Chapter 64: 063 Extinguished

Lei Man exploded.

The U.S. financial market blew up in a huge storm.

Yu Xing witnessed this moment nearly in real time through the screen.

Compared to such a storm of the age, he was but a gnat—yet across the Pacific, the storm had already struck fiercely at his doorstep.

Oh, and right in front of the gnat who grew grapes.

Chu Jinxiang was especially heartbroken; all his money came from growing grapes, and this year, a cold snap had slashed grape yields so severely he couldn’t even cover costs. He’d planned to quit investing after this year’s cycle, but then…

As he grieved, he listened to his nephew’s startup story—and suddenly felt… maybe it wasn’t so heartbreaking after all, but rather astonishing.

“One million??”

“Three companies competing to buy your company??”

“A company that’s been around three months??”

Chu Jinxiang reached out to feel his nephew’s forehead—no fever.

Yu Xing made a show of reaching out to feel his uncle’s forehead and smiled: “I’m the one who studied medicine.”

Chu Jinxiang fell into doubt.

Yu Xing offered no further explanation; he simply repeated the method, telling his uncle to go to the study and search media reports on the computer.

These easily searchable reports, backed by media credibility, quickly shattered Chu Jinxiang’s disbelief—he emerged from the study moments later, the first words out of his mouth: “Holy cow, how many grapes did you harvest these past three months…?”

His second remark carried the same regret common among elders: “You studied medicine for so long—now you’re in your second year of grad school, right? It’s such a waste.”

Yu Xing smiled: “My mom and dad feel the same way. Uncle, you think my company can last?”

Chu Jinxiang fell silent for a moment, then hesitated: “It’s a shame you gave up medicine after all that study—but if your company can succeed, and you don’t mess things up… well, nothing’s perfect.”

Since the facts were real, he still supported his nephew’s venture.

Yu Xing grunted: “Uncle, I’ll see how far this company can go. If it makes a lot of money, we won’t have to stress so much about investments anymore. Go talk to Auntie too.”

Chu Jinxiang frowned seriously: “Xingxing, these are two different things. I may grow grapes, but if you’ve decided not to be a doctor and want to build a business, then do it right. Investment is investment—it has nothing to do with you. I’ll make it clear to your aunt.”

He leaned back on the sofa and shook his head: “It’s just growing grapes, that’s all.”

Chu Jinxiang emphasized again: “Don’t worry—your aunt won’t cause trouble. Just focus on your work.”

He already sensed the family storm brewing.

Yu Xing didn’t respond to this stance but pressed on: “As for Xiao Guang’s job, I’ll try to find a solution. If not, bring him to Shanghai—my company needs people. He’ll need to be tested, but tell Auntie all this.”

At this, Chu Jinxiang’s eyes lit up: “Ah, Xingxing, if you say that, I trust you completely—even if others don’t. But what could he even do there?”

Yu Xing hadn’t thought it through yet, but it wasn’t urgent—once the company sold, he could arrange something.

He asked half-heartedly: “Better than staying here all day playing the loyal buddy, right? If nothing else, he can drive for me—get some exposure to the big city.”

Chu Jinxiang nodded silently. His son spent all day hanging out with his buddies, refused to help with grapes, and wouldn’t hold a proper job—better off following his nephew.

He thought and thought, then suddenly asked: “Xingxing, what car did you buy?”

Yu Xing answered: “Tengling.”

Chu Jinxiang scratched his head: “Xingxing, you’re serious?”

Yu Xing replied seriously: “Serious, Uncle. In two years, I’ll upgrade to a Mercedes.”

Chu Jinxiang weighed it: His son would never amount to anything back home. He’d always looked up to his cousin, and now that his nephew had built a successful company, it was clearly better for him to leave.

He nodded: “Good! I’ll tell your aunt tonight!”

Yu Xing immediately said: “Uncle, tell her now—or call Auntie over. Tonight, everyone will hear about Lei Man. Auntie, Second Uncle—they all invested. Even Grandpa and Grandma’s pension money might be in it. They can’t find out—they’re too old.”

