Having obtained Xie Lianqing's forgiveness, Xu Qingqing felt as if a weight had been lifted, carefree and light. She happily enjoyed herself the entire evening at the banquet before returning home with her grandparents.
However, a few days later, when Xu Qingqing got up in the morning for breakfast, she saw Xu Changshan present in the Xu family home. And it wasn't just him; even Bai Yaxiu, her daughter, and Lin Donghan had come.
Xu Qingqing immediately found it strange. It was one thing for Xu Changshan and his own family to come to the Xu house, but why was Lin Donghan here too? Could it be that he and Bai Youlan were together now?
Xu Qingqing looked at the people waiting on the sofa and asked, "What are you doing here?"
It had been so long since she last saw Xu Changshan that she had almost forgotten his existence.
However, she and Xu Changshan mutually disliked each other. Unless there was a specific matter, they generally didn't interact or converse. So, this time Xu Changshan's visit to the Xu family's old residence was most likely not to see her.
But that didn't stop her from disliking the sight of Xu Changshan and the others. Xu Qingqing thought perhaps she had gotten out of bed on the wrong side today; otherwise, how could she have attracted these odd people, ruining her mood first thing in the morning.
After sitting down to eat, Xu Qingqing casually threw that question at Xu Changshan, completely ignoring Bai Yaxiu, Bai Youlan, Lin Donghan, and the others in the room. Since she found this group of people more detestable than the last, it was naturally best to pretend she didn't see them.
Xu Changshan was extremely displeased with her behavior of ignoring his wife and Bai Youlan. He instinctively wanted to scold his daughter, but considering what he planned to do later, he forcefully held back.
He looked at Xu Qingqing, who was eating, and questioned her in a dissatisfied tone, "Look at you, what kind of state are you in, getting up so late. I'm asking you, where are your grandparents?" He had called his parents early in the morning, but no one had answered.
Seeing him standing inside, not knowing how long he had been waiting, Xu Qingqing kindly reminded him, "I don't know. But Grandma goes out for a walk early in the morning, and Grandpa made plans to go fishing with Grandpa Zhao and the others today. They probably won't be back until noon. You should come back then."
Because of the presence of Xu Changshan and the others, Xu Qingqing had no appetite for her meal. She quickly finished her milk, jumped up from her chair, and said, "Nanny Wang, come quickly and see the guests out!"
Since her grandparents weren't home, even if she chased Xu Changshan and the others out, there would be no one to reprimand her.
Seeing Nanny Wang actually get up to respond and prepare to usher them out, Xu Changshan instantly couldn't take it anymore: "Xu Qingqing! Just listen to how you're speaking! This is the Xu family home. I can come whenever I want. Do you dare to throw me out?"
Bai Youlan chimed in at just the right moment, softly advising, "That's right, Qingqing. This is also Daddy's home."
Xu Qingqing, however, looked at her with great interest. What first caught her eye was, of course, the ever-present system mission text above the other's head.
[Beautiful Life System Binding in Progress]
[Obtained Luck Points: 6/100]
[Overall Mission Progress: 60/100]
[Mission Reward: Inherit Ten Billion Fortune, Achieve a Beautiful Life]
Perhaps it was Xu Qingqing's imagination. Possibly because her luck points were too low and her missions kept failing, the system text above Bai Youlan's head was no longer the brilliant golden yellow from their first meeting. Instead, it seemed somewhat dim and listless.
It seemed luck points were very important to both the system and Bai Youlan.
Xu Qingqing's mind was racing, but her gaze only swept lightly over Bai Youlan's head, not lingering long enough for the other to notice.
Yet, Bai Youlan still felt a strange sensation. Just as she was about to say something to her system, she saw Xu Qingqing stroking her chin and saying to her, "Bai Youlan, you still have the mood to play the innocent white lotus now? I heard you just got out of the police station and are being denounced by everyone online..."
The weak expression on Bai Youlan's face instantly froze, caught in an awkward state. She was so angered by Xu Qingqing's few words that her eyelids twitched.
Xu Qingqing added with a grin, "Looking at you acting as if nothing's wrong, it's strange. How come I never noticed before how thick-skinned you are."
She had heard that after Bai Youlan was released from the investigation, she had a huge falling out with the Lin family too. Yet now she was acting like nothing happened.
Lin Donghan was the first to lose his composure. He opened his mouth, seemingly eager to say something in defense of his beloved. However, Bai Yaxiu pinched Xu Changshan's arm, as if to say, "Look at the daughter you raised."
Prompted by his wife, Xu Changshan immediately felt he had lost face. He lowered his voice and said angrily to Xu Qingqing, "Xu Qingqing, watch your words! Youlan is, after all, your sister!"
Xu Qingqing rolled her eyes and said, "If you're sick, go get treatment. I'm my mother's only child. Stop fantasizing and assigning me siblings all the time."
What kind of sister was Bai Youlan to her? A sister from different fathers and mothers? Xu Qingqing realized that after not seeing him for a few days, Xu Changshan's ability to disgust people had actually grown stronger.
Seeing her arrogant attitude, Xu Changshan, reminded of what Bai Yaxiu had told him some time ago, felt extremely uncomfortable.
