Chapter 21: You’re Not Worthy!
Father Su felt that this child, Chi Xiasheng, had an extraordinary ability to infuriate people.
If it weren’t for the paternity test results proving they were indeed father and son, Father Su would have thought he was an impostor. He didn’t know who he had inherited such a stubborn temper from.
“Don’t talk back all the time. After all, it’s your brother’s birthday today. I know you’re upset and resentful, but you should at least wish Little Mian a happy birthday, right?”
“He’s not my brother. I think I’ve made my attitude clear enough before.”
Looking at his serious and well-dressed father, Chi Xiasheng’s heart still ached, and his tone became much stiffer.
Father Su also knew that Chi Xiasheng was not feeling well. The family did indeed favor Su Chimian more, but he thought he had treated Chi Xiasheng well enough, never lacking in money. He didn’t know what he was so stubborn about.
From a young age, Su Jinfeng had received the same treatment from him, but wasn’t he still respectful to him as his father?
Father Su would not tolerate anyone challenging his authority. He slammed his water glass down heavily in anger.
Su Chimian spoke up at the right time, saying he didn’t mind at all. “It’s okay, Dad. I know my brother has a lot of misunderstandings about me. It’s alright, we’re a family, after all. We should be tolerant and understanding of each other!”
Hearing this, Father Su’s expression indeed softened a lot. He rubbed Su Chimian’s head, feeling very gratified.
“Little Mian is just too sensible because of how you raised him. He’ll definitely suffer losses in the future.”
Mother Su smiled slightly but didn’t say anything.
On the other hand, Chi Xiasheng, who was listening on the side, almost couldn’t hold back. He really wanted to pry open Su Chengjian’s head and see what was inside. How could he think that Su Chimian was a kind little white flower?
But Su Chengjian clearly enjoyed this “loving father, filial son” drama. After talking with Su Chimian, a smile even appeared on his face.
“Xiaosheng, you’re just too stubborn. About the matter of being switched at birth… I’m also at fault. You’re still young. When you have your own family and career, you’ll naturally understand.”
Su Chengjian had this kind of silent and serious personality. And the things involved were too complicated to be explained simply by being switched at birth, so he didn’t want to say much more.
Su Chimian’s eyes flickered slightly, and he was about to ask something, but Su Chengjian stopped him with a gesture.
“Today is also an important day. Little Mian is twenty years old, and you three brothers are now eligible to inherit the Su family’s shares.”
With that, Father Su paused and took a sip of tea to moisten his dry throat.
Su Jinfeng and Su Chimian’s eyes lit up. They understood that Father Su was about to announce the distribution of the shares.
Chi Xiasheng had also heard Mother Su mention this before, but he didn’t care for the Su family’s things. He just wanted to stay far away from them, preferably never to see them again in this lifetime. It would save him the headache of being angered by their idiotic behavior all day long.
“When Jinfeng turned twenty, I already gave him two percent of the shares to practice with. Now that Xiaosheng and Little Mian are also eligible, I plan to distribute your shares.”
Although Father Su was subjectively biased towards Su Chimian, he didn’t intend to be too partial to his other two children in terms of material things, so the division was very fair.
“Jinfeng will inherit another one percent, and Little Mian and Xiaosheng will each inherit three percent. When we go home later, you can sign the contract in the presence of a lawyer.”
Don’t underestimate these few percentage points of shares. The Su Group was a listed company. With one percent, you could get millions in dividends every year. And the Su family had many scattered shares, so three percent could be considered a major shareholder, with the right to be invited to the annual shareholders’ meeting.
Hearing Father Su’s words, Mother Su, in a corner where no one could see, tightly gripped the hem of her dress, her fingertips turning white. A sinister expression flashed across her face, but she quickly adjusted it when Father Su looked over.
“I have no objections. After all, I haven’t contributed much to the company. Chengjian, you can decide.”
There was a slight crack in the gentle expression on Mother Su’s face, but Father Su, clearly thinking of that matter, could only pat her hand comfortingly.
“I know you feel sorry for Jinfeng and Xiaosheng, but since they are both children of the Su family, we must be fair to avoid controversy.”
Hearing his name, a hint of surprise flashed in Chi Xiasheng’s eyes.
Feel sorry for me? What a joke.
To be honest, although Mother Su was the gentlest and most accepting person towards him in the Su family, Chi Xiasheng always felt that she was just putting on a show, her smile never reaching her eyes. Compared to the genuine affection she showed Su Chimian, it was too hypocritical. It was better than Father Su’s reprimands, which at least contained a hint of father-son affection.
“But Xiaosheng is not on our household registration, so there might be some trouble with the shares.”
Mother Su quickly added gently, looking very anxious. “Should we solve the household registration problem first? Little Chi is one of us, after all. We can just add him as an older brother before Mianmian.”
