SPMW 11 â The Yin Family Members are like cockroaches who refuses to die
The Yin family members who did not gain too many benefits from the meeting promptly ended the gathering.
Old Madam Shang along with her son, his wife, and her grandson sent Elder Yinâs family off. When they returned to the family mansion. They all sat together in the living room.
During the meal earlier, Qiu Huilin, who remained silent throughout practically the entire gathering, was now having problems holding back. Although sheâs scared of old Madam Shang, there were some things she had to ask. So, she carefully chose her words, âMum, why are you so happy today?â
Knowing what her daughter-in-law was thinking, old Madam Shang did not beat around the bush, âYouâre asking why I gave so many betrothal gifts to Changning?â
When dealing with old Madam Shang, Qiu Huilin always had a fear of her. Every glance old Madam Shang sent her way would make her heart beat faster, âNo, itâs just, it seems that mum has high regards for that He Changning.â
âHm, I do like that child, Changning a lot. Although heâs quite young, but heâs very stable, has a good disposition, intelligent and those good looks. Heâs very compatible with Yushang.â
âBut, he is a boy after all.â
âYou mean, Changning and Yushang are both male, although theyâre getting married, it would not last long, and that giving Changning that many gifts would be a big waste, is it?â
âMum, thatâs not what I meant. I just think that two men getting together, itâs not a long-term plan after all. You know with Yushangâs temper, plus he didnât seem to like men. Forcing them together is not a good plan in the end. Till then, the Shang familyâs loss might be a minor issue, but our reputation would be affected.â
âHow did you know that Yushang did not like Changning?â
âAh?â
Old Madam Shang ignored her daughter-in-law, âGuozhang, do you have the same thoughts as well?â
Shang Guozhang, âYes, mum. Can you explain?â
âWhy? Did you think thereâs a story behind all this?â
âHm. Otherwise according to mumâs personality, you wouldnât have given that big of a surprise on the first meeting. Although Changning was indeed a very nice child, but heâs not that excellent.â
Old Madam Shang chuckled at her son, âIndeed, like what youâve said. Changning is a good child, but your mother isnât a silly old woman. Dealing with a child that weâve just met, Iâm not as childish to think that giving all that benefit would make him loyal to Yushang.â
âThen, why did youâŚ?â Shang Guozhang blinked his eyes, âWas it because of, the He family?â
Old Madam Shang nodded her head in agreement, âHm, it is indeed because of the He family.â
Qiu Huilin looked at her mother-in-law puzzledly, âSo what mum meant was, He Changningâs external grandparentâs family?â
Shang Guozhang continued, âHuilin, the Shang family and He family are long time friends. When my father was around, he was like brothers with the He familyâs old man.â
âBut, according to what I know, He Changningâs mother had already severed ties with the He family when she married his father. Then, mum, why are you doing this for?â
âAlthough Changningâs mother had already severed ties with the He family, but no one knows what would happen in this world.â Old Madam Shang smiled mysteriously, âPerhaps, there might be some changes soon, youâll never know.â
âBut, mum, what has that got to do with the betrothal gifts youâre giving?â
âBack when your grandfather was a young lad, there were some problems with Shang Enterprise. It was thanks to old man He back then who gave us a hand that saved him and the Shang family. The favor we owed back then, I want Changning to received it.â
âThere must be some other grandsons in the He family. Plus, Changningâs position with the He family seems a bit too awkward right now. Even if mum wants to repay that favor, wouldnât it be better to just contact the He family directly instead?â
Old Madam Shang shook her head, âThe He family only had one daughter which was Changningâs mother at that generation. Plus, what happen back then wasnât what the outsiders were saying. Putting aside the details, in any case, Changningâs betrothal gifts are for the reasons between us and the He family, and because Changning is worth my effort to do so.â
Old Madam Shangâs âworthâ made Shang Guozhang pondered in deep thoughts, he recalled all the details that happened earlier and suddenly remembered something. He looked up and faced old Madam Shang in shock, âMum, did you notice anything?â
Old Madam Shang giggled, âWhat do you think?â
Shang Guozhang felt unbelievable, but things were all making sense now, âIs that true?â
âJust wait and see, weâll find out.â
Shang Guozhang suddenly smiled in gratification, âIf thatâs really the case, mum, I wonât object against it. Itâs just that theyâŚâ
Old Madam Shang mysteriously smiled, âEverythingâs still an unknown, what will happen in the future, just wait and see. As for other matters, why not just let nature takes its course?â
The mother and son conversation was like a guessing game, Qiu Huilin did not understand at all, âMum, dear, what are you talking about? Why donât I understand anything?â
âHuilin, mum knows that you have your suspicions and worries about todayâs matter. But I can assure you that the betrothal gifts for Yushangâs wife, Yuchen will have the same amount. As for Yuheâs dowry gifts, the treatment would be the same as well.â
âMum, IâŚâ as her inner thoughts got exposed by old Madam Shang, Huilin inevitably felt awkward. But Yuchen and Yuhe are her children, as their mother, her worries are understandable.
