Jin Yaotiao hung up the phone, feeling as though she had vented her anger.

She felt completely refreshed.

When she returned to the dining room, her mother teased her, saying, “Really, a grown-up daughter can’t stay at home. Now you’re even hiding from us to answer a phone call. What secret conversation are you having with Xiao Shen?”

Jin Yaotiao smiled, hiding any emotion: “Not at all, I was just checking on his health.”

Jin’s father pushed a bowl of rice mixed with butter towards her.

He seemed quite satisfied with her answer: “Hmm, I’m really at ease with you in this area. You’re sensible, kind, and caring. After you marry Xiao Shen, you’ll definitely be a qualified wife and mother.”

Jin Yaotiao glanced at her father, who held traditional views.

She was immune to his outdated opinions and didn’t feel the need to argue with him.

She understood her father well.

He rarely expressed his affection for her, not because he didn’t love her, but simply because of his outdated way of thinking.

The Jin family had been known for generations for their cooking skills, and the culinary world was something most people didn’t understand.

Only those in the business truly felt the presence of traditional values in every corner.

Family, inheritance, respect for elders, men working outside and women managing the home… these values had been passed down for generations.

Even in the 21st century, many of these ingrained rules were still very much alive.

Her father had grown up immersed in these ideas and naturally believed that a woman’s responsibility was to support her husband and raise children.

He also believed that a man’s duty was to earn money for his wife and children, without complaint.

Therefore, his expression of love for his family was to work tirelessly and provide a comfortable life for his wife and daughter.

Words like “love” and “miss” were seen as weak and not things a man should say aloud.

This is why his greatest hope for his daughter was that she would marry a good husband, smoothly transitioning from being a pampered daughter to a full-time housewife, rather than taking over his business after he retired, even though she was his only child.

Jin Yaotiao knew how difficult it was to change such deeply ingrained views.

She herself, not long ago, had believed there was nothing wrong with living a life where she was supported by either her father or her husband.

It wasn’t until she faced some setbacks that she realized the danger hidden in her dependence on others.

Her father, too, only realized it when he became seriously ill and passed away.

After his death, he discovered that those relatives who he thought would care for his daughter after his passing were not as reliable as he had hoped.

The problem was that her family’s understanding of others outside their circle was too shallow.

As Jin Yaotiao mixed her rice with butter, the rich flavor spread across her tongue.

She thought deeply for a moment and decided that she couldn’t apply the cold, business-like methods she used in the professional world to her parents.

Fortunately, convincing her parents was not as hard as it seemed.

After all, she had dealt with much more difficult opponents in the past.

How could it be difficult to change the views of the two people in the world who loved her the most?

However, she realized that, at this moment, there was an even more pressing crisis to deal with, something more urgent than changing her parents’ worldview.

Jin Yaotiao glanced at her father, who was sitting at the head of the table, eating his meal while occasionally checking on whether she was eating well.

Jin Yaotiao’s father was slightly overweight, but since he worked in the kitchen, his body wasn’t weak, though he appeared muscular.

He had spent years in a high position, managing subordinates and younger people, which gave him an energetic presence.

His complexion was good, and his voice was full of strength.

Looking at him now, Jin Yaotiao found it hard to believe that this energetic man was the same one she remembered, who, three years later, would be diagnosed with terminal cancer and quickly deteriorate into a frail, bedridden old man.

She remembered that day—after an intense family dispute, medical staff rushed in to save him.

She knelt by his bedside, barely able to breathe from fear.

Her father’s hair had fallen out completely, and his once strong hand clutched hers.

Tears, thick with worry, fell from his eyes.

His lips trembled as he struggled to speak, but he couldn’t even summon the strength to call her name.

Jin Yaotiao knew he wouldn’t last long, but he was only concerned that someone might bully her after he was gone.

After her father passed away, her mother seemed to lose her anchor.

She was exhausted from the everyday conflicts of being a full-time housewife and often cried in secret at night.

Not long after, she too fell ill, suffering from severe depression and breast cancer.

Her treatment was brief, and she passed away even quicker than her husband.

It shouldn’t have been this way.

The doctor had said that with proper treatment, breast cancer patients could recover, but her mother was so worn out that even one more day of life felt like an unbearable torture.

Jin Yaotiao spaced out for a moment, but her mother immediately noticed, placing a piece of food in her bowl. “Why aren’t you eating? You’re not trying to lose weight again, are you? You’ve already become so skinny.”

