C1 Yang Family Memorial

"Are you Mr. Zhang Luo?"

As Zhang Luo was about to step out of his apartment, he was stopped by a stranger at the entrance.

"Yes, that's me."

Zhang Luo responded promptly.

"This is for you."

The man handed a securely wrapped box to Zhang Luo and quickly departed.

Before Zhang Luo could make sense of the situation, his phone rang.

"Young Master, have you received the package?"

The voice belonged to an elderly man, unmistakably the old butler who had expelled him from the Zhang family three years prior.

After his father's murder, Zhang Luo had been cast out of the Zhang family. For three years, he was neglected, left to survive on his own. What could this sudden call signify?

Zhang Luo grunted in acknowledgment.

"Young Master, we've observed all your endeavors over the past three years. You've excelled, and we admit our past mistakes. The Zhang family is now leaderless, and we wish for your return," the butler explained over the phone.

"Has the Zhang family shown any concern for me during these years? And now they want me back?"

Memories of his destitution after being ousted flooded Zhang Luo's mind.

"Young Master, the Zhang family concealed their identity and avoided contact with you these past three years to protect you. The family is thriving, and the elders unanimously agree on your return."

The butler's words reopened old wounds that Zhang Luo had struggled to heal over three years.

"Old butler, enough. I have no interest in the Zhang family," he interrupted.

"Young Master, you are the sole heir! Returning to the Zhang family means you'll want for nothing!"

Zhang Luo was aware that life with the Zhang family would be vastly superior to his current circumstances. But could he truly find happiness in the place where his father was lost?

"Please, leave me be in the future. I intend to be an exemplary son-in-law."

Sensing Zhang Luo's discomfort, the butler chose not to press further. Only Zhang Luo could claim the mantle of the Zhang family's heir, but perhaps now was not the right time.

"Master Zhang, the head of the family entrusted me to give you this package three years ago. Please take good care of it!"

Zhang Luo's heart twisted with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe as he hung up the phone call that had been three years in the making. Three years earlier, driven by a desire to avenge his father, Zhang Luo had come across Yang Shuozheng and his family, victims of a car accident on the mountain road. The hit-and-run driver had fled the scene, and by the time Zhang Luo arrived, it was too late to save Yang Shuozheng's wife. Thankfully, Yang Shuozheng himself had sustained only minor injuries.

Out of gratitude, Yang Shuozheng promised his youngest daughter, Yang Yuan, to Zhang Luo, making him the son-in-law of the Yang family. Today marked the third anniversary of the Yang family matriarch's passing, and the family was preparing to hold a memorial service.

Zhang Luo unwrapped the package left by his father to find an ordinary box containing a smartphone, a bottle of water, and a bank card. Upon examining the phone, he realized it was just a typical smartphone with no special features. "Seriously, this is all he left me?" Zhang Luo muttered, on the verge of swearing as he looked at the three inexpensive items.

He then noticed something odd about the water—it wasn't mineral water and was full of impurities. But it was a gift from his father, so what did it matter? Zhang Luo unscrewed the cap and drank half the bottle in one go. As he did, a golden light coursed through his body, revitalizing his dormant meridians.

Feeling no different after finishing the drink, Zhang Luo pocketed the phone and bank card and headed out onto the street. He purchased a bouquet of white chrysanthemums and a fruit basket, both modestly priced. He knew the Yang family might mock him for the humble offerings, but with the little money he had, it was the best he could do.

Approaching the Royal Scenic Homes Villa District, Zhang Luo spotted an agitated figure pacing below. He playfully startled Yang Yuan, "Wife, who are you waiting for here?" he inquired.

"Why have you just arrived? Don't you know today is the third anniversary of Grandma's passing?"

Yang Yuan shot Zhang Luo a sharp look.

Upon seeing Zhang Luo carrying a fruit basket and a bouquet of chrysanthemums, Yang Yuan finally said, "Come on in. All the relatives have arrived."

Zhang Luo trailed behind Yang Yuan into the villa.

"Hey everyone, look! The Yang family's good-for-nothing has arrived!"

The speaker was Yang Yuan's cousin, Yang Ming. The room fell deathly silent, and as the crowd turned to look, they spotted Zhang Luo standing at the doorway.

Yang Ming had never hidden his disdain for Yang Yuan's family, particularly Zhang Luo, whom he would mock and ridicule at every opportunity.

