"What do you think we should do about the Bernards and the contract?” Chenyi asked Ian.

Ian had no clue what to do, honestly.

Ian's brows furrowed as he looked to Chenyi at his question.

He made sure that Wenduo was seated at their small circular table and had his food on his plate first before turning back to his husband, “…do we have options?” Ian asked.

Chenyi sipped a cup of coffee before answering, “Well, the contract won’t be much of a problem if they tried to make a fuss about it. I can afford anything they throw at me. But we would be on bad terms with their family and companies. They might not be the best parents… or people… but they are one of the best businessmen I know of.”

Ian hesitated while wiping baby Wenduo's mouth, "We really can’t… just ignore them?”

Chenyi kisses Ian's blond curls once he passes more bacon to him, "They’re bound to get up to something sooner or later if we do, love.”

"…can’t we just…talk to them about it? Discuss like mature adults and whatnot?" Ian answered.

Chenyi gave a look of contemplation, “I’m not sure if that’ll work. They’re quite unreasonable at times.”

"Well, you said they’re good at business. Maybe they might be able to see it like that? Get to a compromise on both sides, even." Ian said.

But his husband refuted immediately, "I don’t think it’s a good thing to relate family and human beings as ‘business’, Ian."

Ian huffed, "That’s what they’re good at and that’s something they’d understand more than family and loved ones."

Chenyi sighed, "Look...it’s great that you’re willing to compromise with them. But these kinds of people don’t deserve it. Who knows, maybe if we give them an inch they’ll take a mile in the end.”

Ian frowned while finishing his breakfast, "I don’t really wanna make any drastic measures.”

"We don’t have much else we can do, love." he insisted to his husband.

"I still think we should just talk and discuss with them. They’re family after all, we shouldn’t treat them as enemies no matter how awful." Ian grumbled before kissing baby Wenduo's forehead.

Wenduo raised his head from his breakfast in confusion at his Mommy and Daddy.

Did they say something? He was too busy with his food to really notice.

But afterwards the two fell silent so he just shrugged and continued eating his eggs.

-

"What should we do?" Aline asked her husband.

"Truth be told, we are powerless against Cheng. No matter what, we won’t be able to do anything against him." Charles stated sighing grimly.

"Then... are we just going to let go of Ian? Just like that?" Aline asked in an almost pleading voice.

"I believe... that is our only option, my dear."

Aline sighed, "But he's our son..."

"And now he's a husband, dear." Charles said and patted her hands. "I know you don't want to give him away, but he's grown up now. Besides, he could still come back to work with us at Neutré remember?"

"Yes... I guess you're right..." Aline sighed once more.

Charles gave her a small smile and kissed her cheek, "Now, I'll be going off to the company. Do you want a ride, dear?"

Aline smiled at him, "Yes, please. I'd hate to be late for work."