Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Sha Meijuan asked haltingly, "You... you're really married?"

Tian Ruan glanced at Yu Jingmo and admitted shamefully, "Mhm, married."

"To him?" Sha Meijuan stared at Yu Jingmo in disbelief.

"Yes."

Sha Meijuan looked ready to collapse.

Tian Ruan quickly steadied her. "Mom, stay strong!"

Sha Meijuan: "..."

Steeled herself, Sha Meijuan took a deep breath and asked Yu Jingmo, "How old are you, if I may ask?"

Yu Jingmo: "Thirty."

"You’re a whole decade older than Xiao Yuan."

"Age doesn’t matter."

"What if you die before Xiao Yuan?" Sha Meijuan said bitterly. "Xiao Yuan's father was eight years older than me and left at forty, leaving me a widow and him fatherless. I couldn’t protect Xiao Yuan—I just wanted him to find a girlfriend and live a peaceful life."

Yu Jingmo: "If I die first, Tian Ruan will receive a huge payout."

Tian Ruan instinctively asked, "Really?"

Yu Jingmo shot him a frosty look.

Tian Ruan: "...I’m not saying I want you dead, I was just asking."

Yu Jingmo calmly told Sha Meijuan, "If he wants to date women, I won’t interfere."

Sha Meijuan was stunned. "What?"

Yu Jingmo: "If he has a child with a woman, I’ll provide for them—for a set period."

Sha Meijuan: "..."

Tian Ruan: "..."

Was he even hearing himself? Provide what? How?

Sha Meijuan shook with rage, clutching her chest as she took deep breaths. "You—how can you say such things?" She then pinched her son. "You’re just as bad!"

Tian Ruan: "..."

Yu Jingmo, convinced he’d been generous, asked, "Then what do you want from me?"

"Xiao Yuan doesn’t need your pity!"

Yu Jingmo’s face went cold. "Tian Ruan, speak for yourself."

How could Tian Ruan possibly admit the one-billion-euro debt he’d owe if they divorced within three years? Gritting his teeth, he reassured Sha Meijuan, "Mom, I chose this myself."

Sha Meijuan fired back, "How could you willingly marry a man ten years older? Are you just counting the days until he dies so you can get that money? Doesn’t it eat at you?"

Tian Ruan: "......I *do* have a conscience."

"Then tell me, why did you marry him?"

Tian Ruan, going all out: "Because he's rich, because he's handsome!"

Sha Meijuan: "..."

Yu Jingmo's eyebrows lifted slightly at this, and his frosty demeanor finally cracked with a smile. Behind him, Yu Shang—the Yu family patriarch—looked at Tian Ruan with a look that said it all, clearly thinking, "So you really are this shallow."

The "shallow" Tian Ruan silently thought to himself that his gold-digger image was now firmly established.

"Xiao Yuan..." Sha Meijuan said, in dismay.

Tian Ruan: "I really did this willingly. If you don’t believe me, just search online for who Yu Jingmo is."

Sha Meijuan picked up her beat-up phone—a castoff from her son—which lagged as she opened the browser. She simply typed "Yu Jingmo" in pinyin, and the name auto-filled.

After reading the encyclopedia entry, Sha Meijuan was gobsmacked and asked skeptically, "This Yu Jingmo?"

Tian Ruan nodded. "Yes."

"..."

The Yu family was a renowned century-old political dynasty in Suzhou, with ancestors in politics. By Yu Jingmo's generation, they had transitioned from politics to business. Though well-established, they had remained mediocre, even nearly went under at one point.

That was until Yu Jingmo took over the family at eighteen. In three years, he revived it; in five, he secured its place in the business world; and in ten, he became an undisputed heavyweight in business.

From Suzhou, the Yu family expanded nationwide and even globally, with business interests stretching across major countries.

The hospital Sha Meijuan was currently staying in belonged to the Yu family. No wonder she was floored.

An elderly man in a white coat walked in, wearing reading glasses and thin as a rail. Yet, upon seeing Yu Jingmo, he greeted him respectfully with a smile. "Mr. Yu, you’ve come. If there’s anything you need, just name it."

"Director," Yu Jingmo replied courteously, without standing on ceremony, nodding at the elderly man. "You’re a legend in cardiac surgery, though you haven’t operated in years. Could you make an exception for my mother-in-law?"

The director glanced at Sha Meijuan. "This lady?"

"Yes."

"Ah, I’m old now—afraid these old hands might shake. How about leaving it to my apprentice, Xiao Zhang? He’s been operating for four or five years."

"Xiao Zhang is still young. In the whole country, no one’s hands are steadier than yours."

The director sighed. "Since Mr. Yu insists, I’ll make an exception."

"Thank you," Yu Jingmo said. "If any equipment here’s outdated, feel free to replace it."

The director’s face lit up. "Wonderful."

