The luxurious Xiao family villa was ablaze with lights.
Tonight marked the 70th birthday celebration of the Xiao family's matriarch, Madam Xiao.
Grandsons, granddaughters, and grandsons-in-law all came bearing extravagant gifts.
"Grandma, I heard you love tea. This hundred-year-old Pu'er tea brick is worth half a million. It's my birthday gift to you."
"Grandma, I heard you're a devout Buddhist. This jade Buddha is carved from pure Hetian jade—worth 700,000…"
Madam Xiao beamed with delight as she admired her gifts, the room filled with laughter and festivity.
Just then, her eldest grandson-in-law, Ye Chen, suddenly spoke up:"Grandma, could I borrow one million? Auntie Li from the orphanage has end-stage kidney failure and needs money for treatment…"
The room fell silent in shock.
Everyone turned to stare at Ye Chen in disbelief.
This live-in son-in-law actually had the audacity—not only did he bring no gift for the birthday celebration, but he also dared to ask the matriarch for a million?!
Three years ago, the late Master Xiao had mysteriously brought home a penniless vagabond and insisted his eldest granddaughter, Xiao Churan, marry him. That vagabond was Ye Chen—at the time, he was practically a beggar.
After their marriage, the old man passed away. Since then, the Xiao family had been trying everything to kick Ye Chen out.
But Ye Chen remained calm and unbothered, no matter how they humiliated him. And so, he stayed on as their live-in son-in-law.
Asking to borrow money today was a last resort.
Auntie Li from the orphanage had once saved his life. Now she needed dialysis and a kidney transplant—at least a million in medical bills. He had no choice but to ask.
He hoped that on such a joyous occasion, the old lady might show some mercy.
But just a second ago, Madam Xiao was smiling. Now, her face turned cold.
She smashed the teacup in her hand on the floor and shouted,"You bastard! Are you here to celebrate my birthday or beg for money?!"
Ye Chen's wife, Xiao Churan, quickly stepped forward to explain,"Grandma, Ye Chen meant no disrespect. Please don't be upset."
She tried to pull Ye Chen aside.
At that moment, her cousin Xiao Weiwei sneered and said,"Sis, look at this trash you married! My fiancé Yunfei and I aren't even married yet, and he already gave grandma a Hetian jade Buddha. Your husband shows up empty-handed and has the nerve to ask for a million?!"
"Exactly! Brother Ye, we're both grandsons-in-law of the Xiao family, but your behavior is an embarrassment!"
The speaker was Xiao Weiwei's fiancé, Wang Yunfei, heir to a wealthy local family.
Though he was about to marry Weiwei, in his heart, he always felt she was no match for Xiao Churan—widely known as one of Jinling's top beauties.
The fact that such a goddess married a useless man like Ye Chen annoyed him deeply.
"This kind of trash should be kicked out of the Xiao family!"
"Yeah! He's disgracing us all!"
"I bet this whole 'saving someone' story is fake. He just wants to ruin grandma's party!"
Ye Chen clenched his fists as the entire Xiao family ridiculed and insulted him.
If it weren't for raising money to save his benefactor, he would've walked out of this place long ago.
But he remembered his father's teachings: "A drop of kindness must be repaid with a fountain."
Swallowing his pride, Ye Chen said,"Grandma, saving a life is more important than building a seven-story pagoda. I beg you to show mercy…"
A cold snort came from the side."Ye, stop trying to sweet-talk grandma. If you want to save someone, find your own damn way. Who do you think you are, asking grandma for money?!"
It was Xiao Weiwei's brother, Xiao Hailong.
He and his sister had always resented Xiao Churan for outshining them, and they never missed a chance to insult Ye Chen.
Xiao Churan's face turned awkward."Grandma, Ye Chen lost his father at eight. It was Auntie Li from the orphanage who raised him. He's only trying to repay her kindness. Please, help him just this once…"
Madam Xiao's face darkened."You want me to help him? Fine—if you divorce him and marry Young Master Zhang, I'll give him a million immediately!"
