Volume One, Chapter 20: I Write the Character "Chu" Backwards
At that moment.
The Jiang family.
After Jiang Wan was coaxed and tricked into returning by Jiang Limin, the Jiang family immediately convened an internal meeting. In the small hall, Jiang Rulong sat at the head, his cold gaze fixed on Jiang Wan, devoid of any warmth.
“Jiang Wan, do you realize your mistake?”
Around them, uncles, aunts, and other relatives chattered indignantly, all scolding Jiang Wan.
“Did you even think about stealing your own family’s contract?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Miss Wenwen had already negotiated with Manager Zhang. It was only because she arrived a little late that you seized the opportunity and intercepted the contract.”
“Don’t you have any shame?”
One after another, voices rose in reprimand.
Jiang Wenwen herself was arrogant, scoffing coldly, “You’re truly shameless! No wonder you were born with a defect! Must be because you’ve done too many immoral things!”
Hearing this, Jiang Limin frowned—those words were harsh indeed. He wanted to defend Jiang Wan but, realizing she was at fault, he kept silent.
However, Li Siru could not stand it any longer. Seeing her daughter wronged, she snapped, “Jiang Wenwen, let’s speak about the matter itself. Why do you have to bring up Wanwan’s physical condition?”
“She was born with a disability, a calamity both natural and manmade. To pick on her pain like that is truly despicable!”
“The fourth son’s wife, what’s your name? If she hadn’t stolen my daughter’s contract, would Wenwen be so angry? Besides, Wenwen isn’t wrong! It’s because she’s done so many immoral things that she’s facing retribution!”
The plump woman spoke venomously, then glanced around, challenging, “What do you all think?”
“That’s right!”
“Wrong intentions never achieve great things.”
...
“Can I say something?” Jiang Wan finally broke her silence after a long pause. “Couldn’t it be that I obtained this contract through my own ability?”
“I’ve been disabled these years and have been studying diligently, never wasting my time.”
Jiang Wan had graduated from a prestigious university and had since earned various top-tier certifications.
But no sooner had she finished than laughter erupted around her.
“This is hilarious! Your personal strength? You’re not worthy!”
“Are you really that foolish or just naive?”
“If it were that simple, why would Wenwen have to beg Young Master Lin and pull strings?”
“If it were so easy, wouldn’t the old master have just said a word and the New World project would belong to the Jiang family?”
“Claiming it’s by your own ability—where do you get the nerve?”
Jiang Wan’s audacity amazed them all. None had realized it before.
“You, useless girl, usually weak and meek, never competing with others. Who would have thought you’d shamelessly snatch someone else’s contract now?”
“Didn’t you ever behave like this before?” someone questioned.
But another sneered, “One becomes like those around them. Haven’t you been influenced by that labor camp convict, Chu Lingtian?”
“Finally, we see what it means to be well-behaved for three years and corrupted in an instant.”
“What blindness to have let Chu Lingtian through our door! Without him, none of this would have happened.”
“If it weren’t for me, that old dog Jiang Rulong would have been dead long ago.”
Suddenly, a cold voice sounded from outside the door.
Thud, thud, thud!
Footsteps echoed as Chu Lingtian strode in.
Outside, several security guards lay overturned on the ground, groaning in pain.
“Old master, we really couldn’t stop him.”
“Chu Lingtian, you still dare come to the Jiang family?”
The plump woman glared fiercely at Chu Lingtian.
“Why shouldn’t I come?” Chu Lingtian smiled coldly. “What did you just say? That without me, Jiang Rulong would be six feet under by now.”
Jiang Rulong’s face darkened; he snorted, “Kid, say what you want, but stealing your own family’s contract from Jiang Wan is immoral!”
“Stealing?”
“Since I’m here, I might as well tell you. Huang Yancheng is my friend. This contract being given to Wanwan is on my account.”
“Lingtian, what did you say?” Jiang Wan was stunned.
“I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to hurt your pride,” Chu Lingtian said, taking Jiang Wan’s hand.
She was surprised—not because it hurt her pride, but because Lingtian actually knew Huang Yancheng?
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Jiang Wan’s tension eased; she smiled, “If I can rely on my own man for support, I’d be proud, not ashamed.”
Around them, the Jiang family looked nauseated.
Hand-holding like that—who are they trying to disgust with such affection?
Are they acting here?
“Still know Huang Yancheng?”
“What kind of person are you? You think you’re worthy?”
The plump woman sneered with disdain, “As expected from someone who has been to prison. Shameless and brazen, without a hint of shame.”
“Let’s be honest—he claims to know Miss Huang Yancheng. Do you believe that?”
Soon, everyone joined in the ridicule.
“What a joke, knowing Huang Yancheng.”
“The only connection you might have with her is that maybe you stayed in a prison invested in by Empire Bank. That’s it.”
“Knowing Huang Yancheng? Who does this Huang lady think she is, letting every stray dog come near?”
A torrent of merciless mockery followed.
Jiang Limin blushed with embarrassment.
Anyone with eyes could see the kid was talking nonsense—stealing the contract was bad enough, but making such wild claims was unbearable. He could be shameless and indifferent, but couldn’t he at least consider others’ feelings?
How did his daughter end up with such a person?
It made him restless and ashamed.
“Don’t believe me?”
Chu Lingtian smiled and pulled out his phone to call Huang Yancheng.
“Come to the Jiang family.”
“Young master, is this important? Old Master Zheng wants to see me. I’m already on my way. If it’s important, I can come to you first,” Huang Yancheng replied.
“Old Master Zheng? Who’s that?” Chu Lingtian was momentarily taken aback.
“Considered the top figure in Jiangnan, nicknamed the King of Jiangnan,” Huang Yancheng answered truthfully.
“No worries, you go ahead,” Chu Lingtian ended the call.
Those around were dumbfounded.
What was this kid doing? Calling Huang Yancheng? Even mentioning Old Master Zheng? He had done his homework so thoroughly that even Old Master Zheng was aware?
“Kid, did you just call Huang Yancheng?”
The plump woman couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, but she was busy, so forget it,” Chu Lingtian waved it off.
This only sparked more ridicule.
“Shameless!”
“So you say you called Huang Yancheng? Why not say you called Old Master Zheng too?”
Pretending to make a call, then claiming they were unavailable—was that supposed to save face?
What a joke!
To them, he was nothing but a clown.
“Enough.”
Jiang Wan truly didn’t want to stay there any longer. This was no home; these people only stripped her of hope time and again.
“I don’t want the contract anymore. You can have it.”
“Lingtian, let’s go. I’m tired.”
She glanced at the contract pressed under the table, took a deep breath, and pulled Chu Lingtian to leave.
“Did they lay hands on you before I came?” Chu Lingtian asked.
“No,” Jiang Wan shook her head.
“That’s good.”
Chu Lingtian nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
He had no time to waste with the Jiang family’s nonsense. The urgent matter was to find his mother.
Before leaving, Chu Lingtian glanced back at Jiang Rulong.
“You bunch of scoundrels, do I owe you an explanation? If you think you can handle the New World project, I’ll eat my words.”
After Chu Lingtian and Jiang Wan left, the room murmured quietly.
Jiang Rulong snorted, “Fine, let it be.”
“Wenwen, when you have time, go with Young Master Lin and finalize the contract details with Miss Huang. Make sure this project is done well.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Jiang Wenwen beamed with delight, a trace of pride in her eyes.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Chu Lingtian and Jiang Wan, those scoundrels, stole her contract, but the grandfather and the family had now come to her defense.
No matter how much those two struggled, they would never rise above.