[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes":3,"chapter-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-42":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},132138,203,"Chapter 42: Despairing of Him","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>Upon hearing Shen Lingsheng’s words, Madam Yun was practically exploding with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how Han has lived all these years?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he has, from food and clothing, was earned by himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know how much dirty and tiring work he has done in the household?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You keep saying he has no achievement in the Martial Path, but has your Shen Family ever given Han a chance to practice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which of the other offspring in the mansion doesn’t wear fine clothes and have daily guidance from a tutor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does Han have that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone those things, he’s lucky if he can fill his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng, tell me, why should Han sacrifice for the Shen Family when treated like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun glared at him furiously, like a tigress protecting her cubs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tirade left Shen Lingsheng momentarily at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he responded in a slightly weaker tone, \"I am his father, and no matter what, he must listen to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the father is kind, the son can be filial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A father who wants to send his son to death expects the son to listen to him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun countered every sentence precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, you’re Han’s father, but don’t forget, I’m also his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I do not agree for Han to sacrifice, absolutely not!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Genetically speaking, Madam Yun indeed had no blood ties with Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the third wife’s lady, she was Han’s mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mother naturally protects her son!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng’s mouth twitched for a moment, and his eyes seemed to show more viciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The future foundation of the Shen Family is destined to be handed over to your cousin Shen Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Jinyu and your cousin are fond of each other, and breaking off this engagement will earn you his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By making this sacrifice, even if you end up crippled, your cousin will, out of sentiment, take care of you for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your future life might be better than your present one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If force won’t do, then try persuasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If life is hard now, promise a brighter future, a vision to strive toward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But alas, Han had grown weary of such empty promises day in and day out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what if my cousin doesn’t remember this debt? What will become of my life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han’s question left Shen Lingsheng speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, he hesitantly replied, \"How could he not remember...He promised me he would take good care of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Promises are made to be broken, aren’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when Father married Third Madam, he made many promises. How many of them were kept?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trusting the Shen Family’s promises is no different from courting death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I end up crippled, I’ll have no strength to resist at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if the Shen Family breaks its promises, what can I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a cripple overturn the heavens?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng sat down on a chair in the ancestral hall, his face carrying traces of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The person the Su Family’s Pride originally wanted to marry wasn’t you, and this engagement will inevitably be terminated, albeit in a different manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re this uncooperative, nothing good will come of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han’s expression remained unchanged: \"Since the Su Family’s Pride doesn’t want to marry me, let her break her leg and pay the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why should I be the one to pay the price?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng snorted coldly, \"Why you? Because you have no ability, you have no talent, what else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, Su Hongyi of the Su Family has already spoken. If the engagement isn’t resolved, he’ll break it off in his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Find out who Su Hongyi is yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooperating with the Shen Family to annul this engagement will ultimately be a lighter burden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After these words, Han saw right through this father of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others would do everything to protect their children, even risking it all to ensure their safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that Su Hongyi might come after his child, he would charge forward to fight for his child’s chance of survival despite the odds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shen Lingsheng was entirely different. He had not the slightest intention of protecting Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even used the threat of Su Hongyi returning to coerce him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha! Truly a good father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun seemed utterly disillusioned with him and did not say another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Cailing, who had heard so much, could no longer hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third Master, after all, the Fifth Young Master is your flesh and blood, surely you should protect him...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Cailing could finish, Shen Lingsheng slapped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slap was particularly heavy; had it landed on Cailing’s face, it might have knocked her out cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han, now with the Seventh Grade’s strength, reacted swiftly beyond ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out to block, but his strength was still insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using his other hand, he pushed Cailing aside, and the slap ultimately landed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burning pain spread across his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mercy was spared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the masters are speaking, does a maid have the right to interrupt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this happens again, you’ll be beaten to death with rods in the mansion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng’s anger was palpable, and he struggled to find an outlet for his rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun hastily shielded Cailing, pulling her behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shen Lingsheng before her now seemed frighteningly unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem like family; instead, he was more like an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I were more capable than Su Jinyu, if I had more talent, would she be the one to bear the cost of breaking the engagement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of determination and pride flickered in Han’s eyes as he looked at Shen Lingsheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Trying to buy time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Shen Lingsheng’s eyes, Han seemed merely to be stalling for time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The engagement is set for mid-December, less than three months away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If within three months, you can prove yourself stronger than Su Jinyu, naturally, the annulment won’t see you sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But let me tell you, merely advancing to the Ninth Grade still sets you far from those geniuses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Lingsheng said his piece, looking at both Madam Yun and Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the end of the Winter Month, the Su Family’s Pride will participate in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering in Heyang City. If you genuinely believe you’re stronger, join the gathering and surpass the Su Family’s Pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you lack the skill, then accept your fate obediently!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said, he turned and left the ancestral hall without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the ancestral hall, Han helped Madam Yun to sit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, what’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the pale face of Madam Yun, Cailing anxiously asked about her concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun shook her head slightly: \"I’m just dead inside regarding him...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, don’t be upset. Third Master was just angry. Words spoken in anger are not to be trusted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Cailing despised Shen Lingsheng, she still tried to console Madam Yun with kind words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Han, he was so heartless, even to his flesh and blood, he could be so...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am merely a woman he married for show; he’ll only be more heartless to me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Yun looked towards the direction Shen Lingsheng had left, feeling all ties severed in that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han knelt beside Madam Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third Madam, you still have me, and Cailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Believe me, I will ensure you and Cailing live well in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll leave this oppressive Shen Family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were steadfast, like swearing an oath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment, tears filled Madam Yun’s eyes, finally falling.\u003C\u002Fp>",1248,"2026-05-29T03:00:29.668Z","2026-06-01T04:29:01.835Z",1,"novelbin.me","7a0bd0116bc453013f3123f304d96f5b641d1d258a0730b82f286809ffb2651f","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-43","engagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-chapter-41",546,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fengagement-canceled-i-can-extract-prefixes-cover.jpg"]