Chapter 136: The Unmasking

The young man’s voice caused a stir among the crowd. Who was this person, acting so generous? Giving away a hundred-thousand-dollar bag just like that?

The moment Xu Jie and Wu Wan saw the young man, their expressions shifted instantly. Chen Jianpeng! It was Chen Jianpeng, the young master of the Chen family, the most prominent family in Qian City! What kind of relationship did he have with Li An'an that he would offer her such an expensive gift?

"This... no thank you, we'll buy it ourselves," Li An'an said. Although she saw Chen Jianpeng winking at her, she had no intention of accepting his gift. She knew he was only doing it because he couldn't stand Wu Wan’s behavior, but she didn’t want to cause any misunderstandings for Li Hong’s family. Besides, she wasn't in the habit of accepting gifts from other men.

Chen Jianpeng shrugged, feeling a bit reckless himself. However, he glanced at Mo Han and, seeing no objection, felt relieved. He had been planning to browse the mall after dropping Mo Han off earlier, and he hadn't expected to find them there. In truth, he had been listening for a while. Wu Wan had been showing off in front of Li An'an, and if not for Mo Han’s presence, he would have stepped in to put her in her place long ago.

"Young Master Chen, what brings you here?" Xu Jie asked, his tone timid.

Chen Jianpeng didn't give him the time of day. Ignoring him entirely, he walked over to Mo Han and said with a smile, "If I had known you were coming to the mall, I would have driven you here myself."

Mo Han smiled without replying; he hadn't even realized Wu Wan was busy showing off. Xu Jie looked embarrassed, and Wu Wan’s face turned pale. How could Mo Han possibly know someone like Young Master Chen?

Just as Xu Jie was preparing to retreat, Xu Fang suddenly spoke up: "Young Master Chen, you’ve come to Xiuwen as well? Are you here to invest?"

"Yes, Auntie. I’m planning to invest in an amusement park here," Chen Jianpeng replied, turning to her.

"Can our family buy a stake in it?" Xu Fang asked.

Chen Jianpeng looked at Mo Han and Li An'an before smiling. "As long as Brother Han and the others don't mind the low profit margins, I would be more than happy to invite you to invest."

"Well, we can discuss the investment details when we get back. By the way, I heard my niece say her boyfriend knows you and that you're like brothers. I never expected you to be so close—it really makes our families feel like kin," Xu Fang said, casting a sharp, mocking glance at Wu Wan. She had suspected all along that Wu Wan was bluffing, and sure enough, when Xu Jie had greeted Chen Jianpeng earlier, the young master hadn't even looked his way.

"The boyfriend of your niece? He doesn't even have the qualifications to be my acquaintance, let alone my brother. In all of Xiuwen County, I have no friends or brothers," Chen Jianpeng said, a flash of arrogance in his eyes as he glanced at Xu Jie.

Xu Jie hung his head, his heart sinking with dread. If not for Wu Wan’s outrageous boasting, he wouldn't be in this terrifying position. How could someone as powerful as Chen Jianpeng ever be their brother?

"Oh, really? They were so adamant about it earlier," Xu Fang said, feigning surprise.

Seeing Xu Fang's demeanor, Chen Jianpeng immediately understood the situation. He cast a cold look at Wu Wan and Xu Jie and said, "I will definitely have someone look into this fellow named Xu Jie. Who does he think he is to claim we are brothers? Even back in Qian City, the only people I call brothers are Li Qilang of the Li family and Brother Mo Han."

Xu Jie trembled. He hadn't expected Wu Wan’s vanity to truly offend Chen Jianpeng. Chen Jianpeng was an influential figure whom all the big names in Xiuwen were scrambling to please; a small-time business owner like himself, whose company hadn't even turned a profit yet, was nothing in the eyes of such a man.

"Young Master Chen, I-I'm sorry. I'm Xu Jie. My friend was the one who pretended to be your friend to show off. Please, don't hold it against her. As her boyfriend, I failed to stop her, so it is my fault as well. Please, punish me instead!" Xu Jie pleaded, his voice trembling. If he didn't care for Wu Wan so much, he would have sold her out immediately.

Wu Wan was shaken. Xu Jie’s company was just getting off the ground; if Chen Jianpeng targeted them, they wouldn't stand a chance. They would be crushed before they even had a chance to fight back. Yet, she felt incredibly resentful—if she apologized, wouldn't she be even more humiliated? "Xu Jie, can't you have some backbone? You fold the moment someone scares you. I look down on you," she said indignantly.

"Fine, you look down on me? You’re the one who claimed to be his sister-in-law, why don't you explain yourself to him?" Xu Jie, truly angry now, gave up on trying to save her. Seeing Chen Jianpeng’s cold gaze fixed on her, Wu Wan finally trembled and relented.

"Young Master Chen, I... I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have pretended to be your friend to show off. I won't ever do it again!"

She was going to marry Xu Jie, and her family’s status in Xiuwen was set to rise because of it. She wasn't foolish; if she truly let Chen Jianpeng destroy Xu Jie’s business, she would have nowhere to turn. However, her hatred for Xu Fang’s family deepened. Xu Hong, standing nearby, looked equally grim. She hadn't realized Xu Fang would be so ruthless as to expose her daughter in front of Chen Jianpeng—wasn't she trying to ruin her daughter and son-in-law?

"So, it was all a lie. I really thought he was your brother—you gave us quite a scare," Xu Fang said with a triumphant smile.

"Do they look like they’re worth being my brothers?" Chen Jianpeng snorted, turning his gaze toward the apologetic Wu Wan. "You’ve got a lot of nerve. Do you have any idea what happens to people who use my name to swindle others?"

Wu Wan was terrified now. She grabbed Xu Jie’s arm, the only person left who could help her.

"Young Master Chen, I’m truly sorry. She doesn't know any better. Please, show us some mercy, and I will make sure to discipline her when we get back," Xu Jie pleaded again.

"Who do you think you are, asking me for mercy? Do you think you have that much influence?" Chen Jianpeng laughed, though the sound was laced with menace.

Wu Wan and Xu Jie turned deathly pale, nearly dropping to their knees.

"Ahem!"

Just then, Mo Han gave a light cough. Chen Jianpeng looked at him, and Mo Han gave a subtle signal. Chen Jianpeng immediately understood that Mo Han didn't want to waste any more time on them.

"Hmph. Today, out of respect for this aunt, I won't hold this against you. But if there’s a next time, you won't even know what hit you!" Chen Jianpeng snorted. As he turned back to Mo Han’s family, the coldness on his face vanished, replaced by a warm smile. "Auntie, you go ahead with your business. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave."

"Of course, of course. You go ahead and handle your business, Young Master Chen," Xu Fang said happily.

Chen Jianpeng nodded to Mo Han and Li An'an, then walked out. Only after he descended the stairs and vanished from sight did Xu Jie and Wu Wan finally breathe a sigh of relief. Wu Wan glared at Xu Fang and Li An'an, her eyes flashing with malice.

"You all go ahead, I need to go back and get something," Mo Han said. They had already left the LV store, but he suddenly remembered something and turned back toward the shop.