Chapter 102: The Breaking Point

The word "divorce" had lingered around Hong Chen’s ears for nearly half a year, but this was the first time it had been uttered by Lin Yuan Gui. Hong Chen raised his brows in surprise, catching the resolute look in Lin Yuan Gui’s eyes. He realized that his usually taciturn father-in-law was finally losing his temper.

“Hong Chen, I know this puts you in a difficult position. Don’t think I’m threatening you. You are now a member of the Lin family, and as such, you should make contributions to the family.” Lin Yuan Gui’s words were firm and righteous, a far cry from his usual indecisiveness and reticence.

The Lin family watched the scene unfold, their eyes betraying a hint of astonishment. This was the first time they had witnessed Lin Yuan Gui’s uncharacteristic side; when an honest man finally explodes, he is indeed tougher, more unreasonable, and more blunt.

The old lady’s eyes gleamed with a sly, victorious smile—this was precisely the outcome she desired. She knew Lin Yuan Gui was stubborn in certain ways, unyielding to the point of crashing headlong into a wall. She refused to believe that Lin Yu Xin could truly steel her heart, letting her father hurt himself without compromise.

Lin Yu Xin’s delicate face was frosty. She bit her lip, about to speak, but Hong Chen beat her to it, his tone calm: “What gives you the right to decide the fate of my marriage with Yu Xin?”

“Because I’m your father-in-law. I am Yu Xin’s father!”

Bang! The moment Lin Yuan Gui finished, Hong Chen slapped the table and stood, his expression sharp and voice stern: “When I was forced by the Lin family to take the blame and beg forgiveness from the Liu family, did you, as my father-in-law, ever speak a word of fairness for me? When Yu Xin was gravely injured and her life hung by a thread, where were you, as her father? Now you invoke the titles of father-in-law and father to pressure me—do you have any shame left?”

Lin Yuan Gui’s face froze on the spot. Hong Chen let out a cold laugh. “You claim that since Yu Xin and I married, all our expenses have been covered by your family. Let me ask you: who settled Yu Fei’s nearly four million yuan debt? If it weren’t for my boss’s intervention, your family would have been ruined. So tell me—do I owe you, or do you owe me?”

Lin Yuan Gui opened his mouth, only to find himself speechless. Over the past two years, his family had provided Hong Chen with no more than a hundred thousand at most, yet Hong Chen had resolved debts worth several million for them.

“Hong Chen, what’s with your attitude? With my daughter’s qualities, marrying a useless man like you, are you saying we owe you?” Shen Hui Fang, seeing Hong Chen’s confidence reaching new heights, argued back for Lin Yuan Gui, her face darkening.

Hong Chen glanced at her. “That’s why you, as my mother-in-law, secretly arranged for Yu Xin to meet other men, nearly getting her killed. I wonder if those two slaps last time taught you anything.”

His words left Shen Hui Fang flushed with embarrassment. Lin Yu Xin couldn’t bear to watch any longer; she tugged at Hong Chen’s sleeve. He turned to her, and she said firmly, “Hong Chen, enough. They are my parents.”

Hong Chen fell silent for a moment, then spoke deeply: “Your father just said that if I refuse, tomorrow he’ll make us go through divorce procedures. I imagine your mother welcomes it, too. Let me be clear: I refuse. What do you say?”

Lin Yu Xin was stunned. Shen Hui Fang, enraged, snapped, “Of course it’s divorce! Don’t think you can act high and mighty just because you have a boss backing you. You’re nothing but a fox borrowing a tiger’s might. Our family isn’t impressed!”

Then she turned to Lin Yu Xin. “Yu Xin, you know your father’s temperament best. Out of a hundred matters, ninety-nine he has no opinion. It’s rare he makes up his mind. Are you going to defy him as his daughter? How will he face others in the future?”

Lin Yu Xin was torn. Whether by reason or from her heart, she wanted to stand with Hong Chen. The problem was, doing so would publicly slap her parents’ faces—they were, after all, her mother and father.

Just as she was caught in this dilemma, Hong Chen’s phone rang. He answered casually, the voice on the other end anxious, though its words were unclear. Hong Chen’s brows furrowed, and finally he said, “Let’s meet. Send me the address; I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Finishing the call, Hong Chen no longer pressed for Lin Yu Xin’s answer. He looked up at the old lady and said, “You have two sons and a daughter, two grandsons and a granddaughter. If they prove themselves, the Lin family won’t lack for prosperity—but from now on, don’t ever target Yu Xin again. This is my final warning.”

