In the provincial city of Jiangping, inside a luxurious villa.
A young man around thirty years old sat on a high-end leather sofa, holding a glass of rare imported liquor in one hand and a phone in the other.
Upon hearing Wei Xiang's report, his face showed no surprise. He simply smiled faintly and said, "In that case, I'll meet him personally!"
This young man was none other than Meng Hui, a scion of the Meng family, one of the prominent wealthy clans in the provincial capital.
After hanging up, Meng Hui's lips curled slightly. "There's nothing I, Meng Hui, have ever wanted that I couldn't obtain."
---
Meanwhile, as soon as Yang Chen returned to the villa, Zhou Yu Cui hurried over to him.
She had witnessed everything that happened outside earlier, but upon learning that the other party was from the Wei family, she hadn't dared to step out.
"Yang Chen, be honest—how much money do you still have?"
Instead of being grateful that Yang Chen had allowed her to stay, Zhou Yu Cui immediately began eyeing his wealth.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Qin Xi snapped, furious. She already felt guilty enough that Yang Chen had let the whole family live here, yet her mother remained as shameless as ever.
Qin Yi sneered, "Sis, you know exactly what kind of person she is. Now that she sees Brother-in-law can afford such a big villa, of course she's eyeing his money!"
"I'm doing this for you!" Zhou Yu Cui retorted without a hint of shame. "Five years ago, what kind of man was Yang Chen? Before marrying you, he was penniless. Now that he has money, it's still considered marital property!"
She even had the audacity to say this right in front of Yang Chen. "So everything he owns now is half yours. If we don't settle this now, won't you suffer a huge loss if you divorce later?"
Yang Chen was long accustomed to Zhou Yu Cui's shamelessness. To him, she was nothing more than an ant—wasting time on her wasn't worth it.
"Mom, how can you say something so disgraceful?" Qin Xi stared at her in disbelief. "Besides, what does Yang Chen's wealth have to do with me? If you keep acting like this, move out!"
Though Qin Xi knew her mother's nature, hearing these words still infuriated her.
Tears welled up in her eyes from anger, and Qin Yi was equally livid. "All you care about is money. You claim it's for Sis, but it's really for yourself. You're just afraid Brother-in-law might kick you out one day, and you'll lose this luxurious villa."
"Shut up!" Zhou Yu Cui snapped, her face red with rage. "After raising you all these years, this is the thanks I get? Ungrateful brats!"
She then glared at Yang Chen. "Don't think this is over. If you don't come clean about how much money you have, I won't let this go."
With that, she stomped back to her room.
"Sis, don't cry. Getting angry at someone like her, who's obsessed with money, isn't worth it."
Qin Yi hugged Qin Xi, trying to comfort her, though her own eyes were red with unshed tears.
Yang Chen sighed. How could a mother like Zhou Yu Cui have raised such sensible daughters as Qin Xi and Qin Yi?
Perhaps it was because she had never truly cared for them. They had learned to face everything on their own from a young age, which was why they turned out so responsible.
---
By the time the family finished settling in, the morning had passed.
Zhou Yu Cui resumed her usual leisurely lifestyle, lounging on the sofa watching TV, eating and drinking without a care. The coffee table was littered with fruit peels and nut shells—clearly, she had no intention of making lunch.
"Sis, I'm going out for lunch. I'll head straight to the company afterward."
After tidying her room, Qin Yi stopped by Qin Xi's room to say goodbye before leaving Cloud Peak Summit.
Qin Xi, still upset, turned to Yang Chen with reddened eyes. "Yang Chen, I'm sorry. My mom is just… like this. In a few days, I'll arrange for her and Dad to move into a mortgaged apartment outside."
Zhou Yu Cui had already drained Qin Xi financially. Despite being the general manager of Sanhe Group, she couldn't even afford to buy an ordinary apartment outright.
"Xiao Xi, I've told you before—you're my wife. Anything and anyone connected to you is connected to me."
Yang Chen looked at her gently. "No matter what kind of person Mom is, as long as she doesn't hurt you or Xiao Xiao, I won't do anything to her."
"But she's always hurting you."
Qin Xi was moved but also felt Yang Chen deserved better.
Yang Chen smiled faintly. "So what? She can't actually do anything—just talk. And with my thick skin, what does it matter if she scolds me a little?"
"Pfft!"
Qin Xi finally laughed, giving him an exasperated glance. "Your skin really is thick."
Her smile was radiant.
Yang Chen was momentarily stunned. It might have been the first time he'd seen Qin Xi smile at him like this.
"My face isn't a flower. What are you staring at?"
Blushing under his gaze, Qin Xi looked adorable.
"You're beautiful when you smile."
Yang Chen's expression was one of pure contentment.
Qin Xi suddenly felt her nose sting. Looking at this man, she wasn't sure what she felt, but guilt was definitely part of it.
In truth, he didn't ask for much. Just a smile from her could make him so happy.
The icy walls in the depths of Qin Xi's heart melted completely at that moment.
"Take me out for lunch."
She sniffled, trying to hide her emotions, but a faint curve tugged at her lips as she spoke in a haughty tone.
This was the first time Yang Chen had felt so lighthearted. As he drove the low-key Volkswagen Phaeton, he even hummed a tune, his eyes crinkling with happiness.
"So silly."
Qin Xi secretly smiled to herself.
---
After lunch, at Qin Xi's insistence, Yang Chen dropped her off at Sanhe Group.
For Qin Xi, working harder was the only way to repay Yang Chen's efforts.
Meanwhile, Qin Yi was also doubling down on her work—all to keep up with Yang Chen's pace.
---
At Yan Chen Group, in the top-floor conference room.
Luo Bin sat at the head of the table, addressing the employees of the branch company.
"Today's meeting is to announce a personnel appointment."
His gaze swept over the room, his expression solemn.
Amid everyone's anticipation, Luo Bin personally announced the decision:
"In light of the company's operational needs, after deliberation, the following appointment is hereby made:
"Qin Yi is appointed as Deputy General Manager of Yan Chen Group's Jiangzhou Branch, assisting the General Manager in daily management operations.
"This appointment takes effect immediately upon announcement."
The moment the announcement was made, the room erupted in shock—even Qin Yi was taken aback.
"President Luo, I object to this appointment!"
Suddenly, someone stood up, openly expressing dissatisfaction.