Jia Yuan Complex wasn't far from Qin Guan's Guanlan Court residence.
Situated in the old city center, Jia Yuan bordered the new district where Guanlan Court stood.
When preparing for marriage, Qin Guan and Xu Ruyi had toured numerous new developments citywide. Her parents favored Guanlan Court precisely for its proximity—convenient for visits while maintaining separate households.
"We may be old, but we keep up with the times!" her parents declared. "Young couples need their own space! Who wants to live with elders? Inconvenient! Restrictive!"
"Separate homes mean mutual respect. Distance preserves harmony!"
Back then, Qin Guan felt grateful. Having lived in Jia Yuan for over two decades surrounded by acquaintances, moving in with Xu Ruyi there would've branded him a live-in son-in-law—especially given her status as the cherished only child of affluent parents. Neighborhood gossips already whispered about their arrangement.
By purchasing a new home, her parents showed him respect.
But now, Qin Guan's perspective shifted—they'd secretly drafted a will.
The will's existence was confirmed as he passed the patrol car, overhearing an officer mention it during a phone call. This wasn't fabricated intimidation—it was real.
Driving towards Jia Yuan, Qin Guan combed his memory—neither his father-in-law nor Xu Ruyi had ever mentioned a will.
Except his mother-in-law once did.
Their relationship fractured after the Shi Jie case debacle. When her lung tumor required surgery, Qin Guan arranged specialists and visited daily despite her icy reception. He delivered nutritional supplements, consulted doctors, maintained model son-in-law decorum—all met with stony silence.
"Mom, how are you feeling today?"
"Should I transfer you to a provincial hospital? I know..."
Every word he uttered dissolved into air bubbles of awkwardness.
Qin Guan understood her silent demand: apology and rectification. But how? Confess evidence tampering? Surrender his career?
Impossible. As a rising lawyer, every won case built his future. "Dirty tricks" weren't exclusive to him—the entire profession played this game. Expecting him to disarm while competitors advanced? Ridiculous.
Yet his mother-in-law—retired booklover turned righteous crusader—couldn't grasp this. She'd investigated Shi Jie's case after encountering the victim at her florist shop. Posing as concerned mother-in-law, she'd extracted confessions from both Shi Jie and the girl.
Why champion some stranger over family? Age-induced confusion?
Her health fluctuated as Xu Ruyi's pregnancy progressed. Doctors emphasized maintaining positive moods, yet her resentful gaze kept drifting from Qin Guan to her daughter's belly—regret over the marriage, shackled by the impending grandchild.
The final straw came during Xu Ruyi's fifth month.
Working late, Qin Guan arrived at the hospital around 9 PM to pick up his wife. His mother-in-law, nearing discharge, sat propped in bed with Xu Ruyi and her father.
Through the door's glass panel, he caught her strained voice:
"We need to formalize the will. There's something...we must address..."
Hand frozen on the doorknob, Qin Guan's blood chilled. The long-dreaded moment had arrived—they were locking him out of the inheritance.