"Bam!"

Granny Ye directly smashed a cup: "You’ve been bewitched by her! Look at what you’ve become under her influence. You make money but don’t tell the family or give us a dime. Do you plan to give everything you have to outsiders?"

"Ha, finally getting to the point." Ye Qiu laughed and spoke, "So at the end of the day, all you care about is the money I’ve earned, right? If you want it, just say it openly. Don’t think breaking up Xianxian and me will get you anything."

"Who are you insulting? You think I want your money?" Second Uncle said angrily.

"Yes, Second Uncle, you and Second Aunt can earn money. You may not want it, but there are others with ulterior motives," he said, looking at Ye Qing. "But why should I? It’s my money, and I can give it to whomever I want."

"She’s just an outsider. Have you thought about what happens when she takes your money and then doesn’t acknowledge it?" Ye Peilin couldn’t help but comment.

"Dad, I’ve already said, Xianxian will be my future wife. She’s not an outsider. When I was with her, I couldn’t even afford the food in the school cafeteria. What do you think she was after then? I’m a person; I know who’s genuinely good to me. Xianxian treats me well. Should I give my money to Ye Qing, who looks down on and oppresses me?" Ye Qiu said sarcastically.

"I know you want to say something about Ye Qing being good to me and trying to train me. But I can’t handle that kind of ’good.’ You all say blood is the closest bond. Dad, aren’t you and Second Uncle close? How come you don’t pool your money?"

"What nonsense are you talking?" Ye Peilin and Ye Peijun were red with anger.

"Am I wrong? Okay, even if siblings are different, Mom, you’re your brother’s sister. He didn’t give his house to you!"

Han Hui was also infuriated and scolded, "How is this the same?"

"How is it not the same? Grandpa, Grandma, why don’t you persuade my parents, or maybe let them give all the family assets to my uncle’s family instead?"

"How can the Ye Family’s things be given to an outsider?" Grandpa Ye was furious.

"Then there you go. Ye Qing will eventually marry out. If she takes my things, wouldn’t that be giving them to an outsider too?"

"But... Qingqing is your biological sister!"

"Well, my mom is my uncle’s biological sister!"

"You ungrateful thing! Do you plan to marry and forget your family? How did the Ye Family end up with a disgrace like you?" Unable to argue, Granny Ye started making a fuss. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Not transferring my assets to Ye Qing is being ungrateful? Didn’t I give my parents hundreds of thousands just days ago? Isn’t that money? I also said I’d be responsible for their retirement. No matter where, I’m not wrong. If you all feel so sorry for Ye Qing, Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and Second Uncle, you can give her all your assets. My little money is surely not as much as all of yours combined." He even provided a suggestion and looked at everyone with a sardonic smile.

Unable to hold it back, Ye Qing blushed and said, "That’s the elders’ money. How could I take it?"

Ye Qiu smiled at her: "Haven’t you taken little from them before?"

"That was their goodwill. How could I refuse?"

"Yet you have no shame in eyeing my money, do you? Indeed, when you used my New Year money and living expenses, you weren’t embarrassed. Weren’t you ashamed? I only had several hundred yuan for living expenses a month, while you had thousands. You’d still ask me to buy you things. Do you know I had to hesitate even to buy a meat bun at school?"

"You never told me, how would I know?"

"Then why pretend outside? Pretending like you understand and care about me. In our hearts, we both know how you treated me. Haven’t you always thought I’m incapable? Haven’t you always been confident and excellent? Being so outstanding, why do you think of getting without working for it? Still asking the elders to intervene. How big is your face?"

"I didn’t ask Grandpa and Grandma to intervene. It’s you who changed, refusing to recognize family. I’m your sister. How could I harm you?"

"You would." Ye Qiu said firmly.

"Enough!" Ye Peilin slammed the table hard, "Don’t think you’re so great just because you’ve achieved something. Life has its ups and downs, don’t come crying to return later."

Ye Qiu smiled indifferently: "Dad, let me give you and Mom a piece of advice. Even though I don’t want anything from you, don’t give all your assets to Ye Qing. Save some for your retirement, or you might regret it in the future."

Hearing this, Chang Qiao gave him an approving glance. It seemed that besides her, there was another sensible person in this house. People said Ye Qiu was the rebellious one in this family. But to her, it seemed like the family had problems, overly spoiling the girl to the point of not knowing right from wrong. If Ye Qing had a conscience, it would indeed be astonishing.

"Our matters don’t concern you. Qingqing is obedient and filial. She won’t be like you. Since nothing we say reaches you and if you insist on marrying that woman, then leave. Don’t expect me, your mom, your grandparents, or anyone else to attend your wedding!" Ye Peilin declared heartlessly.

There was no sadness in Ye Qiu’s eyes, but rather a hint of relief. He wrapped his scarf again without any hesitation: "You’re the ones forcing me to choose. Since I was sensible, Xianxian is the only one who made me feel warmth and love. I’m sorry, I can’t give her up. I’ll send the invitations. If you don’t want to come, I won’t force you."

Seeing him really open the door and leave, the crowd finally realized they had driven Ye Qiu away. Each pondered heavily, especially Ye Qing, who worriedly wondered if Ye Qiu’s assets would really benefit an outsider.

After leaving, Ye Qiu went to He Xixian’s house, where he received completely different treatment compared to the Ye Family.

Mr. He and Mrs. He didn’t ask what happened. They just kept inviting him to eat, and the four of them happily had a New Year’s Eve dinner. In the evening, they watched the Spring Festival Gala together and stayed up for the night. At midnight, he received a real New Year’s red envelope for the first time in his life.

Before, his red envelopes never made it to his hands before Ye Qing took them, and no one thought anything of it.

In contrast, the Ye Family had a rather dull celebration. They didn’t expect Ye Qiu to really leave and not return for the entire Spring Festival. Consequently, they grew increasingly dissatisfied and complained about him to relatives and friends.

Regarding the Ye Family’s affairs, those who didn’t understand awkwardly smiled or joined in the scolding. Those who understood merely smiled knowingly and advised their children not to have ideas about Ye Qing or introduce her boyfriends—doing so would be courting enmity, not kinship.