The morning sun filtered through the blinds as Xu Haoran stepped outside, carrying two bags of trash. His muscles ached slightly from the restless sleep, but his mind was sharp—something about yesterday's visit from Wu Yuting's relatives still irritated him. He didn't show it, not to Wu Yuting, not even to himself, but it gnawed at him like a dull blade. Her hug still lingered faintly in his memory, not for its intimacy, but for the rare warmth it carried.
Once Wu Yuting finished getting ready for work, Xu Haoran started the car. The ride was silent, but not uncomfortable. She sat upright, occasionally glancing at him. Something had changed—something in how she looked at him, like she was trying to solve a puzzle that suddenly had new pieces.
When they reached her office, she stepped out and gave a quiet, "Thank you."
Haoran remained at the company entrance for a moment longer before driving off. As he turned onto the main road, his phone rang. He glanced at the number—it was Hu Lan, the Red Fang gang leader.
"Good morning, Master," Hu Lan said. "I've got important information. Your cousin Jianhong is arriving in Cloudbridge City tomorrow. He's planning a business meeting with your wife."
Xu Haoran's grip on the wheel tightened. "What kind of business?"
"He wants to use the meeting as a trap—to take your wife captive until you either convince your father to come out of hiding or force a transfer of the family head," Hu Lan explained. "He's been searching for your father, sir."
"I'm coming to your place now," Haoran said without hesitation.
When he arrived at the gang's base, the men at the street respectfully stepped aside, nodding and bowing. Inside, Hu Lan and Iron Fang stood to greet him.
"Master Haoran," they chorused.
"What exactly is Jianhong planning?" Haoran asked directly.
"He knows about us," Hu Lan began, "but he doesn't know about Iron Fang's involvement. He thinks we're just a minor crew. He's underestimating your connections."
"Good. When I confirm the meeting time and location, I'll send it to you," Haoran said. "I want you in position—but no violence unless necessary. No commotion."
"Yes, Master," Iron Fang responded with a nod.
As he left their headquarters and headed home, a thought kept spinning in his mind: Jianhong was actively searching for his father. The timing couldn't be a coincidence.
Back at the house, Haoran sat down and dialed his father's number. Tianji picked up after a long pause.
Silence.
"How are you?" Haoran asked quietly.
"I'm fine," Tianji replied.
"You sound okay," Haoran murmured, feeling something loosen in his chest.
"My leg still hurts. I can't walk properly," Tianji admitted. "But my body is fine. I've been pretending my condition is worse than it is. Jianhong's next move is unpredictable."
"What about your security?"
"I'm well protected. The top family security is with me. Nothing will happen."
Another silence.
"How's your wife?" Tianji asked.
"She's fine," Haoran answered. "Send me your location. I might come visit."
"Alright."
Moments after the call ended, Haoran received a text with the address. He saved it, a storm of thoughts brewing in his head. This had to end. Jianhong's games, the family's internal rot—everything.
That evening, Haoran drove to Wu Yuting's office to pick her up. She entered the car with a bright, almost glowing mood.
"How was work?" Haoran asked.
"Fine!" she replied cheerfully. "I'm about to secure another big deal. A major client is coming tonight."
Haoran raised an eyebrow. "Tonight?"
"Yes, around 8 p.m. He wants to finalize everything quickly before flying out of the country."
Haoran's mind began to race. Everything was moving too fast.
"What's the client's name?"
"He didn't say. Just said he'd send the location once he arrives," she said, still beaming.
"You don't find that strange?" Haoran asked, staring through the windscreen. "They just sent this out of the blue?"
She shrugged. "Maybe they finally recognize my company's value."
"Where's the meeting?"
"I don't know yet," Wu Yuting replied. "He said he'll send the address shortly before 8."
"Can I come with you? Just to be safe."
Wu Yuting shook her head gently. "No need. I'll be fine. It's a top client, not some sketchy backroom deal."
Haoran didn't argue. Instead, he said, "When you get the location, forward it to me. Just in case."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
When they arrived home, Haoran called Iron Fang and informed him of the situation. "Be ready," he said. "I'll send you the location when she gets it."
After that, he headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, the motions automatic as his mind plotted several steps ahead. Later, in his room, he reviewed the address from his father, memorizing the route.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
Wu Yuting stood in the doorway, dressed impeccably.
"I just got the address," she said. "I sent it to you. I'm heading out."
"Be careful," Haoran said calmly.
She gave him a small smile and nodded before walking out into the night.
Haoran stared at the message on his phone. The address was already forwarded. Jianhong had made his move.
It was time for Haoran to make his.
