Rong Yu raised an eyebrow.
She unwrapped the full-moon gift set in her hands, taking out the gold bracelets, lock, necklace, ingots… and stashing them into her handbag.
The set was worth 380,000 yuan—better to toss it into the water and listen to the splash than give it to this family.
She strode into the banquet hall.
"It’s all a misunderstanding, just words spoken in the heat of the moment. We’re family, don’t take it to heart. The baby’s full moon is a joyous occasion…" Wan Jing struggled to smooth things over. When she spotted Rong Yu entering, she quickly called out, "Rong Yu’s here! Come over!"
Rong Yu approached, greeting them one by one: "Aunt, Uncle, Cousin."
Her gaze lingered on the woman standing beside Yu Qingbai—Hong Xia, her cousin’s wife. But the woman’s sharp, disdainful expression made it impossible for Rong Yu to call her "sister-in-law."
Hong Xia knew Rong Yu.
A child of divorced parents, her mother dead, living off the Yu family… just a burden.
No father, no mother—no manners at all.
Hong's Mother rolled her eyes. "Look, another freeloader showed up…"
Yu Shun flushed with anger, but Wan Jing held him back. "It’s a happy day. Don’t make a scene—it’ll only put our son in a difficult position…"
Yu Shun took a furious sip of water before softening his tone toward Rong Yu. "Any difficulties with your studies? Let your cousin tutor you. Aim for a good university—make your mother proud in heaven."
Just as Yu Qingbai was about to speak, Hong Xia smirked and cut in, "Isn’t work keeping you busy enough? Why waste time tutoring a burden when you could spend it with your child?"
Rong Yu asked, "What does my cousin do for work?"
The light in Yu Qingbai’s eyes dimmed instantly.
He had graduated from a top-ten national university with a degree in economics, even landing a job at a major corporation—until Hong Xia deliberately made him miss the onboarding deadline. Now, he was stuck managing the Hong family’s supermarket.
If he showed even a hint of reluctance,
Hong Xia would threaten suicide, stirring up endless drama.
"Ever heard of Hongyun Supermarket?" Hong Xia cradled her child, lips curling. "Your cousin’s in management there. Much better than slaving away at some company, right?"
She jabbed a finger into Yu Qingbai’s chest. "Everything you have now comes from the Hong family. Don’t forget your gratitude!"
Just then, Hong's Father and Mother suddenly stood up, faces alight with excitement. "Manager Zheng is here!"
Hong Xia asked eagerly, "Which Manager Zheng?"
"The procurement manager from Ji's Entertainment," Hong's Mother whispered. "Your father pulled strings to meet him. If Manager Zheng agrees, our supermarket will supply Ji's Entertainment. Partnering with Ji’s will skyrocket our status!"
Hong Xia beamed, sneering at Yu Qingbai. "You always looked down on our supermarket, didn’t you? Well, now we’re working with Ji’s! Weren’t you hired by Ji’s Group back then? Tell me—being their lackey or their business partner, which one sounds better? Need me to spell it out?"
Yu Qingbai lowered his gaze.
After graduation, he’d been hired by Ji’s Group—the dream workplace every student envied.
"Once we seal the deal with Ji’s, Hongyun Supermarket won’t be some small-time shop anymore. Expansion won’t be far off," Hong's Mother scoffed. "Yu Qingbai, marrying into our family was the luckiest break your family ever had. You should be on your knees thanking us! Our grandchild carries the Hong name, inherits our business. With your name? They’d be stuck with a few acres of farmland—ruined for life."
With a cold laugh, she turned to follow Hong's Father outside to greet their guest.
Manager Zheng, a man in his thirties, stepped out of his car, nodding briefly at Hong's Father.
Hong's Father bowed obsequiously. "Manager Zheng, your presence at my grandson’s full-moon banquet is an honor for the Hong family. Please, come inside."
Manager Zheng was ushered to the seat of honor, with the Hong family fawning over him.
Hong Xia glanced over and saw Yu Qingbai sitting beside Rong Yu, whispering. Annoyed, she barked, "Qingbai! Come here. Entertain Manager Zheng with a few drinks."
"Qingbai has stomach issues—he can’t drink," Wan Jing interjected with an awkward smile. "How about your father-in-law joins instead?"
"A country bumpkin sharing a table with Manager Zheng? How embarrassing!" Hong Xia smirked. "Yu Qingbai, I won’t repeat myself. Get over here. Now."
Yu Qingbai clenched his jaw.
His stomach condition was severe—drinking led to vomiting blood, hospitalization, and weeks of recovery.
Yet ever since the marriage, his in-laws had forced him into endless social drinking… It wasn’t his strength. He just wanted to escape.
"What’s your problem?" Hong Xia hissed. "Manager Zheng is Ji’s representative. Offend him, ruin the deal—can you afford that responsibility?"
Yu Qingbai remained seated.
"Are you asking for a divorce?" Hong Xia’s face flushed red with rage. "Remember, everything you have is from the Hong family. Walk away, and you’ll have nothing!"
The commotion caught Manager Zheng’s attention from the neighboring table.
His gaze landed on Rong Yu’s face.
As Ji's Entertainment’s procurement head, he’d overseen supplies for the "Star Dream Project" talent show—and had watched the program.
How could he not recognize the contestant with the fastest-rising popularity?
More importantly, he’d personally witnessed Secretary Jiang, the chairman’s right-hand man, treating Rong Yu with utmost respect.
Her background was clearly anything but ordinary.
Manager Zheng immediately stood and approached Rong Yu’s table. "Miss Rong, what a surprise to see you here."
Hong's Father and Mother froze.
Miss Rong?
Ji's Entertainment’s procurement manager was calling that burden "Miss Rong"?
What was happening?
Were their ears deceiving them?
"Not a surprise," Rong Yu rose gracefully. "The Hongs made it clear I’m not welcome to ‘freeload.’ I was just leaving."
Hong Xia snapped, "Manager Zheng is our honored guest. If you’re leaving, hurry up and go!"
Manager Zheng scanned the room.
Though unclear on the details, it was obvious Miss Rong and the Hongs were at odds.
Supermarkets were a dime a dozen—Hongyun was insignificant. There were far better partners than the Hongs.
But if he offended Miss Rong, and she complained to Secretary Jiang? The chairman’s wrath could cost him his job.
The calculation was swift. Manager Zheng smiled at Rong Yu. "Perfect timing—I’d love to discuss something with you, Miss Rong. Shall we leave together?"
Rong Yu linked arms with Wan Jing. "Aunt, Uncle, the Hongs’ food will only upset your stomach. Let’s eat somewhere else, shall we?"
Yu Shun, long seething, stood immediately.
Wan Jing hesitated, glancing between them, then sighed and followed Rong Yu out.
The Hong family stood dumbfounded.
After pulling so many strings to invite Manager Zheng, he just... left like that?
Taken away by some country bumpkin of a girl?
Sure, that brat’s got a pretty face, but was Manager Zheng really so easily charmed into following her? That’s just absurd.
