As soon as she got off the plane, Cecilia Gu couldn't help but shiver. "It's already this cold at home now?" she said.
"Yeah, the weather changed these past few days." Charles Yin supported Cecilia at her side and replied, "The heating at home is on full blast, so you'll be warm once we get back."
"Don't we need to go see Grandma Yin first?" Cecilia looked up at him.
"No need." Charles answered possessively, "I've already told Grandma we're back. You need a full checkup first! Can you trust those outside doctors? Only our family hospital is good enough!"
Cecilia couldn't help but stick out her tongue.
He's always so domineering!
Rona Muir also shivered as soon as she got off the plane and said to Sophie Mo, "Come on, let's go to my place and warm up! The lovebirds don't want to be disturbed right now! Let's not get involved."
Sophie Mo smiled gently, "Alright, I'll go squeeze in with you then."
Cecilia laughed and said, "Are you sure you don't want to come to my place for a bit?"
"No, no, no, keep your lovey-dovey stuff away from us single dogs!" Rona Muir waved her hand. "Call if you need anything, text if you don't. We're off!"
Rona Muir grabbed Sophie Mo and quickly jumped into the car, waving to Cecilia Gu as they sped off.
Cecilia smiled softly, got into the car with Charles Yin, and headed towards her own home.
Now, that villa was officially under Cecilia Gu's name.
These days, Cecilia Gu was now part of the wealthy homeowners' club.
As soon as the car stopped at the door, Cecilia saw Mrs. Zhang and the butler, along with a group of maids and workers, standing at the entrance to greet them!
Cecilia was stunned. Why such a grand welcome?
Only then did Cecilia realize she had actually been away from home for a long time...
She really had been gone for so long...
"Welcome home, Young Master and Mrs. Yin!" Mrs. Zhang led everyone in a cheerful chorus.
"Thank you, everyone." Cecilia smiled and pulled her coat tighter. "Why are you all standing outside? Hurry and get inside to warm up! The weather really has gotten cold."
But everyone remained in place until Charles Yin said calmly, "Didn't you hear Mrs. Yin? If she tells you to go inside, then go inside."
"Yes, Young Master!" Mrs. Zhang and the butler led everyone to make way. Only after Cecilia and Charles entered did they follow inside.
As soon as Cecilia stepped inside, she felt a wave of warmth.
There's nothing quite as comfortable as being in your own home.
A maid immediately brought a fragrant cup of milk tea. After a few sips, Cecilia finally felt the chill leave her body.
Mrs. Zhang came over to help Cecilia take off her coat and change her shoes, then said, "Mrs. Yin, the weather's been changing these days. It's best not to go out. Wait until it stabilizes before heading out again."
Cecilia thought for a moment, then turned to Charles Yin and asked, "When will the Yin Family's Second Son be back?"
In this house, only Grandma Evelyn Yin and Cecilia dared to mention Ethan Yin in front of Charles Yin.
Sure enough, Charles's expression darkened a little, but he still answered Cecilia's question: "Probably another five days."
Cecilia nodded.
"Come, follow me to the study." Charles Yin stepped forward, took Cecilia's hand, and led her up the stairs.
Cecilia obediently followed Charles Yin.
Mrs. Zhang and the butler understood clearly: the Young Master and Mrs. Yin had returned with a much deeper bond than before.
No matter how cold and stern the Young Master was outside, when facing Mrs. Yin, he couldn't help but soften.
Cecilia didn't know what Charles wanted to talk about, but she sensed that this conversation was something no one else should hear.
Once inside the study, Charles made sure to close the door himself, then pulled Cecilia to sit on the sofa. He spoke very seriously: "Cecilia, listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Of course, with your current status, you don't need to be so cautious anymore. But for your safety, it's better to stay alert."
Cecilia nodded.
"Do you know who the Yin Family's Second Son really is?" Charles sighed and asked.
Cecilia shook her head in confusion.
"He's my younger brother. An illegitimate child." A cold edge appeared on Charles's lips, and a flash of murderous intent passed through his eyes.
Cecilia was stunned. She really hadn't expected this outcome.
