The 1.3 million yuan suddenly turning into 2 million made Ma Lan ecstatic, yet she couldn’t fully believe it.


Overjoyed, she excitedly asked Zhou Huaxin,

“Is this 2 million really for me?”


Zhou Huaxin hurriedly nodded,

“Of course, it’s all yours!”


“Ah! That’s wonderful!” Ma Lan exclaimed, completely overjoyed.


Seeing Ma Lan get back 2 million yuan—700,000 more than her original investment—the other elderly men and women around her went wild with excitement.


They thought, If she got her money back with extra, surely ours will be refunded too, right?


A few of them quickly stepped forward to ask,

“Manager Zhou, what about our money?”


Zhou Huaxin nervously turned to look at Hong Wu.


Though Hong Wu was reluctant to give up the money he’d swallowed, the person he had angered was none other than the Young Master of the Ye Family.


If he wasn’t careful, his own life could be in jeopardy.


He couldn’t worry about money now.


So, he barked,

“Refund it! All of it! Out of respect for Mr. Ye, everyone gets their full amount back, plus interest!”


The crowd erupted in joyful cheers.


But at that moment, Ye Chen’s cold voice rang out,

“Hong Wu, these people have nothing to do with me. Saying you’re refunding money ‘out of respect for me’—what’s that supposed to mean? Trying to guilt-trip me?”


Hong Wu froze, startled, and stammered,

“Mr. Ye, I… I don’t understand what you mean…”


Ye Chen narrowed his eyes,

“Their money has nothing to do with me. Refund it if you want to, don’t if you don’t want to. But if you dare say it’s because of me, don’t blame me for turning on you right now!”


These elderly folks had spent the whole time mocking and insulting him earlier.


Why should he help them now?


Not only would he not help them, but he would also make sure Hong Wu knew that refunding their money would offend him.


Hong Wu immediately understood and quickly corrected himself,

“Mr. Ye, rest assured, I understand!”


Turning to Zhou Huaxin, he ordered,

“Refund only Mr. Ye’s mother-in-law’s money! No one else gets a dime!”


“What?!”


The elderly crowd that had just been celebrating now fell into utter despair.


Some even broke down crying on the spot.


Many began pleading with Ye Chen, begging for mercy, but he ignored them completely.


These old fools…


Just moments ago, they were insulting him alongside Ma Lan, and now that they saw his power, they wanted his help?


To hell with that!


Seeing the chaos, Hong Wu bellowed,

“Shut the hell up! Anyone who dares make another sound and disturbs Mr. Ye, I’ll kill them!”


The crowd instantly went silent, not daring to utter a word.


Hong Wu then glanced at the dazed Wang Yunkai and asked,

“Mr. Ye, is this Wang brat your friend?”


Ye Chen gave Wang Yunkai a cold look.


Terrified, Wang Yunkai scrambled to beg,

“Ye Chen, please! We’re friends, right? Tell Hong Wu that! Please, I’m begging you!”


Ye Chen sneered and told Hong Wu,

“I don’t know this man. Keep your promise—keep hitting him until you’re satisfied.”


Understanding immediately, Hong Wu roared at his men,

“Keep hitting this little bastard! Just looking at him pisses me off!”


Wang Yunkai howled in terror,

“Ye Chen, I didn’t know who you were! I was wrong! Please save me, I beg you!”


But Ye Chen coldly responded,

“I have no connection to you. You mocked me again and again, and now you want me to save you? Wake up. Stop dreaming!”


Wang Yunkai broke down, sobbing uncontrollably,

“I know I was wrong! Please save me!”


Seeing Ye Chen’s icy expression, Hong Wu barked at his men,

“What the hell are you idiots waiting for?! Hit him harder!”


His thugs immediately pounced on Wang Yunkai, grabbing him by the neck and hair, raining down vicious slaps.


Soon, Wang Yunkai’s mouth was full of blood, several of his teeth shattered, but the beating didn’t stop.


Every slap was brutal and merciless.


Hong Wu carefully asked Ye Chen,

“Mr. Ye, are you satisfied with this arrangement?”


Ye Chen nodded indifferently,

“Good. That’ll do. I’m leaving.”


Hong Wu quickly and respectfully handed over his business card,

“Mr. Ye, this is my contact information. If you ever need anything, I’ll be at your service day or night!”


Ye Chen casually took the card and stuffed it into his pocket.


He then turned to Ma Lan,

“Mom, it’s getting late. Let’s go home.”


Though Ma Lan had been slapped several times, gaining an extra 700,000 yuan made her overjoyed.


Now, she even looked at Ye Chen with a hint of pride, thinking that her son-in-law had finally shown some worth.


Carrying the money, Ye Chen led Ma Lan away.


The elderly people nearby swarmed around him, now smiling eagerly.


“Ye Chen, we misjudged you earlier. You’re so capable, truly outstanding!”


“Yes, you look so impressive—definitely a dragon among men! My son-in-law could never compare to you!”


“Could you please talk to Manager Zhou and help us get our money back? That’s our life savings!”


But Ye Chen frowned and coldly said,

“Why should I help you? Weren’t you all so high and mighty before? If you want your money back, go ask your own sons-in-law for help!”


With that, he strode off without looking back.


The old folks were left in deep regret.


Why did we have to insult Ye Chen earlier?


Now, any hope of recovering their money was gone.


Some slapped themselves in frustration, others collapsed to the ground in despair, crying helplessly.


This was their entire life savings, their funeral funds. Now it was all gone!


But they had no one to blame but themselves.


If only they had a son-in-law like Ye Chen.


On the way home, Ma Lan smiled obsequiously and asked,

“Ye Chen, how do you know Hong Wu? Why was he so respectful to you?”


Ye Chen chuckled,

“Oh, I don’t know people like him. I just called a college classmate, and he had the ability to get Huaxin to refund the money.”


Hearing this, Ma Lan was visibly disappointed.


She had thought Ye Chen had some hidden power, but it turned out he still had to rely on others.


The admiration in her heart faded a bit.


Still, getting the money back—and even gaining an extra 700,000—made her feel slightly more favorable toward Ye Chen.


She quickly added,

“Ye Chen, today’s incident must stay between us. Don’t tell anyone. I may be old, but I still need to save face!”


Ye Chen smiled helplessly and agreed,

“Alright, I understand, Mom.”