He shouldn't have let his parents take Xu Qingqing away to raise back then. At the time, he only thought about not wanting to see Xu Qingqing anymore, leaving her at home to annoy his wife and himself. He never considered that if she didn't live under his watchful eye, there was a high chance she wouldn't submit to his discipline.
Now that Xu Qingqing's wings had hardened, she increasingly disregarded him, her father.
Not only that, but Xu Changshan also harbored a secret, petty thought. If Xu Qingqing hadn't been taken in and raised from childhood by Old Master Xu and his wife, perhaps they wouldn't dote on her so much.
Thinking of the 10% company shares Xu Qingqing received for her birthday some time ago, Xu Changshan felt very displeased. When he married Bai Yaxiu, the old master and his wife had forced him to transfer a portion of his shares to Xu Qingqing. Now, her shareholding was even greater than his. It was unclear who was whose elder.
While Xu Changshan was silent, Xu Qingqing, without even looking, could easily guess all the petty thoughts swirling in his mind.
Over the years, Xu Changshan had always been muddle-headed where he should have been shrewd. He wasn't very capable himself, but he was narrow-minded, especially when it came to maintaining his dignity as a 'father.'
Xu Qingqing had faced a lot of trouble from him over these matters since she was little. She didn't know who Xu Changshan took after. Neither her grandparents nor her aunt shared any similarity in personality with him.
Once, after reading a novel about rich and poor daughters who were switched at birth, Xu Qingqing had a wild idea and seriously asked her grandparents, "Could it be that Xu Changshan was switched at birth?"
This speculation of hers could be considered somewhat rebellious. She had thought her grandparents would lightly scold her for such wild thoughts.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, her grandfather gravely went to his study, took out two paternity test reports from a drawer, which showed a 100% match between Xu Changshan and Chairman Xu and his wife.
Recalling this past event, Xu Qingqing also felt like sighing heavily, just as her grandfather had back then.
If only Xu Changshan weren't the real deal. Even if that meant she wasn't her grandparents' biological granddaughter, it wouldn't matter.
Xu Qingqing was very disappointed. She looked at Xu Changshan, who was brewing with anger not far away, and cut him off before his rage could erupt, saying, "What are you all standing here daydreaming for? Since you don't want to leave, let's get straight to the point. Say what you need to say, and then everyone can go home."
From the moment they arrived until now, every time Xu Changshan wanted to scold her, he had forcefully stopped himself mid-sentence. Based on Xu Qingqing's years of experience dealing with him, she guessed he was probably concocting some lousy idea again.
And it was likely one that required a favor from her. Like last semester, when Xu Changshan had demanded she plead for Bai Youlan, to let her change her surname to Xu...
Xu Qingqing had it all figured out.
She clapped her hands and said frankly to Xu Changshan, Lin Donghan, and the others, "I assume you all know how much I dislike you by now, so be considerate and say your piece quickly before you leave. I won't be keeping you for lunch today!"
Xu Changshan was so angry his chest heaved: "What kind of way is that to speak!" He was deeply dissatisfied with Xu Qingqing's attitude.
Bai Yaxiu couldn't wait to chime in: "Qingqing, your temperament hasn't changed a bit all these years. Of course we came to see you for a proper matter. You don't know, but your sister and Donghan are getting engaged."
Bai Yaxiu felt smug. Throughout her announcement, she stared unblinkingly at Xu Qingqing, hoping to find a look of jealousy or shock on her face.
Even though Xu Qingqing had some premonition, she was still startled by the news: "What? How did those two end up together?!"
In the original book, Bai Youlan had never been with Lin Donghan from start to finish, and there was certainly no engagement plot.
Furthermore, Xu Qingqing remembered that in the book, Bai Youlan liked Xie Lianqing and had gone through great lengths for him, ultimately without success.
Although the events in the book couldn't be entirely trusted, the last time Xu Qingqing used Xie Lianqing's account to contact Bai Youlan late at night, the other girl's reaction hadn't seemed completely disinterested.
To think that in the blink of an eye, not only were they together, but they were actually getting engaged—the progress was way too fast!
Actually, just as Xu Qingqing thought, Bai Youlan didn't want to get engaged so early either. But due to the recent issues with material and product seizures, the Lin family was very dissatisfied with her now. Only Lin Donghan remained steadfastly by her side.
Old Master Lin had even threatened her, both openly and covertly, wanting her to get engaged to the Lin family. She knew exactly what he was thinking—nothing more than believing she still had some use and wanting to tie her to the same boat.
However, Bai Youlan's clear understanding was useless. She had little capital now, the Lin family she was cooperating with was pushing urgently, Lin Donghan was going with the flow, and Bai Youlan, having to complete her tasks, could only cooperate with the Lin family. Caught in a dilemma, she gritted her teeth and took this step.
So, when it came to the engagement, compared to the warm and sweet Lin Donghan beside her, Bai Youlan's expression wasn't very good. In her originally envisioned future, her fiancé should have been a more outstanding male lead or supporting character, not just a Lin Donghan.
But only Bai Youlan and Xu Qingqing in this room knew the truth. Everyone else, hearing Xu Qingqing's surprised voice, thought she was displeased.
Xu Changshan also misunderstood her meaning, frowning as he said, "Why on earth shouldn't they be together? Youlan and Donghan have long had feelings for each other. This is just a natural progression."
