At first, Yun Ruichu took it for granted that when Duan Qinghua was ill, she could just push her younger sister out. But when she found out that he was in power and not ill, she started to make excuses. Instead, she blamed her younger sister for slandering her and even thought that she was the one who had been deceived and was the most miserable.
Yun Ruichu lost both her good reputation and face at this banquet. However, Yun Fanghai didn't stop her. The two of them were taking a gamble, betting on whether Duan Qinghuai would change his mind.
After all, this was the Duan family. If Duan Qinghuai, who was now in power, were to marry his own daughter, Yun Fanghai wouldn't be exaggerating if he said that he could even laugh in his sleep at night.
Standing aside, Yun Fanghai saw that Duan Qinghuai didn't say a word. He thought that Duan Qinghuai was hesitating and that there was still a chance. Maybe it was just because he had already made an announcement and was too proud to take it back. So he walked over to Yun Ruichu's side, putting on the air of an elder.
"Qinghuai, I really don't want to see such things happen in our family, but it's the truth. Originally, it was supposed to be my daughter who would marry into your family. But I never thought that this child has such a vicious mind. She colluded with her mother to stage this show and snatched the position that originally belonged to our Chuchu."
These polite remarks were naturally full of loopholes, but Yun Fanghai didn't care. He just wanted to give Duan Qinghuai a way out. He had already found an excuse for Duan Qinghuai. It was just up to him whether he was willing to take it.
Hearing this, Ning Hong looked at her husband in disbelief. She had given up her own daughter for his sake, but unexpectedly, this was all she got in return.
But she didn't dare to refute. After all, everything she had was given by Yun Fanghai. When Duan Qinghuai showed up, she already knew that the blame would be pointed at her. She just didn't expect that after all these years of friendship, he would be the first to drag her into this. He really showed no mercy at all.
Ning Hong just stood quietly aside, listening to Yun Fanghai constantly talking about the "mistakes" she and Ning Yitao had made. She listened as one big accusation after another was piled on her head, but she still held her breath and didn't say a word. She just lowered her head and silently admitted it.
Finally, when Yun Fanghai thought the atmosphere was right, he immediately apologized to Duan Qinghuai.
"Qinghuai, I'm really sorry. It's all because I didn't manage my family well that this mistake happened. I hope Young Master Duan can forgive me. Our Chuchu is really your fiancée."
By now, Yun Fanghai thought he had given Duan Qinghuai enough face.
Yun Fanghai and Yun Ruichu looked at Duan Qinghuai eagerly, expecting his answer. They thought that for the sake of his own health, he would be willing to change back, right?
Duan Qinghuai didn't say a single word from beginning to end. His eyebrows were furrowed with anger. He was no longer as cold and aloof as before. He just listened silently. But as he listened, he became so angry that he found it ridiculous. What made Yun Fanghai think that he would definitely abandon Ning Yitao?
He also felt heartache. Ning Yitao must have suffered a lot in this kind of family. No wonder she never let anyone get close to her no matter what she did. It was all because of them.
Before they knew it, more and more people gathered, occupying the best positions to watch the show.
Ning Yitao was also standing at the front row, watching the show that was being staged in front of her.
Duan Qinghuai looked at the father - daughter pair with a sharp and cold look in his eyes, like a blade.
"It seems that you still didn't listen to what I said just now. Since you dare to slander my fiancée in front of me, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Hearing this, Yun Fanghai's face changed greatly. He no longer cared about the fiancée thing. He forced Yun Ruichu to apologize immediately. If he offended the Duan family, the Duan family could easily take away his hard - earned life with just a flick of their fingers.
Yun Ruichu looked completely shocked. She even wanted to step forward and grab Ning Yitao, hoping that she would admit the false accusations that had been thrown at her. She thought that in this way, Duan Qinghuai would change his mind.
Duan Qinghuai stepped in front of Ning Yitao and waved his hand. The bodyguards immediately subdued Yun Ruichu.
Duan Qinghuai looked down at Yun Ruichu, who was being held down and looking extremely unwilling. "The only one I'm going to marry is Ning Yitao, not the Yun family."
