Chapter Thirty-Seven: Irrelevant Individuals

Wang Xiang struggled to his feet from the ground, glaring furiously at Yang Jiekai, yet he made no move to strike. Yang Jiekai shrugged and spread his hands. "So, what? Want to go another round?"

Wang Xiang kept his eyes locked on Yang Jiekai. After a moment, he exchanged glances with the others, and then the group quickly formed a line, bowed respectfully toward Yang Jiekai, and shouted in unison, "Master, please accept us!"

Yang Jiekai shuddered, utterly unprepared for this sudden turn. "Hey, what are you all doing? I don't take disciples."

"Master!" Wang Xiang looked at Yang Jiekai and spoke with resolute conviction. "Master, I've been humbled—you've won me over, both in heart and words. Please, let bygones be bygones and accept us!"

Seeing Yang Jiekai about to refuse, Wang Xiang hurriedly turned to Lin Wen, who was still stunned, and pleaded, "Mistress, please help persuade Master. I was wrong before, and I promise never to bother you again."

That word "Mistress" made Lin Wen's pretty face flush crimson. "Wang Xiang, what are you saying..."

"Mistress, please accept our bow as disciples. If you don't agree, we won't get up!" With that, Wang Xiang half-knelt before Lin Wen, his expression resolute, voice unwavering, embodying a spirit of righteousness.

Lin Wen, startled by their posture, hurriedly stepped back several times. "You... you all get up, please, don't do this..."

"I don't care. If Mistress doesn't agree, we'll keep kneeling here!"

"What are you..." Lin Wen was at a loss, when Yang Jiekai let out a sigh and turned to Wang Xiang and the others. "Go find a place outside to drink."

Wang Xiang was baffled. Yang Jiekai, irked, said, "What are you standing there for? Taking a master and learning skills—aren't you even going to treat me to a drink?"

The group was taken aback, then burst into joyous laughter, quickly changed clothes, and crowded around Yang Jiekai, escorting him toward the school gate.

"Master, today we'll go to the best karaoke lounge!"

As Yang Jiekai was about to hail a taxi, several luxury sports cars sped out of the school, and a Porsche 911 screeched to a halt before him. The burly man from earlier leaned out the window and called, "Master, Mistress, please get in!"

Yang Jiekai was stunned. "These are your cars?"

Wang Xiang nodded. "Master, please get in. We can talk later."

Yang Jiekai was speechless. He had never imagined these fellows were so wealthy. He had always thought the campus was full of studious students, never expecting they’d be driving sports cars.

When they arrived at the lounge, the group drank wildly. Yang Jiekai asked Wang Xiang why he wanted him as a master.

Wang Xiang's face was flushed, tipsy, with his arm draped around Yang Jiekai's shoulder. "Master, I'm not some street punk. I’ve loved martial arts since childhood. I’ve had many masters, but none impressed me—until today. Your moves truly opened my eyes. You’re the real expert!"

"And those sports cars of yours..." Yang Jiekai was still amazed by the cars.

Wang Xiang waved dismissively. "Those are family gifts. All of us are from rich families; we're what society calls second-generation rich kids, living off our parents, swaggering around and causing trouble."

Yang Jiekai nodded inwardly, appreciative of such candid speech.

"Master, from now on, please teach us martial arts. If you ever need anything, just say the word."

After the drinking session, it was almost ten at night. Wang Xiang suggested drinking all night, but Yang Jiekai refused.

After sending Wang Xiang, Lin Wen, and the others off, Yang Jiekai quickly hailed a taxi to Shizhu Villa, in high spirits—not because of earlier events, but because it was his first day at work. Though he’d already offended two superiors, he was eager to share the news with his wife. Let’s see if that girl still says he’s idle—now he was a proud working man!

Han Ning had been away on a business trip yesterday, and he hadn’t had a chance to tell her. She should be home by now.

After getting out of the taxi, Yang Jiekai happily walked toward his villa, wondering how his wife would react. Maybe she’d be so pleased she’d hand him a million to spend, and perhaps even reward him with herself. Thinking of Han Ning, that nearly flawless beauty, Yang Jiekai felt a flame blaze to his head.

Thus, Yang Jiekai fantasized as he took out his keys and opened the villa door.

"Hey, my dear, lovely wife..." He pushed the door wide open, but his expression froze.

Inside the hall, besides Han Ning and Aunt Wang, there were several unfamiliar people—men and women, all dressed elegantly, with some bodyguards standing behind them. As soon as Yang Jiekai appeared at the door, they all regarded him with strange looks.