As expected, these words made Chi Xiasheng feel sick to his stomach. He directly refused, “No need. I don’t want to be a part of your so-called family.”
Hearing this, Mother Su let out a sigh of relief and leaned back on the sofa.
Father Su, angered by Chi Xiasheng’s repeated defiance, had a headache. He rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with anger. “Xiaosheng, do you have to make a scene? Where has the Su family wronged you? Even with the shares, I thought of you as brothers and divided them fairly, afraid that you would think I was biased. Tell me, what else are you dissatisfied with!”
“Not biased? Mr. Su, don’t you feel guilty saying that?” Chi Xiasheng let out a cold snort. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore. Anyway, in your heart, you always think you’re right.”
It was a common trait of the Su family: arrogant and conceited. Even though Chi Xiasheng had been gone for so long with such a firm attitude, they still thought he was just throwing a tantrum. This also gave Chi Xiasheng a headache, so he decided to make things clear once and for all today.
“My surname is not Su, and it never will be in this lifetime. You can have your happy family reunion however you want. In the future, no matter how rich and powerful the Su family becomes, and no matter how down and out I am, we will have nothing to do with each other. I don’t want the shares. I want to make a clean break with you, not even having a relationship of interest!”
Chi Xiasheng said this calmly. He thought he would be angry or sad, but in fact, all his emotions had been exhausted before, and now all that was left was weariness.
Chi Xiasheng had a bit of pride and aloofness in his bones, disdaining to fight for fame and fortune. Unfortunately, in the end, he still had to tear off the facade and make things ugly.
Hearing this, Su Jinfeng and Su Chimian were both stunned.
It was only now that they realized Chi Xiasheng’s desire to leave the Su family was not a petty tantrum, but a decision he had truly made.
But, how was that possible?
Those were the shares of the Su Group. Could he really give them up?
Su Jinfeng felt that he couldn’t see through this brother of his, but this was also the first time he had truly looked at him.
His eyes met with Chi Xiasheng’s calm and unwavering gaze, and Su Jinfeng quickly looked away. His opinion of him seemed to have changed.
Su Chimian also frowned tightly, thinking that if what Chi Xiasheng said was true, then he wouldn’t have to go to such great lengths… It seemed he could call those people off, he thought.
Father Su was a little angry, but then he thought that Chi Xiasheng had lived in an orphanage for twenty years, and his heart softened a little. After all, he was his own child. Father Su sighed.
“Forget it, we’ll talk about this later. I have indeed neglected you before, but you shouldn’t have said such things about leaving the Su family. Your mother has cried so many times thinking of you over the years. You should also be more considerate of her.”
Mother Su’s eyelids twitched, and she quickly forced a gentle smile. “It’s alright. Children should be tolerated more.”
Su Chengjian didn’t mention the shares again, probably planning to reconsider.
Su Jinfeng wanted to say a few words to Chi Xiasheng, but he didn’t give him the chance and turned to leave.
In Chi Xiasheng’s heart, he had long since seen the Su family and himself as two separate entities. He had once come to the Su family with great enthusiasm, hoping to make up for the lost affection, but in the end, it had all shattered into an illusory bubble.
Chi Xiasheng had his own principles and a somewhat ridiculous sense of pride. It was impossible for him to abandon his integrity and grovel at the Su family’s feet just for the sake of shares.
Su Jinfeng called out to him a couple of times. Chi Xiasheng pushed open the door and, seeing the strange looks from the guests in the lobby, could only slow down and answer.
“Is there something?”
Su Jinfeng stared at Chi Xiasheng’s cold face for a long time, a complicated expression on his face.
“You really don’t want the Su family’s shares?”
Chi Xiasheng nodded. “I made it very clear to you when I left. I remember you also told me you wouldn’t treat me as a brother anymore, and your actions have shown that.”
Chi Xiasheng would not so easily forget how Su Jinfeng had targeted him in the entertainment industry.
Hearing Chi Xiasheng’s characteristic sarcasm, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Su Jinfeng’s face. He had indeed thought Chi Xiasheng was throwing a tantrum before, and with Mianmian being wronged, he had used that method in a moment of desperation to force Chi Xiasheng to see him and apologize to Mianmian.
“If you really have that kind of backbone, then I’ll look up to you. I won’t pull any more tricks in the future.” Su Jinfeng clenched his fists, his tone surprisingly gentle.
Su Jinfeng had been taught by his father to prioritize interests above all else, and he had lived by this principle for the past twenty-odd years. Even with Su Chimian, he was only a gentle and considerate brother when no interests were involved.
Suddenly encountering someone who refused to bow his head, although he thought the other was a fool, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration. One always envies what one doesn’t have.
Chi Xiasheng let out a cold laugh, thinking that Su Jinfeng was as confident as ever. “Do I need you to look up to me? You’re not worthy.”
