Jin Yaotiao felt like she had never been this happy before. It was as though all the dark clouds surrounding her had been instantly lifted, and the morning sun poured in, unrestrained, filling her world with light.

Her father lay on the hospital bed, the monitor’s heartbeat curve steady and strong, while her mother stayed by his side, her sweaty hand tightly gripping hers.

Her phone in the bag vibrated several times, and reluctantly, she tore her gaze away from the bed.

Pulling it out, she saw that it was a call from Luna.

Jin Yaotiao cleared her throat, which felt a bit sore, and answered, “Luna?”

On the other end, the naive beauty Luna let out a cry and asked carefully, “Yaotiao, is your dad really sick?”

Jin Yaotiao was stunned. “How did you know?”

“My dad heard it from someone outside. There’s a rumor that Uncle has cancer, and he told me to call and see if we could help.” Luna, seeing that Jin Yaotiao didn’t deny it, immediately burst into tears. “I just had an argument with my dad, telling him not to spread rumors. Why didn’t you tell me! Where are you? I’m coming to find you, Yaotiao, don’t be afraid!”

---

The sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed crisply.

When Shen Qiming turned around, he saw Jin Yaotiao coming out of the hospital room.

Her eyes were slightly red, but her gaze was sharp, like a sword ready to strike.

Shen Qiming had never seen her like this.

After a brief moment of shock, he immediately sensed something was wrong. “What happened?”

In the blink of an eye, Jin Yaotiao, who had been fragile just a second ago, now walked down the quiet hospital corridor like a general in armor.

“Going back to China to deal with some people.” She took out her phone, dialed a number without looking away, her voice hoarse but firm: “So I might need to excuse myself, Mr. Shen.”

---

Jin’s Third Brother received a WeChat message from Cheng Chen, a photo attached.

He zoomed in and scrutinized it carefully, finally confirming that the photo was indeed of his older brother’s family.

His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

The phone call from Cheng Chen came through. He took a long time to find his voice. “Mr. Cheng, this doesn’t prove anything.”

Cheng Chen’s voice was laced with amusement, even masking his schadenfreude. “Are you sure? Mr. Jin and his family flew to Rochester. You must know which hospital is the most famous there. He went there. Did any of your relatives hear any rumors about this beforehand?”

Jin’s Third Brother fell silent.

Cheng Chen continued, “So why did he hide it from all of you?”

Since he didn’t respond, Cheng Chen continued gleefully, “I thought so. Why suddenly push his daughter to the top and try to mess with me? Turns out he knows his time is running out and is trying to make a final move.”

Jin’s Third Brother interrupted him. “Mr. Cheng, be cautious with your words. Even if my older brother really went to Mayo, that doesn’t mean anything.”

Cheng Chen laughed heartily. “Third Brother Jin, stop pretending. I’m not your enemy. I’m giving you some good news. You probably can’t guess what I found out. Mr. Jin recently had a physical check-up in Linjiang. I couldn’t get the report, but do you know what the prescription from the hospital was for?”

Jin Lao San’s heart tightened. “What?”

Cheng Chen responded dramatically, almost reveling in the reveal, “Lung cancer.”

“Brother Jin, lung cancer is no joke. In the early stages, it doesn’t cause much pain or discomfort. If it gets detected, it’s usually already in the later stages.” His voice lowered, laced with temptation, “Don’t miss the opportunity.”

Cheng Chen hung up, unable to suppress his laughter.

“Spread the word,” he said, his laughter fading.

His eyes gleamed with a predatory satisfaction, like a coyote that had found its prey’s weakness. “The more people know, the better.”

Things hadn’t been going well for him lately.

His efforts to launch a campaign for the Muhe Mansion were a failure.

He had just risen to power and had a fragile foundation, surrounded by competitors.

After building some prestige, he hadn’t expected to trip over the Xianxiang banquet.

Lately, he had been so frustrated he couldn’t sleep.

Every time he closed his eyes, the discussions behind his family’s back filled his head.

Even his father had been stirred up, blaming him for being too hasty, trying to push the brand forward too aggressively and offending the Jin family in the process.

