Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

The ancestral hall square, paved with bluestone slabs, still exudes a somber and settled atmosphere despite the rain.

The Qian clan members were completely silent, their gazes fixed on the area below the steps with either disdain or complex emotions.

Qian Zhongwu and his son were held tightly by two bodyguards, like limp mud with their spines removed, slumped on the cold, damp stone slab.

The stain between Qian Feng's legs, still spreading under the rain, exuded a nauseating stench, silently proclaiming the complete collapse of the father and son's mental defenses and becoming the most unbearable footnote to their despicable behavior.

Qian Youyou stood in front of the tall, vermilion gate of the ancestral hall, with Lu Yang holding an umbrella beside her. His tall figure was like a rock, protecting her from the wind and rain and also providing a silent sense of authority.

She took a deep breath, the cold air mixed with the freshness of the rain and the ancient sandalwood incense of the ancestral hall, instantly suppressing the turmoil in her heart.

The father's dying words, the turbulent days, and the complex gazes of the clansmen at this moment all ultimately transformed into a resolute, icy resolve in his eyes.

"Qian Zhongwu! Qian Feng!" Qian Youyou's voice was clear and sharp, piercing through the rain and clearly etched into everyone's eardrums. "You father and son, in order to seize control of the company, dared to collude with scum in the clan to commit the heinous crime of falsifying the family genealogy and framing the patriarch! There are witnesses and physical evidence, and the evidence is irrefutable!"

Her gaze swept over the trembling father and son below the steps, without the slightest pity. "Today, before the ancestors of the Qian family, I, Qian Youyou, hereby declare myself as the heir to the Qian Group."

The voice suddenly rose in pitch, becoming powerful and resonant:
"Effective immediately, Qian Zhongwu and his son Qian Feng are expelled from the Qian family and removed from the family genealogy!"

"At the same time, all shares, options and related rights of Qian Zhongwu and his son Qian Feng in the Qian Group will be revoked. From now on, the Qian Group will have no further connection with you two!"

"boom!"

The commotion in the crowd could no longer be suppressed.

Although it was expected, when the expulsion order was truly uttered by the new family head, especially the resolute decision to "remove from the family tree" and the swift and decisive means of reclaiming all shares, everyone was still greatly shocked.

This means that Qian Zhongwu and his son were not only expelled from the family, but also completely stripped of their foothold in the Qian family empire, falling directly from their lofty position to the dust.

"No! Youyou! You can't do this! I'm your second uncle! Feng'er is your cousin!" Qian Zhongwu suddenly realized what was happening and let out a shrill, desperate howl. He tried to struggle and lunge towards the steps, but the bodyguard held him down firmly. "The shares are rightfully ours! They were earned by our elder brother through blood and sweat! You can't take them away! You're taking our lives!"

"Sister Youyou! We were wrong! We really know we were wrong! Please give us another chance. We don't want money, we just want to keep our company shares. Please don't kick us out!"

Qian Feng was in tears, his voice trembling uncontrollably. He had completely lost all will to resist, and was left only with the instinct to survive.

Leaving the Qian family, a towering tree of support, what can they do with the money from selling their shares, given their incompetent abilities and already ruined reputations?
They'll probably be devoured alive soon by some people or forces who want to curry favor with this despicable couple.

It's not surprising that Qian Feng was shaking so badly that he even wet his pants.

However, Qian Youyou's eyes remained icy cold, unwavering.

She looked at them as if they were filth about to be swept away from a corner of the ancestral hall.

The father and son acted so hastily before the father's body was even cold, and even with irrefutable evidence, they still tried to deny it, having already exhausted the last bit of tolerance the family had left.

At this moment, any wailing and pleading will only appear more hypocritical and disgusting.

Qian Youyou's voice was filled with extreme sarcasm: "Back then, your father, out of consideration for your sibling relationship and because you had a crippled leg, allowed you two to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But you only thought it was your due and kept demanding more and more. Now you actually want to steal the entire company for yourselves. Now that things have come to light, what do you have to say? Before I change my mind, I'm taking back your shares in the company. Although I can't give you the shares at the current market price, at least you'll have some money to live on in the future. Hurry up and put them down so they can sign the transfer agreement."