Hearing him lecture her with such pretense, Xu Qingqing, for once, didn't get angry. She nodded, deep in thought, and said, "I didn't say they can't be together. I'm just a bit surprised."
Xu Qingqing thought about it and realized this wasn't entirely impossible.
In the original book, Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan had smooth sailing, especially Bai Youlan, who stepped on Xu Qingqing to build her persona, with fans all over the world, men and women alike, all adoring her. If things had really followed the plot, by now she should have been a big star on stage giving an acceptance speech for Best Actress.
Yet, in reality, Bai Youlan kept stumbling into pitfalls, bringing trouble on herself, and was no longer that public goddess and contemporary film queen. Nowadays, she was practically notorious, resorting to partnering with the Lin family in business to rehabilitate her image.
So, Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan being together didn't seem entirely impossible.
...But if Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan are engaged, then what about Xie Lianqing?!
According to the plot from that dream the other day, this book was a male-oriented novel. If Bai Youlan didn't end up with Xie Lianqing, could she still be considered the female lead?
Xu Qingqing was slightly troubled for a moment, but then quickly dismissed the thought. It was best if Bai Youlan wasn't the female lead; that way, she wouldn't have to worry about the other girl taking over the Xu family and bankrupting her later.
Xu Qingqing was lost in thought for too long. Xu Changshan endured it for a while before he couldn't help but glare at her: "Your sister is getting engaged, and you have nothing to say? Xu Qingqing, your grandparents have spoiled you rotten. You're so selfish and cold-blooded towards your own family..."
In the past, Xu Qingqing would definitely have argued with Xu Changshan, adding fuel to the fire of his high blood pressure. But right now, her mind was completely occupied with Bai Youlan being written out of the female lead role.
Xu Qingqing thought about it and felt what Xu Changshan said made some sense. Two of the people she hated most in this life were getting together. It would indeed be somewhat impolite of her not to do something.
So, with a solemn expression, she reached out, clasped her hands in a fist salute towards Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan, and said gravely, "Respect. Best wishes!"
She hoped Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan would be locked together forever, never to part!
The more Xu Qingqing thought about it, the happier she became, feeling that her posture when waking up today had actually been quite good. To receive such good news not long after waking up made even an idiot like Xu Changshan seem somewhat more tolerable for a moment.
Xu Qingqing's "respect and best wishes" left everyone in the room stunned. Especially the parties involved, Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan, who had originally come to gloat. They couldn't shake the feeling that her words weren't meant kindly, leaving them feeling very awkward.
Xu Qingqing couldn't care less about what these people were thinking. She turned and shouted loudly to the butler in the room, "Uncle Zhang, do we have any firecrackers left at home? If not, tell the driver to go buy a couple of strings. We'll set them off later to celebrate."
Xu Changshan was stunned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
He had thought Xu Qingqing would object. After all, the Lin family was her maternal family. Even if she was currently at odds with them on the surface, Lin Donghan and the others were still related to her by blood—a bond that couldn't be severed.
Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan had come today to visit her parents. Xu Changshan had specifically come early to warn Xu Qingqing, to tell her not to interfere.
After all, given how the old couple doted on Xu Qingqing, if she got involved, what Youlan and Donghan wanted to do would most likely fail.
Even Bai Yaxiu was confused.
Xu Changshan's earlier actions had been deliberately instigated by her, just to annoy Xu Qingqing.
Although the Lin family was facing some difficulties this time, on the surface, they were still undeniably a wealthy family. As long as her daughter married into the Lin family, she would become a young mistress of a wealthy household, and in the future, she wouldn't be much worse off than that wretched girl Xu Qingqing.
For Bai Yaxiu, this was a moment of triumphant vindication. So even though she knew her in-laws didn't care for her, she deliberately came along with her husband and daughter.
Moreover, the Lin family did have some lingering feelings for Xu Qingqing, so it was the perfect opportunity to have her husband provoke Xu Qingqing into losing control and throwing a fit.
Love often thrives on opposition; the more others try to interfere, the more stubborn and determined the people involved become. By then, when their future son-in-law saw how Xu Qingqing was obstructing them, he would only feel more heartache and protectiveness towards her daughter.
However, Bai Yaxiu hadn't expected that Xu Qingqing seemed genuinely sincere in her blessings for Lin Donghan and Bai Youlan, showing not a trace of jealousy or anger...
Xu Qingqing looked at their guarded, displeased gazes and laughed. "Why are you all looking at me? One's foolish, the other's wicked, they're a perfect match for each other. Quite complementary."
Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan's expressions instantly turned ugly, while Xu Changshan felt his blood pressure spike again. "Xu Qingqing, you have absolutely no sense of propriety when you speak!"
"What are you all doing here?" Grandma Xu finally returned. Seeing her son and daughter-in-law, she frowned. "Didn't I tell you not to come unless it's necessary?"
Every time she saw her foolish son, she'd be so angry she couldn't eat for days.
Furthermore, whenever Xu Changshan took the initiative to visit the old house to see her and the old man, it was mostly because he wanted something—and what he wanted was usually nothing good. As a result, Grandma Xu got a headache and wanted to frown the moment she laid eyes on her son.