"Son-in-law, you’re home." Aunt Wang's eyes brightened as she saw Yang Jiekai, quickly rising to greet him. Han Ning, however, sat silently on a single sofa, casting a glance at Yang Jiekai without a word, retaining her perennial icy demeanor.

"Aunt Wang, what’s going on? Who are these people?" From their expressions, Yang Jiekai immediately knew these were no friendly visitors, so he spoke bluntly. "Aunt Wang, how many times have I told you—don’t let strangers into the house. Who knows what they’re up to? If something goes missing, who’ll be responsible?"

"Hey, what’s with your tone? ‘Strangers’? Han Ning is my niece. We have every right to be here," a middle-aged man said, displeased, standing up.

"Oh, so late at night at my house—what do you want?" Yang Jiekai realized from the man’s words that he was another of Han Ning’s relatives, likely here to talk about property matters.

As expected, the middle-aged man replied, "Nothing major. We’ve noticed some irregularities in the company accounts recently, so we came to clarify things."

"Whether the accounts are right or not is your own business. What’s it got to do with my wife? Didn’t you already snatch all the assets from her name?" Yang Jiekai bristled at the mention. He had finally married a billionaire, only to have this pack move the assets away early, ruining his divorce-and-property plan.

"The company was managed by Han Ning before. After we took over, we found discrepancies in the accounts, so naturally we came to ask," said a portly woman, bedecked in jewelry, sitting beside the man.

"Oh? Then tell me, what’s wrong with the accounts?" Yang Jiekai pondered and guessed their intent—they suspected Han Ning still had assets hidden away that hadn’t been transferred. These greedy relatives had eaten the meat and now coveted the bones. Poor Han Ning, stuck with such kin.

As this issue was partly caused by him, Yang Jiekai decided he couldn’t stand by.

"There are some loopholes in the accounts, so we came to ask Ning what happened," the man said.

"When Han Group was under my management, the accounts were always clear and open to you. Now you come complaining about loopholes? What’s your meaning?" Han Ning finally lost her composure, snapping coldly, her face full of anger and a hint of sorrow.

"Oh, is that how you speak to your elders? Do you think you’re still the head of Xia Group?" the portly woman sneered. "Let me put it plainly. First, we want an explanation for the financial gaps. Second, you must fill them—the accounts show billions missing. Someone has to take responsibility."

"Billions?" Han Ning couldn’t hold back any longer. She stood up, her face slate-gray. "I only have this house now. Where am I supposed to find billions for you? And why should I?"

"Stop pretending!" The portly woman waved her hand. "Don’t think we don’t know—you transferred the money you withheld into Han Wei’s name and used it to register a company. I’ve had it investigated—the company’s capital is sixty million, and with ongoing projects, it adds up to over a hundred million. Hand over the company and all its projects, and we’ll call it settled."

"Ziyu Company is Han Wei’s and my joint effort. The registered capital is Han Wei’s money. Why should you have it just because you demand it? You’re not welcome here—leave immediately!" Han Ning, usually composed, could no longer control her emotions. Her almond eyes were misted.

"If we don’t get answers today, we’re not leaving!" The portly woman ignored Han Ning’s reaction, pointing and shouting, "You little wretch, listen up. If you weren’t my niece, I wouldn’t bother sitting here calmly. If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll tear this house apart—it’s not yours anyway!"

"Please, madam, don’t be angry..." Aunt Wang was anxious, pleading tearfully, "I’ve watched Han Ning grow up. I know her character better than anyone. I guarantee Ning wouldn’t do such things..."

"Shut up!" the portly woman barked at Aunt Wang. "What are you, to lecture me? A servant daring to teach me a lesson? I’ll show you the Han family rules!" She ordered two bodyguards, "Break that old woman’s mouth and teach her respect!"

"Yes!" The two bodyguards’ eyes flashed with malice as they moved toward Aunt Wang.

"Don’t!" Han Ning hurriedly blocked Aunt Wang, yelling at the portly woman, "If anyone dares harm Aunt Wang, I won’t let it go!"

The portly woman snorted coldly. "Oh, what touching loyalty between mistress and servant. I’ll spare her if you hand over all shares and projects of Ziyu Company!"

At that moment, a lazy voice sounded from the side. "Say, have you all caused enough trouble? Are you treating me, the man of the house, as air?"