“Jin family, ha.” Cheng Chen sneered as he leaned back on the sofa.

It seemed the heavens were on his side, letting that old fool from the Jin family get cancer.

For years, Jin Dongchang had held onto the group, never letting go of his power, obviously because he had no one useful around him.

Once he was gone, what remained was a spoiled daughter.

Even if she was sharp-tongued, what use would it be?

The Jin family was a loose sand, and when the time came, chaos would break out.

Jin’s Third Brother would be lucky if he didn’t swallow her whole.

---

Jin Jiarui was called over by his father and saw the burning intensity in his father’s eyes.

He had never seen his father so energetic before, as though all his ambitions were gathered in his gaze.

Confused, he asked, “Dad, what’s going on?”

Jin’s Third Brother stared at his phone, showing that he had just called his older brother and sister-in-law, but both had been unreachable.

It took him a long time to snap out of his daze and finally look up.

His expression was mixed with a faint smile, as though caught between tears and laughter. “Nothing.”

The massive mountain that had blocked his view for years was finally about to fall.

He saw the sky, once out of reach, now clearly visible.

---

The news spread quickly, and some relatives rushed to Jin Yaotiao’s house, pressuring the driver and maid who were left behind for answers.

Although Aunt Cen was usually tight-lipped, she couldn’t withstand the pressure and, in her panic, revealed some information.

Uncle Huang, enraged, grabbed a broom and chased the uninvited guests out.

Aunt Cen, frantic, called the family, only to remember that Jin’s parents had instructed her to keep quiet about the surgery and avoid contact with outsiders.

When she tried to call Jin Yaotiao, her phone indicated she was out of service.

Aunt Cen was almost in tears, frustrated and angry. “What are they doing asking about Mr. Jin’s illness? After all the kindness he showed them, I see they have bad intentions!”

The Jin family was in a panic, as if the sky were about to fall.

Everyone had shares, though not many.

But over the years, under the management of Father Jin, they had lived comfortably and steadily from the dividends.

They had grown accustomed to this kind of stable life.

Now, however, with the pillar of the family possibly about to collapse, though the company had not yet fallen into disarray, the news spread quickly, and people were anxious and fearful.

This was no small matter.

“Big Brother can’t really be in trouble, can he?” The second brother, who had always been quiet, thought hopefully. “The nanny hasn’t admitted anything. It’s possible that outsiders are just spreading rumors. We shouldn’t fall into their trap.”

“I think it’s unlikely.” Someone else pessimistically speculated. “The nanny hasn’t admitted anything, but there are too many holes in her story. And now that I think about it, Big Brother has been acting a bit strange recently. I heard he’s not paying much attention to the company anymore. Could it be because his health isn’t good and he can’t keep up?”

Someone else nodded in agreement. “That’s right. He’s always been quiet and stayed at home, but recently he’s suddenly been going to work at the company. Big Brother even keeps giving her important tasks to handle. The Xunxiang Banquet project aside, he’s even handed over the large Mingde Mansion project to her. It’s almost like…”

Like he knows his time is running out and is trying to pass on all the power to his daughter before it’s too late.

The group exchanged looks, not knowing how to respond.

Jin’s Third Brother snorted coldly. “Big Brother doesn’t trust us. We’re his relatives, yet in his eyes, we’re not as useful as a little girl.”

This remark was biting.

The second brother, who had been hopeful earlier, found it hard to take.

He had a daughter too, and didn’t have much ambition.

Now, he was beginning to feel the need to speak up for Jin Yaotiao. “Actually, Yao Tiao’s capabilities aren’t bad. She managed the Xunxiang Banquet well. Besides, Big Brother only has one daughter, so it’s normal for him to focus on training her…”

Jin’s Third Brother interrupted him, speaking forcefully. “Big Brother has only one daughter, but the company isn’t just his. What’s he doing, leaving us out of everything?

He’s hiding his illness from us, obviously doesn’t trust us! What, are we uncles supposed to harm his daughter?

