The $400K Ultimatum

Chapter 2: The Fierce Mother-in-Law

After the divorce and the unpleasant encounter with Lin Zongheng, Warm was in no mood to go to work. The vice president, who had never taken a day off without reason, miraculously skipped work. She drove back to Xingjia Manor, kicked off her shoes at the door, tossed her phone and bag aside, and stormed into the bedroom. Her mother, Li Jinhè, who was still in bed, tilted her head to look at her precious daughter, only to be hugged tightly.

"Mom, Han Qian and I got divorced."

At 11 a.m., the Wen household.

Warm was forced to sit on a small stool, facing an interrogation from her parents. Old Wen, who usually doted on his daughter, didn't defend her today, allowing her to be lectured.

"Little Warm, you really don’t know what’s good for you. I’ve let it slide that you’ve been bullying Han Qian all this time—I did the same to your dad—but how could you divorce him? Who do you think has been helping you behind the scenes these past three years, making your work life so smooth?"

Old Wen quickly tried to signal Li Jinhè to ease up, but she ignored him. A former soldier, Li Jinhè was known for her no-nonsense attitude. She slammed her hand on the coffee table, startling both father and daughter, and shouted, "Do you think your computer is really that smart? Do you think you’ve been sleepwalking through your work? Every single task you’ve completed was done with Han Qian calling your dad late at night to discuss how to help you. Taking care of you at home—cooking your meals, drawing your bathwater, even washing your underwear—has wasted Han Qian’s talents. Breakfast ready, bathwater drawn, even your underwear washed! I remember someone gleefully telling me how great it was to have a man around the house. And now you’re telling me you’ve divorced Han Qian? What kind of curse did Han Qian suffer in his past lives to end up with someone like you?"

Warm, feeling embarrassed by the scolding, straightened up and retorted, "Am I your daughter or is Han Qian your son? Let me tell you something—it was Han Qian who asked for the divorce! Your daughter was the one who got dumped!"

Han Qian asked for the divorce? Old Wen immediately lost his cool, grabbing his phone and threatening to call Han Qian to demand an explanation. How dare this brat think his daughter wasn’t good enough? But before he could dial, Li Jinhè barked, "You dare call Han Qian? Aren’t you afraid he’ll say Warm has someone else in her heart? Isn’t she just waiting for that little brat from the Lin family to come back? Do you think I don’t know? Or that Han Qian doesn’t know? Warm, let me tell you this: if you dare get together with that Lin brat, I’ll take back all your shares and assets. Then we’ll see if that Lin brat still wants you after I’m done with you."

"The shares are my dad’s."

"Ask your dad if he dares give them to you. Old Wen, do you want to practice some military boxing?"

Old Wen shot his wife a look but ultimately sided with her. He turned to Warm and asked gently, "Did you tell Han Qian that Lin Zongheng is coming back, and that’s why he divorced you? Warm, men understand men. Han Qian is a responsible man. Lin Zongheng has been abroad, where the culture is more open. Do you really think a man like him stayed faithful overseas? Your mom and I agree—we won’t allow you to be with Lin Zongheng."

Warm looked at her parents with anger in her eyes, her brows furrowed as she gritted her teeth and snapped, "It’s Han Qian who doesn’t want your daughter anymore, not me who doesn’t want him! Yes, Lin Zongheng called me last night to say he’s coming back and that he’ll marry me as soon as he returns. Han Qian answered the phone, and this morning he asked for a divorce. What’s the point of blaming me? If you think Han Qian is so great, go find him!"

Li Jinhè clearly wasn’t fazed by Warm’s defiance. She looked at her daughter with a mocking expression and sneered, "You think I can’t see through your little games? Lin Zongheng is coming back, isn’t he? Fine! The house is in my name, and tomorrow I’ll sell it at half price. Since you’re divorced, you’ll move back home. If you dare come back after 9 p.m., I’ll break your legs. You’re free to date anyone you want—except Lin Zongheng. I’m making that clear today. And you’re not going anywhere today. I’m going to find Han Qian and ask him why he wanted a divorce. Warm, you’d better hope Han Qian doesn’t tell me the truth."

With that, Li Jinhè stood up and shot a threatening look at Old Wen. If he dared let Warm leave the house, he’d regret it.

As a former soldier, Li Jinhè never minced words. She wasn’t the type to gently persuade Warm—that was Old Wen’s role. If she didn’t take a firm stance, no one in the family could control their daughter.

Li Jinhè went back to her room and pulled out a property deed, glaring at Warm. "If you don’t want your uncle to send people after you, stay put at home. I’m selling the house today, and then I’m going to find Han Qian."

"Do whatever you want. I’m just your adopted child anyway. Go find your precious son Han Qian. Old Wen, I’m so wronged!"

"Sweetheart, Old Wen is powerless here. Your mom’s combat skills are too strong. I’m just a small fry."

Father and daughter exchanged a look and sighed in unison. Warm got up and went back to her bedroom.

Meanwhile, Han Qian, unsure of where to go, was wandering the streets. His ancient phone suddenly rang, and when he saw "Mother-in-Law" on the screen, sweat instantly dripped down his forehead. His mother-in-law was a force to be reckoned with.

Trembling, he answered the call. "H-hello?"

"Hello? You little brat, have I been too nice to you? Hello? Say 'hello' one more time, and I’ll call the army to shoot you, you little bastard!"

"Mom, mom, mom, mom, I’m sorry!"

"That’s more like it. It’s lunchtime, and you haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’m waiting for you at People’s Kitchen. We need to talk about your divorce from Warm. If you don’t show up—"

"If I don’t come, you’ll send the army to arrest me. Ten minutes! I’ll be there even if it kills me."

"Eight minutes!"

That was the kind of person Li Jinhè was. Not only did Warm and Old Wen fear her, but even Han Qian and Lin Zongheng, who was abroad, were terrified of her. After all, Li Jinhè had once dragged Old Wen to the army base and beaten him up.

The midday summer heat was scorching. Unable to find a taxi, Han Qian jogged all the way to the restaurant. When he entered the private room, Li Jinhè was just pulling out her phone, seemingly about to make a call.

"Mom, you wanted to see me so urgently..."

Han Qian didn’t even dare sit down. Li Jinhè looked at her panting son-in-law and nodded slightly. "Not bad. Even after the divorce, you still respect your mother-in-law. Now tell me why you divorced Warm. Think carefully before you answer—I might actually kill you."

Han Qian was at a loss. He stood there, scratching his head and fidgeting, before finally summoning the courage to lower his head and whisper, "Mom, I’m... I’m not a real man."