Upon seeing his mother, Xu Changshan immediately swallowed the words he was about to hurl at Xu Qingqing and changed his tune. "Mom, what kind of talk is that? You and Dad are here, it's only right for me to visit... But this time, I also wanted to discuss something with you. It's about Youlan."
Hearing the first part of her son's sentence, Grandma Xu's frown eased slightly, but then it quickly deepened. "Bai Youlan?"
Only then did she notice that Bai Yaxiu, her daughter, and even Lin Donghan had all come—the whole family neatly assembled, only missing the child, Xu Tianbao.
The last time they had shown up this completely, aside from New Year's, was when Xu Changshan came a while back to ask for shares for Bai Youlan and Xu Tianbao.
Grandma Xu didn't even need to think hard to guess that this kind of thing was instigated by Bai Yaxiu and her daughter. After all, Xu Changshan's motives were easy to figure out. He was her son; what difference did it make whether he got the shares sooner or later? He wasn't in a hurry at all.
The only one in a hurry was Bai Youlan, who wasn't even a Xu by blood.
She'd heard that later, Xu Changshan even gave some shares from his own company to Bai Youlan. Whether in wealthy families or ordinary ones, his treatment of this stepdaughter could be considered quite good.
Unfortunately, Xu Changshan didn't realize that because of this, he had lost the greater for the lesser and had been excluded from the will by her and the old man.
Thinking of these things, Grandma Xu couldn't help but sigh. She truly didn't know what kind of spell the Bai mother and daughter had cast on her son, making him neglect his own daughter and wife to dote on someone else's daughter instead.
If Xu Changshan had directed even a fraction of the attention he gave Bai Youlan towards Xu Qingqing, the father and daughter wouldn't have become so estranged and hostile.
However, no matter how many times Chairman Xu and his wife had spoken about it, it was useless. In the end, they could only let their son, Xu Changshan, go his own way.
Xu Changshan completely failed to notice his mother's disappointment and was saying, "Youlan is going to be engaged to Donghan here. Youlan, come over and let your grandmother see you... So, Old Mr. Lin plans to pick a day to discuss the wedding arrangements with you and Dad."
Grandma Xu was aware of Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan's relationship. She even knew that it was because of that Bai girl that the Lin family had foolishly severed ties with her own granddaughter.
She was old and shrewd; she saw things clearly. That Bai Youlan girl had plenty of tricks up her sleeve.
Just talking about those strange products, how could a young girl like her keep them hidden for so long, only quietly collaborating with the Lin family when her entertainment career hit a dead end? If the product quality hadn't had issues this time, the Lin family and the Bai mother-daughter pair probably could have ridden a wave of success.
It was just a pity for her own foolish son. He wholeheartedly considered Bai Youlan's interests, yet when she sought a business partner, she chose the Lin family without even considering him...
Grandma Xu watched coldly as her son played the fool, being led around by the nose by this mother-daughter pair. Alongside her frustration at his failings, she felt a surge of anger.
Harboring these complex emotions, she listened half-heartedly as her son talked about Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan. But when he uttered his final sentence, her voice suddenly rose sharply in disbelief. "What do you mean, come to discuss the wedding with me and the old man?!"
Grandma Xu could no longer remain calm. That Bai Youlan girl wasn't part of their Xu family. If the Lin family wanted to marry her off, they could just do it. What did it have to do with the Xu family? And they actually wanted to come discuss the wedding arrangements with her and the old man!
Hearing this, Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan, who were standing to the side, immediately looked rather displeased. Especially Bai Youlan; her face paled, her expression crestfallen and dejected.
Lin Donghan silently took her hand, patting her back in a protective and considerate gesture. Hearing Grandma Xu's words, he couldn't help but feel even more pity for his fiancée, thinking how miserable her years in the Xu family must have been.
Lin Donghan recalled visiting the Xu home a few times before and realized he'd never noticed that Chairman Xu and his wife were such unkind people. If he had known earlier, he could have treated Youlan even better.
Bai Youlan held her fiancé's hand, looking up at him. The two exchanged a quiet gaze, deep affection evident in their eyes.
Watching the two of them being all lovey-dovey right in front of her, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but cover her eyes and shout towards the kitchen, "My eyes, my eyes!!"
Everyone: ...?
The atmosphere was instantly shattered. Whether it was Grandma Xu confronting her son, the smug Bai Yaxiu, or Bai Youlan showing off affection with her fiancé—everyone felt a wave of awkwardness.
Lin Donghan's comforting gesture towards his fiancée halted, leaving him momentarily unsure whether to continue.
Xu Qingqing was still putting on an exaggerated performance. "Where's my eye drops? Who has so little public decency, being all lovey-dovey in someone else's house? It's an eyesore!"
Lin Donghan's face turned green with anger, and he finally couldn't hold back. "Qingqing, Youlan is also a child of the Xu family. She is also Uncle Xu's daughter."
Hearing this, Xu Qingqing stopped her act.
Her expression changed abruptly. She picked up a porcelain bowl from the table and flung it straight at Lin Donghan, who was still speaking.
Her gaze turned sharp, as if she had become a different person. "Get out!"
Anyone else could say such things, anyone else could try to disgust her—but the Lin family had no right!
The porcelain fell to the floor with a sharp crack.
