“Yan Yu, it really is you! Why did you resign from the hospital back then? Ever since then, your uncle and I haven’t been able to find you.”
As Yan Yu watched Zhang Huifang and Yan Huabin walking toward her, she was reminded of how they had thrown her out of the house five years ago. Her gaze immediately turned cold.
“Why were you looking for me? To force me to marry Zhang San or Li Xi for money?”
The moment Yan Huabin heard her mocking tone, he exploded in anger.
“What kind of attitude is that? I’m your uncle!”
How ridiculous.
Yan Yu looked at him with unconcealed sarcasm.
“Have you gotten so old that you’ve forgotten? Five years ago, you kicked me out of the house yourself and said I was no longer a member of the Yan Family. So why are you trying to claim we’re family now?”
Of course Yan Huabin remembered exactly what he had done five years ago.
But in his opinion, although he had driven Yan Yu out, she surely still longed for the Yan Family. Now that he was giving her the chance to acknowledge him as her uncle again, she ought to be grateful.
He never expected her to hold such a grudge and accuse him of trying to curry favor with her.
Yan Huabin snorted disdainfully.
“Just look at yourself. Do you really think you’re someone worth currying favor with? Without the Yan Family, you’re nothing. Why would I need to flatter you?”
“Whether you’re trying to curry favor or not, you know the answer yourselves. Since you think you’re so superior, then don’t stand here talking to me.”
Too lazy to waste any more time with them, Yan Yu withdrew her gaze without the slightest trace of attachment and walked toward the road.
She truly had no interest in either of them.
Yan Huabin could see that clearly, and shock filled his face.
Zhang Huifang hurriedly grabbed Yan Yu’s arm to stop her from leaving.
“Yan Yu, don’t go. We’re family. It was just a small disagreement. Don’t be so petty. Your father is gone. You only have us now.”
It would have been better if she hadn’t said anything.
The moment those words left her mouth, Yan Yu felt even greater disgust.
Thinking of the money her father had left her in the bank, she couldn’t help wondering whether he had already foreseen the day she would be driven out of the Yan Family.
If that was the case, then she could not disappoint his expectations.
“Let go.”
Yan Yu mercilessly shook Zhang Huifang’s hand off her arm.
The force nearly sent Zhang Huifang stumbling backward. Fortunately, Yan Huabin caught her from behind.
“That damned girl has no manners at all.”
“I’m going to kill her.”
Yan Huabin was now the president of the Yan Corporation, having inherited everything from his elder brother.
If he truly wanted Yan Yu dead, it was something he could actually accomplish.
Zhang Huifang was startled.
“What are you thinking? We don’t have a daughter. We finally have Yan Yu to send to those business banquets, and now you want to kill her? Has water gotten into your brain?”
Yan Huabin sighed helplessly.
“Judging from her attitude, she’s a stubborn little wretch who refuses to be controlled. She’s exactly like my brother. I don’t believe she’ll be able to please those wealthy patrons.”
“Whether she can or not depends on how I deal with her.”
Twisting her plump hips, Zhang Huifang hurried after Yan Yu and blocked her path once more.
This time, her eyes gradually reddened with tears.
“Yan Yu, in a couple of days it’ll be your father’s birthday. There has still been no news about him all these years, so your grandfather, grandmother, and your uncle have decided to make his birthday his memorial day and hold a ceremony for him.”
“You disappeared for five whole years. But knowing how much your father adored you, I’m sure he wouldn’t blame you. He raised you with so much love and treated you like a little princess. As his daughter, shouldn’t you come home and offer him a stick of incense?”
If it had been the Yan Yu from five years ago, hearing these words from Zhang Huifang would have filled her with guilt, and she would have immediately followed her back to the Yan Family.
Back then, she still had feelings for that family.
Unfortunately…
Yan Yu was no longer the naive, soft-hearted girl she had been five years ago.
Over the past five years, she had struggled on her own while raising the twins she had worked so hard to bring into the world.
She had long since seen through the complexity of human nature.
She had also seen through every member of the Yan Family.
From beginning to end, they had never truly treated her as family.
Why would they sincerely want her to return just to offer incense?
Her father was gone.
His fate remained unknown.
What was the point of going home just to burn a stick of incense?
If anything, she might very well be walking straight into a trap.
“That makes sense. If I have time, I’ll go back.”
Yan Yu answered calmly.
Instead, her response pleased them.
Relieved smiles appeared on both of their faces.
Suppressing the anger inside her, Yan Yu turned and left.
This time, Zhang Huifang did not stop her. She simply smiled smugly.
After Yan Yu had walked far away, she quietly whispered to Yan Huabin,
“Husband, don’t worry. I’ve got Yan Yu right where I want her. She’ll definitely come home to offer incense to your elder brother. When the time comes, we’ll…”
“I know your plan, but we don’t even have a mourning hall at home.”
“If there’s no mourning hall, then we’ll just set one up. Otherwise, Yan Yu won’t believe it.”
“That’s true.”
Then Yan Huabin thought of something, and worry filled his face.
“I never imagined that losing just one business deal would cost me tens of millions. If I can’t make up the losses soon, I’ll have to sell off more of the company’s assets.”
Zhang Huifang snorted.
“It’s all because your parents are so heartless. They definitely have money, but they’re unwilling to help you. Huabin, can you finally see their true colors now? I’m the only one who’s wholeheartedly helping you. I’m willing to do anything for you.”
Yan Huabin sighed.
“They’re scared. They think I’m the one who got my brother killed.”
Zhang Huifang curled her lips in disdain.
“How ridiculous. We only spent a few days thinking it over before those kidnappers lost their patience. Besides, your parents couldn’t bear to pay that much ransom back then either. Now they regret it? What hypocrites.”
…
Yan Yu was standing by the roadside waiting for a taxi when the light before her suddenly dimmed.
A pair of polished men’s leather dress shoes entered her lowered field of vision.
She slowly lifted her eyes and met a pair of long, noble black eyes.
Those eyes carried the composed steadiness unique to a mature man.
“Little Yu, were you bullied just now?”
His words instantly pulled Yan Yu out of her brief daze over his handsome appearance and back to reality.
“Huh?”
She looked at him in confusion before replying,
“No, I wasn’t bullied.”
Jing Mocong’s brows rose slightly.
“I had just gotten out of the car when I saw you arguing with that middle-aged couple outside the office building. They’re clearly not good people. I just didn’t know whether they’d bullied you before I arrived.”
Was he… worried about her?
Realizing that, a faint warmth spread through Yan Yu’s heart.
She smiled.
“They didn’t get the chance to bully me.”
“Good.”
“You’d better not believe anything they said. One look at them tells me they’re plotting against you.”
It had to be said that Jing Mocong had remarkably sharp judgment.
Yan Yu wasn’t someone who could be easily taken advantage of.
“They really are trying to scheme against me, but I’m not going to fall for it.”
Jing Mocong slowly smiled.
“Very good. You’re smart.”
His smile was gentle and full of indulgence.
Yan Yu lost herself in it for the briefest moment before immediately snapping back to her senses.
“I should get going.”
The moment she finished speaking, she got into the taxi without the slightest hesitation and slammed the door shut.
Standing by the roadside, Jing Mocong watched her smooth, practiced series of movements with a gloomy expression.
Suddenly, he braced one arm against the car window, bent down, and his handsome face appeared outside it.
“Little Yu, get out.”