Lan Yu had long been fed up with the Xie family's taunts and disdain. If Xie's mother had targeted only her in this public setting, she might have endured it. But when Xie's mother dragged Susu into it, Lan Yu could no longer hold back.
"Please watch your tone. She is my friend, Mrs. Qin, the wife of CEO Ao Xiang, and the president of Shu Shi."
Xie's mother sized up Susu, surprised to learn this woman was the sole victor among Shu Zhongze's children, and reportedly just an illegitimate daughter.
She turned back to Lan Yu, sneering, "So, you're using our Xie family as a stepping stone and have truly infiltrated the elite circles! Do you really think these cheap tricks of seducing men will still work on anyone?"
"Mrs. Xie, I never seduced Xie Qining. He pursued me himself. Please stop spreading rumors!" Lan Yu was furious.
Xie's mother hadn't expected Lan Yu, who always deferred to her at the Xie residence, to dare talk back so openly.
"That was because our Qining was young and foolish back then, blinded to have fancied you."
Lan Yu retorted with a cold smile, "Who was truly blinded? Anyone who encounters a scumbag like him is just unlucky!"
The thought of Lan Yu's usual meekness now daring to insult her precious son in public, fueled by someone backing her, made Xie's mother unable to swallow the insult. She suddenly lashed out with a slap.
Susu, stunned that a woman of Mrs. Xie's status would resort to physical assault, couldn't react fast enough to intervene. She watched helplessly as Lan Yu took a swift and hard blow.
She rushed to support Lan Yu, who nearly collapsed, exclaiming, "This is too much! I will definitely get justice for you!"
As Susu moved to confront Xie's mother, the latter, unstoppable, attempted another slap. However, a young male assistant beside her restrained her.
"Madam, please calm yourself."
Susu stepped forward, pointing at Xie's mother. "How can you behave like this! Your Xie family is truly overbearing. You gave her nothing when she divorced, forcing her to leave with nothing. You used your family status to pressure her, making her life difficult! You falsely accused her when your own son was infertile. Are there people as rich and unscrupulous as you?"
Susu's words drew the attention of the onlookers, who began to voice their disapproval. "I can't believe the Xie family is so wicked. Madam, you should call the police. You can't let them be so arrogant!"
Susu immediately pulled Lan Yu along. "Yes, let's call the police and report her for assault!"
Seeing everyone criticizing her, Xie's mother showed no fear. Instead, she raised her voice, "What do you outsiders know! Who says my son is infertile? His current wife is pregnant and due soon! This woman is despicable and shameless. She couldn't have children and cheated during the marriage. Do you think she would leave willingly with nothing? That's because my son had evidence. It was already showing her mercy that we didn't release that evidence!"
The tide of public opinion immediately turned. Everyone looked at Lan Yu with disdain.
"Mrs. Xie, your ability to twist the truth is truly first-class." Susu trembled with anger, absolutely believing Lan Yu. "It was your son who cheated during the marriage, and now you're shifting the blame..."
Lan Yu quietly tugged at Susu's sleeve from behind, urging her to stop arguing with Xie's mother.
Susu shook her off. "We can't let them think you're still easy to bully..."
"Mom, what are you doing here? Why are so many people gathered around you?" Xie Qining appeared from somewhere.
Susu stared at him and said pointedly, "You've come at the perfect time. Your mother assaulted someone, and we were about to call the police."
Xie's mother complained to her son, "Hitting her was still too light. She dared to insult you in public. This little slut has gone too far!"
"Who has gone too far?" Xiao Anjing pushed through the crowd to Lan Yu's side. He glanced at her swollen cheek and asked, "Who hit you?"
Lan Yu covered her cheek. "I'm fine. Let's go."
"We can't go," Susu said to Xiao Anjing. "You're finally here. This Mrs. Xie hit her."
Xie Qining, having clashed with Xiao Anjing before and knowing he was no match for him, seemed apprehensive. "She spoke disrespectfully to my mother, so my mother retaliated. She doesn't seem to be seriously injured. How about we settle this with money?"
Susu found it amusing. "Do you really think we'd be interested in your paltry sum of money?"
Xie Qining ignored Susu's words and turned to Lan Yu. "After all, we were married once. It would be best to let this matter rest. It's not good to make things unpleasant for everyone. Don't you think so?"
Xiao Anjing, were it not for the importance of the day's event, would have gladly beaten Xie Qining again. However, Susu was right; it would be better to call the police and have them take Xie's mother away, without affecting anyone else.
As he was about to unlock his phone, Lan Yu grabbed his sleeve and whispered, "An Jing, forget it. Let everyone disperse. I'm fine, really."
Xie Qining guessed that Lan Yu wouldn't dare call the police and looked at An Jing with a hint of triumph. "We were married once, after all. How could she bear to see my mother go to the police station? Forget it. My mother was wrong to hit you. I'll compensate you on her behalf."
Saying this, he took out a gold card and pressed it into Xiao Anjing's hand. "No password, no limit. Use it however you please!"
Xie's mother urgently tried to stop him. "Are you crazy? Why are you giving them this card? Just let the police arrest me, I'm not afraid..."
"Mom! Let's go, let's go. You've bought enough. We should leave." Xie Qining immediately pulled his mother away. As they left, the assistant accompanying Xie's mother couldn't help but cast another glance at Lan Yu.
Susu still wanted to stop them to call the police, but Lan Yu looked at her pleadingly, indicating she didn't want to escalate the situation.
Susu understood and relented.
Xiao Anjing's expression turned terrifyingly cold. He snapped the gold card in his hand and tossed it aside, intending to pursue Xie Qining and his mother.
Lan Yu held him back tightly, on the verge of tears. "Please don't chase them anymore. I don't want to argue with them further, I beg you!"
Xiao Anjing froze, a pang of indescribable pain in his heart. "What, you can't bear to see him lose another hand?"
"No, I don't want to ruin your group's important event today." Lan Yu had an unspeakable secret. She had thought that incident was behind them, but Xie's mother brought it up again in public, even mentioning evidence. "I... I shouldn't have come today. I didn't help you and instead embarrassed you..."
Xiao Anjing suddenly turned to face her, grabbing her arm, and said with pain, "So that's what you think?"
"I'm sorry, I think I should go back first." Lan Yu didn't dare look at him, lowering her head.
Xiao Anjing shook her off. Thinking of Xie Qining's words about being married once, he said coldly, "As you wish."
Lan Yu felt utterly ashamed and rushed out of the banquet hall. Seeing that An Jing wasn't chasing after her, Susu quickly followed her.