“And the legal rights?” Meilei brought it up again, torn between wanting it and experiencing deep pain at his willingness.
These past weeks, she had seen his love for Yue grow. His willingness to put their differences aside and his doing this meant she knew he would not try to take her anymore. His actions had said more than his words could, and his coming here today to apologize helped Meilei believe she could trust him regarding her baby.
Yuelin already adored him and asked for him frequently, so she knew it was time. It also saved her from continuing to chaperone when she needed space from him right now.
“Really?” Kai’s hope perked up at it, and even though it meant Meilei wouldn’t be there too, he would take it. He wanted to spend more time with Yue, and if she could trust him in that, maybe she could trust him further one day. He would take whatever steps he could.
“Daddy!!!” Yuelin finally spotted his presence and dropped the balls she held. Climbing from the little pit and racing at him with full force. A child unleashed, hair flying in wild excitement, and he pushed backward out of his chair to bend down to catch her as she launched herself into his arms. Squealing with joy that her second favorite person was here.
The atmosphere was tense, and a slight crackle ran across Kai’s skin.
Minhui was already seated facing him, having flown in early in the morning to be here. She had an idea vaguely that something was up, but Kai had not shared much in his call in the past few days. Only that she should be home as he had something to say.
They were taking up their lonely spaces on the sides of a dining table meant for eight while their parents sat at each end. Spread apart like normal, a family who had never been close to their parents. Minhui had given Kai more maternal affection than his parents ever did. She had raised Yuelin too. He considered Minhui the only person at this table he adored and the reason they had grown up affectionate and demonstrative children. It sure as hell didn’t get taught by his parents.
Normally, family dinners involved more extended relatives, but Kai had asked for this specifically. He wanted privacy and knew this was the best way to confront them. He came for one reason, and it was not food.
Despite his set mind, his body acted like he was about to jump off a cliff. Cold sweats and internalized anxiety bubbled.
“And what’s that? You should have brought Anna here today if you’re going to announce your engagement finally.” His mother always had a one-track mind and never entertained the idea that anyone would possibly defy her for long. She had too many years of getting her own way, manipulating, and being obeyed. It was inconceivable to her that Kai would not finally relent.
Kai snorted, flipped open his bag, and withdrew the slim black plastic document folder before laying it carefully in the center of the table. His eyes fixed on it as his sister raised a brow in question, and his mother posied her wine glass midway to her mouth. Intrigued by whatever this was.
Kai tapped it to draw all eyes, sat up tall and straight, fixing his tone to steel determination, and fixed his gaze at his mother directly.
“My resignation from Yanhue Corp effective immediately. My copy of relinquishing my parental rights over Yue and the transference completion of all my Yanhue shares to Qian. This is the last time I will come here as your son. In the future, we will have no interactions.” Kai’s tone was deadpan and emotionless, and even though this was a huge decision about his family position, he didn’t experience the emotional devastation he expected. Instead, he felt lighter, like a heavy burden was lifting from his shoulders as his mother’s eyes grew in a wild rage.
“What is the meaning of this?” She exploded, slamming her glass down so hard it chipped the base, sloshing blood-red liquid all over the crisp linen tablecloth, and Minhui jumped in fright.
“Kai?” Minhui questioned him with a shattered expression, her voice cracking with genuine horror and growing anxiety in her chest. She knew her brother would never cut her off, but this was devastating. She had not seen it coming but knew him well enough to know this was not a bluff. He wouldn’t have made this decision rashly. Kai always did whatever he said he would do and never swayed.
“What?… What do you mean?” Minhui’s face paled, and she flicked her eyes from her brother to her mother and then father, reading the range of expressions and understanding nothing. Choking panic, clawing at her.
Madame Xuchen tried to control her posture, shaking with the shock that the sly brat had returned under her radar, and swallowed hard before using her napkin to dab her mouth. Controlling her manner to ensure she gave nothing away. Her hands trembled as she fought with her reactions to pull it all back inside.
Kai smirked at her expected denial, slid his hand inside his bag again, yanked out his file of papers he wasn’t sure he intended to use, and thrust them on the table. May as well go all in if his mother persisted in her lie.
Minhui’s face paled as she took the papers with shaking fingers and looked through them slowly and deliberately. Her face was blank as the lies and betrayal sunk in, reducing her to a numb shell.
Pausing to read Meilei’s original statement, Minhui’s eyes teared up again, seeing a version she had never known.
Minhui could clearly see the truth in what her brother was saying and had trusted him enough to dig in the first place. It hurt her heart to know their own parents would do this to him. Would lie to both of them.
Kai’s father was silent, staring at his children and expecting his wife to clean up her mess. He had nothing to do with this matter, even though he knew of it and had no desire to get involved. It was a ridiculous and meaningless drama for which he had no energy. Raising the children was her job.