The sun cast a warm glow over the quaint middle-class neighbourhood, illuminating the modest house that once belonged to Luo Muchen’s late mother. As he stepped out of his sleek black SUV, he felt a mixture of nostalgia and anger.

His mother had prepared this house for them before he was born. This was the only thing she had in her name after his uncle disowned her over her pregnancy after she insisted on keeping it. Unfortunately, they never got to live in it. The furniture remained in place and the nursery was left untouched. His uncles took the house after her death and did a good job at maintaining it.

He somewhat allowed him to visit in the past before their relationship broke down. He wanted this house back and he would love to bring Qie Xieling here. This was why he was willing to meet with his uncle despite their relationship breakdown.

When he stepped out of the car staring at the house. He had his father’s mansion when he died but it wasn’t as warm as his mother’s house. He wanted to live here with his sweetheart and be a family.

He ascended the front steps, his heart pounding with each approaching moment. The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a spacious living room adorned with elegant furniture and priceless artwork. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh jasmine tea.

There, seated at a polished mahogany table, was President Yin himself. His regal presence was unmistakable, his sharp gaze piercing through Luo Muchen’s very core. A faint smile played on the president’s lips, betraying a sense of satisfaction over his nephew’s recent triumph against Eastside triads on their illegal money printing operations.

"You are finally here," President Yin greeted, gesturing for him to take a seat. "I trust you appreciate the lengths I’ve gone to ensure your compliance."

Luo Muchen’s eyes narrowed, his voice tinged with a hint of defiance. "Uncle, I appreciate your efforts, but holding my mother’s house as ransom was unnecessary."

President Yin’s smile faded, replaced by a flicker of irritation. "Necessity is subjective, my dear nephew. I did what I had to do to bring you here... You made me proud taking down that bitch in one go. It solidified my next presidential term."

Luo Muchen took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. Of course, his uncle would take credit. That he most definitely expected. He knew that defying President Yin would have dire consequences, but he couldn’t contain himself.

"Since that’s the case then you can thank me by handing over the house to me, that way you and I can finally part ways," he said and President Yin’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing.

"Part ways? How can blood be washed away? I know you always wanted to white-wash your father’s business, to legitimise your operations. I am offering you a way out," he said and Luo Muchen was quite irritable. If his uncle took him in when his mother died he wouldn’t have to be raised by an immoral man and his sadistic wife. How he survived the first few years of his life was a mystery.

He had to constantly prove himself to his father and when he failed the beatings were unbearable. He wouldn’t have to be in this position if his uncle didn’t abandon him.

Normally he wouldn’t have cared about this proposition because his uncle used the same reason to get him to work for him in the past but time and time again his uncle never delivered on his promises. This time he had something he valued and that was Qie Xieling so he was willing to get out of this business.

"What do I have to do?" he asked and what his uncle said next made him completely lose his temper.

"All you have to do is marry the daughter of my Minister of Finance. I have already sent her your picture and both her and her family are pleased with you. It will open doors for you and me. Once you are married, I will give you the house and you can make it your matrimonial home. If you have a child it would be even better."

Luo Muchen clenched his jaw seething in anger. "No," he said and his uncle who was pushing a file with her details towards him was startled. He didn’t expect him to refuse him with no second thought. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"You are just like your mother. I thought you were smarter than her. If she had only married the person I set up for her instead of going for a married criminal do you think she would be dead? Your mother embarrassed me popping up pregnant right before her engagement... You have to pay back her debt," he said almost foaming at the mouth in anger. Of course, his memory was selective. He forgot how his sister refused this marriage but he kept forcing her. He threatened to disown her and throw her out on the street if she refused the marriage.

To show that he was serious he threw her out during a fight, blocked all her cards and took her cell phone from her. He wanted to show her that she was nothing without him and what life she would live if she refused to marry.

Given that she was only eighteen and still a student she had nowhere to go. In a way, he drove her straight into the triad boss’s arm who took advantage of her vulnerability promising her the world. She didn’t know he had a wife and while living with him she fell pregnant.

Her brother, when he found out dragged her back.

She was especially obedient afterwards and he thought she had learnt her lesson. He just didn’t know that she was pregnant and she was accumulating wealth to purchase this house.

His sister played him in the end and revealed to the world that she was pregnant right before the engagement.

"I can’t accept your offer. You can keep the house and don’t ever contact me again," he said as he got up to leave. They had nothing else to discuss.

President Yin took a sip of the jasmine tea the taste not as enjoyable as before.

He set his teacup down and said, "Do you really think you can continue doing business on my turf? I will tear you down piece by piece and leave you without a cent just like your mother."

Luo Muchen’s steps paused momentarily before he started walking away again.

"You think that boy will stay with you when you are broke? He already betrayed you several times and you weren’t in a relationship. The only reason he is with you now is for your money... Once it’s gone he will betray you again and run off with some woman into the sunset."