Super Gene Chapter 4: The Old House

"President Zhao Yalong of the Yate Group has achieved the third evolution, successfully entering the Fourth God’s Sanctuary. As the 83rd individual in history to accomplish this, he now boasts a lifespan of 500 years and has attained the prestigious rank of demigod..."

"Lange, an extraordinary talent from the Raikot Galaxy, has entered the Second God’s Sanctuary wielding 100 mutation geno points. He is now classified as an evolver with a lifespan extended to 300 years..."

"Hemingway, Speaker of the House of Representatives, is the first to achieve the feat of slaying a demigod creature: the Star of the Ocean..."

"Authoritative experts project that within the next decade, someone will successfully complete the fourth evolution to advance into the Fifth God’s Sanctuary..."

"..."

These reports played across a virtual display just as Han Sen finished teleporting back from the Steel Armor Shelter.

"Evolver, surpasser, demigod. Armed with the black crystal, I shall reach these heights and venture even further," Han Sen resolved. He balled his fist, turned away from the teleportation hub, and boarded the maglev train bound for his home.

As he neared the yard, an abrasive female voice caught his attention.

"Luo Sulan, are you seriously expecting to keep the old Han property for yourself? It belonged to our parents, and since my two elder brothers and I each held an interest in it, we are entitled to a portion. Now that my eldest brother has passed, we aren't here to bully a widow; we'll honor his share. But if you think you can lay claim to everything, that is something we will never authorize."

"Precisely!" a middle-aged man chimed in. "This old house is a parental legacy. We all maintain rights to it; you cannot simply hoard it. You've occupied this home for two decades, already gaining an unfair advantage. It is time we divide the inheritance."

"My brother is right," a man with a high-pitched, effeminate voice added. "You've lived here for over twenty years without paying rent. This estate is our birthright and must be liquidated or shared."

A young woman cut in, "We’ve had a lawyer assess it; this property is worth over three million. We represent three separate households, meaning each is entitled to one million. Either you pay us that amount and keep the house, or we sell it and distribute the proceeds. Both options are perfectly acceptable to us."

"Exactly. Our eldest brother is gone, but we aren't looking to oppress his widow and children. You have the choice to offer payment or authorize the sale," the abrasive woman reiterated.

"Sister and brother, please, you cannot force me into this. You understand our circumstances. We do not have two million to give you," the mother replied, her voice filled with despair.

"Then we list the house immediately," the aggressive woman retorted.

"Where are we meant to live? Han Sen just finished his graduation, and Han Yan is about to start her schooling," the mother lamented.

"Sister-in-law, that is unreasonable. Do you think you are the only one struggling? Your children are enrolled in compulsory state education, while I must pay for my son Han Hao’s private tuition. The cost gives me grey hair every single year."

"She is right, sister. We are all facing hardships and require capital. Selling the house is the sensible choice; we get our share, and you can pay for Han Yan’s education," the effeminate voice suggested.

"Anyway, contribute the money or agree to sell. The choice is yours," the young woman stated coldly.

Han Sen, listening from outside, erupted in fury. He shoved the door open to find his mother sobbing while cradling little Han Yan. The five-year-old girl was huddled in a ball, her eyes wide with terror. Meanwhile, the four relatives hovered nearby with smug, indifferent expressions.

"How dare you show your faces here to demand our home?" Han Sen shouted, pointing his finger at the rotund, fierce-looking woman. "Aunt, when you were an accountant, you caused millions in bad debt. Didn't my father bail you out when you pleaded for his help?"

"Han Sen, quit spouting nonsense! Who caused those debts? Don't spread lies!" the skinny man with the effeminate voice screeched, jabbing a finger at him.

"Uncle, you embezzled company funds for failed investments that cost us millions," Han Sen countered, turning his aim on the thin man. "Did you not crawl to our doorstep on your knees, begging my father to save you?"

Han Sen then gestured toward the fat, middle-aged man. "And you, Uncle, you were nearly driven to suicide by your gambling debts. Who paid to clear them? Who saved you when you were on the verge of being beaten to death?"

"When the Starry Group attempted a hostile takeover, it was my father who stood his ground for all of you. He suffered a shady demise precisely because he shielded your interests!" Gritting his teeth, Han Sen glared at the quartet. "Not only did you boycott my father’s funeral, but you also sold the company to the very people he battled. Did you offer us a single credit from that sale? And who funded the homes you live in now? Were those not more expensive than this old structure? You haven't cared for your parents in years, and yet you have the audacity to demand a piece of this house?"

"Enough! Your father did as he pleased. The company was my father's, and we all held shares. He could not make decisions for us. Naturally, we are entitled to spend the company’s capital," Han Lei declared audaciously.

"That’s right. Your father was an autocrat, and we are merely reclaiming what is ours. Your protests change nothing. Pay up or sell, or we settle this in court. You will lose regardless of the venue," Aunt Han Yumei barked.

"It is all your father's fault..." They resumed their chorus of accusations against the deceased.

Han Sen trembled, overcome by indignation and a profound sense of injustice for his father’s memory. When his father assumed control, it was merely a small enterprise worth a pittance. He had labored tirelessly to grow the business while simultaneously cleaning up his family's mess. Several times, his own life was nearly ruined to keep them solvent, and eventually, he sacrificed everything. Yet, in his absence, his widow and children were being preyed upon by the very people he had sacrificed himself to protect.

When he was alive, Han Sen’s father always stressed the importance of family and harmony. What bitter irony it was now.

If they were truly destitute, Han Sen would have obliged them. But these people arrived in private, luxury aircrafts worth millions. They had pocketed over ten million from the company's sale without sharing a cent with his family. The idea that they were in need of funds was nothing but a sickening lie.