No one had expected Xu Qingqing to suddenly fly into such a rage, not even Grandma Xu. She knew her granddaughter; although she was spoiled and liked to act up, she rarely lost her temper so violently. Her mischief was usually more like playful, coquettish teasing.
Seeing Lin Donghan hadn't moved, Xu Qingqing said, "Get out! Don't tell me you want me to hand out 'family background information pamphlets' at your and her engagement party?"
Xu Qingqing said coolly, "If Grandpa Lin doesn't mind the embarrassment being known nationwide, I don't mind helping you air all this dirty laundry."
"What's going on here?" Old Master Xu came back carrying a fishing rod.
Seeing the porcelain shards inside the room and sensing the tense atmosphere, Old Master Xu pursed his lips. Without a word, he used the fishing rod in his hand to whack Xu Changshan. "Well done! I'm sure this is your doing again!"
Xu Changshan had just been startled by Xu Qingqing. While Xu Qingqing disliked him, thanks to the upbringing provided by Chairman Xu and his wife, she usually only directed sarcastic barbs his way and had almost never resorted to physical violence.
Xu Changshan was still in a daze, pondering whether he should step forward and reprimand this utterly rebellious daughter, when his father, who had just walked in, gave him a smack on the head with the fishing rod.
He covered his head, complaining aggrievedly, "Dad! Why are you hitting me?"
Old Master Xu widened his eyes, acting quite domineering. "I'm hitting you precisely because you're an unfilial son, bringing all sorts of riff-raff into our home!"
Xu Changshan said helplessly, "This time it's for serious business! It's about Youlan and Donghan, and also you and the Lin family."
Hearing Xu Changshan mention that little girl Bai Youlan gave Old Master Xu a headache, let alone adding the Lin family and Lin Donghan into the mix. It was like stacking negative effects, multiplying his discomfort.
He didn't know what kind of madness had possessed his son, and he felt powerless to deal with it. So, he waved his hand, picked up his fishing rod and bucket again, and headed back out, muttering, "Forget it, forget it. I'll leave this house to you all. I'm going back to fishing."
As a father-in-law, it wasn't proper for him to meddle in matters concerning his daughter-in-law or the daughter she had brought through adoption. He might as well leave it to his own wife to handle.
Anyway, he absolutely refused to discuss Lin family matters with that fellow Lin Donghan. It just didn't sound like anything good!
Old Master Xu made his escape swiftly, leaving Xu Changshan no time to stop him.
Seeing the old man dump the matter on her, Grandma Xu was also displeased. She immediately prepared to get up and leave as well. If the old man could go fishing, she could go out to play mahjong.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Lin Donghan quickly spoke up to stop them. "For my and Youlan's engagement this time, my grandfather hopes to discuss it with you, Grandma Xu. Our two families have collaborated for so many years and were once related by marriage. Why can't we let bygones be bygones now and become even closer, joining our families?"
From Lin Donghan's perspective, he felt genuinely wronged.
He didn't have much affection for his aunt anyway; he had only visited her a few times before she passed away. If he had felt some sadness when she died, over a decade had passed, and he could barely remember what she looked like now, let alone harbor any hatred towards Bai Yaxiu.
Moreover, Bai Youlan was just Bai Yaxiu's daughter; it wasn't as if she had caused his aunt's death. To be precise, Bai Yaxiu had at most disrupted his aunt's marriage. His aunt's death was due to her own health issues; it wasn't caused by Bai Youlan either.
So, initially, when Lin Donghan first got together with Bai Youlan, he occasionally felt guilty. But as time passed and more people found out, he cared less and less about the matter.
Seeing his expression and attitude, Xu Qingqing suddenly didn't want to watch anymore.
She knew that the Lin family probably all thought the same way as Lin Donghan now. It was ridiculous that she had ever felt soft-hearted and conflicted because of these so-called relatives.
After listening to Lin Donghan, Grandma Xu shook her head, sighed, and said, "Donghan, you're not a child anymore, so we'll speak frankly."
Grandma Xu said thoughtfully, "Although Youlan is Changshan's daughter, when it comes down to it, she has no real connection to our Xu family. Your grandfather and the others can discuss this matter with Xu Changshan. There's no need to involve us."
Bai Youlan's breath hitched. Lin Donghan's face suddenly turned very ugly.
The Lin family had suffered significant losses due to the recent seizure (closure) incident. They had sold off some of the land they had bought for building factories and paid a hefty fine, barely managing to extricate themselves.
Although their 'Spring Water' product, developed in cooperation with Youlan, was still profitable, it was no longer the phenomenal success it was a month ago. Now, it was just operating at a normal level.
After losing customer trust last time, the reputation of 'Spring Water' had also declined considerably. While the brand still held value, it could no longer bring in money hand over fist.
With their valuable project depreciating and other products not yet ready to fill the gap, the Lin family found themselves short on funds. It was then that Old Master Lin suddenly remembered Chairman Xu and his wife. He had heard that a project they withdrew from not long ago had received investment from the Xie family and was now steadily progressing and turning a profit, with reportedly very promising prospects.
Old Master Lin wasn't delusional enough to think they could re-enter that project. Besides, all their money was now tied up in the cosmetics industry, leaving no funds to reinvest elsewhere.
