Yu Family Estate.
Yu Mengzhi had decided to move back home so she could spend more time with her grandfather in her free moments.
What struck her as odd was that she hadn't seen her father, Yu Wendong, for days. Even inquiring with her two uncles yielded no clues. If she hadn't known he was alive, she might have forgotten such a person existed.
Upon returning home that evening, Yu Mengzhi sensed an unusual atmosphere.
Yu Zhengzhi beckoned her over, gesturing for Yu Mengzhi to sit on the sofa in front of him. Yu Mengzhi glanced at the silent Yu Lingxiao and complied.
"Second Uncle, what's wrong?" Yu Mengzhi's tone was pleasant.
At the same time, she caught sight of Yu Huaixuan, sitting beside Yu Zhengzhi with a disgruntled expression.
Yu Zhengzhi hesitated to speak, finally prompting Yu Huaixuan to explain what had happened that night. However, Yu Huaixuan found himself unable to speak. Such an event was a complete loss of face for him and would impact his future.
"Are you still in contact with Chen Jinzhao?" Yu Lingxiao suddenly asked.
Yu Mengzhi faltered, her gaze then dimmed. She shook her head and whispered, "No, I haven't even gone back to his place to retrieve those things. What's wrong? Why are you suddenly asking about Chen Jinzhao?"
Seeing his son's silence, Yu Zhengzhi had to step in. He spoke to Yu Mengzhi with clear displeasure, "Can you warn Chen Jinzhao to stop eyeing our Yu family?"
Yu Mengzhi furrowed her brow, not understanding the meaning of these words. In her opinion, Chen Jinzhao was not that kind of person.
Yu Huaixuan finally lost patience. He stood up and glared at Yu Mengzhi, "That scoundrel Chen Jinzhao, after you dumped him, he hooked up with Tao Qiyue! Who is your future sister-in-law. What kind of situation is this? I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen someone so shamelessly!"
"What did you say?" Yu Mengzhi's heart sank.
She found it hard to believe that Chen Jinzhao would get involved with Tao Qiyue. Hearing this news also made her feel a pang of discomfort.
Yu Huaixuan, seething with anger, sneered, "Do you think I'm talking nonsense? Heh, why don't you call him and ask who he had lunch with today? Normally, Tao Qiyue wouldn't even agree to go out to eat with me, but she came out as soon as Chen Jinzhao asked! Moreover, they went to the hospital together this afternoon, and then in the evening, they went to Master Shui's underground fight club. Their relationship is intimate, acting lovey-dovey in front of me, his fiancé, completely disregarding me!"
With that, Yu Huaixuan took out his phone and displayed several secretly taken photos.
Yu Mengzhi looked through the photos one by one, her heart growing more pained with each image. In the pictures, Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue were intimate, and anyone would believe they were a couple. This made Yu Mengzhi even more distressed.
After a period of daze, she felt that Chen Jinzhao had gone too far. They had only been apart for a short time, and he was already involved with Tao Qiyue? Wait! Was she feeling jealous?
Yu Mengzhi quickly realized that she had never actually agreed to be Chen Jinzhao's girlfriend. Even if Chen Jinzhao had treated her as his girlfriend back then, she had already kicked him to the curb. What right did she have to demand his unwavering loyalty? Having such thoughts was petty.
She exhaled deeply, placed the phone back on the table, and said calmly, "I don't understand what you mean. Even if Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue become a couple, what does that have to do with me?"
"He and I are no longer related."
Yu Huaixuan's eyes widened, his tone growing angrier, "Who would believe you when you say that? You broke ties with the Yu family for Chen Jinzhao back then. He probably still listens to you. Tell him to leave Tao Qiyue immediately, otherwise, where will the Yu family's honor go?"
"Yes, Mengzhi, help your second brother," Yu Zhengzhi chimed in.
Yu Lingxiao also added, "I've had dealings with Chen Jinzhao. He's a loyal and righteous person. He should listen to you."
Listening to their clamoring voices, Yu Mengzhi's frustration reached its peak.
"Alright, can you all just listen to me for a moment?"
"Relationships aren't like inviting someone for a meal. If Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue are truly in love, my few words won't affect their feelings. Even if we go back a thousand steps, Chen Jinzhao liked me so much before, and I kicked him away. It means we have no relationship anymore. You're asking me to meddle in his happiness now. No matter how thick-skinned I am, I can't do it!"
"You guys deal with it yourselves."
After saying this, Yu Mengzhi turned and walked back to her room, ignoring the scolding behind her. She had already done the utmost by obeying the family's interests and separating from Chen Jinzhao. If they asked her to interfere in Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue's relationship, would she even be human?
"She's actually giving us the cold shoulder?" Yu Huaixuan stood up, intending to go to Yu Mengzhi's room to argue with her.
At that moment, Yu Huaiqing reached out and stopped him. Yu Huaixuan frowned, "Huaiqing, what do you mean? Am I wrong to say that? Is it so difficult for her to do this little thing for the family?"
"That's enough," Yu Huaiqing said.
Yu Zhengzhi shot a glance at his second son. How could he speak to his elder brother like that?
Seeing Yu Huaixuan's displeasure, Yu Huaiqing gave a wry smile, "Little sister has already sacrificed enough for the family. Besides, even if Tao Qiyue doesn't marry Second Brother, aren't there the Qin family?"
"Grandfather always tells us to value harmony above all else."
"Do you want the family to be in utter chaos before you're satisfied?"
Yu Huaixuan glared, "Yu Huaiqing, you..."
Yu Zhengzhi coughed urgently, signaling Yu Huaixuan to stop speaking, lest he displease the grandfather. If he couldn't even handle such a small matter, how could he become the successor of the Yu family in the future?
"Huaiqing is right. If you can't handle your own affairs well, how can you have the nerve to trouble your sister?" Yu Lingxiao said.
For this, he also cast a deep look at Yu Huaiqing. He hadn't noticed before that Yu Huaiqing had a sensible side. Compared to Yu Huaixuan, he seemed more mature. Should he consider him for the succession?
Yu Huaixuan also noticed the grandfather's strange gaze towards his brother and immediately stopped complaining. After all, he wasn't the designated successor yet and should be more cautious in handling such matters.
The next morning.
Yu Mengzhi, who hadn't slept well, was preparing to leave for work. Before she could step out, she saw the Tao family's grandfather and grandson already at their doorstep.
Seeing Tao Qiyue again, Yu Mengzhi's feelings were incredibly complex. She paused, not approaching them.
Tao Qiyue had seen Yu Mengzhi from afar. She didn't particularly like this Yu sister, having heard that she had unhesitatingly kicked Chen Jinzhao to the curb without any sentiment.
Finally, the two exchanged polite greetings and then entered the living room. Yu Mengzhi vaguely guessed their purpose and didn't rush to work, waiting quietly for the outcome.
Upon hearing that the Tao family had arrived, the Yu family members also hurried to get up and greet them.
Tao Zixing saw Yu Huaixuan emerge from his room in his pajamas. His brows furrowed inadvertently but then smoothed out quickly. Not only him, but the Yu family patriarch also did.
With everyone present, Yu Lingxiao finally inquired about their purpose.
Tao Zixing was straightforward with Yu Lingxiao, calmly stating, "After much thought these past few days, I feel that the engagement between Qiyue and Huaixuan that was set in childhood was mere child's play. Therefore, after listening to Qiyue's opinion, I have decided to come and discuss this matter."
"My intention is to cancel the engagement of the two children."
"Old Yu, what are your thoughts?"