Chapter 2858

Xiao Changkun was flustered by her words, his face turning red as he stammered: "Who said I was asking my son-in-law for money? Did I say that? I came to see my son-in-law for other reasons—don't go spitting blood at me!"

Ma Lan, upon hearing this, didn't argue with him but turned to Ye Chen and said: "Your father-in-law—he said what he said, and you heard it. No matter what foul gas he's holding in, you must never give him a single cent!"

Xiao Changkun instantly flared up, lifting his chin and snapping: "Ma Lan, what's wrong with you? You keep harping on the money issue—won't you let it go?"

Ma Lan deliberately shook her head, grinning cheekily: "What's the matter? Since you're not here to ask my son-in-law for money, I'll tell him not to give you any—why does that upset you?"

"You… you…" Xiao Changkun hadn't expected Ma Lan's defensive skills to be so sharp—she'd nipped his thought in the bud before it could even form, voicing it so bluntly that he couldn't possibly bring himself to ask Ye Chen for money now.

Having suffered a dumb loss, Xiao Changkun was utterly unable to rebut, only able to mutter resentfully: "I… I didn't come to ask my son-in-law for money… I just wanted to remind him to stay safe when he's out and about!"

Ma Lan deliberately acted as if she'd just let out a big sigh of relief, alternately rubbing her chest with both hands while speaking with lingering fear: "Oh Xiao Changkun, you really scared me to death—I thought you were shamelessly trying to hit up my son-in-law for money! Earning money isn't easy for him, and you, with your two hands and two feet, should just stop spending his money."

Xiao Changkun snapped angrily: "Ma Lan, what's wrong with you? I already said I wasn't here to ask my son-in-law for money, yet you keep nagging—won't you ever stop?"

Seeing Xiao Changkun flustered and unable to voice his true thoughts, Ye Chen suddenly felt that the ancients were indeed right: the pitiful always have something hateful about them.

Xiao Changkun's character is weak, and his behavior is evasive and hesitant, forever caught in a contradiction—fearing wolves ahead and tigers behind—so though his life has offered multiple chances to turn things around, he always ends up ruining everything himself.

Just like when Han Meiqing first returned from abroad—everyone could see Xiao Changkun genuinely wanted to reconcile with her, and Han Meiqing herself had always harbored feelings for him; they were truly a case of mutual affection, and if Xiao Changkun dared divorce Ma Lan, he could make up for decades of regret and secure a happy old age for himself.

But he just couldn't bring himself to pierce that layer of window paper, so as Han Meiqing waited for him, she lost patience, and then He Yuanjiang—a man vastly superior to him in every way—suddenly appeared and stole the love of his life right from under him.

Despite losing Han Meiqing as such a great lesson, he still failed to recognize his own flaws, still couldn't overcome his hesitant, timid nature, and Ye Chen felt nothing but helplessness—and a growing frustration at his lack of resolve.

So he looked at Xiao Changkun and asked directly: "Dad, are you short on money? If so, just say the word—I'll transfer some to you."

The moment Xiao Changkun heard that, his heart stirred—but then he thought of Ma Lan's mockery and the flag he'd just planted, and he felt too ashamed to slap his own face.

So Xiao Changkun didn't know how to respond to Ye Chen's words at all.

Seeing Ye Chen intent on giving Xiao Changkun money, Ma Lan grew anxious and hurriedly said: "Son-in-law, your father just said himself he has hands and feet and doesn't need your money. Besides, your father is now, big or small, a figure in cultural circles—even a vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association. In short, he's a prominent person—giving him money now would be slapping his face, wouldn't it?"

Xiao Changkun felt even worse inside.

Though he longed to rush forward and give Ma Lan two slaps, he knew her words were constantly pressuring him, and if he went along with Ye Chen's suggestion and actually asked for money, he'd lose all face.

Seeing Xiao Changkun hesitate and hesitate without speaking, Ye Chen felt helpless and simply stopped trying to manage him, instead going along with his words: "Dad, thanks for your concern—I'll stay safe. If there's nothing else, I'll go pack up first—I'm heading to the airport later."

Others might use the slope to dismount, but Xiao Changkun is forever the donkey being led down from the hilltop—Ma Lan's few words block his exit, and he can only slide down her slope all the way. This is his character flaw, and also how Ma Lan manipulates him.

Ye Chen also knew his nature was unchangeable, so he gave him no more chances. After saying that, he turned and walked into the elevator.

Watching Ye Chen go upstairs, Xiao Changkun felt utterly miserable.

Seeing Ma Lan's triumphant smile, he felt worse than dead.

As Ye Chen went upstairs, he couldn't help but sigh: When will my father-in-law Xiao Changkun break through his inner hesitation and weakness? When will he finally live as he truly wants to?

……

Everything packed, late at night Ye Chen left home alone, planning to drive to the airport.

Just as he reached the first floor in the elevator, he saw his father-in-law Xiao Changkun with a cigarette in his mouth, springing up from the sofa with a grin: "Son-in-law, are you leaving now?"

Ye Chen nodded slightly: "Yes, Dad—I'm leaving for the airport now."

Xiao Changkun rubbed his hands, about to speak, when Ma Lan suddenly hobbled down the stairs and shouted: "Oh son-in-law, Mom's here to see you off!"

Ma Lan, who had received one million, and Xiao Changkun, who had missed out on one million, both independently thought of seeing Ye Chen off.

Xiao Changkun wanted to find a chance to hint subtly to Ye Chen that his own finances were tight, hoping Ye Chen would generously give him a hundred thousand or so.

Xiao Changkun is the type who, even when drowsy and wanting a pillow, would never say so—instead, he'd stubbornly claim it doesn't matter or even say he doesn't want it, then lie awake hoping someone would voluntarily bring him a pillow. He's the kind who can't even beg for food, just hoping a chicken leg will drop from heaven and land right in his bowl.

Put nicely, it's reserve and propriety; put bluntly, it's just hoping for handouts.

Ma Lan understands Xiao Changkun's nature—she knows how to manipulate him and block his escape. She feared he'd take the chance of seeing Ye Chen off to act pitiful and extract money from him, so she deliberately waited for Ye Chen's departure to ruin his plan.

Just as Xiao Changkun was about to voice his poverty, Ma Lan suddenly appeared—he immediately swallowed his words back down.

At that moment, Ma Lan glanced at Xiao Changkun and immediately put on a fawning smile toward Ye Chen: "Son-in-law, go ahead and attend to your business—don't worry about anything at home!"

Saying that, she hurried forward, insistently offering to carry his suitcase, straining with all her strength as she walked out, urging: "Son-in-law, it's getting late—you'd better hurry, or you'll miss your flight and delay your work!"

Xiao Changkun also watched Ye Chen being ushered out by Ma Lan, his heart sinking to the valley floor, and he could only follow out resentfully.

Ye Chen gave Xiao Changkun no opening at all—he shoved the suitcase into the BMW's trunk, then waved to the two: "Mom and Dad, I'm leaving now."

After saying that, he got into the car, pressed the accelerator, and drove out of the gate.

Half an hour later, Ye Chen arrived at the airport—the plane was ready for takeoff, and Chen Zhaozhong also landed on time at Jin Ling Airport.

After meeting, they boarded the private jet to the United States together, the plane taking off into the night sky toward New York, ten thousand li away.