Seeing her parents constantly targeting Ye Chen, Xiao Churan sighed and said, “Dad, Mom, this has nothing to do with Ye Chen. I just don’t want to be looked down on anymore. Haven’t we endured enough humiliation over the years?”


Her mother, Ma Lan, blurted out, “But you shouldn’t have taken on this task! It’s not just you—even if your grandma went, they wouldn’t pay any attention to her!”


Ye Chen watched the scene unfold and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. These snobbish in-laws would never believe that I’m actually the owner of the Emgrand Group, would they?


Just then, there was a knock at the door.


“Coming, coming…”


Ma Lan sighed dramatically as she went to open the door.


Ye Chen glanced over and saw a young man at the entrance wearing an Armani suit. He looked suave and well-dressed, with a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist that must have cost at least three to five million yuan.


Ma Lan immediately lit up with excitement. “Oh, it’s Wenhao! What brings you here?”


The visitor was none other than Zhang Wenhao, the young master of the Zhang family, who had long been pursuing Xiao Churan.


Zhang Wenhao smiled and said, “Auntie, I heard that Churan has taken on a project with the Emgrand Group, so I came by to offer some advice.”


“Oh my! You’re truly a lifesaver for our family!”


Ma Lan was overjoyed, looking at Zhang Wenhao as if he were her son-in-law. She hurriedly ushered him inside, saying as she walked, “Wenhao, do you have a way to help Churan secure the Emgrand Group contract?”


Zhang Wenhao smiled confidently, ignoring Ye Chen completely as if he were no more than a speck of dust. He approached Xiao Churan and said with a slight smile, “Churan, such a big deal and you didn’t even tell me. But don’t worry. My family has a partnership with the Emgrand Group. I’ll ask my dad to put in a word, and I’ll do my best to help you.”


In reality, Zhang Wenhao’s father didn’t have that much influence. He was merely boasting to impress Xiao Churan.


Xiao Churan, aware of Zhang Wenhao’s intentions, responded coldly, “Zhang Wenhao, I appreciate your offer, but I’ll handle it myself.”


Ma Lan was shocked and exclaimed, “Churan, are you crazy? Zhang Wenhao is trying to help you, and that’s how you talk to him?”


Xiao Churan remained silent, but Ye Chen, intrigued, asked Zhang Wenhao, “Young Master Zhang, I’m curious—what’s your plan to help Churan? The Emgrand Group is such a big company. How can you make them agree to sign a contract with her?”


Zhang Wenhao sneered dismissively. “What do you know? My family has a deep partnership with the Emgrand Group. For this 2-billion-yuan project, we’re guaranteed at least a third of the contracts. I’ll just have my dad subcontract a few million yuan worth of work to Churan—that’ll solve her problem easily.”


Ye Chen pretended to be impressed. “Wow! I didn’t realize the Zhang family had such a strong relationship with the Emgrand Group!”


Zhang Wenhao snorted. “Of course! In Jinling, who doesn’t know about the Zhang family’s close ties with the Emgrand Group?”


Turning to Ye Chen, he sneered contemptuously, “Ye Chen, you’re just a frog at the bottom of a well. Why don’t you step aside and let someone capable take care of Churan? A man like you will only drag her down.”


Xiao Churan spoke up coldly, “I appreciate your concern, Young Master Zhang, but I don’t need your help. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t insult my husband.”


Zhang Wenhao was stunned. “Churan, I’m trying to help you, and you’re siding with this useless man? What does he have that’s worth defending?”


Xiao Churan replied seriously, “He’s not useless. He’s my husband.”


Zhang Wenhao’s face darkened with anger. “Fine! If you refuse to appreciate my kindness, don’t come crying to me when you fail! I’ll enjoy watching how you deal with this mess!”


With that, Zhang Wenhao stormed out, slamming the door behind him.


Ma Lan wanted to chase after him to explain, but Zhang Wenhao was already gone.


Furious, she pointed at Ye Chen and scolded, “You’re going to be the death of me! All you do is drag Churan down—what else are you good for? Zhang Wenhao was trying to help, and you drove him away!”


Ye Chen replied calmly, “Mom, he was just boasting. He can’t even get a contract with the Emgrand Group himself. How could he help Churan?”


“Shut up!” Ma Lan retorted angrily. “The Zhang family is getting a third of the project. What do you know?”


Ye Chen chuckled inwardly. I don’t know what the Zhang family’s capabilities are, but I do know one thing: the Emgrand Group—my company—will never collaborate with them again. Even if they had past deals, those are done starting today.


Xiao Churan had no idea what Ye Chen was thinking and said, “Mom, don’t blame Ye Chen anymore. Let’s wait until I return from the Emgrand Group before discussing this.”


“Sigh!” Ma Lan sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her misfortune. How did I end up with a useless husband and a daughter married to an even more useless man? What karma am I paying for?