Chapter 197: Rejected

In the banquet hall, everyone's gaze was fixed on Xia Yurou, waiting for her answer.

Xia Yurou's complexion turned pale and then flushed; she never expected Yu Chengye to propose to her in such a setting.

This is nothing short of a forced marriage!

She took a deep breath, tried to steady her emotions, and then spoke slowly:

"Yu Chengye, thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept."

Her voice was soft, yet in the quiet banquet hall it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Yu Chengye's smile froze instantly; he stared at Xia Yurou in disbelief, as if unable to trust his own ears.

"Yurou, what did you say?"

He asked in a trembling voice, a hint of panic in his tone.

"I said I cannot accept your proposal."

Xia Yurou repeated it, her tone firm.

"Why?"

Yu Chengye sprang to his feet, his emotions flaring as he asked,

"Do you think I'm unworthy? In what way am I, Yu Chengye, not good enough for you?"

"No," Xia Yurou shook her head,

"I just..."

She hadn't finished speaking when Yu Chengye cut her off.

"Just what? It's just that you have someone else in your heart, right?"

Yu Chengye's gaze grew cold; he stared at Xia Yurou intently,

"Is that person Jiangnan?"

Xia Yurou fell silent, her silence tacitly confirming Yu Chengye's suspicion.

"Hahaha…"

Yu Chengye suddenly burst into laughter, his laugh filled with sorrow and anger,

"Xia Yurou, Xia Yurou, you really are something!"

"What exactly makes me, Yu Chengye, inferior to that Jiangnan? What's so good about him? Does he deserve your unwavering devotion?"

His voice grew louder, almost a roar at the end.

"Yu Chengye, calm down!"

Xia Yurou frowned and said,

"This is a matter between you and me, it has nothing to do with Jiangnan."

"Nothing to do with him?"

Yu Chengye sneered,

"Do you think I would believe your nonsense?"

"I tell you, Xia Yurou, today you must agree, whether you want to or not!"

"This is the will of both our families; would you dare defy the family's wishes?"

His tone was full of threat, and his gaze grew ever more terrifying.

"Family?"

Upon hearing that, Xia Yurou suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with melancholy,

"Yu Chengye, do you think I'm still the pliable Xia Family miss I once was?"

"I tell you, I've long since cut all ties with the Xia Family!"

"My happiness, I will seize myself; I need no one to dictate it!"

Her voice rang powerful and resonant, striking the floor, moving everyone present.

Yu Chengye's complexion grew even worse; he hadn't expected Xia Yurou to be so resolute.

"Xia Yurou, don't forget, everything you have comes from the Xia Family!"

He gritted his teeth and said,

"Without the Xia Family, you're nothing!"

"Is that so?" Xia Yurou sneered,

"Then try it: without the Xia Family, can I, Xia Yurou, survive?"

"You…"

Yu Chengye was so angry he trembled all over, pointing at Xia Yurou, yet he could not utter a single word.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall instantly grew heavy; everyone held their breath, watching the scene tensely.

"Xia Yurou, don't force me!"

Yu Chengye's eyes flashed with a fierce resolve,

"I'll give you one final chance: marry me, and I will let bygones be bygones."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for being unkind!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a few men who looked like bodyguards stepped out of the crowd and surrounded Xia Yurou.

"Yu Chengye, what are you trying to do?"

Xia Yurou's complexion changed, and she shouted sharply,

"What do I want to do?"

Yu Chengye sneered,

"I want to make you my woman!"

After speaking, he abruptly waved his hand, and several bodyguards lunged toward Xia Yurou.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a cold voice rang out, booming through the banquet hall like a startling thunderclap.

Everyone looked toward the source and saw Jiangnan, who had somehow already stood in front of Xia Yurou; his gaze was icy, and a powerful aura radiated from him.

The bodyguards were intimidated by Jiangnan's aura and dared not advance.

"Jiangnan, what are you trying to do?"

Yu Chengye glared at Jiangnan and shouted loudly,

"This is a matter between me and Xia Yurou; you'd better not interfere!"

"A matter between you and her?"

Jiangnan let out a cold laugh,

"Didn't you see that Xia Yurou has already refused you?"

"You…"

Yu Chengye was momentarily at a loss for words; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to be so domineering.

"Yu Chengye, Xia Yurou is my friend; you cannot force her."

Jiangnan's voice was icy, devoid of any feeling,

"Otherwise, you bear the consequences yourself."

"Your friend?"

Yu Chengye, hearing that, laughed furiously,

"Jiangnan, who do you think you are? What right do you have to steal a woman from me?"

"Let me tell you, in Jianghai Shi, I, Yu Chengye, am the true ruler!"

"Any woman I desire, I have not yet failed to obtain!"

"Is that so?"

A hint of contempt flashed in Jiangnan's eyes,

"Then you can try it."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yu Chengye uttered three "good" in succession, his expression turning extremely grim, "Jiangnan, this is on you!"

After speaking, he abruptly waved his hand, and several bodyguards lunged at Jiangnan again.

Jiangnan stood his ground, swiftly dispatching the bodyguards in a few blows.

A few cries of agony were heard, and the bodyguards fell to the ground,

each bearing a clear palm imprint on their bodies.

"You... who on earth are you?"

Yu Chengye's eyes filled with terror; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to be so formidable.

"I am someone you cannot provoke."

Jiangnan said calmly, then stepped before Yu Chengye, looking down at him,

"Now, do you still think you can obtain Xia Yurou?"

Yu Chengye's body began to tremble slightly; he stared at Jiangnan, his eyes full of fear and resentment.

"Jiangnan, don't be smug!"

He gritted his teeth and said,

"Let me tell you, the Yu family will never let you go unpunished!"

"Is that so?" Jiangnan smiled faintly,

"But I think the Yu family is already unable to protect themselves now."

After speaking, he turned, took Xia Yurou's hand, and walked out of the banquet hall.

Xia Yurou hurriedly followed, her heart filled with gratitude and sweetness.

After the two left, the banquet hall fell silent; everyone was stunned by what had just happened.

They never imagined Jiangnan could be so powerful, that even the Yu family's bodyguards were no match for him.

"Young Master Yu, what shall we do now?"

A bodyguard asked cautiously,

"What shall we do?"

A flash of malice crossed Yu Chengye's eyes,

"Investigate! Find out Jiangnan's background!"

"I will make him know the fate of crossing me in Jianghai Shi!"

"Yes!"

The bodyguard took the order and hurried away.

Yu Chengye stood where he was, his complexion shifting, his heart full of anger and resentment.

He never imagined he would be embarrassed in front of so many people.

"Jiangnan, Xia Yurou, you both wait for me!"