Invincible Dad

"Grandpa, how did it go? Did you manage to borrow the money?" Ruan Jin asked with an expectant look.

Ruan Su's expression was as dark as still water. The old friends he had just called all made excuses. Upon hearing he wanted to borrow money, they claimed to be busy or said their company's funds were tied up and they were unable to help.

"I've been through life and death with your Grandpa Zhou. I was embarrassed to ask him, but now..." Ruan Su sighed. He had no other choice.

He found it strange. Even if these families heard that the marriage alliance between the Ruan and Fang Families failed, surely they wouldn't sever ties completely?

But when Elder Zhou refused him yet again, Ruan Su completely lost his composure.

"Zhou Heng, damn it all! You nearly died in the south back in the day, and who was it that saved you? Now you won't even lend me thirty million?"

"Old Jin, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just..." Elder Zhou said in a complicated tone, "I can't help you at the cost of dooming the entire Zhou Family!"

"What do you mean?" Ruan Jin's brows furrowed tightly.

"You don't know?" This time, it was Elder Zhou's turn to be surprised. "These past few days, Eighth Master from Liu City has allied with the Su and Fang Families from Hangcheng, along with nearly every other wealthy family there. They've announced sanctions against the Ruan Family and forbidden any other power from offering you help. Otherwise, they'll face the same sanctions!"

"Eighth Master from Liu City... This..." Ruan Su was completely dumbfounded. Eighth Master was notorious not just in Liu City, East Sea City, or Hangcheng, but throughout the entire south. Even families more powerful than Old Jiang Ba rarely dared to provoke him.

But how could the Ruan Family have offended Eighth Master? For him to harbor such hatred!

"Elder Zhou, what exactly is going on? Tell me everything, quickly!" Ruan Su said anxiously. This was no longer about a mere thirty million; it was a matter of life and death for the Ruan Family.

"From what I've heard, it seems to be related to Ruan Tang..." Elder Zhou said. "I don't know the specifics. Just treat your granddaughter well."

The call ended. Ruan Su was soaked in a cold sweat.

Eighth Master has a connection to Ruan Tang? He slammed the table violently, seething with anger and repeatedly cursing the traitor.

Ruan Jin and his father, Ruan Qingshan, hastily asked what was wrong. When they learned the truth, their hearts sank. They couldn't afford to offend Eighth Master.

"Maybe Ruan Tang became Eighth Master's mistress. What a shameless woman," Song Ru said with a sneer. Turning to Ruan Yinshan and Zhu Fen, she added, "Your daughter is really something. Is she trying to destroy our entire Ruan Family?"

Ruan Yinshan and his wife, Zhu Fen, both lowered their heads in shame.

"Go and beg her for mercy," Ruan Su said. He seemed to have aged decades in an instant, slumping into his chair, his voice filled with endless fatigue.

"Apologize to that little bitch?" Ruan Qingshan's teeth itched with anger, but in this situation, he had no choice but to give in. For one, he feared the Ruan Family's downfall. For another, he was afraid his son would be sued and jailed for being unable to pay the thirty million in breach-of-contract damages. In the end, he had no choice but to chase after them with his wife and son.

「Ruan Family Parking Lot」

Ruan Lan sat in the passenger seat, saying cheerfully, "No arranged marriage! I'm so happy!"

"But you've also left the Ruan Family. What will you do now?" Ruan Tang frowned.

"I'll take it one step at a time," Ruan Lan said with a giggle. "Sis, I'll let you in on a secret. After I graduate, I want to break into the entertainment industry and become a movie star."

"Does that mean Yiyi will be able to see Auntie on TV then?" Xu Yiyi asked sweetly from the back seat.

"That's right," Ruan Lan said earnestly. "Yiyi, when that time comes, you can proudly tell your classmates that your aunt is a top-tier superstar!"

"Stop daydreaming and focus on your studies," Ruan Tang said, tapping her sister on the head unsparingly.

"Ouch, don't hit my head! It'll make me dumb," Ruan Lan complained. "Besides, I'm not a little kid anymore. Sis, stop lecturing me."

Just then, Ruan Qingshan and the others came chasing after them, blocking their BMW 3 Series. Song Ru pointed at Ruan Tang and demanded, "You, get out of the car!"

BEEP.

Ruan Tang didn't even consider getting out, let alone rolling down the window. She just honked the horn.

"You—" Song Ru's face soured. Afraid they would just drive away, she hurriedly pounded on the car door. "We're here to apologize!"

Huh? Ruan Lan and Ruan Tang exchanged a baffled look.

Seeing that Ruan Tang had rolled down the window, Song Ru immediately sneered, "Ruan Tang, so what if you've managed to cozy up to Eighth Master? It's nothing to be proud of."

Eighth Master? Is she talking about Old Jiang Ba from Liu City? Ruan Tang was completely bewildered.

"Stop playing dumb. We're here to apologize," Song Ru said impatiently. "We'll give you the company back. Now, hurry up and get Eighth Master to call off the sanctions against the Ruan Family."

Ruan Qingshan and his son, Ruan Jin, still wore arrogant expressions.

Ruan Tang grew even more confused. Her only interaction with Eighth Master had been a few days ago at the university reunion at Mingyue Tea House, when Li Jie and Song Qin had provoked the man. There had been no contact since.

Wait a minute— At the end of the night, Eighth Master and Su Daiyi of the Su Family had stayed behind with Xu Lai. Could it be? Is all of this related to Xu Lai? Ruan Tang vaguely recalled him comforting her when her company was taken away, but it all felt so unreal. Where would Xu Lai get the clout to ask Eighth Master for help?

As she was lost in thought, Ruan Lan huffed, "Uncle, is this your idea of asking for a favor?"

"What else do you want us to do?" Ruan Jin roared. "Don't push your luck!"

"Sis, let's go," Ruan Lan said.

"Wait! Don't go!" Ruan Jin panicked. If they left, where would he get thirty million? He gritted his teeth, bent down unwillingly, and muttered, "I'm sorry."

"Can't hear you," Ruan Lan said with a grin.

"I'M SORRY!" Ruan Jin shouted as if using all his strength, nearly shattering his teeth. He was the future heir of the Ruan Family! Having to apologize to Ruan Tang, the laughingstock of East Sea City, was the ultimate humiliation.

"Your attitude isn't sincere. Apology not accepted."

"Ruan Lan, you and your sister have gone too far!" Ruan Qingshan shouted angrily.

"You're the ones who went too far," Xu Lai said calmly. "Stealing my wife's company, planning to kidnap Yiyi, trying to force Ruan Lan into an arranged marriage... Tsk, tsk."

"So what do you want?" Ruan Qingshan demanded.

"Kneel and apologize," Xu Lai said flatly.

"Impossible!" Ruan Qingshan bellowed. He would rather die than kneel.

"Then there's nothing more to talk about," Xu Lai shrugged. "Honey, let's go."