Jin Yaotiao came back to herself. “Dad, Mom, a friend gave me some health check-up packages. Let’s all go to the hospital for a check-up together sometime soon?”

It was still too early since her father’s diagnosis, but she remembered the doctor saying that her father’s illness had been neglected for too long, and if it had been discovered earlier, things wouldn’t have escalated this quickly.

Unfortunately, her family never developed the habit of regular check-ups.

But her parents just gave her confused looks.

Her mother was somewhat resistant. “Why do you come up with these strange ideas? What’s the point of going to the hospital when you’re perfectly fine?”

Her father, on the other hand, was sure about it. “No need to go. I’m busy with work, I don’t have time for a check-up. I’m in good health.”

This reaction wasn’t surprising to Jin Yao Tiao, but she didn’t argue.

She simply said, “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with your health, I’m just not feeling well recently.”

The entire table immediately turned their attention to her.

Her mother was shocked, and her father’s expression turned serious. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’ve been feeling sore in my back and waist. I’m not sure what’s wrong,” Jin Yaotiao said, lowering her head in thought.

She spoke in a casual tone, “I’m a little scared. Just go with me, please.”

Her parents, who had been so adamant earlier, were now clearly shaken.

Her father put down his food, his gaze stern as he scrutinized her, as if trying to find the problem with x-ray vision.

Her mother, equally anxious, set down her bowl and started scolding her, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go! You’re still so young, and look at you, you’re not even as healthy as me and your dad. Next time, don’t wear a skirt like that in such cold weather.”

Jin Yaotiao, who was thick-skinned and unbothered, took the comments in stride.

She pulled out her phone, which had been vibrating for the Nth time, and glanced at the caller ID.

She casually turned off the phone.

Following closely behind was a young couple, both in their twenties, who soon appeared in Jin Yaotiao’s line of sight.

It was Jin Jiarui and his wife, He Meiling.

Jin Jiarui carried a gift, exuding a cheerful demeanor.

As he entered the house, he warmly greeted Aunt Cen. His wife, He Meiling, followed closely behind, looking sweet and delicate.

The two of them standing together radiated positivity and charm.

There was no hint that this couple would one day, after Jin Yaotiao’s father’s death, relentlessly pressure her and her mother over the company’s shares.

Perhaps sensing danger on instinct, Jin Jiarui keenly turned his head toward Jin Yaotiao’s direction.

She blinked once, masking any emotion on her face, and stood up to greet them, “Brother Jiarui, Sister-in-law.”

Jin Yaotiao’s father, Jin Wencheng, was the eldest of his siblings, while Jin Jiarui’s father, Jin Wenzhi, was the youngest.

Despite their age gap, Jin Yaotiao was born late, making her one year younger than Jin Jiarui.

Jin Jiarui looked at Jin Yaotiao, who appeared as gentle and serene as ever.

He unconsciously scratched the back of his neck, puzzled by the chill running down his spine, but still responded with a smile, “Yaotiao, you’re here too?”

Look at that—his tone sounded like he was the head of the household.

Jin Yaotiao raised an eyebrow and replied, “This is my house. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

“???” Jin Jiarui was caught off guard, his smile freezing instantly.

Before he could even process her retort, Jin Yaotiao’s mother came forward, chattering away, “You kids! It’s getting colder outside, and Qiaoqiao’s pregnant. Why are you dragging her around like this? Honestly, you’re just as worrisome as Yaotiao! And why bring gifts? Coming here is enough!”

It took Jin Jiarui a moment to recover his smile. “We were just out shopping, and we happened to see some clothes that Qiaoqiao thought would suit you and Uncle. She insisted we buy them as a gift. What could I do?”

With his sweet-talking and knack for saying just the right thing, Jin Jiarui easily won over Yaotiao’s mother, who beamed with delight.

She was about to praise him when Jin Yaotiao interrupted, breaking the pleasant mood.

“Brother Jiarui, you and Sister-in-law haven’t had dinner yet, right? Well, you’re in luck today—you’ll get to try my dad’s special dish: crab roe sauce.”

As expected, her mother was distracted and immediately started arranging things. “That’s right! Cen-jie, please set out some extra bowls and chopsticks for the two of them.”

Although they had braved the cold wind to deliver gifts, the situation made it seem like they were the ones benefiting.

And yet, Yaotiao’s words carried a casual warmth, leaving no room for complaint.

