Chapter 11 Chen Ang, have you gone mad?

After leaving the law firm, it was still early, so he didn't rush to pick anyone up, but instead called his mother.

"Mom, how are things at home?"

On the other end of the line, his mother Qu Suping's voice carried a hint of exhaustion: "Nothing has changed, it's just… your second uncle and younger aunt came by again."

"What did they say?"

"What else but money. When we helped them back then, we never expected anything in return…" His mother's voice was very low, as if she were afraid of being overheard. "Your dad hasn't slept well these past few days. They are his own siblings, and they… sigh… they want to sue your dad."

Listening to his mother's intermittent sighs, Chen Ang's fingers gripping the steering wheel tightened until they hurt.

"Mom, just wait a little longer. When Grandma's birthday comes, I will return home and handle these matters. Don't worry about the money."

"Chen Ang, don't do anything reckless…"

"Mom, trust me." Chen Ang interrupted her. "Your son won't do anything illegal. Also, don't tell Dad. We shouldn't associate with some relatives anymore; let him see them clearly these next few days."

"It's been so many years, hasn't he seen them clearly enough?" A long sigh came from the other end of the line. "Alright, Mom trusts you. Come back early."

"Okay. I'll transfer some money to you in a bit, remember not to scrimp."

After hanging up, Chen Ang leaned back in the seat, closed his eyes for a moment, calculated in his mind, and then dialed Chen Zhuo's number.

The phone was almost disconnected before it was answered. Chen Zhuo's voice was listless: "Brother, why are you calling?"

Chen Ang said: "Is Dad okay? Was he angered again? You didn't tell Chen Xi, did you?"

"No, Chen Xi's studies are important. How could I distract her at a time like this?" Chen Zhuo sighed.

Then he let out a helpless, bitter laugh: "It's our fault as brothers for being useless, otherwise we wouldn't be getting pushed around everywhere."

His words made Chen Ang's heart ache, a bitter taste rising uncontrollably.

He understood Chen Zhuo; he knew his state was wrong, he just didn't know if it was his wife causing trouble or work issues.

Taking a long breath, he remembered the past—wasn't he just as helpless when facing such situations?

Slowly composing his turbulent emotions, he said, "Chen Zhuo, when it's Grandma's birthday, I will come back and pay off all the debts."

On the other end, Chen Zhuo was full of doubt: "Brother, did you get the money? You didn't win the lottery, did you?"

"Don't worry about that, just wait for me to come back. Be tougher with those relatives, let Dad see your attitude." Chen Ang urged.

On the other end, Chen Zhuo was silent for a moment, wanting to ask something but didn't open his mouth, only giving an "Um," his voice clearly choked with emotion.

Chen Ang understood his brother's feelings, and hearing that he still believed in him as always made him feel much better.

After hanging up, he opened WeChat and transferred 50,000 to his mother's bank card.

Thinking about it, he found Chen Xi's profile picture and transferred 10,000 to her as well.

Then he started the car and drove toward the school.

It was still early to go home; he needed to settle things here properly before he could be at ease.

Now that he had the means, his family would get better. From now on, no relatives would be able to take advantage of his family for a single cent.

He knew that rushing certain things wouldn't help; his father's foolish filial piety needed to be cured properly.

The late October sun wasn't warm, but it was blinding against the windshield.

When Chen Ang arrived at the Fencing gym, the second class had just ended.

Chen Zetian ran out, drenched in sweat, waving a plastic training sword, shouting "Ha… Ha…"

"Dad, I won today! I stabbed that chubby kid five times."

Chen Ang smiled and patted his head: "Impressive, I knew you would definitely be a hero who upholds justice in the future."

Chen Zetian's eyes lit up: "Of course, I also want to learn Robotics, I want to build Transformers."

"Alright, no problem. As long as you like it, you can learn it all. Of course, you can't fall behind on the Cello either."

Chen Ang touched the child's head, the smile on his lips never fading.

"I'm a man, I keep my word." Chen Zetian hugged his Fencing helmet, dancing with excitement.

Leaving the Fencing gym, he took him straight home.

After getting inside, he sent the child off to play by himself. Chen Ang pulled the payment receipts out of the file bag and arranged them neatly on the dining table.

Fencing: 38,000. Equipment fee: 5,000. Robotics programming: 28,000. Cello tuition: 22,000. Instrument: 5,000.

Total: 98,000 yuan.

The contract stated in black and white: After completing three lessons, the paid fees are non-refundable.

Chen Ang looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction, lay back on the sofa, and took out his phone to play.

When Wen Huilin returned, Chen Zetian was lying on the small balcony outside the living room, assembling robot blocks.

"Xiaotian, did you do your homework?" Wen Huilin asked her son while changing her shoes.

"Finished." Chen Zetian didn't even lift his head, playing on his own.

Wen Huilin nodded with satisfaction, walked into the dining room, her gaze swept across the dining table, and then froze.

Three payment receipts and the contract, arranged neatly.

She curiously picked them up and looked at them one by one. Her complexion went from normal to livid, and then from livid to deathly pale.

"Chen Ang… have you lost your mind?"

She, who had wanted to ease the relationship, couldn't hold back anymore, her voice sharp and ear-piercing.

Chen Ang sat up slowly from the sofa, tilted his head to look at the dining room: "What's wrong?"

"What the hell is this 100,000 yuan?" Wen Huilin's face was full of anger, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Interest classes I signed Chen Zetian up for. Fencing, Robotics, Cello. Didn't you always say Chen Zetian needed to be multi-talented?" Chen Ang shrugged, indicating, 'Aren't I just listening to you?'

Wen Huilin fiercely slammed the receipts onto the table, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "Who told you to sign him up? Did you discuss it with me? I didn't even mention the 300,000 spent on the car, and now you're spending another 100,000? What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Borrowed from online lending platforms, paid it upfront first," Chen Ang's tone was flat. "I know you still want a divorce in your heart, and you're still young. If you really divorce, you'll definitely find another man."

"As the saying goes, 'once there's a stepfather, there's a stepmother.' I'm worried you won't cultivate our son properly in the future, so I planned to spend more on him. It's also a form of security, what's wrong with that?"

"You…" Hearing Chen Ang analyze her with such malice, Wen Huilin's eyes went white, so angry she almost vomited blood.

She grabbed the contract and flipped through it, seeing the line "Non-refundable after the third lesson," her eyes gradually reddened. "Third lesson? You've already taken Chen Zetian to three lessons?"

"Yeah. Chen Zetian likes it, so we kept going. The teacher said this child has talent and is worth cultivating. Besides, you weren't home much these past two days, and I didn't find a chance to tell you."

"What talent, that's all just to trick you into paying money… Go get a refund, go now." Wen Huilin roared. She couldn't imagine how Chen Ang could have just spent 100,000 like that.

Chen Ang stood up, walked to the dining table, picked up the contract, and pointed at the text marked at the bottom: "Look clearly, it's non-refundable after the third lesson. They gave you three chances to change your mind. If you don't believe me, call and ask."

If he let her get the money back, wouldn't he have done all that work for nothing? Chen Ang looked forward to Wen Huilin's next expression even more.