Chapter 61: The Fiancée Sides with Su Chen

The commotion outside the Jiang family's gate soon drew a crowd of onlookers.

"Hey, isn't that Su Yong, the former young master of the Su family?"

"Tsk, tsk, so the rumors were true. The Jiang family's eldest daughter broke off the engagement."

"What a pity. Such a promising union, gone just like that."

"Who's to blame? People always aim higher. Let's be honest—Su Yong isn't worthy of the Jiang family's daughter. If she had married him, it would have been a complete disaster."

"Exactly. Someone as dazzling as Miss Jiang could never settle for a useless nobody like him."

The bystanders' whispers were rife with mockery and disdain, each word slicing through Su Yong like a blade.

Already consumed by rage, Su Yong clenched his fists and erupted. "Shut up! All of you, shut your mouths and get lost!"

He roared, pointing at the crowd like a rabid beast ready to pounce. Yet no one flinched. Once the high and mighty young master of the Su family, Su Yong had fallen from grace. His name was now synonymous with disgrace, and the contemptuous gazes around him only deepened his despair.

At that moment, Su Yong felt the world collapsing around him.

"Haha, serves him right!"

"Exactly! About time he got a taste of his own medicine."

"Su Yong, you spineless fool, you deserve every bit of this!"

Jeers and insults came from every corner. Some even spat in his direction, their loathing unabashed.

Su Yong's face turned deathly pale, his body trembling as the enormity of his fall hit him.

A tiger, once feared, was now prey for the dogs.

"I refuse to accept this... I refuse!" he howled, his voice filled with a despair that echoed through the street.

Just then, a cold, derisive laugh pierced through his anguish. "Oh, Su Yong, what's the point of your tantrum? You're nothing more than a stray dog now."

The sneer came from a stunning young woman stepping out of the Jiang family's gate. Her delicate features were marred by an expression of disdain, her every step exuding elegance and confidence.

It was Jiang Ruoqin—Su Yong's childhood sweetheart and fiancée.

Dressed in a light green gown, her black hair was swept into a simple yet elegant bun, accentuating her swan-like neck and flawless skin. Her sharp eyes and cherry-red lips radiated beauty, yet her icy demeanor made her seem untouchable.

"Ruoqin... it's you!" Su Yong's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.

For a fleeting moment, he dared to believe that their shared past, their years as childhood companions, might sway her. That she might offer him a lifeline.

But all he received was a cold glare, her mocking smile like a dagger twisting in his chest.

"Why, Ruoqin? Why are you doing this?" Su Yong's voice trembled with confusion and pain.

"Why?" Jiang Ruoqin chuckled, her tone laced with contempt. "Do you even need to ask? Our engagement was arranged because of your father. Now that he's long gone, what reason is there for this marriage to continue?"

Her words struck like thunder, but Su Yong's fists clenched tighter. "Is it because of Su Chen? Are you siding with that good-for-nothing?"

"Yes," she replied without hesitation, her voice firm. "Su Chen is no 'good-for-nothing.' His potential far exceeds anything you could ever achieve. Aligning myself with him is the best decision for my family."

Su Yong staggered back, his heart sinking into an abyss of despair.

Jiang Ruoqin continued, her tone merciless. "The Su family remains a towering presence, and Su Chen, as their rightful heir, is destined for greatness. Marrying him—even as his concubine—will bring my family unimaginable benefits."

Her unyielding pragmatism shattered Su Yong's last shred of hope. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"Ruoqin... you've changed," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Memories of their past flooded his mind—moments of laughter, of joy. Yet none of them had ever felt so hollow. For the first time, he realized he'd never truly mattered to her. To Jiang Ruoqin, he was nothing more than a pawn in a game of power and survival.

"All these years..." His voice cracked, his face ashen. "Was it all a lie?"

Jiang Ruoqin's expression remained cold. "This is the reality of the world, Su Yong. A man must rise above if he wishes to keep what's his. Blame no one but yourself for being weak."

She turned on her heel, her green gown billowing as she walked back toward the Jiang estate.

"Oh, and Su Yong," she called without looking back. "Don't ever step foot here again. If you do, don't blame the Jiang family for being ruthless."

With that, the gates slammed shut.

Su Yong stood motionless, the weight of her words crushing him. At last, he raised his head, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.

"Jiang family... Very well."

Straightening his back, he forced his trembling legs forward, each step heavy with desolation. The crowd watched him leave, their earlier mockery replaced by hushed whispers.

"Poor guy. He was once the pride of the Su family."

"Who would've thought he'd end up like this?"

———

Aimlessly, Su Yong wandered until he found himself standing before a grand estate. The towering walls, vermillion gates, and imposing air of authority made it clear this was no ordinary residence.

"Su Yong, you've finally arrived!"

A middle-aged man rushed out to greet him, his face a mix of relief and surprise. But as his eyes fell on Su Yong's disheveled appearance, he frowned.

The Su Yong he knew was always brimming with confidence, his arrogance palpable. Yet today, he looked utterly defeated.

"Everyone's waiting inside," the man said cautiously. "Shall we?"

Su Yong nodded silently, his face devoid of emotion.

Inside the estate's lavish halls, over a hundred figures rose to their feet. These were no ordinary men—each of them exuded a deadly aura, their cultivation levels ranging from Saint Realm to even Quasi-Emperor.

They were Su Yong's father's legacy, an army of loyalists hidden away for his protection.

"Su Yong!" they greeted in unison, their voices reverberating like thunder.

Su Yong's hollow eyes lit up with a flicker of resolve. He took his seat at the head of the hall, his gaze sweeping over the men who awaited his command.

His despair morphed into seething hatred.

"Su Chen," he snarled, his voice venomous. "You've forced my hand. For that, you will die!"

His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white, his mind consumed with thoughts of vengeance. This isn't over. Not by a long shot.

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.

https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y