Seeing Qian Youyou's firm attitude, the elders and uncles who were on good terms with Qian Zhongwu and his son or secretly supported them could no longer hold back.

An elderly man with white hair and beard stepped forward, displaying a mix of elder's composure and barely perceptible panic, attempting to mediate: "Niece Youyou... Patriarch. Zhongwu and his son acted foolishly, committing a grave mistake, and indeed deserve severe punishment. But... expelling them from the family register and reclaiming all their shares, isn't that... a bit too harsh? After all, blood ties are strong; to drive them to their deaths is hardly a benevolent way to manage a family. Perhaps... we could allow them to retain a small number of shares and leave for distant lands, thus leaving them a way to survive and preserving the family's dignity?"

"Yes, yes, patriarch, one should be forgiving when possible..."

"If they take away all the shares, how will they live the rest of their lives? After all, they are related by blood..."

A few voices echoed softly, trying to buy Qian Zhongwu and his son a last bit of breathing room.

Qian Youyou frowned slightly, about to speak, when Lu Yang, who had been standing silently beside her, took a small step forward.

This step, seemingly carrying immense force, instantly silenced all the noise.

All eyes, especially those of the clansmen who tried to plead for mercy, were involuntarily and with deep apprehension focused on the man who had been guarding the young patriarch like a shadow.

Lu Yang's gaze swept calmly over the few clansmen who had spoken. His eyes were not sharp, but they seemed to have the power to see through people's hearts, causing them to subconsciously avoid his gaze.

His voice was not loud, but steady and clear, like a heavy hammer, each word striking the hearts of everyone present.
"Family ties?" Lu Yang's lips curled into a faint, yet chillingly cold, smile. "Uncles and elders, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. The Qian Group, from nothing to its current behemoth status, what did it rely on? It was Chairman Qian leading everyone, fighting with every drop of blood and sweat! Back then, we shed blood and sweat, and it wasn't easy for the clan to enjoy the good life we ​​have today. Now, some people, for their own selfish interests, are willing to instigate internal strife. Having someone tamper with the family genealogy is clear evidence of this. This is not just simple 'confusion,' it's undermining the entire Qian family's foundation!"

His voice suddenly rose in intensity, his gaze sharp as lightning, fixed on the pale-faced pleaders:
"I ask you all, do you really want to ruin the entire Qian family business because of a couple of bad apples? To bring shame upon our ancestors and destroy the foundation we've built over many years? If we tolerate evil today, how will we restrain others tomorrow? Where will the authority of our family rules be? How can our family endure?!"

"..."

A dead silence.

Lu Yang's words were piercing, mercilessly exposing the true nature of "a bad apple spoiling the whole bunch."

In particular, the stark contrast between "bleeding and sweating" and "rat droppings" nails Qian Zhongwu and his son to the pillar of shame for betraying the common interests of the entire clan and tarnishing the family's foundation.

Those clansmen who pleaded for mercy felt their faces burning, as if they had been slapped by an invisible hand.

Lu Yang's gaze sent chills down their spines. His eyes clearly asked: Are you harboring ulterior motives behind your "plea"? Are you also worried that your dealings with Qian Zhongwu and his son will be investigated?

Under Lu Yang's silent pressure and his pointed question, those who had wanted to say something completely fell silent.

They didn't even dare to look at Qian Youyou, let alone Lu Yang. They all lowered their heads, filled with lingering fear. With the full support of the ruthless Lu Yang, would Qian Youyou continue to pursue the matter? Would they, the "stubborn ones" who had chosen the wrong side on the issue of inheritance, be the next to be purged?
The moment that thought arose, the desire to plead for mercy vanished instantly, replaced by deep anxiety and a desire to protect oneself.

Qian Zhongwu and his son? Who cares about them now!
Qian Youyou glanced at the crowd who had instantly fallen silent, and her gratitude and dependence on Lu Yang grew even stronger.