Chu Jinxiang’s brow furrowed deeply—he knew how dire this was. His younger sister was the type who’d rage without restraint.

He sighed: “Your grandpa still says he’ll visit Datong in Shanxi once it cools down.”

Yu Xing’s grandfather wasn’t local—he’d moved here decades ago from Datong, but still longed for his hometown.

“It’ll get better. Everything will get better,” Yu Xing could only say. “I’ll work hard to earn money fast—then I’ll charter a plane and take Grandpa there.”

Chu Jinxiang chuckled.

He stood up, pulled out his phone: “I’ll call your aunt and tell her.”

Yu Xing nodded, glanced at his phone—his message of comfort to Liu Wan had gone unanswered. But that wasn’t surprising; Lei Man’s collapse was global news, and firms like Bain would surely suffer major fallout.

From her immediate message to him, perhaps she still remembered their little promise.

That angel investment was almost certain.

Yu Xing thought again, then decided to comfort his future shareholder once more—he sent another text: You’d have been better off investing directly a few days ago. Saves everyone trouble, right?

This time Liu Wan replied quickly: Yu Xing, you’ll succeed. You’re so cold-blooded—if you don’t succeed, it’s against the laws of nature!

Yu Xing replied: Thanks. Will you still invest in me?

No reply again.

As Yu Xing watched his uncle leave to make the call, he switched TV channels—several were broadcasting breaking news on Lei Man’s collapse.

It was still early morning in the U.S., but the largest investment bank collapse in history had already forewarned the coming tsunami.

When Chu Jinxiang finished his call, he and his nephew discussed the family’s investment situation.

From January 2007 until now, aside from Yu Xing’s initial connection, everyone else had contacted each other directly, and subsequent investment rounds were merely informal notices—so the total investment sum remained unclear.

At 3:30 p.m., Yin Peili rushed home. She walked in to hear her husband and nephew chatting enthusiastically about grape farming.

Yin Peili forced a smile: “You said something vague on the phone—what’s wrong with the investments? How could there be a problem?”

Chu Jinxiang briefly explained the situation.

Halfway through, Yin Peili’s face changed—but she kept listening.

Chu Jinxiang then added details about his nephew’s startup and his son’s job.

After hearing it all, Yin Peili said nothing. Her face showed no smile, her eyes filled with doubt.

Clearly, she couldn’t accept the sudden crisis or her nephew’s so-called startup.

This was the third time the study computer had served as the truth-teller—but unlike before, Chu Jinxiang and Yin Peili stayed inside for a long while, and Yu Xing faintly heard their argument from the living room.

“Auntie, it’s already happened. Nobody wanted this,” Yu Xing stated. “My company is doing okay—even if it hasn’t turned a profit yet, the future looks good. New projects have investors interested. As for Xiao Guang, I want him to start with me—he’ll have a better future.”

Yin Peili’s expression remained strained, but who was to blame…

For days, her younger sister had been urging her to call the nephew—but she never did.

Back then, she thought if something went wrong, the scammer deserved blame—not family.

But now, it had actually happened…

The blow of wealth loss was heavier than imagined—and shattered all wishful thinking.

Yin Peili steadied herself and forced out: “Yes, Xiao Guang needs to get serious. He’s always listened to you. Your company… your company… ah…”

She couldn’t finish, sighing deeply.

“Xingxing, your aunt and I will go out for a walk. We’ll talk more about that Japanese grape you mentioned tonight,” Chu Jinxiang said, wanting to speak further with his wife—but still fixated on the grape variety his nephew had mentioned.

Yu Xing gave an OK sign. As Chu Jinxiang and Yin Peili talked outside, others—Yu Guosheng, Chu Qiying—were already calling, or had heard the U.S. news, and were rushing to the elder’s house.

At 5 p.m., Yu Guosheng and his wife hadn’t returned home, but Yu Xing had already received three waves of blood relatives.

