope Mr. Lu can offer assistance!"