The morning sun barely warmed the steps of the City Civil Affairs Bureau. For most people, this place meant a fresh start. For Ye Chen, it felt like the end.
He stood by the iron gates, rain-soaked clothes clinging to him, bruises mottling his face, Zhao Wei's gang had left their mark. Anyone passing by probably thought he was just another vagrant who'd lost his way.
"Look at him," someone sneered. Zhang Li, his mother-in-law, marched over, flanked by Su Tang and Zhao Wei, who looked way too pleased with himself in a blinding white suit. He was playing the hero for the Su family, and they were eating it up.
"Even on divorce day, you show up looking like a drowned rat," Zhang Li spat, waving her hand like he stank. "Three years of embarrassment, Ye Chen. At least you're finally doing something right by disappearing."
Su Yan walked behind them, eyes swollen from crying. She wouldn't meet Ye Chen's gaze. The divorce papers trembled in her grip.
"Ye Chen," Su Tang said, putting on a show of concern, "don't make this harder than it has to be. Young Master Zhao's already paid five million toward my hospital bills. If you care at all about Su Yan, just sign. Let her live well for once."
Ye Chen glanced at the papers, then at Zhao Wei. The guy leaned in, voice low so only Ye Chen could hear: "Told you, didn't I? I get the girl, the company, and you get the gutter. Oh, and your phone? My boot looked good on it."
Ye Chen didn't flinch. He turned to Su Yan. "Yan'er, if I sign this, do you really think you'll be happy?"
She didn't look up. Her voice barely carried. "Happiness isn't in the cards for us, Ye Chen. The Su Group's falling apart. My dad's dying. This is the only thing left."
"What if it's not?" he asked.
"Oh, enough!" Zhang Li snapped. "What are you gonna do, sell a kidney? You're nothing! Just sign."
He picked up the pen. Suddenly, everything grew quiet. Then the ground started to tremble—soft at first, like distant thunder, then louder, steady, almost mechanical.
A flash of silver and black shot around the corner. Then another. And another.
Twenty black Rolls-Royce Phantoms, each with a custom plate reading '0,' rolled down the street in perfect sync. They didn't just drive, they took over, pushing every car aside.
Pedestrians froze. The Su family just stared.
"Who... who is that?" Su Tang managed, eyes wide. "The governor? Wait, no one even has that kind of entourage."
The convoy stopped right in front of the Bureau, boxing in Zhao Wei's flashy Lamborghini. The lead car's door swung open.
A man stepped out, suit charcoal-dark and probably worth more than the Su family's house. Han Mufeng, CEO of Star-Reach Group. The kind of man who made billionaires wait weeks for a five-minute meeting.
"It's Han Mufeng!" Zhao Wei blurted, losing all color. "My dad's been begging for a meeting with him for two years! Why is he here?"
Trying to recover, Zhao Wei fixed his tie and rushed over, hand outstretched, smile desperate. "President Han! What an honor! I'm Zhao Wei of the Zhao Group, we"
Han Mufeng didn't even look at him. He strode right past, shoes clicking, and stopped in front of Ye Chen.
The Su family held their breath. Zhang Li started to stammer out an apology. "President Han, I'm sorry if this vagrant is in your way, we were just"
She never finished.
Han Mufeng, the man who ran the city's economy, bowed deep, perfect, ninety degrees.
"Young Master," his voice rang out, sharp and reverent. "I'm late. Please forgive me."
For a moment, no one moved. Somewhere nearby, a bird chirped. Otherwise, the world just... stopped.
"Y-Young Master?" Zhang Li's voice shook. "You...you must have the wrong man. This is Ye Chen. He's—"
Han Mufeng shot her a look that could freeze blood. "He's the man who could buy out your entire family line and burn it just to stay warm," he snapped. Then, turning back to Ye Chen, his tone softened. "Master, the Dragon Group finished the acquisition. Zhao Group's credit is frozen worldwide. Authorities are seizing their assets for 'irregularities' discovered ten minutes ago."
Zhao Wei's phone rang, and his hand shook as he picked up.
"Dad? What? The police are at the office? All the investors pulled out? We're… we're bankrupt?"
The phone slipped from his fingers, hit the concrete, and bounced away. He stared at Ye Chen, eyes wide, frozen with fear. "You… what are you?"
Ye Chen didn't bother replying. He stared down at the divorce papers, then tore them in half, then again until the pieces scattered into the muddy puddle at his feet.
"The debt's paid," Ye Chen said, voice low.
He turned to Su Yan. She just stared back, her face stuck somewhere between shock and disbelief. "I told you, Yan'er. If you hold my hand, I'll make you proud. Those ten dark years are over."
Han Mufeng stepped up, holding out a sharp-looking black briefcase. "Your pocket money for the afternoon, Master. And the keys to Cloud-Peak Manor. Your sister's waiting for your call."
Ye Chen took the briefcase. He didn't spare a glance for the Su family, all huddled together, scared and silent. He ignored Zhang Li, too, she looked ready to faint.
"Han Mufeng," Ye Chen said.
"Yes, Master?"
"My father-in-law's at Central Hospital. They said he needed a million dollars to survive." Ye Chen tossed the briefcase at Han Mufeng's chest. "Spend ten million. Bring in every specialist you can find. If he's not awake by dinner, I'll buy the hospital and fire everyone in it."
"Right away, Sire!"
Ye Chen turned to Su Yan, holding out his hand. "Are you coming? Or do you still want to marry a bankrupt ghost?"
Su Yan stared at his hand—the same hand that used to wash her dishes, clean her floors. Now, it looked like the hand of a king. Slowly, almost afraid, she reached for it.
They walked toward the lead Rolls-Royce. Ye Chen paused by Zhao Wei, who was crumpled on the ground, sobbing.
"By the way, Zhao Wei," Ye Chen said quietly. "That steak you made me eat last night? I think you'll find prison food suits you better. Long way down, huh?"
The door swung open. Ye Chen and Su Yan disappeared into the plush, velvet interior of the Phantom. The fleet rolled out, kicking up dust and leaving nothing but broken dreams behind. In his pocket, the Golden SIM card buzzed.
The Ye Family had seen the signal. The war wasn't lurking anymore. It had arrived.