The entire Yin family huddled together, worry etched across every face. There weren’t many of them, and compared to the others present—people of status and power—they were nobodies.
This wedding was different from others. It wasn’t treated like a networking event, so everyone attending was there either to sincerely offer blessings or just chat casually. The hosts were gracious, the guests relaxed, and the atmosphere joyful.
Only the Yin family felt out of place. No one approached them. It was as if their presence—or absence—made no difference at all. They didn’t matter. Not to the hosts, not to the other guests.
Old Madam Yin’s face may still have worn a contorted smile, but inside she was practically seething. She couldn’t accuse Madam Shang of being rude—after all, simply being invited was already a show of immense generosity. She had to be self-aware. But being completely ignored, especially as the groom’s former in-laws, was a slap in the face. What stung most was during the ceremony—on the stage, only Madam Shang and her son sat in the honored seats. Not a single seat had been reserved for anyone from the Yin family.
She couldn’t bear it. Why was it that Madam Shang could receive her grandson’s ceremonial bow, but she, a senior from the Yin side, didn’t even qualify to receive a greeting from He Changning? Weren’t they both elders? The difference in treatment was glaring. And for a woman as proud as Old Madam Yin, it was beyond humiliation.
“Yin Hao,” she said coldly, “go bring He Changning over here.”
Yin Hao was stunned. “Grandma? Why?”
“Didn’t you notice? We’re being completely ignored. He Changning hasn’t said a single word to us. I want to see how heartless he can be in front of so many people.”
Yin Zhiyuan sighed helplessly. “Mom, just let it go. After today, we have nothing more to do with him.”
Yin Hao frowned. “Grandma, Dad’s right. Don’t push it and risk angering Shang Yushang.”
But the old woman’s face darkened further. “If we can’t get He Changning to yield today, our future is finished. He must plead on our behalf in front of Madam Shang, or else the Shang heir won’t let us off. Just the incident where He Changning almost got hurt—he’ll never forgive us for that.”
Yin Hao felt a chill down his spine. She was right. Since the incident, the Shang Corporation hadn’t made a single move. Everyone in the business world knew Shang Yushang held grudges and settled scores. The only reason he hadn’t acted yet was probably because he was too busy. But once he had time to retaliate… the Yin Corporation would be toast. The best-case scenario would be if the family members themselves weren’t dragged down with it.
“…Alright. I’ll try.”
He grabbed a glass of wine and did his best to act casual as he approached He Changning.
“President Shang, Changning, congratulations on your wedding.”
There’s an old saying—you don’t slap a smiling face. So He Changning gave him enough face, politely raising his glass. “Thank you.” He took a sip.
Shang Yushang, on the other hand, completely ignored Yin Hao. He picked up a platter and offered a pastry to He Changning. “You’ve had enough to drink. Eat something to balance it out.”
The younger guests got along well, and soon the group was chatting easily, like old friends.
Bai Mo teased them. “Wow, talk about attentive.”
Shang Yushang ignored the sarcastic tone. “Here. Eat.”
He Changning took a bite from Shang Yushang’s hand and winced slightly. “So sweet.”
Shang Yushang put the tray down and called to Aunt Qin. “Aunt Qin, warm up a glass of milk for Changning. Add some honey—but not too much.”
Aunt Qin nodded. “Of course. Right away.”
Bai Mo muttered dramatically, “Can’t you tone it down? Save the PDA for your room. Have some mercy on the rest of us, will you?”
Shang Yushang shrugged, unbothered. “Don’t like it? The door’s right there—head out and turn left. I won’t stop you.”
Bai Mo sputtered, “Hey, you—!”
He Changning smiled gently. Seeing Bai Mo get roasted like that wasn’t ideal—after all, the guy had once saved him. “Brother Bai, don’t take him seriously. He’s had too much to drink.”
Su Yang laughed. “Bai Mo, quit sulking. But Changning, you’re already defending him? Careful—spoil him too much and he’ll get cocky.”
