Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Right after Zhao Shuncheng spoke, Zhao Youlin instantly understood what he had in his mind. Her eyes flashed but did not say anything.
Meanwhile, Duan Yarong, Zhao Shunrong and the rest of their groups’ expressions changed upon hearing Zhao Shuncheng’s words.
“Shuncheng, what do you mean? What do you mean by “return Youlin to you”?” The smile on Duan Yarong’s face had disappeared as she stared at Zhao Shuncheng solemnly and asked him in a low voice.
This was Zhao Shuncheng’s first time seeing Duan Yarong’s dark expression. His heart clenched. A hint of hesitation darted across his eyes. However, the moment he thought of the various benefits that he might receive as soon as Zhao Youlin remarried Mu Tingfeng, his wavering faith was strengthened once again.
“Yarong, don’t look at me like this. No matter what, Youlin is still my daughter, and she’s in my blood. I know you were very close with Suxin and that Youlin looks very much like her mother. I understand why you like Youlin very much.”
Zhao Shuncheng mentioned Zhao Youlin’s mother while observing the changes of expressions on Duan Yarong’s face.
Indeed, right after Duan Yarong heard the mention of Zhao Youlin’s mother, she actually felt enough remorse to waver.
As such, Zhao Shunrong seized the opportunity and lamented, “It’s understandable. However, no matter what, Youlin is still my daughter. The reason why I did not object when my father passed her on to you as your adopted daughter was because you both were childless. Therefore, it was understandable to pass on my daughter to be your adopted child. However, now you guys already have your own son. You should understand the pain of a parent who could not stay together with his child. Therefore, Shunrong, Yarong, I beg you, could you please return Youlin to me so that I could shoulder my fatherly responsibilities once again?”
Zhao Shunrong’s words sounded reasonable and touching. Those who had no context would have thought that he cared about his daughter very much.
However, everyone on the spot knew his temperament very well. The moment they heard his words, they did not feel touched. Instead, they were disgusted. This was especially so for Zhao Youlin.
Ever since the previous Zhao Youlin had committed suicide in the Mu family, Zhao Shuncheng had never shown any concern for her at all. He had never said anything at those times when she had divorced Mu Tingfeng, returned home upon the former master’s request, as well as when she was passed on to Zhao Shunrong and Duan Yarong. Later, Li Hongyu had hired contract killers for attempted murder and nearly resulted in a fatality. Yet, he still remained quiet.
The moment he learned that Zhao Youlin was about to remarry Mu Tingfeng and could seek benefits from them, he quickly rode on her coattails. As such, they felt inexplicably disgusted and annoyed especially after they had heard his so-called touching speech and not forgetting, his banshee-like scream and the attempts to strike Zhao Youlin not long ago!
Duan Yarong furrowed her eyebrows. She felt disdainful over Zhao Shuncheng’s words. However, in her heart, she was disturbed.
As Zhao Youlin and Joy drew closer with them, the fact that Zhao Youlin was not their biological daughter was always a thorn in Duan Yarong’s heart.
What Duan Yarong worried the most was that someone else might make a fuss out of this and now, Zhao Shuncheng was the one who stabbed her in the softest spot. Therefore, Duan Yarong’s expression grew darker. She laced her fingers with Zhao Youlin’s which she had originally grabbed when standing in front of her.
Zhao Youlin felt a trace of unease and pent-up anger from the amount of force exerted by Duan Yarong’s hand. She frowned and held Duan Yarong’s hand as she said in a low voice, “Mother, don’t worry. Let me handle this.”
Duan Yarong was stunned. She cast a glance at Zhao Youlin’s eyes. She looked calmer and nodded. She resumed her usual elegance and cool before she turned around and said, “Shuncheng, what you said made sense. However…”
“However what?”
“However, Youlin is already an adult. It’s best for her to make decisions on her own. It would be futile if she is not willing to obey us no matter how we talk about this, right? As such, I think we should respect her opinion and let her decide on her own. If Youlin is willing, Rong and I naturally have no qualms about it. However, if Youlin is not willing…”
“How could she not be willing? I am her biological father!” Zhao Shuncheng got worked up the moment he heard Duan Yarong’s words. He turned his head around at Zhao Youlin and asked nervously and flatteringly, “Youlin, you are willing, right? I know that I was wrong in the past. I have neglected you. However, it’s all because I have been deceived by Li Hongyu. I never thought that bitch was a two-faced woman. I know that you have suffered ample grievance over the years. It’s all my fault. Give me a chance to repent. I guarantee you that I’ll treat you well in the future and compensate for the past injustices!”
He thought that he could redeem himself from the fact that he had committed adultery and abandoned his family just by confessing to them that he had “neglected” Zhao Youlin and was “deceived” by Li Hongyu in the past.
One had to admit that the way Zhao Shuncheng shirked his responsibilities was truly at a much higher level than his own intelligence.
Zhao Youlin felt sick as she watched the extreme faker. She said faintly, “Uncle, at the end of the day, all you ever want is the engagement gifts from the Mu family, right?”
“Engagement gifts? What engagement gifts?” Duan Yarong and the rest of her group had arrived late. Therefore, they had only heard the part where Zhao Shuncheng had cussed Zhao Youlin for acknowledging an idiot as her father. They totally had no idea of the actual reason why Zhao Youlin and Zhao Shuncheng had argued. The moment they heard Zhao Youlin mention the engagement gifts, they were struck dumb.
Zhao Shuncheng had never thought that Zhao Youlin would state his true purpose of coming before the public. For a moment, he was dumbfounded.
Upon hearing Duan Yarong’s question, Zhao Youlin grinned. She looked teasingly at Zhao Shuncheng, whose expression had instantly changed, and snorted, “Mother, Father, Uncle did not come here just to accuse me of not informing him about my wedding. In fact, he did not care when I would remarry Mu Tingfeng, or if I ever informed him about the news. What he truly cares about is that how many engagement gifts the Mu family is willing to give to our family and if all the gifts would go into his own pockets.”
Right after Zhao Youlin said so, Duan Yarong and the rest of her group instantly understood the entire story.
In just a moment, the atmosphere inside the office turned extremely bizarre.
Zhao Shuncheng’s face turned red as he glared at Zhao Youlin. He panted and looked to be truly in a fit of rage.
Duan Yarong and Zhao Shunrong’s expressions had darkened. There was a hint of disgust and hostility from the way they looked at Zhao Shuncheng
Did the rascal think that Youlin was an object that could be exchanged for money based on her weight in pounds?!
Zhao Youlin saw Zhao Shuncheng’s reaction. There was a hint of guile and cunningness in her almond-shaped eyes as she smiled briefly. The next moment, she smirked and blurted out a surprising remark, “Uncle, actually you could have all the engagement gifts..”
