Indeed. Zhao Shuncheng’s faith shook a little upon hearing Li Hongyu’s words. She seized the moment and added fuel to her words, “I know… I know that to you, no one is as good as Youlin. I also admit that it’s my fault for not being able to raise a daughter as outstanding as Youlin whom you could be proud of.”
“Mother…!” When Zhao Youxi heard Li Hongyu playing along with Zhao Shuncheng and admitted that she was not as good as Zhao Youlin, she shouted with dissatisfaction.
Li Hongyu turned around and shot her a warning glance. Zhao Youxi sneered and turned her head away. Li Hongyu turned back to face Zhao Shuncheng and just at the nick of time, two lines of tears streamed down over her face. She said with a sad face, “But, I gave birth to your son and daughter. Over the years, I’ve been taking care of the family regardless of big or small matters. Even if I have not contributed much, at least I have worked hard for the family. Now, I’m already old. I’ve lost my youthful beauty. Even my daughter has failed to reach your expectations. There’s no point staying here and displeasing your sight. I might as well bring Youxi to leave this place, look elsewhere and fend for ourselves.”
Li Hongyu was very good at using tricks by retreating for the sake of advancing. Seeing her in tears, Zhao Shuncheng immediately gave in to her. He took Li Hongyu into his arms clumsily and said, “Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. I was reckless and misspoke. Don’t be so rash, take it easy.”
While Li Hongyu was in Zhao Shuncheng’s arms, she thought to herself, ‘Your recklessness is what it takes to reveal your innermost thoughts!’
A sharp look darted across Li Hongyu’s eyes. Yet, she pretended to look clingy, pitiful and aggrieved. She said accusingly, “How can I not be anxious?! Youxi has already been kicked out of Zhao Enterprise. Many outsiders are treating that as a joke. Since you lack someone you can put your trust in to help you out in the company, and Youming is overseas, I thought of letting Youxi join the company so that she could share your burdens and help you to solve problems. Little did I know Youlin would not even want to grant me my little wish and kicked Youxi out without hesitation. She did not even give us any honor. If this were to spread, how disgraceful would it be for Youxi and me to stay in the Zhao family, how shameful are we to continue staying with you?”
Zhao Shuncheng was touched upon hearing Li Hongyu’s words. At the same time, he showed some hints of dissatisfaction toward Zhao Youlin as the discontented feeling sprouted from the bottom of his heart. Finally, when he heard that Li Hongyu was about to get ready to leave the house with Youxi, he got worked up and said, “Indeed, Youlin has gone overboard on this issue. I-I…”
“Shuncheng, you have to help Youxi. As I mentioned earlier, my original purpose of letting Youxi join the company is all because she could share your problems and worries. Now, Youxi has been kicked out of Zhao Enterprise, if this were to spread to the Nie family, they would think that Youxi was the one who made a big blunder. What happens if this results in them forming prejudice against Youxi…?”
Zhao Youxi’s expression changed slightly when Li Hongyu brought up the Nie family. That day when Zhao Youxi threw a great tantrum and smashed most of the things at home, Li Hongyu was coincidentally at home as well. Li Hongyu knew the entire story after she had asked about it from her daughter.
After reprimanding her daughter for failing to live up to her expectations, she had asked her to be tight-lipped about the matter and not tell anyone, including her father.
At that time, Zhao Youxi had been a little puzzled. She knew this was not something honorable to be shared around, and she naturally did not simply mention it to others, that was the reason why she had been so shocked when Zhao Yifei brought up the topic.
Zhao Shuncheng had no idea that his daughter had long been dumped by the young master of the Nie family. Therefore, he thought Li Hongyu’s words were reasonable. He frowned and said awkwardly, “But, the former master is not willing to see me even once. Apparently, he sides with Youlin. What else can I do?”
Li Hongyu pouted her lips. She took the initiative to wrap her arms around Zhao Shuncheng’s and said, “If the former master is not willing to see you, you can look for Youlin herself.”
“Look for Youlin?” Zhao Shuncheng froze. He looked at Li Hongyu in confusion.
“Yes,” Li Hongyu nodded and continued, “Didn’t you mention that the former master has hinted that Youlin is the one who has the right to make the decision? If that’s the case, Youlin plays the key role in this matter. Instead of being rebuffed by the former master, why not go and look for Youlin instead? Perhaps, you still stand a chance to change the situation.”
“But, wasn’t the decision made by Youlin herself? If I go and look for her now…”
“Youlin did it out of recklessness. If you look for her, you’re at least her father as well as her elder, she more or less has to pay her honor to you. On the contrary, if you look for the former master, he might not bother to give you the honor.”
Zhao Shuncheng thought it over and found her words were reasonable. Yet, he had some concern that the matter was not as simple as what Li Hongyu had said.
When Li Hongyu saw Zhao Shuncheng’s hesitation. She pouted her lips and sobbed, “Shuncheng, you have to help Youxi. If possible, I would rather be the one to look for Youlin and negotiate with her. But, you also are aware that she has prejudice against me. If you’re not willing to help Youxi, Youxi has nowhere to seek help from.”
Seeing Li Hongyu’s teary eyes, Zhao Shuncheng’s heart moved. Finally, he gave his consent and said, “Alright, I’ll go and look for Youlin. Don’t cry. I know Youxi and you have suffered grievance in this matter. I’ll have a word with Youlin about the issue so that she could let Youxi return to the company.”
Li Hongyu broke into tears of joy when Zhao Shuncheng agreed to her request.
Meanwhile, Zhao Youxi stood at the side and remained silent. She had been listening to their dialogues. She clenched her fists tightly. The corners of her lips curled up to reveal a sinister smile as she recalled the item that was still in Zhao Youlin’s hand.
‘Zhao Youlin, we’re not finished yet!’
In fact, what the family had planned had proven that they had truly taken things for granted.
The current Zhao Youlin was no longer the same pitiful girl in the past whom they could simply manipulate with. While they hesitated to humble themselves to ask her to take back her words, they did not think if Zhao Youlin was willing to do them a favor in this matter at the end of the day.
Zhao Youlin was annoyed over the daily receipt of anonymous flowers arriving on time at her place. She could not wait to rush back to her house right after her work so that she could find some comfort from her precious son.
As soon as she hugged her huggable and pleasant-smelling son, Duan Yarong pulled her to the side and whispered to her.
“Youlin, I’ve something to discuss with you.”
“What’s the matter?” Zhao Youlin hugged Joy and sat next to Duan Yarong. Zhao Youlin could not help but sit upright when she saw Duan Yarong’s serious look.
“It’s about Joy.” Duan Yarong could see that Zhao Youlin was nervous. Therefore, she smiled as she said, “Actually, it’s nothing big. You don’t have to be so nervous. It’s just that your father and I discussed it two days ago. Joy is turning four years old soon. We think it’s time to enroll him in a kindergarten nearby our house. So, we would like to discuss it with you. Do you have other suggestions for this?”
