Chapter 1: Memories Like Smoke

"Young master, come home."
"After all, you are father and son. There’s no need for such a scene."
"The master is beside himself with worry since he heard you became a live-in son-in-law. The Lin family is just a small clan in Fengzhou; they’re not worthy of the Hong family, and Lin Shuyu certainly doesn’t deserve you!"
In front of the Twin Star Department Store in Fengzhou, an elderly man with slicked-back hair was urgently pleading.
Hong Yu frowned in impatience, his worn-out bargain clothes a stark contrast to the old man's elegant attire.
"Yes, yes! Everything you say is right!"
"The Hong family's greatness is your business, not mine."
"How many years now? Can't the Hong family change their ways? Do you really think the whole world must revolve around you?" Hong Yu's sarcasm was sharp, the injustice in his heart fueling his anger.
"Young master? Five years ago, when my mother and I knelt at the Hong family gate, you didn’t call me anything like that."
"So what? Now that you’re desperate for an heir, you’re in a hurry? When you called me a bastard back then, those old fossils in the Hong family never expected to face such humiliation, did they?"
Hong Yu sneered, "Your own wife and son—just a few threats from those old relics and you gave up. Hong Gang was never a real man!"
"And you say my mother’s birth was low? To hell with that!"
"The Hong family was a peasant family five generations ago. If those old men hadn’t humiliated my mother so cruelly, she wouldn’t have faded away in sorrow, dying before thirty-five. Where was Hong Gang then? And now, karma comes around—when you can’t produce a son, you come looking for me?"
Hong Yu lashed out at the old man, his grief over his mother’s death an unhealing wound.
His father Hong Gang, after watching them kneel all day, had coldly tossed ten thousand yuan their way—the disdain in his eyes became Hong Yu’s childhood nightmare.
The old man wiped sweat from his brow. "Young master, the Hong family’s assets span the globe. You can’t just let all that fall into outsiders’ hands!"
"There’s no lasting grudge between father and son. Just talk things through. The master is waiting for you—why not come with me…”
Hong Yu cut him off, "No need. I have hands and feet; I won’t starve!"
Too weary to argue further, Hong Yu turned to leave.
After a few steps, he looked back. "Tell Hong Gang. He’s rich, he can buy anything, but he’ll never buy back his 'bastard' son."
The old man didn’t follow. Hong Yu walked on, and at last, tears spilled from his eyes.
Years of bitterness found their release today.
He knew his words would reach Hong Gang through the old man’s mouth…
Drying his tears, Hong Yu soon arrived at the Lin family residence.
The Lin family was considered a prestigious household in Fengzhou, their business thriving, even rumored to be going public this year.
All thanks to the patriarch.
Years ago, the Lin patriarch was just a street vendor, but luck favored him—he saved a soldier, and the two became sworn brothers.
The soldier himself wasn’t much, and after retiring he was often penniless, relying on the Lin patriarch’s help.
But his son was exceptional—after leaving the army, he rose in politics, becoming a powerful regional figure, always looking after the Lin family.
So in the Lin household, the patriarch’s word was law—he was the pillar, and nothing could go wrong with him.
"Why are you so late!"
A graceful woman in a white chiffon dress stood outside the Lin mansion, her face clouding with displeasure as she saw Hong Yu rushing over.
Hong Yu, breathless, explained, "I ran into a classmate on the way, so…"
"I don’t want your excuses. Didn’t I tell you to get a gift from the department store? Where is it?" Lin Shuyu snapped.

