Chapter Sixty-Six: Beast

At this moment, the way Yang Feng looked at Jiang Xiaotian was as if he were already a dead man. If it weren’t for the fact that they would soon meet an important figure, he would have beaten Jiang Xiaotian up right then and there. Li Xiaoqing’s disgust peaked after hearing Jiang Xiaotian’s words. She first bowed apologetically to her friends, “I’m sorry, everyone. He’s my cousin. Sorry for the trouble he’s caused you. I’ll handle it myself.”

The others rushed to assure her it was not her fault, but their hatred for Jiang Xiaotian only deepened. It wasn’t a crime to be poor, but to be both poor and shameless—well, that was entirely his own problem.

“Jiang Xiaotian, you’re my cousin. I’ve tolerated you and shown you kindness only because we’re family. But you need to know your place. What makes you think you can compare to Yang Feng? His family is worth millions, he drives a Porsche 911, he’s got a sunny personality, he’s handsome, gentle, and even if he achieves nothing himself, he’ll inherit the family business. What right do you have to compete with someone like that? You’re just an orphan. Without my father, would you even be alive today? And how do you repay him? By repeatedly humiliating me? What’s your motive? Just because I didn’t invite you to my birthday? Now you’re working at Platinum. I ask you, even if I brought you here, could you afford to spend here?”

Every word from Li Xiaoqing was sharp as a blade, her anger at the limit. She just wanted to get Jiang Xiaotian, this bringer of misfortune, out of her sight as quickly as possible. If he offended that big shot later, who would bear the consequences?

But no matter how harsh her words, Jiang Xiaotian remained unmoved.

Actually, if anyone else had said this, he wouldn’t have cared. But this was Li Xiaoqing—his own family. So, in her eyes, he really was just a parasite.

Though he felt desolate inside, his face betrayed nothing.

“Xiaoqing, what you said really hurts me. But what if I told you I also drive a Porsche 911? And moreover, I’m here to see you all because Yang Feng’s father asked me to. Would you believe it?” Jiang Xiaotian spoke the truth; he didn’t want to argue with Li Xiaoqing any longer.

His words, however, zipped the lips of everyone present in an instant.

But only for a moment.

A few seconds later, they erupted in genuine laughter.

Yang Feng nearly spat out his food; he was about to die of laughter. He had never encountered such a lunatic before. Jiang Xiaotian was truly beyond saving.

But Li Xiaoqing couldn’t laugh. Disgust and disappointment mingled on her face; she shook her head in helpless resignation. “Jiang Xiaotian! I’m begging you! Just go, will you? If you’re sick, go to a hospital! Do you even know where you are? Why are you making a scene here?”

She was beside herself. She had tried to reason with him, but what was he even saying?

“Damn, Xiaoqing, your cousin is hilarious!”

“Sorry, sorry! I really didn’t mean to laugh, but I just can’t help it! My god, what a character!”

Jiang Xiaotian looked coldly at this group, unable to understand what was so funny. Why did people always have to look down on others?

Why was he always the target of ridicule? Was he not worthy?

“I’m not joking with you. Is it so funny that I drive a Porsche?” Jiang Xiaotian didn’t direct the question at Yang Feng or anyone else; his eyes remained fixed on Li Xiaoqing.

But to her, he was no better than a cockroach.

Disgusting, revolting to the point of nausea.

Overestimating himself! Boasting wildly!

“Jiang Xiaotian, this isn’t about whether it’s funny or not. Do you really think you’re worthy?”

Are you worthy? Well said.

Jiang Xiaotian paused, then gave a small laugh.

Maybe, at last, some of the questions in his heart had been answered. Or perhaps he finally understood that no matter what he did, in Li Xiaoqing’s eyes, he’d always be no better than a beggar.

“I’m begging you, Jiang Xiaotian, please just leave, okay? I won’t tell Uncle about this, don’t worry! You’ll still be the good child in his eyes! He’ll never know what a useless person you really are!” Li Xiaoqing was truly afraid now, her gaze flicking anxiously, terrified that the important guest might appear at any moment.

“Fine, I’ll go right now. But as your cousin, let me give you one last piece of advice: stay away from Yang Feng. He’s not as great as he seems.”