With that settled, the director chatted briefly with Sha Meijuan to understand her condition and reassured her, "Ms. Sha, don’t worry. This procedure’s straightforward."

Sha Meijuan expressed profuse thanks.

"You should thank your top-notch son-in-law."

Sha Meijuan: "..."

After the director left, the room plunged into uncomfortable silence.

As the head of the Yu family and the head of the Wintergreen Group, Yu Jingmo excelled in any social setting, yet he found it difficult to understand his "own family's" motives using conventional logic.

There was no doubt that Sha Meijuan disliked him, which Yu Jingmo neither found surprising nor cared about.

Precisely because he didn’t care, Yu Jingmo spoke calmly, "If you want a grandson, Mother-in-law, here’s one ready to go—Yu Shang, greet your grandmother."

Yu Shang’s eye twitched, and he reluctantly stepped forward, addressing the woman on the hospital bed with a distant tone, "Greetings, Grandmother."

Sha Meijuan, who had suddenly gained a seventeen-year-old grandson out of nowhere, was completely stunned. She pointed at Yu Shang, "You... you..."

"He’s my adopted son," Tian Ruan added at the right moment, fearing Sha Meijuan might faint from the shock.

Sha Meijuan took a deep breath, too worn out to argue, and waved her hand weakly, "Just... go."

Yu Jingmo said a brisk "Goodbye" and turned to leave without hesitation. Yu Shang also politely said, "Goodbye, Grandmother."

With only the "mother and son" left in the ward, Sha Meijuan asked, "Xiao Yuan, did you marry him just for my medical bills?"

Tian Ruan replied, "That was part of it, but more importantly, I’m into wealthy men."

"..." Sha Meijuan spoke earnestly, "Xiao Yuan, Mom doesn’t want you to settle. I’d rather skip treatment—as long as you live a safe and happy life, I’ll be content."

If the real Tian Yuan had heard this, he’d have blown his top, but Tian Ruan could only sigh helplessly, "Mom, do you really think I’d be happy if you died?"

Sha Meijuan said tearfully, "But I don’t want you to force yourself either."

Tian Ruan: "I’m not forcing myself—I’m over the moon. Aside from being a bit older than me, Yu Jingmo’s looks, figure, and family background are all first-rate."

Sha Meijuan had no rebuttal. Yu Jingmo’s status was something she couldn’t even dream of in a hundred years. Still, she worried, "Son, money isn’t everything. Character matters most."

Tian Ruan thought for a moment and this time told the truth, "He may seem cold, but he’s never been harsh to me. He treats me with... respectful distance."

"Respectful distance alone isn’t enough. He ought to spoil you." No mother-in-law ever finds a son-in-law perfect—there’s always something to nitpick.

"He’s had many custom-made clothes tailored for me, each one over ten grand."

"...He’s ten years older than you."

"You’d never guess by looking—he appears no older than twenty-five."

"And he has such a grown son, almost your age."

"An older son means early retirement from parenting."

Sha Meijuan could find no further faults and sighed, "A grown son is no longer his mother’s—he’s gone straight for the cash."

"..."

Tian Ruan stayed to share a light dinner with Sha Meijuan in the ward. At some point, the steward arrived and entered while the mother and son were chatting. Smiling, he announced, "Madam Sha, good evening. My surname is Wang—I’m the Yu family steward. Mr. Yu has instructed me to hire a caregiver for you, and your meals will be personally prepared by a five-star hotel chef."

Sha Meijuan fell silent for a moment before saying, "I’m ill, not helpless."

The steward replied, "This is just for your comfort. Please don’t misunderstand."

Sha Meijuan said flatly, "No need. I can manage on my own."

Tian Ruan interjected, "Mom, just accept it. This is what a son-in-law should do."

Sha Meijuan, though poor, wouldn’t swallow her pride. "I really can handle it myself," she insisted.

Tian Ruan didn’t understand where Sha Meijuan’s awkwardness came from. He tried to persuade her again, “Mom, I don’t feel right leaving you alone.”

“But you’re here, aren’t you?”

“You want me to stay with you?”

Sha Meijuan became cautious, “Is that not okay?”

Tian Ruan: “… ” He couldn’t imagine staying overnight in a hospital room with an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.

Sha Meijuan’s expression gradually turned disappointed.

Tian Ruan hesitated over whether to offer this gesture of filial duty when the butler cut in, “That won’t do, Madam. He has to accompany Mr. Yu every night—after all, they’re newlyweds, still in their honeymoon period.”

Sha Meijuan: “…”

Tian Ruan: “…”

The butler tactfully defused the tension and brought in a female caregiver who chimed in with a smile, “Mr. Yu has been waiting for a long time and hasn’t even eaten. Madam, what do you think…?”

Tian Ruan said flatly, “Then I’ll head back first.”

Sha Meijuan tearfully saw him off, “Xiao Yuan, I’ve failed you.”

