Chapter 16

Even after Shang Yushang dropped him off, He Changning still couldn’t figure out what exactly he meant by that last comment.

When he walked into the living room, he saw the lawyer sitting on the couch alongside Old Madam Yin, Yin Zhinen, and Cong Min. He quickly pushed aside the storm in his head and greeted them all with a calm nod.

The lawyer pulled out the prepared documents and read them aloud in front of everyone.
In summary: Ten percent of the Shang Group’s investment into Yin Corp would go directly to He Changning.
This transfer would also serve as a legal severance of father-son ties between He Changning and Yin Zhinen. From the date He Changning formally left the Yin family, their lives and deaths would no longer concern one another.

Old Madam Yin’s expression was dark and thunderous. Cong Min looked like her face had twisted itself into a knot out of rage.

Yin Zhinen didn’t look any better. Even though he knew there was no changing He Changning’s mind, he still asked with a trace of hope,
“Changning, do you really have to do this?”

He Changning was calm—coldly calm. He’d long since given up on the idea of a father-son relationship.
“I don’t think there’s anything left to discuss.”

That detached tone lit a fire in Yin Zhinen. He shot to his feet and pointed a trembling finger at He Changning, yelling,
“I raised you all these years, and this is how you repay me? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? You really don’t care at all about our blood ties?
Search your heart—aside from this marriage matter, when have I ever wronged you?
Do you think I wanted to humiliate myself by marrying off my own son to someone else? I had no choice!
And now you just won’t let it go?!
Once you walk out that door, you’re nothing.
You think just because the Shang family’s backing you, you can do whatever you want?
What happens when they get tired of you and throw you out?
Have you even thought about who you’ll turn to then?”

His furious voice echoed around the living room.

But even in the face of that hysteria, He Changning remained composed.

It was like punching cotton—no resistance, no reaction.
Yin Zhinen’s energy drained all at once and he collapsed back onto the couch.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
He asked it like a question, but his tone said he already knew the answer.

He Changning didn’t deny it. He didn’t confirm it either.
He simply pushed the document and pen across the table toward Yin Zhinen and said in a clear, cool voice,
“Sign it.”

The lawyer, ever the professional, took the signed documents, exchanged brief farewells, and left.

He Changning had no desire to linger either. Without another word, he turned and headed upstairs.

Yin Zhinen walked out a few minutes later, shoulders slumped.

In the living room, mother- and daughter-in-law sat face-to-face, their faces twisted with spite.

“That little bastard is not getting his way,” Cong Min hissed through clenched teeth.

Old Madam Yin’s bony face twitched uncontrollably with anger.
“Hmph. He wants to take something from the Yin family? He’ll have to get past me first.”

“You’re right, Mom. You have to stop him. We can’t let him take a single cent from us!”

The old woman’s face contorted into a twisted mask of calculation.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let him win.”

Cong Min’s eyes lit up.
“You’ve got a plan, Mom?”

The two of them—usually at each other’s throats—now bowed their heads and conspired, plotting how best to sabotage He Changning.

But He Changning couldn’t care less what tricks the Yins were cooking up.

He had just reached the top of the stairs when his phone rang.

It was Shang Yushang.

“What are you doing?”

“Just finished tying up a few things. The process wasn’t pleasant, but the result was what I wanted.”
He didn’t know when it started, but it had become second nature to share things with this man. He frowned at the realization.

“Changning, you still have me.”
Shang Yushang wasn’t the best at comforting others, but when he spoke—especially about He Changning—it was always from the heart.

“Mm.”
No grand promises. Just a simple sentence. But somehow, it settled something inside him.

“The evaluation report from Yin Corp just came in.”

“How much did they ask for?”

“Yin Corp took on a few construction projects but hasn’t received full payment yet.
They landed a major city government contract. Although the initial phase has been funded, that’s only a small portion—the rest has to be fronted by them.
They’ll only get reimbursed once the project passes inspection.
Yin Corp doesn’t have the capital to sustain that kind of cash flow.
Taking on the contract anyway is a gamble—and if no one injects more funding, they’ll collapse.
Once the capital chain breaks, they’ll default on their debts.
And when that happens, the legal rep gets hit with a financial lawsuit.
Prison would be the final stop.”

He Changning nodded slowly.
“From what I know, city government projects don’t generate much profit.
So Yin Corp took the job probably just to boost their name in the industry.”

“Exactly. And it was all driven by Yin Hao.
He spearheaded the bidding process, pulled every string, and paid no small price to win that contract.
But the upfront funds barely scratch the surface of what they need.
So now they have to raise money.
And this kind of low-reward, high-risk deal? Most smart investors wouldn’t touch it.
That’s why they’re coming after you.”

He Changning sighed in exasperation.
“So then, President Shang, how much am I worth, exactly?”

A low, velvety chuckle came through the phone.
“Haha. I like when you talk to me like this.
Feels like we’ve known each other for years.”

He Changning rolled his eyes.
“Cut the nonsense. Just tell me—how much?”

“They asked for thirty million.
The valuation report was written by Yin Hao.”

That raised a red flag.
“Wow. What a greedy lion’s mouth. Not even trying to be subtle, huh?
The project only needs twenty million, and they’re asking for thirty?
President Shang, they really must think you’re an idiot.”
He paused.
“And Yin Hao… What a schemer.
Pulling strings behind the scenes—classic Yin family behavior.
They treat everyone like stepping stones, but some stones… you step on them, and you fall so hard you break into pieces.”

The way He Changning was standing up for him made Shang Yushang’s heart swell.
Money wasn’t an issue—he had billions in assets.
Yin Corp’s request was pocket change to him.
But the fact that Changning was upset on his behalf, the fact that he cared—it meant the world.
It showed he mattered to Changning.
They weren’t just casual acquaintances anymore.
They were people who cared about each other.
And if things kept going like this, it was only a matter of time before they truly became lovers—built on mutual trust and reliance.

“Oh! One more thing.
If they’re bold enough to fudge the valuation report, what if the one they send me says the project only needs ten million?
Good thing I talked to you first. Otherwise, I’d be taking a real hit.”

“Don’t worry, Changning.
With me here, you won’t lose a single cent.”

He looked at his phone, warmth bubbling in his chest.

Somehow… this man didn’t seem so bad after all.
He even made He Changning feel strangely… safe.

“Mm.”