death certificate

At this moment, a black Rolls-Royce with the license plate "Jiang A88888" slowly pulled up to the airport entrance.

A middle-aged man in a black suit immediately stepped forward and respectfully opened the car door.

If any of Jiangzhou's elite had witnessed this scene, they would have been shocked, as the middle-aged man was none other than Su Chengwu, the richest man in Jiangzhou. Yet here he was, opening a car door for someone else.

Next, an elderly man with white hair stepped out of the car. He was dressed in a traditional dark blue Tang suit and held a finely crafted cane, the top of which was adorned with a blue gemstone the size of an egg. Though he appeared frail, his posture was upright, and he exuded an air of authority.

"The young master should be coming out soon, right?" the old man murmured, his sharp eyes fixed on the airport exit.

Just then, two tall, straight figures emerged one after the other.

The old man's gaze remained locked on the younger figure leading the way. To Su Chengwu's astonishment, the old man quickly walked over, bowed, and lowered his head in one fluid motion, saying respectfully, "Han Tiancheng, steward of the Yandu Yuwen family, is here to escort the young master back to Yandu to take charge of the Yuwen family."

Hearing the old man introduce himself, Yang Chen finally understood who he was.

However, the mention of the "Yuwen family" instantly dampened the joy he had felt upon returning to his homeland. A surge of anger rose within him.

Yang Chen glanced disdainfully at Han Tiancheng and said, "How ironic. Ten years ago, my mother and I were expelled from the family and threatened never to set foot in Yandu again, all because I was an illegitimate child unworthy of the Yuwen family's legacy. And now you want me to take charge of the Yuwen family?"

"Eighteen years ago, when I was just nine years old, my mother and I knelt in the pouring rain outside the Yuwen family's gates for an entire night. Did any of you show even a shred of compassion?"

"Five years ago, when my mother was gravely ill and I had nowhere else to turn, I begged the Yuwen family for help. How did you respond?"

"Now that you know I've returned with honor from the Northern Frontier, wielding great power, you want me to lead the Yuwen family?"

"Go back and tell that person that the Yuwen family means nothing to me. If you dare bother me again, don't blame me for paying a visit to Yandu myself."

These words had been weighing on his heart for many years. Five years of military service had tempered his emotions, making him as calm as still water. But now, the memories he had suppressed for so long caused this iron-willed man's eyes to redden.

Han Tiancheng let out a long sigh, as if he had anticipated this reaction. He said, "The Yan Chen Group is set to establish itself in Jiangzhou soon. This was an enterprise your mother built single-handedly while she was still in Yandu, named after you and her. Now that she has passed away, the Yan Chen Group rightfully belongs to you."

Yang Chen gave a cold laugh and corrected him, "It's not that the Yuwen family is returning it to me. The Yan Chen Group has always belonged to my mother. It was just heartlessly taken from her."

With that, Yang Chen turned and walked away.

"The Yuwen family has indeed wronged you," Han Tiancheng said sorrowfully, watching Yang Chen's retreating figure. He then turned to Su Chengwu and instructed, "Xiao Su, starting today, you must do everything in your power to assist the young master."

Su Chengwu nodded respectfully. "Elder Han, without you, I would never have achieved what I have today. You can rest assured that I will wholeheartedly support the young master."

Han Tiancheng added, "By the way, the young master got married five years ago. Now that he has returned, you should visit the Qin family on behalf of the Yuwen family to show our goodwill."

"Understood!"

...

A taxi sped down the road. Sitting in the back seat, Yang Chen's thoughts drifted to the past.

That night, kneeling in the pouring rain, had forever closed his heart to the Yuwen family. Five years ago, his mother had succumbed to a severe illness. At the time, Yang Chen had just graduated, penniless, and had been framed, leading to a one-night stand with Qin Xi.

To protect their reputation, the Qin family had forced Yang Chen into a marriage of convenience. In order to save his mother, he had agreed to marry into the Qin family and accepted 500,000 from them. But before he could take the money to the hospital, his mother had passed away. He hadn't even been able to see her one last time.

After his mother's death, Yang Chen had honored the agreement and married into the Qin family. However, feeling unworthy of Qin Xi, whom he had long admired, he had left to join the military shortly after the wedding.

That separation had lasted five years!

Outside an old, rundown courtyard, a brand-new Maybach was parked.

Yang Chen glanced at the luxurious car and smiled faintly. "It seems the Qin family values Qin Xi's family more than they did five years ago. Even my father-in-law is driving a car worth three or four million."

Returning to the Qin family filled Yang Chen with complex emotions. Although he had also been a victim in the incident five years ago, he had still taken her first time—a woman known as Jiangzhou's most beautiful.

Leaving without a word shortly after their wedding was undeniably his fault.

He could only imagine how much gossip and judgment Qin Xi had endured over the years.

Back then, he had been filled with insecurity. Only by joining the military could he hope to become someone worthy of Qin Xi. Now, having achieved success and retired with immense power and wealth, he finally felt he had the right to tell the world that he was worthy of her.

As he reached the courtyard gate, Yang Chen raised his hand to knock but froze when a sharp conversation from inside reached his ears.

Qin Xi's mother's voice rang out: "Xiao Wang, I've been working on getting that good-for-nothing's death certificate. Don't worry, once it's finalized, Qin Xi will be single again."

Qin Xi's father chimed in: "When that happens, I'll be the first to approve your marriage to Qin Xi."

"Thank you, Uncle and Auntie. As for Qin Xi, I'll leave that to you."

"Xiao Wang, you can rest assured. Qin Xi will definitely agree."

"Then I'll leave everything in your hands. Oh, Auntie, this is some pure, natural bird's nest I had a friend bring back from abroad. And Uncle, this is a high-quality jade Buddha statue I personally brought back from Myanmar."

...

The Qin family courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter. Yang Chen's face turned pale, then flushed with anger.

But as he thought of the unforgettable figure inside, he forced down his rage. No matter what, he was the one who had wronged Qin Xi.

Besides, he had returned for her sake.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Yang Chen rapped on the door.

"Who is it?"

Qin Xi's mother's voice was filled with irritation at being interrupted. The sound of footsteps grew louder as she approached.

When she opened the door, the smile on her face hadn't completely faded before she saw the one person she never wanted to see again. Her expression turned to one of shock and anger.

"You... you're Yang Chen?"