Chapter Five: Enough Is Enough—No More Endurance!

"Well, since when do you need to be informed about my daughter's schedule? Have you looked in the mirror and seen what you are? What, is Mu Xue so busy now that she needs to report to you whether she's home or not?"

Lu Hongmei was nearly jabbing her finger into Su Zheng’s nose, scolding him face to face on tiptoe.

"Don’t bother with that useless good-for-nothing. It’s bad luck to see him first thing in the morning!"

Chen Jianguo shouted from the balcony toward his wife, not even sparing Su Zheng a glance.

"Exactly! This bastard has me so mad I can’t think straight. Mu Xue was away on a business trip last night and called to say she'd be bringing a guest home soon. I need to tidy up the place."

Lu Hongmei shot Su Zheng a fierce glare before turning back into the house.

Su Zheng’s lips curled into a cold sneer at her words.

So, Chen Muxue hadn’t come home all night.

She lied to the family, claiming a business trip. But is this how you repay me?

Recalling the reckless laughter of Liang Xiaoyu the night before made Su Zheng feel as if a knife was slowly carving up his heart—a pain that cut deep.

"What are you standing there for? Clean up the living room! Are you really that stupid? We’re having guests, don’t you get it?"

Lu Hongmei emerged from the bedroom with an armful of clothes. Seeing Su Zheng still rooted to the spot, her anger flared. She scolded him loudly as she walked toward the bathroom.

Su Zheng looked up at his mother-in-law but said nothing and didn’t move.

"Hey! What, you don’t listen to your mother anymore? You useless thing, are you trying to turn the house upside down? Don’t make me kick you out! Get to work!"

Chen Jianguo noticed Su Zheng’s stubbornness, his temper spiked. He tossed away his cigarette and strode back into the living room, stopping in front of Su Zheng and raising his hand to slap him.

But midway, Su Zheng caught his wrist in a firm grip, stopping him cold.

"Well, you dare fight back now? Get out! The Chen family won’t keep a thankless wretch like you. Let go! Let go, do you hear me?"

Chen Jianguo was caught off guard; no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free from Su Zheng’s grasp.

But this only made him angrier, his voice harsh.

In the past, Su Zheng’s frail body never had much strength. It wasn’t unusual for him to be hit by his in-laws when he angered them.

But today, he decided he would no longer endure.

Only when Chen Jianguo had exhausted his strength did Su Zheng finally release his wrist.

"You—"

Chen Jianguo could hardly bear this affront and was about to raise his hand again when the door swung open, and Chen Muxue appeared in the doorway.

"Dad, the guest is here."

She stepped aside, revealing the person behind her.

It was Liang Xiaoyu.

The moment Su Zheng saw him, his expression froze and his body trembled with rage.

He never expected Chen Muxue to bring Liang Xiaoyu home so openly—right in front of him. What was she trying to do?

Thinking of all he had endured for her over the past two years, Su Zheng’s anger threatened to break free.

"Well, what a rare guest! Xiaoyu, come in, come in!"

Chen Jianguo’s attitude did a complete about-face, overflowing with enthusiasm. He called out toward the bathroom:

"Hongmei, stop fussing! It’s not an outsider, Xiaoyu is here!"

"Oh, so it’s Xiaoyu! I was wondering who it might be. Muxue, you should have told me in advance. Come, sit, you must be tired from the journey!"

Lu Hongmei hurried out, drying her hands, laughter bubbling from her lips, nearly cracking the makeup at the corners of her eyes.

Su Zheng watched the scene coldly, a sense of sorrow settling over him.

He suddenly realized that all his hard work and silent sacrifices over two years could not compare to one thing—money.

Even his typically aloof and proud wife had fallen before the allure of wealth.

Didn’t she once say she despised materialism?

Where was her sense of shame?

Was everything she’d shown him before just a façade?

Yet, in this moment, Su Zheng found himself growing calm. Perhaps it was better this way. At least now he saw people’s true colors—it wasn’t too late.

After all, Liang Xiaoyu’s parents ran a company; the family had money, but he was a classic spoiled rich kid—idle, notorious for his debauchery.

With Chen Muxue making this choice, her future needed no prophecy.

At that moment, Chen Muxue noticed Su Zheng standing motionless and frowned slightly before speaking coolly:

"We have guests. Go make some tea."

Su Zheng didn’t move, just gazed at her in silence.

Of course, Liang Xiaoyu had already noticed Su Zheng.

"He doesn’t seem very happy to see me, Muxue. Maybe I should just go."

He pretended to turn away.

"No need. Don’t stoop to his level. We’ll talk among ourselves. You sit, I’ll make the tea."

Chen Muxue shot Su Zheng a glare before turning to the water dispenser.

"Heh, all right then. I’m broad-minded by nature, not like some people who can’t do anything right. Even when handed an opportunity, they can't grasp it."

Liang Xiaoyu looked deliberately at Su Zheng, eyes glinting with mockery and mischief.

Su Zheng knew exactly what he was referring to—the events of the previous night.

With a step, Su Zheng closed the distance, his gaze cold as ice.

"Say that again if you dare."

But before Liang Xiaoyu could respond, Chen Jianguo slapped Su Zheng across the face.

"You uncivilized brat! What, you want to start something with Xiaoyu? Let me tell you, in this house, compared to Xiaoyu, you’re not worth a damn! Damn it, just looking at you makes me furious!"

Still fuming, Chen Jianguo raised his hand again.

"Enough, enough! You can deal with him after the guest leaves. Don’t frighten Xiaoyu!"

Lu Hongmei quickly intervened, shooting Su Zheng a fierce look.

"Enough, stop standing here. Go find a corner and reflect on yourself!"

"Dad!"

Chen Muxue, who had been making tea, saw her father slap Su Zheng and immediately put down the teacup and hurried over.

She looked at the red mark on Su Zheng’s face, her expression complicated.

"Dad’s just in a bad mood, try to understand."

Su Zheng’s face was expressionless; he ignored Chen Muxue and looked at Chen Jianguo.

"This is the last time. There won’t be a next."

"What did you say? You still think you’re being wronged? Get out of here! I’ll deal with you later, you useless wretch!"

Chen Jianguo snapped impatiently, paying no heed to Su Zheng’s words.

"All right, Uncle, calm down. Let me have a word with him."

Liang Xiaoyu, smug as ever, waved his hand and stepped forward, leaning in to whisper viciously in Su Zheng’s ear:

"You see? Even your elders know I’m better for Muxue than you. Isn’t it clear enough? If you know what’s good for you, bow out on your own. Don’t make me deal with you myself."

But Su Zheng only smiled coldly.

"Fine. I’ll be waiting."

He patted Liang Xiaoyu twice on the shoulder.

Though he smiled on the surface, his heart had turned to ice.

Because with that touch, he'd already used the Lethal Art from the Poison Sutra, igniting the toxins that had been festering in Liang Xiaoyu’s body for years.