Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Chen Mo's words instantly turned the faces of everyone present into a myriad of colors, making the scene quite dramatic.

It was such a trivial matter, yet even after Yang’s patriarch had specifically mentioned it, why hadn't it been addressed for an entire year? Naturally, it was because they deemed it unimportant, trivial, and hadn’t taken it seriously.

Mentioning this in the current situation was like a loud slap across the face of every member of the Yang family.

"Xiao Mo," Zhou Yaoqing called out softly, her eyes red.

Although Chen Mo didn’t understand what was happening, he said, "You don’t need to be so nervous. I’m not here to confront anyone. A year ago, I said I wouldn’t pursue the case. Now, whether you want to reopen the lawsuit or handle it differently, do whatever is convenient for you. If you want to protect Yang Shule, I have no objections. The only thing is, I don’t want my private life exposed again." Chen Mo smiled, "After all, stepping on my head is still a bit too much. You know my temper."

Zhou Yaoqing hesitated, "You misunderstood. I’m not trying to protect anyone; I just..."

"There’s no need to explain," Chen Mo interrupted calmly, looking around, "I will take what Grandpa gave me and visit him during holidays. Other than that, I won’t come back."

"Chen Mo." Yang Zhi stepped forward, grabbing his arm, frowning, "Do you even know what you’re saying?"

Chen Mo looked from his arm up to Yang Zhi’s face, "Wasn’t I clear enough, Brother? When I say we’re even, I mean the Yang family should treat me as if I never existed. Of course, I won’t fulfill any familial obligations either. I won’t participate in any economic divisions within the Yang family, nor will I join the company in the future. Conversely, whatever happens to me—good or bad, life or death—I’ll bear myself."

Yang Zhi released his hand, stunned.

In that moment, he felt exposed by Chen Mo’s straightforward gaze.

Despite being just a teenager, Chen Mo seemed to see through him completely, understanding his indifference to family, his selfishness, and the inexplicable sense of guilt he felt at that moment.

Until Yang Qi’an casually knocked a glass off the coffee table.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"Not human words?" While everyone else was startled, Chen Mo remained unfazed, his casual counter-question almost infuriating.

Yang Qi’an took a couple of deep breaths, "I disagree! Today, I’ll consider your words as youthful ignorance. Without the Yang family, how will you support yourself?!"

In his past life, Chen Mo might have believed that this father genuinely cared for him.

But now, Chen Mo was no longer the same person. He said, "That’s none of your concern. I’ve survived without the Yang family for over a decade. Also, rest assured, as long as no one here speaks up, no one outside will know about my leaving the Yang family."

Yang Qi’an valued face more than anything. During the initial scandal, he insisted on keeping the adopted son close to avoid the reputation of abandoning him upon finding the biological son. At this moment, he would never allow rumors of forcing his biological son out of the house, as the Yang Group couldn’t withstand another public relations crisis.

Chen Mo emphasized, "I’ll leave this dignity for the Yang family. As long as Grandpa is alive, I don’t want to hurt his heart too much."

Yang Qi’an glared at him for a few seconds.

Suddenly pointing at Yang Shule, he asked Chen Mo, "Can you send him away? Will you stop causing trouble if he leaves?"

"Dad!" Yang Shule, suddenly pointed at, was shocked into silence.

He wore an expression of disbelief.

Chen Mo was also taken aback, then burst out laughing, first softly, then uncontrollably, almost losing his balance.

In his past life, until his death, he always thought that despite the family’s pretense, Yang Shule had everything. The Yang family’s affection and favoritism towards him were unwavering.

But it turned out that when faced with two evils, Yang Shule could be sacrificed just as easily.

Yang Shule was clearly stunned by this sudden turn of events.

He stood there, dazed, unable to react.

Chen Mo’s patience had run out.

He didn’t want to continue the argument.

Standing up, he said, "That’s all I wanted to say. Dad, if you agree, we can still call each other ‘Dad’ when we meet outside, saving both of us trouble. If you disagree, it doesn’t matter; I’m not afraid of a falling out. If I say it, I mean it."

Chen Mo got up.

Amidst the silence, he stepped over the shattered glass and walked out.

From entering to leaving, Chen Mo did nothing extra.

Yet, he severed his seventeen-year-old life with the Yang family.

Chen Jianli and Li Yunru were facing imminent imprisonment—a fact.

Behind him, the Yang family, both the company and the household, were riddled with cracks and holes, whether to mend or let them shatter further held no interest for Chen Mo.

The car that brought him there was still parked where it was.

And the person who should have been inside was leaning against the car, legs crossed, checking his watch.

"How long was I inside?" Chen Mo asked as he approached.

Xi Siyan stood up, "Twenty-one minutes and thirty-seven seconds."

"Such precision?"

Xi Siyan looked at his face, as if analyzing something, nodding, "Yes. Resolved?"

Chen Mo circled around Xi Siyan, opening the car door, bent down to get in, paused, and said, "Almost. But the person I need to resolve is myself. I can’t control others."

At that moment, a voice came from near the car, "Wait!"

Chen Mo withdrew his foot, looking at Yang Shule, who appeared in front of the car.

He raised an eyebrow at Xi Siyan, "See, someone’s here."

