Chapter 70: Take Care of Yourself

When Yang Pengyi heard his mother bring up the topic, his brows immediately knitted in a frown, and Zhang Hongxia’s face was clouded with worry. Her husband had just taken up his new post, and now the family was asking him to arrange a job—this was a terrible situation for him, and what would people think?

The family entered the private room, and as soon as they sat down, Yang Pengyi’s mother spoke again.

"Pengyi, you know your brother’s job—it’s not a good position, not only exhausting but with barely any pay. This time, you must arrange something better for him."

Yang Pengyi looked troubled. To arrange something would be highly inappropriate, given he had just started his new role. Besides, it wasn’t in his nature to do so. But if he didn’t, after finally reconciling with his family, refusing to help would surely lead to another unpleasant fallout. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

At that moment, Zhang Hongxia gritted her teeth and said, "Dad, Mom, Pengyi can’t handle this. He’s just started and doesn’t know anyone. How can you expect him to find someone to help?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Pengyi’s mother exploded with anger, pointing at Zhang Hongxia. "You have the nerve to speak! If not for you, Pengyi would have been promoted long ago. You tore this family apart for years, what right do you have to say anything?"

"Exactly! He’s just become an official, and now he won’t even help his own brother. What kind of family is this?" Yang Pengju’s wife twisted her waist, speaking in a sly tone. Zhang Hongxia’s eyes welled with tears.

She could see Yang Pengyi was troubled, and she feared he might relent and agree. He had just taken up his post—if he did something like this and his superiors found out, he could be dismissed. What then?

So, she spoke up for Yang Pengyi. She was prepared for the scolding, but never expected her mother-in-law to hurl such venomous words at her.

Now, Yang Pengyi’s father spoke up.

"Pengyi, you didn’t listen to me and your mother and insisted on marrying Hongxia. Well, you did, and now you’re successful, but when we ask you to help your brother, your wife jumps out telling you what you can and can’t do. Do you even care about your mother and me? Does your wife even care about us as her in-laws? If you’re afraid of your wife, you can leave now. We won’t count on you—just act as if you’re no longer our son."

"Dad, please calm down," Yang Pengyi said, seeing his father intervene, and tried to placate him.

Then Yang Pengyi’s brother spoke up. "Bro, if it’s inconvenient for you, forget it. Looks like it’s up to my sister-in-law anyway. I won’t make things hard for you. I can deal with the hardship and exhaustion—it won’t kill me."

Hearing her brother-in-law’s sarcastic words, Zhang Hongxia couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and ran out sobbing.

This family never truly treated her as one of their own—what was the point of staying any longer?

Yang Pengyi saw his wife run out crying and rose to chase her, but seeing his parents’ angry faces, he sighed and sat back down.

Outside, Zhang Hongxia grew more distraught and finally broke down crying at the hotel entrance.

After so many years, she had never entered the Ye family’s home, and now, finally with a chance to reconcile, the family still treated her so coldly.

She had spoken up for Yang Pengyi, only to be berated by his family, while Yang Pengyi stood aside. For the first time, Zhang Hongxia felt a trace of disappointment toward her husband.

Just then, Lu Ming, Yun Ketian, Qin Lan, and Yun Shengguo approached from afar.

Lu Ming, sharp-eyed, immediately saw Zhang Hongxia crying at the door. He hurried over and asked, "Sister Zhang, what happened? Weren’t you supposed to be having a family meal? Why are you crying?"

Seeing a familiar face, Zhang Hongxia couldn't contain her grievances and poured out her story to Lu Ming between sobs.

After hearing her, Lu Ming was furious. Just barely an official, and he couldn’t even stand up for his wife. The Ye family was even worse—when Yang Pengyi was just a reporter, they ignored him, but now that he was an official, they rushed to dine with him and demanded a job for his brother. What kind of family was this?

Lu Ming said slowly, "Sister Zhang, don’t be upset. Let me teach them a lesson."

