Return of the Celestial King

Seeing their reactions, Jiang Wanyu could only offer a bitter, helpless smile.

"You two don’t understand. My mom will never agree to call off this marriage!"

Hearing this, Qin Tuo was also quite confused.

"Oh? Why is Second Aunt so determined to marry you off to Chen Biao? Doesn’t she care about your happiness at all?"

Chen Man Ni shared Qin Tuo’s thoughts.

’As a parent, how could you not consider your own daughter’s feelings?’

Jiang Wanyu’s voice caught in her throat as she said:

"That Chen Biao knows the real estate manager in charge of the village’s demolition. He helped our family get several hundred thousand more in compensation money, so my mother will never, ever agree to call off the engagement."

Only then did Qin Tuo and Chen Man Ni understand. So that was what this was all about.

No wonder Luo Xianggui was so determined to marry her daughter into Chen Biao’s family. It turned out Chen Biao had connections and had secured tangible benefits for her.

But as Chen Man Ni thought it over, she paused.

Because the demolition in this area was handled by her family’s company, the Chen Group.

’How is it now being influenced by some small-timer I’ve never even heard of?’

Chen Man Ni knew at once that there must be a problem within the company. She never expected to uncover such a mess just by visiting the countryside.

Qin Tuo frowned. He refused to believe the situation was unsolvable.

Jiang Wanyu pleaded desperately:

"Cousin, I know you both mean well, but it looks like nothing can be done. I’ll just have to accept my fate. Please, don’t help me anymore. I don’t want to drag you into my troubles."

Seeing Jiang Wanyu in this state only made Qin Tuo feel worse.

Chen Man Ni, who was standing beside him, opened her mouth to ask about the demolition, but just then, the voice of Qin Tuo’s second aunt, Luo Xianggui, called out from inside the house.

Luo Xianggui appeared, beaming with excitement, and invited Qin Tuo’s family for a meal.

Luo Xianglan was curious. There had been no mention of a meal earlier, so why the sudden invitation?

Luo Xianggui beamed with pride and said:

"It’s my future son-in-law, Chen Biao! He’s treating everyone to a meal at the big restaurant in town!"

At the mention of Chen Biao, Luo Xianggui’s face swelled with pride.

In a rural area, having a son-in-law with status and influence would undoubtedly bring honor to the entire family.

A look of revulsion crossed Jiang Wanyu’s face. She clearly didn’t want to go.

But feeling utterly helpless, she could only remain silent.

"Qin Tuo, bring your girlfriend along!"

Luo Xianggui added before she left.

Qin Tuo nodded in agreement. He was looking for an opportunity to settle the score with this Chen Biao anyway, and this was the perfect chance.

Luo Xianggui chattered a bit more with Luo Xianglan, then dragged Jiang Wanyu away.

Before she was pulled away, Jiang Wanyu couldn’t help but look back at Qin Tuo, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions.

That look from Jiang Wanyu only strengthened Qin Tuo’s resolve. He had to save her from this desperate situation.

When it was nearly time for the meal, Qin Hongguo still hadn’t returned.

"Mom, Dad’s not back yet? Where did he go?"

Qin Tuo couldn’t help but ask.

Luo Xianglan replied casually,

"It’s nothing. Your father went to town to run some errands. He probably won’t be back for a while, so let’s go ahead without him."

Qin Tuo didn’t press the issue. He drove his mother, Luo Xianglan, and Chen Man Ni to the designated restaurant in town.

Just as they got out of the car in front of the restaurant, a gleaming Land Rover slowly pulled up before them.

The Land Rover stopped and the driver gave two deliberate honks, causing Qin Tuo to turn and look over curiously.

A burly man with a shaved head stepped out of the car. A thick, eye-catching gold chain hung around his neck.

Even though it had been a long time, Qin Tuo recognized him at a glance: Chen Biao.

Chen Biao was the very picture of a nouveau riche, with a fleshy face and a pair of large, brand-name sunglasses that screamed "new money."

Chen Biao took off his sunglasses and deliberately widened his eyes, letting out a strange, mocking cry.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Qin Tuo! I heard you went to prison. What’s this? Got out early for good behavior?"

Hearing Chen Biao’s words, the expressions on both Luo Xianglan and Chen Man Ni’s faces instantly darkened.

Clearly, Chen Biao was deliberately taunting Qin Tuo, twisting the knife where he knew it would hurt.

Qin Tuo gave a cold smirk. He was already planning to go after Chen Biao; he hadn’t expected the guy to serve himself up on a silver platter.

Just then, Chen Biao noticed Qin Tuo’s Mercedes-Benz. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise in them.

But it was quickly replaced by a sneer.

"Heh, looks like you got lucky, Qin Tuo. Came into a little money and bought yourself a fancy car. But that thing is not in the same league as my Land Rover!"

Listening to Chen Biao’s snide remarks, Chen Man Ni finally had enough.

She stepped forward and said in a cold voice,

"So, you’re Chen Biao?"

Only then did Chen Biao notice Chen Man Ni. The moment he laid eyes on her, his own lit up with avarice.

Even someone like Chen Biao had never seen a woman as beautiful as Chen Man Ni. He stared without blinking, his expression turning utterly lecherous.

"Hey, gorgeous. Who are you? Interested in getting to know me?"

His eyes narrowed as he shamelessly raked his gaze over Chen Man Ni’s body.

Chen Man Ni snapped angrily.

"You pig!"

With a cold snort, Qin Tuo pulled Chen Man Ni to his side, resting a hand on her shoulder.

The gesture was a clear message to Chen Biao: ’She’s my woman. Don’t even think about it.’

Seeing the situation escalate, Luo Xianglan’s heart tightened, and she quickly stepped forward.

"Chen Biao, don’t you get any funny ideas. This is my future daughter-in-law."

Chen Biao let out an annoyed grunt and shot Qin Tuo a deadly, jealous glare.

Just then, Luo Xianggui and her daughter arrived at the restaurant. Chen Biao couldn’t continue to act out, so he simply turned and went inside first.

"Mom, shall we go in?"

Qin Tuo said, and the group followed him into the restaurant.

Luo Xianggui lagged behind, constantly boasting to Luo Xianglan.

"This is the best restaurant in our town, you know. I hear a single meal here costs a small fortune!"

Luo Xianglan listened and nodded repeatedly, a look of envy on her face.

Overhearing this, Qin Tuo and Chen Man Ni couldn’t help but find it amusing.

With their standards, it was easy to see that this restaurant would be considered completely second-rate in a major city.