Xi Siyan turned his head and glanced back, furrowing his brow before closing the car door again.

"Chen Mo," Yang Shule stepped forward.

Chen Mo looked at him. "What's up?"

Yang Shule: "Why did you do that?"

Chen Mo looked at the haggard Yang Shule, confused. "What do you mean?"

Yang Shule: "Why say you want to settle things with the Yang family? You had already moved out of their house to live on campus, hadn't you? Why go through this extra trouble?" He spoke with incomprehension, almost as if he was resentful, "Is it just to make Mom and Dad, and Big Brother feel guilty? If so, I have to say, you won. Now I'm just a parasite living in the Yang household. Being an adopted son sounds nice, but I know very well that everything is irreparable now, ruined."

Chen Mo was somewhat reluctant to engage with him.

In this life, he saw Yang Shule more clearly—full of small tricks, yet fundamentally insecure and suspicious. Whenever faced with any issue, his first reaction was to blame others.

Chen Mo leaned against the car roof, looking at him for a moment.

Deciding to be clearer, "Yang Shule, why don't you think carefully about why you ended up like this? Was it because of me or because of yourself? Did I make you break ties with your friends? Did I force you to leave the experimental class? Or did I pressure you into interacting with Chen Jianli, or even find journalists?"

Yang Shule's lips twitched, and he sneered, "Of course, from your high horse, you can easily blame me."

"Alright." Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "I shouldn't waste my breath."

"Stop right there!"

Yang Shule tried to grab him.

Xi Siyan finally intervened, opening the car door and gesturing to Chen Mo. "Get in first."

Chen Mo looked at him, then at Yang Shule.

He complied and bent down to get into the car.

The car's soundproofing was excellent; Chen Mo could barely hear what was being said outside, only seeing Yang Shule's mouth moving, his eyes quickly turning red.

"I knew it, you've had feelings for him for a long time, haven't you?" Yang Shule glared at the closed car door, thinking of the two voice messages he received from Xi Siyan earlier. Losing trust within the Yang family, Yang Shule broke down further, "Xi Siyan, this is the Yang household. No matter what, Chen Mo is the legitimate blood son! Everyone in the Yang family prefers him over me. Are you so worried about him that you had to personally bring him here?"

Xi Siyan gave him a cold look. "Finished?"

"No!" Yang Shule was hysterical. "It was I who liked you first, why?!"

Xi Siyan replied, "I don't owe you an explanation."

"Then why are you still listening to me?"

Xi Siyan took two steps closer, bending slightly in front of Yang Shule's widened eyes. "I'll say this once. Stay away from him."

Before Yang Shule could gather his emotions, Xi Siyan straightened up and said calmly, "You should consider today the worst day of your life. Since Chen Mo is leaving the Yang family, I hope he has peace until the end of the college entrance exams. You understand what I mean. There will be worse days ahead, it's up to you how you choose."

Every word implied a threat without explicitly stating one.

Every sentence offered protection without directly saying so.

Yang Shule was stunned by Xi Siyan's demeanor.

The tall young man, showing signs of maturity, had a shadow of another person in his eyes, creating a silent yet profound impact.

Fear filled Yang Shule's eyes, but he soon laughed neurotically.

His words were venomous.

"Xi Siyan, I curse the person you like to die alone, homeless, and without support! The future is uncertain, we'll see."

These words sounded like mere venting from Yang Shule, but they made Xi Siyan's soul shudder. His eyes instantly froze.

At seven in the evening.

The Maybach stopped at the entrance of a residential area less than a kilometer from the school.

Chen Mo had originally arranged to view an apartment, but due to the late hour, he had to take the keys from the security guard and go up himself.

"Wanna come along?" Chen Mo asked before getting out of the car.

When leaving the Yang household, Chen Mo didn't know what Xi Siyan had said to Yang Shule, but he could tell he was in a bad mood. Yang Shule's face was ashen when he left, looking terrified.

When Chen Mo asked Xi Siyan, he simply said nothing happened.

Nothing that would scare someone so badly.

Xi Siyan glanced out the window and got out of the car first. "Let's go."

"You're really coming up?" Chen Mo followed him out, circling around to his side. "I chose this place because it's close to the school. The neighborhood is quite old, and the environment might not be great. Look, the streetlights are broken, making it quite dark."

As he spoke, Chen Mo searched for the unit he wanted to view.

They walked less than fifty meters into the neighborhood and arrived.

It was on the fifth floor, with no elevator.

Climbing the narrow staircase, Chen Mo reminded Xi Siyan, who was behind him, "Be careful."

"Okay." Xi Siyan responded from behind.

His voice was somewhat deep, as if dissatisfied with the place.

Especially when they reached the fifth floor, a middle-aged man suddenly opened his door, shirtless, with greasy hair and a beer bottle in hand. This image reminded Chen Mo of Chen Jianli. Drunk and probably seeing Chen Mo as young, he spoke inappropriately, "Hey, looking for a room, kid? I have a spare room here, interested?"

Chen Mo was annoyed. Was calling him "kid" necessary? He was nearly six feet tall, just wearing a hoodie and a bit thin.

Chen Mo didn't have the chance to say anything.

The person following him suddenly spoke: "Scram."