I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain - Chapter 426: A Shift in Attitude

Luo Qingqian and the others stared at Tantai Yaoyue in utter disbelief, struggling to process what they’d just witnessed. Their Eldest Sister, who was usually so domineering, proud, and unreachable, actually apologized?

And not only did she apologize, but her tone was… warm? Almost tender? Was this still their Eldest Sister, or had someone secretly taken her place?

“You’re blocking the way. Move aside,” Tantai Yaoyue said calmly.

Luo Qingqian, who unknowingly stepped in front of her, blinked and nodded quickly, stepping aside without resistance.

With no more obstacles, Tantai Yaoyue’s gaze fell once again upon Wang Haoran. Her eyes swept over his features, and the longer she looked, the harder it became to suppress the storm surging in her chest. The heartbeat she had barely calmed now beat faster and harder, as if a deer had been startled and set loose in her chest.

“My mood was unstable earlier, and I acted rashly. I nearly did something regrettable,” she said, her voice soft and measured. “Can you forgive me?”

Wang Haoran didn’t respond immediately.

Sensing his silence, Tantai Yaoyue spoke again, lowering her voice even further.

“You think you can smooth this over with a single sentence?” Wang Haoran looked at her with a half-smile, clearly enjoying the advantage he now held. Naturally, he wasn’t about to let the matter drop so easily.

“I can compensate you,” Tantai Yaoyue offered, her expression sincere.

“That’s what you said. Then how about ten billion? If you pay that, we’ll call it even,” Zhen Li interjected, seizing the opportunity to take advantage of Tantai Yaoyue’s rare humility.

She didn’t understand why this domineering woman suddenly changed her tune, but instinctively leaned into her habit of bullying the soft and fearing the strong.

Tantai Yaoyue’s face twitched with embarrassment.

She spent most of her life cultivating deep in the mountains and rarely came into contact with the mortal world. Money, especially in the tens of billions, was something she truly lacked.

“I don’t have money,” she said honestly, “but I can offer something else instead. Will that do?”

Wang Haoran raised an eyebrow. “What exactly do you have?”

Tantai Yaoyue hesitated. The words “I’ll offer myself to you” hovered at the tip of her tongue, but in this situation, they felt inappropriate. After a brief pause, she turned and pointed at Qiu Qianwei.

“My seventh sister. I’ll give her to you as compensation.”

Qiu Qianwei blinked, completely thrown off by the statement. Something about it just felt… off.

“She’s my girlfriend. Why would I need you to compensate me with her?” Wang Haoran couldn’t help but laugh.

Bian Suwen, who had been watching silently from the side, suddenly grew excited. She instinctively stepped forward, as if hoping Tantai Yaoyue would offer her up instead.

Luo Qingqian, Bu Feiyan, and Ji Shuiyao each felt the same surge of anticipation, their thoughts moving in unspoken harmony.

But Tantai Yaoyue didn’t mention offering anyone else. Instead, she looked directly at Wang Haoran and said seriously, “How about this—I’ll do three things for you. No matter how difficult they are, as long as I’m capable, I’ll do them. What do you say?”

“Anything?” Wang Haoran smiled, his tone layered with subtle meaning.

“Anything,” she repeated without hesitation.

“Three things aren’t enough. Make it ten,” he bargained without blinking.

Tantai Yaoyue nodded without missing a beat. “Fine.”

Satisfied, Wang Haoran agreed, feeling a wave of pleasure at having reversed the situation so cleanly.

He couldn’t beat her in a fight, not yet at least, but with those words from her own mouth, getting his revenge would be much easier now.

Tantai Yaoyue turned to face Wang Xiang and Zhen Li. Her expression shifted subtly, revealing just a trace of pain and sorrow.

“Uncle, Auntie,” she said quietly, “when I first heard the news of my brother’s death, I lost control. My emotions overwhelmed me, and I was rude. Please forgive me.”

Wang Xiang and Zhen Li exchanged a glance, neither speaking right away.

Wang Haoran gave them a look, subtly signaling that the matter had already been resolved.

Seeing this, Zhen Li didn’t press further. “Since your attitude’s sincere, we’ll let it go.”

“Yes, let’s put it behind us,” Wang Xiang added.

