Wu Xiufang scoffed, "Am I not allowed to visit my own son? Besides, I've seen every part of you. And is there another woman living here with you?"
Huangfu Shaohua turned his back to her and quickly put on his clothes. He replied, "No, I live alone."
Wu Xiufang spotted a women's pajama top on the single sofa and picked it up, asking, "What is this? Is it yours?"
Huangfu Shaohua snatched it away and hid it behind his back, saying, "I've cut ties with my family and haven't used a penny of theirs. Why are you still bothering me?"
"Who is that woman? Is she the boxing coach your father mentioned? Is it for her that you ruined our relationship with the Sheng family! And are you really planning to abandon us for her?" Wu Xiufang asked sadly.
Huangfu Shaohua said helplessly, "I never intended to disown you. It's you and Dad who are forcing me. Sheng Zhuzhu and I grew up together. If I liked her, I would have liked her long ago. I've told you many times that I don't have those feelings for her, but you just don't listen and only want me to marry and have children according to your wishes!"
Wu Xiufang pouted and sat on the sofa, saying, "Fine, if you don't like Zhuzhu, I won't force you. But it absolutely cannot be that female coach. You can try dating other prominent young ladies, you're bound to find someone who sparks your interest..."
"I only want to be with Daisy," Huangfu Shaohua decided to stop hiding anything. "She and I are already together, and I won't marry anyone else."
"No, this woman is not worthy of our Huangfu family," Wu Xiufang said firmly. "You can play around outside, but you can't marry her."
Huangfu Shaohua was no longer holding back. "I'm not playing around."
"Your father investigated this woman. Her family background is ordinary. Her father is just a senior engineer, and her mother is a full-time housewife. She lived abroad because of her father's work, but her grades in foreign schools were very poor, and she didn't even get a proper diploma, which is why she's a boxing coach," Wu Xiufang stated Daisy's situation plainly.
"So what? As long as I like her and I'm happy with her. The wife I want to marry is the one I'll spend my life with, not someone based on her family background or education."
Wu Xiufang said, "She won't be of any help to your future! You know that even though your eldest sister is capable, she can't inherit the Huangfu Group. And the future heir to our family and group can only be you. The burden on your shoulders is immense. You need a capable wife who matches our family's status..."
"I'm not interested in being the heir, nor do I have the capability. If you don't want eldest sister to inherit the group, you can let your second uncle's son be the heir. Your second uncle has two sons, both studying abroad and doing very well."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Xiufang, unable to contain herself, reached out and slapped him, saying sternly, "How dare you say such a thing! You must never say this in front of your father and your second uncle again!"
Huangfu Shaohua felt bewildered. His second uncle had always been helping his father and was his father's capable assistant. Besides, they all shared the Huangfu surname. Why couldn't his second uncle's two sons be considered as heirs, but he had to be?
In reality, he had no interest in business at all. Since childhood, he preferred sports like basketball and football.
His decision to study finance and economic management abroad was not his own choice; it was merely following his parents' arrangement.
His hidden dream was to become an athlete. For a period in his youth, he was particularly passionate about basketball, wishing he could spend all his time in the basketball gym, not wanting to go to school or go home.
But his parents forcefully forbade him from indulging in basketball, insisting he return to his studies, and absolutely refused to let him become an athlete.
After going abroad to study, without his parents around, he secretly spent more time on various sports than on his studies.
He truly let loose during those years, learning sailing, diving, surfing, and even joining the school's basketball team...
However, he had to return after graduation and work as a department manager in the Huangfu Group, facing tedious financial data every day, which he found extremely stifling.
Huangfu Shaohua looked at his mother and said defiantly, "If you insist on entrusting the future of the family and the group to me, you will only see it ruined by my hands."
"Do you think you've lived up to your studies all these years, or to our sacrifices for you..."
"Shaohua, look what delicious food I brought for you." Daisy walked in carrying packed supper. She was stunned to see Shaohua arguing with a well-dressed middle-aged woman.
When she pushed the door open, she noticed it wasn't locked and thought she had forgotten to lock it when she left. She hadn't expected anyone to visit Shaohua so late.
Wu Xiufang and Daisy exchanged glances. Daisy didn't know how to address the woman.
Disdain flickered in Wu Xiufang's eyes, but her composure and good upbringing prevented her from fully revealing it.
Huangfu Shaohua pulled Daisy to his side and introduced her, "This is my mother. She came to see me."
Daisy hadn't expected to meet Shaohua's mother so suddenly. She smiled nervously and said, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Daisy, Shaohua's friend."
"Hello," Wu Xiufang replied faintly, then looked back at Shaohua and said, "I should go. Take care of yourself."
As she turned to leave, she paused at the doorway and looked back at Daisy, saying, "Miss Daisy, it's probably not appropriate for a young lady to be visiting a man's residence so late. Don't you know the meaning of self-respect?"
Daisy felt utterly humiliated upon hearing this. Shaohua's mother was implying she lacked self-respect.
Shaohua wanted to speak up for her, "Mom, she's my girlfriend..."
Wu Xiufang didn't listen and walked out.
Huangfu Shaohua took the supper from her hand and said, "My mom is just like that. Don't take it to heart."
Daisy lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Who exactly are you? Stop lying to me."
She had actually arrived at the door earlier and seen the luxury car parked outside, complete with uniformed drivers wearing white gloves.
She assumed the car was waiting for Shaohua's mother.
Standing at the door, she had also overheard some of their conversation.
Shaohua had been arguing with his mother about the Huangfu family, the Huangfu Group, and how this woman wasn't worthy, and that he was just "playing around," all referring to her.
"Daisy, don't be angry yet. Let me explain." He sensed he could no longer hide the truth. "I, my full name is Huangfu Shaohua. Shaohua is just my given name."
"Huangfu Shaohua... Huangfu..." Daisy repeated the surname, not fully grasping its implications, but understanding that he must be of extraordinary status.
Among her students, there were a few wealthy individuals, like Qin Tianyi, but she hadn't paid much attention to them.
She had always felt that whether her students were ordinary people or wealthy, their money was their own business, unrelated to her.
She simply worked at the club relying on her own skills and professionalism.
Shaohua took her hand and said, "My surname doesn't matter. I am sincere towards you."