After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 59

Seeing the room fill up, Shi Ji ended her livestream and switched to video recording, aiming her lens directly at the members of the Yu family.

“Come in.”

At that cool command, several men stepped into the ward. The moment they entered, the room felt significantly smaller. The door was shut, and in the cramped single occupancy room, there was suddenly almost no space left.

Aside from the sofa where Yi Yanbai sat with her back to the door, there was a row of benches opposite the bed. Xu Linqiu pointed toward them and spoke first: “Mom, why don’t you and Dad sit down first?”

Yi Chenlan helped Xu Linqiu sit back onto the bed slowly. She then turned her gaze toward Lawyer Lin, who was standing quietly nearby. “The entire process was recorded on a livestream as evidence. Is there anything else you need to ask?”

Lin Cang was the Yi Corporation’s dedicated attorney. He had seen many cases like this, but these kinds of “petty” people were often the most difficult to deal with. They had nothing to lose and skin as thick as a city wall. To them, money was everything; if you tried to negotiate, they would risk their lives just to leave you covered in filth. Furthermore, he wasn’t yet sure what kind of connection this family had to President Yi.

Before Lin Cang could speak, the Yu family couldn’t stand still any longer. They never imagined that their own livestream would be used as evidence against them. But they felt they hadn’t done anything wrong! It was just an accidental hit, and they had apologized afterward.

Old Mrs. Yu’s eyes darted around. She stepped forward, attempting to grab Yu Shu’s hand with a look of feigned grandmotherly affection. When Yu Shu pulled away, the old woman turned a tragic gaze toward Xu Judong—who was sitting with Xu Xinping and his wife—before finally looking at Xu Xinping.

“Let’s talk about the children first. Our Shushu suffered a lot with us since she was little, but we were strict with her. We gave her the best of the little we had, which is why she’s such a talented person today. Giving her back to you feels like a needle piercing my old heart!”

“Exactly. We gave Sister everything growing up,” the eldest Yu daughter added, pouting as if she were a jealous younger sibling.

Their performance successfully drew the attention of Xu Xinping and his wife.

“I believe that if the children are swapped back, you’ll definitely find it hard to let go of Judong after all these years of bonding. But since the blood relation is there, they must be swapped back,” Mr. Yu interjected at the right moment.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Yu pulled at his sleeve with a worried expression. “How can we let Judong come back to suffer with us? You still owe so much money from your business. Are we going to let the child fill that huge hole for you?”

“What are you saying? Judong is our own flesh and blood! We would sell everything we own before we let her suffer!”

Listening to this coordinated performance, Yu Shu, standing to the side, felt like she was going to be sick.

At that moment, Xu Judong stated her position firmly and clearly: “I am not going back with you.”

Fang Fengyu patted her hand and, after much hesitation, finally asked, “How much money do you owe?” She continued, “Both children are grown now. We can’t force them to go anywhere. We can only try our best to handle the relationship between both sides.”

“Of course, Sister. We’ve just run into a bit of trouble with our business—we owe three million. We originally wanted Shushu to help out a bit, since we are family, but now…” Mr. Yu smiled as if it were a trivial matter, though he knew better.

Yu Shu, that “dead child,” had treated them like the plague ever since she turned eighteen. Asking her for money was like squeezing blood from a stone. She was too clever, especially at playing the “white lotus.” She would give them money and then “accidentally” leak it online, complaining about her hardships. Her fans were not to be trifled with and would tear them apart online, making even their neighbors turn against them.

If she hadn’t been so beautiful, they would have sold her off or strangled her long ago. But now, heaven had rewarded them. It was better to drop this stingy, useless daughter for a cash payout. At the very least, they could try to manipulate Xu Judong. With a bit of a soft approach, she might be easier to handle than Yu Shu.

In short, they couldn’t let this connection go. Mr. Yu knew the psychology of the wealthy well; he could tell just by looking at the Xu family that they were the kind-hearted, easily bullied type. He wore a gentle smile.

Xu Xinping and his wife were stunned. They hadn’t realized this family did business—and their first request was for three million?

“How about this, Sister? If you really can’t part with Judong, both children can live with you. But we are truly strapped for cash right now, so we’d like to borrow some. I think three million should be a small amount for you,” Mr. Yu said bluntly. The old lady nudged him, but she also looked expectantly at the Xu couple.

This wasn’t “borrowing.” Based on their words, if the children were swapped, they would demand three million from Judong as “family.” If they weren’t swapped and the Xus kept both, they still wanted three million. It was highway robbery. If Judong went back, her “tough exterior, soft heart” personality would ensure they stripped her bare.

Fang Fengyu bit her lip, unable to speak.

By the bed, Shi Ji suddenly pulled Yi Chenlan aside, gesturing for her to lean down, and whispered in her ear. “If you don’t settle these people, Linqiu is going to be unhappy all day. Solve it thoroughly.”

Shi Ji patted her shoulder, her eyes full of deep thought. When Xu Judong spoke, Shi Ji suddenly realized something: in the original book, Xu Judong died at twenty-five, her reputation ruined. Yet now, that point in time had already passed.

In this farce, the Yu family’s lines were almost identical to the original book, as were Xu Xinping’s. Only Xu Judong was different—she had expressed her refusal so firmly. This meant she was no longer being controlled because she had already “died” in the original plot.

If that were the case, it suggested that if supporting characters finished their roles but survived the original ending, they could break free from control. What about the protagonists? If they reached the end-of-book timeline but didn’t match the scripted ending, would all control be lifted?

If so, we just have to hold on for one more year… At that thought, Shi Ji felt a surge of excitement she had never felt before.

She was snapped back to reality by a cold voice.

