Chapter 41
“I didn’t realize you actually had feelings for Yu Congyan.” Old Man Yu said, his eyes sharp.
They didn’t continue the topic. After all, Old Man Yu was here to warn Xia Wansheng.
He had initially assumed he was just an ordinary celebrity who had climbed the social ladder by clinging to the Yu family—
But with such tactics, he was clearly not simple, not some easily manipulated pawn for Yu Xuan.
“I don’t care what your motives are, but let me warn you, their conflict is an internal Yu family matter, I won’t interfere, but if anyone tries to meddle, I won’t be merciful.”
Chairman Yu slammed his polished cane on the ground, making a sharp cracking sound.
He had originally intended to just watch the show, but now he realized no matter how much he favored Yu Xuan, he was simply incompetent.
It seemed he needed more training.
“You’re threatening the wrong person, this has nothing to do with me,” Xia Wansheng said cryptically,
“But let me offer you some advice, sometimes outsiders see things more clearly than family members, don’t fall into the trap of bloodline obsession.”
Xia Wansheng stood up to leave.
After playing the riddle, it was better to leave quickly, lest he be asked to explain.
Stepping out of the brightly lit banquet hall, a wave of cold air hit him, clearing his head.
Xia Wansheng looked up at the distant night sky.
He wondered if the moon here was the same as the one back home.
After staring for a while, not seeing any difference, he only felt a headache from the cold wind.
Turning around, he saw Yu Congyan still at the entrance, discussing business with other clients, his features sharp, his posture tall and straight, the perfect image of a CEO from a novel.
“Did the old man give you a hard time?” Yu Congyan had just finished his conversation and walked towards Xia Wansheng.
After the incident, they had resumed their safe social distance. There was enough space between them for another cushion, let alone hugging.
“Mm, not really, he just warned me not to help Yu Xuan plot against you behind your back.” Xia Wansheng thought for a moment before answering.
He omitted the part about the old man’s obvious bias towards Yu Xuan.
“Yu Xuan doesn’t have the time to deal with me right now.” Yu Congyan replied.
After a pause, he asked about the donation,
“That money… why did you donate it all?”
Xia Wansheng hadn’t had any engagements recently, and his parents had come asking for money, so it would have been understandable if he had kept it. But he had donated the entire amount in Yu Congyan’s name.
He hadn’t even kept a single cent for himself.
As if the twenty million wasn’t a fortune, but just a useless piece of paper.
“I just did it, no particular reason.” Xia Wansheng said after some thought.
He hadn’t thought much about it at the time. Donating to the orphanage seemed like a good deed, he didn’t expect the media to assume it was a move to secure Yu Congyan’s inheritance.
It was a pleasant surprise.
Xia Wansheng was quite satisfied with this outcome.
After all, in novels, CEO protagonists didn’t work hard to earn money, they spent their time at racing tracks and high-end bars, waiting for their destined love.
“No reason…” Yu Congyan mumbled.
Perhaps he just couldn’t tell him.
Yu Xuan was being interrogated by his disgruntled business partners:
“I’ve already told you, those rumors aren’t true, why are you so eager for returns? We already agreed the project isn’t finished yet!”
He slammed his phone on the carpet in frustration. The assistant beside him quickly picked it up, afraid of being scolded.
Old Man Yu, sitting at the head of the table, said sternly: “I’ve told you before, acting recklessly solves nothing, the foundation I built isn’t for you to squander!”
He was losing his patience.
He had believed that whoever he passed his knowledge onto would become the rightful leader of the company.
So, when Yu Congyan disagreed with his decisions, he readily abandoned him, choosing the more obedient Yu Xuan.
But now, not only was his eldest son not meeting expectations and trying to distance himself, but Yu Congyan’s company was also thriving.
Several of his old rivals, who had mocked the Yu family for lacking a successor, had changed their tune, now mocking him for his poor judgment in his old age.
Old Man Yu refused to admit defeat. He was confident in his experience, how could it be inferior to Yu Congyan’s unorthodox methods?
It must be Yu Xuan’s fault for acting on his own.
But he had always been stubborn and wouldn’t lower himself to apologize to Yu Congyan, as if he was eager to hand over the company.
At this point, Old Man Yu could only endure, placing his bets on Yu Xuan: “Explain yourself, why were you even late to the family dinner?”
“Didn’t you teach me to know my place? I don’t even have the right to make decisions, how would I dare to attend the family dinner?” Yu Xuan retorted sarcastically.
He didn’t bother hiding his dissatisfaction.
