“Mom, are you saying that Kuang Ye’s hand can be cured, but Grandpa Kuang pressured the doctors to refuse to treat him?” Mu Wan didn’t even know how she managed to say these words. An overwhelming sense of absurdity surged within her—that was Kuang Ye’s biological grandfather. He had brought Kuang Ye back to the Kuang family, helped him secure the engagement with the Mu family, and even if there were conditions attached, Mu Wan thought that, at the very least, he had some genuine care for Kuang Ye.

But now, what had she just heard? He had used methods even more despicable than Kuang Ye’s parents, cruelly cutting off Kuang Ye’s dream.

The Mu and Wang families were also large, but there was never the kind of sordid infighting seen in other prominent families. Wang Lan had often heard gossip about such things happening in high society, but she never imagined such heartless family strife would affect her own son-in-law.

“Wan wan, it’s not something I can explain over the phone. You two come home tonight. I’ll call your dad and brother, and we’ll discuss this together.”

“Don’t worry—no matter what happens, the Mu and Wang families will stand behind you two.”

“Okay!”

—

Three hours later, Mu Wan and Kuang Ye appeared together at the Mu family villa. On the way, Mu Wan had already explained the situation to Kuang Ye. Even though Kuang Ye had long since grown cold toward the Kuang family, he still felt as though a sharp, bloodied blade had been thrust into his heart once again.

That was his own grandfather—how could he be so cruel?

When his parents had been indifferent and contemptuous toward him, only his grandfather had stood by his side. At that time, Kuang Ye had truly felt comforted—at least someone in his family welcomed him.

And yet, now, that past comfort had transformed into another blade stabbing into him.

Mu Wan tightly grasped Kuang Ye’s hand, their fingers interlocked, as if trying to lend him the strength to keep going.

“Ah Ye, you still have me.”

Even if the whole world betrays you, you still have me.

The numbing pain in his heart was soothed by a rush of warmth. Kuang Ye squeezed Mu Wan’s hand back, his eyes full of guilt.

“Wan wan, I’m sorry for always dragging you into my family’s mess.”

Mu Wan tilted her head up and asked, “Do you regret returning to the Kuang family?”

Kuang Ye thought for a moment, then shook his head. If he hadn’t gone back, he would never have been able to hold this hand beside him.

“Then that’s all that matters. Let’s go. We’ll face whatever comes together. Besides, it’s not all bad news—your hand can be treated, remember?”

“You’re right!”

—

After entering the villa, Mu Jianhua, Wang Lan, and Mu Yanci were all at home, currently seated around the dining table.

Wang Lan called out to them, “I figured you’d arrive around this time. Let’s talk about other matters later; come eat first!”

Kuang Ye placed the items he had brought on the sofa and sat at the dining table with Mu Wan. Wang Lan chided him playfully, “Every time you come over, you bring a bunch of gifts. You’re Wan wan’s fiancé—this is your home. Why act so formal?”

Wang Lan genuinely liked Kuang Ye as a son-in-law. He was modest, polite, and treated her daughter very well. Although others looked down on his profession, she had done her research—being a professional player was no different from being an athlete, and not just anyone could do it. Because she truly approved of him, Wang Lan had already considered him half her child. Learning what Grandpa Kuang had done had left her both heartbroken and furious.

Kuang Ye replied, “These weren’t last-minute gifts. Last time, my teammate bought a bracelet for his mother, and Wan Wan picked it out. I thought you might like it too, so I got one for you. The rest are just things Wan Wan usually buys, and we brought them over.”

With this, Kuang Ye made it clear that his gesture wasn’t superficial; it showed he and Mu Wan genuinely kept her family in mind. Wang Lan’s heart warmed even more.

“You’re both such good kids. I specifically asked Aunt Wang to make your favorite dishes. Now, dig in!”

Not wanting to ruin the warm family dinner atmosphere, everyone tactfully avoided mentioning heavy topics during the meal.

After dinner, they all sat on the sofa, and Wang Lan directly addressed Kuang Ye.

“Xiao Ye, don’t worry about your hand injury.”

“No matter how powerful Grandpa Kuang is, he can’t control everything. I’ll find trustworthy people to locate the right doctor. Your hand will recover.”

Kuang Ye replied sincerely, “Auntie, thank you.”

After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly asked, “Auntie, if I’m no longer the son of the Kuang family, will my engagement to Wan wan still hold?”

As soon as these words fell, all three members of the Mu family turned their gazes toward him.

Mu Yanci got straight to the point: “Are you thinking about severing ties with the Kuang family?”

Kuang Ye nodded, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his lips before he spoke with clarity and resolve.

“When a clean break isn’t made, more harm will follow. The Kuang family has never welcomed me, and I can’t fit in.”

“Before, because Grandpa brought me back, I felt grateful and didn’t want to tear things apart with the Kuang family.”

“But now—”

“Uncle, Auntie, my feelings for Wan wan are genuine.”

“I know that without my status as the young master of the Kuang family, I’m not worthy of her. But I promise to make Wan wan happy.”

“Please allow us to continue being together.”

His gaze was sincere, without a hint of pretense, filled only with deep and unwavering love for Mu Wan.

Wang Lan exchanged a glance with her husband, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

Mu Wan was just about to say that she didn’t care about such things when Mu Yanci suddenly stopped her and gestured toward Mu Jianhua.

Mu Jianhua’s expression was somewhat stern as he stared at Kuang Ye’s earnest face. After a long pause, he said, “Xiao Ye, come with me to the study for a moment.”

Mu Wan, slightly worried her father would make things difficult for Kuang Ye, interjected, “Dad…”

Wang Lan stopped her with a look and said softly, “Your father knows what he’s doing.”