The truth was that Yao Ran had proposed going to this café to her friends precisely because she knew that Qin Man and Yao Tang would be here.

Even with choosing seats, she made sure they had the perfect view of the trio, even though they were well out of earshot.

Qin Man continued to lectureYao Tang, albeit more quietly than usual.

Yao Tang smirked at the woman. “If you want a marriage to happen that badly, then you can marry this man yourself.”

Qin Man almost collapsed with rage. She apologized toZhang Shouin a hurry. “Please forgive my niece, President Zhang. She’s too young to know any better. I hope you would be magnanimous just this one time. Once the two of you get to know each other, I’m sure you will get along just fine.”

“Of course, of course,” Zhang Shouwaved his hand. “I don’t mind at all. It’s quite normal for teenage girls to throw fits like this.”

He looked at Yao Tangand end gestured to the nearest chair at the table.

“Well, why don’t we sit down and have a proper talk? Go on, don’t just stand there.”

Yao Tang ignored him and turned on her heel to leave.

It was the last straw for Zhang Shou, and a flicker of irritation finally showed on his face.

“Now, Little Sister, I advise you to be sensible about this. Quit throwing a tantrum and listen to your elders, hmm? If you keep being unreasonable, I won’t have any choice but to use force on you.”

As he said this, his arm was already reaching out to wrap itself around Yao Tang’s waist.

In the next second, a loud shriek rang out in the café, not unlike the sounds of a pig being brought to slaughter. Everyone looked over to see what had happened, including Yang Nian.

They saw the pudgy man clutching one of his hands to his chest, his face twisted in pain.

Zhang Shou had no idea how it happened, but just as he was about to touchYao Tang, his hand was snapped backward. It hung limply now, and he was sure his wrist was broken.

Yang Nian’s narrowed gaze shifted over to Yao Tang. It had curiosity written all over it, as well as caution.

“Ranran,” Li Ruospoke up, looking perplexed. “Aren’t they supposed to be on a blind date? I’m sure I didn’t misunderstand what you said earlier. How come they’re suddenly fighting?”

What was more, Yao Tangdidn’t appear to be surprised by the man’s advances.

Truly, their actions presented a different picture from the one Yao Ranhad painted.

Yang Nian leaned over to stare atYao Ran.

She squirmed in her seat, knowing that he was waiting for her answer.

The fact that he wanted to hear it at all meant that he was still interested in Yao Tang’s affairs. That smidgen of interest meant that a connection could develop, and if things deepened any further…

No, Yao Ran wasn’t about to let that happen. Feigning confusion, she said, “Hmm, I wonder… Perhaps my cousin is unhappy about something Uncle Zhang has said.”

“Oh!” Li Ruoexclaimed almost immediately. In her mind, she perfectly understood the situation. SoYao Tangwas not satisfied with the conditions that the ugly man had set and made a fuss.

But this should be their first meeting, right?

Were they really negotiating the bride price after just one date? Wasn’t that a little too fast, even for today’s standards?

Yan Wei spoke for the first time since they had sat down, and her voice was dripping with contempt.

“How despicable. To sell yourself off like you were nothing more than a piece of commodity. Does that girl have no self-respect to speak of? It’s no wonder that people look down on her…”

Then she turned to Yao Ranwith a haughty expression.

“You’re better off cutting ties with that person. If you keep interacting with her, her bad habits might rub off on you.”

Yao Ran promptly nodded obediently.

A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on Yan Wei’s lips.Yao Randidn’t even bother speaking up for her cousin.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Yang Nianinterjected. “Let’s order something to eat and forget about other people’s business.”

With that, they picked up the menu and no longer paid any attention to Yao Tang.

Yao Ran rejoiced in her heart—mission accomplished. Although it was just a minor victory, she had at least managed to control the situation for now.

Meanwhile, Qin Man’s blood pressure was soaring off the charts. The brat had actually dared to injure President Zhang!

She was aware that the man didn’t look much, but he was still a valuable asset to the Yao family.

He was a big shot in the real estate industry, for goodness’ sake!

Not only that, but Yao Yuanalso had a business proposal for the construction of a bridge on the outskirts of the city, and they needed President Zhang’s influence to get it approved.

This marriage was supposed to take care of the Yao family’s problems in one go!Qin Mancould finally get rid ofYao Tang, all while making profits for their family business.

How did things turn out this way?