In “the past,” he’d been bewildered—distant relatives, elders who never visited except during Lunar New Year, had come knocking. But this time… it felt familiar.

Tea, cigarettes, statements.

First: they’d invested too—so their money was gone.

Second: he’d gained nothing extra, and he didn’t know what was happening to Yu Xuhui in the U.S.

Third: they should all report it to the police—see if the law could punish the scammer.

When Yu Guosheng rushed home, the coffee table’s makeshift ashtray was full of cigarette butts, disposable cups littered the table, and chairs were scattered.

“Everyone’s here?” Yu Guosheng glanced around and regretted going to work—he should’ve stayed home to shield his son from this.

But instantly, a sense of relief surged—he saw his son had held things together.

This must be…

A strange thought popped into Yu Guosheng’s mind: This must be what it means to be Yu Zong?

“Big brother, I heard from Xingxing that Zhenpeng and the others already came,” said Yu Jiachang, Yu Guosheng’s younger brother, his expression grim. “They’ve already filed a police report. I think we should go tomorrow.”

Yu Guosheng nodded. Filing a report was the formal route.

But he didn’t believe it would help. Last night, he’d spoken at length with his son—the situation was worse than it appeared. Yu Xuhui had perhaps genuinely managed investments at first, but later, the fraud likely dominated.

It was not a sophisticated scam.

But when greed takes root, even a crude scam works.

Yu Guosheng looked at his brother Yu Jiachang, then at Chu Jinxiang’s family, then at his cousin Yu Wenheng, and said seriously: “On my way home, I called the economic crime unit. Tomorrow, we’ll register first—then see if we can recover anything…”

Before he finished, a shrill voice blared from the hallway.

“Sister, how am I supposed to stay calm!”

“I sold my house! Why didn’t you stop me earlier!”

“Where will I live now? If this money’s gone, where do I live?!”

The voice made everyone in the living room frown.

Soon, Chu Qiying followed her sister Chu Jinhui back home.

Seeing so many people, she raised her voice: “Jinhui! This can’t be rushed—everyone stay calm!”

But Chu Jinhui, the youngest child since childhood, was fiery and couldn’t control her emotions: “Calm? Calm? How am I supposed to be calm? You didn’t sell your houses—you’re fine! What about me?!”

At this, Yu Xing spoke: “Auntie, if you’re short on food or clothes, just tell me.”

“Xingxing, I called you—I asked you about Yu Xuhui—why didn’t you warn me!” Chu Jinhui’s voice trembled with fear and rage. “I called you—why didn’t you give me your number?!”

Yu Xing sighed helplessly: “I really didn’t know.”

Chu Jinhui demanded: “Didn’t you introduce him to us? Isn’t he your senior? How could you not know? Are you still trying to cover for him now?!”

Yu Xing heard words like “once,” and sighed: “Auntie, I’m a victim too—my dad, my mom, my uncle, my uncle-in-law, my aunt-in-law, my cousin, and even you—we’re all victims. Nobody wants to lose money; everyone wants to punish the scammer. What reason do I have to protect someone who scammed me?”

Chu Jinhui glared at her nephew, who spoke with such conviction: “Then why did you bring this person here in the first place?”

She turned and demanded of her elder sister: “Big sister, it was your son who said his senior was reliable! Big sister, I put my house in too—plus Mom and Dad’s money! Don’t you owe me an explanation?”

Chu Jinxiang couldn’t take it anymore. He crushed the cigarette in his hand: “You used Mom and Dad’s money for this—did you even consult us? Do you think you’re right?”

Chu Jinhui shot back: “Consult? Did you invest? I consulted you—did you agree? Didn’t you invest? I’m asking you!”

Yin Peili, after a long talk with her husband, had already mapped out the battle lines. Seeing her sister-in-law’s aggression, she couldn’t help but retort: “Jinhui, it’s not like that. You used Mom and Dad’s money for investment—were you doing it for them, or just planning to split the profits? When you touched that money, why didn’t you say a word?”

