In a cramped rental apartment,

Ye Chen had no idea that Zhang Weimin had already set his sights on him.

In his previous life, after achieving success and shedding his bad habits, he had developed a deep passion for cooking in his leisure time.

Years of immersion and guidance from master chefs,

Although not at the pinnacle, his skills could make many restaurant chefs feel ashamed of their abilities.

When dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor were placed on the table by Ye Chen,

Chen Yinuo stared in disbelief, nearly petrified on the spot.

Because, in terms of appearance and taste,

They rivaled or even surpassed the output of many restaurants!

This was achieved even though his cooking utensils and ingredients couldn't compare to those of a professional kitchen.

"You... when did you learn to cook?"

An astonished Chen Yinuo asked, dumbfounded.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that if you enjoy it, I'll cook for you and Yoyo every day!"

Ye Chen grinned sheepishly.

He picked up a piece of spare rib with his chopsticks and placed it in Chen Yinuo's bowl. "These need to be eaten while they're hot. The flavor won't be as good once they cool down!"

"Oh..."

Chen Yinuo nodded dazedly,

Picked up the spare rib from her bowl, and put it into her mouth.

At that moment, her eyes welled up uncontrollably with tears,

But this time, they were no longer the tears of despair and sorrow from before.

Instead, her gaze seemed to ignite with hope—

Hope for a new life.

Meanwhile, downstairs from the single-room apartment Chen Yinuo had rented a few days ago,

The sky darkened.

The myriad lights of the city failed to bring any warmth to this crowded and harsh part of society.

Under the dim streetlights, the atmosphere was steeped more in the bitterness of people toiling for their lives.

"Damn it! What time is it now, and she still isn't back!"

Having waited for so long, Chen's mother, Liu Xueqin, began cursing impatiently.

She turned to her husband, Chen Jianguo, and barked, "Old Chen, call that ungrateful girl again!"

"What's the point of calling? Didn't I just try? She still isn't answering!" Chen Jianguo replied, puffing on his cigarette.

"Mom, Dad, why are you doing this to yourselves? Come home with me already. If my sister sees you two here, she'll probably turn around and leave immediately!"

Their son, Chen Yihao, tried to persuade them helplessly.

But his words only seemed to remind Liu Xueqin of something.

"Did you tip her off? Told her we're here so she wouldn't come back?"

"Uh..."

Chen Yihao felt a pang of guilt but didn't show it.

"Why would I do that!"

"You wouldn't? There's nothing you wouldn't do, you little brat! Why are you so ungrateful? Your father and I running around like this—isn't it all for you? We're just trying to secure a good marriage prospect for your sister so she can help you buy a house, a car, and get married!"

"I don't need you to worry about me buying a house, a car, or getting married! If I have to rely on a woman to buy those things, I'd rather stay single for life!" Chen Yihao retorted stubbornly.

"You... you little bastard! How dare you say that? Once you let me and your dad hold a grandchild, you can do whatever you want. But until then, you'll do as I say!"

Liu Xueqin scolded angrily, grabbing her husband. "Stop smoking! Let's go!"

"Where are you going?" Chen Jianguo asked.

"That girl has nowhere else to go. If she's not back by now, she must have gone to find that drunkard! Let's go there to look for her!"

Dragging Chen Jianguo to their scooter, Liu Xueqin ordered, "Hurry up and drive me over!"

Watching his parents leave for Ye Chen's apartment,

Chen Yihao hesitated but ultimately didn't warn his sister.

After all, he didn't believe Chen Yinuo would willingly seek out Ye Chen.

Mounting his own scooter, he quickly followed.

"Mom, Dad, my sister can't be here! Let's just go back!"

Outside Ye Chen's apartment building,

Chen Yihao tried to dissuade his parents.

But Liu Xueqin spotted Chen Yinuo's scooter at a glance.

"You little brat! So you were in on it with her! If she's not here, why is her scooter here?"

Liu Xueqin yelled, furiously.

She then hurried upstairs.

"It's over!"

Seeing his sister's scooter, Chen Yihao panicked.

It was too late to warn her now.

Bang, bang, bang!

Bang, bang, bang!

Familiar with the place, Liu Xueqin banged loudly on the door.

"I'll get it!"

Though he didn't talk much with Chen Yinuo while watching TV,

Ye Chen still felt deeply content.

He smiled, stood up, and walked to the door.

But as soon as he opened it,

Liu Xueqin and Chen Jianguo barged in, pushing him aside.

"You ungrateful girl! So you are here! Your dad called you so many times, and you didn't answer. Are you trying to cut ties with us?"

Seeing Chen Yinuo, Liu Xueqin immediately started scolding.

Her ferocity scared little Ye Yoyo into tears.

"What's going on, Mom, Dad?"

Ye Chen frowned in confusion.

"Who are you calling Mom and Dad? Did we ever recognize you as our son-in-law? Ye, let me tell you, divorce my daughter right now! Immediately!"

"Mom, Dad, I..." Ye Chen tried to speak.

But before he could finish,

Liu Xueqin cut him off. "Shut up! This has nothing to do with you. Go drink your liquor. Are you out of money? Here, Old Chen, give him money and let him get lost!"

"That's enough! Will you ever stop? Are you trying to push me to my death before you're satisfied?"

Usually submissive, Chen Yinuo erupted in fury.

"What do you mean, push you to your death? Isn't this for your own good? Divorce this drunkard and come back with me to meet a proper suitor!"

Liu Xueqin shouted back.

"Yinuo, listen to your mother. She only wants what's best for you!" added Chen Jianguo, playing the good cop.

"Best for me?"

Chen Yinuo laughed, a mocking laugh. "Selling your daughter for glory is what you call 'best'?"

"You ungrateful girl! How can you say such things? Do you really want to spend your life with this loser? What can he give you? How will you live with him—eating and drinking air?"

"Yes! I'll spend my whole life with him! I don't care if I starve! I, Chen Yinuo, am his for life—in life and in death! Apart from Ye Chen, I won't be with anyone else! Is that answer good enough for you?"

In tears, her emotions boiled over as she yelled.

"Sister, you..."

Although Chen Yihao believed it was just her angry words,

He was shocked by her drastic change.

"You... you ungrateful girl! How dare you say such rebellious things! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Completely enraged, Liu Xueqin raised her hand to strike.

But at that moment,

Ye Chen stepped forward like an arrow,

Stopping his mother-in-law's hand.

Pulling Chen Yinuo back a few steps,

He gritted his teeth and said, "Mom, you've gone too far!"