Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Feeling Wronged

"You're saying Young Master Chen wishes to see me?" Ye Shi frowned, clearly irritated.

"Exactly," the servant agreed with a nod.

"Am I some sort of spectacle? Everyone comes to stare and mock," Ye Shi said, frowning with clear annoyance.

"Shi, Chen Mo Ran is the young master of the Chen family! Even our boss can't afford to offend him. You should at least meet him and not disgrace him," the servant said cautiously, noting Ye Shi's displeased expression.

Ye Shi pursed his lips. In this world, everyone expected respect from him, but none reciprocated.

Chen Da regarded Ye Shi and suggested, "Ye Shi, go see who it is. Let's not upset them."

Chen Da felt constrained as well. They were new in town and unsure of the Mu family's stance. Best not to offend the local power, Mo City's 'snake.'

Ye Shi bit his lip, begrudgingly admitting, "Fine."

Chen Mo Ran ordered a spread of dishes and sat beside Zhuang Yu, wearing a conciliatory smile.

Ye Shi observed Chen Mo Ran's obsequious demeanor and couldn't help but feel disdain.

"You're looking for me?" Ye Shi asked Chen Mo Ran with a detached gaze.

Chen Mo Ran paused momentarily before sizing up Ye Shi. "Are you Ye Shi?" he asked with an odd tone.

Ye Shi acknowledged with a nod, "Indeed."

Chen Mo Ran asked with an odd look, "What's your relationship with Mu Chen?"

Ye Shi grew impatient with Chen Mo Ran's interrogative demeanor, replying, "Nothing at all."

Chen Mo Ran skeptically responded, "Really? I've heard that you and Mu Chen are engaged and that he's sought you out more than once."

"What's Mu Chen's business to you?" Ye Shi responded, slightly annoyed.

"Of course it's my business. Mu Chen and I are like brothers; his affairs concern me," Chen Mo Ran declared self-righteously.

Ye Shi chuckled inwardly. Though he hadn't been in Mo City long, he knew that Chen Mo Ran and Mu Chen were rivals. Claiming brotherhood was laughable.

Chen Mo Ran sneered at Ye Shi, "No wonder Mu Chen's behavior changed lately, almost isolating himself. Was he devastated by having such an unattractive fiancée? If I had such a fiancée, I'd be distraught too."

At Chen Mo Ran's words, Ye Shi's complexion shifted between shades of anger.

"Anything else, Young Master Chen? If not, I'll take my leave," Ye Shi stated coldly.

Chen Mo Ran scoffed, "Not much of a looker, but quite the temper."

Ye Shi had to muster every ounce of restraint not to slap Chen Mo Ran. He left without saying another word, and Chen Mo Ran made no move to stop him.

"Mu Chen has such a fiancée and has kept it so concealed," Chen Mo Ran said with evident schadenfreude.

"Poor Mu Chen," Zhuang Yu sighed sympathetically.

Hearing Zhuang Yu's compassionate comment, Ye Shi felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. He struggled to keep tears from escaping.

Chen Mo Ran laughed, "I heard that Ye Shi works as a boning chef at the inn. Mu Chen really is unfair, making his own fiancée, albeit a less attractive one, work alongside beasts."

Zhuang Yu responded, "She's just his fiancée. Whether they will marry is still uncertain."