“Why don’t you name a price?” Yi Chenlan’s business persona was on full display as she swept a cold gaze over the Yu family. “In exchange for cutting all ties with Yu Shu and Xu Judong, and declaring you have no further connection to the Xu family. The money will be transferred immediately. Five million?”

“This… this…” The old lady panicked, her voice trembling. “How could we cut ties just for money? That would be like selling our daughter…”

“Sister, don’t get involved,” Xu Judong suddenly said to Yi Chenlan, her face expressionless. “The DNA test hasn’t even been done yet. Who says I belong to the Yu family? Even if I do, the debt of being raised is greater than the debt of birth. I’ll give them two million at most to cut ties.”

“Judong.” Fang Fengyu looked at her daughter disapprovingly, fearing that if this got out, it would ruin her reputation.

“Mom,” Xu Judong said, her resolve hardening. “I’ve heard how terrible they are. They said they gave Yu Shu everything? If that were true, she wouldn’t have been so poor that she couldn’t afford breakfast and fainted when she first started at Mingli on a full scholarship. I don’t need a family like that.”

The Yu family grew frantic. Yi Chenlan’s eyes narrowed slightly as she signaled to her assistant, Xu Xu. “Prepare the contract.”

“In that case, let’s be direct,” she said to the group. “If you agree to my terms, I will give you ten million.”

At that number, the Yu family’s eyes lit up. Most people couldn’t earn that much in several lifetimes, yet it was right in front of them. Mr. Yu nudged the old lady. Seeing her dazed with greed, he threw his dignity away and spoke quickly before the money could disappear: “Deal!”

A smirk played on Yi Chenlan’s lips. She turned to Xu Xu, who was already drafting the document on his laptop. “First, as of today, after the DNA test is completed—regardless of the result—the results are void and all legal ties are severed. Second, Yu Shu’s household registration will be moved to the Xu family, and her ties to you are severed. Third, you are to have no further contact with the Xu family.”

“If you ever harass my wife again, do not blame me for being unkind.”

“We agree! We agree!” The yellow-haired son’s grin was nearly ear-to-ear.

Yi Chenlan looked away and turned to Fang Fengyu. “Anything to add?”

The stunned Fang Fengyu was about to protest when Xu Xinping pressed her hand and shook his head. Yu Shu wanted to speak—she didn’t want her registration moved to the Xu family—but she found herself unable to say a word.

Xu Judong, however, tilted her head. “I don’t want to be on the same household registration as Yu Shu. Either I move out on my own, or she does.”

“You child…”

Shi Ji sat on the bed and poked the dazed Xu Linqiu with her elbow. “People on the same household registration can’t get married,” she whispered. “What are you looking at? The charm of a rich woman?”

Xu Linqiu withdrew her gaze from Yi Chenlan and laughed. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried across the room.

“Sister Shi Ji, don’t talk nonsense!” Xu Judong snapped like a ruffled lion, though her hands tightened.

“You can discuss the registration details later. The contract stands as is,” Yi Chenlan declared. Xu Xu consulted Lawyer Lin, added the Yu family’s bank account details to the contract, and stepped out to print it with high efficiency.

While they waited for the two copies of the contract, some things were hard to say aloud, so Xu Xinping sent her a message.

Xu Xinping: Qingqing, I will pay you back that money.

Yi Chenlan: No need, Dad. That money will be back within a week.

Xu Xinping: Huh?

Yi Chenlan: (Smiling Emoji)

Yi Chenlan: I just don’t want them bothering Linqiu anymore. We’re family; talking about money hurts the relationship.

Xu Xinping: ……

The Yu family paced back and forth, terrified the others would change their minds. Shi Ji, meanwhile, hummed a tune and occasionally glanced at the “well-behaved” Yi Yanbai.

The contract arrived quickly. The Yu family only glanced at the number on the page before joyfully signing their names.

“Every adult needs to sign,” Xu Xu instructed.

“Yes, yes, of course. So, President Yi, the money…”

“The registration transfer and the DNA test—do you still want to do them?”

“No need! It’s all in the contract. We have no further connection to Xu Judong,” the old lady said quickly.

Lawyer Lin waited for Yi Chenlan to sign, then gathered the documents. “The money will be transferred the moment the household registration transfer is finalized.”

“Wonderful, wonderful!”

“Please leave this room now,” Xu Xu said. The bodyguards stepped forward, frightening the Yu family into scurrying toward the door.

“Also, please look out for a court summons. We will be seeking legal recourse for the injury to President Yi.”

“Ah?!”

“Mom, stop talking! How much could that possibly cost? Let’s go get the registration sorted!”

“Yes, yes!”

As their voices faded, Xu Xu nodded to Yi Chenlan and led the rest of the staff out of the room. The ward was suddenly empty and quiet.

Only then did Shi Ji turn off her recording. she waved her phone at Yi Chenlan. “I’ll send the video to you for your records.”

“Thanks.”

Shi Ji smiled at Xu Linqiu and moved to sit by Yi Yanbai on the sofa. “I’m going to edit the footage of that family’s behavior and post it online. It’ll be quite the hit.”

“What’s the use? If Qingqing gives them that much money, will they even care about their reputation?” Fang Fengyu sighed, frowning. “But I suppose it’s worth it to buy our way out of the trouble.”

“Auntie, you’re too naive,” Shi Ji said. “President Yi has ten thousand ways to make them spit that money back out.”

“That depends on how greedy they are,” Yi Chenlan said. At the very least, they would face bankruptcy. At worst, they would find life in prison more miserable than death.

Yi Chenlan pushed aside her cold thoughts and walked to the bed. She used her fingertip to gently touch Xu Linqiu’s forehead. Xu Linqiu was sitting up, but her eyelids were drooping. In that moment, Yi Chenlan’s expression was incredibly tender.

“Do you want to lie down?”