C25 Give up on This Idea!

Yang Ling exuded an overwhelming presence, silencing everyone in the room. Lin Xiaoyue, his cousin, had food remnants clinging to her skirt—a situation that would have once incited her fury. Yet, in that moment, she could only gaze at Yang Ling with palpable fear, unable to utter a single word.

With a steely gaze, Yang Ling addressed his dumbfounded Third Aunt, "I won't lend you the money. Abandon the thought."

His stance was unyielding. Third Aunt was simultaneously startled, frightened, and resentful upon hearing his firm declaration.

She had always been the intimidating one, bolstered by her brash demeanor and her husband's business dealings, strutting confidently among relatives.

But today, her nephew outmatched her in ferocity, seemingly indifferent to the potential rift. His words were delivered with irrevocable finality.

In that instant, the System's voice echoed in Yang Ling's mind: "Ding! You've crushed Third Aunt's hope of borrowing money, Attribute Point +1."

"Ding! You've crushed both Third Aunt's and your cousin's wish to ridicule you, Attribute Point +1."

"Ding! You've honored your parents' desire not to lend money, Wish Value +1."

"Ding... System prompt: Filial piety is paramount. You've fulfilled your parents' wish for the first time, aligning perfectly with the System's values. Hidden reward unlocked: One random max-level skill."

"The System is now drawing a random skill for you. Please hold."

"What?"

Before Yang Ling could fully process, the System announced, "Ding... You've acquired a max-level skill: Master of Culinary Skills."

"Master of Culinary Skills? Are they suggesting I become a chef?"

A moment of surprise gave way to a pleased smile curving his lips. An abundance of skills was never a burden; to him, the more rewards, the better.

Turning away from the mental dialogue with the System, he spoke softly to his mother, "Mom, you have that little account book, right?"

"Bring it out for Third Aunt to see. Let's settle the accounts today and figure out exactly how much she owes and when she plans to repay it."

At that, Third Aunt snapped back to reality, her voice shrill with indignation, "Yang Ling, you're going too far!"

"You're well aware of the connections my husband has. Believe me when I say he can find someone to teach you a lesson."

"Oh? You're threatening me?"

Yang Ling's expression darkened as he advanced toward Third Aunt. With each step, the fear in her eyes grew. In an icy tone, he declared, "I despise threats more than anything, no matter who makes them."

"Go ahead, repeat that. I'm all ears."

Third Aunt felt like prey under the gaze of a vicious beast, convinced that if she uttered a single word, the beast before her would rip her to shreds without a second thought.

She was shaking all over, her eyes wide with fear as she stammered at Yang Ling, "What... what are you going to do?"

Yang Ling's presence had everyone rooted to the spot, staring at the young man in silent awe, too afraid to even breathe too loudly.

Then, the doorbell chimed.

Caught off guard, Yang Ling's mother went to answer the door, only to be startled by the group waiting outside.

A procession of seven or eight individuals in business attire entered, led by a middle-aged man with a benevolent face, a frequent face on television and none other than the top leader of S City!

Following him were Soong Baoyi, a high-ranking police official, and his superior, the striking officer Su Qiuxia.

Yang Ling didn't recognize the others, but their demeanor gave away their prestigious status.

It suddenly clicked for Yang Ling. Su Qiuxia had mentioned that the leaders planned to visit him and his family soon. He just hadn't expected their arrival to be so immediate!