But that didn't stop them from wanting to mend relations with the Xu family. Fortunately, they now had this connection through Youlan. With Bai Youlan holding so many valuable formulas and good things, the Lin family didn't believe the Xu family would remain unmoved.
The Lin family had thought it all out perfectly, even feeling rather magnanimous. After all, they could have kept all the benefits from Bai Youlan's contributions to themselves, but due to their financial issues, they were willing to reconcile and let the Xu family have a share of the pie.
As for their previously strained relations with the Xu family and Xu Qingqing, the Lin family simply chose to overlook it. In their eyes, when there was money to be made together, past grievances should naturally be laughed off.
So, Lin Donghan now arrived confidently with his future father-in-law to visit Chairman Xu and his wife. This visit wasn't just about seeking their approval for his and Youlan's marriage; it was also a peace overture from the Lin family.
However, what Lin Donghan and the others hadn't anticipated was that the Xu family truly didn't seem to care in the slightest. The entire family even acted like they couldn't wait to avoid them, as if the Lin family were some poor relatives coming to climb the social ladder.
Lin Donghan was left embarrassed, standing stiffly in place, momentarily wondering if the Xu family was simply out of the loop and had no idea about the things Youlan possessed and their value.
So, he deliberately said, "Grandma Xu, you might not know, but because Youlan learned medicine formulation techniques from a passing old man when she was little, the formula and materials for our 'Spring Water' product line actually came from her."
Wanting to make the Xu family understand Bai Youlan's importance, he enthusiastically explained, "Many people recognize the effectiveness of 'Spring Water'; it's very beneficial for the body. If you're interested, Grandma Xu, we can bring some for you on our next visit."
Grandma Xu expressed surprise, "'Spring Water'? The 'Spring Water' that failed inspection and got shut down last time?"
"I heard you even got into trouble because of that stuff. I hope nothing serious happened?" Grandma Xu's expression was one of astonishment, but her words carried a subtle hint of disdain and rejection, causing Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan's faces to darken.
Xu Qingqing, who had been watching the drama unfold from the sidelines, couldn't help but admire her grandmother's acting skills. She hadn't realized Grandma was so adept at infuriating people.
On the other hand, Xu Changshan couldn't stand by and watch. He stepped forward to defend his future son-in-law and daughter. "Mom, you don't understand. That was an accident caused by employees cutting corners. The current products are absolutely fine. Yaxiu and I have been drinking it for a long time, and our sleep has been getting better and better."
Grandma Xu immediately composed her expression and shot him a glance. "Did I ask you to speak? Step aside."
Xu Changshan: ...
Xu Changshan was a middle-aged man himself. Being scolded by his own mother in front of his daughter and son-in-law made his face flush instantly. He felt embarrassed, yet dared not retort to Grandma Xu.
Bai Youlan clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms.
Hearing Grandma Xu's blatant disdain, she gave a short laugh and finally couldn't help saying to Xu Changshan, "Forget it, Dad. In Grandma's heart, there's only Qingqing. It was my wishful thinking."
Xu Changshan frowned, unusually disapproving. "Youlan, where did you hear such news..."
Lin Donghan couldn't listen any longer and stepped forward. "Uncle Xu, don't you know? Youlan couldn't bear to tell you. Last time when we went to the notary office, we overheard people discussing... It seems Chairman Xu and his wife have stated in their will that the entire Xu family fortune will be left to Xu Qingqing in the future."
He hesitated, then said gently, "There's nothing left for you or Tianbao anymore."
Xu Changshan was dumbfounded, shocked. "Impossible! Who told you such nonsense..."
He was his parents' only son. How could they possibly bypass him and leave everything to Xu Qingqing?
Grandma Xu watched coldly as Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan performed their duet. Hearing this, she couldn't help but sneer. "I thought you were going to say something serious. Is that all?"
Under Xu Changshan's stunned and shocked gaze, Grandma Xu raised her head high and said, "Yes, that's right."
"What?! Mom, what do you mean?" Xu Changshan had never imagined that Bai Youlan's previous warning was actually true. His own parents could really be so ruthless!
Even Bai Yaxiu, standing to the side, widened her eyes in fright.
Although they had long known the old woman was biased, they never expected her bias to reach such an extreme—to leave the entire family fortune to Xu Qingqing, not even leaving a share for Xu Changshan!
If Xu Changshan got nothing, what would happen to her Tianbao?
Bai Yaxiu was already panicking. As for Xu Changshan, after the initial shock and disbelief, a brief flash of anger was quickly replaced by a deep sense of fear and helplessness, as if abandoned by his parents.
His mouth opened and closed, finally mumbling, "Mom, how could you do this to me?" He was her son!
Weren't parents supposed to always love their children?
Xu Changshan's eyes reddened. All these years, he had never disobeyed Chairman Xu and his wife. Even when they told him to step down as CEO, giving his position as the Xu family heir to his younger sister, he hadn't complained.
Every time his parents called to scold him over Xu Qingqing's matters, he hadn't dared to utter a word.
He never thought his parents could go this far, unwilling to leave him anything at all!
Seeing him like this, Grandma Xu felt both heartache and a twinge of guilt. She wanted to say something to him, but upon seeing Bai Yaxiu, her daughter, and Lin Donghan in the room, she swallowed her words.
