News of Jiang Junyao's miraculous awakening spread swiftly through Jiangdu's elite circles.
The young men who had once ardently pursued her came flocking to the Jiang estate, eager to pay their respects—only to be unceremoniously thrown out by Han Mengjuan, who declared that her daughter was already married and warned them not to pester her again.
During this time, Jiang Junyao repeatedly asked for a divorce, only to be scolded harshly by her mother each time.
At last, with no other recourse, she sought out Ye Chu.
"Ye Chu, you are indeed a man of integrity, a man with a sense of responsibility—but you and I are truly incompatible."
After investigating Ye Chu's past, she had come to know him better. Though admittedly meek, he was not without merit.
If she had been merely the daughter of an ordinary wealthy family, taking him as a live-in son-in-law might have been acceptable.
But her identity was far from ordinary, and it was impossible for her to be with someone like him.
Forcing a union without love would only bring harm to them both.
Cruel as it was, it was the truth.
Ye Chu nodded. "A divorce, then? I have no objection, as long as Mom agrees."
Jiang Junyao pressed a hand to her temple, exasperated. "You saw my mother's attitude. Forget about divorce for now. I called you here to make this clear: from now on, we are husband and wife in name only."
"Once Mother can be persuaded, we'll divorce immediately.
Until then, we shall not interfere in each other's lives. You may see other women if you wish—I only ask that you not bring them home."
"I know this might sound—"
"Agreed." Ye Chu cut her off with surprising swiftness, secretly delighted at such an arrangement.
He had been fretting about what to do if he encountered another rare physique.
Han Mengjuan had been good to him, and it would feel dishonorable to seek other women behind her back—yet Junyao herself had just given permission.
Now, should disaster strike, he would bear no blame.
Jiang Junyao blinked, momentarily stunned. So quick to agree? Without the slightest protest?
Was he not even worried she might take lovers of her own?
She knew that for most men, nothing was more intolerable than being cuckolded—even if they were only married in name.
"Is it that my charm is lacking," she wondered bitterly, "or is this man simply spineless?"
Her thoughts drifted back to the report she'd read on him: an illegitimate child, who had gone to prison in his brother's place, and after release had been sold into a marriage of convenience—never once resisting his fate.
If that was not weakness, what was?
Her disappointment deepened. Yes—this man was destined never to belong to her world.
Just as Ye Chu descended the stairs, Jiang Haiyun, his expression grim, spoke up.
"A grown man lounging at home all day—what sort of behavior is that? Shouldn't you be out earning money to support your family? Or do you expect my Jiang family to feed you forever?"
"Jiang Haiyun, did you swallow gunpowder this morning?" Han Mengjuan snapped. "Earn money? As if our family is short of it?"
She turned to Ye Chu. "Son-in-law, don't listen to him."
Ye Chu smiled. "Mom, Father is right. I should contribute and provide for the family."
Han Mengjuan's anger vanished at once, replaced with pride. "Yes, yes, that's my son-in-law—so ambitious and hardworking. Let me think… perhaps there's a vacancy in the company."
As she frowned in thought, Jiang Haiyun interjected.
"Isn't there still some unpaid accounts we haven't collected? Why not send this boy to handle it?"
Han Mengjuan immediately shook her head. Those overdue payments were owed by some very difficult people.
How could a young man like Ye Chu possibly deal with them?
But Jiang Haiyun said coolly, "This boy's been to prison. Perhaps he'll manage."
Before Han Mengjuan could retort, Ye Chu spoke first. "Mom, Father's right—why not let me try?"
"See?" Jiang Haiyun said smugly. "He agrees. Don't crush the boy's confidence."
"Go on, Xiao Chu," he added. "I'll have someone send you the list of outstanding debts."
Ye Chu nodded and strode toward the door.
"Don't overexert yourself, Xiao Chu," Han Mengjuan called after him. "Do your best, that's enough."
"Yes, Mom."
The moment he stepped outside, his phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, he hung up without hesitation.
But soon it rang again.
Face darkening, he answered. "What do you want?"
On the other end came Ye Tiancheng's voice. "Xiao Chu, I heard Miss Jiang has awakened. Can't you talk to her for me? Your father wishes to meet her."
Ye Tiancheng was filled with regret. Had he known Jiang Junyao would wake up, he never would have let Ye Chu marry into the family—he would have sent his legitimate second son instead.
Jiang Junyao was not only from a distinguished family but also brilliant and beautiful, unmarred by injury—the very jewel of the Jiang clan.
Such a daughter-in-law was a treasure hard to come by.
With the Jiang family's support, his eldest son's position as heir to the Ye family would be secure.
The old patriarch had long been displeased with the first branch of the family due to past events and had been grooming the second branch in recent years.
Upon hearing of Junyao's recovery, Ye Tiancheng had been eager to visit, but knowing that he had once insulted them by marrying off an illegitimate son, he dared not go himself.
Instead, he chose to have Ye Chu test the waters.
Ye Chu nearly laughed aloud from sheer anger. They had the audacity to ask this of him?
Shamelessness had reached its peak.
"I'm busy. And don't call me again. I have nothing to do with the Ye family any longer."
He ended the call on the spot.
In the Ye family villa, Ye Tiancheng exploded with rage.
"Damn it! That unfilial brat dared hang up on me!"
Xie Yushan fanned the flames. "Ha! Clearly, with the Jiang family backing him, his wings have grown hard."
"He wouldn't dare!" Ye Tiancheng roared.
Ye Yifei sneered. "He's just a live-in son-in-law. Do you think the Jiang family truly values him? He's just a convict full of himself."
Ye Tiancheng dialed again, but the call was declined.
He tried several more times before discovering he had been blocked altogether.
"That wretch!" he fumed, face turning ashen. "He dared block my number!"
Ye Yichen grew anxious. "Father, what do we do? Our cooperation with the Jiang family is vital for my future."
Ye Tiancheng paced in frustration, momentarily at a loss.
Then Xie Yushan's eyes glinted with malice.
"I recall that bastard used to be close with a little girl back in school. Why don't we use her as leverage? That sentimental fool is sure to cave."
All three men's eyes lit up.
Ye Yifei grinned. "Father, I'll take care of it immediately."
Ye Tiancheng nodded coldly. "Do it cleanly. I don't want a scandal."
…