Here is the edited and refined version of the plot for Chapter 10 of The Unwanted Son-in-Law. I've rewritten it for clarity, natural flow, dramatic tension, and consistent character development while maintaining all major plot events:
---
Chapter 10: The Trap Behind the Deal
The morning sun filtered through the blinds as Xu Haoran stepped outside, carrying two bags of trash. His muscles ached slightly from a restless night, but his mind remained sharp. Something about yesterday's visit from Wu Yuting's relatives still irritated him. He didn't show it—not to Wu Yuting, not even to himself—but it gnawed at him like a dull blade.
The memory of her brief hug lingered faintly. Not for its intimacy—there was none—but for the rare warmth it carried. It had been sincere. Genuine. And that scared him more than he'd admit.
After breakfast, Wu Yuting finished getting ready. Haoran quietly started the car and waited. They didn't speak much during the ride, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. She sat upright, occasionally glancing at him. Something had shifted—something subtle in her expression, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle that had just revealed new pieces.
When they reached her office, she stepped out and gave a quiet, "Thank you."
Xu Haoran lingered near the entrance of her company for a while, watching the building with a heavy gaze. He turned to leave, but just as he reached the car, his phone rang. The caller ID made his eyes narrow—Hu Lan.
He answered. "Yes?"
"Good morning, Master Haoran," Hu Lan said, voice lowered. "I just got word—your cousin Jianhong is arriving in Cloudbridge City tomorrow. He's planning a business meeting with your wife."
Haoran's grip on the phone tightened. "With Wu Yuting?"
"Yes. From what I heard, it's a setup. He plans to use the meeting as a trap—to kidnap her and pressure you into bringing your father out of hiding or forcing him to transfer the family headship."
Haoran's expression darkened. "I'm coming over now."
When he arrived at the Red Fang gang's headquarters, the men on the street greeted him politely, stepping aside with respectful nods. He entered the main room to find both Hu Lan and Iron Fang waiting. They stood up immediately upon seeing him.
"Master Haoran," they greeted in unison.
Haoran got straight to the point. "Tell me everything you know about Jianhong's plan."
Hu Lan nodded. "He's trying to gain control of your father's position. Since he couldn't find your father, he's targeting your wife. The meeting is just bait. Once she's there, he'll take her and wait for you to act."
"Does Jianhong know about your involvement?" Haoran asked.
"He knows about me," Hu Lan admitted. "But not about Iron Fang. That's our advantage."
Haoran nodded slowly. "Good. I'll confirm the meeting location with Wu Yuting. When I send it to you, you go—but no violence unless absolutely necessary. I don't want any commotion. Understood?"
"Yes, Master."
Leaving the headquarters, Haoran returned home deep in thought. So Jianhong had been looking for his father all this time. Perhaps it was time he checked in.
He dialed a number he hadn't called in months.
After several rings, a familiar voice answered.
"…Haoran."
There was a heavy silence before Haoran asked, "How are you?"
"I'm fine," Tianji replied. "Leg's been bothering me. Can't walk much. But I'm alright."
"You're pretending to be worse than you are," Haoran muttered.
His father gave a soft chuckle. "I have to. Jianhong is watching every move. I don't know what he'll do next."
"What about your security?"
"I'm with our top men. Nothing will happen."
Another pause. Then Tianji asked, "How's your wife?"
Haoran's gaze drifted toward the window. "She's fine. Stronger than she looks."
"Send me your location," Haoran said. "I might visit soon."
A few minutes after they ended the call, Tianji texted him his address. Haoran saved it. He was done running. It was time to end this family crisis for good and ensure his father could live in peace.
Evening came, and Haoran drove to Wu Yuting's office to pick her up. She entered the car with a noticeably brighter mood.
"How was work?" he asked.
She smiled. "Great. I'm about to secure another big deal. Huge client."
Haoran's mind immediately went on high alert. "Another big deal? So soon?"
"He's arriving tonight around 8 p.m. He said he wants to close quickly and fly out."
Haoran's eyes narrowed. "They just contacted you out of the blue?"
She shrugged. "Maybe they finally recognize the value of my company."
"Where's the meeting?" he asked.
"He hasn't sent the exact location yet. He said he'll send it once he lands."
"Let me come with you. There's no security and—"
Wu Yuting shook her head. "No need. I'll be fine. This is a top client. I can handle it."
Haoran didn't argue. "Then at least forward me the address when he sends it. Just for safety."
She nodded. "Fine."
When they got home, Haoran immediately called Iron Fang. "Be on alert. The meeting's tonight. I'll send you the location when I get it."
After ending the call, he headed to the kitchen, preparing dinner. He needed something—anything—to keep his mind from racing. Later, as he sat alone in his room, the door creaked open.
Wu Yuting stood there, fully dressed, purse in hand. "He sent the address," she said, handing him the forwarded message. "I'm heading out."
Haoran stood and walked her to the door. "Be careful."
She gave him a quick nod and left.
Haoran stared at the closed door for a few seconds, then pulled out his phone and texted Iron Fang.