Chapter 186 - 142: She Was Unjust First, So I’m Not to Blame

Chapter 186: Chapter 142: She Was Unjust First, So I’m Not to Blame

Xiao Ran shook his head, a carefree smile on his face.

"It’s nothing. Go buy a phone for me, and get a tablet for yourself while you’re at it. Now that you’re a budding streamer, there are some things we just can’t skimp on!"

’Relying on just a phone to shoot videos isn’t going to cut it long-term. He’d seen other streamers with setups that included, at a minimum, a tablet, a laptop, and two phones.’

’Whatever other people had, his girl had to have it too.’

After speaking, Xiao Ran looked at Zhang Chuan, who was focused on driving.

"Oh right, Chuanzi, do you remember our classmate, Xiaobai? He’s selling phones at the electronics mall now. Could you do me a favor and take Xici there in a bit? Help me pick up a phone, and get her some gear while you’re at it."

’He’d always bought his phones from him. They were old classmates, after all; it was only right to give him the business.’

"No problem. Leave it to me."

"You two just go get the stuff. Tell him I’ll wire him the money."

’He knew perfectly well that Yan Xici was flat broke.’

"What about you? Where are you headed?" Zhang Chuan asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.

"Me? I’m going to see Yan Li. Just drop me off on Nanjing Road."

A worried look crossed Yan Xici’s face when she heard Xiao Ran was going to see Yan Li alone.

"But I want to go with you."

’She knew her sister was capable of anything when her temper flared. She was her blood sister, so Yan Li might pull her punches. But with Brother Xiao Ran, it was a different story.’

’If he really got into an argument with her sister, what would happen if Brother Xiao Ran came out on the losing end?’

"Be good. I don’t like it when you misbehave," Xiao Ran said, still smiling.

’No matter what, he didn’t want her getting involved in this.’

Zhang Chuan knew Xiao Ran quite well. Xiao Ran was just used to keeping a low profile, but he wasn’t the type to back down from a fight.

Besides, he was always level-headed and good at handling problems.

Seeing that Xiao Ran didn’t want Yan Xici to go, he also chimed in, "Just listen to Xiao Ran. Don’t make things more complicated. If you really want to help, come with me to get him a new phone."

A phone was an indispensable piece of modern technology. You could live without a TV, but not having a phone was simply out of the question.

Its importance was self-evident; everyone knew that.

Hearing Zhang Chuan say this, Yan Xici began to hesitate.

After a moment, she could only nod. She looked at Xiao Ran and urged him earnestly.

"O-okay, then. In that case, Brother Xiao Ran, you should take my phone. I don’t need it for anything. I’ll head home and wait for you. See you at our place."

’The well-behaved girl didn’t want to cause any trouble for Xiao Ran. Since he didn’t want her there, she decided she would just wait for him at home.’

...

Ten minutes later, Zhang Chuan’s car stopped on Nanjing Road. Xiao Ran got out, waved to the two still in the car, then turned and walked toward Yunya Company, which wasn’t far away.

Getting into the building and heading upstairs went smoothly.

’Her company wasn’t particularly large. Reality had taught him that not every company had security guards at the door screening all visitors.’

No one stopped him.

Getting upstairs, however, was a bit of a struggle for Xiao Ran.

The elevator required a keycard, which Xiao Ran didn’t have. He had to sneak in with someone else to get to the third floor, then climb another three flights of stairs to finally reach Yan Li’s office on the sixth.

Just then, Yan Li was sitting at her desk, sneering at a video, when she heard her office door being pushed open from the outside.

Her brow furrowed. She glanced impatiently toward the door, ready to let loose a few sharp words.

To her surprise, the person standing at the door was none other than Xiao Ran.

Yan Li froze, then immediately sat up straight.

Her eyes betrayed an indescribable astonishment, but her tone remained as icy as ever.

"Who let you in?"

’Honestly, she had never imagined Xiao Ran would show up right at her office.’

"You’re open for business, and I walked in. Is there a problem?"

