A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage) novel Chapter 2

Jiang Yang was the name of Qiu Mu-Hong's husband. To be honest, he's just a talented student at school, without any remarkable achievements to his name.

After all, he's still in his early twenties. What could he possibly achieve at that age? Jiang Yang's father, however, was remarkable and held high office within Yunzhou city. Previously, when the Qiu Corporation ran into difficulties, it was his father who lent them a helping hand a number of times. Therefore, the entire Qiu family was willing to toady up to Jiang Yang.

"Ye Fan, what are you blanking out for? Come help me move these things. Are you blind?" Qiu Mu-Ying turned around to scream at Ye Fan. She had utterly no respect for her brother-in-law.

Ye Fan kept his peace and took on the role of mover in silence. Han Li and her husband looked on grimly. Ye Fan was also a son-in-law of the Qiu family and Mu-Ying's elder. But now, he was being ordered around by his junior. It was a great loss of face for them. They mentally scolded him for being a useless piece of trash and an easy pushover.

Qiu Mu-Cheng, on the other hand, was biting her lip in anger. She knew. She understood that Ye Fan was doing this to protect her last remaining shred of dignity. Now, he's the only one being shamed. But if he resisted, their whole family would be shamed.

"Be careful, don't break it."

"That's a bottle of Maotai. It costs more than a thousand. You can't afford to break it." Both Mu-Hong and her husband also held him in scorn. And Jiang Yang started issuing instructions to his brother-in-law because he's afraid that Ye Fan might break the gifts.

In this society, a penniless and powerless son-in-law gets no respect from anyone.

After the arrival of Qiu Mu-Hong's family, their relatives crowded around fawningly. Later, they were escorted into the hall by Wang Qiao-Yu and Qiu Mu-Ying.

"Hong-Hong, rest on the sofa with Yang-Yang and your parents. Once everyone has arrived, we will set off for the hotel."

"If you need anything, let me know. Don't stand on ceremony with your aunt. We are one family." Both Wang Qiao-Yu and Qiu Mu-Hong behaved warmly towards their guests. And Wang Qiao-Yu kept holding Jiang Yang's hand, as if he's her son-in-law.

"Eh?"

"There are no seats left?"

When they arrived at the hall, they found that there were no seats available.

"Auntie and Ying-Ying, there's no need to trouble yourselves. I will just stand around with Hong. We are leaving for the hotel soon anyway." Jiang Yang said politely.

"No way."

"You are an honored guest. How could we let you stand?" Wang Qiao-Yu rejected the proposal right away. After looking round the hall, her gaze landed on Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family. At this moment, Ye Fan had already finished moving the gifts and was about to take a seat himself.

"Hey you, Mu-Cheng. Your family has already sat long enough. Why don't you give up your seats? Hong and Yang-Yang have just arrived and they need to rest." Wang Qiao-Yu informed Mu-Cheng promptly.

And her daughter, Mu-Ying, simply pulled Ye Fan out of his seat without a word.

Although they were unwilling, they couldn't do anything since the host had already made her intention clear. Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family could only give up their seats to Qiu Mu-Hong and her family.

And so, in the large hall of the Qiu's family house, only Qiu Mu-Cheng and her family remained on their feet. Everyone else was seated and chatting among themselves.

Since Han Li and company felt embarrassed, they decided to wait outside the hall instead.

"They are looking down on us. Everyone else had a seat. Why were we the only ones forced to give up our seats?"

"They are out to embarrass us!" Out in the courtyard, Han Li could no longer stomach the humiliation and howled in anger.

Mu-Cheng's father sighed quietly.

Ye Fan bowed his head, his face expressionless.

"It's all your fault, you trash. You've shamed all of us."

"Go look at Jiang Yang and then look at yourself!"

"Why is my life so difficult? My husband is useless and my son-in-law is a piece of trash!" Han Li was once again venting her frustration on Ye Fan.

"Enough!"

"You think we haven't been embarrassed enough?" Qiu Mu-Cheng had finally snapped.

"Yes, Ye Fan is indeed worthless. He's a piece of trash. But, mom. Why don't you ask yourself. Ask my father and ask me. Are we not worthless too? If there's even one capable person among us, would they have humiliated us today?"

Qiu Mu-Cheng was screaming in a guttural tone and trying her best not to choke on her words. She even clenched her teeth to prevent herself from crying. Ye Fan could see that. After suffering through three years of humiliation, this proud and independent woman finally broke down and cried.

With tears streaming down her face, Mu-Cheng ran out of the hall and away from the Qiu's family house.

"Look at your daughter. Not only did she marry a piece of trash and shame our family, and now she has the nerve to yell at us?"

"We can't keep on living like this..." Han Li was still complaining. But while the couple was unaware, Ye Fan had already left the scene.

A beautiful woman was crying by the moat, with tears streaming down her face. She looked as if she's trying to let out all the grievance she had been enduring for the past three years.

A man suddenly appeared beside her and stretched out his hand to wipe away her tears.

"Mu-Cheng, I am sorry. You've suffered because of me." Ye Fan paused for a moment and continued. "Let's get a divorce. I am not worthy of you. You deserve a better man.”

Piak!

A clear sound rang out as Qiu Mu-Cheng's slap landed on Ye Fan's face.

She looked at him with her teeth clenched and screamed in a tear-choked voice. "Ye Fan, why? Why can't you be more like a man?" "A setback comes along and you immediately think of running away. For the past three years, I told you not to touch me and you didn't. My parents abused you and you didn't even retaliate. My relatives humiliated you and you just kept quiet. Why are you so useless? Why can't you be more like a man and teach those bastards who humiliated us a lesson? Why can't you protect me from all these troubles?"

“I don't want to be looked down upon. I don't want others to mock me. I want the people who have humiliated us to regret what they did..."

"wu wu wu~"

Qiu Mu-Cheng continued to cry.

Cold, strong, independent and stubborn -these were the words Ye Fan would use to describe his wife. But look at her now. The formerly strong and independent woman was crying like a child.

"Ye Fan. I really, really don't want to keep living a sad life like this—"

Qiu Mu-Cheng's tears poured forth like rain. At that moment, she looked as weak and helpless as a child.

Ye Fan was stunned.

It's been so many years since they had known each other and this was the first time Qiu Mu-Cheng talked to him like this.

Ye Fan had always thought that he was just a piece of useless garbage to Qiu Mu-Cheng. But now, he knew that Qiu Mu-Cheng had always considered him to be her husband, a man who could shelter her and take care of her for life.