My Ares Son-in-Law

Yun Yuyan felt extremely embarrassed and wished there was a crack in the ground she could crawl into to escape this awkward situation.

Xiao Chen took it all in, his eyes calm and still, without the slightest ripple.

He didn't speak immediately, but walked steadily to the door, then closed it gently with a blank expression. The "click" sound seemed to put a brief pause on this heated argument.

Then, as naturally as if he were back in his own home, he placed the key on the shoe cabinet, his movements practiced and casual, as if this were a place he had lived in for a long time.

He then calmly changed into slippers. Throughout the process, he remained elegant and composed, not even glancing at the two bodyguards who exuded considerable presence, as if they didn't exist at all.

His composure and calmness contrasted sharply with the tense atmosphere in the living room.

Zhou Fenfang gently shook her head, her movements elegant and carrying an innate reserve.

Her well-maintained face had delicate, smooth skin with a faint glow, and at this moment, she revealed an expression that seemed tolerant but was actually unquestionable.

In those eyes, there was a hint of helplessness towards Zhou Keying's "immaturity," but also an undeniable firmness.

She slowly turned her neck, her gaze sweeping across the living room, which seemed incredibly small and shabby to her, like a searchlight.

The slightly worn sofa, the ordinary coffee table, and the TV cabinet with its peeling paint were all considered unworthy of her attention.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her haughty demeanor.

Then, her voice softened slightly, but her tone still carried a condescending, calculating quality, as if she were arranging something insignificant yet necessary to be done according to her wishes:
"Ke Ying, stop being so willful."

“You’re not a child anymore, you should understand your family’s good intentions.”

"Your birthday party is just around the corner. The family has put a lot of effort into preparing for it and is already making preparations in full swing."

"Your father specially hired a well-known banquet planning team from abroad to give you an unforgettable birthday."

"This time, to accommodate you, I even made an exception and set the banquet venue in the ancient city."

“You know, in the past, important family banquets were always held at the ancestral home or in more prosperous big cities. This is the biggest concession I can make.”

"Come back with me and get ready."

"At that time, the young talents and true prodigies of the ancient city and even the western region will be present."

"They all come from prestigious families, have excellent upbringing and outstanding talent. That's the kind of circle you should be in and the world you should be experiencing."

"There, you can meet people who will help you in the future, broaden your horizons, and elevate your perspective."

"This will only benefit your future, not harm it."

Zhou Keying listened quietly to her aunt's words, a mocking smile gradually spreading across her lips. The smile grew wider and wider until it turned into a clear sneer.

She understood her aunt's intentions all too well, and was also well aware of the true purpose behind this birthday banquet.

The so-called birthday party was nothing more than another carefully arranged social event, a showcase for those who wanted to sell themselves.

Her family wanted to take this opportunity to showcase her like a commodity to those so-called young talents, to see what kind of "good price" she could fetch and what kind of benefits she could bring to the family.

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, looked firmly at her aunt, and refused resolutely:
"No need."

“I already have my own plans.” “Yu Yan has agreed to spend my birthday with me. I feel very relaxed and happy with her. I really like this arrangement.”

"What banquet, what privileged youth, I don't care!"

"I don't want to live a life where I'm arranged for or used; I just want to live a life that belongs to me."

"That's all I have to say. Please leave now."

Her voice was clear and powerful, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth, full of determination and resolve.

Zhou Fenfang's face finally darkened completely. Her previously carefully made-up face was now covered with a layer of frost, looking terrifyingly gloomy.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze revealing an undeniable authority; her last bit of patience had been exhausted.

She took a sudden step forward, closing in on Zhou Keying, her tone turning cold and harsh, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying the implication of an ultimatum:
"Ke Ying! Don't forget who you are!"

“You are the daughter of the Zhou family, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, destined to stand at the top of society, not one of those wild girls who can act recklessly and without manners!”

"Look at where you live now. People come and go in this building, all sorts of people, a real mixed bag. And look at the security in this community, it's practically non-existent. Anyone can easily sneak in."

Who is responsible for your safety?

"If anything goes wrong, where will the Zhou family put their face?"

"What will our competitors, who have been keeping a close eye on us, think of us?"

"Can you bear the consequences then?"

"I will take responsibility for her safety."

A calm yet exceptionally clear voice, like a boulder thrown into a turbulent stream, instantly shattered the tense atmosphere and drew everyone's attention.

Xiao Chen, who had been standing silently to the side, straightened his back and met Zhou Fenfang's questioning gaze with a firm look, his voice steady and powerful.

Zhou Fenfang suddenly turned around, her movements swift and sharp, her piercing gaze fixed on Xiao Chen as if she wanted to see right through him.

She scrutinized Xiao Chen from head to toe, her eyes filled with disdain and contempt. A cold, undisguised sneer curled at the corner of her lips, the curve like a sharp scimitar aimed directly at Xiao Chen.

"You? Xiao Chen? Ha... I know you, and I've investigated you."

"You are just someone who once had some minor achievements, but is now down on your luck."

"If you're really as capable as you claim, how did you end up in this state?"

"Living in this dilapidated neighborhood, wearing such ordinary clothes, and doing a seemingly mundane job?"

"This world is far more complex and cruel than you imagine!"

"It has its own set of operating rules, a huge network woven from money, power, and connections, which is simply beyond the reach and comprehension of people in your social class!"

"You are like a frog at the bottom of a well, thinking that the sky you see is the whole world, but you don't know how vast and dangerous the outside world is."

"It's not shameful to struggle for survival at the bottom of society; after all, everyone has their own destiny and choices. What's shameful is lacking self-awareness and attempting to make promises that one cannot possibly fulfill!" (End of Chapter)