The "Young Master Zhang" she referred to was Zhang Wenhao—a suitor of Xiao Churan from a powerful Jinling family. Far wealthier than the Xiao family, he was the match Madam Xiao truly desired for her granddaughter.
At that moment, the butler rushed in:"Madam! Young Master Zhang sent a birthday gift—an old pit imperial jade Buddha amulet, worth three million!"
Madam Xiao's face lit up with joy."Quick! Bring it here! Let me see!"
The butler carefully handed over the glowing green jade amulet. The room was filled with gasps of admiration.
Even Wang Yunfei, who had just gifted the Hetian jade Buddha, was left embarrassed by the opulence of Zhang Wenhao's present.
Madam Xiao, elated, admired the amulet and exclaimed,"Oh, Young Master Zhang is so thoughtful! If he were my grandson-in-law, I'd wake up smiling every night!"
She looked up at Xiao Churan."So? Have you reconsidered my offer?"
Xiao Churan shook her head."Grandma, I won't divorce Ye Chen."
Madam Xiao's face twisted with rage."Ungrateful girl! Still clinging to that useless trash?! Get him out of here! I won't let him ruin my birthday!"
Ye Chen was completely disillusioned with the Xiao family. He turned to Xiao Churan."Churan, I'm going to the hospital to check on Auntie Li."
"I'll go with you," she said.
Madam Xiao screamed,"If you leave now, I'll disown you! You and your parents can leave the Xiao family along with that worthless husband!"
Xiao Churan froze, shocked by her grandmother's words.
Ye Chen quickly said,"You stay. Don't worry about me."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away.
Behind him, Xiao Hailong laughed."Oh dear brother-in-law, leaving with an empty stomach? Planning to beg on the streets? Don't embarrass the Xiao family! Here, have a coin—buy yourself a steamed bun!"
He tossed a coin at Ye Chen's feet, and the entire Xiao family erupted in laughter.
Ye Chen clenched his teeth and walked out without looking back.
At the Hospital…
When Ye Chen arrived, he went straight to the payment counter, hoping to delay the fees.
But the nurse told him something shocking:"Auntie Li has been transferred to Concord Hospital in Yanjing for treatment."
Ye Chen panicked."How much does that cost? I'll find a way!"
"It's three million in total. One million has already been paid. The rest—two million—must be paid within a week."
"Who paid the one million?"
"I don't know," said the nurse.
Confused, Ye Chen turned—and suddenly noticed a man behind him: a well-dressed man in his fifties, with graying hair and a solemn demeanor.
They locked eyes. The man bowed deeply.
"Young Master… after all these years, you've suffered so much…"
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. His entire presence changed.
"You're Tang Sihai?"
The man's eyes lit up."You still remember me!"
"Of course I do," Ye Chen said coldly."I remember all of you. You were the ones who forced my parents to flee Yanjing. They died on the run—and I was left an orphan. Why are you here now?"
Tang Sihai's face twisted in pain."Your father's death devastated the Old Master. He's been searching for you ever since. Please, come back to see him…"
"I'll never see him again," Ye Chen said icily.
"You still hate the Old Master?"
"I'll never forgive him," Ye Chen said, each word sharp as a blade.
Tang Sihai sighed."He said you might feel that way. He knew."
"At least he's self-aware," Ye Chen sneered.
"The Old Master wanted to give you something. If you won't return, he said to buy you the largest company in Jinling. And he also gave me this card. The PIN is your birthdate."
Tang Sihai handed him a black titanium Citibank card.
"There are only five of these cards in the entire country."
Ye Chen didn't even look at it."Take it back. I don't want it."
Tang Sihai's tone became urgent."Young Master, your benefactor still needs two million. Without it, she won't survive…"
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed."You planned this?!"
"I wouldn't dare! This card alone can cover the cost," Tang said quickly.
"How much is on the card?"
"The Old Master said… it's just a little spending money. Only ten billion yuan."