C1 Repress!

"Take the fall?"

Qin Feng's brow furrowed as he gazed at the matriarch seated with rigid formality in the grand hall.

The elderly lady sipped her tea, her tone indifferent. "The Hsu family's honor is at stake. Therefore, Ye, you'll shoulder the blame. Don't fret; a few years in prison will pass quickly. You're young with time to spare."

"Why should I? Hsu Changye is even younger—two years my junior!" protested Qin Feng.

"You're a disgrace!" barked his uncle from the sidelines, his voice icy. "Do you think you're on par with Ye?"

"We're offering you a chance to prove yourself. You became the Hsu family's son-in-law for the money, didn't you? Serve a few years, and we'll reward you with two hundred thousand!"

The hall erupted with the clamor of relatives.

Qin Feng sneered, silently condemning their selfishness.

He had joined the Hsu family by marrying into Hsu Guosheng's line three years prior, only to be looked down upon by everyone.

And now, they expected him to take the fall!

The previous day, Hsu Changye, the youngest son of Hsu's fourth uncle, had drugged a girl at a bar and committed a crime. The girl, having been unconscious, was unaware of her assailant's identity when she reported the incident to the police.

Fearing the true culprit would be discovered, the Hsu family hastily convened a meeting, resolving to have Qin Feng confess in Hsu Changye's stead.

Two hundred thousand might seem a substantial amount.

But Qin Feng hadn't married into the Hsu family for wealth; his heart belonged to Hsu Yunxiao.

One bitterly cold winter when he was five, as he roamed the streets nearly frozen, it was Hsu Yunxiao who offered him a piece of bread, saving his life. He vowed then to repay her kindness once he found success.

For three years, he endured a dog's existence, shouldering all household chores and suffering endless humiliation. Once, for serving a meal too salty, his mother-in-law slapped him across the face!

Even Hsu Yunxiao looked down on him, their nights spent apart.

Yet, as long as he remained by her side, he was content. To him, she was worth more than a mountain of gold.

"I disagree," Qin Feng stated calmly.

If he were imprisoned, how could he continue to protect her?

"Are you trying to extort us?" one relative accused.

"You're clueless about your own good fortune!" another jeered.

The commotion swelled until Hsu Yunxiao, her eyes red and swollen, could no longer hold back. "Enough!" she cried.

Though she often scorned Qin Feng, he was still her husband in name. Their insults to him were insults to her as well.

"Yunxiao, how dare you speak to your elders in such a manner?" her First Uncle scolded, frowning.

"Have you forgotten your own surname?" chided her Second Uncle.

Just then, Hsu Changye strolled into the lobby, cigarette dangling from his lips. "Grandma, if he won't agree, I've got another plan—we'll get Young Master Lee involved."

"Young Master Lee? Of Lee's Group?" The room buzzed with surprise, the old lady included.

"Absolutely," Hsu Changye boasted, head held high. "Just last night, I shared drinks with Young Master Lee. He thinks highly of me, even hinted at future collaborations!"

A hush fell over the hall as everyone processed the revelation.

Lee's Group was a household name in Lake City, one of the top three families, a league beyond the Hsus. To them, Lee's Group epitomized the elite.

"But Young Master Lee has his eyes on Ms. Yunxiao. If she divorces and marries him, all will be well," Hsu Changye continued.

The crowd's gaze shifted to Hsu Yunxiao, especially her mother, Lee Cuilan, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.

Marrying into the Lee family was an honor beyond measure, a golden opportunity!

She had long wished for Qin Feng to leave the Hsu fold, but the family matriarch had been reluctant, mindful of appearances.

Now, the old lady's eyes betrayed her excitement. She rose abruptly, slamming her hand on the table. "Yunxiao will divorce and marry into the Lee family. It's decided!"

Clearly, she wouldn't pass up this chance.

With Young Master Lee's connections, the Hsu family could ascend to the upper echelons.

As for Qin Feng, he was expendable—nobody cared about him.

"Yes, that's settled!" the others echoed, their excitement palpable as they lauded Hsu Changye's influence with Young Master Lee.

"Yunxiao, you owe Ye a debt of gratitude," the old lady beamed, sipping her tea like a lady of high society.

Hsu Yunxiao's frown deepened. "No, I disagree," she declared.

"You disagree?" the crowd turned to her.

"Surely you've heard of Young Master Lee's reputation. He's not only a notorious playboy but has also left many women with diseases," Hsu Yunxiao revealed.

"It might very well be those women's fault!" her uncle declared.

"Exactly! Who's to say it was Young Master Lee who gave it to them? Maybe they're just after his money!"

Listening to their reasoning, Hsu Yunxiao felt a coldness wash over her. Clenching her jaw, she insisted, "Grandma, if Qin Feng hadn't come to marry me three years ago, I doubt I'd even be alive today. I can't betray him like this."

"How dare you!"

The grandmother was livid. She slammed her hand on the table and rebuked, "Are you suggesting I'm in the wrong?"

"That's exactly what she's saying!"

From the side, Hsu Changye stirred the pot, "Ms. Yunxiao, you're so focused on repaying his kindness, but what about Grandma? Without her, where would Third Uncle be? And without Third Uncle, where would you be? Your very life is a gift from Grandma."

"Indeed, Ye is such a thoughtful child," chimed in the others.

The grandmother nodded at Hsu Changye with approval. Then, addressing the group, she announced, "Enough! This meeting is over!"

"Grandma!"

Hsu Yunxiao tried to object, but the grandmother had already risen and retreated to the inner room, utterly disregarding Hsu Yunxiao's feelings.

The others continued to urge her to prioritize the greater good and the family's interests.

Tears streamed down Hsu Yunxiao's face.

She sobbed like a forsaken child, her cries tugging at the heartstrings.

Qin Feng's compassion and fury were kindled. He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, his brows furrowed, and he spoke deliberately, "My dear wife, don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you."

With those words, he turned and strode away.

Hsu Yunxiao was taken aback.

In that instant, she saw a side of Qin Feng that was utterly unlike his usual timid self. He seemed transformed.

Once outside, Qin Feng lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply before pulling out his phone to dial a number he had long avoided.

"Young Lord, is that really you? Thank goodness! I've been awaiting this call so anxiously my hair's turned gray," an elderly voice on the other end cried with emotion.

Qin Feng replied coolly, "I'm prepared to take over the family fortune, but on one condition."