Kuang Ye glanced at the vegetable field, at least an acre in size. Kuang Hongxuan’s idea of pest removal wasn’t using pesticides but manually inspecting each cabbage, one by one.

“Alright,” Kuang Ye agreed without hesitation and stepped into the field wearing his inexpensive sneakers. He silently thanked his earlier whim not to wear the pair of AJ sneakers Mu Wan had gifted him—otherwise, he would’ve had to take them off and work barefoot.

Watching Kuang Ye step into the field without the slightest reluctance, Kuang Hongxuan tightened his grip on his cane.

Five hours later, after thoroughly inspecting every cabbage alongside the gardeners, Kuang Ye’s shirt was drenched in sweat. Yet, Kuang Hongxuan’s expression showed no satisfaction—only a trace of anger.

He knew that the more obedient Kuang Ye appeared, the more resolute he was in his decisions.

“Come to the study,” Kuang Hongxuan said coldly.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kuang Ye was about to follow when Kuang Hongxuan pointed his cane at one of the gardeners. Turning to the butler, he commanded, “Fire that gardener who used a metal knife to harvest cabbages.”

The butler’s face immediately changed as he muttered under his breath, “The master has said repeatedly that metal tools affect the taste of vegetables. Why can’t they remember?” He hurried off to the garden.

Kuang Ye glanced at the old man, sitting alone in his wheelchair, and hesitated before stepping in to take over the butler’s task.

—

In the study, Kuang Ye didn’t bother with pleasantries.
“Grandfather, did you bribe Dr. John in Country D to ensure he wouldn’t cure me?”

Kuang Hongxuan’s sharp, eagle-like eyes narrowed.
“You already know the answer. Why bother asking? Let me be clear: your plans for cutting ties with the family are out of the question.”

Kuang Ye hooked a chair with his foot, pulled it over, and sat down boldly, clasping his hands together to meet his grandfather’s gaze at eye level.
“Cutting ties isn’t something anyone can stop me from doing once I’ve made up my mind. Even if you take me to court, the worst that will happen is I’ll have to pay a few thousand yuan a month in alimony to Xingran’s parents.”

“Grandfather, I still call you that out of respect because you were the one who brought me back to the Kuang family and secured my engagement to Mu Wan.”

“But—” Kuang Ye raised his right hand.
“This hand is my weapon as an esports player. I lost my chance to compete in the global tournament this year because of it.”

“The pain and despair I felt for a year, thinking my wrist might never recover, coupled with the five hours I just spent working in your cabbage field—consider my debt to you repaid.”

“From now on, I won’t set foot in the Kuang household again. And I won’t call you my grandfather anymore.”

Kuang Hongxuan struck his cane heavily against the floor, his expression icy.
“Don’t you dare!”

“If you refuse to return to the Kuang family or take over its business, I’ll acquire that silly game you play and shut it down. Kuang Ye, you know I’m capable of doing it.”

Kuang Ye’s gaze turned glacial. The incident with his wrist had made it clear that both Kuang Hongxuan and Kuang Zhongbai shared the same stance on his career. The difference was that Zhongbai was overtly against it, while Hongxuan operated covertly, like a leech silently draining him.

With a shrug, Kuang Ye suddenly let out a rebellious laugh.
“Go ahead. Worst case, I’ll put on an apron and become a stay-at-home husband for Mu Wan.”

“Maybe you’re unaware, but Uncle Mu and Aunt Wang adore me. They even gave me red envelopes for the New Year.”

“I’m 23 years old and still received red envelopes! Uncle said it’s a Mu family tradition—all unmarried juniors get one.”

“Aunt Wang knows I’m not fond of local cuisine, so she specially made Sichuan and Hunan dishes for me during New Year’s Eve dinner.”

“My uncles and aunts treated me like family too…”

As Kuang Ye enthusiastically recounted his experiences with the Mu family, Kuang Hongxuan’s face grew darker and darker, his complexion verging on green.

Finally, Kuang Ye finished, “Grandfather, I’ve been back with the Kuang family for five years. Has anyone ever given me a red envelope? Cooked a dish just for me?”

“Every year, I learn about the family’s New Year’s Eve dinner not from my parents but from Kuang Shuyu, who always acts like the host.”

“I recall that every New Year’s dinner at the Kuang household has sweet and sour ribs and braised pork stew because Xingran and Kuang Shuyu like them.”

“But what about me? Nothing. I’ve been back for five years, and no one knows what I like to eat.”

“Yet, I’ve only been dating Mu Wan for less than half a year, and in less than a month at the Mu family villa, Aunt Wang already knows my preferences.”

“When I was injured by sulfuric acid and it made the local news, neither my parents nor you called me.”

“When Mu Wan was kidnapped and I was threatened by Kuang Daqiang, Uncle Mu was the first to arrive on the scene.”

“Afterward, aside from Xingran, not a single apology came from Kuang Shuyu. My mother even asked me to hold a press conference to clear his name.”

“Grandfather, you even know I’ve been preparing to sever ties with the family. Don’t tell me you’re unaware of all this.”

“But you remained indifferent because none of this affected my role as the Kuang family’s heir.”

“What you truly want isn’t me, Kuang Ye—it’s a blood heir. Am I wrong?”