Chapter Forty-Five: Causes and Consequences

Everyone turned their heads to look at Feng Tao after Yang Meng spoke. Why was Yang Meng asking him whether he was familiar with Zhao Yun? What connection did they share?

At that moment, Feng Tao, having recognized Zhao Yun's face, was seized by terror and unable to utter a word. Even without his answer, everyone could sense something was amiss—Feng Tao's expression had changed dramatically.

“This… how can this be?” Feng Tao muttered as he retreated step by step, so nervous that he fell backwards onto the floor.

Long Mingyang frowned slightly. “Brother Yang, what’s going on here? Who exactly is Zhao Yun?”

Long Teng pondered for a while and said, “She looks really familiar to me.”

Long Mingyang was displeased by Long Teng's interruption, casting him a frown—how could he find a female ghost familiar? Was this the time to joke?

Then Duan Bowen, hearing this, examined the figure closely. “Now that you mention it, I think she looks familiar too… I remember now!”

Everyone tilted their heads toward Duan Bowen, who pointed at the shadow. “Doesn’t she look like Zhao Yanran?”

“Ah! Yes, yes, yes!” Long Teng slapped his thigh. “Exactly, it’s as if they were cast from the same mold!”

Long Mingyang asked curiously, “Who is Zhao Yanran?”

“She’s a hostess from Red Pinnacle,” Long Teng replied honestly. “Our gym has held several competitions and celebration banquets there, though that was before last year.”

The full name of Red Pinnacle is Red Pinnacle No. 13 Clubhouse, a mid-to-high-end entertainment venue known for its steep prices and stunning hostesses.

Long Mingyang nodded in response, not angered by Long Teng frequenting such places—as a business family, visiting such venues was no different from dropping by a neighbor’s house.

Yang Meng chuckled. “Well, the world is small. You’re right—Zhao Yun is the same person as Zhao Yanran. In this line of work, stage names are common.”

Long Mingyang glared fiercely at Long Teng. “What have you done? Is this trouble you brought upon us?”

Long Teng quickly waved his hands. “Dad, you know me—I've always handled my affairs outside well. You saw it yourself; she’s pretty and was quite famous at Red Pinnacle. Many people knew her! Even Bowen recognizes her!”

Duan Bowen cast a speechless look at Long Teng—how could he sell him out so easily?

“Master Long, don’t blame Long Teng; this really has nothing to do with him,” Yang Meng said, glancing at Feng Tao sitting on the floor. “This is your future son-in-law’s handiwork. To put it in historical terms: your son-in-law is Li Jia, and Zhao Yun is Du Shiniang! Feng Tao, speak up! Am I right?”

Feng Tao, his face pale as a sheet, could not utter a single word.

Long Mingyang glanced at Feng Tao with a frown. “Brother Yang, what is going on?”

Yang Meng looked at Feng Tao. “Hey, parasite, do I have to say it? Aren’t you going to speak?”

Feng Tao muttered to himself, sitting on the floor, his words unintelligible.

“Brother Yang, ignore him—tell us what happened,” Long Mingyang urged.

Yang Meng sighed. “What else is there to say? Li Jia sells Du Shiniang; Chen Shimei abandons Qin Xianglian. Since you want to know, I’ll tell you the whole story.”

He then leisurely recounted the events to everyone in the room.

Zhao Yun was Feng Tao’s ex-girlfriend. It was unclear what spell Feng Tao cast, but Zhao Yun loved him madly.

Feng Tao had initially entered a domestic university, where they met. However, after starting college, he began skipping classes, failed to earn enough credits, and was eventually dismissed. It’s quite common—many believe that getting into university marks the end of their academic journey, not realizing it’s just the beginning. Each year, about a tenth of college students fail to graduate.

Even doctoral students at one of the country’s top institutions, Wudaokou Institute of Technology, are dismissed if they don’t meet standards—so how could an ordinary student like Feng Tao expect special treatment?

Feng Tao, however, was undaunted by his dismissal. After all, Bill Gates dropped out, and so did Zuckerberg. He believed his future was bright.

But reality is harsh, and life dealt him a heavy blow. He never looked inward for the cause, blaming only bad luck and claiming the domestic environment was unsuitable for a genius like him.

He then decided to study abroad. Nowadays, it’s easy as long as you have money—top schools are hard to enter, but ordinary universities are a dime a dozen, not to mention countless diploma mills. Many students with poor grades are sent abroad to earn a “gold-plated” degree, returning as overseas talent.

