Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 586: Chapter 587

Returning home, Yang Chen was unaware of the troubles Zhenxiu faced, but his mind was occupied with issues concerning the Liu family. Earlier, he had mentioned in Liu Mingyu's office that he wanted to invite Liu Qingshan and his wife for a meal to get closer to them. However, yesterday he had a harsh confrontation with Liu Qingshan, who likely left very upset.

Yang Chen wondered if Liu Qingshan would tell Liu Mingyu about the incident. He felt a headache coming on. If Liu Mingyu found out that he had argued with her father right after expressing his intention to invite them for a meal, would she think he was unreliable and not taking her seriously?

Just as he was pondering this, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw that the caller was Liu Mingyu. Yang Chen sighed, answered the call, and said with a cheerful tone, "Mingyu darling, calling so early in the morning? Missing me already, I see."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Liu Mingyu spoke softly, "I called home this morning and told my mom that you wanted to invite them for a meal. But she said you had a big fight with my dad yesterday, and he's still fuming. I want to know what really happened."

Yang Chen smiled wryly, relieved that it was Liu Mingyu. She remained calm and asked for the reason instead of reacting impulsively, unlike Cai Yan, who would have been much more fiery. Yang Chen didn't hide anything and explained the shady dealings of Liu Qingshan's subordinate, Gao Yue, and why it had angered Liu Qingshan.

Liu Mingyu listened quietly and then responded gently, "I understand. If that's the case, let's wait until my dad calms down, and then we can sit down and talk. Even though he's involved in the underworld, he's still my father."

Yang Chen asked, "You're not mad at me for upsetting your dad, are you?"

"Of course not. I've met Gao Yue before, and he did seem problematic. You didn't do anything wrong; you were just a bit blunt. I'm not an unreasonable woman. If you explain things to me properly, I'll understand," Liu Mingyu said softly. "But since it happened, we have to face it. You can't avoid meeting my family forever."

Her tone was calm, but it touched Yang Chen deeply. Liu Mingyu was gently telling him that even though Liu Qingshan had a dubious background and actions, he was still her family, and she hoped Yang Chen wouldn't make things too difficult for her.

Yang Chen exhaled. Seeing how considerate Liu Mingyu was, he decided it wouldn't hurt to lower his stance and talk to Liu Qingshan. He agreed readily.

Liu Mingyu was quite happy with Yang Chen's understanding. This showed that he valued her greatly.

Finally, Liu Mingyu smiled and said, "My new place is almost ready. You should come over and see it sometime. I'll cook for you."

"Seeing you is enough to satisfy me; no need for cooking," Yang Chen joked, his heart pounding.

"You can't be serious for two minutes. I'm hanging up," Liu Mingyu said and hung up immediately.

Yang Chen was taken aback and chuckled helplessly. She hadn't even told him the address of her new place. How was he supposed to find her?

But moments later, a message arrived in his email. It was the address from Liu Mingyu. Women often enjoyed these seemingly unnecessary little games, which they considered romantic.

However, Yang Chen wasn't in a rush to enjoy her hospitality. It was the weekend, and he had to get home quickly to discuss meeting Ma Guifang with Guo Xuehua. Delaying this matter would surely upset Ma Guifang.

Driving home, he entered the house to find Guo Xuehua sitting alone on the living room sofa, engrossed in a Korean drama recommended by Lin Ruoxi.

Yang Chen sighed helplessly and walked over with a smile, "Mom, where are Wang Ma and Ruoxi?"

Guo Xuehua finally snapped out of her trance and, upon hearing Lin Ruoxi mentioned, immediately expressed her satisfaction, "She went grocery shopping with Wang Ma, saying she wants to learn more about house chores. It's quite rare. She used to bury herself in work even on Sundays. It seems she's really become considerate now."

Yang Chen felt relieved that Lin Ruoxi wasn't home, making it easier to talk.

"Mom, I want to discuss something with you," Yang Chen said with a somewhat ingratiating smile.

"Hmm? You've always been so independent. What is it that you need to discuss with me this time? You didn't get into some trouble, did you?" Guo Xuehua asked worriedly.

Yang Chen quickly shook his head, "No, not trouble. Actually, it's something good, and I hope you can support me."

"Stop beating around the bush. Just say it. I'm your mother; there's nothing to hide," Guo Xuehua laughed.

Yang Chen scratched the back of his head, took a deep breath, and said, "I want you to meet another one of my mothers-in-law, and my other woman."

Guo Xuehua's smile gradually froze, then faded, finally becoming an expression of complex emotions. She stared at Yang Chen for a while, suppressing her fluctuating feelings, and asked, "Which girl's mother is it? Rose's or Anxin's?"

Yang Chen blushed involuntarily and said, "It's another one."

"What?!" Guo Xuehua exclaimed, standing up from the sofa in shock, pointing at Yang Chen, her hand trembling with anger.

If this son hadn't been lost for over twenty years and then found again, if she didn't carry a deep sense of guilt towards Yang Chen, Guo Xuehua would have slapped him out of sheer frustration, whether as a mother, an elder, or a woman.

Yang Chen realized this wasn't going well. He hadn't expected Guo Xuehua to react so strongly. He quickly tried to calm her down, "Mom, please don't get upset. Let's talk this over calmly."

"What is there to talk about?!" Guo Xuehua's voice rose, nearly losing control. "Yang Chen, I beg you, stop causing such chaos! I accepted Rose as your lover because she saved your life, and I tolerated Anxin because she truly loves you. I've already turned a blind eye to all this for Ruoxi's sake. And now you're telling me you have another woman?! Do you even want a proper life anymore?!"

Yang Chen sighed inwardly. It wasn't just one more; there was still Xiao Yu, Officer Cai, Tang Wan, and even Mo Qianni. Just mentioning one more had Guo Xuehua so shocked, he knew the future would indeed be difficult.

But he had to continue, "Mom, I've already spoken with her family, and our relationship isn't a casual fling. Just like with Rose and Anxin, I genuinely care for her. I can't just turn my back on her after everything."

Guo Xuehua let out a long sigh, sitting back down in defeat, as if all her energy had been drained. She rubbed her forehead tiredly and said, "Yang Chen, you are good at everything. I wasn't there to watch you grow up these past twenty years, but I'm proud of you for being a responsible and accomplished man. Unlike your father, who couldn't even openly accept his own son, you've always been upfront and capable."

Yang Chen remained silent, knowing Guo Xuehua wasn't finished.

"But today, I have to say this." Guo Xuehua looked at Yang Chen with bitterness. "Your disappointing father may not compare to you in many ways, but in one aspect, Yang Pojun is indeed better. Despite his many faults, he has remained loyal to me in our marriage. From his youth, his heart has always been with me. He has never done anything to betray me in terms of our relationship and has always cared for and loved me. Aside from the incidents caused by your appearance, Yang Pojun has never even raised his voice at me."

Yang Chen felt a pang of guilt. His mother's words, while painful, were undeniably true.