"Zhang Heng, why haven't you made dinner yet? Do you want me to starve?"

Wang Fen had just come home from work and immediately started yelling at Zhang Heng, who was sweeping the floor. Behind her, Liu Guodong walked in as well, his just as cold when he looked at Zhang Heng.

"I'm on it! It'll be ready in half an hour," Zhang Heng replied quickly, putting down the broom and rushing to the kitchen.

A grown man staying home all day doing chores and not making money—it was enough to make anyone look down on him, let alone his in-laws, who never wanted him in the first place.

Zhang Heng used to be the young master of the powerful Zhang family in Yanjing. But after his mother was framed and killed by Zhao Ruyi, a mistress who climbed her way up, he was kicked out of the family. Zhao Ruyi, now in charge, had a son of her own and wanted cut Zhang Heng off completely.

At the same time, the Liu family in Shangyang City was in financial trouble, unable to secure loans. Desperate, they had no choice but to accept Zhao Ruyi’s offer: ten billion in funding in exchange for Zhang Heng marrying into their family.

Zhao Ruyi had only one goal—to throw Zhang out of the Zhang family for good. As for the Liu family, Liu Guodong was left with no choice but to let Zhang Heng become their live-in son-in-law.

Wang Fen, bitter about being forced into this deal, could only vent her frustration by taking it out on Zhang Heng. She never treated him as a son-in-law more like a free servant instead. If he did his work well, that was expected. If he didn’t, he got scolded.

Soon, dinner was ready. Zhang Heng carefully carried each dish to the table—steaming hot and beautifully made. Three years as a full-time househusband had turned him into an excellent cook.

the dining table, Wang Fen and Liu Guodong ate happily, chatting as they enjoyed their meal. Zhang Heng, as always, was only allowed to wait on the side. He could eat only after they finished.

"Zhang Heng, what the hell is this soup? It's so salty I might as well drink seawater! How am I to eat this? Go make it again!"

Without hesitation, Wang Fen grabbed the bowl and dumped the soup all over Zhang Heng. His clothes were instantly soaked, making him look utterly miserable. But she wasn’t done yet—pointing at him, she continued lashing out,

"What? Are you mad? You still think you're some rich young? Let me tell you something—your stepmother told me herself that you should be treated like a dog! So be a good dog and know your place!"

Liu Guodong, sitting on the side, just watched it all with a cold expression, saying nothing.

"I’ll make a new one right away," Zhang Heng answered, ignoring wet clothes and rushing back to the kitchen.

Wang Fen sat down again, not bothering to hide her frustration. "What a useless loser. The old man’s birthday is in three days, and once again, he’s just going to embarrass us in front of everyone."

Liu Guodong sank into the sofa, frowning."I heard that Mr. Liu’s former student, Wang Zhenchao, will also be attending the birthday banquet. He’s had his eyes on Liu Qingcheng for a while now. Word is, his business back in the country is already worth over a hundred million. It might be a good chance for Qingcheng to spend some time with him. What do you think?"

"That’s a solid idea. Wang Zhenchao is young and capable, but more importantly, his family background is strong. If we can secure their support, we might finally get back the shares we sold to Zhao Ruyi three years ago. And once that happens, we can finally throw that useless son-in-law out of our house."

Wang Fen and Liu Guodong had been looking for a way to get rid of Zhang Heng for a while, but Zhao Ruyi wasn’t going to let that happen Her goal was to keep Zhang Heng stuck in this humiliating position forever. As long as she controlled the Liu family's shares, she would never allow Zhang Heng to leave and regain his freedom.

After dinner, Wang Fen and Liu Guodong went back to their bedroom to rest early. Zhang Heng stayed behind, washing dishes in the kitchen, still wearing his messy, stained clothes. Just then, his wife, Liu Qingcheng, arrived home from a long shift at the hospital.

She had striking features, flawless skin as pale as snow, and an air of cool elegance mixed with an undeniable allure. Her long, shapely legs moved with effortless grace, making her a breathtaking beauty that could turn heads.

Despite her young age, Liu Qingcheng was already an associate chief physician in internal medicine at Xiangyang Concord Hospital—a hospital owned by the Liu family.

Seeing her return, Zhang Heng immediately put down the dishes, wiped his hands, and hurried over with concern.

"Qingcheng, you're home! Have you eaten yet? I heat up some food for you."

