Chapter 5:

The Yu family had a courtyard, as did the other households around them, creating a sense of distance between them. Unlike the Zhou family, who lived in a row house where neighbors were packed tightly together, and even a slightly raised voice could be heard clearly by others.

When the Zhou family arrived, they thought they were coming to discuss the joyous occasion of the two young ones’ marriage, arriving with bright smiles.

But as soon as they arrived, Zhou Boyang was singled out by Yu Xianghai, who wore a forced smile. “I need to have a private word with him.”

Zhou Changshou assumed it was just the two brothers bonding and waved them off, thinking it was natural for the younger generation to step aside during such discussions. However, he noticed how unusually complete the gathering was—the future granddaughter-in-law’s maternal grandparents, Qin Qiang and Yao Cuifen, her uncle Qin Fengmao, as well as Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang. Strangely, Ding Minxiu was also present.

Ding Minxiu herself felt out of place. Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she exchanged a few polite words before Zhao Qiaoniang spoke up: “Minxiu, go help boil water and make tea.”

Just as Ding Minxiu was about to respond, Yu Qingshan stopped her: “Stay seated. There are things we need to settle today, and you’re involved.”

Then, he suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang, startling everyone, including Zhao Qiaoniang, who looked at him in shock. “What’s gotten into you? Why are you so angry all of a sudden?”

“All of a sudden?! I’m not just angry for no reason. Ding Minxiu, do you dare tell everyone what disgraceful things you’ve done?” He called her out directly.

Ding Minxiu nervously clenched her fingers, her heart pounding. Her voice trembled, sounding pitifully innocent. “Dad, I don’t understand what you mean.”

Yu Qingshan’s tone was harsh. “Don’t call me Dad. I’m not your father. A daughter like you is one I can’t afford to have—nor do I dare.”

Zhao Qiaoniang’s face paled instantly. What did he mean by that?

The Zhou family exchanged uneasy glances. Had they been called here just to witness him scolding his daughter?

Yu Qingshan then turned to Zhou Changshou and the others. “You don’t know yet what she and your Zhou Boyang have done, do you? She’s already one month pregnant—with your Zhou family’s child!”

Ding Minxiu shuddered, her face turning deathly pale. Instinctively, she placed a protective hand over her belly. Zhao Qiaoniang’s eyes widened, her voice hoarse as she stared at Yu Qingshan. “You’re joking, right? This isn’t funny. Stop it.”

Yu Qingshan shattered her denial. “You know I’m not joking. I don’t joke about things like this.”

He then looked at Zhou Changshou, the patriarch of the Zhou family. “This isn’t something to joke about. When I found out, I wanted to take a knife to both of them.”

Yang Xizhi and her daughter-in-law Fang Rong exchanged uneasy glances, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

Before Ding Minxiu could say anything, Zhou Boyang, bruised and battered, was roughly shoved into the room by Yu Xianghai. “Go on, tell everyone how this all started. If you had the guts to do it, have the guts to admit it! You weren’t afraid of committing a crime that could land you in prison for life, so why be afraid of telling the truth now?”

Zhou Changshou’s heart sank. He could see the panic and guilt on his grandson’s face. Zhao Qiaoniang, looking at her daughter’s equally pale expression, understood everything. It was true. Her strength drained away, and if not for the wall supporting her, she might have collapsed onto the floor.

Yang Xizhi forced a dry laugh. “What kind of nonsense is this? And what ‘crime’ are you talking about? There’s no such thing!” She ached at the sight of her grandson’s injuries but didn’t dare show concern now.

Yao Cuifen scoffed. “That’s rich. An unmarried man and woman, one the future brother-in-law and the other the sister-in-law, getting pregnant—if that’s not a crime, what is?”

Yu Xianghai clenched his fist and deliberately waved it in front of Zhou Boyang, making the boy flinch in pain. Zhou Boyang, barely an adult, was completely overwhelmed. His mind blank, he could only look helplessly at his grandparents and parents, hoping they’d find a way out for him.

He didn’t want to go to prison. His life had just begun—he couldn’t let it be ruined.

Zhou Duosun, a man of few words, was frantic. This was his only son, but no matter how much he opened his mouth, no words came out.

Finally, Zhou Changshou stepped forward, speaking gently. “There must be some misunderstanding here. Let’s talk this through calmly and clear things up.”

Yao Cuifen sneered. “What ‘misunderstanding’ could possibly explain her pregnancy? Go on, explain.”

Yang Xizhi stared at Ding Minxiu, her emotions complicated. The girl was carrying their Zhou family’s bloodline?

That should have been a joyous occasion—but with the wrong person.

Ding Minxiu shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, it’s not true. I didn’t—”

Yao Cuifen cut her off. “Don’t bother denying it. I’ve checked your pulse. If you think I’m lying, I’ll call a doctor right now.”

“No, don’t!” Zhou Boyang shouted. If a doctor came, the truth would be undeniable.

