Chapter Nine: This Outrage, Oh

Han Qin glanced at Chen Yang, as if she was embarrassed to let him see her tears. She quickly wiped them away and said, “Why are you only just coming home? I thought you were here all this time.”

Chen Yang scratched the back of his head and grinned. “I went out for drinks with some colleagues tonight.”

“Oh, living the good life now, are you?” Han Qin replied coolly.

Chen Yang scratched his head again, choosing not to argue further. Instead, he brought up the fact that Han Qin had just been crying. With a chuckle, he said, “Mom, you were crying just now. That’s a rare sight.”

“That’s none of your business. It’s my own affair,” Han Qin replied, her face grave.

“Mom, I’m not trying to meddle, but who bullied you? Just tell me, and I’ll stand up for you,” Chen Yang said with a smile.

He’d already made up his mind—if his mother-in-law didn’t want to tell him, he’d let her be. He’d asked, and if she chose not to say, there was nothing more he could do.

Chen Yang had never liked forcing people.

Han Qin was silent for a moment, then seemed to recall something. She suddenly said angrily, “Actually, this has a bit to do with you.”

“What happened? How am I involved now?” Chen Yang asked helplessly.

Finally, Han Qin began to explain slowly, “Didn’t you smash Qin Yan’s car? You did it to vent your anger, but today at noon, your aunt called and berated me nonstop, using that new villa her family bought to flaunt over me.”

“So what if they bought a house? Why let it get to you?” Chen Yang replied with a wry smile.

Han Qin frowned. “You’ve lived with your father and me for so many years—don’t you know my temper? Do you really think your mother is someone who’s easily pushed around?”

“But this time, I was at a loss. Your aunt boasted about buying a villa, just to upset me. She even said it’s because I have a useless son-in-law, and she taunted me for not having a son. I argued, but couldn’t win against her.”

Hearing this, Chen Yang couldn’t help but break into laughter, tears welling up from amusement. “Mom, who would have thought anyone could out-argue you?”

Han Qin shot him an annoyed look. “It’s all your fault—you still have the nerve to laugh.”

Trying to suppress his laughter, Chen Yang said, “Mom, to be honest, the only one in the family who can match you in an argument is Aunt Meilan. You two are evenly matched.”

Han Qin was amused by that. “Am I really as sharp-tongued as you say?”

“Mom, you have no idea how powerful your words are,” Chen Yang replied with a grin.

“Not at all,” Han Qin insisted.

She waved her hand in irritation. “What’s the point of talking about this? Our family is being bullied and you can’t do anything about it.”

“Mom, that’s not fair. When Mu Xue was bullied by Qin Yan, who smashed Qin Yan’s car?” Chen Yang protested.

Han Qin looked at him. “And this time? Are you going to hit your aunt?”

“Mom, let me help you vent your anger,” Chen Yang said suddenly.

He was willing to help Han Qin, despite all the cold remarks and indifference she’d shown him over the past five years. He could still feel that she cared for him, deep down.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made sure he always had a hot meal when he came home from delivering food every night.

Han Qin, hearing his words, grew a little worried. “Don’t do anything rash. Are you really going to hit your aunt?”

“No, hitting people is too crude. I have my own way. Mom, just get some rest—it’s late, don’t get sick from anger,” Chen Yang said with a smile.

“I don’t know if you’re serious or not,” Han Qin said skeptically.

Chen Yang grinned. “If it’s real, it can’t be fake; if it’s fake, it can’t be real.”

“Mystifying as always. Who knows if you’re telling the truth,” Han Qin muttered.

“Of course it’s true. I’ve made two promises before—have I ever failed to keep one?” Chen Yang said.

Han Qin frowned, recalling that he was right. The first time, Chen Yang promised that President Liu would call to apologize—and he did. The second time, Chen Yang said he’d secure ten million in sponsorship for Qin Mu Xue—and he did that, too.

Han Qin found it strange—how had her son-in-law suddenly turned into someone who could accomplish anything, almost like a superhero?

Still, she wasn’t sure if Chen Yang could really help her vent her anger this time. After all, how could he possibly do it? She couldn’t imagine it.

Seeing Han Qin lost in thought, Chen Yang smiled helplessly. “Mom, get some sleep, alright? Good night.”

