MCFEM C6

Chapter 6 – The Second-Generation Son-in-Law

“Holy shit—”

The crisp, resonant exclamation of the national essence burst straight out of Yu Bai’s mouth.

Gu Yang glanced at him, who looked as if struck by a sudden seizure, and tapped his own temple with a finger in a gesture of concern.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, just thought of something, that’s all. You go on.” Yu Bai shook his head quickly and made a zipper motion across his mouth.

Gu Yang didn’t think much of it and continued reading his gossip.

【That Yu Zhou was born of the son-in-law’s* high school first love. Back then, the son-in-law had a goddess he fell for at first sight. Pushing for this marriage was partly for the purpose of ‘restoring the ancestral line.’】

(*贅婿 here = live-in son-in-law)

Gu Yang recited in a flat, emotionless voice:

【For Liu Chaoyin, failing to end up with Zhou Qinqin back then was the greatest regret of his life. His love for her was so bone-deep that even if they had no chance of being together in this lifetime, he still hoped their children could continue the bond in their stead.】

【Hahaha.】

“Damn, do you guys think what Gu Yang just said is true?”

Plenty of people were present in Class Eleven, and the group chat instantly came alive again.

“‘Restoring the ancestral line’… wow, what an obscure phrase.”

“Man, Ying Jiayi’s dad really has no shame, huh?”

“I remember Liu Chaoyin was the one who volunteered to marry into the family, and he even promised that any children born would take the Ying surname. That’s why the Ying family agreed to support him as the group’s president. He’s only been in that position for a few months, and already he’s scheming like this? Truly disgraceful.”

“Cheng Zishi, come on, he’s still an elder. No need to be so harsh. At the end of the day, it’s their family matter. I doubt our Miss Ying will appreciate you insulting her own father for her sake.”

“Quit fanning the flames, Ye Chen. Even a family dog knows it should bark in defense of its master. You just bark left and right, and anyone watching feels like kicking you to death.”

“Cheng Zishi, you son of a—”

“Oh, come now, why are you guys fighting? We’re all classmates here, let’s not ruin the harmony ^_^. Besides, shouldn’t our concern right now be Miss Ying’s situation?”

“……Can you all just shut up? If you’re so desperate to gossip, make your own group. Don’t pollute my sight.”

After typing this line, Ying Jiayi stopped looking at her phone. Her face was like ice, betraying no trace of emotion.

But in truth, her heart was far from steady. The impact was so overwhelming her mind went blank. No emotions had time to surface yet, but her body already responded with nausea and disgust.

What kind of joke was this? What kind of person could be so selfish as to use his daughter’s entire future to compensate for his own past regrets?

And doing this—where did that leave her mother?

…No. No.

What Gu Yang said might not even be true!

Their families weren’t that close. Why would he know more than she did?

Others in the chat were also questioning its plausibility.

“Hold up, is what Gu Yang said actually real?”

“Yeah, I’ve been wondering the same. What do you think, @Shen Mingjun?”

That direct call-out had Shen Mingjun grinding his teeth till they nearly shattered. Yet, humiliatingly, he couldn’t even bring himself to curse back.

Because at least everything that came out at noon today was all! completely! true!

“Gu Yang’s always been mentally unstable. You guys actually believe what he says? Unbelievable.”

“Hey hey, no personal attacks, we’re all classmates. I’m gonna fine you for that ^_^.”

The very next second, as Shen Mingjun was furiously hammering out a long tirade, he realized he couldn’t send it.

Shit. That bastard He Ming’an actually muted him.

Yu Bai, who believed in flattering every kind of stinky foot, chimed in: “Class rep, you’re mighty indeed! (seal-clapping.jpg)”

Shen Mingjun was fuming red in the face. His family’s company had close ties with Yu Bai’s, so he couldn’t lash out there, and he didn’t dare challenge He Ming’an either. All his resentment zeroed in on the culprit—Gu Yang.