She turned to Qian Zhongwu and his son, whose faces were ashen and utterly desperate, and her voice returned to its icy tone: "Did you hear that? This is the attitude of our clan. You and your son are unforgivable! However..."

She shifted her tone slightly, with a final, almost condescending "dignity," saying, "Considering we ultimately share the same origins, the group will repurchase your shares at the lowest current market valuation. Take this money and get out of Pengcheng! Never set foot in Qianjia Village again! Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences!"

Lowest appraised value!

This is practically equivalent to selling off their valuable shares at a bargain price.

But right now, this is the last straw they can grasp, the only remaining shred of "decency" given to them by Lu Yang and Qian Youyou.

Qian Zhongwu and his son trembled, closed their eyes in despair, and lost even the last bit of strength to struggle. Like two soulless stray dogs, they could only be dragged away by their bodyguards, leaving the ancestral hall square in a disheveled state amidst the complex gazes of their clansmen, who were filled with either contempt or pity, and heading towards their bleak future.

The turmoil surrounding the ancestral hall finally came to an end with the complete removal of Qian Zhongwu and his son from the scene.

However, the shock of Lu Yang's last words stirred up even deeper waves in the hearts of many clansmen.

Looking at Qian Youyou and Lu Yang standing side by side on the steps, exuding an imposing aura, they realized for the first time with crystal clarity that the Qian family's fortunes had truly and completely changed.

This young heir to the conglomerate possessed decisiveness far beyond their imagination, as well as a powerful and suffocating backer. The future Qian family would be a continuation of this "Mr. Lu's" will... A few days later, the memorial service for Mr. Qian, the founder of the Qian Group and father of Qian Youyou, was solemnly held in the dignified funeral home hall.

Black gauze and white flowers, mournful music playing softly.

Celebrities from all walks of life, senior executives of the group, and members of the Qian family gathered together in a solemn atmosphere.

Qian Youyou, dressed in a black suit and with black armbands, stood in front of the memorial platform.

Her eyes were red and swollen, but her gaze was firm.
In her eulogy, she fondly recalled her father's arduous entrepreneurial journey, recounted his love and strictness, and emphasized his dying wish that she would inherit his mantle, lead the Qian family to carry on the legacy, create new glories, and make the Qian family business bigger and stronger!

"...Father's greatest wish was not to see the family divided and relatives turn against each other. What he hoped for was to see all of us Qian descendants united as one, working together to make the Qian family's prestigious name shine even brighter!"

Qian Youyou's voice was choked with emotion, yet incredibly clear and powerful. "I know that my journey to becoming the head of the family and taking charge of the group has not been smooth sailing. Some of my uncles and elders have doubts about me, and some have even voiced their opposition."

Her gaze slowly swept across the audience, especially those clansmen who had once sided with Qian Zhongwu or secretly hindered him.

Many people unconsciously lowered their heads, feeling uneasy, thinking that the moment of reckoning was about to arrive.

However, Qian Youyou's next words surprised everyone.

“But!” she raised her voice, her tone revealing a maturity and magnanimity beyond her years. “I, Qian Youyou, hereby solemnly promise that I will not hold any grudges against my uncles who have disagreed with me on the issue of inheritance! My father taught me that harmony in the family brings prosperity, and the same applies to a business. We are a family, blood is thicker than water. Let bygones be bygones. From today onward, I hope everyone will support me and trust me as they supported my father back then! Let us put aside our differences and work together to make the Qian family family great and prosperous!”

After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by thunderous applause!
Those tribesmen who had been living in fear were now overjoyed, their faces filled with surprise and emotion, and they clapped with extra force.

Qian Youyou's statement of "forgiving past transgressions" was like a timely rain after a long drought, instantly dispelling the tension and suspicion that had permeated the ancestral hall incident.