Without waiting for a reply, Xiao Ran strode unapologetically to the chair opposite Yan Li’s desk and sat down. He crossed his legs and looked her straight in the eye. "Alright. Let’s talk."

Yan Li was taken aback.

’Who let him in?’

’And with that attitude! This was her turf, not his house!’

’She held all the cards. As long as she didn’t delete the video, there was nothing he could do to her.’

’And not deleting the video wasn’t the only thing she could do. She could find a few more influencers to keep fanning the flames.’

’She could even write a couple of articles about it!’

"What makes you think you’re qualified to negotiate with me?" Yan Li asked, her hands folded on her desk as she leaned forward slightly. "Scared now? Where was all this bravado before?"

Xiao Ran didn’t back down.

He pressed his lips together and leaned back in his chair, appearing completely relaxed, yet radiating an indescribable confidence.

"Let me correct you. I’m not here because I’m scared. I’m here out of consideration for that ridiculous pride of yours. Now, have your people delete that video immediately and issue me a formal apology. Otherwise, what you’ll lose will be a lot more than just a few influencers."

Yan Li actually laughed at his words.

"I really don’t know where you get the nerve to say these things. You can’t possibly think you’ve made it big just because you sold the rights to one book, can you?"

When she finished, she felt that wasn’t vicious enough, so she added, "I’m talking about social status, of course. What gives you the right to negotiate with me?"

’The more uncomfortable he was, the better she felt.’

’She was the boss of a company. What was he?’

’Just some small-time author who got lucky with a TV adaptation. She’d seen plenty of people like him. Really, they weren’t even in the same league!’

"Watch your tone. I’m not here to negotiate. I’m here to defend my rights. If it weren’t for Yan Xici, we wouldn’t be having this meeting here. We’d be seeing each other in court."

Xiao Ran’s tone was still calm, but it had taken on a serious edge.

Perhaps not expecting Xiao Ran to be so ruthless, Yan Li frowned, a flicker of disbelief clearly visible in her surprised eyes.

’If she remembered correctly, this was the first time he had ever spoken to her in such a tone!’

’After all their years together, the man she thought she knew so well was acting in a way she found completely shocking.’

For a moment, this left Yan Li at a complete loss.

She tried to mask her panic, her tone hardening. "You watch your attitude!"

"No, you watch *your* attitude. I’m giving you three minutes. Don’t forget, when we divorced, I didn’t take a single cent from you. If I’m not mistaken, all of this is considered marital property. And that includes your company," Xiao Ran said, his demeanor still perfectly nonchalant.

’Back when she started the company, he’d put up more than half the capital. From the very beginning, he was tied to this company.’

"What do you mean?"

"My meaning is obvious. I can go to court right now and file a claim that you improperly hid marital assets during our divorce, and demand the assets be divided again."

’It was true that he hadn’t helped much with her work over the years. Her success today was all thanks to her own hard work.’

’He hadn’t wanted any of it because he hadn’t earned it through his own efforts. There was no point, no sense of accomplishment, in holding onto something he hadn’t built himself!’

’But now, if this was how she was going to play...’

’Then she couldn’t blame him for being ruthless. He was ready to see this through to the very end!’

Yan Li couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, her blood running cold.

’She hadn’t hidden any assets! He was the one who hadn’t asked for anything!’

’So what was this all about now?????’

’It was true that Xiao Ran hadn’t asked for anything during the divorce. They both knew that perfectly well, but it was just a verbal agreement! There was nothing in writing!’

’So if Xiao Ran were to sue her, she’d have no way to fight back!’

’After all, the fact remained that Xiao Ran had walked away with nothing but the house.’

’If this went to court, it would mean that half of Yan Li’s assets would have to be given to Xiao Ran!’

This was no small sum.

"You’re shameless!" Yan Li shot to her feet, glaring furiously at him.

"Takes one to know one." Xiao Ran’s tone was laced with undisguised contempt. She had been the one to act without scruples first, so she couldn’t blame him for being merciless now.

Yan Li gritted her teeth so hard she felt they might crack.

But there was absolutely nothing she could do.