She averted her eyes from her son, deliberately speaking in a gruff tone. "It's your own fault for not listening."
She told him not to get divorced, to treat Lin Jiangxue well. He didn't listen.
She told him not to marry Bai Yaxiu, to raise Qingqing properly. He didn't listen.
She told him to focus on serious matters, to be good to Qingqing, not to indulge Bai Yaxiu and her daughter. Still, he didn't listen!
For over a decade, he refused to listen to anything. What could she, as his mother, do?!
It wasn't that Grandma Xu didn't feel pain, but facing such a stubborn son, she truly had no other choice.
She didn't look at Xu Changshan, just said, "You should leave. Don't come back unless there's something important."
The room fell into an unusually heavy silence. Bai Youlan had initially wanted to add fuel to the fire, but seeing her stepfather's reddened eyes and dazed expression, she moved her lips and ultimately said nothing.
This was the first time Xu Qingqing had heard about this as well. She rarely involved herself in such matters, and her grandparents wouldn't have actively told her.
Although her grandparents had always joked with her, saying the Xu family would be left to her, and Xu Qingqing had joked about kicking Xu Changshan out...
Now, hearing that Xu Changshan would truly get nothing... Seeing the expressions on both Xu Changshan and Grandma Xu's faces, she didn't feel vindicated or happy. Instead, a sense of unease crept in.
Holding a pillow alone, she quietly shrank down, cowardly trying to hide herself behind the sofa.
After a long silence, it was finally Bai Youlan who spoke. "Mom, Dad, let's go. We'll live better than them in the future."
After all, once the mission was complete, the entire Xu family would be hers.
Bai Yaxiu, thinking her daughter was referring to the company she had co-founded with the Lin family, felt slightly better, her indignant expression easing a bit. "You're right."
She couldn't even be bothered to pretend to bid farewell to Grandma Xu. Angrily, she took her husband, who seemed to have lost his soul, and walked out.
Once outside the Xu residence, while Lin Donghan went to get the car, Bai Yaxiu pulled her daughter aside and whispered, "Did the Lin family's company really give you half the shares?"
Bai Youlan pursed her lips and nodded.
To avoid complications, she hadn't told Bai Yaxiu and Xu Changshan that she possessed many secret formulas and that it was actually the Lin family seeking her cooperation. She merely said Lin Donghan liked her and, because she contributed one formula, gave her half the shares.
When Xu Changshan heard this, although he felt some regret that Bai Youlan hadn't involved him in developing the 'spring water,' he considered his own lack of capital compared to the Lin family and let it go.
Bai Yaxiu, long immersed in the life of a wealthy socialite, didn't ponder the complexities either. She simply believed her daughter's charm was so great that she had Lin Donghan, the future heir of the Lin family, completely besotted, willing to give her shares as a token of his love and support.
Bai Yaxiu felt quite experienced in this regard, as she had captured Xu Changshan the same way, making him insist on marrying no one but her.
So, Bai Yaxiu patted Bai Youlan's hand, proud and relieved. "That's good."
Although the matter of the Xu family inheritance infuriated her, at least she didn't have to worry about her daughter's future now.
Bai Youlan looked at Bai Yaxiu with some complexity. She had thought her mother would ask her to share some shares with Xu Tianbao.
After all, with Xu Changshan now excluded from the Xu family inheritance, the little he had wouldn't go far for the few of them.
Actually, Bai Yaxiu did have that thought. But she wasn't foolish. With Lin Donghan right there, what would he think if she said such a thing? He liked her daughter, not her little brother.
Moreover, Bai Yaxiu's focus remained largely on the Xu family fortune. In her mind, Xu Tianbao was the Xu family's sole male heir of his generation. How could he not inherit the family business?
So, she decided to come back and make a scene with the two old fogies later, determined to wear them down until they changed their minds.
Xu Changshan remained silent the entire way, his eyes vacant, his demeanor seeming to have aged several years in an instant.
Even if he was a failure, being acknowledged as utterly useless and abandoned by his own parents would still fill him with fear and a profound sense of loss.
But even now, he doesn't know exactly where he went wrong. Perhaps he made too many mistakes, leading his parents to be utterly disappointed in him.
If he had listened to his parents' advice back then and not married Bai Yaxiu, would things have not come to this? Or if his business acumen had been more outstanding, making it impossible for his parents to easily replace him as the heir, wouldn't his current situation be less awkward...?
Xu Changshan let out a sigh. Thinking about this now is useless anyway.
After Lin Donghan, Bai Yaxiu, and her daughter left, Xu Qingqing stood by the window watching their car disappear, then immediately scampered back to her grandmother's side and asked, "Grandma, do you think they'll come back again?"
She really hoped they wouldn't be like Lin Donghan said. If Old Master Lin really came to propose marriage at their home, Xu Qingqing would be absolutely disgusted.
Her mother is so wonderful; how can the Lin family all be so repulsive?
Grandma Xu sighed and teasingly quipped, "If he comes, can't you just not open the door?"
Xu Qingqing had a sudden realization and immediately prepared to tell Nanny Wang not to open the door for the Lin family in the future.
Although she had mentally prepared herself long ago, now that the day had truly come where she had almost severed ties with her son, Grandma Xu's heart still ached.