Shang Yushang deadpanned at Su Yang. “My wife likes spoiling me. What’s it to you?”
Su Yang put on a wounded expression and flopped dramatically onto Bai Mo’s shoulder. “Bai Mo… he’s got a wife now and doesn’t need his friends. I’m so heartbroken.”
Bai Mo patted him like a child. “There, there. If he doesn’t want you, I’ll take you. I’ll spoil you.”
Su Yang instantly recoiled, jumping half a step away and rubbing his arms. “Ugh, get away. That’s disgusting. I’ve got goosebumps everywhere!”
The newlyweds exchanged a look and then turned sympathetic eyes toward Bai Mo. Poor guy—his journey to love was clearly going to be long and bumpy.
Bai Mo sighed dramatically. “Someone save me already.”
Then he glared daggers at Shang Yushang as if to say, If you don’t help me out, I’ll raise hell until nobody gets peace.
Expressionless as ever, Shang Yushang just patted Bai Mo’s shoulder calmly. “Patience.”
All the while, Yin Hao stood awkwardly in the background, feeling like a potted plant. He didn’t know whether to stay or leave. But thinking about the family’s precarious situation, he steeled himself and said, “Um… hey, Changning, Grandma wants to speak with you for a moment.”
He Changning raised a brow. “Oh? She’s asking for me?”
Yin Hao wiped the sweat from his brow. “Yes.” He kept his eyes away from Shang Yushang’s—just standing near him was enough to make him feel like he was suffocating.
Shang Yushang’s face didn’t change. “What for?”
Yin Hao stammered, “N-nothing important. Just… just a few words.”
He Changning patted Shang Yushang’s hand reassuringly. “It’s okay. I’ll be back in a minute. Take care of our friends.” Then he followed Yin Hao away.
Su Yang glanced at Shang Yushang’s overly tense expression. “You don’t need to be this guarded. They’re still Changning’s family.”
Bai Mo’s face turned serious. “It’s because they’re family that they can hurt the most.”
Su Yang frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
Bai Mo knit his brows. “Changning’s father traded him for a 30-million-dollar investment from Shang Corporation. You tell me—was that a fair deal?”
Su Yang, himself from a powerful family, understood the reality of sacrificing children for family gain. But to blatantly sell out your own son for profit? That was rare. Especially when that son was as outstanding as He Changning. The Yin family must’ve been out of their minds.
Following Yin Hao, He Changning approached the old lady.
“You wanted to see me?” His voice was flat, emotionless.
The old woman’s face darkened, and the anger she’d been suppressing spilled out. “You have the nerve to ask me that? Are you blind? Didn’t you see how the Shang family treated us? Don’t forget—you’re still someone who came from the Yin family. Them slighting us is the same as slighting you. If you want to stand firm in the Shang household, you’d better understand this—no matter what, the Yin family is your true support. You’d better remember that.”
He Changning’s tone cooled. “If I recall correctly, we made an agreement. The day I got married was the day we severed all ties. Would you like me to get the lawyer to show you the paperwork again?”
The old woman clutched her chest in anger, breathing heavily. Through gritted teeth, she spat, “Ungrateful wretch. We raised you all these years and this is how you repay us? You’re not afraid of people pointing fingers, calling you heartless, worse than an animal? Let me be clear—if the Yin family suffers even the slightest misfortune, I’ll make sure the whole world knows exactly what kind of person you are.”
A cold voice cut through like ice.
“I’d like to hear what kind of person my wife is, Old Madam Yin.”
The chill in Shang Yushang’s tone made her flinch and involuntarily step back. Cold sweat broke out on her back. The arrogance and fury she had moments ago vanished in an instant. She couldn’t meet Shang Yushang’s icy gaze.
Yin Zhiyan hurried to smooth things over, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “President Shang, please don’t take it personally. She’s just… she’s old and stubborn. Childish, really. Said something out of line. You’re a bigger man—don’t let it get to you.”
He turned to Changning, “And you—don’t be mad at your grandma, okay? You know how blunt she can be. Just pretend you didn’t hear it, alright?”
