"Breaking the Engagement"
Dongfang Tingyin repeated herself, looking at Xu Pengcheng.
Xu Pengcheng fell silent for a moment, his face growing increasingly grim.
"Niece, if it's about breaking the engagement, your father should be the one here. Is this your father's intention?" Xu Pengcheng said with a cold face.
Dongfang Tingyin's act of coming to break off the engagement was a direct slap in the face to the Xu family, and Xu Pengcheng could hardly maintain a pleasant expression.
"No, my marriage is my own decision. My father has no say in it," Dongfang Tingyin stated that she was there to break off the engagement on her own behalf.
"Heh!"
Xu Pengcheng let out a laugh. So it was just a young girl's naive fantasy about love.
"Niece, feelings can be cultivated. Do you know how much loss breaking this engagement will cause to the Xu and Dongfang families?"
"I don't know, and I don't want to know. If you force me to marry Xu Tianming, I guarantee he'll be a eunuch by the next day!" Dongfang Tingyin said coldly.
Xu Pengcheng froze.
Su Fan was also surprised. He had no doubt that Dongfang Tingyin was serious; she was definitely capable of doing it.
"Also, I have a boyfriend." Dongfang Tingyin pulled Su Fan closer, leaning against him. "I will absolutely cheat on Xu Tianming. Even if you kill him, I'll find a second, third, fourth boyfriend. I guarantee I'll give Xu Tianming a new cuckold every day after marriage."
Dongfang Tingyin's madness had shattered Su Fan's worldview. Was this what she meant by being prepared? This was a trap for him! Su Fan roared inwardly. Dongfang Tingyin had completely exposed him, and he would be the first to bear the wrath of the Xu family.
"Niece, do you know what you're saying? Do you think this will make me agree to break the engagement?" Dongfang Tingyin had clearly underestimated Xu Pengcheng. In wealthy families, love and kinship were rarely prioritized. Sometimes, even one's own father could be sacrificed for the sake of the family. What was the happiness of a son compared to that? Being cuckolded was a minor issue; his son could find any woman. The marriage to Dongfang Tingyin was merely a formality.
"Of course not. Do you know what I did before I came home?" Dongfang Tingyin asked Xu Pengcheng with a smile, as if she had anticipated that her actions wouldn't be effective.
Xu Pengcheng frowned.
"I've heard that the Xu family is quite unique among the four great families. The other families focus on ancient martial arts, and their business dealings are with renowned merchants who provide capital, while the ancient martial arts families offer protection. However, your Xu family personally manages companies, and many of them even have Xu family direct descendants as legal representatives. I imagine you wouldn't want to see your family's companies collapse, would you?" Dongfang Tingyin said confidently to the bewildered Xu Pengcheng. She had been preparing for a long time to break off the engagement; this was merely the trigger.
"What exactly do you mean?" Xu Pengcheng frowned, not fully understanding Dongfang Tingyin's words.
"Make a phone call and ask if all the companies under the Xu family have encountered problems. This is just an appetizer for you."
Xu Pengcheng, half-believing, half-doubting, made a call as Dongfang Tingyin suggested.
"Are there any problems with the companies?" As soon as Xu Pengcheng finished speaking, the person on the other end became hesitant.
Xu Pengcheng's face darkened. "What exactly happened? Speak!" Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, the person on the other end truthfully explained the company's situation. "Several companies we collaborate with have suddenly delayed payments, and large amounts of non-compliant materials and unqualified work have been discovered in multiple projects we are responsible for. Not only are they not paying, but they are also demanding compensation from us."
Xu Pengcheng's heart skipped a beat. He didn't need to ask about the other companies. It was normal for there to be minor quality issues with some products from companies they had long-term partnerships with. The fact that they were suddenly making a fuss about this meant someone was behind it.
"Niece, well played!" Xu Pengcheng praised Dongfang Tingyin sincerely. Dongfang Tingyin smiled slightly. The connections she had built over the years as a professional manager were unparalleled in the business world. With her efforts, she had found acquaintances in several companies that collaborated with the Xu family. Under her promises, these individuals were willing to help her. Now was the time to reel them in.
"Uncle Xu, as long as you agree to break the engagement, your companies will be fine. I guarantee it," Dongfang Tingyin said confidently.
Xu Pengcheng fell into deep thought. Should he prioritize his family or his companies? The choice was clear.
"I agree to break the engagement, but I have one condition," Xu Pengcheng said without much hesitation, choosing the latter.
"Please state your condition, Uncle Xu."
"I want him to stay," Xu Pengcheng said, pointing at Su Fan. He was very angry and needed an outlet. He couldn't touch Dongfang Tingyin, no matter how angry he was, as that would mean war with the Dongfang family. However, he couldn't suppress his anger. Su Fan was the perfect target for his frustration, especially since he was Dongfang Tingyin's boyfriend.
Dongfang Tingyin froze, then looked back at Su Fan, as if to say, "How about you endure it for a bit?" Su Fan's expression changed drastically. "Big sister, you can't joke about this!"
"Uncle Xu, I'm afraid I cannot agree to that. Please choose another condition." Dongfang Tingyin would never give up Su Fan; she was just teasing him earlier.
"I have no other conditions. Let him stay, and I will never bring up the marriage again." Xu Pengcheng believed that Su Fan was just one of Dongfang Tingyin's boyfriends, easily replaceable. There was no need to sacrifice the freedom she had fought for over a man.
"Then forget it. Uncle Xu, you should hurry and deal with your company's problems." Dongfang Tingyin was absolutely unwilling to give up Su Fan, even if it meant falling out with Xu Pengcheng.
Xu Pengcheng frowned again. For a man, was she really going to oppose the Xu family?
"Think carefully. Even if the companies are lost, it won't significantly impact our Xu family; it's just a few companies. But today, you have thoroughly offended me. Even your father won't be able to protect you!" Xu Pengcheng said coldly, his threat evident.
"Other conditions can be considered, but not him. He is my man!" Dongfang Tingyin said sternly.
"You!" Xu Pengcheng was at a loss for what to do with the unyielding Dongfang Tingyin. To save his companies, did he really have to compromise with a junior? Su Fan was touched by Dongfang Tingyin's words. She was being so formidable right now! Wait, something felt off.
"Master, the young master has returned," the doorman announced from outside, reporting to Xu Pengcheng.
"Have him come over!" Xu Pengcheng's face lit up, and he quickly ordered someone to summon Xu Tianming. Dongfang Tingyin frowned. Why was Xu Tianming returning at this moment?
"My son is the number one genius in the capital. I hope you won't regret it after meeting him," Xu Pengcheng said with a cold laugh. In his eyes, Xu Tianming was a rare, peerless genius, unmatched by anyone.