Tian Ruan sighed wearily, “Mom, don’t say that. Looking after you is my responsibility.”

“You… don’t be too greedy for money. Don’t… kill your husband…”

“…”

Watching Tian Ruan leave, Sha Meijuan felt a mix of emotions. Though her son no longer spoke harshly to her, his demeanor had indeed cooled. What bound them now was nothing more than the basic bond of family.

In the animal kingdom, young birds leave the nest once they grow up. Sha Meijuan told herself—at least, at the very least, her son hadn’t abandoned her completely. That was enough.

Nearly three hours had passed since Yu Jingmo left the hospital. Tian Ruan hadn’t believed Yu Jingmo hadn’t returned yet, but upon seeing the familiar Maybach, he found Yu Jingmo in the backseat, his long legs cramped in the seat, a laptop resting on his knees as he worked in an awkward posture.

Yu Jingmo had rushed to the hospital to “visit” before finishing his work—quite the dutiful son-in-law.

Tian Ruan carefully sat beside him and let out a burp as soon as he opened his mouth.

“…”

Yu Jingmo glanced at him. “Hospital food was good?”

Tian Ruan: “It was fine. I’m easy to please.”

Yu Jingmo’s lips twitched slightly as he closed his laptop and leaned back, instructing the driver, “Let’s go.”

Back at the Yu residence, the manor was lit up, especially the main house—not a single room was dark. As soon as they entered the living room, they heard the cheerful laughter of a young girl and a boy’s exasperated scolding, “Yu Ti, act your age!”

The sixteen-year-old girl was sprawled across the couch, clutching her phone and laughing uncontrollably. “Bro, look at this video—it’s hilarious! Hahahaha!”

Only when Yu Jingmo walked in did Yu Ti abruptly quiet down, sitting up properly. “Uncle, Uncle’s spouse, you’re finally back.”

“Something the matter?” Yu Jingmo’s first task upon returning home was always to remove his coat, followed by washing his hands. Having already completed the first, a servant silently took his coat and retreated while Liu Ma bustled about in the dining room, serving dishes.

Yu Ti sniffed the air and grinned. “Sweet and sour spare ribs! Oh, right, Uncle—you’ve been married for three days now. Today was supposed to be the bridal homecoming, but Great-Grandpa’s been waiting all day.”

Yu Jingmo asked, “Bridal homecoming?”

Tian Ruan: "Isn't this supposed to be the bride returning home?"

Yu Ti: "You're both men, so it doesn’t matter whose home you return to."

Makes sense.

Yu Jingmo, however, said indifferently, "We'll go when we have time."

Tian Ruan wasn’t happy about it. The more entangled he got with the 'elite family,' the riskier it became.

"Don’t want to?" Yu Jingmo noticed Tian Ruan’s expression—too easy to read, everything written plainly on his face.

Tian Ruan: "They don’t like me, and I don’t like them. Why meet?"

Yu Jingmo: "Then we won’t."

"?"

"Uncle!" Yu Ti exclaimed.

Yu Jingmo stated firmly, "Go tell them if they want to see my husband, they’d better bring real sincerity to our doorstep."

Yu Ti: "...We’re family."

"If you weren’t surnamed Yu, you’d have been out on the streets long ago." Yu Jingmo tossed out the remark casually and strode toward the bathroom, glancing at Tian Ruan. "You too—come wash your hands."

Tian Ruan obediently followed. "Okay."

Yu Ti widened her eyes. "Uncle’s being harsh! Asking Great-Grandfather to personally visit his grandson’s spouse, and with 'real sincerity'?"

Yu Shang stood and headed to the dining room, his tone identical to Yu Jingmo’s: "You’ve got the wrong idea about what 'family' means."

Yu Ti was puzzled.

"Who do you think is my father’s family now?"

"Aren’t we all?"

"But only one person shares his life now."

"!!" Yu Ti had an epiphany. "I get it! Uncle and his husband are a unit—Uncle can’t stand seeing him wronged, not even by the elders in the family. Damn, Uncle’s totally whipped!"

Tian Ruan happened to walk out just in time to hear the last line, his hair standing on end as he shuddered violently.

Yu Jingmo watched him tremble. "What are you, a hedgehog?"

Covered in spines yet small and pitiful, rolling into a ball and shaking when caught by humans. But those spines aren’t even that sharp—peel back the prickly shell, and there’s just softness underneath.

And then, the human would surely discover this little hedgehog’s tears dripping everywhere.

Tian Ruan looked up at him with watery eyes. "Hedgehog?"

Yu Jingmo raised a hand and pinched his soft cheek, quick as a brush, then strode toward the dining room. "Dinner time."

Tian Ruan froze for a second. "I’ve already eaten."

"Then just sit with us."

"..." Guess that brief gentleness was fake—Yu Jingmo’s real self is ice-cold!