He Changning looked at Shang Yushang. “Yushang, I have something to say to you.”
Then he glanced at the Yin family. “Not long ago, I signed a document with them.”
Yin Zhiyan’s eyes widened in shock. He knew what was coming. If Changning said it aloud now, there would be no going back. He quickly tried to stop him.
“Changning, please—don’t be rash. I know we’ve wronged you. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll treat you better from now on. Please don’t—”
The situation had taken a sharp turn. If He Changning made it official that he had severed ties with the Yin family, then even if Shang Corporation destroyed Yin Corp, no one could blame him. What’s more, if Changning didn’t step in to protect them, Yin Corp was done for.
Old Madam Yin realized she’d made a terrible mistake. She had tried to control Changning, to use him as a shield for the family. She thought that since he had once bowed his head and agreed to marry for their benefit, she could manipulate him again. That if it worked once, it would work again. She thought she could bind him with family ties and public opinion.
But she’d miscalculated—badly.
Shang Yushang placed a steady hand on He Changning’s back, silently offering support. “Say whatever you want. We’re married now.”
Facing Yin Zhiyan’s pleading gaze and the old woman’s warning glare, He Changning stood firm, unmoved. Only when he turned to Shang Yushang did the faintest smile appear.
“Alright. The document states that as of the day I married into the Shang family, I no longer have any connection to the Yin family. I, He Changning, have formally severed ties with Yin Zhiyan. We are no longer father and son. We are strangers—life or death, it’s no concern of mine.”
Yin Zhiyan’s shoulders slumped. “Changning… are you really going through with this?”
“I gave you what you wanted. We each got what we needed. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Yin Zhiyan stared at him with lifeless eyes. “Do you really feel nothing for the bond between father and son?”
He Changning’s smile twisted into something bitter. “Why don’t you tell me—how do you define that bond?”
Yin Zhiyan opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word. Of course not. He was the one who had abandoned this child, pushed him away. And now he dared ask for a son’s loyalty? It was shameless.
Shang Yushang swept a piercing gaze over the Yin family. “From this moment on, He Changning has nothing to do with the Yin family. From now on, his name bears only my surname. I suggest you all learn to stay in your lane.”
With that, he walked off with He Changning without another glance.
A family drama had just played out before a crowd of onlookers, all wearing various shades of surprise, discomfort, or quiet approval.
In the corner, Shang Yuchen stood with a mysterious smirk and said quietly to his sister, Shang Yuhe, “Well, I’ll be damned. He actually managed to lock down that emotionless block of ice as his backer.”
Shang Yuhe pressed her lips together. “Ge, you’d better stay out of Big Brother’s business—and don’t mess with He Changning either.”
Shang Yuchen sneered, full of contempt. “Just a male spouse. So what if that emotionless robot backs him? Don’t forget—the Shang family legacy must be inherited by someone with the Shang name. That ice block may be young and capable, but without an heir, it’s only a matter of time before the board pushes him out.”
Shang Yuhe frowned deeply, clearly disagreeing. “Big Brother has been running Shang Group for eight years now. Most of the board is already aligned with him. The rest? They hardly matter. You’re being naive.”
Shang Yuchen scoffed again. “Without children, everything’s meaningless. Sure, the board may support him now, but don’t forget—our parents are still around. Grandma too. There’s no way they’ll hand over generations of family legacy to an outsider.”
Shang Yuhe’s brows remained tightly furrowed. “They just got married. No one knows what the future holds. You’d better not act recklessly.”
For the first time, the contempt faded from Shang Yuchen’s face, replaced by anger. “So that’s how little you think of me? Whatever that cold-faced bastard has, I’ve got it too. Why should he be the one basking in the spotlight while I’m constantly overshadowed? Don’t forget—besides him, I also have every right to inherit the Shang family legacy.”
With that, he stormed off in fury.
Shang Yuhe’s brows drew even tighter. Sure, where there are people, there’s bound to be conflict—but are you really sure you’re on equal footing with him?
