Chapter 83: That Naturally Belongs to Me

No matter how you looked at it, the Jiang family and the Zhong family should have been on equal footing, with the Zhong family even holding a slight advantage. So how could it be that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family would fear anyone from the Jiangs? This was anything but normal, and Yang Fan couldn’t help but frown. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Yang Fan’s thoughts flickered in that brief moment when Jiang Huai and Jiang Bo both stepped out of the car. Jiang Huai was leading Bai Tiantian, whose belly was now slightly showing, and Jiang Huai had already told him that the wedding would take place this very month.

The eldest daughter of the Zhong family hurried forward, her steps unsteady. Yang Fan was sure of it—this was fear. As she drew near, she bowed directly to Jiang Bo and said, “Young Master Jiang.”

“Heh, Ziyan!” Jiang Bo advanced a step, as if to pull Ziyan into an embrace.

Ziyan dodged back and stepped away. Yang Fan was startled—this was the man openly snatching his woman! Though, truth be told, he and the eldest daughter of the Zhong family had nothing to do with each other at this point, but the feeling still left him uncomfortable.

All the more so because Jiang Huai and Jiang Bo were rivals, and Jiang Huai was his business partner, soon to be raising Liu Mingfeng’s child—his own nephew or niece! Bai Tiantian was also his classmate. Whether public or private, by any reasoning, he had no fondness for Jiang Bo.

“What are you afraid of? Sooner or later, you’ll be my wife,” Jiang Bo said with a smirk.

“Young Master Jiang, please have some self-respect. Certain things should wait until after we are wed,” Zhong Ziyan replied with undisguised disgust.

It was true disgust—Yang Fan could see it as clear as day, hear every word. If Jiang Bo really allied with the Zhong family, Jiang Huai would surely lose.

“Fine, I’ve told you before—sooner or later, you’ll be mine.” Jiang Bo’s smile was as repellent as could be.

Meanwhile, Jiang Huai and Bai Tiantian got out of the car, and Jiang Huai paid Jiang Bo no heed at all.

But ignoring someone doesn’t mean they’ll ignore you.

“Well, isn’t this my dear brother and sister-in-law? Sister-in-law’s belly is showing now.” As he spoke, Jiang Bo reached out his lecherous hand, startling Bai Tiantian.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jiang Huai shouted, furious.

“Brother, what’s the problem? Just a little touch, no harm done,” Jiang Bo laughed.

“Jiang Bo, I’m warning you. Don’t joke like that with me again, or I won’t be so polite next time!” Jiang Huai cursed.

“Brother, you really are no fun,” Jiang Bo sneered, laughing heartily as Ye Ziyan led him inside. At the last moment, Ye Ziyan glanced back at Yang Fan, her expression unbearably complex.

That made Yang Fan’s heart twist with discomfort. Was this mockery, a silent laugh at his inability to protect a woman?

Jiang Bo’s laughter echoed in his ears, making Yang Fan’s face twitch with anger.

“Yang Fan, you know the eldest daughter of the Zhong family?” Huo Xinxin asked.

Yang Fan’s face darkened. “I’ve kept many women,” he replied flippantly.

“What’s the matter with you?”

Yang Fan waved her off. “It’s nothing.”

“Yeah, right.” Huo Xinxin muttered under her breath, but said nothing more. The police officers behind could all sense Yang Fan’s mood was turbulent.

Yang Fan stood frozen, Zhong Ziyan’s gaze like an imprint in his mind, refusing to fade.

“Yang Fan!”

“Brother Jiang, sister-in-law,” Yang Fan greeted as Jiang Huai and Bai Tiantian approached, both wearing troubled expressions.

“That idiot just now, he’s your brother, isn’t he?”

“That’s right, Jiang Bo,” Jiang Huai sighed. Yang Fan sensed he wanted to talk, so, seeing a quiet spot ahead, suggested, “Shall we go over there to talk?”

“Good idea.”

Yang Fan called Huo Xinxin over to look after Bai Tiantian, then walked off with Jiang Huai to the open space.

Jiang Huai pulled out a cigarette, offering one to Yang Fan. In truth, Jiang Huai didn’t smoke—he was probably just under too much pressure.

“What’s wrong? What’s weighing on your mind?”

“Brother Yang, I think I’m about to lose. Once Jiang Bo marries the Zhong family’s eldest, I won’t stand a chance,” Jiang Huai lamented.

“What’s there to be afraid of? You really think he’ll marry her so easily?”

“There’s no doubt. Didn’t you hear the Zhong family’s eldest admit it herself? From what I know, it’s true. But what I can’t understand is why the Zhong family would marry off their daughter to Jiang Bo as if selling her. The Zhongs don’t fear us!”

“You noticed? I sensed it too—she was truly afraid.”

“It’s baffling, but confusion gets us nowhere. Once he gains the support of the Zhong family, I’m finished.” Jiang Huai produced another cigarette.

Yang Fan snatched it away. “Don’t bother smoking.”

Jiang Huai put it away and continued, “Worse, my own family has been swayed by him. Even those who once supported me have turned against me. Soon, I expect the rest to follow. When that happens, it will truly be over.”

“No one knows who the victor is until the final moment.”

“Brother Yang, don’t try to comfort me,” Jiang Huai said with a bitter smile.

“I’m not comforting you. I’m telling the truth. What’s to fear? At worst, if you lose, bring your wife to my place. The Fanmei Group may not be as big as the Jiangs, but you’ll never want for anything.”

“Yang Fan, I…” Jiang Huai looked sharply at him. They say businessmen are only after profit, yet Yang Fan spoke such words.

“Enough with the gratitude. Instead of worrying about a way out, we should be thinking how to turn the tables! Besides, as I said, it’s not certain yet that he’ll marry the Zhong family’s eldest. Engagement doesn’t mean marriage. Even after marriage, there’s divorce. People have even changed their minds at the altar.”

Jiang Huai was suddenly struck—Yang Fan was truly inspiring.

“And anyway, if he can ally with the Zhong family, why can’t we form alliances of our own? Until the very end, everything is unpredictable.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead and give it my all.”

“That’s more like it. He’s making those around you leave you, so I’ll make everyone close to him abandon him too.” Yang Fan’s eyes narrowed. How dare he try to steal my woman?

“Brother Yang, if you can help me defeat Jiang Bo, I’ll add another five billion in investment,” Jiang Huai promised.

“Enough, enough, no need for that. Talking money between brothers is vulgar. Even if you don’t invest, the child in Bai Tiantian’s belly is my brother Liu’s godchild, isn’t it? That makes me the real uncle!”

“And there’s something even more important. Jiang Bo dares to steal my woman? I can’t just stand by.”

Jiang Huai’s eyes went wide. “What? You mean Zhong Ziyan is—”

“Of course she’s mine. I’ve kept her!”