Qian Youyou slightly raised her hand to suppress the applause and continued, "At the same time, I also assure all my uncles that I will be open to diverse opinions in the company's future development. As long as your opinions are sincere, reasonable, and for the long-term development of the group, I will seriously consider them! The Qian family does not belong to me alone, but to all of us in the Qian family! In major decisions, I will listen to everyone's opinions as much as possible and will never act arbitrarily!"

"it is good!"

"The master is wise!"

"My niece Youyou has such poise! ​​The Qian family has a bright future!"

The applause rang out again, even more enthusiastic and sincere than before.

These words not only demonstrated magnanimity, but also gave experienced and insightful members of the tribe a sense of participation and respect.

Qian Youyou successfully turned hostility into friendship, transforming a potential crisis of division into an opportunity to unite people's hearts.

Only then did she truly and initially gain stable control over the Qian Group, this giant ship.

The memorial service ended, and the guests were seen off.

As night fell, Qian Youyou returned to the Qian family manor, which she had been away from for a long time.

The exhaustion and tension of the past few days, intertwined with immense grief and the complex emotions of finally gaining power, left her feeling more weary than ever before, and also gave rise to an indescribable longing for comfort.

Lu Yang stayed by his side the whole time.

At the critical moment of dealing with the internal strife within the Qian family, it was his unconditional support, precise planning, and powerful deterrent that cleared obstacles for her and stabilized the situation.

This profound sentiment and support filled Qian Youyou with gratitude.

“Stay tonight…” Outside the master bedroom of the manor, Qian Youyou stopped and turned to look at Lu Yang. Under the light, her cheeks were slightly flushed, but her eyes held an unyielding determination and a barely perceptible plea. “Although it is presumptuous of me, we agreed before that I would not let you stay overnight. I… do not want to be alone tonight.”

Seeing the vulnerability and dependence revealed in her eyes after she shed her patriarchal authority, Lu Yang's heart softened. He nodded and said gently, "Okay."

A glint flashed in Qian Youyou's eyes, and she immediately instructed the nanny standing beside her: "Aunt Zhang, take Xiaohao to his room to sleep and coax him to rest early. Tonight... there's nothing particularly important, so don't let anyone disturb us."

The nanny understood and quickly led the young master away.

Qian Youyou pushed open the heavy, carved wooden door to the bedroom and went inside.

Lu Yang followed closely behind.

That night, the master bedroom of the Qian family manor was dimly lit and warm.

The thrilling events of the past few days, the weight of the power transition, the grief of losing his father, and the complex emotions of finally settling down all seemed to find an outlet in their silent embrace and intimacy.

Lu Yang's companionship gave her the strongest support, and she finally relaxed completely in this peaceful harbor after the storm, surrendering herself to this hard-won peace of mind and comfort.

They spent a night where all their fatigue dissipated, leaving only tenderness and tacit understanding.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the heavy curtains.

Qian Youyou was still fast asleep, her face radiating a long-lost tranquility.

Lu Yang had already woken up and was leaning against the headboard, looking at the sleeping face of the person next to him with gentle eyes.

Just then, the phone on the bedside table suddenly vibrated, breaking the tranquility of the morning.

Lu Yang frowned slightly and glanced at the caller ID—an unfamiliar number from France.

He quietly got up, walked to the window, pressed the answer button, and his voice still carried a hint of morning languor: "Hello?"

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, a familiar yet distinctly distant female voice came through. It was Du Lingling, who was far away in France: "...It's me."

Her voice was soft, revealing deep weariness and a deliberately maintained calm.

“I know Xiao Jiu has found me. You... don’t need to let him come to me anymore, and you don’t need to come to me yourself.”

"I'm fine now. I just want to stay quietly in this small white town where nobody knows me and give birth to my baby safely."

Another silence followed, as if gathering courage or emphasizing determination.

"As for what happens in the future... wait until I... wait until I've thought it through, then I'll... I'll call you."

That's it. Don't come looking for me. Take care.

"Sister Lingling! Listen to me..." Lu Yang's heart tightened, and he hurriedly spoke.

However, all he received in response was the urgent busy tone of the call being disconnected. (End of Chapter)