"Lu Ming, don’t. It’s rare for the family to sit together," Zhang Hongxia said quickly.

Lu Ming replied, "Family? Nonsense. The more you care about them, the less they care about you. I’ll stand up for you—let’s see what they dare to do. Come on."

With that, Lu Ming took Zhang Hongxia and headed inside, followed by Yun Shengguo and the others.

Qin Lan, for her part, was itching for action—her fiery temper couldn’t tolerate such injustice.

Lu Ming dragged Zhang Hongxia into the corridor outside the private room and asked, "Which room?"

"It’s better not to. It would be bad for Pengyi," Zhang Hongxia said, wiping her tears.

Lu Ming smiled coldly. "With family like this, what’s the harm? If you don’t put them in their place, they’ll never know their limits. Don’t be afraid—I’m here."

Hearing Lu Ming’s words and thinking of her family's attitude, Zhang Hongxia steeled herself and led Lu Ming and the others into the private room.

Seeing Zhang Hongxia return, Yang Pengyi’s mother immediately rolled her eyes. "I thought you were so capable—if you dare, don’t come back."

At that moment, Lu Ming, Qin Lan, Yun Shengguo, and Yun Ketian entered.

Lu Ming swept his cold gaze over the Ye family and said, "A bunch of people who only respect power."

Yang Pengyi’s mother slapped the table and stood up. "Who do you think you are, daring to talk to us like that?"

She looked at Zhang Hongxia and barked, "So you went out and found backup? What, you want to fight us?"

Zhang Hongxia cowered in the corner, unable to speak.

"If it comes to fighting, so be it. What can you do about it?" Qin Lan said, advancing as if to slap Yang Pengyi’s mother.

Yun Ketian quickly pulled her back. "Sister Qin, don’t be impulsive."

Yun Ketian had experienced Qin Lan’s temper before. If she really slapped Yang Pengyi’s mother and something happened, they wouldn’t care, but Pengyi and his wife would be completely estranged from the family.

Lu Ming sneered. "You ignored him when he was just a reporter, but once Yang Pengyi became an official, you rush in and ask him to arrange a job. Where do you get the nerve?"

"Our family affairs are none of your business," Yang Pengyi’s mother snapped.

Lu Ming scoffed. "I won’t meddle in your family, but I have a say in Yang Pengyi. I could make him the director, or have him sweep the streets."

"Oh? Who do you think you are? The provincial secretary?" Yang Pengyi’s sister-in-law tossed her hair and rolled her eyes.

At that moment, Yun Shengguo, who had stood behind Lu Ming all along, stepped forward to Yang Pengyi and said calmly, "Yang Pengyi, without Mr. Lu’s recommendation, do you think you could’ve become director? It’s laughable—the position doesn’t go to just anyone."

"Secretary Yun..." Yang Pengyi recognized him, startled and standing up abruptly.

His parents, brother, and sister-in-law also realized who was speaking—the top leader of Northwest Province—and scrambled to their feet in panic.

Yun Shengguo was a frequent face on television; in the Northwest, everyone knew him.

Yang Pengyi’s father hurried over, bent double, hands outstretched, nodding and bowing. "Secretary Yun, it’s an honor to meet you."

But Yun Shengguo, hands clasped behind his back, ignored him and addressed Yang Pengyi. "You got this post through Mr. Lu’s recommendation and because you are upright and principled. I hope you hold to your principles and be a good official. Otherwise, not only will Mr. Lu object, but I will as well."

With that, Yun Shengguo retreated behind Lu Ming.

The Ye family stared at Lu Ming in terror.

From Yun Shengguo’s words and demeanor, they realized that the top leader of the Northwest Province set himself low before Lu Ming.

They didn’t know Lu Ming or his background, but to have such a powerful figure show him such respect, this young man was clearly someone they could not afford to offend.

Thinking of how they had just insulted him, cold sweat broke out instantly across the Ye family.