Seeing Xu Qingqing running around the room, Grandma Xu rested her forehead in her hand and bowed her head without speaking.
Seeing her like this, Xu Qingqing felt uncomfortable too, so she said, "Don't worry, Grandma. When I inherit the family business, I definitely won't kick Xu Changshan and them out onto the street!"
Anyway, she didn't want that villa anymore; she could leave it to them.
Hearing her words laced with petty scheming, Grandma Xu instantly laughed. But after laughing, she felt even more melancholy.
In truth, she and the old man hadn't completely failed to consider Xu Changshan.
No matter how incapable he was, he was still their child. They couldn't have the whole family living in luxury in mansions, leaving only their own son and grandson to scrape by.
After changing their will, Chairman Xu and his wife specifically left a trust fund for Xu Tianbao within the family fund. Several hundred thousand per month—while not enough for extravagant spending—was sufficient to live comfortably without worry for food and clothing.
Grandma Xu coaxed Xu Qingqing, saying, "I'm tired, Qingqing. Play by yourself." With that, she went upstairs.
On the stairs, she squinted, looking out the window at the departing figures of Xu Changshan and the others.
Her son had been so gullible, trusting that Bai mother and daughter for so many years. Now that things had reached this point, and she had publicly stated she would sever ties and not give him any money, he was bound to suffer a bit.
But by then... it would be too late for any talk.
And Xu Qingqing was still unaware of her grandparents' private considerations, but even if she knew, she wouldn't care. A few hundred thousand a month, just a few million a year—Xu Changshan usually spent more than that on food, drink, entertainment, and buying a yacht.
Besides, the money belonged to her grandparents. Whoever they wanted to give it to was none of her business.
Xu Qingqing had a very reasonable definition of her own identity: she was a slacker. The Xu family's money was all earned by her grandparents and her aunt. Since her aunt hadn't said anything about her grandparents' decisions, it was even less her place to speak up.
Xu Qingqing was currently in her room, happily calling Xie Lianqing to share what happened today.
After giving a rough rundown of the day's events, she eagerly asked, "What do you think I should wear to Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan's engagement party?"
After hearing about the day's events, Xie Lianqing's expression was inscrutable. Yet, upon hearing his girlfriend's question, he found it both funny and exasperating.
Who would have thought that after so much had happened today, she was still thinking about attending the Lin family's engagement party, not even afraid they might throw her out.
Xie Lianqing didn't answer, but Xu Qingqing figured it out herself quickly. "Black!! I'll wear black!" she declared.
Under Xie Lianqing's gaze, Xu Qingqing said excitedly, "I'll wear a full black dress, with a black veil and gloves, to create a solemn, funeral-like atmosphere!"
Just thinking about her entrance—solemn-faced, dressed head-to-toe in black—and the looks on Bai Youlan's, her grandfather Xu Changshan's, and the others' faces, Xu Qingqing felt it would be absolutely spectacular.
She even found herself, for the first time ever, eagerly hoping Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan would get engaged soon, wishing for that day to come quickly so she could put her plan into action!
She asked Xie Lianqing excitedly, "What do you think of my idea?"
Xie Lianqing hesitated for a long moment before finally saying, "Well, it's... very creative."
It took considerable effort for Xie Lianqing to find a complimentary angle for such a mischievous idea from his fiancée.
Xu Qingqing completely ignored him, lost in her own fantasy.
She had almost envisioned the scene at Bai Youlan's engagement party when she quickly added, "I also need to find twenty bodyguards. Remember to lend them to me then."
Xu Qingqing didn't know if Xie Lianqing had twenty bodyguards. But it didn't matter. If he didn't have enough, she could borrow some from Zhou Chenyu, Le Jiaojiao, and the others to make up the number.
Xie Lianqing frowned. "Why so many bodyguards?"
In a tone of astonishment and disdain, Xu Qingqing said, "Are you stupid? If I make such a scene, they'll definitely want to hit me."
Xie Lianqing laughed. "...So you do know you might get hit."
Xu Qingqing paid him no mind, lying on her bed feeling very pleased with herself.
There was no way she would actually get hit.
Besides having the bodyguards protect her, she planned to have them all wear black suits too. Then, each holding a bullhorn, they would loudly and repeatedly play the "Funeral March" throughout the venue.
She would also lead them in holding up banners, shouting slogans, and standing at the wedding venue handing out flyers to every guest, educating them about the relationship between Bai Youlan and Lin Donghan.
When it came to being delightfully wicked, Xu Qingqing was a natural-born genius.
Of course, once she attended the engagement party, she wouldn't leave easily. The reason for bringing so many bodyguards, besides distributing flyers, was to ensure she wouldn't be thrown out.
Just thinking about the magnificent feat of handing out flyers at Bai Youlan's wedding filled Xu Qingqing with satisfaction.
Suddenly remembering something, she said to Xie Lianqing, "Consider yourself lucky."
Back when she dreamed that Bai Youlan would end up with Xie Lianqing, she had planned to use this trick first at Bai Youlan and Xie Lianqing's wedding... Who would have thought she'd get to use it first at her own cousin's wedding?
But it didn't matter. A hero can find a stage anywhere.
Xie Lianqing, still unaware he had dodged a bullet: ...
