He Changning shrugged indifferently.
“Once you’ve made your decision, just let me know.”
Without bothering to deal with the Yin family’s twisted expressions any longer, he stood up and turned to leave.
“Oh, by the way, I’ve already had my lawyer draft a statement. It’ll be delivered tomorrow. Look it over, and if there are no objections, just sign it.”
With that, he walked off without looking back.
Madam Yin was so furious she jumped to her feet, hurling curses at He Changning, calling him heartless, ungrateful, worse than an animal.
But even if she shouted herself hoarse for three days and nights, nothing would change.
Yin Zhining kept his head down, silent.
He had seen the writing on the wall. The Shang family’s matriarch and eldest son had made it crystal clear—they would never let the Yins manage He Changning’s dowry. And clearly, Changning had no intention of handing anything over to them either. No matter how loud the argument got, it was pointless. His mother’s and wife’s insults weren’t helping the situation—in fact, they were only driving Changning further away, maybe even past the point of no return.
Somewhere deep down, he realized that everything Changning had done today sent one clear message:
Once he steps out that door, he’s never coming back.
He was going to lose this son—completely.
Back upstairs, He Changning gave Aunt Qin a brief rundown of what had happened. He left out the painful parts, saying only what was necessary to keep her from worrying. Once she seemed reassured, he sent her off to rest.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the city lights flickered on, the sky turned a curtain of dark velvet, sprinkled with faint stars. The cool night breeze drifted gently through the air, soothing his restless heart.
He replayed everything that had happened that day in his mind—
Madam Shang’s shrewd decisiveness, Shang Yushang’s composed demeanor, Shang Guozhang’s calm and capable presence, and even Madam Shang’s wife, who, though quiet, clearly wasn’t someone to be underestimated.
Was marrying into such a family truly going to be as smooth as it seemed?
And what about those extravagant gifts from Madam Shang—what was the real meaning behind them?
He knew exactly what he was worth. Even if those gifts were meant to make up for his inability to return a proper dowry, the scale of that “compensation” was far beyond what most could bear.
So what had prompted her to do it?
Then there was Shang Yushang.
Today had been, supposedly, their first meeting.
He didn’t believe for a second that he was so charming as to sweep someone like the Shang heir—someone who had likely met every kind of socialite and noble under the sun—off his feet at first glance.
So what had that hand-holding meant? That gaze, filled with warmth and doting?
He wasn’t immune to it—he’d felt it. But the unexplainable emotion only made him uneasy.
Massaging his temples, he made up his mind.
He needed to talk with Shang Yushang—honestly and directly.
Decision made, he picked up his phone and dialed Shang Yushang’s number.
After two rings, a deep, magnetic voice answered.
“Hello, Changning.”
He steadied his breath.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Something wrong?”
“I’d like to talk to you.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at nine.”
“No need. Just tell me where to meet, I’ll go on my own.”
“Wait for me.”
Before he could respond, the line went dead.
He blinked.
“What a domineering guy,” he muttered.
Letting go of that brief annoyance, He Changning turned on his computer and logged in. His QQ instantly blew up with messages—
All from his editor.
“Qingshui, you there? Hello? Answer me!”
“Qingshui, are you even alive? Give me a sign!”
“If you don’t reply soon, I’m reporting you missing!”
“Qingshui, your humble editor is ready to serve you—just grant me a word!”
“If I don’t get that manuscript, I’m hanging myself at your bedside tonight!”
…Yeah, she was definitely losing it.
A chill ran down He Changning’s spine.
Better finish that draft before his editor really climbed through the screen and strangled him.
After a brief exchange to confirm the word count and deadline, he buried himself in writing.
From nightfall to 1 a.m., he finally wrapped up the work, buying himself a few peaceful days to deal with the wedding.
After a quick wash and shower, he slipped into bed in just his underwear.
Within minutes, he was fast asleep.
He Changning’s internal clock was always on point—no matter what time he slept, he was up by seven sharp.
After freshening up, Aunt Qin brought up a delicious breakfast.
Once he finished eating, he grabbed a book and settled into the lounge chair on the balcony.
At 8:45, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and smiled.
“Hello, Mr. Shang.”
“Hey, Changning. I’m downstairs.”
“I’ll be right down.”
He ended the call, threw on a jacket, and headed downstairs.
On the way through the living room, he was surprised to see the whole Yin family there.
Still, he greeted them politely.
“Morning, Grandma. Morning, Dad.”
Madam Yin turned her face away with a cold snort.
Yin Zhining managed a strained smile.
“Heading out?”
“Yeah.”
“Got plans?” he probed.
He Changning’s face remained expressionless.
“I’m meeting with Shang Yushang.”