"My father once had a confidante, but his marriage wasn't something he could decide for himself, so he ended up marrying my mother. My mother has always been strong-willed, as you know. So my father thought she wasn't as gentle and considerate as that confidante, and kept her outside, even having a son with her. He protected them well, but nothing stays hidden forever. Eventually, the family found out. When my mother learned the truth, she was relentless."
"I remember when I was little, my parents fought over this. My father slapped my mother..." Charles sighed and continued, "My mother's family isn't ordinary either, so when they found out what my father had done, they came after him. Grandma Yin found out and scolded my father harshly. Back then, Grandma wasn't in charge of the Yin Consortium, so she could only reassure my mother's family that the mistress and illegitimate son would never be allowed into the Yin Family, nor have inheritance rights."
"That's when my own inheritance was confirmed. But then something happened that tore this family apart." Charles squeezed Cecilia's fingers and said softly, "This is why I resent their whole family. My father was weak—he never handled family matters properly. On my tenth birthday, he promised to celebrate with me, but halfway through, that woman called him away. My mother was furious, stormed over to that woman's house, and pushed her down the stairs, causing her to miscarry."
Cecilia immediately covered her mouth in shock.
"Father officially broke with Mother and never came back home. But on the surface, they pretended to be a loving couple. To fool me, they even sent me to study abroad. That's when I met Sylvia Ran... Well, let's not talk about that for now. When I was twenty-two, something happened that reignited Mother's hatred. Father wanted to bring Ethan Yin home and publicly acknowledge him."
"Mother was so furious she sabotaged the car brakes... but she didn't realize I had just returned from abroad and was in the car too. When the brakes failed, Mother could've escaped, but she stayed to save me and ended up with both legs crushed." Charles closed his eyes gently. "Cecilia, I don't know if you can understand how I felt. I was terrified. Before that, I'd always been protected, just expected to finish my studies and inherit the family business. But that day, everything changed!"
"Back then, I was heartbroken from a breakup and mentally out of it. When the accident happened, I couldn't even react. By the time I came to my senses, the disaster had already struck." Charles looked pained. "Father disappeared, Mother lost her legs. I had to grow up fast, follow Grandma's arrangements, and start training abroad. I slowly changed from a pampered rich kid into a cold executioner."
"Why do you say that?" Cecilia asked, confused.
"Because I investigated it later. That woman deliberately provoked Mother, making her push her down the stairs and miscarry. Her target was the Yin Family. She didn't want to remain a shadow—she wanted to be the Yin Family's mistress." Charles sneered. "After the accident, that woman went to Grandma Yin, crying and begging her to take in Ethan Yin. If Ethan entered the Yin Family, that meant another heir to compete with."
"When my mother found out, she immediately told Grandma Yin she needed to go abroad for treatment because of her injuries. In exchange, she demanded six years—during which Ethan Yin absolutely couldn't set foot in the Yin Family! So I had to grow up fast within those six years. Only then could I protect everything I have. Cecilia, do you think I'm cold and ruthless? Cruel? To keep the Yin Family for myself, I let Ethan go astray, even encouraged it, just to cut off any chance of him fighting back."
"That's why, when my mother made things difficult for you, I didn't step in right away. It's because she sacrificed so much for me. Cecilia, I can't go against her directly—I have to take a roundabout approach." Charles explained his actions that day again.
Cecilia nodded quietly.
All of this was truly beyond what she had expected.
It seems that in many wealthy and noble families, things like this happen more often than you'd think.
Fate really plays tricks on people!
In situations like this, it's hard to say who's right or wrong.
Protecting your own interests is nothing to be ashamed of.
"To grow up quickly, I did a lot of things—some I can't even tell you about now. But Cecilia, I'm strong enough now. No one can hurt me anymore, and no one can hurt you either!" Charles gently squeezed Cecilia's fingers. "When Ethan Yin returns, Grandma will give him some shares and money. As his sister-in-law, your position is delicate. Many people will be watching how you act, because your attitude represents mine."
Cecilia nodded.
But it's hard to strike the right balance!
A returning illegitimate son fighting for power, and as the wife of the Yin Family heir, how should I treat my illegitimate brother-in-law? Too warm is inappropriate, too cold is also wrong!