I'll Pay the Five Million

Yang Lanlan's cheeks flushed. She was stunned. It was a secret only she and Jiang Junlai knew. How had Zhang Yang found out? Had that pervert followed her? No, wait—Zhang Yang had been at Yang Su's birthday banquet.

I've lived the same day for a thousand years. You think a little girl like you can push me around? Don't underestimate me! Zhang Yang thought as he watched Yang Lanlan fume.

"You..." Yang Lanlan wanted to explain, or at least argue, but this was neither the time nor the place. It was a secret. If it came out, everyone would know, and she would never be able to show her face again. She was a mistress who wanted to keep up a respectable image and get married.

"All right! Since everyone agrees, I've decided. I'll find Dongxue a suitable match, someone who can measure up to Zheng Xinran," Yang Su suddenly announced.

Zhang Yang was stunned. Yang Su had announced it in front of everyone, with Cheng Dongxue's lawful husband sitting right there. She was openly looking for someone to replace him.

Cheng Dongxue was stunned too. She knew her mother looked down on the poor and admired wealth. She knew her mother was vain. But to do something so immoral, perhaps even illegal, right in front of her?

"Mom..." Cheng Dongxue was furious. Even if she divorced Zhang Yang and her mother wanted to marry her off again immediately, she should at least have a say. This was a free society governed by law. Arranged marriages were a thing of the past. How could one be happening now, in the Cheng Family of all places?

"Dongxue, there's nothing wrong with it. You need to listen to your mother on this. Cheng Company is in trouble. If Zhang Yang could come up with that much money, fine. But he can't. Five million! Five million! That good-for-nothing probably couldn't come up with five hundred!"

Cheng Dongxue's mother was making the case for herself, too. If things went as she proposed, she would not have to pay a cent, and she would have every reason to refuse.

"Mom, think it over. You can't do this!" Cheng Lin was shocked too. Her mother might be ignorant, but she was a modern woman from a well-off family. Cheng Lin could hardly believe she would do such a thing.

"There's nothing to think about. I've been considering it for a long time. I only brought it up today because the time has come. I can't take it anymore."

Yang Su's expression turned stern.

"Hmph..."

"Auntie, shouldn't you think it over?" Yang Lanlan suddenly switched sides and spoke up for Zhang Yang.

Yang Lanlan did not know how Zhang Yang had learned her secret with Jiang Junlai, or how much he knew. But he had mentioned the bed, Jiang Junlai, and even Jiang Junlai's wife. It was a threat, plain and simple. If she did not help Zhang Yang and get on his good side, he might lose his temper and expose her at any moment. Then this dinner would take a very different turn.

"Huh? Sis, have you lost your mind? Why are you helping that good-for-nothing?" Yang Tai was stunned. He could not imagine why Yang Lanlan had suddenly changed sides.

"It's... it's nothing!" Yang Lanlan stammered. She turned an innocent, pleading gaze on Zhang Yang, then said, "Zhang Yang isn't completely useless... Look, he cooked a pretty good meal. There aren't many men who can cook these days."

"Huh?" Yang Tai was dumbfounded. Since when had Yang Lanlan cared whether a man could cook? How had her tastes changed so suddenly?

"Don't be ridiculous! Instead of thinking about that, you'd be better off deciding where to get a facial tomorrow," Yang Su snapped. She gave no thought to why Yang Lanlan had changed sides.

"Mom... I don't agree. Whatever happens, Zhang Yang is my husband. I won't divorce him. If you're so keen on finding someone, find him for yourself. You marry him!"

Pfft!

Zhang Yang had been drinking soup. At Cheng Dongxue's words, he sprayed out a mouthful.

"Xiao Xue, you can't say that. It's disrespectful. Besides, my father-in-law Cheng Hai is still here. They'd have to divorce first."

Zhang Yang grinned. He could not help it. After all this time at the table with this family, things had finally become entertaining.

"Do you have five million?" Cheng Hai's face had turned the color of liver, but he remained remarkably composed, forcing down his anger. Words would no longer be enough to vent it. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and slap Zhang Yang a few times.

"Five million... I..."

"He does..."

Zhang Yang was taken aback. Coming up with the money would not be hard for him, but why should he pay?

Before he could say anything, Lin Xiaofei answered for him.

"Zhang Yang, say yes. It'll save a lot of trouble. I'll pay the five million!" Lin Xiaofei said quietly to him.

But Zhang Yang was not the only one who heard. Cheng Dongxue did too.

"Xiao Fei..."

Cheng Dongxue was deeply moved. Not all best friends were alike. Hers was willing to spend five million to keep her marriage intact. A friend like that was almost impossible to find.

"He has it? Hmph. That joke isn't funny!" Yang Su shook her head with a sneer, then waved a hand. "I'm not eating. Let's call it a night!"

Yang Su was genuinely angry, not only with Zhang Yang but with the guests she had invited today.

"Zhang Yang—"

The gathering broke up on a sour note, but Zhang Yang stayed seated, eating his dinner at an unhurried pace.

Everyone had supposedly left, but when Zhang Yang looked up, he saw that Cheng Dongxue, Lin Xiaofei, and Yang Lanlan were still at the table.

Cheng Dongxue resented Zhang Yang's inaction. At a time like this, he should at least have made some effort. Even if he did not have five million, a few hundred thousand would have helped. Then at least he would not have been called a good-for-nothing.

"Zhang Yang, you may not have five million, but surely you have five hundred thousand." Cheng Dongxue was nearly beside herself with anger. Zhang Yang was provoking them on purpose.

Five hundred thousand? Ha. He could come up with five yuan, maybe. I could throw up, Yang Lanlan thought, keeping her expression neutral.

"Everyone's gone. Did you need something?" Zhang Yang let out a breath. With the others gone, he felt much more at ease. He looked up at Yang Lanlan.

Yang Lanlan glanced at Cheng Dongxue and Lin Xiaofei. She could not speak while they were still there.

"If not, let's eat. Hardly anyone touched the food today. It'd be a waste to leave all these dishes." Zhang Yang had spent the whole afternoon cooking. He ladled himself another bowl of Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup.

Seeing that Cheng Dongxue's and Lin Xiaofei's bowls were empty, Zhang Yang filled them too. Then he looked at Yang Lanlan. "What about you?"

"I'll get it myself!" Yang Lanlan immediately picked up her bowl and served herself some soup.

"Zhang Yang, I was trying to help you. Why did you refuse? Do you want to divorce Xiao Xue?" Lin Xiaofei did not want Zhang Yang all to herself. She was upset that he had turned down her help.

Zhang Yang looked up at the breasts rising and falling just above his head. He shook his head with a roguish smile. "No. I'm a grown man. How could I take your money?"

"But do you have it?" Cheng Dongxue was upset too. The chance was right there, yet Zhang Yang would not take it.

"I don't have five million, but I won't divorce you either. Xiao Xue, I'll always be your husband unless you leave me."

Zhang Yang made that solemn promise to Cheng Dongxue.