Qin Xi knew Yang Chen was worried about their daughter getting frightened. After a brief hesitation, she said, "I'll take Xiaoxiao to school first, then come back."
"Alright," Yang Chen agreed.
But just as Qin Xi was about to leave with Xiaoxiao in her arms, Qin Fei and his men blocked their path.
"Move!" Qin Xi held Xiaoxiao tightly, her face flushed with anger as she struggled to control her fury.
Qin Fei smirked. "How can your daughter miss such an exciting moment? Stay put. Once the show's over, you can go wherever you want."
Qin Fei had hired bodyguards—who knew where he'd gotten the money—and now, flanked by them, he acted without fear.
"Qin Fei, if you don't want to lose your other hand, keep blocking us."
Yang Chen's voice cut in, calm but sending a chill down Qin Fei's spine. The dull ache in his wrist seemed to intensify.
Yang Chen stepped beside Qin Xi, whose earlier nervousness melted away. With him there, she felt nothing could go wrong.
Qin Fei gritted his teeth, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage.
"Yang Chen, the pain you caused me—today, I'll make you pay a thousand times over," Qin Fei snarled, his face twisted with malice.
"Xiao Xi, take Xiaoxiao to school first. Let's see who dares stop you."
Yang Chen's tone was commanding, instilling not just Qin Xi but also Qin Yi with a sense of security.
"Be careful!" Qin Xi still couldn't shake her worry but carried Xiaoxiao past Qin Fei.
One of Qin Fei's bodyguards suddenly stepped forward, blocking Qin Xi and glaring coldly at Yang Chen.
"Move."
Just one word, simple yet carrying an overwhelming pressure. The bodyguard, who had been staring defiantly at Yang Chen, suddenly felt a killing intent so intense it seemed to pierce his soul.
He knew—if he kept blocking them, the consequences would be dire.
Under Qin Fei's stunned gaze, the bodyguard stepped aside, letting Qin Xi and Xiaoxiao leave.
"You bastard! Who's paying you?!" Qin Fei roared in humiliation.
The bodyguard's face reddened as he offered a weak excuse: "I don't lay hands on women or children."
"Qin Fei, I've given you chance after chance for Xiao Xi's sake. Why won't you learn?"
Yang Chen shook his head, feigning disappointment. "I can tolerate your endless provocations. But involving a child? Unforgivable. Since you love sending gifts so much, keep these coffins for the Qin family."
"Yang Chen, you really think you're some invincible warrior? Fine, I can't beat you—but I have money. I can hire people to crush you like an ant."
Yang Chen's calm demeanor unsettled Qin Fei, who lashed out: "Grandpa's orders—we're tearing this place down, even if it's reduced to rubble. What right do you have to act tough now?"
Zhou Yucui, still clueless about the situation, panicked at the mention of the old master's decree. She rushed at Yang Chen, raising her hand to slap him.
"Mom!" Qin Yi shouted, trying to stop her.
Just as Zhou Yucui's palm was about to strike Yang Chen's face, his hand shot up, catching her wrist midair. His expression remained blank, but a flicker of anger burned in his eyes.
"I'll handle this. Stay out of it."
He released her wrist.
Zhou Yucui, a graduate of the 'Academy of Dramatic Arts,' immediately pretended Yang Chen had shoved her. She stumbled back, only to trip over a pebble and land hard on her backside.
Her Oscar-worthy performance began instantly.
"How dare you hit me?! Just wait till Xiao Xi hears about this—I'll make sure she divorces you!"
Tears welled up on cue as she turned to Qin Fei, sniffling dramatically.
"Xiao Fei, please don't demolish this house! Beg Grandpa for me! I'll make Qin Xi divorce this good-for-nothing today! Whatever he did has nothing to do with our family!"
"Fine. I'll plead with Grandpa—but only if he kneels and begs me for mercy first," Qin Fei taunted.
"Really?!" Zhou Yucui's eyes lit up.
"Of course! But your useless son-in-law doesn't seem too cooperative."
Qin Fei knew Yang Chen's weakness: Qin Xi. No matter how her family insulted him, he never fought back. But the humiliation Yang Chen had dealt him? That couldn't go unpunished.
"Yang Chen, what are you waiting for? Kneel and beg Xiao Fei! Tell him your actions have nothing to do with us!" Zhou Yucui's tears vanished, replaced by a vicious scowl.
"Mom, are you really this blind? Qin Fei came here to destroy our home. Do you honestly think he'll spare us?"
Qin Yi trembled with rage, stepping between Yang Chen and Zhou Yucui. "Do you have any idea how much Yang Chen has done for this family? And you want him to kneel to this piece of trash?"
"Shut your mouth!" Zhou Yucui shrieked, raising her hand to slap Qin Yi—only for Yang Chen to catch her wrist again.
"I call you 'Mom' for Qin Xi's sake—not so you can trample on my dignity. Push me again, and don't blame me for what happens next."
This was the first time Yang Chen had ever spoken to Zhou Yucui with such steel. A cold dread washed over her—she genuinely believed he might strike back.
Then, turning to Qin Yi, he said, "Take Mom farther away. I don't want you getting hurt."
Qin Yi understood. Nodding, she pulled Zhou Yucui back.
Zhou Yucui stood frozen. Her son-in-law… seemed different today.
"You have ten seconds to leave with your demolition crew. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
Yang Chen's voice was icy as he advanced toward Qin Fei.
"Yang Chen, I don't get it. After offending the Guan family last night, how dare you act so tough?" Qin Fei clung to the mention of the Guan family like a lifeline.
"Five seconds left."
"You're dead!"
Unable to bear Yang Chen's oppressive aura any longer, Qin Fei snarled at his bodyguards:
"Break his limbs!"