âAlright, you donât have to think too much. Iâm not old and silly, I have my own plans about this. They are all my grandchildren, I wonât mistreat any one of them.â She paused, âYushang will be welcoming Changning into our family. I hope you would treat him neutrally. Donât ill treat Changning because heâs a guy. Same thing goes with Yuchen and Yuhe, do take your time to guide them, donât let them lose their manners.â
Old Madam Shang insisted till the end to let Yushang marry a male wife. Itâs not that Qiu Huilin hadnât thought about it; marrying a male wife would meant that there would be no children, which means that the Shang Enterpriseâs right of inheritance would fall to her own son. Although her status didnât necessarily need her son as a background support, if her son did inherit the Shang Enterprise, then her position as his mother would be a blissful one.
Yet, witnessing old Madam Shangâs attitude towards He Changning and those sky-priced betrothal gifts, she couldnât help but feel uncomfortable. A male wife whose status could not be publicized â how could he be more valued than her own children? If those sky-high betrothal gifts were meant for a female, fine. But it had to be a man whoâs accepting it. It would be a lie if Qiu Huilin said she was alright with it.
In addition, she had another worry; that should Shang Yushang asked for a divorce, then with how old Madam Shang favored Changning, she would most definitely allow him to take away all those betrothal gifts. Those belonged to the Shang family, yet they could be given away just like that. She was full of regrets, yet unable to stop old Madam Shang, so the anger and frustration grew stronger in her heart.
The thought of He Changning, whoâs going to be her family soon, made her dislike him even more. However, since she is terrified of old Madam Shangâs authority, she ended up forcing a reply reluctantly, âAlright mum, Iâll treat Changning well. Iâll communicate well with Yuchen and Yuhe to get along well with him too.â
Qiu Huilinâs half-heartedness wasnât that hard to notice, but old Madam Shang couldnât be bothered about it â she wonât have the guts to be scheming anyway, âHm, good that youâve understood. Alright, Iâm tired, Iâll go rest first.â
Compared to the Shang familyâs small-scaled storm, the Yin familyâs situation was like raging hell on earth.
The moment they entered the door, Elder Yin made the first move as she immediately interrogated Changning, âHe Changning, was your conscience all fed to the dogs?!â
He Changning simply smiled softly, âWhat do you mean, grandmother?â
âStop acting like you donât understand whatâs going on. Iâm asking why you have not asked to transfer those businesses to your father and your brothers to manage?â
âWhy should I give whatâs mine to them?â
âHe Changning, donât forget who brought you up.â
âOf course, I know who brought me up.â
âGood. Since you understand then thereâs nothing much to talk about. Call the Shang family right now and ask to let us manage those businesses.â
Changning snickered, âI think youâve mistaken, grandmother. I did not say that I was brought up by any of you.â
Elder Yin raised her eyebrows sinisterly, âIf it wasnât the Yin family that brought you up, then did you grow up eating nothing?â
âThatâs not the right way to say it. Although itâs true that a person canât possibly grow up eating nothing.â As if he was confirming something, Changning continued, âHm, before I reached fifteen years old, I was brought up with the money my mum left for me; Aunt Qin was the one who fed me every meal. Fifteen years later, I brought up myself, ah, and Aunt Qin too, she was âbrought upâ by me too. Ever since I could earn my own money, Iâve been paying my living expenses and meal allowances to the family. Yeah thatâs how it was. Grandmother, if I remembered correctly, that was requested by you personally.â
âYouâŚâ
Elder Yin lost her words once again.
Seeing how defeated the old lady was, Congmin immediately continued the conversation, âChangning, you canât be so calculative towards your family. Do you know how concerned your father is about you? Those minor squabbles amongst your brothers shouldnât matter at all, how could you go against your principles because of that? You know nothing about managing business, but your father and your brother are experienced! They can manage those businesses of yours. Just donât worry, let your father and brothers deal with it, you have nothing to lose. Itâs better than letting those outsiders to manage it. Donât you agree with aunty?â
Changning chuckled as he heard how this woman acted for the sake of her sons â hiding that face full of derision and putting up a façade full of love and concern. Itâs quite hard to get used to it, âAunty, what you say made sense too. But if you can decide on behalf of old Madam Shang and their young master, then I wonât object against it.â
âYouâŚâ
Yet another who went speechless.
Elder Yin looked at her daughter-in-law and then finally turned her gaze on her son, âZhinian, thatâs the wonderful son youâve raised. Heâs not even married to them yet heâs siding with them already.â Feeling even more vicious, she added, âFine, since youâre that heartless then donât blame us for turning against you. That matter that weâve agreed, itâs off.â
He Changning smirked coldly, âHas grandmother thought about the consequences?â
Elder Yin raised her voice agitatedly, âYou little bastard, you dare threaten me? Let me tell you this, donât assume that since youâve got strong support from the Shang family you can forget about everything else. Donât forget, even if youâre married into their family, youâre merely just a male wife whose status is lower than everyone else. Without a child, sooner or later youâll get ditched by the Shang family. Donât burn all your bridges, or else youâll find yourself with nothing.â
The anger in He Changning was instantly ignited, even the words he said sent chills down their spines, âBastard? Donât forget whose blood it is thatâs flowing in me. With regards on becoming a lowly male wife, thatâs all thanks to you, grandmother, that I got this honor to bring our Yin familyâs blood to squander my way into the Shang family.â
âYou, you, you little bastard! Atrocious, atrocious! Zhinian, get this heartless thing out of the house right away! The Yin family does not have such disgraceful, dishonorable thing! Get him out, right now!â Elder Yinâs body trembled with anger as her face turned pale, shouting without a care, as if sheâs going to pass out from the anger at any moment.