Objectively speaking, his family background didn’t rank much in this class, but in academics, he excelled. If you measured by academics alone, weren’t they all here to study? So, quietly, he’d always had this superiority complex, looking down on those who only came to muddle through.

And among them all, the one he disdained the most was Gu Yang.

Yet it was precisely this person who now made him unable to hold his head up in class. Even if no one said anything to his face, Shen Mingjun felt all those low murmurs were mocking him!

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He opened his contacts and found a person saved as “Little Chen.”

The chat history was full of that person’s messages, every line calling him “Young Master” with eager flattery.

This was just one of their company’s employees, who had sucked up enough to get his WeChat before. Shen Mingjun had barely paid attention since—but now, the guy might prove useful.

The Shen family’s company specialized in public opinion and PR. If Gu Yang dared humiliate him, how could he not repay the favor?

While he typed, Zhou Yinyin tugged on his sleeve and softly reminded him, “Mingjun, your cousin’s walking this way. Don’t just stare at your phone. Say hello to him.”

“Can you stop calling him cousin, cousin, cousin? The way you say it, someone might think he’s your real son.” Already in a foul mood, Shen Mingjun shot back with sarcasm.

Following Zhou Yinyin’s gaze, he saw a boy in a blue-and-white school uniform, handsome and refined, chatting happily with a man in a suit.

Yu Zhou.

The son of his mother’s younger sister, just a few months younger than him, the same school year. From seniority, that made him a cousin, but they hardly interacted, so the relationship was lukewarm at best.

Shen Mingjun had never thought much of this cousin—after all, they saw each other maybe once a year. The only annoyance was that Yu Zhou’s grades were far better than his, so Shen Shan often used him as a stick to beat him down with.

Yu Zhou noticed him, gave a polite smile and nod, but didn’t stop to exchange words. Instead, he eagerly followed the suited man forward.

They headed straight in the direction of Ying Jiayi and Gu Yang.

Though Shen Mingjun had been simmering with rage just moments ago over his own humiliation, as he watched Yu Zhou’s back, a twisted glee welled up in his chest. He nearly burst out laughing.

Only those who’ve fallen into the pit know how deep the pit goes.

He was waiting for Yu Zhou to suffer utter disgrace at Gu Yang’s hands!

Trying to climb into the aristocracy? Where the hell did he get that confidence?

Utterly shameless!

【This “son-in-law’s first love” storyline is shaping up to be quite entertaining. She probably won’t just have this bit part, right?】

That tantalizing voice rang out again like the whisper of a devil, making Shen Mingjun’s heart skip. An ominous premonition swept through him.

【Huh? Even this can tie back to Shen Mingjun?】

Shen Mingjun’s hand trembled. He almost coughed blood.

Why? Why drag him into this when exposing Yu Zhou’s dirt?

Gu Yang scanned quickly down the lines: 【By that logic… Yu Zhou is actually Shen Mingjun’s half-brother, isn’t he?】

What?

What???

The gossip-eating crowd all looked dazed. The leap was too sudden; they couldn’t wrap their heads around it right away.

Shen Mingjun was dumbfounded.

What the hell? He and Yu Zhou were cousins, weren’t they? How did they suddenly become half-brothers? Wasn’t their blood tie on their mothers’ side?

In his daze, his gaze met Ying Jiayi’s equally blank one, and neither looked away for a long time.

“Jiayi, honestly, child, didn’t I tell you to come find me?” The man in the suit walked up to Ying Jiayi. Though his words carried a touch of reproach, his tone was warm and doting.

“This is Yu Zhou, the son of our high school classmate. He’s been to our house before—you remember him, don’t you?”

Yu Zhou curved his lips into a polite smile and greeted Ying Jiayi.

“He’s never attended occasions like this, so I thought you could help look after him,” Liu Chaoyin said with a smile. “After all, you’re peers. You should get along well.”

Countless anxious gazes fell upon this boy. Ying Jiayi’s expression instantly darkened.

At the same time, that familiar inner voice sounded again, Gu Yang raising an eyebrow.

【Oh? So this is the second-generation son-in-law?】