Why is he in such a hurry to hand over the company’s future to a twenty-something girl? It’s like he’s losing his mind! What can she understand?

At her age, just starting to work, she can’t even manage people properly. What if she messes everything up?

Are we shareholders supposed to starve with her?”

The second brother was startled by this fierce criticism and looked at his Younger Brother as if he was seeing him for the first time.

He hesitated and asked, “Third Brother… what do you mean by that?”

Jin’s Third Brother pressed his lips together, and in the gaze of the other shareholders, he spoke confidently. “I don’t mean anything. I just can’t stand his nonsense. If something happens to Big Brother, should we, the elders, just watch a younger generation ruin everything Father left behind?”

His words sounded so righteous that everyone was momentarily at a loss for how to respond, exchanging uncertain glances.

Jin’s Third Brother clearly had intentions of seizing power.

Normally, such actions would be criticized for breaking the family’s rules.

But now, with Big Brother’s condition unclear and rumors saying he has lung cancer, no one could say for sure when he might pass.

If that’s true, his family would be left in a precarious position.

The elder sister-in-law couldn’t be relied on, and Yaotiao was so young.

Without Big Brother to back them up, the third branch might end up having the upper hand.

At such a time, openly opposing Jin’s Third Brother didn’t seem like the smartest move.

Only the second brother, who lacked flexibility, spoke up to criticize.

Under the pressure of his wife’s pulling him back, he said, “Third Brother, don’t forget, Mingde’s achievements were all made by Big Brother. Father didn’t leave us much money, yet you’ve taken so many dividends over the years. Now, you turn around and say this about Big Brother? Don’t you feel guilty?”

---

The car made its way toward the Xunxiang Banquet, and inside, the second brother’s wife scolded her husband. “Look at you, everyone’s staying silent, and you’re jumping out like some hero. You don’t even manage anything at the company, but now you’re blaming Third Brother-in-law? He hasn’t taken anything from you. Just now, the sister-in-law looked at me like she was going to cut me with her eyes. You’re going to face trouble from her in the future.”

Jin Wen, the second brother, snorted in disdain. “Third Brother has never respected me, his second brother, anyway. Why should I care about his attitude?

One must have a conscience. Big Brother has always been kind to our relatives.

Now that he’s in trouble, Third Brother wants to pick on Yaotiao. Think about it, if it were our daughter being treated like this, would you feel okay about it?”

His wife sighed, her fear slowly turning into sorrow. “Yao Tiao… she’s really pitiful. Too bad there’s nothing we can do to help her.”

---

The atmosphere in one car was tense, while in another car, the mood was quite different.

Jin Jiarui was so excited that his eyes were shining. “Dad, can I really go to Xunxiang Banquet? Someone in the family mentioned it before, and Big Brother never agreed!”

“That’s because he knew how important Xunxiang Banquet was and didn’t want to let it go.” Jin’s Third Brother snorted. “But now, he’s handing it over to his daughter.”

He explained to his son, “Xunxiang Banquet is the shop your grandfather left behind. It’s the root of our Mingde. The old butcher in charge there is your grandfather’s direct disciple. All the chefs at our other restaurants came from him. He’s highly respected, and even Big Brother has to treat him with respect. He’s sending Yao Tiao there because it’s a golden opportunity. Otherwise, he wouldn’t just hand over the Mingde Mansion project to some young girl who can’t command respect.”

He advised his son, “Xunxiang Banquet is now thriving. It’s even more important to Mingde. You need to grab this opportunity firmly, understand?”

Jin Jiarui felt a little nervous. “Can I do it? Yaotiao is already familiar with them.”

Jin’s Third Brother sneered. “I’ve looked into it. She doesn’t get along well with the old butcher. Apparently, when she first went to Xunxiang Banquet, she embarrassed him. She’s been riding on Big Brother’s support, and doesn’t know her limits. The butcher’s temperament—do you think she can afford to offend him? That’s why women are naive. You have no roots in the company, so don’t follow her example.”

Jin Jiarui nodded. “I understand. From now on, I’ll support Master Tu.”