Zhan Beijue's visit was clearly not for any good reason, and Zhou Jinxiu could not find an excuse to refuse. He told his mother, "You all chat first. I'm rushing back now. Don't worry, I'll be there before dinner."
The moment he finished speaking, his father snatched the phone. "Zhou Jinxiu, you spend all day outside, not going to work or the company, just partying! Too busy to even see your family? Why don't you just drop dead from being busy?"
"I've been busy lately and haven't had time to discipline you. Don't think I'm happy with you!"
"If your mother hadn't stopped me, I would have settled accounts with you long ago! Hurry up and get back here!"
"You're living it up with my money every day, you're completely lawless!"
"If I don't see you within half an hour, your credit cards and car will all be taken back! Don't say I didn't warn you!"
With that, the call ended. Zhou Jinxiu cursed under his breath, then informed the nurse at the station and rushed home by car.
At the Zhou residence, Zhan Beijue sat elegantly on the sofa, drinking tea with his uncle, who rarely had a day off. Zhou Jinbei, having made a mistake recently and fearing Zhan Beijue would expose her, sat opposite him meekly. The atmosphere in the house was pleasant as the two men discussed business.
His uncle said, "I've heard that the electrical company has made a big move recently, launching a new circuit breaker that has been widely praised in the industry."
"Ah Jue, you excel in every field you enter. I can't help but praise you, Uncle." Zhan Beijue smiled humbly. "It's all thanks to Vice President Gao. He found the talent, I just invested. There's no need for praise."
"What has Ah Jin been doing this year? Last year, Uncle said he would let him take over the company this year. I've been busy and haven't had time to ask. Is he adapting well?"
Knowing full well that Zhou Jinxiu was doing nothing and was indulging in his own affairs every day, Zhan Beijue deliberately came to stir up trouble for him. "You dared to lay a hand on your brother? Watch how I make you cry."
As soon as his uncle was mentioned, he shook his head. "Don't mention that unfilial son to me. You two share some genes, and you've received the same education as men, so why is there such a big difference?"
"Look at you and then look at him. Forget helping me run the company, if he doesn't squander the Zhou family's fortune, it would be good enough. It's better than dying of anger!"
Zhan Beijue, having heard what he wanted, said in a sugary tone, "Oh? So, the rumors I heard some time ago are true?"
"What rumors?" His uncle and aunt's expressions changed noticeably again. Zhan Beijue pretended to have let something slip. "Ah, it's nothing really. I just heard it secondhand."
"If it's reached your ears, it's definitely not groundless. Tell me about it." Zhan Beijue reluctantly said, "It was quite a while ago. I was on a business trip to Beicheng and staying at a certain hotel when reporters were following me. I initially thought they were filming me, but later realized it was a网红 (internet celebrity)."
"My assistant said he happened to encounter him, and that网红's boyfriend was Ah Jin."
"..." His uncle's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. "What does网红 mean?"
Zhou Jinbei explained to him, "It means some women who become famous online through their talents or by seeking attention..."
As soon as he heard it, he knew she wasn't a proper person! His uncle became furious, "This unfilial son! Does he think I earn money easily?"
"I worked hard to raise him, and instead of pursuing a proper relationship, he's dating a disreputable woman. How can he be so thoughtless!"
Zhan Beijue said, "I heard he only sent her a car, which is still alright."
"With the Zhou family's strength, sending a girlfriend a car while dating isn't much."
This made Zhou Jinbei unhappy again. "Which woman? My brother actually sent her a car! I don't even have one! What makes her so special? What kind of car?"
Zhan Beijue, having been prepared, helpfully opened his phone. "It's her. My assistant sent it to me, see for yourself."
Zhou Jinbei looked at the screenshot. It was an 18th-tier internet celebrity whose name she didn't know, dressed provocatively, driving a fiery red bull demon sports car. And sitting next to her was none other than her brother!
"Dad, look, he actually sent that damn woman a bull demon! I don't even have one! I don't even have a Mini, he's too biased! I won't stand for it! Hmph!"
If he said any more, his uncle would have a heart attack from anger. Zhan Beijue took his phone back. "What's the big deal? It's just a car. I'll send you one."
"When you have time, let my assistant take you to pick one out. Choose whatever you like."
"Dad! Look, Second Brother is even more caring than my brother!"
His uncle sighed repeatedly. "You're no less of a troublemaker. Don't think I don't know. You didn't study well abroad and did plenty of bad things."
"Aunt has always indulged you. If it weren't for her, I would have canceled your cards long ago."
"I've arranged for you to attend a university in China. You'll report on Monday. You're not allowed to drive; let the driver take you!"
"Zhou Jinbei, this is the last chance I'm giving you. If you mess up again, I'll break your legs."
His father was truly angry. Zhou Jinbei, being sensible, was immediately scared into silence. Zhan Beijue intended to win her over and tried to speak up for her. "My mother always tells me that Jinbei is smart and well-behaved and hasn't done anything out of line. Uncle, please don't scold her."
"Since you're worried about her driving, I'll send something else. Jinbei, tell Second Brother what you like, and you can choose anything."
Just as they were talking, the rumbling sound of car engines could be heard in the yard. Zhou Jinxiu had returned. The others stopped talking and turned their gaze to the entrance, waiting for him to come in. Zhou Jinxiu parked his car and strode in. "Dad, Mom, Second Brother, what a surprise to have you all here today..."
"Smash!" His uncle grabbed the bone china teacup in front of him and hurled it at him. "You scoundrel, you actually know how to come back? Kneel down for me!"
Before he could even speak after entering, they were already angry? "What wrong did I do? Why are you so angry?" Zhou Jinxiu asked, not understanding. "My words don't matter anymore? Don't you understand when I tell you to kneel? You dare to talk back to me?"
"..." Zhou Jinxiu looked at everyone staring at him and reluctantly knelt. "Come closer to me! Why are you kneeling so far away? Are you afraid of being beaten?"
Zhou Jinxiu had no choice but to walk over and kneel before his father. "What's wrong? How did I offend you?"
"You degenerate, you still have the nerve to ask? Don't you know what you've done wrong? I won't say it today; you say it yourself. What good deeds have you been doing behind my back for the past six months?"
"I..."
"How many girlfriends have you dated behind my back? How much money have you spent on them? How much of the Zhou family's assets have you squandered? How much of my reputation have you ruined? Speak!"
"I haven't done anything. I haven't dated any girlfriends. Did you hear something from someone?"
"Do I need to hear from someone? Can't I see with my own eyes? Zhou Jinxiu, how much of the thirty million I gave you for starting your business at the beginning of the year is left? Take it out and show me!"
"..."
"Smash!" He threw another cup. "Don't force me to pull up your bank statements. Tell me yourself, how much is left now?"