"Even if there was no her, I would never take a fancy to you. And apologize to my fiancée."
The bodyguards knew what to do and exerted more force. Yun Ruichu, who had been trying to be tough and not say a word, couldn't bear the pain and immediately apologized again and again.
Ning Yitao slowly squatted in front of Yun Ruichu. She gently stroked Yun Ruichu's face with her slender hand, pushing aside the messy hair. Looking into Yun Ruichu's eyes, she said,
"It seems that you're still not afraid of pythons. I'll change it up for you next time."
Ning Yitao leaned closer to Yun Ruichu's ear and whispered, "You used to bully me with others, frame me at school and at home, and treat me like a plaything. You even forced me to leave your house back then. Do you know how much hardship I endured to save up my tuition fee, only to have it snatched away by you?"
"The pain you inflicted on me in the past should be felt by you now, right? You can't escape. No matter where you run, I'll drag you back."
After saying that, Ning Yitao patted Yun Ruichu's face and stood up. She smiled recklessly, looking stunningly beautiful.
Yun Ruichu was left shivering in place. Just now, she felt as if she had been targeted by a poisonous snake. Goosebumps rose all over her back.
She suddenly felt that Ning Yitao was like a different person. In the past, she always endured everything submissively. How dare she, how dare she threaten her like this now? In the end, jealousy overcame fear. Yun Ruichu, who used to be quite good - looking, now had a distorted and ugly face.
In front of everyone's eyes, Duan Qinghuai put his arm around Ning Yitao and left. Naturally, someone would clean up the mess behind them.
The Yun family had always been a nouveau riche family and had always been looked down upon at banquets. Yun Fanghai thought that he could rise in status through Ning Yitao, but unexpectedly, this time he suffered a double loss and completely lost face.
After they left, Yun Ruichu still dared to speak up. Unwillingly, she shouted in the direction they had left, even though they had been out of sight for a long time.
Or perhaps, she just wanted to pick up the face that had just been trampled on the ground.
"Ning Yitao, you slut. I knew how you could afford that dress. You must have sold your body. Disgusting!" Seemingly finally finding evidence of her disgrace, she stood at the entrance of the hall, looking smug.
Hua Yi stepped forward and slapped her. She said sharply, "Mind your own business. I gave her that dress. It's not your place to talk."
Yun Ruichu's hair was already in a mess, and her dress was all wrinkled. She suddenly turned around, with an angry and distorted expression. She really looked like a beggar on the street.
Just as she was about to get angry, she looked up and saw that it was Hua Yi. Immediately, she didn't dare to refute. No one wanted to provoke the popular designer who was backed by the multinational brand Neee.
This slap also told others that Hua Yi was also one of Ning Yitao's backers.
From this day on, the partners of the Yun Corporation gradually chose to withdraw their investments. They didn't want to cooperate with people who were deceitful and unethical.
Moreover, the Duan family had already issued a statement that from then on, anyone who dared to cooperate with the Yun Corporation would be openly going against the Duan family.
Yun Fanghai was so afraid of being poor that he was worried that he would go bankrupt one day. He tried his best to maintain the company's capital chain. He even sold all the houses and cars in his family.
Although he acted resolutely and temporarily patched up the company's capital chain, it couldn't solve the problem in the long run. Now, no company dared to cooperate with him anymore. All his efforts were in vain.
When all the phone calls he made got no response, he finally understood this truth. He flew into a rage in his office and smashed everything he could.
Moreover, he went home and cursed at Ning Hong. He originally wanted to use the mother - daughter relationship between Ning Hong and Ning Yitao to make a big deal in the media.
He thought that no matter what, Duan Qinghuai wouldn't want Ning Yitao to be labeled as unfilial.
But Ning Hong trembled and whispered to him, "I've already signed an agreement to sever the relationship with Ning Yitao."
Ning Hong hid in the corner, hoping that the wall behind her could give her a little sense of security.
These words were like a fuse that ignited Yun Fanghai's anger. For the first time, Yun Fanghai hit Ning Hong.