The old lady’s face darkened. Lin Yuan Gui exploded in anger: “Hong Chen, how dare you speak to your grandmother like that? Do you still respect your elders—”

“Shut up!” Hong Chen’s voice suddenly rose, his gaze sharp as he turned to Lin Yuan Gui. “I’ve always tried to save you some dignity. Don’t abuse it. If you want to be Mr. Nice Guy, that’s your business, but don’t let your stupidity harm Yu Xin. Let me ask you: with the old lady’s selfish nature, she claims that contract years ago was thanks to her connections—do you really believe her?”

Lin Yuan Gui was shaken, and the rest of the Lin family’s expressions changed as well. Though the old lady tried to maintain composure, her pupils contracted, and an uneasy feeling crept into her heart.

Hong Chen snorted. “Foolish!” He shifted his gaze, staring directly into the old lady’s eyes. “Let’s make a bet. If the contract that saved Lin Group from bankruptcy—the twenty million yuan contract—was truly your connection, I’ll persuade my boss to have Lin Feng Trading partner with Lin Group, and I’ll also arrange for Lin Group to cooperate with Hong Cheng Group, with a guaranteed sum of no less than twenty million. If it wasn’t your connection, I want Lin Group to cough up that twenty million contract from years ago. If you can’t, prepare for bankruptcy. Do you dare to bet?”

In that instant, all eyes focused on the old lady. She stared wide-eyed at Hong Chen, stunned for a moment, then asked, “How will the outcome of this bet be determined?”

Hong Chen’s lips curled in a mocking smile. “Out of respect for the old man, I really don’t want to destroy the Lin family myself—but don’t persist in your folly. That contract was with a trading company in Luo City, and the signatory was Chen Luo Feng.”

The old lady’s expression changed dramatically. Her hands and legs, hidden beneath the table, trembled uncontrollably.

Hong Chen’s words, combined with the old lady’s reaction, made it easy for everyone to draw their own conclusions. Lin Hui Huang suddenly cried out, “Grandma, don’t take that bet!”

There was a note of fear in his voice. He was genuinely worried that the old lady, out of pride, would act rashly. If the truth came out, Lin Group would be finished.

He had no doubt about Hong Chen’s ability to fulfill his promises, and he absolutely believed Hong Chen would show no mercy. Lin Feng Trading being acquired by Hong Cheng Group was proof enough—not to mention, news had spread throughout their circles about Hong Chen burning a Porsche in public on Xi Feng Mountain and humiliating a young heir from a neighboring city. Everyone was talking about how the Lin family’s “useless” son-in-law was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Now, every time he remembered how hard he’d tried to oppress and mock Hong Chen in the past, cold sweat broke out on his brow, and he was filled with regret and fear.

Lin Mei Mei quickly joined in, shaking her head vigorously. “Grandma, don’t pay any attention to such a ridiculous bet.”

Hong Chen glanced at Lin Hui Huang and Lin Mei Mei, more or less guessing their motivation, the hint of amusement flickering across his lips. His gaze returned to the old lady, but he didn’t press further, simply said, “You don’t need to decide now. Go home and think it over—the bet stands indefinitely. And let me remind you again: never target Yu Xin again. This is my last warning.”

With that, he turned to Lin Yu Xin. “I just got a call—urgent business. I’m leaving now.” Then he strode out of the room.

After Hong Chen left, the private room plunged into silence, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

“Dad, resign from Lin Group. If you want to rest at home, that’s fine. If you wish to work, you can come to Lin Feng Trading—I’ll arrange a comfortable job for you,” Lin Yu Xin’s voice suddenly broke the silence. Calm and without a trace of emotion, yet its implications sent a tremor through everyone present.

Was Lin Yu Xin about to break with the Lin family?

Lin Yuan Gui’s expression grew exceedingly complex and uncertain. Lin Yu Xin’s face turned cold, her voice icy: “Dad, if you can’t let go of your position as vice president, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If one day you sign the wrong contract, fall into massive debt, and end up in court, forgive your daughter for being unfilial. At that point, I’ll only say I’m powerless… Dad, think carefully. I’m full—I’ll wait for you and mom in the main hall.”

With that, Lin Yu Xin grabbed her purse and walked swiftly out of the private room, leaving the others behind, faces darker and heavier with every passing moment.

They all knew in their hearts: from this moment on, Lin Yu Xin was still nominally a member of the Lin family, but in reality, she had parted ways with them. Even Lin Yuan Gui and his wife couldn’t persuade her to turn back.