Ding Minxiu knew this too. She shrank into herself, not daring to speak another word.

The truth was undeniable now. They knew about the pregnancy—otherwise, why would they suddenly go silent? Zhou Changshou, with his years of experience, quickly grasped the situation. He felt a flicker of relief. The Yu family had called them here to negotiate, not to expose them publicly. Otherwise, the Zhou family would be ruined.

His tone softened further. “This is quite the mess. We need to find a solution. Whatever you propose, we’ll accept our fault. Scold us, hit us—but we can’t delay this. We’ll take responsibility.”

Yang Xizhi nodded eagerly. “Xiao An and our Boyang are a perfect match. Maybe—”

Before she could finish, Yu Qingshan cut in. “You’re wrong. The perfect match for your family is Ding Minxiu!”

Zhao Qiaoniang listened in silence, each word like a knife stabbing into her heart. But she had no choice but to endure the pain.

Her daughter—how could she have done something so shameless? Entangling herself with her future brother-in-law, getting pregnant—did she even realize what she’d done?

Did she have no shame?

Had she even thought about her own future?

Zhou Boyang winced as Yu Xianghai tightened his grip on his restrained hands. “I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I’ve wronged Xiao An!”

Yu Xianghai snapped, “Don’t call her ‘Xiao An’ so familiarly!”

The Zhou family’s hearts ached at the sight of Zhou Boyang’s suffering. He was their only grandson, never subjected to such hardship before. But now, they had to pretend not to see it.

If they didn’t let the Yu family vent their anger, things would only get worse.

If the one involved with Boyang had been another Yu daughter, they might have had leverage. But Ding Minxiu was an outsider—they had no ground to stand on.

Their precious grandson—it must have been that Ding woman who seduced him into this mess!

Feeling their accusing stares, Ding Minxiu lowered her head further. She glanced pleadingly at Zhao Qiaoniang but quickly looked away, as if burned.

Qin Fengmao cleared his throat and looked at Yang Xizhi. “Originally, our two families had agreed that once you retired, Xiao An would marry into your family and take over your job. Who knew things would turn out like this?”

Yang Xizhi’s eye twitched. She understood—the Yu family wanted her job!

That was impossible! Her job was meant for her future granddaughter-in-law. If Xiao An wasn’t marrying in, how could they give it to her?

She forced a smile. “Well, job transfers have conditions. If Xiao An were part of our Zhou family, of course it’d be fine. But since she’s not, if someone reports it, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Yu Qingshan scoffed. “That’s nonsense. People buy and sell jobs all the time without issues. If you refuse, fine. We won’t force you. But then we’ll let the police handle this.”

This was blackmail! Yang Xizhi seethed silently. Zhou Changshou shot her a look, urging her to stay calm.

Yao Cuifen waved two letters in her hand. “Perfect timing. If the police come, these love letters from Zhou Boyang to Ding Minxiu will serve as evidence.”

Zhou Boyang and Ding Minxiu’s faces drained of color. Ding Minxiu’s voice turned shrill. “You can’t read those!”

Zhou Changshou sighed deeply, his gaze at Zhou Boyang full of disappointment. But he needed clarity. “If we give up the job, this matter ends here?”

Yao Cuifen retorted, “This has hurt our Xiao An deeply. Her marriage prospects are ruined now. Even if our families haven’t announced anything publicly, friends and relatives already know. She’ll need financial security to have any hope for the future.”

Yang Xizhi resisted. “We can compensate with money.”

Yao Cuifen spat, “We have money.” Money was temporary, but a job provided lifelong security. She knew which mattered more.

Zhou Changshou silenced Yang Xizhi with a look.

Yao Cuifen’s tone was firm. “Have you made your decision?”

Yu Qingshan was even firmer. “If not for my daughter’s future, we wouldn’t be negotiating behind closed doors. If you refuse, we’ll take this public. When they’re paraded through the streets, don’t blame us.”

Zhou Boyang and Ding Minxiu panicked. Zhou Boyang’s voice cracked with fear. “Grandpa, Grandma, agree! Please agree!” He didn’t want to be paraded!

He didn’t want to go to prison!

Ding Minxiu looked tearfully at Zhou Boyang, but he avoided her gaze. She turned to Zhao Qiaoniang, but her mother sat motionless, her eyes vacant, as if staring right through her.

Zhou Changshou and Yang Xizhi exchanged glances. “Then it’s settled. This matter ends here.”

Qin Fengmao spoke up again, addressing Yang Xizhi. “What you said earlier makes sense. Without familial ties, transferring the job would raise eyebrows. Coincidentally, I know Director Chen from your factory. He mentioned that their accountant is retiring soon, and he has a relative who needs work but lacks the qualifications. Meanwhile, Xiao An graduated high school—she’d be perfect for the job. His relative could take a laborer’s position instead, as long as they’re diligent and hygienic. Don’t you agree?”

Yang Xizhi: “…”

Could she say no?