This remark cut deep.

Hearing her sister-in-law’s words, Chu Jinhui pointed a finger: “Who’s been asking me every day, begging me for advice? Who?!”

Yin Peili objected: “I asked for your advice, not for you to turn your gun on family!”

The living room grew louder by the second. Chu Qiying watched the scene, listened to their voices, and felt a pounding headache—one was the family’s spoiled youngest daughter, the other a stubborn sister-in-law.

Yu Xing watched the chaos, saw his mother’s hurt and embarrassed expression, and shouted: “Enough! Stop arguing!”

Hearing her nephew’s voice, Chu Jinhui turned and snapped: “I’m your aunt! Is this how you speak to your elders?”

Yu Jiachang, Yu Xing’s second uncle, had stayed silent until now. Hearing this, he was displeased. He spoke in a low tone: “Jinhui, don’t act like this. Go register at the bureau tomorrow.”

Chu Jinhui opened her mouth to reply when she heard her brother’s voice.

Yu Xing’s uncle, Chu Jinxiang, defended his nephew: “Don’t yell at Xing like that—he’s completely right! You’re his aunt—you know you’re his aunt—why are you shouting? Who didn’t lose money? Why are you yelling?”

Yu Wenheng, Yu Xing’s cousin, added: “Chu Jinhui, that’s enough. This isn’t settled yet—maybe the police will recover some losses soon.”

Hearing this, Chu Jinhui looked at Chu Qiying and Yu Guosheng’s serious expressions, then turned and walked away: “I’m going to find Dad!”

Chu Jinxiang stepped forward and locked the door: “What are you going to tell him? If you tell him about this today, you’ll never call me your brother again!”

Chu Jinhui snarled: “Fine, don’t—”

Chu Qiying’s calm voice cut in: “Don’t call me your sister either.”

Chu Jinhui stared at her elder sister.

Yu Guosheng exhaled, blending firmness with softness: “Jinhui, if you keep acting like this, and the Economic Crime Unit recovers part of the losses, don’t expect me to be your brother-in-law.”

Chu Jinhui’s expression changed instantly.

Could losses still be recovered? Even part of them would help—but how would they be divided?

She looked at her elder sister, her second brother, her brother-in-law, then at Yu Jiachang and Yu Wenheng—all watching her.

“You don’t feel a thing, but I lost my house! Where am I supposed to live? Is Xiao De not your nephew? Can you just watch him sleep on the street?!” Chu Jinhui’s voice lowered, but her anger remained.

Chu Jinxiang shouted: “You stay at Big Sister’s on Monday, Wednesday, Friday; at mine on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; and on Sunday, sleep in the vineyard and watch my grapes! Where won’t you have a place to sleep? Xiao De’s tuition and living expenses—I won’t short you a cent!”

Yu Guosheng sensed the shift in attitude and added: “Jinhui, this is the golden period for recovery. We still need to trust the authorities. When the money comes back, I’ll let you be the first to collect it.”

Hearing this, Chu Jinhui looked around at everyone’s expressions, felt their unified stance, closed her eyes, pulled her brother’s hand away, and walked out silently.

Chu Jinxiang called after her: “Where are you going?”

Chu Jinhui didn’t turn back. She muttered: “I’m going home to cook for the kids.”

Chu Jinxiang still wasn’t reassured. He warned: “Don’t say anything stupid when you get home. Bring Xiao De to my place tomorrow!”

Long moments passed. A faint reply came from outside.

“Got it!”

Yu Xing exhaled, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and passed one to his second uncle, cousin, uncle, and father, then lit one for himself.

Though they’d argued, it was far better than the cold, broken mess it could have become.

Chu Qiying watched her son hand out cigarettes. She didn’t stop him. Let the men smoke in the living room—when trouble came, the small family had two pillars, the extended family still held together, and Mom and Dad could be kept in the dark for now…

Thinking of her son’s achievements with his company, this situation gave her something to hold onto.

(End of Chapter)