C3 Do You Want to Raise Me??

When Chu Yun married into the Su family, Su Mingyue resided in a detached villa. Now, she was left with a three-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the Second Ring, saddled with a nearly five million yuan mortgage.

In just six months, the Su family had become unrecognizable.

Chu Yun and Su Mingyue's relationship, already tepid, had grown even more distant.

As the night deepened, and with her concern for her sister weighing on her, Su Xiaoxiao decided to spend the night.

Yet, upon returning home, Su Mingyue's demeanor toward Chu Yun was surprisingly different from what Su Xiaoxiao had anticipated.

The Su family had faced bankruptcy in the last half year, with their parents nearly ending up behind bars.

During that time, her sister had single-handedly managed these crises.

But in her darkest and most desperate hour, her husband, who should have been her steadfast companion, had vanished without a trace.

Her tranquility was unsettling.

She was so composed that it made Su Xiaoxiao uneasy.

Chu Yun's actions this evening could not make up for his half-year absence.

"There's food in the fridge," Su Mingyue stated with composure, "You can sleep in that room."

She succinctly wrapped up their conversation upon her return, which was starkly different from what Su Xiaoxiao had expected.

"Don't you have class tomorrow?" Su Mingyue asked, her gaze steady and serene.

Su Xiaoxiao, sensing the mood, discreetly retreated to her room.

Before the Su family's financial collapse, she had been quite intimidated by Su Mingyue. Now, her feelings had evolved into respect and admiration for her older sister.

"Why did you decide to go into show business?"

As Su Mingyue was about to retire to her room, Chu Yun finally spoke up.

He and Su Mingyue had never really connected; they hadn't experienced what one might call a deep exchange of souls. But he recognized that Su Mingyue was a proud woman, her academic achievements and overall capabilities far outstripping the average person.

"Why did you choose to become a celebrity?" Chu Yun inquired.

Her expression remained neutral, devoid of any discernible emotion.

Su Xiaoxiao was taken aback by her sister's calm, not realizing that her fury, if unleashed, would not have been as impactful as her current display of indifference.

She simply didn't concern herself with Chu Yun, adjusting to his absence with poise.

Such was Su Mingyue's pride and posture.

"Do you find me embarrassing?" Su Mingyue asked without a hint of emotion.

Chu Yun's brow furrowed slightly as he shook his head. He had never seen it that way. He simply believed that Su Mingyue wasn't cut out for the life of a celebrity, that it would be too grueling for her. Events like tonight's were commonplace in the entertainment industry, yet for her, they posed a disastrous challenge.

"I just want you to have an easier life," Chu Yun expressed.

"Should I be living in a mansion and driving a luxury car? Is that it?" Su Mingyue glanced at Chu Yun calmly and questioned, "Are you saying you'll financially support me?"

Chu Yun was taken aback. However, his pride as a man wouldn't allow him to back down. Clenching his jaw, he met Su Mingyue's gaze firmly. "I will support you financially!"

"For how long? A day? A week? A month?" Su Mingyue was merely stating facts, yet her words struck a nerve with Chu Yun. He declared, "I'll support you for a lifetime."

Su Mingyue, typically reserved and taciturn, had spoken more today than ever before in response to Chu Yun's unexpected arrival.

"I'm tired," she said, pushing the door open to end their first conversation in six months.

Chu Yun watched as Su Mingyue retreated to her room, then settled onto the sofa. The room, much like Su Mingyue herself, felt alien to him. Her once-spacious home had shrunk, a testament to the proud Su Mingyue bowing to the harsh realities of life.

Chu Yun had spent years in a world more brutal than reality, yet somehow less tangible. He never had to worry about his next meal. His experiences had transformed him into a devil, but also a fool.

Initially, his decision to return and seek a divorce had been impulsive. Whether he divorced or not, it wouldn't alter his dire circumstances. But now, he no longer desired a divorce.

Su Mingyue had issued a challenge. While the entire Su family had shown him malice, she had remained silent. Tonight, however, her words had unwittingly sparked Chu Yun's competitive spirit, offering a glimmer of improvement to his dismal situation.

Perhaps living like an ordinary person was the remedy he needed all along.

As he departed from the base, an elderly man commented.

Fresh from his shower, Chu Yun stretched out on the bed, lit up a cigarette, and pulled out his smartphone.

"Xiaoxiao, was I cool tonight?" he texted, then waited patiently for a response.

A short time later, Su Xiaoxiao texted back: "A mere display of brute force."

Su Xiaoxiao was vibrant and beautiful, but she struggled to be herself around Chu Yun. Even though he had been a big help to them that evening, it didn't erase his past mistakes. She was resolute in supporting her sister and continued to despise her irresponsible brother-in-law.

"At least I showed some responsibility," Chu Yun texted back, not rushing to win over Su Xiaoxiao's approval. He followed up with another message, "Xiaoxiao, I have a favor to ask."

As Su Xiaoxiao lay on her bed, still typing, Chu Yun's message popped up, complete with a smiley gif.

"I need to borrow ten thousand yuan from you. Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back by the end of the month."

Su Xiaoxiao was instantly enraged.

He had just acted responsibly, and now he was asking her for money.

And ten thousand yuan at that—did he think she was made of money?

"I don't have that much money!"

"Five thousand will do then."

"I don't have that much money!"

"I need to borrow a thousand from you."

Su Xiaoxiao's face soured with anger.

He was truly incorrigible!

Despite her resistance to Chu Yun's persistence, and the fact that he had genuinely impressed her that night, she reluctantly lent him a thousand yuan, though she doubted he would ever repay her.

The night passed.

Chu Yun awoke to a commotion outside his door.

Listening closely, he realized his in-laws had arrived. He quickly rose, made himself presentable, and stepped out to greet them.

Before leaving his room, he sent Su Xiaoxiao a furious message.

"I only borrowed a thousand yuan from you, and now you've brought your parents into this? We were allies last night, and now you betray me?"

Exiting his room, he found the four elders seated on the couch. It wasn't just Chu Yun's in-laws; Su Mingyue's uncle and aunt had also come to visit.

Upon seeing the four individuals, Chu Yun was immediately bewildered.

Early this morning, the most formidable members of the Su family had congregated at his house, a sight that filled him with despair.

"Do you even have the nerve to come back?"

Before his in-laws could utter a word, Su Mingyue's aunt, Chen Xiuling, spoke up sharply.

Just as she had been six months prior, she remained a formidable force on the front lines, an excellent marksman with impressive strength.

"The Su family can't afford to support freeloaders now. Can you handle the hardship? And don't go complaining to outsiders if you feel aggrieved."

Her words were incredibly spiteful.

He had been oblivious half a year ago, not fully grasping the situation.

But now, upon reflection, he couldn't help but lament how low his standing truly was within this household.