“Tch, getting all lovey-dovey already?”
Yin Jun muttered sourly.
He hadn’t gotten over the fact that He Changning had dragged him into trouble the other day.
And now, finding out that Changning had received an astronomical dowry from the Shang family made it even worse.
Why did this good-for-nothing get to be the one the Shang family doted on, while he, Yin Jun, was stuck at home, cut off financially by their father for his gambling debts?
The unfairness gnawed at him.
Seeing He Changning being treated like a prized gem made his stomach churn.
If he didn’t spit a few sharp words, he’d feel like choking.
He Changning offered a calm smile.
“What, feeling jealous? How about this—you marry into the Shang family and become the young madam instead. How’s that sound?”
“You—” Yin Jun’s face turned red with anger.
He barked, “I’m not that lucky, okay? Getting ridden by some guy sounds more like your thing.”
“Pity.” Changning shrugged.
“But the fact that you’re still standing here, breathing and all, you owe to me. So how about a little gratitude instead of attitude?”
Yin Hao’s face darkened.
“Is that really something to brag about?”
He Changning chuckled.
“Isn’t it? You guys sold me off with big smiles on your faces. At least now you get to sit in your executive chair. Try not to act so high and mighty when you’re standing on my back.”
Yin Hao’s face twisted with rage.
He couldn’t get a word in.
Madam Yin finally snapped.
Seeing her beloved grandsons being shut down left and right, she couldn’t stand it.
“He Changning, drop the poor little victim act. The Yin family has never treated you unfairly.”
“Oh? Should I be weeping with gratitude then?”
“Hmph, what’s done is done. No matter what venom you spit now, the Shang family’s given you more than enough. Don’t push your luck.”
“I’m only taking what’s mine. Nothing more.”
“Don’t forget, without the Yin family, you’d be nothing.”
He Changning’s eyes glinted.
“Without the Yin family, I’d probably be better off. At least I wouldn’t be emotionally blackmailed into selling myself off to repay so-called family debts.”
Yin Zhinian’s face paled, then flushed green with shame.
Changning’s words cut like knives.
“That’s enough!” Yin Zhinian growled.
“Changning, I’m sorry. I failed you. I didn’t have the power to give you a better choice, so I had no option but to agree to the marriage. But Madam Shang values you—really values you. You’ll have a good life with them. I’m begging you… just stop blaming us, okay?”
“Heh,” Changning laughed coldly.
“Doesn’t seem like there’s much point in talking anymore. The lawyer’s bringing the papers this afternoon. Once you sign them, there’s nothing left to say.”
Yin Zhinian looked devastated.
“Do you really have to do this?”
Changning’s voice was frosty.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Suddenly, Yin Zhinian shouted,
“I’m your father! What good does this do you? You’re leaving yourself no way back!”
Changning’s eyes turned icy.
“Funny, coming from a family that says I’m treasured by the Shang family and should feel secure, yet also expects me to be grateful for being sold off, and still act as your personal ATM. So what is it—am I your inside man or your bottomless piggy bank?”
“You’re being paranoid. This marriage—yes, it was forced. But the Yin family will always be your support. Why can’t you see that?”
He scanned the room with cold eyes.
“Dad… do you even know your family? You say that, but how much of it do you actually believe?”
As He Changning walked away, Yin Zhinian collapsed into the couch, defeated.
He knew his family—of course he did.
But he’d gambled on that last shred of hope, thinking he might still be able to hold on to his son.
Turns out he’d underestimated Changning’s intelligence and overestimated his place in Changning’s heart.
Outside, He Changning tilted his head back, eyes closed.
The blinding sunlight behind his lids bled red, like fire burning through ice.
The coldness in his heart congealed into scarlet crystal, beautiful and frozen.
Shang Yushang had already stepped out of the car the moment Changning appeared.
He watched him stand there, head back, unmoving.
His pale neck arched elegantly, the subtle shift of his Adam’s apple, the curve from his jaw down to his slightly open collar—
The sharp collarbones just barely visible.
Shang Yushang’s gaze deepened.
His heart stirred unexpectedly.
He walked quietly up to Changning and spoke, his voice low and magnetic.
“Changning.”
Changning lowered his head and opened his eyes.
The deep blue sky and the man in front of him merged for a moment before his vision cleared.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Shang Yushang naturally reached out and took his hand.
“Let’s go.”
Changning stiffened.
Hand-holding—between two men—felt unbearably awkward.
He tried pulling away, but Shang Yushang’s grip was firm.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, he gave up.
Good thing the car wasn’t far.
Just as he was about to lose his patience, Shang Yushang stuffed him into the passenger seat and hit the gas, speeding off down the road.