The problem was money. Feng Tao’s family was ordinary, unable to afford overseas tuition. What then? Somehow, Zhao Yun managed to provide the funds.

Zhao Yun, herself a poor student, came from a modest background. Where did she get the money? Naturally, from “side jobs”—a common occurrence on campus. Every university has girls making quick cash through “part-time” work.

But even that wasn’t enough. Zhao Yun dropped out, turning from part-time to full-time, pooled her savings, borrowed from friends, and sent Feng Tao abroad. She worked at Red Pinnacle to pay off debts and earn money for Feng Tao’s living expenses, waiting for him to return and marry her.

This life lasted several years. As Feng Tao was about to finish his studies, Zhao Yun received a breakup letter. Feng Tao, paired with Long Nanyao, had no interest in Zhao Yun. He changed his phone number abroad, making it impossible for Zhao Yun to contact him. Feng Tao and Long Nanyao began a blissful life overseas.

Upon learning this, Zhao Yun collapsed. She developed depression and binge-eating disorder, and eventually died alone from heart disease caused by her unhealthy habits.

“That’s how it happened,” Yang Meng told the Long family. “Zhao Yun’s dying wish was to avenge herself on Feng Tao and Long Nanyao, that couple. You know the rest. Feng Tao, am I right?”

Feng Tao sat on the floor, stunned, unable to speak.

Long Teng asked curiously, “Brother Yang, how do you know all this?”

Yang Meng pointed at Zhao Yun’s shadow. “She told me. I accepted the consequences for her last time—otherwise, do you really think she would let that couple off so easily…” He paused. “You get my meaning. I actually admire Feng Tao—what kind of magic does he have to make women fall so madly for him?”

Long Mingyang glanced at Feng Tao. He was too shrewd to bother confirming Yang Meng’s story—Feng Tao’s reaction said it all.

“Feng Tao, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Long Mingyang asked coldly.

Feng Tao seized the opportunity as if grabbing a lifeline. “Uncle Long! I admit I had a history with Zhao Yun, but you can see for yourself—she’s obsessive, nothing like Yao Yao! Marriage is a lifelong commitment; I must be responsible for myself. Is it wrong to want a better woman? Yes, I benefited from her, but when we broke up, I intended to repay the money with interest—she refused! I know what you worry about: you fear I’m after the Long family’s wealth. But when I met Yao Yao, I had no idea about her family’s status. I was a rising financial star abroad and could have stayed there! I returned for Yao Yao. Only then did I learn about your family’s background. As men, you should understand my love for Yao Yao!”

“Oh? You didn’t know Long Nanyao’s family situation?” Yang Meng suddenly interjected.

Feng Tao glared at Yang Meng, blaming him for the predicament. “Of course! Yao Yao lived very low-key abroad! I always paid for our dates—how could I know her family background? Uncle Long can vouch for this; Yao Yao told them!”

Long Teng nodded. “Brother Yang, Yao Yao did mention this.”

Yang Meng looked at Long Teng with disdain. “Call you foolish, but you're sharp; call you sharp, but you say things that show your lack of sense! I said earlier this had little to do with you, not that it had nothing to do with you! I haven’t even begun on you, yet you jump out on your own.”

“Brother Yang, please clarify things for everyone,” Long Mingyang urged.

Yang Meng reached for Long Teng’s wallet, leaving Long Teng bewildered. He had no idea what Yang Meng was up to.

“What’s this?” Yang Meng pulled out a photo. “You look pretty silly here!” The photo showed Long Teng and his siblings with Duan Bowen.

Yang Meng smiled. “You bragged to Zhao Yun at Red Pinnacle, after drinking, that her boyfriend was abroad in the same city as Long Nanyao. You got drunk, forgot your own name, and showed her your photo—need I say more? Feng Tao, don’t play tricks with me. The dead don’t lie!”

“You’re slandering me! You have no evidence!” Feng Tao protested, unwilling to accept defeat.

Yang Meng grinned, pointing at Long Mingyang and the others. “Do you think these people standing before you care about evidence?” Seeing their eyes turn to him, Yang Meng shrugged. “Oops, I accidentally spoke the truth.”

Long Mingyang laughed. “If it’s the truth, why apologize? How can this matter be resolved completely?”

Yang Meng glanced at Feng Tao, then uttered three words: “A ghost marriage.”