Chen Yang?
Qin Qiu, who had been resting with her eyes closed, subconsciously opened them upon hearing the news report.
Someone was being named a King?
Her mouth fell open in astonishment. What a majestic title. Acting on pure instinct, she turned her head toward the kitchen.
"Stop daydreaming!"
Before Qin Qiu could think any further, Luo Sulan sneered from beside her. "It's just someone with the same name. You don't really think it's him, do you?"
"The person on the news is a great hero who defends the empire! And him? What can he do besides freeloading at home? It's the Qin Family's misfortune to be stuck with such a useless piece of trash!"
With her arms folded and a sneer on her lips, Luo Sulan gritted her teeth. "That old fool must have lost his mind. It was bad enough that he didn't pave the way for our Qin Family before he kicked the bucket, but he had to saddle us with this burden, making our family a laughingstock and causing us to lose all face!"
"Mom, Grandpa's condition is so fragile. Please, just say a little less," Qin Qiu pleaded. Deep down, however, she also harbored immense resentment toward her grandfather's decision.
While she had never given much thought to what kind of man she wanted to marry, it was definitely not this kind of freeloader.
"Hmph."
Luo Sulan huffed again, her vexation clear. "Tell me, they're both named Chen Yang, both in the prime of their twenties. So why is one of them basking in glory, admired by the entire world?"
"He doesn't deserve that name! It's an insult to the real hero!"
Qin Qiu fell silent, shaking her head bitterly as she glanced toward the kitchen again.
To be named a King before thirty… such an achievement is unheard of. I don't expect you to be some brilliant, soaring dragon, but it would be nice if you could just help me a little, to share some of this pressure!
Qin Qiu murmured to herself, the bitterness and resentment in her heart surging like waves, threatening to tear her Divine Spirit apart.
"We're going to the hospital tomorrow. No matter what, we have to make that old man call off this marriage!" Luo Sulan finally declared.
"But…" Qin Qiu looked conflicted. "Grandpa won't agree. Besides, his health…"
"I can't worry about that anymore."
Qin Qiu lapsed into silence once more.
Luo Sulan then raised her voice, yelling toward the kitchen, "Did you die in there? Hurry up and bring out the food!"
"Coming, coming."
Chen Yang jogged out carrying a large tray and neatly arranged the dishes on the small table in front of them.
"Honey, please enjoy your meal," Chen Yang said cheerfully, stepping to the side.
Without looking up, Qin Qiu waved a hand dismissively. "Sit down and eat."
"Eat?! You think you're going to eat?! No dinner for you today!" The more Luo Sulan thought about it, the angrier she became. She slammed the bowl she had just picked up back down on the table. Pointing at Chen Yang, she raged, "On what grounds should the Qin Family feed a good-for-nothing like you? You want a meal? In your dreams!"
"Mom," Qin Qiu said wearily. Her mother was being far too harsh; it was unreasonable to deny someone food.
Luo Sulan glared at her daughter. "Are you taking his side now?"
"Sorry, I've already eaten," Chen Yang said with a raised eyebrow.
"You…" Luo Sulan was stunned for a moment, then her face cycled through shades of green and purple, as if she had swallowed a dead fly.
Qin Qiu was speechless.
This guy is surprisingly good with comebacks.
「Early the next morning.」
Qin Qiu and Luo Sulan headed out, calling Chen Yang from the kitchen before they left.
Having just finished the dishes, Chen Yang wiped his hands on his apron and asked with a grin, "What is it, honey?"
"'Honey'? Who gave you the right to call her that?" Luo Sulan said coldly. "You're coming to the hospital with us. You are going to tell that old man yourself that you want a divorce!"
Chen Yang glanced at Qin Qiu.
She turned to face the door, pretending not to notice.
"Sigh," Chen Yang sighed helplessly. "When we got married, Old Mr. Qin Gang practically threatened to kill himself. Even if I'm the one to bring up divorce, it won't make a difference."
"Don't you dare make excuses! Do you plan to cling to my Qin Family like a mangy dog for the rest of your life?" Luo Sulan's face was frosty as she snapped, "We won't know if it'll work until we try!"
She couldn't stand the sight of this useless son-in-law for another day.
"Alright," Chen Yang simply nodded, showing no negative emotion.
"Hurry up and change," Qin Qiu interjected before striding out the door.
Watching Qin Qiu's retreating figure, clad in a sharp business suit, a smile touched Chen Yang's lips. I promised Qin Gang I would cherish you and protect you from anyone who might bully you. This woman… she's actually very kind at heart.
After changing into a simple, casual outfit, Chen Yang eagerly hopped into Qin Qiu's SUV.
Unfortunately, the front passenger seat was already occupied by his dreadful mother-in-law.
Qin Qiu started the car and drove straight to Lingjin City People's Hospital.
Qin Gang was an old Martial Guard who had spent half his life on the battlefield and was already riddled with old wounds. Taking that bullet for Chen Yang had piled a new injury on top of the old, and it was the final straw that completely broke the old man.
Qin Gang had two sons and one daughter.
His eldest son, Qin Donglai, who was Qin Qiu's father, had died in a car accident. His second son, Qin Dongshan, ran a textile mill with an annual income of over ten million. His youngest daughter, Qin Xuejun, was in the concrete business and was the wealthiest of the three.
Qin Donglai's unexpected death had thrown the Qin Corporation into turmoil. Not only had its business plummeted, but it had also accumulated significant debt. The situation was grim.
It proved the old saying true: no one acknowledges a poor relative, but everyone claims a rich one. Ever since Qin Donglai's death, his two siblings had all but severed ties with Qin Qiu's side of the family, and they were rarely seen at Qin Gang's bedside. Apart from Qin Qiu, only a few old friends from years past would come to the hospital to visit.
However, today, Qin Dongshan and Qin Xuejun had arrived early, as if by prior arrangement. They stood before the hospital bed, relentlessly demanding to know the whereabouts of the assets. Their angry voices were like those of people confronting a sworn enemy.
Finally, Qin Dongshan lunged forward, grabbing Qin Gang by the collar and hauling the frail, dying man up from the bed. "I know you still have a batch of stocks!" he bellowed. "Spit out the account details while you still have breath in your body!"
"Dad, honestly! That's not a small sum of money. You're not actually planning to take it to your grave, are you?" Qin Xuejun, instead of stopping her brother's despicable act, chimed in to support him.
Qin Gang's face was ashen, and his deeply sunken eyes blazed with crimson fury. He glared at them fiercely but showed no intention of speaking.
Just then, Qin Qiu, Chen Yang, and Luo Sulan walked into the room.
Seeing the scene before her, Qin Qiu rushed over and pushed Qin Dongshan away. "What are you doing?!"
"Grandpa, are you okay?" she asked, her voice choked with sobs as she supported Qin Gang.
Qin Gang weakly shook his head. It was clear he didn't have much time left.
Unfazed, Qin Dongshan straightened his suit and flashed a twisted smile. "Xiaoqiu, be honest. Did this old geezer already give you all those stocks?"