"Even brought flowers, I see. Let's have a look."

Snatching the white chrysanthemums from Zhang Luo, Yang Ming examined the bouquet and remarked, "Look at this, folks. Is this the kind of gift you can get away with, something worth just 30 or 40 yuan?"

"Is this the same loser who married into the Yang family three years ago?"

"Yes, that's him. I still can't fathom what was going through Yang Shuozheng's mind. Sure, Yang Yuan's father may be somewhat unremarkable, but Yang Yuan herself is the young miss of the Yang family! And yet, she was matched with a nobody."

"Yang Yuan, no offense, but even if this guy is broke, aren't you supposed to have money?"

The barrage of questions was like a series of sharp knives, each one slicing into Zhang Luo's heart, while Yang Yuan's face clouded over with dismay.

Zhang Luo was well aware that no matter what he did, he would always be an outsider to the Yang family.

"Come here, you spineless wimp. Let me show you what I brought for Grandma."

Yang Ming pulled out a golden box and opened it to reveal several pieces of wood lying on a piece of red cloth, their polished surfaces gleaming warmly in the light.

"This is sandalwood from the ancient mountains of India. I had a friend bring it especially for the memorial service for Grandma."

Yang Ming boasted as he put the box away.

"Yang Ming sure is loaded!"

"Nothing like that deadbeat, buying a cheap bunch of chrysanthemums."

"How much did that sandalwood cost you, Yang Ming?"

Yang Yuan's uncle inquired suddenly.

"Not much, just eighty thousand yuan! It's an auspicious figure," Yang Ming replied with a smug grin.

"I bet I could scrape off a bit of sawdust from this sandalwood and sell it for more than the cost of your flowers."

Zhang Luo, realizing he couldn't match such extravagance, was about to respond when he was abruptly cut off.

"Cousin, just because you have money doesn't mean we can afford such expensive gifts," Yang Yuan said to Yang Ming.

To Lin Kai's astonishment, Yang Yuan was actually defending him in front of their relatives! After enduring humiliation from the Yang family for three years, with Yang Yuan merely observing, she was now speaking up for him.

Wang Yan, too, was taken aback by her daughter's audacity to talk back to her cousin over someone she deemed worthless. The only construction company in their family had been acquired through the pleas of Yang Yuan's father, Yang Jianchuan, to Yang Ming's father, Yang Linchuan. If Yang Ming became upset and decided to retract the company, what would they do then?

Wang Yan, Yang Yuan's mother, had married into the Yang family, expecting to live a life of luxury. However, her dreams were shattered when Yang Linchuan betrayed Yang Jianchuan, stripping him of his position and ousting him from the Yang Group.

"Sit down!" Yang Yuan commanded, her face turning ashen. She knew something the others didn't: despite being married for three years and treating Zhang Luo with disdain, he had always been kind to her, dutifully driving her around and preparing lavish meals at home.

"Now my little sister is even defending this good-for-nothing," Yang Ming said, laughing heartily, which prompted a roar of laughter from the other relatives.

"Is this supposed to be genuine Indian sandalwood?" Zhang Luo inquired.

The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to Yang Ming when Zhang Luo challenged him.

"What gives you the right to question me, you worthless fool?" Yang Ming retorted, clearly not believing that Zhang Luo could recognize genuine sandalwood.

"Indian sandalwood has become increasingly scarce over the years, and with India's ban on spice exports, the market has seen the price of this wood skyrocket," Zhang Luo explained, taking the sandalwood from Yang Ming's hand.

"Don't damage it, you fool!" Yang Ming snapped, trying to grab it back, but Zhang Luo continued, "Just by looking at the color, it's evident that many merchants manipulate it to fetch a higher price."

"The sandalwood commonly spoken of in the market refers to trees that are over seventy years old. They emit a rich and soothing aroma. However, the scent from this piece has a faintly sharp sweetness to it—it's merely ordinary sandalwood, designed to deceive those who lack expertise," Zhang Luo remarked before tossing the box to Yang Ming.

Back when he was with the Zhang family, the butler had a passion for carving, and having grown up alongside him, Zhang Luo had been exposed to all sorts of high-quality materials.

It seemed inconceivable. How could this nobody have such a deep understanding of sandalwood? Yang Ming refused to believe that Zhang Luo could discern the truth, his disbelief fueling his anger. Clenching his fists, he charged at Zhang Luo, intent on striking him.