Chapter 498: Multiple Helpers

Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Multiple Helpers

Xu Yingying was lost in thought for a moment before speaking. "There’s still a way to handle this. First off, Uncle Yang, Yang Jianming previously relinquished his custody rights over Pingping and An’an. Later, he abandoned Shunshun and Lili in your hometown. That’s more than enough to prove he’s not a good father."

"At the same time, it proves that you, Uncle Yang, are a good grandfather. Your hard work all these years has allowed Pingping and An’an, as well as Shunshun and Lili, to grow up healthy. So, before we take this to the United States, we need to tackle it from three angles."

"First, you need to file a lawsuit here locally, suing Yang Jianming for failing to fulfill his duties as a father. Ever since he dumped the children on you, he hasn’t paid a cent in child support or met his parental obligations. We’ll have the local court or the relevant authorities strip him of his custody rights over Shunshun and Lili."

At that point, Han Xiaorui added, "Also, Uncle Yang has been depositing the child support for Pingping and An’an into a savings account for me every single month. I haven’t touched a penny of it; I plan on saving it for the children’s future. The fact that Yang Jianming never fulfilled his parental obligations to my two children can also be used as evidence."

Xu Yingying nodded. "That’s excellent evidence. Second, I’ll contact a lawyer friend of mine in the United States who specializes in custody battles. I’ll have her investigate whether Yang Jianming is fulfilling his parental obligations to his two other daughters. Though, judging from the previous investigation, it’s highly unlikely."

"Third, many Americans have the impression that Hua Country is very underdeveloped. Those two children are American citizens, so even if Yang Jianming’s custody rights are revoked, a local agency there will likely take them. That is, unless you, Uncle Yang, can prove that you can provide the children with a high standard of living."

Yang Zhigang listened intently. "I can handle the first part. For the second, I’ll have to rely on your connections, Yingying. I’m willing to pay whatever it takes. As for the third part, how do I prove that I can provide them with a good standard of living?"

Han Xiaorui chuckled. "Uncle Yang, that’s actually the easiest part. First of all, you’re the legal representative of the Jinshan Bay Ocean Fishing Company, and you own forty percent of the shares. Those assets alone are enough to prove your financial standing."

"On top of that, we can shoot a video. We’ll film the kindergarten in Jinshan Bay, the Jinshan Bay Primary and Middle School, the living conditions at your house, and the entire surrounding commercial area. It would be even better if we could get someone from the US consulate in Shencheng to provide an endorsement, confirming that all of it is real."

Xu Yingying thought for a moment. "I can handle getting an endorsement from someone at the US consulate. I know people there. But first, we need to take care of the local lawsuit. Only after we have the court’s ruling in hand can we go ask for their help."

At this point, Yang Jianguo suggested, "Uncle, we don’t know the first thing about lawsuits. Why don’t we hire Lawyer Chen Nanyang to help? He’s a highly capable professional; he should be able to get a verdict for us quickly."

Yang Zhigang nodded. "You’re right, let’s get Lawyer Chen. Yingying, thank you."

Xu Yingying shook her head and sighed. "Ever since I became a mother, I can’t bear to see children suffer. It doesn’t matter if they’re someone else’s kids; I just can’t stand by and watch. It’s just as you said, Uncle Yang—those two children have no future with Yang Jianming."

"I’m doing this to build good karma, and to accumulate good fortune for my own children. Uncle Yang, you’re a good man and a very responsible grandfather. I truly believe the children will have a happy childhood with you."

Yang Zhigang’s eyes grew a little red. "There are still so many good people in the world. May all good people live a life of peace."

Yang Jianguo and Yang Zhigang went to the Nanyang Law Firm in person to meet with Chen Nanyang.

Chen Nanyang was currently collaborating with a company owned by Han Xiaorui. When he heard about the situation, he immediately promised, "Uncle Yang, I’ll get this done for you, and it will be perfect. I guarantee a clean, efficient, and thorough job."

As expected, having a lawyer handle things made all the difference.

Chen Nanyang also dug up the incident where Yang Jianming had been detained for domestic violence against Zhang Lili. He listed how Yang Jianming had paid a settlement to get a letter of forgiveness and be released. He also gathered the original police report, witness statements, and the settlement agreement.

Han Xiaorui agreed to go on record to testify that Yang Jianming had cheated during their marriage, completely ignored his children, and never paid child support. She would also state that it was the girls’ grandfather who had been paying for their expenses.

Chen Nanyang managed to track down Zhang Lili and explained the situation. He had expected her to be unwilling to testify, but to his surprise, Zhang Lili agreed on the spot.

Chen Nanyang was curious. "Zhang Lili, why are you willing to testify?"

Zhang Lili glanced at the daughter in her arms and sighed. "Back then, I really was blinded by love. I became the other woman and destroyed Han Xiaorui and Yang Jianming’s marriage. Everything that happened afterward proved just how shameless Yang Jianming is. He’s not a good husband, and he’s not a good father."

"Even though I’ve remarried, I could never really let go of that child. Whenever I come to Jinshan Bay to shop, I secretly go to watch Shunshun. I saw that Sister Wu is raising her very well—at least, better than I could have. Yang Jianming cheated on me during our marriage, had another child, and then just dumped them on Uncle Yang. It seems Sister Wu is raising that child well, too."

"I believe Uncle Yang wants to get custody of the children so he can take good care of them, not for any selfish reason. Now that I’m a mother again, all I want is for every child in the world to be treated with kindness."

Zhang Lili hated Yang Jianming, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel the same way about Yang Zhigang.

Looking back, she felt the most guilt toward her daughter, Yang Shunshun.

But thankfully, Yang Shunshun still had her grandfather, as well as an uncle and aunt, to look after her, and she was doing very well.

Now that Zhang Xiufang was dead, Zhang Lili was gradually letting go of her obsessions. She just wanted to do something good and make sure Yang Jianming didn’t get away with it.

About a month later, Yang Zhigang received the court’s judgment: custody of Yang Shunshun and Yang Lili was awarded to him.

Afterward, Yang Zhigang went to a public notary to have his assets officially documented.

In addition, Han Xiaorui hired a professional videographer from the Shencheng Film Studio to film Yang Zhigang’s villa, the local kindergarten, the primary and middle school, and the surrounding commercial district.

Xu Yingying knew an employee at the US consulate in Shencheng. She arranged to meet with her and explained the situation.

This staff member, a single mother herself, was particularly sensitive to issues concerning child custody.

After personally touring Yang Zhigang’s home, his company, the large boat by the sea, and the local kindergarten and school, she provided a statement on video, attesting that the material provisions Yang Zhigang offered were genuine and not exaggerated.

The consular officer was also stunned by how rapidly Shencheng was developing.

She brought her child to visit and fell in love with the local water park and aquarium.

She could see for herself that the conditions in Jinshan Bay were excellent, perhaps even better than in her own hometown.

At the same time, Catherine also realized that Hua Country was developing at an incredible pace.

However, when she submitted her report, no one paid it much mind.

’Hua Country is massive,’ they thought. ’The development of a single city like Shencheng is nothing to worry about.’