Yu Zhiwan noticed that Xie Jingmo had been busy replying to messages on his phone. Assuming he was handling some work, she finished her meal and got up to use the restroom.
When she came out, she unexpectedly ran into four members of the Yu family in the hallway.
Yu Changde, Tao Shuqin, Yu Shaoze, and Yu Xiangxiang.
Yu Xiangxiang froze for a moment before immediately rushing over with a concerned expression.
“Big Sister, where did you stay last night? Stop running away from home. Hurry up and apologize to Dad and go home! I was really worried about you!”
When Yu Changde saw that his biological daughter had spent the night away from home, his expression became complicated.
But the moment he heard Yu Xiangxiang describe it as “running away from home,” he remembered that Zhiwan had declared she was cutting ties with the Yu family.
His expression instantly turned cold.
How could his own daughter be so unreasonable?
Why couldn’t she be more like Xiangxiang—obedient and filial?
The more Yu Changde thought about it, the angrier he became.
“Xiangxiang, you don’t need to bother with her! Don’t defend her either! And don’t beg her to come home! I, Yu Changde, don’t have such an ungrateful daughter!”
Yu Zhiwan’s gaze turned cold as she looked at him expressionlessly.
“Ungrateful? That’s nothing compared to you, Chairman Yu. You were willing to marry your own daughter off to Gu Chengfeng and personally push her into a pit of fire. You’re worse than an animal.”
Yu Changde froze.
His hands trembled with anger, and his chest heaved violently.
Worse than an animal?
This unfilial daughter actually dared to insult her own father like that!
Who gave her the courage?
Tao Shuqin hurriedly stepped forward and rubbed Yu Changde’s back, then glared unhappily at Zhiwan.
“How can you say something so outrageous? Do you have any respect for your parents at all?”
“You even blocked all of our phone numbers. You’re so willful. No wonder you were raised by your adoptive parents from such a young age. You never received a proper education and don’t even know how to respect your parents!”
Yu Zhiwan’s expression instantly hardened.
Her beautiful features became as cold as frost.
“Mrs. Tao, what right do you have to criticize me? Was being switched at birth my fault?”
“Let me say it again. I’ve already cut ties with the Yu family. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. As for you annoying people, I’ll block you whenever I want.”
Annoying people?
Yu Zhiwan had actually called them annoying people?
Yu Changde became even more furious. He pointed at her and shouted,
“You! You ungrateful daughter!”
Tao Shuqin, however, noticed something else.
Zhiwan had called her Mrs. Tao.
And she’d called Yu Changde Chairman Yu.
“So you’ve become so rebellious that you won’t even call us your parents anymore?” Tao Shuqin asked angrily, unable to believe it.
“Mom…”
Yu Xiangxiang suddenly spoke in a pitiful voice.
“Big Sister must have been too angry and said things she didn’t mean. Please don’t be angry with her.”
Hearing Xiangxiang call her Mom, Tao Shuqin’s heart practically melted.
Although Xiangxiang wasn’t her biological daughter, she was always so considerate and thoughtful.
And she called her Mom with such affection.
If only Yu Zhiwan could be even one percent as good as Xiangxiang!
Yu Shaoze couldn’t stand it anymore.
He immediately strode over to Zhiwan.
“Yu Zhiwan! Was bullying Xiangxiang not enough? Now you’re throwing your weight around with your own parents too! As your second brother, I’ll teach you a lesson today!”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to slap her.
But the next moment, Zhiwan firmly caught his wrist.
She stared at him coldly.
“Yu Shaoze, stop flattering yourself. What kind of ‘second brother’ are you? What right do you have to hit me?”
“You knew perfectly well that I’m allergic to pineapple, yet you deliberately mixed pineapple juice into my drink. Being siblings with someone like you makes me sick!”
Yu Shaoze had failed to land his slap and became furious.
“So what if you’re allergic?! That happened ages ago! Do you really have to keep bringing up the past? You didn’t die, did you? Why are you so petty?”
The moment he finished speaking—
Slap!
Yu Zhiwan slapped him hard across the face.
Yu Shaoze’s mind went blank.
He stood there in disbelief, a clear handprint appearing on his cheek as a burning pain spread across his face.
Yu Zhiwan had actually—
Actually hit him!
And she had hit him so hard!
“Yu Zhiwan!!”
Yu Shaoze roared furiously, his eyes bulging with rage.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”
A mocking smile curled across Zhiwan’s lips.
She looked at him as though he were nothing more than a joke.
“I only slapped you once. You didn’t die, did you? Why are you being so petty?”
Yu Shaoze was speechless.
She had actually used his own words against him.
And he couldn’t even argue back.
His anger had nowhere to go, leaving him red-faced and furious.
Zhiwan couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on these irritating people.
She turned around and walked away.
“Second Brother!”
Yu Xiangxiang finally recovered from her shock and hurried over to Yu Shaoze.
