He Changning’s words hit the room like a thunderclap—no one could react for a long while.
But the older you are, the faster you recover. The first to regain composure was Grandma Yin. She was shocked at He Changning’s sudden change in demeanor—so calm and obedient for years, and now sharp-tongued and unyielding. She suddenly realized this child, who’d grown up right under her nose, had depths she’d never seen. But no matter how surprising today was, whether He Changning liked it or not, this marriage was going to happen.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she spoke calmly. “Changning, no matter what, the Yin family is still your home. Your mother lived here for almost ten years. You mean to tell me you feel absolutely nothing for this family? Even if we put that aside, we’ve raised you all these years—can’t you consider this repaying your father’s kindness? If you feel wronged, name your condition. As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll make the call and agree to it.”
Such a noble-sounding way to emotionally blackmail someone.
He Changning felt a strange sense of relief. So be it. After this matter was settled, there would be nothing left tying him to the Yin family. “Fine. I agree.”
Everyone stared at him, stunned, not quite understanding how he’d changed his mind so quickly. But regardless of the reason, the fact that he agreed meant things could move forward.
Looking around at the room full of people visibly relieved, He Changning’s heart ached for his mother. Mom, I hope you’ve already been reborn and left all this behind. At least this way, you won’t have to see these hypocrites putting on their show. You won’t have to feel hurt or regret your choices.
“I’ll go through with it,” he said. “But I have conditions.”
At once, the room tensed again. No one knew what kind of condition he was about to drop.
“I want ten percent of Shang Group’s investment in Yin Corporation as my dowry. No matter how much they invest—I get ten percent.”
The first to explode was Cong Min. She screeched, her voice cracking, “Are you insane?! Do you have any idea how much money that is?!”
He Changning chuckled, “Auntie, no need to panic. Compared to the amount Yinjun lost in one night of gambling, this is hardly shocking.”
Cong Min choked on her words. She glared at him with venom in her eyes.
Yin Zhiyan hadn’t even recovered from He Changning’s outrageous demand when he heard about Yinjun’s gambling debts—and his jaw nearly hit the floor. He looked visibly shaken. “Yinjun… is what Changning said… is that true?”
Yinjun shrank behind his older brother Yin Hao, trying to hide himself as he glared daggers at He Changning. His eyes looked like they might pop out of his skull. He’d assumed his mother and grandma had already dealt with the issue and kept it from his father. He never expected He Changning to bring it up out of nowhere. If his dad found out he’d lost nearly three million gambling, he’d skin him alive.
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, and knowing Yin Zhiyan might forget all about He Changning and go after Yinjun instead, Cong Min quickly cut in. “Enough! We’ll deal with Yinjun later. Right now, we need to focus on Changning—this affects the survival of our entire family.”
Her words managed to snap Yin Zhiyan out of his rage. She was right—Changning had to be dealt with first. “Changning, do you really want to go this far?”
“I’m just asking for what I deserve, don’t you think? After all, once a man marries out, if he gets kicked out later, what else does he have but his dowry to survive on? What do you say, Dad?”
He made no effort to hide the sarcasm and contempt in his voice. At this point, there was no need for masks.
Yin Zhiyan lowered his head, unable to meet his son’s eyes anymore.
The air in the living room was so tense, it felt like it might snap.
“I’ll agree to your terms,” Grandma Yin said, her voice final and cold.
Cong Min was fuming, but with Yinjun’s secret hanging over her, she had no choice but to swallow her anger—for now. At least when the dust settled, she could use He Changning’s outrageous demand to deflect attention away from her son.
He Changning had expected them to agree, so he wasn’t surprised. But what he said next hit the room like a bomb: “The day I get married will be the day I cut all ties with the Yin family.”
He almost rolled his eyes at the word “married.”
Yin Zhiyan’s head shot up. “Changning, do you even realize what you’re saying?”
“I’m twenty. Of course I know what I’m saying.”
“I’m your father.”
“I know. Otherwise, how else could you sell me off like this?”
“Changning…” Yin Zhiyan’s voice was full of pain and helplessness. He felt like he was losing his son for good. Even if this son had never been the center of his attention, he had still called him “Dad” for twenty years.
Grandma Yin, however, wasn’t shocked anymore. After all the “surprises” from today, she was almost numb. “Changning, are you sure this is what you want?”
“Mom!” Yin Zhiyan was startled by how calmly she asked the question, like she was ready to say yes if He Changning nodded.
“Changning is an adult. He can decide for himself,” she said, turning back to him. “Is this truly what you want?”
“As you heard,” he replied. “I’ll have a lawyer draw up the legal paperwork. Dad, I’ll just need your signature.” He stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my room.”
He’d said what needed to be said and fought for what he was owed. There was no reason to stay any longer. Turning to help Aunt Qin upstairs, he slowly disappeared into the hallway and back to his quiet little corner of the house.
Silence fell over the room.
Then, all at once, Yin Zhiyan snapped. “Mom! How could you agree to let him cut ties with me?! He’s my son!” His voice was hoarse from yelling.
The old woman’s face was dark as stone. Her usually obedient son was now shouting at her. She couldn’t take it. She snapped back, “He’s the one who doesn’t want you anymore! Don’t blame me! Don’t forget—he’s not just cutting ties with you. He’s cutting off his grandma too!”
Yin Zhiyan collapsed onto the couch, hands pulling at his thinning hair. His chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton—so tight he couldn’t breathe.
Cong Min rolled her eyes. “He’s the one who wants to leave. We didn’t kick him out. So why the hell are you acting like the world just ended?”
“How dare you speak like that?” Grandma Yin barked. “He’s your husband! What kind of attitude is that?” She could scold her son all day long—but it was another thing entirely for her daughter-in-law to speak to him that way in front of the whole family.
Already pissed about the dowry, Cong Min wasn’t about to back down. “Oh really? Did I say anything wrong? And why the hell did you agree to give him that much money? Do you even know how tight our finances are? If we don’t get the cash flow problem fixed soon, we’re all going to starve. Is that what you want, Mom?”
Being yelled at in front of her son and grandsons ignited Grandma Yin’s full fury. Her usual nastiness flared to the surface. “So now everything’s my fault, huh? If you can’t run the company properly, maybe you should’ve backed off a long time ago. Don’t dump your failures on me! And you think I wanted to give that money to an outsider? I only agreed because of your wonderful son. If Yinjun hadn’t gambled away all that money and let Changning get a hold of it as leverage, do you think I’d hand over that much cash?”
Cong Min was livid—her son being scorned by his own grandmother had her ready to explode. Her shrill voice rose even louder. “And who gave you the right to badmouth my son?! Don’t forget—he’s your grandson!”
Grandma Yin’s chest heaved, her breathing uneven. “My grandson? The one you spoiled rotten into a mess? And now you have the nerve to scream at me? Zhiyan, are you deaf?! Your wife is yelling at your mother right in front of you and you’re just sitting there?!”
Suddenly, Yin Zhiyan jumped to his feet and shouted at the top of his lungs, louder than anyone had ever heard, “Enough! Will you all just shut up?! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?! Is that what you want?!”
