Her third son had undergone all sorts of tests in the past few days, and nothing showed up, yet he wouldn’t wake—which was why she was so worried.
“Yeah, Big Brother, did they check everything? If Little Xian has any issues, I’ll make sure that illegitimate son goes to jail!”
Yu Qingxian hesitated but felt he needed to clarify: “Actually, my coma might not have anything to do with Liu Shengqing. I already had a bad headache before that.”
Yu Fengqing looked incredulous. “Little Xian, why are you still speaking up for that illegitimate son!”
Big Brother Yu latched onto the key point: “Headache? Why did you have a headache?”
Yu Qingxian: “…”
His head didn’t hurt now, but his family’s questions were giving him a headache!
To escape their concern, he said he was a bit tired and wanted to sleep more.
Big Brother Yu didn’t dare disturb him and led the family out. They couldn’t bother their little brother the patient, but bothering the doctor was fine, right?
Yu Qingxian’s attending physician: “…”
How was he supposed to assure the Yu Patriarch and Director Yu that their Third Young Master was truly very healthy, with a body as sturdy as an ox!
The Third Young Master, whose body was as sturdy as an ox, stayed two more days at his family’s insistence and underwent another round of screenings—thank goodness the Yu family was rich and it was a private hospital; a little waste was fine, since it wasn’t wasting anyone else’s resources!
That day, when Big Brother Yu came to the hospital to accompany him for checks, he suddenly said, “Our family’s prodigal son is back.”
Yu Qingxian chuckled. “Big Brother, how are you picking up their lingo too?”
Big Brother Yu looked a bit embarrassed. “I’m just learning from you young folks, aren’t I?”
He had seen his brother in low spirits these past few days and had more bad news to deliver, so he wanted to soften it with some humor. But he had to say it—according to the people he sent to watch, that shameless old man had already met with Liu Shengqing. If he came to visit his son at the hospital, he couldn’t stop him.
So it was better to give Little Xian some mental preparation…
“Young folks? Which young folks? Our future big sister-in-law?” Yu Qingxian teased.
Big Brother Yu said seriously, “Don’t jinx it. Nothing’s set in stone yet.”
As the saying goes, some people can’t be mentioned. They had just returned to the ward for afternoon tea when Yu Minchen showed up with Liu Shengqing.
Yu Minchen was over sixty, but he looked like he was in his forties or fifties. Having fathered sons like Yu Zhensheng and Yu Qingxian, he must have been very handsome in his youth. Just from appearances, many would think he was an elegant middle-aged gentleman.
The two brothers gave their old man some face and greeted him with “Dad,” regardless of what they thought.
But seeing the other person, Yu Zhensheng wasn’t pleased. “What is he doing here?”
No matter how thick-skinned Yu Minchen was, such a scene made him a bit uncomfortable. “Shengqing accidentally bumped into Little Xian, so I brought him to apologize.”
Yu Zhensheng: “No need. It’s good enough that he doesn’t bother us. Little Xian’s fine this time, so we’re letting it go for Dad’s sake, but there won’t be a next time.”
He had already discussed it with Little Xian—it was just a collision injury, and the MRI showed no issues. Pursuing it wouldn’t do much, so why bother? But that didn’t mean he’d give Liu Shengqing a good look.
Yu Minchen had never liked his eldest son. Aside from Yu Zhensheng’s reserved personality and lack of closeness to him, there were other reasons.
He had been wild and irresponsible in his youth, but the Yu family had no other heirs besides a married-off sister, so he always thought Yu Corporation would be his eventually.
Who knew the old man would skip him and choose Yu Zhensheng as successor!
Yu Minchen had been spoiled by Old Madam Yu since childhood—how could he stomach such grievances? He threatened to cut ties with the Yu Patriarch and disown Yu Zhensheng… Later, for money, he reconciled with the family, but relations remained tense.
He didn’t like staying home and spent most of the past few years abroad, carousing around the world, only returning occasionally.
Now, his eldest son defied him right to his face, leaving him no face as a father… Yu Minchen got angry too, rebelled out of spite, and insisted on protecting Liu Shengqing.
“Yu Zhensheng, how can you talk like that? Shengqing is your brother too, and it wasn’t on purpose!”
“Yeah, Big Brother, I really didn’t mean to…”
Yu Zhensheng calmly cut him off: “I only have one brother.”
Before Liu Shengqing could retort, he turned to Yu Minchen. “Dad cares so much about Liu Shengqing, but I haven’t seen you come back these years. You seem to treat that French pair of siblings better than Liu Shengqing and his mother. Want me to pull up the spending records for comparison?
Also, year-end dividends are coming up. I think Yu Corporation’s performance this year is average at best—we should save cash for investments. How about skipping dividends this year? I think the board will agree with me.”
When Big Brother Yu struck, it was no small matter. Their old man instantly went from a feisty fighting cock to a chick with its neck wrung.
Watching his father’s face turn red, Yu Qingxian felt a trace of warmth in his heart. Though he didn’t have a loving father, he had a big brother who doted on him like a son.
Yu Minchen backed down. Liu Shengqing panicked: “Dad!”
Had they agreed that Yu Qingxian would let him into Xingyao? Was his dad going back on his word?
Yu Minchen lost face and said irritably, “Enough. We’ll talk when we get back.”
In the end, he was willing to be fawned over by Liu Shengqing and his mother, but he would never sacrifice his own interests for them.
Liu Shengqing lowered his head, a flash of resentment in his eyes.
Yu Minchen didn’t want to stay longer—not even bothering to ask about Yu Qingxian’s condition—and left with Liu Shengqing.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Chu Yi and Ouyang Yuyuan emerging from the elevator. Liu Shengqing lit up with joy—
“Yi Ge!”
Chu Yi didn’t even glance at him. He blew through the corridor like a gust of wind and hugged Yu Qingxian in the ward.
Ah.
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