Returning to the dining table with a glass of water, it was placed in front of Chen Yihao.

Suddenly, Wang Qian teased with a smirk, "Uncle, Auntie, what big business is Yihao's brother-in-law running now?"

"Huh?"

The unexpected question left Liu Xueqin and Chen Jianguo momentarily dumbfounded.

"Big business?"

"Are you kidding? That drunkard and gambler?" they thought.

The 300,000-plus yuan in the bank account before? Odds are—no, it's certain—that it was won at the gambling table! Money from a gambler? It burns a hole in the pocket faster than you can spend it. Business? Yeah, right.

"Xiao Qian, why would you ask such a thing?" Chen Yinuo interjected, her tone puzzled but her gaze carrying a hint of suspicion.

"Oh, nothing," Wang Qian replied with a playful sneer. "It's just that when I went to pour water earlier, I overheard your husband on the balcony. Something about a 'Mr. Xiao,' a 'ten million deal,' and '6.6 billion, not a penny less.' Sounds like major business to me! Talking about deals worth billions—haha!"

Hearing this, Chen Yinuo's face flushed hot with embarrassment. She was mortified.

That rascal Ye Chen—what nonsense is he spouting now?

Liu Xueqin immediately exploded in fury, spitting in disdain. "Bah! Him? Billions? Every word out of his mouth is a lie! He can't even bluff properly. That gambling good-for-nothing, you can't trust even 10% of what he says. If it weren't for you being here today, Xiao Qian, I'd have flipped the table and thrown him out already!"

"Oh, Auntie, don't be so harsh," Wang Qian feigned sympathy, her smile thinly veiling her mockery. "No matter what, isn't he still your son-in-law, Yihao's brother-in-law?"

"Hmph!" Chen Jianguo snorted coldly. "Son-in-law? We've never acknowledged him as one! We don't have a son-in-law like that!"

"Xiao Qian, don't take him seriously. Just treat him like thin air," Liu Xueqin said dismissively.

"Oh, I get it now! Talking about billion-dollar deals—it's just for show, right? Trying to impress me? If he's so loaded, maybe he can sponsor Yihao and me to upgrade to a bigger wedding apartment. Wouldn't that be great? Haha!" Wang Qian's ridicule deepened.

Unable to bear it any longer, Chen Yinuo stood up and walked to the balcony.

Just as Ye Chen hung up the phone, he turned to see her approaching.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her peculiar expression.

Lowering her voice, she asked, "Are you spouting nonsense again?"

"Me? Nonsense? What are you talking about?" Ye Chen was confused.

"Just now, when Wang Qian went to pour water, she overheard you talking about 'Mr. Xiao,' 'ten million,' and '6.6 billion.' Were you showing off for her? What's the point?" she pressed.

"What? Showing off? Why would I do that? I didn't even know she was there. Ten million? Six-point-six billion? She must've misheard!" Ye Chen looked innocent, his acting Oscar-worthy.

Though inwardly, he was annoyed. He hadn't expected Wang Qian to overhear his phone conversation.

"Are you sure?" she frowned.

"Of course! Do I look like someone who would do that?" he defended himself.

"Alright, then. Forget it."

Returning to the table, she announced, "Mom, Dad, Yihao, Xiao Qian, we're leaving."

Used to her mother's attitude, Chen Yinuo seemed indifferent.

Turning to her brother, she added, "Yihao, let me know once your wedding date is set. If you need help, just ask!"

"We'll see, Sis," Chen Yihao replied with a bitter smile.

His enthusiasm for the wedding had waned after Wang Qian's endless demands, and doubts about their future together began to creep into his heart. Was this really the woman he wanted to share his life with?

Ye Chen's family left, as if they had never been there. Their dishes and utensils were now the only evidence of their presence.

Shortly after their departure, Wang Qian left as well. But unlike Ye Chen's family, who were sent off only by Chen Yihao, Wang Qian was accompanied downstairs by Chen Jianguo and Liu Xueqin, both eager to please.

Once Wang Qian's ride left, Liu Xueqin sighed dreamily, "Now that Xiao Qian's given us the birth dates, we can pick an auspicious wedding date. I just hope it's not too far off!"

Turning to her son, she added, "Yihao, once you're married, you two better hurry up! Your father and I are desperate for a grandson!"

Little did she know, her son's face was grim.

"I don't want to marry her," he muttered, shaking his head.

"What did you just say?!" Liu Xueqin and Chen Jianguo shot up from the sofa in unison.

"I've thought it through," Yihao said earnestly. "I can't handle a woman like her. Dad, Mom, I know we got 40,000 yuan compensation from the demolition on top of the house. But that, combined with the 300,000 you took from Ye Chen, still won't meet her demands. You're even willing to dip into your pension and savings for this? No way. I won't drain everything you have just to satisfy her whims."

"Xiao Qian doesn't need to marry me. If her conditions stand, I'll let her go. Without her, I can still live, find someone else, and give you grandkids."

His words were sincere, leaving no room for doubt.

"You ungrateful brat!" Liu Xueqin screamed, trembling with rage. "I don't care what it takes—I want Xiao Qian as my daughter-in-law, and nothing you say will change that!"

Meanwhile, in the backseat of a luxury SUV, Chen Yinuo sighed. "I shouldn't have brought you today."

"Why do you say that?" Ye Chen asked, amused.

"I thought it might help you mend your relationship with Yihao. But now I realize there were better opportunities for that, without dealing with my parents and their nonsense," she replied, still upset.

"Your parents have never liked me. It's nothing new," Ye Chen said lightly.

Changing the subject, he smiled at their daughter. "Yuyu, how about Daddy takes you to the amusement park?"

The little girl, half-asleep moments ago, instantly perked up. "Really? Yay! Thank you, Daddy!"

Her delight eased Yinuo's lingering frustration, and a genuine smile broke across her face.