Qianyuan Mountain.

A pilgrimage site located in Tianqing City.

Everyone who comes here is an incredibly devout believer.

On the winding mountain path, a young man takes a bow every five steps, kneels every ten steps, and proceeds to the temple at the mountain top.

Behind him on the ground, spots of blood are shocking to see!

Unlike the surrounding pilgrims' devoutness, this man has a slight urgency in his brow, as if there is an infinite pressure bearing down on him.

…

Tianqing City, Jiang family.

Compared with the shocking sights on the winding mountain path, there is a joyful atmosphere here.

Today is the 60th birthday of Elder Madam Jiang of the Jiang family, and the high-profile figures of the entire Tianqing City have gathered together.

However, just as Elder Madam Jiang was smiling and watching the celebratory guests offering their blessings and gifts for her longevity, a discordant voice completely shattered the jubilant atmosphere!

"Elder Madam, Yun Fan has returned, bringing with him the ash bracelet he asked for at Qianyuan Mountain!"

A servant runs into the great hall to announce this.

Hearing these words, the faces of the Jiang family members instantly changed, only Elder Madam Jiang remained as calm as ever, no one could see what she was really thinking.

"This Yun Fan, truly as stuck-on as a dogskin plaster!"

"But, come to think of it, who would have expected that he would actually reach the Qianyuan Mountain in just three days, step by step!"

"Pah! He's a nobody! It was already a huge favor when the head of the family agreed to let him enter the Jiang household."

Especially the younger generation of the Jiang family, when it came to the name 'Yun Fan', contempt was clearly written all over their faces.

"That's enough!"

After looking at the crowd, the old matriarch of the Jiang family said slowly, even though it was only two words, all the surrounding noises were silenced instantly.

"Bring him in!"

After a while, Yun Fan entered the hall under the watchful eyes of all the guests, advancing by prostrating every five steps and kneeling every ten.

"Granny, I have got the incense ash bracelet from Qianyuan Mountain."

"My mother's condition can no longer wait. I hope you can fulfil your promise, Granny!"

As if oblivious to the strange glances around him, Yun Fan cradled the incense ash bracelet in his hands with a pleading expression.

The current Yun Fan looked extremely pathetic, his complexion was as pale as a ghost, like a gentle breeze could tumble him over at any moment. His clothes were torn and tattered, making him look like a beggar.

However, the old matriarch of the Jiang family, seated high at the head of the table, was looking down at him without a single facial expression.

At this moment, a young man from the Jiang family slowly approached, picked up the delicate incense ash bracelet in Yun Fan's hands, scrutinized it for a while then chuckled.

"You call this a gift worthy of presenting to the Clan Master?"

"In my opinion, no one would even bother picking it up if it were thrown on the street!"

While he spoke, the young man violently threw the prayer beads on the ground, stepping on them mercilessly.

"You..."

Yun Fan wanted to retaliate, but he couldn't bring himself to do it considering his mother who was still lying in the hospital bed, inching closer to death any moment.

Still, he forced himself to suppress his anger. Begging was written all over his eyes as he looked at Old Lady Jiang.

"Grandmother, you promised that if I bowed every five steps and knelt every ten, all the way from Qianyuan Mountain to bring back these prayer beads, you would use every medical resource available to save my father."

"Now that I present these prayer beads, I beseech you, Grandmother, to save my father's life for the sake of these beads!"

"I'm willing to work like an ox or a horse for the Jiang family, as long as my mother can receive treatment!"

As his words hung in the air, Old Lady Jiang finally seemed to genuinely look at Yun Fan for the first time.

A hint of annoyance filled her impatient voice, her brow furrowing.

"Life and death are fated. I am powerless!"

Having said this, Old Lady Jiang waved her hand dismissively, as if she couldn't wait to be rid of Yun Fan. She looked at him as if he were nothing more than an eyesore.

However, her words struck Yun Fan like a bolt out of the blue.

What does she mean, helpless?

"If the Jiang family can mobilize all the top medical resources, there's still a glimmer of hope for my mother!"

"Grandma! It was you who personally said that as long as I can get the incense ash bracelet, it would save my father's life!"

"Why? Why do you say you are powerless now?!"

At this moment, Yun Fan's eyes were bloodshot, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart was gradually being shattered.

His voice was heartrending.

As soon as these words came out, Madam Jiang gave Yun Fan a casual look, her voice devoid of any warmth.

"Why? Then let me tell you!"

"Because you touched the bracelet, you stained it!"

"Is that reason enough?"

As her words fell, there was a burst of laughter from the people of the Jiang family.

"Hahahaha, this is hilarious, do people this naive really exist in this world? They actually believe that a mere bracelet can make our Jiang family spend so much money and resources to save his mother?"

"Yun Fan, get it straight. We can have as many incense ash bracelets as we want. Did you really think that your grandma would agree to help just because you asked for it? Dream on!"

"Your Yun family is already down and out, we, the Jiang's, were already generous enough to let you marry into the family, and you have the audacity to want the Jiang family to use resources to save your dying mother?"

"How much have you benefited from the Jiang Family in the past six months? Don't you have a count?"

"Remember to be content with what you have, don't just think about taking!"

"Enough, talking to this ungrateful wretch is simply a waste of time! Have someone throw him out immediately!"

Listening to the mockery around him, Yun Fan felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his neck.

Half a year ago, when Yun Fan's mother fell critically ill, he became the son-in-law of the Jiang family to save her.

Back then, the Jiang family promised to cover all the subsequent treatment expenses and equipment for his mother!

Yun Fan knew that they were only interested in his fortune in the Chinese zodiac and he was just someone to bring them good luck.

Now, let alone being a son-in-law, Yun Fan's days in the Jiang family are even worse than that of a servant!

Not only that, but now his mother urgently needs treatment and yet, the Jiang family has long forgotten their promise and they don't care at all!

Even this so-called 'fragrant ash bracelet', it’s no more than a toy they play with him.

Yun Fan glared at the crowd, his fists tightly clenched.

Jiang Dong, the eldest grandson who was most cherished by Old Lady Jiang, stepped forward at this moment and sneered disdainfully: "Just a reminder, if you leave now, you might have the chance to say your last goodbyes to your mom, otherwise, it's hard to say haha!"

As his words fell, the whole room burst into laughter.

"Ladies and Gentlemen……”

Just at this moment, Old Lady Jiang, surrounded by her family, slowly stood up with a smile on her face.

"Today is my birthday, and I would like to take this opportunity to announce some good news to you all!"

"My lovely granddaughter, the little princess of the Jiang family, Jiang Huanyue, will get engaged to the young master of the Luo family today!"

As the words rang in the air, the hall was filled with congratulations, except for Yun Fan, who looked like a walking corpse.

Jiang Huanyue, Yun Fan's wife.

She walked in front of everyone, hand in hand with a young man dressed in a suit and leather shoes. A look of sheer bliss was written across her delicate face.

The Luo family is one of the top three families in Tianqing City. Compared to them, Yun Fan is just an insignificant ant!

Jiang Huanyue's face was lit with a smile, her bird-like dependency pricking Yun Fan's eyes.

The Jiang Family seems to be treading all over his dignity as a man!

As she looked at Yun Fan, who seemed like sludge, she showed a look of disgust. Passing him, she threw a file on the ground.

"Sign this agreement and get out of the Jiang family. I can give you medical resources."