Her eyes were red with tears.
“How could Big Sister hit you?”
Tao Shuqin rushed over as well, looking distressed.
“That Yu Zhiwan is really too much! Shaoze, does it hurt?”
“Mom, I’m fine.”
Yu Shaoze covered his cheek, grimacing from the pain as he glared at Zhiwan’s retreating figure.
Tears shimmered in Yu Xiangxiang’s eyes.
She bit her lip.
“Even if Big Sister was angry, she shouldn’t have hit you! I wish I could have taken that slap for you…”
Yu Shaoze immediately felt sorry for her and wiped away her tears.
“Xiangxiang, don’t say that. Your second brother would never let you suffer even a little.”
Xiangxiang was such a sweet girl.
She was truly his precious little sister.
Yu Changde was absolutely furious.
“That unfilial daughter has really changed!”
In the past, even when he’d torn up her university admission letter—the thing that had hurt her most—Zhiwan had wanted to leave the Yu family.
Yet after Tao Shuqin comforted her, she had eventually swallowed her anger.
She had never dared to treat him so disrespectfully.
But now she had called him worse than an animal and even slapped Shaoze.
Did she really intend to sever ties with the Yu family?
Yu Shaoze snorted.
“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. Yu Zhiwan is only putting on a brave front. She keeps saying she’s cutting ties with the family, but she’s still registered on the Yu family’s household record. If she’s really capable, let her transfer her household registration out!”
Yu Changde frowned deeply.
“I won’t allow her to transfer it. This is ridiculous. If my biological daughter moves her household registration out, people will hear about it and say I failed to raise my daughter properly. It would disgrace the Yu family!”
Just then, Yu Changde’s phone received a message.
He opened it and immediately became delighted.
Tao Shuqin hurriedly asked,
“What happened?”
Yu Changde was visibly excited.
“I just received word that Old Master and Madam Xie have returned from abroad!”
“Shuqin, why wait for another day? Let’s go to the Xie family right now and discuss Xiangxiang and Jingmo’s marriage!”
When Yu Xiangxiang heard this, her face instantly flushed.
“But Father, the marriage agreement with the Xie family originally belongs to Big Sister.”
Yu Shaoze sighed.
“My silly little sister, how could Yu Zhiwan possibly be worthy of becoming the Xie family’s young madam?”
“She grew up in such a poor environment with her adoptive parents. She has no experience, no refinement, and no manners. Apart from having a pretty face, what else does she have? How could Xie Jingmo possibly take a liking to her?”
“That’s right, Xiangxiang.”
Tao Shuqin earnestly persuaded her.
“You grew up surrounded by luxury and are a true heiress. Who else could possibly be worthy of becoming the Xie family’s young madam?”
“Tell Mom honestly. Do you like Jingmo?”
Yu Xiangxiang’s face turned even redder.
She shyly lowered her head.
“Mom, Second Brother, stop teasing me. I’ll follow whatever arrangements you make.”
Seeing her shy expression, Yu Shaoze laughed teasingly.
“Our Xiangxiang is all grown up now. She knows how to be shy!”
“Second Brother, you’re so annoying.”
Yu Xiangxiang stomped her foot coquettishly, but a faint, sinister glint flashed across her eyes.
Big Sister, oh, Big Sister.
What you just did was so foolish. All you’ve accomplished is making the Yu family hate you even more.
See? Even if I take your family away from you and steal your fiancé, what can you do about it?
Yu Changde thought for a moment before asking,
“Shaoze, where’s your older brother? Have him prepare some expensive gifts. Your mother and I are going to the Xie family right now.”
Yu Shaoze looked troubled.
“Dad, Big Brother is at the company. He’s been busy trying to contact Wanyan. She doesn’t want to continue working with Yu Corporation anymore.”
Yu Changde’s expression immediately became serious.
Although Yu Xiuxi was currently in charge of the company, he knew perfectly well how important Wanyan was to the business.
Why had she suddenly decided to stop working with Yu Corporation?
Yu Xiangxiang spoke solemnly.
“Dad, I’m studying fashion design too. Although I’m nowhere near as talented as Teacher Wanyan, if the company needs help, I’m willing to join and help Big Brother shoulder the burden.”
Yu Changde immediately looked pleased.
“My good daughter, all these years of loving you haven’t been wasted! Unlike that Yu Zhiwan, who’s completely useless and only knows how to cause trouble. She can’t even compare to one of your fingers!”
After saying this, Yu Changde turned to Yu Shaoze and reminded him seriously,
“Tell your brother to maintain good communication with Wanyan. He must show her the utmost respect. Teacher Wanyan is our benefactor and, more importantly, our savior!”
Even Yu Shaoze became respectful at the mention of Wanyan.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I know.”
After giving his instructions, Yu Changde turned to Tao Shuqin.
“Shuqin, let’s hurry and prepare the gifts. Then we’ll take them to the Xie family and discuss the marriage!”