Yang Wei fixed his gaze on Yang Chen with a solemn expression. "From now on, you should publicly declare that you are part of the Yang family of Zhou City."
Yang Chen burst into laughter, then smirked. "Why don't you go ask Yang Xiangming if he'd like me to announce that Yan Chen Group is also an asset of the Zhou City Yang family?"
Hearing Yang Chen call his grandfather by name, Yang Wei's eyes flashed with cold fury, though he masked it with a look of feigned alarm. "Yan Chen Group belongs to the Yu family—how could our Yang family dare covet it?"
"The Yu family's asset?" Yang Chen scoffed. "So your Yang family wouldn't dare touch the Yu family's property, but you think you can lay claim to what's mine?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, making it impossible for Yang Wei to gauge his mood. Yang Wei quickly replied, "Mr. Yang, please don't misunderstand. I meant no offense—I only wished to propose a mutually beneficial partnership. After all… you were expelled from the Yu family long ago."
Now Yang Chen understood. The Yang family still saw him as the powerless boy from over a decade ago, cast out alongside his mother.
"Yang Wei, go back and tell Yang Xiangming this: the Yang family isn't even qualified to be my partner. The only relationship possible between us is master and servant—and I am the master."
Yang Chen's gaze sharpened like a blade. "If the Yang family wishes to rise higher, they will obey my orders without question. If they're scheming against me, they'd better abandon that delusion now—before they get burned playing with fire."
His words were ruthlessly domineering, dismissing the Yang family as insignificant.
Yang Wei's face darkened with suppressed rage, but remembering what had transpired at the banquet earlier, he forced himself to stay composed. "Rest assured, Mr. Yang. I will relay your message verbatim to my grandfather."
Yang Chen gave him an indifferent glance before stepping out of the car.
Only after Yang Chen had entered the Qin family's courtyard did Yang Wei pull out his phone and dial. "Grandfather, he didn't outright refuse, but his tone made it clear he looks down on our Yang family. He warned us not to 'play with fire.'"
"Hmph!" Yang Xiangming's voice crackled with anger. "Arrogant fool! If you were still part of the Yu family, perhaps I'd consider bowing to you. But a disowned bastard like you has no right to demand our submission!"
"What should we do now, Grandfather?"
"Act as if nothing happened. Proceed as planned. We've already handed him 49% of Longhe Construction's shares for free—we can't abandon this now." Yang Xiangming's tone turned calculating. "Regardless, he still controls Yan Chen Group. As long as he hasn't openly broken with the Yu family, we'll use him to strengthen our position."
"If he won't establish his own faction, we'll do it ourselves. Before news of the Guan family's collapse spreads, seize as much of their assets as possible."
"Yes, Grandfather."
---
By the time Yang Chen returned home, it was late. He crept into the bedroom, where a small nightlight revealed Qin Xi still awake, propped against the headboard, while Xiao Xiao slept soundly beside her.
"You're still up?" he whispered.
Qin Xi didn't answer. Her peach-blossom eyes scrutinized him from head to toe, as if ensuring he was unharmed, before she finally lay down.
Her silence didn't surprise him. He couldn't explain the truth—not without revealing Xiao Xiao's kidnapping, which would only terrify her.
With a bitter smile, Yang Chen washed up quietly and slipped under the covers.
Qin Xi was clearly still awake, though her eyes remained shut.
Gazing at her delicate features, Yang Chen sighed inwardly. *I just hope she can move past this soon.*
After finally bridging the distance between them, he refused to let baseless suspicions freeze their relationship again.
Exhausted, he soon drifted off, his breathing steady.
Qin Xi's eyes snapped open. Seeing him asleep, she scowled. *This jerk! How can he just sleep without explaining anything?!*
---
The next morning, Yang Chen left early for his usual jog—only to find Qin Xi, dressed in workout gear, catching up to him moments later.
"Xi? What are you doing here?"
"You owe me an explanation," she said coolly.
Yang Chen blinked, then chuckled. She'd chased him down for answers. "Xi, I told you the truth. Xiao Xiao was just staying with a friend. There's nothing between me and that woman—Qin Yi can vouch for me."
Qin Xi snorted. "Qin Yi's been your biggest fan for ages. These days, she keeps more secrets for you than she does for her own sister."
Yang Chen stared. *Since when am I Qin Yi's idol?*
"Xi… are you jealous?" he ventured suddenly.
Qin Xi's face flushed. "W-What nonsense!" she sputtered before turning on her heel and marching home.
*"Did I really just get jealous? Why else would I care who he's friends with?"* she fumed inwardly. *"It's only because he's my husband in name! That's the only reason I can't let him fool around!"*
Unbeknownst to her, Yang Chen's sharp hearing caught every word. A goofy grin spread across his face. *"She called me her husband!"*
Abandoning his jog, he sprinted after her. "Xi, wait for me!"
He might not know if she truly loved him yet—but one thing was certain. In her heart, he was finally her husband.
---
The cheerful mood lasted all morning, puzzling Qin Yi, who kept glancing between her blushing sister and her smug brother-in-law. *What are these two hiding?*
**BOOM!**
During breakfast, a deafening crash shook the house.
Zhou Yucui leaped up. "What was that?!"
Rushing outside, she gaped at the excavator in their yard—and the demolished garden wall.
But that wasn't the worst part. The machine was still advancing.
"Tear it down!" A foreman in a white hardhat barked.
The excavator's arm rose, its bucket poised to smash directly into their two-story home.