With that, Chen Yang went upstairs.

He and Qin Mu Xue shared a bedroom on the second floor, but they’d long since slept in separate beds. The room had two beds—a large one and a small one. Of course, Qin Mu Xue slept in the big bed, and Chen Yang in the small.

It was Qin Mu Xue’s idea to sleep separately. Chen Yang knew she was disappointed in him and didn’t want to share a bed, so he’d readily agreed.

When Chen Yang entered the bedroom, he saw Qin Mu Xue seemed to be asleep. He tiptoed into the bathroom, took out his phone, and called Shen Donghua.

It was already past ten, but Shen Donghua was still working late at Huading Corporation. He hadn’t gone to bed yet.

He glanced at his phone and saw that it was Chen Yang calling. Without a second thought, he answered.

Chen Yang, seeing the call picked up, got straight to the point. “By the way, the Dijin Pavilion Villa Complex was developed by Huading, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, Mr. Chen. Do you have any instructions?” Shen Donghua replied promptly.

Chen Yang said directly, “There’s a couple living there named Qin Hao and Qin Yan—cancel their contract, don’t sell them the villa. Is that doable?”

Shen Donghua gave a wry smile. “Mr. Chen, selling a villa is a good thing, it brings revenue to the company. Why not sell it to them?”

“Qin Hao and Qin Yan are from my wife’s family. Ever since they bought that villa, they’ve been showing off, and their mother used it to make my mother-in-law cry. I’m speechless. So, first step: don’t sell the villa to them.”

Shen Donghua, hearing this, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, alright—who’d have thought buying a villa could cause so much drama?”

“Exactly. So, first, take back the villa. Don’t sell it to them,” Chen Yang said.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll take care of it now—it shouldn’t be difficult,” Shen Donghua replied calmly.

“Good, just let me know by text once it’s done,” Chen Yang said.

“Of course, you can count on me,” Shen Donghua assured him.

“Alright, hanging up now,” Chen Yang said.

In the blink of an eye, the night passed.

Early the next morning, Qin Mu Xue left for work first. When Chen Yang woke, he found Han Qin and said with a cheerful smile, “Mom, let’s go find Aunt Meilan and have a word with her.”

Han Qin looked puzzled. “About what?”

“Didn’t you want to vent your anger?” Chen Yang replied.

Han Qin raised her eyebrows. “You’ve found a way?”

“Of course. Do you want to come with me?” Chen Yang asked.

Han Qin answered firmly, “Let’s go.”

She wasn’t one to admit defeat easily. In truth, she’d stewed in anger all night and barely slept.

Chen Yang and Han Qin left the villa together and caught a cab at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Sitting side by side in the taxi, Chen Yang felt it was rather odd—who’d have thought he’d ever be alone in a car with his mother-in-law, just the two of them?

They arrived at the upscale villa where Qin Hao and Qin Yan lived. At that moment, Aunt Meilan—Xu Meilan, sporting a perm, a square face, and a slightly plump figure that screamed authority—came striding out with a luxury black handbag, followed by Qin Yan.

As soon as Xu Meilan saw Chen Yang and Han Qin waiting at the gate, she paused in surprise, then immediately frowned and snapped at Han Qin, “Han Qin, what’s this about? Wasn’t yesterday’s phone call enough? Did you come back for more scolding?”

Han Qin, just as furious, put her hands on her hips and shot back, “Who are you calling out? Your children are so successful? Who knows where all that money came from?”

“How my son and daughter earned their money is none of your business. Your family can’t afford anything. Can you buy a Mercedes? Can you afford a villa in Dijin Pavilion?” Xu Meilan said smugly.

Han Qin stammered, “I...”

She clutched her chest in anger, nearly breathless and almost fainting on the spot.

Xu Meilan had struck her sore spot—she had nothing to say in response. Her family truly couldn’t afford a Mercedes or a villa.

She was at a loss for words.

Just then, as Han Qin gasped for air, Chen Yang laughed. “Aunt Meilan, you keep boasting about owning a villa in Dijin Pavilion. Stop pretending—you’re not getting it. And as for the money Qin Yan and Qin Hao used to buy their Mercedes and the villa, it’s all dirty cash from selling medicine through the family company. Who are you trying to impress?”