"No need, I already ate at the hospital." Her tone was indifferent, but then she noticed Zhang Heng’s damp clothes, speckled with soup stains and vegetable pieces. It was obvious someone had thrown soup on him, and he hadn’t had the chance to change.

"Did my mom throw soup at again?" she asked casually.

Over the past three years, Liu Qingcheng had been cold to Zhang Heng—sometimes even resentful. After all, she had been forced into this marriage by his family, losing the love and life she had once hoped for.

But at the same time, after watching Zhang Heng toil in their home like a servant enduring her mother’s mistreatment, she couldn’t deny feeling a trace of pity for him. Whether she liked it or not, he was still her husband in name.

"It’s nothing. I’m used to it." Zhang Heng responded with a faint smile. And he was. Three years of this treatment would make anyone get used to it.

, looking at his beautiful wife, Zhang Heng felt a pang of guilt. In the end, Liu Qingcheng was just another victim—dragged into this mess because of his stepmother, Zhao Ruyi.

If he ever got the chance, he wanted to make it up to her. But as long as Zhao Ruyi held control over them, would never be a way out, no chance to repay what she had lost.

"I’ll wash the dishes. You should shower and change first," Liu Qingcheng finally said, unable to ignore the state he was in.

"It’s fine, I’ll finish up and then take a shower," Zhang Heng insisted.

"I told you, I’ll it. Just go shower," she said firmly, her voice cold but resolute.

"Alright, alright," Zhang Heng sighed, giving in. Just as he turned to leave, another young woman walked in—fresh-faced and beautiful. The moment she saw the scene, she scoffed in irritation:

"If he wants to wash the dishes, him! Sis, why do you even sympathize with him?"The girl speaking was none other than Zhang Heng’s sister-in-law, Liu Xiaoya—Liu Qingcheng’s younger sister. She had her long hair tied in a high ponytail, dressed in a white short dress, with a pair slender legs wrapped in sheer stockings. Her youthful beauty was undeniable.

She had just returned from a KTV gathering with her friends. The moment she stepped inside, she saw the scene before her.

Liu Xiaoya had never liked Zhang Heng. To her, he was nothing but a useless freeloader who had ruined her once cheerful and optimistic sister, her trapped in misery.

“What are you doing here? And you, staying out so late? If Mom and Dad find out, you’re going to get another scolding. Go shower and get to bed already,” Liu Qingcheng, the elder sister, immediately scolded her.

“You’re still defending him after everything? You’re hopeless,” Liu Xia sighed, shaking her head, then stormed off to her room in frustration.

Later that night, by the time Zhang Heng finished his shower and stepped out, Liu Qingcheng was long gone from the kitchen. She had done the dishes and gone to bed.

Zhang Heng let out a quiet sigh and headed back to his usual place—the small maid’s room on the first floor. His wife’s bedroom was directly above his, on the second floor. In three years of marriage, they had never shared a room, their relationship existing in name only.

Back in his cramped little space, Zhang Heng locked the door immediately, paranoid about anyone discovering his secret.

His expression hardened, shedding his usual meek demeanor. reached for the white jade pendant hanging around his neck. It was about half the size of his palm, smooth and milky-white, almost translucent.

"Time to feed you," he murmured, eyes fixed on the pendant.

This jade had been left to him by his mother before she passed, with strict instructions to always wear it and, every night sleep, drip a single drop of blood onto it.

Zhang Heng had no idea why his mother had insisted on this, but he had followed the ritual without fail for five years.

He opened his bedside drawer, took out a fine sewing needle, and pricked his finger with practiced ease. A drop of crimson oozed out. He squeezed it, letting the blood drip onto the jade.

The moment the blood touched it, the jade seemingly absorbed it in an instant, turning pure white again, as if it had consumed the drop completely. The eerie sight had long since stopped surprising him.

“All done. Now I can sleep,” Zhang Heng mumbled, reaching for the light switch—only to freezeRight before his eyes, the jade pendant floated into the air, as an ethereal voice echoed around him.

"You have fed me with your blood for five years. You are worthy to be my successor. From this day forth, I, the Chaos Immortal, grant you my lifelong teachings. Train well and do not tarnish my name!"

Zhang barely had time to process what was happening before the white jade shot straight into his forehead, vanishing on contact.

Suddenly, an overwhelming flood of ancient knowledge and techniques filled his mind. The sheer volume of it sent a searing pain through his head, his vision going black.

Within seconds, he collapsed onto his bed, unconscious.