Yan Wei turned to Yao Tang, her brows furrowed in bafflement and a healthy dose of jealousy.

Beside her, Li Ruowas also staring at the man with open admiration. “Goodness! I never thought I would find someone so gorgeous inCity A.Ranran, do you know who he is? Why does it look like he’s standing up for your cousin?”

But Yao Ranwas just as confused as the rest of them. After some hesitation, she forced a smile and said, “I have no idea. My cousin hasn’t been here long, but she’s already made a lot of colorful acquaintances here in the city.”

She, too, wanted to know who this man was.

Thankfully, no one else seemed to know his identity, so she could still manipulate people’s opinions regarding Yao Tang.

Li Ruo looked disappointed byYao Ran’s reply, though her eyes never left the man’s face for a second.

Yao Tang turned toCheng Yanas he approached. She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. “You’re back?”

He had been away on business these last few days and made quite a fuss when he had taken leave of Yao Tang.

Cheng Yan gazed at her now, longing in his eyes. It had only been days that he hadn’t seenYao Tang, yet it felt like years to him.

He looked her up and down, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.

After making sure that she wasn’t hurt anywhere, he nodded to himself and breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Cheng Yanwalked up toYao Tang’s side and sneered atZhang Shou, who was easily two heads shorter than him.

“What was it you said just now?” Cheng Yanasked.

His tone was calm and light, as if they were talking about the weather.

But there was clear hostility in the way he carried his body, and Zhang Shouwasn’t fool enough not to recognize it.

The man instinctively stepped back. A ball of panic was forming in the pit of his stomach, yet he wasn’t sure why.

Still, he refused to yield in front of so many people. Zhang Shouquickly squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I said,Yao Tangwould never find a better man than me. What, am I wrong in saying that? Who the hell are you anyway? What makes you think you can speak to me in this manner?”

He glanced between Yao TangandCheng Yan. Now that he was seeing them side by side, he had to admit that they rather looked good together. Of course, the thought only served to irk him further.

With Cheng Yanin such proximity,Zhang Shoufelt like his inferiority was being underlined for all to see.

“Which family are you from?” he demanded, glaring at Cheng Yan. “How dare you interfere in my affairs?”

“You want to know which family I’m from?” Cheng Yan said softly, his lips curling up in a mocking smile.

“You don’t have to know that. All you need to know is that Yao Tangis someone you can never have. She’s way out of your reach.”

Zhang Shou flew into a rage. In his mind, he had been cuckolded by the impertinent girl in front of him.

“So, you actually have a sidepiece, huh? I should have known you were a slut!”

Zhang Shou was impatient and short-tempered by nature. He had only restrained himself up to this point because ofYao Tang’s beauty.

And now, he learned that the girl he wanted to marry had another man, and a much better-looking one at that. He simply couldn’t let this pass.

“Tell me, Yao Tang, do you plan to use my money to support this gigolo of yours?”

Cheng Yan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He let out a deep chuckle and shook his head.

The next thing they knew, he had grabbed Zhang Shouby the collar and lifted him off the floor.

The man’s plump legs dangled beneath him as Cheng Yaneffortlessly lifted him in the air.

Zhang Shou hadn’t expected it; he hadn’t even seenCheng Yanmove. The next thing he knew, he was high above the ground and choking on his own saliva.

For the first time in as long as he could remember, he feared for his life.

Just who was this person?

Zhang Shou himself was an adult who weighed at least 180 pounds. How could this young man hold him up without breaking a sweat?

“You…” he sputtered as he flailed around. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He could sense everybody’s eyes on him, their gazes filled with both pity and disdain.

In a bid to salvage some of his pride, Zhang Shouscowled atCheng Yanand said, “If you don’t put me down right now, I’ll make sure you never set foot inCity Aagain! I’ll take away your house, your job, everything you own!”

The more he struggled, however, the more his collar tightened around his neck.

Soon, Zhang Shouwas struggling to breathe.