Yang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing briefly in their depths.
"Brother Chen, should we continue investigating Chen Hai?"
The voice on the phone spoke up again.
"Chen Hai is probably already dead. Let's drop this matter for now and hold our position. I want to see who else dares to make a move at this time."
Yang Chen's tone was calm. Some things didn't require investigation—he could already guess the gist of it.
Yan Chen Group had been under the control of the Yuwen family in Yanjing for many years. Although the company had now been returned to him, true control was still out of reach.
Especially at the headquarters, many people were loyalists cultivated by the Yuwen family.
And his identity was sensitive. Aside from the head of the Yuwen family and a few close confidants, few likely knew the truth.
Now that the Yuwen family had handed Yan Chen Group back to Yang Chen, many saw it as a threat to their interests. How could they easily let Yang Chen take control?
Everything unfolded as Yang Chen had predicted. The moment Luo Bin turned himself in, swarms of reporters descended on the company.
The scene was chaotic, making it impossible to suppress the news of Peng Gang's suicide.
In an instant, Qin Yi, who had just taken office, found herself under immense pressure.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen, acting as if nothing had happened, had already picked up Xiao Xiao and swung by Sanhe Group to get Qin Xi.
"Daddy, where are we going?"
On the way to Yunfeng Heights, Xiao Xiao noticed they weren't heading back to the Qin family's small courtyard and asked curiously.
Yang Chen smiled as he drove. "Xiao Xiao, didn't you once say you wanted to live in a house as beautiful as a palace?"
Xiao Xiao nodded, glancing at Qin Xi beside her before adding, "I do like big houses, but they cost a lot of money. I don't want Mommy and Daddy to work too hard."
Qin Xi's eyes reddened slightly, touched by her daughter's maturity.
Yang Chen had heard Xiao Xiao say this before, but hearing it again filled him not only with heartache but also with a sense of relief—at least he could fulfill one of his daughter's wishes.
"Xiao Xiao, we're going to our new home now."
Qin Xi held her daughter's hand, her voice gentle.
"New home?"
Xiao Xiao looked puzzled.
"Yes, a new home—as big as a palace," Qin Xi said with a smile.
Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up with excitement. "Mommy, really?"
"Of course! You'll see soon."
Watching Xiao Xiao's joy, Qin Xi felt happy too.
Back when they lived in the Qin family's small courtyard, Zhou Yu Cui had constantly caused scenes like a shrew, making noise that echoed through the house.
Qin Xi had long wanted to move out with Xiao Xiao. Now, Yang Chen had made it happen—and with such a luxurious home.
When they arrived at Yunfeng Heights, Xiao Xiao was stunned the moment she stepped out of the car. The grand villa, resembling a palace, left her awestruck. "Daddy, Mommy, it really is a palace! I'm so happy—Xiao Xiao gets to live in a palace!"
Inside the spacious villa, Xiao Xiao darted around like a gleeful little bird, overjoyed.
Watching their daughter's delight, the couple shared a look of contentment.
Qin Xi was still unaware of the situation at Yan Chen Group. It wasn't until 8 p.m., when Qin Yi hadn't returned home, that she grew worried. "Why isn't Xiao Yi back yet?"
As she checked her phone, several breaking news alerts from Jiangzhou's headlines popped up—all about Yan Chen Group.
"Yan Chen Group Endangers Lives: Employee Forced to Suicide Under Torture!"
"General Manager of Yan Chen Group's Jiangzhou Branch Abuses Power for Personal Affairs!"
"Yan Chen Group's Jiangzhou Branch Manager Arrested—Mistress Rapidly Promoted as Acting GM!"
Multiple headlines painted Yan Chen Group in a damning light.
Qin Xi opened one of the articles, and her face paled as she read.
Turning to Yang Chen, who was playing with Xiao Xiao, she asked, "Yang Chen, what's going on? Why was Manager Luo arrested, and why is Xiao Yi acting as GM?"
She knew Yang Chen was close to Luo Bin but wasn't aware of his ties to Yan Chen Group. The headlines had already identified Qin Yi as the woman involved.
"Luo Bin turned himself in. There's more to the story, and he'll be out soon. But for now, Xiao Yi will have to handle everything at the company alone."
Yang Chen paused before adding, "I'm the chairman of Yan Chen Group. Promoting Xiao Yi was my decision."
The moment he said this, Qin Xi froze.
"Chairman of Yan Chen Group? You're from the Yuwen family?"
Realization dawned on her. Her eyes reddened as she stared at Yang Chen. "How many more things are you hiding from me?"
Beyond the pain, she felt a pang of bitterness—even Qin Yi knew more about Yang Chen than she did.
After a brief silence, Yang Chen replied, "Xi'er, I didn't mean to hide it from you. I just didn't want you to bear these burdens with me."
"You keep saying you love me, that I'm your wife—that's why you've helped me so much. But have you ever truly treated me as your wife?"
Tears streamed down Qin Xi's face. "Do you really think I'm the kind of woman who only shares happiness but not hardship?"
"No, of course not!"
Seeing her cry, Yang Chen panicked.
"Do you know what marriage is? It means sharing joy and hardship together!"
Qin Xi choked back tears. "True partners face difficulties side by side and celebrate happiness together."
"Not you unilaterally deciding what's best for me. All it does is make me feel the gap between us widening."
Yang Chen was stunned. He'd never considered this. He'd only wanted to spare Qin Xi the burden, which was why he hadn't mentioned his ties to the Yuwen family.
But this wasn't what Qin Xi wanted. All she desired was to stand by him through thick and thin.
Yang Chen had assumed Qin Xi hadn't fully accepted him yet. Only now, hearing her words, did he realize—in her heart, he was already her husband.
"Xi'er, I'm sorry."
After a long silence, Yang Chen apologized sincerely. "From now on, I won't hide anything from you."
The night deepened. Xiao Xiao had fallen asleep in Qin Xi's arms. Under the dim glow of the nightlight, the couple lay in bed, unable to sleep.
"You're surnamed Yang. How are you connected to the Yuwen family?"
Qin Xi wasn't the type to dwell on anger. Now that her emotions had settled, she initiated the conversation.
"From the day my mother and I were cast out of the family, I took her surname, Yang. The Yuwen family has nothing to do with me anymore."
For the first time, Yang Chen opened up about his past. "As for Yan Chen Group, it was founded by my mother through her own efforts—before she ever met that man."