Chapter 6: You Are Not Worthy

Night.

A cool breeze blew, and the moonlight was enchanting. After leaving the Ye family estate, the stifling frustration that had been pent up in Ye Feng’s chest for years was finally released. He couldn't help but feel a great sense of relief.

He hadn't seen his father during this visit home. But thinking of how his father had become increasingly distant and cold toward him ever since marrying that vixen—even allowing her to manipulate him and send his own son to prison—Ye Feng doubted his father was truly unaware of the situation. A father so heartless was not worth seeing anyway.

Five years of imprisonment had long since forged Ye Feng a heart of stone. He no longer cared for that thin, faded familial bond, nor did he care for his status within the Ye family. He would take it all back with his own hands, the entire Ye family included.

Walking along the street, breathing in the air of freedom, Ye Feng wandered aimlessly. Suddenly, his phone vibrated—it was an unknown number. He answered; it was Zhao Wanting.

"Mr. Ye, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner and, while we're at it, give you the remaining one million as a token of my gratitude."

"Alright."

Seeing that it was already late and feeling a bit hungry, Ye Feng accepted the invitation.

He arrived at the designated seven-star hotel. As Ye Feng walked into the lobby, he was met with luxurious decor, bright lights, and the hum of nightlife. Glancing around the dining area, he didn't see Zhao Wanting, but instead spotted another familiar figure.

She had a graceful silhouette and hair as dark as clouds. Her features were delicate, and her skin was as fair as jade. Sitting there alone, she looked elegant and charming, as if she were naturally glowing.

"Su Shan!"

Ye Feng stepped forward and greeted her with a smile.

Hearing her name, Su Shan looked up absent-mindedly. But the moment she saw Ye Feng, her eyes filled with surprise, followed by delight.

"Ye Feng!?"

Su Shan stood up excitedly, looking him up and down to confirm she wasn't mistaken before asking, "You're out?"

"Yes," Ye Feng nodded. "I just got out today."

"That's wonderful!" Su Shan was genuinely happy for him. They had been classmates in high school and even seatmates for a semester. After graduation, when Ye Feng was imprisoned, Su Shan was the only one who had visited him in jail.

That act of kindness was something Ye Feng would never forget. To him, trapped in pain and despair back then, it had been like a ray of light, giving him the courage to hold on. He had vowed to himself that if he ever walked out of prison alive, he would repay that kindness. He just hadn't expected to see her on his very first day of freedom.

Su Shan invited Ye Feng to sit, and the two chatted happily.

"Are you eating here alone? Why haven't you ordered yet?" Ye Feng noticed the table was empty and was about to call the waiter.

"Miss Su, what is the meaning of this? Aren't you here to go on a date with me? Why is there another man here?"

Just then, a pot-bellied man walked up to the table. Like a husband discovering his wife having an affair, he glared viciously at Ye Feng.

Ye Feng looked up. The man was around thirty, tall and broad, dressed in designer brands that reeked of wealth. However, despite his youth, he was already balding, his gait was unsteady, and his eyes were dark—clearly, he had hollowed out his body with indulgence.

Su Shan was supposed to be on a date with this man? Ye Feng frowned; it was clear that this person was far from a suitable match.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Xie," Su Shan stood up awkwardly, hurriedly explaining, "This is my classmate..."

"I don't care who he is!" Young Master Xie pointed at Ye Feng, commanding, "Get lost, now!"

"Su Shan is my woman. You'd better not have any delusions! Get out!"

Ye Feng had taken an immediate dislike to the man. Seeing his foul language and lack of respect for both himself and Su Shan, he would have already sent him flying with a slap if it weren't for Su Shan's presence.

"Su Shan, it’s been years since we last saw each other. I’m treating you tonight, so let’s forget about this date. Besides, a man like this isn't worthy of you!"

As soon as he said this, Young Master Xie exploded.

"I'm not worthy?"

"And I suppose a pauper like you is?"

Young Master Xie looked Ye Feng up and down, seeing his cheap, street-bought clothes—the total value of which didn't exceed fifty yuan—and decided he was a penniless loser who couldn't possibly be compared to a man of wealth like himself.

"You're trying to act tough and treat her to dinner? Hmph, take a look at the menu. Is that food even something you can afford?"

Su Shan also knew that this hotel was high-end, with a minimum spend of several thousand yuan. Fearing that Ye Feng, having just left prison, had no money, she said, "Let me pay for this meal."

"You're paying?" Young Master Xie was even more irritated to see Su Shan actively defending the poor boy and standing against him.

"Waiter!"

Young Master Xie immediately summoned a waiter and scolded, "How do you people do your jobs? Letting any stray cat or dog in here? Is a beggar like this worthy of eating in the same place as us? Did we pay our membership fees for nothing?"

The waiter, scolded soundly, could only apologize repeatedly. Young Master Xie was a premium member of the hotel, spending hundreds of thousands here every year; he was someone they could not afford to offend.

The waiter then looked at Ye Feng, whose attire was plain, and inevitably judged him by his appearance, preparing to ask him to leave.

"Sir, are you planning to order?"

"We are!" Su Shan said, stepping in first. "Bring the menu!"

The waiter didn't move, instead offering a thin, awkward smile. "Because we have received a complaint from a guest, we need to verify your finances before you can order, to ensure you have the ability to consume here."

Hearing about a financial verification, Su Shan grew angry. "What? Are you afraid we can't pay for a meal? What a pair of dog eyes you have!"

Su Shan said to Ye Feng, "Let's go. Let's find somewhere else to eat."

Ye Feng shook his head calmly, signaling for her to stay calm. He wasn't the type to retreat easily.

"It's just a financial verification, right? Then let them verify it."

With that, Ye Feng took out the bank card Zhao Wanting had given him and told the waiter to verify it as he pleased.

"Hmph, putting on a show!" Young Master Xie sneered, not expecting Ye Feng to actually dare to go through with the verification. "I want to see how much money you have on that card! Trying to show off in front of me!"

The commotion had drawn the attention of other guests. Several of Young Master Xie's acquaintances chimed in to stir the pot.

"Young Master Xie, what's going on? Why are you so angry?"

"Do you want me to call some people over to help?"

Young Master Xie replied, "It's a small matter, don't you worry about it. This kid doesn't know his place. I've already had the waiter verify his finances; I'll have him kicked out in a moment!"

Upon hearing about the verification, the crowd became interested.

"He looks like a poor kid. How much could he possibly have on that card?"

"He's probably skimping on meals for a month just to eat here once, and then he'll be eating instant noodles for the rest of the month!"

"If there's more than a hundred thousand in there, I'll eat this table on the spot!"