He had planned a grand entrance, ready to reveal the explosive news, exposing Yu Congyan’s lack of inheritance rights.
But now, Old Man Yu, who was usually close to him, had made a grand gesture, donating twenty million.
And in Yu Congyan’s name!
The meaning behind this was clear, it was a move to support the chosen heir!
Yu Xuan felt foolish for trusting this old fox, diligently working for him.
And now, Yu Congyan was the one reaping the benefits!
“I told you, you can’t trust outsiders! The donation was just a misunderstanding…”
Old Man Yu was already annoyed by Xia Wansheng’s actions, and now, with this sensitive topic being brought up, he became even more impatient, his tone reprimanding.
Yu Xuan simply thought he was being deceitful. Who would make such a mistake? This person must be tired of living.
“Yes, empty words, you’re very good at this.” Yu Xuan retorted.
Since everyone was trying to curry favor with Yu Congyan, he didn’t need to consider the consequences of his actions for the Yu Group.
If he just waited passively, he would only watch as the company fell into Yu Congyan’s hands.
It was better to nip it in the bud.
Yu Xuan stood up, ignoring his grandfather, who was fuming.
Constantly flattering this old man was already annoying enough. If it weren’t for his money, he wouldn’t bother with him.
Now, everything was ruined.
Yu Xuan took out his phone and sent a message to Shao Huan, signaling him to launch their plan.
The paparazzi lurking outside the banquet hall were exchanging information:
“I heard Eldest Young Master Yu was supposed to come, but he was delayed by something. Not only was he late, but he was also lectured by the old man, they had a huge argument, both of them looked furious.”
“He didn’t clean up his tracks after his recent actions. You know wealthy families care about their reputation, internal conflicts are bad publicity.”
“I wonder if Eldest Young Master can still return to the core circle.” Paparazzi No. 1 sighed.
“Why bother with him? The Yu family made a high-profile donation in Second Young Master’s name, they’ll probably announce the heir at next week’s press conference.” Paparazzi No. 2 said.
“But he didn’t bring a partner? Didn’t the Yu family say the heir would marry into wealth? Why hasn’t there been any news?”
“He did bring someone, isn’t that his partner beside him? I think it’s Xia Wansheng, I saw him before when I was following his schedule.” Paparazzi No. 1 flipped through his notebook, carefully searching under the dim light, pointing at an entry:
“See, I told you. Xia Wansheng even went to Yu Corp a while ago!”
“Quickly call headquarters, this might be worth something!”
A few days after the family dinner, Lu Mingxi finally confirmed his flight would arrive in City A the day after tomorrow.
During dinner, Xia Wansheng suddenly remembered, “By the way, my friend is coming in a few days, I might have to pick him up at the airport and stay elsewhere for a few nights.”
He thought he would also invite his agent, so they could discuss Lu Mingxi’s future career plans.
Yu Congyan didn’t say anything. Housekeeper Zhang, however, showed his hospitality, “Mr. Xia, we have spare guest rooms in the villa, your friend can stay here.”
He could also observe this friend, male or female, their personality and charm, and assess their potential as a rival for his CEO.
Yu Congyan glanced at Housekeeper Zhang, inwardly praising his initiative.
“That won’t be necessary, my friend doesn’t know about my current situation, explaining things would be troublesome.” Xia Wansheng declined.
He hadn’t forgotten the look of pity in Ji Yang’s eyes when he first arrived at the villa, sighing deeply.
After some adjustment, Ji Yang could now calmly bring him barbecue.
This involved countless attempts at explanation from Xia Wansheng and Ji Yang’s repeated, hesitant attempts to persuade him to return to the “right path.”
Xia Wansheng didn’t want to see Lu Mingxi go through the same process.
“And my friend is quite shy, not very good with strangers.” Xia Wansheng finished, feeling his excuse sounded even more suspicious.
But faced with the disbelieving expressions of both Housekeeper Zhang and Yu Congyan, he didn’t know how to explain further.
He couldn’t just say that the Yu family villa was too big and intimidating, his friend might misunderstand his life choices.
At this point, it was better to just eat.
Lu Mingxi arrived late at night. Xia Wansheng, on his way to the airport, ran into Yu Congyan, who was dealing with jet lag and a video conference with foreign partners.
“It’s so late, you’re going out now?” Yu Congyan asked, holding a cup of coffee.
The ice cubes clinked against the glass, swirling in the bitter liquid.
Xia Wansheng nodded, not noticing the unusual tone in his voice.
“I’m going to pick up a friend at the airport, I won’t be back tonight.”