"Well…" Hong Yu rubbed his hands awkwardly.
He’d been so agitated by the Hong family’s messenger, he’d forgotten entirely about the gift.
Lin Shuyu sighed, "Forget it! When we go in, don’t say anything stupid. I’ll tell them the gift was from both of us."
Hong Yu noticed the bag in her hand—judging by the packaging, it was expensive.
After all, it was the patriarch’s birthday, with all the relatives attending. A cheap gift would make it impossible to show one’s face again.
If the patriarch was displeased, it wasn’t just reputation at stake—it was survival.
Hong Yu’s place as Lin family’s live-in son-in-law was largely due to the patriarch.
Not because the patriarch favored him or knew his background.
Three years ago, the patriarch fell ill with a strange disease.
Doctors and specialists were helpless; he seemed at death’s door. Somehow, the eldest branch brought in a Taoist priest.
The priest seemed dubious, claiming only a joyous occasion could save the patriarch.
With no other options, the family rushed all the third-generation members of marriageable age into weddings. Lin Shuyu’s father had only one daughter, so he advocated for a live-in son-in-law.
Normally, given the Lin family’s status and Lin Shuyu’s beauty, suitable men would have lined up.
But as the Lin family teetered on the brink of collapse, anyone with sense backed out, leaving behind only undesirables Lin Shuyu would never accept. In the end, Hong Yu lucked into the position.
"You useless thing, why are you dressed like that? Where’s the gift? Didn’t Xiaoyu say you went to buy a gift?" Just as they were about to enter, Hong Yu’s mother-in-law, Chen Lan, appeared.
Hong Yu explained, "Something came up on the way, so…"
"So what? So you didn’t even bring a gift, right?" His mother-in-law berated him. "Disgraceful! What decent business can you possibly have? If it weren’t for that Ye family boy refusing to marry in, Xiaoyu would never have married you, you useless thing!"
She turned to Lin Shuyu, "Daughter, divorce him! I’ve thought about it—marrying into the Ye family wouldn’t be so bad. Even if the child takes the Hong surname, with such a useless father, it’d be better not to have a child at all…"
"Mom!" Lin Shuyu interrupted, angry. "Can’t you wait till we’re inside? If you upset Grandpa, it’ll be your disgrace, not mine!"
Her mother snapped, "Fine, fine! Maybe I killed this useless man’s whole family in a past life, and now I’m being punished. Miserable! Xiaoyu, you’re the one suffering most."
She began to cry, her aggrieved expression leaving Hong Yu baffled.
"Crack, crack—"
Luckily, the sound of firecrackers cut her short, and after a few more curses, she stormed off.
Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu exchanged a helpless glance and followed her into the mansion.
The three Lin brothers were at the door, greeting guests with laughter and warmth.
Hong Yu nodded to Lin Shuyu’s father, greeted her two uncles, and as they stepped inside, the second uncle’s wife approached with her daughter, Lin Shuqi.
Lin Shuqi scrutinized Hong Yu. "Shuyu, why bring Hong Yu? A husband like him should be hidden away and savored in private."
Second aunt sneered, "Showing up in rags at the patriarch’s birthday—people will think our Lin family has fallen. Shuyu, what are you thinking?"
Lin Shuyu’s face darkened.
In the Lin family, open and covert strife rivaled a palace drama.
The eldest branch held sway, controlling the main business, and the eldest seemed to have connections with high-ranking officials. He could have anything he wanted.
The second branch dared not confront the first directly, so they bullied the third branch to assert themselves. Lin Shuyu’s status in the family was low; even younger cousins ignored her.
Especially after inviting Hong Yu as a live-in son-in-law, the mockery only intensified…

Lin Shuqi fixed Hong Yu with a cold stare. "If you have any sense, leave! Eating with you is an embarrassment. By the way, a classmate of mine is coming—if he sees you, I’ll be laughed out of school."
She tugged at her mother’s sleeve, growing anxious.
Second aunt snapped, "Hong Yu, don’t eat with us. Go to the kitchen and eat with the servants, you hear?"
To hell with that!
Hong Yu’s neck muscles tensed, rage burning inside. He wanted to slap the mother and daughter, but reason held him back—he knew what would follow.
Suddenly, Lin Shuyu quietly grasped his hand.
It was the first time they’d held hands—even at their rushed wedding, Hong Yu hadn’t touched her.
But her hand trembled now, as angry as he was.
"Wow!"
"Come quickly!"
"The eldest Miss has brought her husband home."
Just as Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu were about to lose their composure, the whole Lin household stirred, even the servants.
Hearing "eldest Miss," second aunt and Lin Shuqi turned and left without hesitation.
Hong Yu forced a smile. "Should we go greet them too?"
Lin Shuyu sighed, "Can we not? The second branch is so aggressive; the eldest will be even worse…"
Understanding, Hong Yu nodded and followed her back to the door.
Outside, a dazzling green Lamborghini worth over five million had arrived. Beside it stood an elegant woman in an evening gown, holding the arm of a young man in a suit, smiling and greeting everyone.
Second aunt and her daughter broke through the crowd, bowing and scraping before Lin Shufeng. "Sister, your dress must cost tens of thousands! I saw a celebrity wear it on TV."
"So crude! Shuqi, you’re so blinded by star-chasing. How can a phoenix and a wild chicken be compared? Don’t disgrace your sister Shufeng."
"Sister, I’m sorry. You always favored me—you won’t hold it against me, right?"
Having seen the mother and daughter so arrogant moments ago, now groveling like obedient dogs, Hong Yu felt sick.
Lin Shufeng, daughter of the Su family’s eldest, had a stunning figure but an ordinary face.
Her luck was extraordinary; she managed to snare a wealthy heir whose family was even more powerful than the Lin’s, and he was an only son, which explained the Lin family’s eagerness to curry favor.
"Shufeng, it’s dusty outside, let’s go in and sit."
Second aunt and her daughter walked ahead of Lin Shufeng and her husband like welcoming attendants. Seeing Hong Yu standing aside, second aunt shoved him and snapped, "Good dogs don’t block the way."
Hong Yu thought to himself they were the real dogs. Lin Shuyu tugged him, and he stepped aside.
Lin Shuyu’s parents watched with even gloomier faces, feeling utterly humiliated.
Only Lin Shuyu knew Hong Yu endured all this for her sake.
For years, Hong Yu was seen as a coward and a failure in the Lin household, but Lin Shuyu knew he wasn’t that kind of man.
When she was threatened by robbers, trying to steal her money and her honor, Hong Yu fought off three men bare-handed. Bloodied, his face was resolute—how many men had that kind of courage?
Thinking of this upright, heroic man being humiliated for her, Lin Shuyu’s eyes reddened uncontrollably.