Jin Jiarui glanced at the gift bags left unopened in the entryway and forced another smile.

Twice in a row, Jin Jiarui had been subtly rebuffed as soon as he entered.

Something felt off, but when he met Yaotiao’s gaze, her expression remained calm.

She even waved for him to sit down, her demeanor so naturally unassuming it seemed like she was simply oblivious to social cues.

Although frustrated, Jin Jiarui had missed his chance to steer the atmosphere back in his favor.

Trying now would feel contrived, so he could only nod and say, “I guess I’m pretty lucky today.”

---

Yaotiao quietly observed the young couple sitting across from her.

This brother and sister-in-law of hers had been at odds with her for quite some time.

For now, the Jin family appeared harmonious, with everyone playing their roles as loving parents, filial children, and supportive siblings.

But beneath the surface, tensions brewed.

This facade of familial affection shattered quickly when her father was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

It hadn’t even lasted through his second round of chemotherapy before everyone showed their true colors.

By then, Jin Jiarui had already climbed to the position of director at Mingde Catering Group, overseeing the family’s flagship brand, Yinyan.

Among the younger generation of the Jin family, he had risen to prominence, becoming the most influential figure.

Before her father’s illness, it was evident he was grooming Jin Jiarui to take over the business after his retirement.

Her father’s intention was to ensure that Yaotiao could live comfortably off dividends without worrying about her future.

Who would’ve thought that shortly after her father’s diagnosis, Jin Jiarui would set his sights on the company shares, conspiring with other family elders to create chaos?

His ruthless tactics had ultimately driven her father to his grave.

Yaotiao lowered her gaze.

The future version of Jin Jiarui, armed with power and influence, was already a formidable opponent.

Having clashed with him countless times—both openly and covertly, even in court—Yaotiao felt a surge of determination stir within her at the sight of his face.

But when had Jin Jiarui first begun making his mark within the company?

After some calculation, Yaotiao realized that her cousin had just graduated from his master’s program and had yet to enter the company.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, a particular word from the conversation caught her attention.

Jin Jiarui, chatting casually with her parents, mentioned, “…My dad told me yesterday that I’m about to be a father myself and can’t just focus on studying anymore. He said it’s time to start building my career.”

Yaotiao looked up at him.

Ah… so that’s how it begins…

Caught off guard by her stare, Jin Jiarui paused. Her father, however, nodded in agreement. “Your dad’s right. For a man, starting a family and building a career are important milestones. Have you thought about what role you’d like in the company?”

Fresh out of school and inexperienced, Jin Jiarui could barely contain his delight at the question.

He eagerly launched into a carefully premeditated response, testing the waters. “I’m open to anything. Since I’m new, I’ll have to start from scratch and learn everything. Even starting at the grassroots level would be fine. But since I studied management…”

Family businesses often allowed younger members to enter through backdoor opportunities.

Whether they landed high or low positions depended on their capabilities and connections.

Mingde’s management department recently had a supervisor promoted, leaving a highly coveted vacancy that had caught many eyes.

There was no better entry point.

Given his close relationship with his uncle’s family, Jiarui felt optimistic about securing the role.

But before he could finish his indirect pitch, Yaotiao suddenly spoke up, cutting through the conversation. “Dad, I almost forgot—thanks to Brother Jiarui, I just remembered something important.”

Her father looked at her, puzzled but unconcerned. “What is it?”

Yaotiao finished the last of her food and calmly dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “There’s an opening for a supervisor in the management department, right? Let me give it a try.”

Jin Jiarui froze.

It took him several seconds to recover. Forcing a laugh, he said, “Yaotiao, you’re about to get married. Why the sudden interest in working? Isn’t Qiming wealthy enough to support you?”

Her father also looked disapproving. “You’re a girl—why bother with a job? The company’s workload is heavy and exhausting. Why would you put yourself through that?”

Jin Jiarui quickly chimed in, “Exactly!”

Arguing about independence and gender equality with her father would get her nowhere.

Instead, Yaotiao lowered her napkin and said seriously, “It’s all because of Shen Qiming. We argued the other day, and he said I was useless and wouldn’t be able to help him manage his company after we got married.”

Her father’s face darkened. “That’s ridiculous of him!”

What kind of man shirked responsibility for the family while demanding such unreasonable expectations of his fiancée?

Jin Yaotiao nodded, feigning indignation.