A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

It was inevitable. Ye Fan, once a mediocre student, later married into the Qiu family and became a live-in son-in-law. As a result, he became the target of ridicule throughout the entire town. Remarkable individuals tended to be drawn to their counterparts.

In Ye Fan's previous circumstances, neither his father's nor his mother's family held him in high regard.

Although Ye Fan had gained recognition since then, Jiang Yuqing's pride and personality prevented her from lowering her guard and approaching him.

Doing so would inevitably give the impression of opportunism.

Nevertheless, Ye Fan wasn't overly concerned about these trivial matters. At his current level, concepts like closeness or distance, as well as worldly ways, seemed rather simplistic.

"Ye Fan, come. Have you eaten yet? Please sit down; let's have a meal together. It's been many years since we last dined together." Ye Xilan gently pulled him to a seat beside her, initiating warm and familiar conversations about family matters.

Clearly, Ye Fan's unexpected arrival pleasantly surprised Ye Xilan. After all, he was her nephew whom she hadn't seen in many years.

Moreover, the fact that they, despite their accomplishments, remembered to visit her, left Ye Xilan touched and honored.

Ye Fan was guided to the table by his aunt.

Winter had already settled in, painting the world outside in a frozen landscape of ice and snow. Yet, inside the room, the family gathered around, preparing a steamboat.

The rising warmth within was undeniably comforting.

Ye Xilan continued to serve Ye Fan, consistently replenishing his plate. Jiang Yang displayed equal enthusiasm, asking if the dishes met Ye Fan's preferences. He even presented his cherished hard liquor, eager to share a hearty drink with Ye Fan.

Despite the hospitality, Ye Fan politely declined, mentioning that he didn't consume alcohol.

Beside them, Jiang Yuqing observed her parents in this state, feeling a discomfort in her heart. A sense of envy stirred within her as she perceived her own parents overlooking her, while showing profound care and attention to a stranger.

Why do I feel like they're treating Ye Fan better than me, their own daughter?

Nevertheless, Jiang Yuqing chose to silently harbor these grievances.

In this setting, she was ultimately the youngest, so she refrained from interrupting the conversation between Ye Fan and her parents.

"Ye Fan, what prompted this unexpected visit?" In the midst of their meal, Ye Xilan couldn't resist inquiring about Ye Fan's purpose.

"Aunt Xilan, I'll get straight to the point. There are two matters that brought me here. The first," he began, "is to urge you, Uncle Yang, and Yuqing to leave for India as soon as possible."

"As you're aware, doomsday is approaching, and staying here poses uncertainties of life and death. On my end, I know of a place that's absolutely secure. Even if the world were to crumble in the future, I can ensure your safety and tranquility in that location." Ye Fan spoke frankly, not beating around the bush.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xilan and Jiang Yang couldn't help but hesitate.

After a moment of silence, Ye Xilan spoke somewhat sheepishly. "Ye Fan, we appreciate your concern. Mr. Li had already brought up this matter when we were in Jiangdong, but Yuqing insisted on staying behind."

"Let's set that aside for now. What about the second matter?" Ye Xilan inquired.

Ye Fan replied, "Aunt Xilan, the second matter is, I hope you can persuade my mother. Li Er has already discovered my mother's whereabouts. She has been residing in a temple, devoted to practicing Buddhism over the years. I still haven't located Mu Cheng, and I don't have the courage to face her yet." He pleaded, "So, Aunt Xilan, I hope you can do me a favor and bring my mother out for me."

"Why bring her out of the temple? Do you want her to become a deserter like you? Fearing death and clinging to life, hiding away in a corner, living in disgrace?"

Ye Xilan had yet to voice her thoughts when Jiang Yuqing, who had been listening attentively, couldn't help but raise her head. Her eyes burned with intensity as they locked onto Ye Fan.

"Qingqing, what are you saying! Apologize to Ye Fan right now! Setting aside the fact that he is now a renowned figure, even if he were just your cousin, do you think it's appropriate to speak to him in such a manner?" Ye Xilan immediately reprimanded.

Jiang Yang also subtly tugged at the hem of his daughter's clothes, signaling her to mind her manners.

In that instant, Ye Fan turned his head, directing his gaze towards his younger cousin.

"Mom, I didn't mean to show disrespect to Ye Fan. I was merely trying to persuade him not to take the path of a deserter. Considering his strength and abilities, why couldn't he stay and fight alongside this world? Ye Fan, I remember how you used to be always independent and confident, fearing no one. So, why did you choose to be a deserter this time, to act cowardly and live in disgrace?" Jiang Yuqing questioned.

"Previously, you fought for Jiangdong, battled against the Chu Sect, and fought for China. Why can't you summon the courage once again and fight for the entire world this time?" Jiang Yuqing spoke with passion, her tone neither servile nor overbearing. At this moment, she let out the words that had been pent up in her heart.

"Yuqing!"

Ye Xilan still intended to dissuade her daughter, but Ye Fan extended his hand, signaling to his aunt that everything was fine and encouraging his cousin to continue speaking.

"Ye Fan, these are the things I wanted to say. Of course, I have no right to interfere with your decision. But I won't go with you; I choose to stay and fight for this world. However, there is one thing I can tell you. When you were young, undisciplined, and spent your days causing trouble with Fatty, I looked down on you. Later on, as you grew up, you married into another family, becoming their live-in son-in-law. This made your mother hang her head in shame, and I lost even more respect for you. Now, in the face of life and death, you choose to be a coward, clinging to life. I'm sorry, but no matter how capable or powerful you are, I will still look down on you!"

Jiang Yuqing met Ye Fan's gaze squarely, speaking without hesitation.

Ye Xilan and Jiang Yang could both sense that their daughter had crossed a line with her words, and they tried to signal her with their eyes. However, Jiang Yuqing completely ignored their attempts. When faced with the question, Ye Fan remained expressionless. "So, you believe that those who attempt the impossible, like moths drawn to a flame, seeking their own demise, are the ones you respect? Do you think this is the wisest decision?"

In response, Jiang Yuqing burst into laughter. "Ye Fan, all these years, you've been missing, not showing up. You must have been in seclusion somewhere, honing your skills, right?"

Ye Fan confirmed, "Indeed, I just completed my seclusion training a few days ago."

"That's correct." Jiang Yuqing's lips formed a smile, just as she had expected. "Since you've been secluded all these years, you might be completely unaware of the changes and developments that have taken place. You wouldn't know that there's now a method to deal with the Universe Tree in this world. Furthermore, you're unaware that a greater hero than you has emerged in the present world! Perhaps you're not aware that this hero, the creator of the Titan Formation, has reshaped the course of world development. He's destined to rewrite human history, saving everyone from the brink of doomsday!"

She continued, "I can reveal the name of this hero. I hope you always remember him. He is the same age as you, yet he possesses a broader and more dynamic vision than you. In his heart, he carries a more majestic sense of duty towards his family and country. Ye Fan, growing up in the countryside, your perspective was limited, which in turn confined your ambitions and breadth of mind. In your heart, you are primarily concerned with your own life and the lives of your loved ones and friends. But he is different; his heart is intertwined with this world, with the countless millions of people within it. Just based on this alone, you can never compare to him."

"His name is Zhang Nanhai!" Jiang Yuqing declared.