Ye Liangchen stepped out of the hospital entrance.

After a moment’s thought, he snapped a photo of the hospital building.

Then, he dialed his family’s number.

"Son, what brings you to call your mom today?"

Hearing the cheerful voice on the other end, Ye Liangchen slowly raised his gaze to the sky. The weather was cool in the morning but pleasantly warm by noon. As the sunlight bathed him in its warmth, he couldn’t help but close his eyes.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like a dream from his past life—standing atop a 32-story skyscraper, holding a glass of red wine as he gazed down at the world below.

The voice on the phone brought him back.

Ye Liangchen slowly opened his eyes. "Mom, can you send me some money?"

There was a pause on the other end.

"But we just gave you your allowance for the month. Did you spend it all already?"

Truth be told, Ye Liangchen’s family had once been comfortably middle-class, living in a decent apartment complex.

However, sending him to study in the capital had cost them dearly—connections didn’t come cheap.

On top of that, Ye Liangchen had excelled in school, scoring top marks in every subject this year.

His parents had never held back when it came to his expenses, always doing their best to provide whenever he asked.

Yet here he was, asking for more just two weeks after receiving his last allowance.

"Mom, you don’t understand. My professor thinks highly of me. We’re working on a groundbreaking project—if it succeeds, your son will be famous!"

"But you know my field is niche. The school’s funding is a bit lacking, so I have to turn to you."

His mother’s voice brightened instantly, praising him for his ambition.

"How much do you need?"

"100,000."

"W-what? 100,000?"

Ye Liangchen pulled the phone away from his ear—her reaction was too shrill.

"Son, we don’t have that kind of money..."

Ye Liangchen frowned, irritation creeping into his voice. "Mom, this project is revolutionary."

"With this funding, once we develop the product, I’ll be the founder and lead researcher. Making money after that will be effortless!"

"But our family really doesn’t have that much."

Ye Liangchen’s tone darkened. "I don’t care. If I fail because of this, it’ll be your fault. You’ll be the ones crushing a genius before he even gets started!"

"I’ve spent ten days and nights working on this innovation. I’m the best, the one who could change the world—are you trying to push me to the edge?"

"If I can’t succeed, I might as well die. And it’ll all be on you..."

His voice cracked with emotion.

In the background, his parents began arguing.

"Our son is still young. He should take things slow and steady."

"What are you saying? He could soar if we just give him a push. Instead of helping, you’re holding him back!"

"Just because you never amounted to anything, you don’t want our son to either, is that it?"

"He’s the favorite student of a renowned professor..."

Ye Liangchen held a phone in one hand while pulling out a cigarette from his pocket with the other. He lit it, took a drag, and said, "Mom, Dad, do you believe in me?"

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author—maybe it's just been renamed!

"I can say with certainty that my future will be smooth sailing, that I’ll rise to greatness. This is my confidence!"

"Right now, I’m just missing an opportunity. I want to advance so badly, I want to stand out so much. This is my chance—our family’s chance!"

In this day and age, 100,000 yuan carries the same weight as 200,000 or 300,000 would in the future.

But Ye Liangchen was confident. With his identity as a reincarnator, earning 100,000—no, even a million or ten million—would be a piece of cake in the future.

Truth be told, he didn’t even care about this measly 100,000 yuan.

What he wanted was to use this small sum to win over Shen Mengjie—and to provoke Long Aotian with the child in her belly!

Best of all, he wanted Hu Yuying and the others to see just what kind of monster Long Aotian really was!

A man who lacked the courage to take responsibility for and protect his own child.

If they kept sleeping with someone like that in the future, they’d have to think twice.

And his identity as a savior would be fully realized through Shen Mengjie!

It was his appearance that would rescue her from the tragic fate she was destined for!

......

In the end, they agreed to Ye Liangchen’s request.

They said they needed some time—to go back to their hometown and borrow money, or even sell their car if they fell short.

Having gotten what he wanted, Ye Liangchen made a rare, solemn promise: "Mom, Dad, you’ve worked hard. Once I reach the pinnacle of life, I’ll make sure you live a good life. This is my vow!"

"This is my promise to you!"

After hanging up, Ye Liangchen slowly tilted his head back and gazed at the sky. The bonds of family filled him with an indescribable emotion.

And in his heart, his hatred for Long Aotian grew even fiercer. If not for him, Ye Liangchen would have already been with Hu Yuying and the others, would have already reached the heights of success!

"But maybe this is for the best. Long Aotian, what you owe me—you’ll repay it with Shen Mengjie and the child in her belly!"

With that thought, Ye Liangchen dialed a number.

"Let’s meet today."

He couldn’t wait to taste the flavor of a married woman. Just thinking about it sent a thrill through him.

After hanging up, Ye Liangchen found a nearby spot and waited quietly.

Before long, Shen Xiu appeared before him.

"Is everything you said true?" The moment she stepped out of the car, Shen Xiu couldn’t hold back her question.

100,000 yuan—that was 100,000 yuan!

"Of course. My word is as good as gold." At this, Ye Liangchen looked at Shen Xiu. "And Shen Mengjie?"

"Don’t worry about that. The school’s already expelled her. She has no choice but to come home with me. Once we’re back, I have a hundred ways to make her obey. I’ll make sure she follows you without a fuss."

Ye Liangchen wasn’t satisfied with this answer.

After all, he was itching to savor this little firecracker—he didn’t want to wait any longer. So he said, "Fine. Once she’s willing, I’ll give you the money."

"Even though 100,000 yuan is pocket change to me, I can’t just hand it over to someone I’ve known for less than a day without any guarantees. You understand, right?"

Shen Xiu was a seasoned player in such matters. Hearing this, her eyes gleamed with a shrewd glint. "Your concern is understandable. Here's what I propose: give me two days, and I’ll arrange for you two to get the marriage certificate first. Once that’s done, we’ll be family, won’t we?"

"Then there’d be no need to distinguish between yours and mine, right, son-in-law?"

That term of endearment—"son-in-law"—sent a thrill of delight through Ye Liangchen’s heart.

Noticing his reaction, Shen Xiu ventured cautiously, "But before the registration, shouldn’t you give us some assurance? After all, once the certificate is issued, my daughter will legally be your woman..."

"Fifty thousand!" Ye Liangchen waved five fingers dismissively.

"Fifty’s too little. Eighty thousand, at the very least. I’ve got to give Old Wang some explanation too, you know."

"Fine. Just remember—money is the last thing I’d ever run short of," Ye Liangchen declared with unshakable confidence. "Meet me here this afternoon. I’ll hand you the cash then."