With those words, Jiang Xiaotian turned to leave.

“Hey! Wait a minute, are you out of your damn mind?” Sure enough, Yang Feng’s cold, venomous voice came from behind.

“Jiang Xiaotian! Watch your mouth! I’m telling you, no matter what, Yang Feng is a thousand times better than you! Ten thousand times better! Get out!” Li Xiaoqing nearly screamed, on the verge of losing all reason.

Just then, a group approached from not far away.

At the head were Yang Yuanzhen and Lian Yiwen.

Yang Yuanzhen was all smiles, deliberately keeping a step behind.

Lian Yiwen, officially just a supervisor at Platinum, could never have gotten that position without connections, so Yang Yuanzhen naturally flattered him.

They noticed Jiang Xiaotian walking toward them at the same time and were about to greet him when Yang Feng beat them to it. “Dad! You’re finally here!”

Yang Yuanzhen nodded, about to introduce them, but Yang Feng was quicker still. He hurried over to Lian Yiwen and greeted him as “Uncle.”

Left with no choice, Yang Yuanzhen introduced Lian Yiwen, “Feng, this is your Uncle Lian. When the owner isn’t here, he’s the big boss at Platinum, haha.”

Yang Feng, smooth as ever, greeted him quickly.

Yang Yuanzhen was about to introduce Jiang Xiaotian, but before he could speak, Yang Feng interrupted yet again. “Uncle Lian, may I ask, do Platinum employees have the right to insult guests at will?”

His face was not only puzzled but even looked a little aggrieved.

Yang Yuanzhen, who had been about to scold Yang Feng for his impatience, frowned. “What’s going on?”

Lian Yiwen’s expression turned serious—this was no small matter.

At that scene, everyone knew Jiang Xiaotian was in trouble.

If he’d just left earlier, it would have been fine. But now, he’d brought this on himself, and there was no escape.

No one pitied him. Even Li Xiaoqing felt he deserved whatever was coming, even hoping he’d get fired.

Yang Feng’s lips curled with satisfaction as he shot a contemptuous glance at Jiang Xiaotian, as if to say: See? Now you’re done for.

Jiang Xiaotian rolled his eyes. He really thought this guy was an idiot.

“Hey, Uncle Lian, it’s a long story. The gist is, this employee you hired, Jiang Xiaotian, came over for no reason and bothered us. We told him to go, but he wouldn’t listen, even accused me of being a bad person. What do you think…” Yang Feng looked incredibly innocent, as though he wanted nothing to do with this trouble.

The two elders, who had been a little angry, instantly fell silent when Yang Feng pointed at Jiang Xiaotian.

Yang Yuanzhen’s heart skipped a beat.

This idiot child!

But Yang Feng had no clue and kept talking.

Now it was Jiang Xiaotian’s turn to look amused. He picked up a drink. “Go on, don’t stop.”

But Yang Yuanzhen could not let him continue. Unable to contain himself, he slapped Yang Feng so hard he was left stunned. “You fool! Do you know who that is? Are you out of your mind? That’s… Oh, what a mess! Mr. Jiang, this is a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding! You idiot, apologize to Mr. Jiang at once!”

This sudden turn of events left everyone dumbstruck.

Especially Yang Feng’s friends, who stared in disbelief, mouths agape.

Had his father just slapped the wrong person...?

Yang Feng, clutching his face, was utterly bewildered. It was as if he’d choked on filth, unable to utter a word.

Jiang Xiaotian stretched lazily. He hadn’t wanted matters to come to this—it was they who’d forced him so relentlessly.

“Your son really is something. He’s got quite the talent for slandering others. Tell him, was it not you who asked me to come see him?” Jiang Xiaotian’s tone was calm and mild.

But Yang Yuanzhen’s legs nearly gave out. How could he not realize by now that his son had offended Jiang Xiaotian? This was a true master! Even if Jiang Xiaotian killed Yang Feng, no one could stop him!

“You beast! How dare you offend anyone and everyone! It was Mr. Jiang who hosted your father for a banquet! Do you know who he is? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Not just Yang Feng, but Li Xiaoqing too stood as if struck by lightning, rooted to the spot, her mind a complete blank.