Chapter 176 - 175: Only you can stand by his side

Words : 1233 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 176: 175: Only you can stand by his side Liu Lan took in everyone’s expressions without a hint of emotion, casually giving her son an approving glance. Originally, her plan was to directly suggest a change in bride, but Chen Yan’s words, "Instead of forcing her, why not make her fall in love with me?" made her reconsider. Only with wholehearted willingness can one avoid unnecessary drama in the daily life. "Mr. Yu?" Liu Lan’s voice interrupted his wandering thoughts. She put down the teacup in her hand and smiled faintly. "I discussed with Shiguang and we’ve decided to increase the betrothal gift." Yu Baisheng was taken aback, completely unable to grasp their intentions. A marriage alliance itself was already a step up for the Yu Family, and now this... An idea flashed through his mind as his gaze instinctively landed on the refined gentleman drinking water nearby, a glint flickering in his eyes. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Yu Baisheng replied disapprovingly, "Mrs. Chen, this seems rather inappropriate." He deliberately paused for a few seconds, giving his counterpart the opportunity to respond, and just as expected... Moments later, Liu Lan chimed in, "We’re all family now, why bring up such formalities?" She patted the young man’s arm beside her, her gaze dripping with ambiguity. "The additional betrothal gift was Zai Zai’s idea. Surely, as his future father-in-law, you wouldn’t reject his heartfelt gesture?" Chen Yan placed his cup down, and his slender eyes lifted calmly. He looked at Yu Baisheng, a subtle smile curving his lips. "Uncle, this is what we juniors ought to do." "You silly child." Yu Baisheng cast him a reproachful glance, but his demeanor carried an undeniable warmth, as though he were already treating him like a part of the family. Seeing that he no longer insisted with polite refusals, Chen Shiguang handed over a revised list of betrothal gifts to the Yu couple. Initially, Yu Baisheng didn’t pay much mind to it—after all, betrothal gifts were usually straightforward—but as he flipped it open and saw the detailed items listed, his breath nearly stopped. Besides the two million yuan in cash and a luxury car, the Chen Family had also included a villa located within the third ring of the city and five percent of Chen Group’s shares. Just this equity alone ignited a fire of greed within Yu Baisheng’s chest, burning through his entire being and clouding his thoughts. Clutching the gift list tightly, he shook his head. "In-laws, this is too much." "Being able to marry Little Zhi into our family is a blessing for the Chen Family. Compared to her, these gifts mean nothing." "..." Yuan Li listened silently to their conversation, unclear as to what thoughts swirled in her mind. Her hands, clenched into fists at her knees, trembled slightly, her fingertips pressing hard into her palm. Shooting Yu Xinman a discreet look, she found an excuse to head upstairs, waiting in the bedroom for her to follow. "Mom, what’s wrong?" Yu Xinman asked, struggling with her cane. As she opened the door, the laughter and chatter from downstairs wafted in. Yuan Li’s expression darkened. Waiting until Yu Xinman closed the door and sat down next to her, she couldn’t hold back anymore, hurling the glass cup on the coffee table to the ground, venting her suppressed emotions. Her eyes were bloodshot as she gripped Yu Xinman’s slender arm, her voice piercing and sharp enough to be unsettling. "Why? Why can she marry so well? And now even her daughter gets the same?" Yuan Li’s fierce expression shocked Yu Xinman, who quickly disregarded the pain in her arm and embraced her mother’s waist. "Mom, calm down." Yu Xinman furrowed her brows tightly, gently patting her mother’s back and soothing her in a soft voice. "That woman is already dead. She can never threaten you again." "Dead?" Yuan Li suddenly burst into manic laughter, as if losing her sanity, muttering this phrase repeatedly. The excitement seemed to affect her deeply, her eyes reddening further. Yu Xinman was terrified by this behavior and had no choice but to continue saying comforting words repeatedly, hoping to appease her. After an unknown length of time, the chilling laughter gradually faded, and Yuan Li’s expression calmed, returning to normalcy. Fixing her gaze intently on Yu Xinman—sweet and poised—she gently cupped her daughter’s fair cheek with her hand. "What do you think of Chen Yan?" Yu Xinman hesitated. Recalling the man’s striking appearance when he entered the room, she bit her lip bashfully, the tips of her ears turning a deep red. In terms of looks, family background, or demeanor, there wasn’t a single aspect where he fell short compared to Lu Li, the man she had hidden in her heart—in fact, he seemed even gentler. Such a man, if he truly cherished someone, would surely make her the happiest person alive, envied by all. She didn’t answer outright, but Yuan Li had already discerned her feelings from her reaction—it couldn’t be clearer. "Xinman, only you are worthy to stand by someone as outstanding as Chen Yan." Yuan Li gently stroked her head. "Do you understand?" "But, he’s already engaged to my sister." Yu Xinman lowered her gaze demurely, her tone tinged with a faint, unspoken probing. Yuan Li recalled the list of betrothal gifts and let out a cryptic smile, speaking with determination. "Your father will never let her marry him." In business, profit is paramount. With just that five percent equity, Yu Baisheng would never consider someone he couldn’t control, like Yu Zhi. Nor would he be naive enough to hand over such assets to her. "Will the Chen Family agree?" Yu Xinman cautiously asked. "Doesn’t it all come down to what Chen Yan decides? As long as he likes you, the rest becomes irrelevant." Yuan Li glanced at the tightly shut door, a sinister smile slowly curling her lips. That woman had once taken Baisheng, and now her daughter should pay the price. ** The Chen Family’s visit this time could be declared a resounding success. Not only had they ensnared Yu Baisheng under their spell, but they had also lured Yu Xinman into a carefully laid trap. While they expected the trapped prey to struggle for some time before yielding, a surprising opportunity landed in their lap sooner than anticipated. Sitting by the balcony, Chen Yan lowered his head slightly, focused on the book resting on his knees. Each time the breeze blew past him, his long eyelashes fluttered gently. "Chen Yan." A soft, delicate voice, completely unpretentious, broke through from behind him just as he was about to turn the page. Turning around, Chen Yan spotted a girl in a wheelchair, similarly dressed, approaching him with a radiant, sunlit smile. "Miss Yu?" Chen Yan’s tone carried a hint of surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her to appear here unannounced. His gaze briefly swept over the box she held tightly, his expression as warm as ever. "You’ve come at an inconvenient time; my parents have already gone out." "That doesn’t matter." Yu Xinman pressed the button on the right-hand side of her wheelchair, guiding herself closer until she stopped right beside him. Taking apart the box in her hands, she pulled out a small cake and handed it to him. "This shouldn’t go to waste; I waited in line for ages to get it."

Chapter 176 - 175: Only you can stand by his side

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