Tantai Yaoyue exhaled softly, the tension in her face easing as she offered a faint, graceful smile.

With the issue settled, Wang Haoran looked at his parents and said, “Dad, I’ll carry you up the mountain first. Mom, wait here a bit. I’ll come back for you.”

Qiu Qianwei looked like she wanted to volunteer, but she hesitated. Her body was delicate, and the mountain path ahead wasn’t exactly easy. She knew she’d struggle just climbing it herself, let alone while carrying someone.

Tantai Yaoyue suddenly spoke up. “Auntie, I have some strength. Would you like me to carry you instead?”

After nearly harming her future mother-in-law just moments ago, this seemed like the perfect chance to show goodwill and ease the awkwardness between them.

“You?” Zhen Li looked at her skeptically.

With that slender figure and elegant poise, Tantai Yaoyue didn’t exactly look like someone built for heavy lifting.

“You’ll know once you try,” she replied calmly.

Zhen Li, moved by her son’s effort and not wanting him to make two trips, finally nodded.

Tantai Yaoyue walked over, knelt slightly, and let Zhen Li lean onto her back.

Wang Haoran hoisted Wang Xiang onto his back as well, and the group began their ascent up the mountain.

Zhen Li harbored doubts at first, but after a few steps, she realized just how steady and effortless Tantai Yaoyue’s stride felt. Her impression changed immediately, silently impressed by the woman’s surprising strength.

“Big Sister, your attitude has really taken a turn,” Qiu Qianwei remarked curiously as she walked alongside her.

“You’re my little sister,” Tantai Yaoyue replied, her voice composed. “I see how much you care about this man. I don’t want your relationship to fall apart because of me. I just want you to be happy.”

Qiu Qianwei froze for a moment, then broke into a joyful smile. “Thank you, Big Sister. You’re the best!”

She still felt a twinge of doubt, but beyond this explanation, she couldn’t think of any other reason for the change in attitude.

Tantai Yaoyue looked at her deeply. “Don’t forget how well I treat you.”

Qiu Qianwei, oblivious to the true meaning behind those words, nodded earnestly. “I won’t! I’ll remember!”

The climb up the mountain was long and tiring. Qiu Qianwei, Ji Shuiyao, and Liu Yue were all on the frail side, and their pace naturally slowed the group.

It was already late morning by the time they reached the cemetery at the summit.

Lin Chen’s grave was newly built, purchased at great cost by Qiu Qianwei and the other sisters. It sat in a prime location near the top and was only ten meters from the resting place of Wang Haoran’s ancestral lineage.

The group split into two, each going to offer their respects in silence.

Wang Haoran and his parents completed the ritual quickly and respectfully.

Tantai Yaoyue, who had only learned of Lin Chen’s death the night before, had grieved through the night. Now, standing before his tomb, the weight of sorrow pressed even heavier on her chest. After completing the rites, she remained there in silence, unwilling to leave.

Luo Qingqian and the others stayed by her side.

Seeing this, Wang Haoran walked over, lit three sticks of incense, and placed them in front of the tomb.

“I’ll take care of your seven sisters,” he murmured in his heart. “We’ll live happily together. And if any of them gives birth to a boy, I’ll name him Wang Lin… or maybe Wang Chen, just to honor you. How’s that sound?”

After a long pause, Tantai Yaoyue finally spoke again.

“Third Sister, you’re the divine doctor. After Lin Chen died, did you find any clues on his body, any traces that might point to who killed him?”

Bian Suwen stepped forward, her expression grave.

“His chest was struck by a powerful palm. I analyzed the residue. Judging by the force, the killer’s cultivation was equivalent to someone with fifty to eighty years of Internal Energy.” She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a sealed glass vial no larger than a finger.

“This contains a trace of the killer’s internal energy. It’s different from ordinary ones, likely the result of a rare or specialized cultivation technique.”

“I wanted to identify the technique, maybe trace it to the killer. But I don’t know enough about all the cultivation methods in the world. So far, I haven’t found any leads.”

Hearing that, Wang Haoran’s eyes narrowed slightly as a thought surfaced.

“Third Sister,” he said quickly, “when you were treating Yan Yuntian, didn’t Feng Xuansu mention the technique he practiced? Something called the ‘Limitless Freedom Technique’? Could it be him?”