After his mother's death, Yu Shulin met his lawyer for the first time.
He watched coldly as Yu Xiu warmly exchanged pleasantries with the man, and he pretty much figured out the shady dealings involved. In his past life, Yu Xiu had been able to use his assets without any scruples, probably thanks in no small part to this lawyer with the sleazy smile. While a guardian could manage a minor's property, using it so brazenly was still beyond the pale.
"Lawyer Zhou, we really trouble you this time."
The short, plump, balding Lawyer Zhou waved his hand with a smile. "It's nothing, nothing. We're all family, no need to be so polite."
"Elder brother is very thoughtful." Zhou Mei smiled gently, giving Yu Bo a little push as she coaxed, "This is your Uncle Zhou, a very powerful lawyer. Say hello to Uncle."
Yu Bo was quite good at saving face for his parents in front of outsiders. Hearing this, he quickly straightened up and called out obediently, "Hello, Uncle."
"Hello, hello. Little Bo looks like he'll go far." Lawyer Zhou was grinning from ear to ear, clearly pleased by Zhou Mei's "very powerful lawyer" comment, and became even more amiable when speaking to them.
After a few more pleasantries, Yu Xiu eagerly brought up the matter of signing. Lawyer Zhou was extremely cooperative, and within a few sentences, the two shook hands amiably, as if they had settled something.
Nestled in the corner of the meeting room, Yu Shulin watched the happily chatting group and spoke up, disrupting the harmonious atmosphere. "Didn't you say someone from my father's side is coming to claim guardianship? Where are they? I want to see them."
The confident smile on Yu Xiu's face froze.
Lawyer Zhou's boasting was interrupted, and he felt somewhat displeased.
"Shulin, why are you suddenly asking about this..." Zhou Mei grew anxious. She didn't know how her husband had previously communicated with Yu Shulin; she was just worried that the large inheritance almost within their grasp might slip away. This matter needed to be settled sooner rather than later. "Look, your uncle and Lawyer Zhou have already reached an agreement. Let's sign first. Those people from your father's side are so bad, what's the point in seeing—"
"Where are they?" Yu Shulin cut her off, his tone hardening as he put on an angry, volatile act. "My mother just died, and those despicable scoundrels are already scheming for what she left me. Damn them! I want to see them!"
Yu Xiu's heart skipped a beat at the words "despicable scoundrels." It took him a moment to realize Yu Shulin was referring to his father's side. He relaxed inwardly, frowning as he stood up to try and placate him. "Shulin, don't get agitated. I know you don't want to see those people from your father's side. They're all bad people who want to take your things. But don't worry, your uncle won't let them bully you. Be good."
"Hmph, jinx, short-lived devil." Yu Bo had disliked Yu Shulin for a while, and seeing him dare to speak to his parents like this, he couldn't help but mutter indignantly.
"Little Bo!" Zhou Mei hurriedly covered his mouth, offering Yu Shulin an awkward smile. "He's just a child, he doesn't understand. Shulin, don't be angry."
Yu Shulin raised an eyebrow. Don't be angry? No, of course he was going to be angry.
He casually picked up the teacup in front of him and hurled it to the floor, then turned a cold, venomous gaze on Yu Bo—a look utterly unlike someone his age. "Who are you calling a jinx and a short-lived devil? Hah, I thought Uncle and Aunt truly cared for me. I never imagined this is how you usually teach my little brother to speak about me. I misjudged you!"
"That's absolutely not it. Your uncle truly cares for you. Don't think that way." Yu Xiu quickly stepped forward, reaching for his arm. "Little Bo was talking nonsense. I'll discipline him when we get home. Shulin, don't misunderstand."
"Deceitful, shameless liars!" Yu Shlin shook off his hand, rushed over to where Yu Bo was, snatched up the exquisite little teapot from the table, and poured all the scalding tea over the documents spread out there. He then raised the teapot, aiming it threateningly at Yu Bo, his expression menacing. "Who are you calling a jinx, huh?"
"You... you..." Yu Bo was terrified by this madman's behavior and the venomous glare, shrinking fearfully into Zhou Mei's embrace, stammering, "Everyone says so! You... you are a jinx! You cursed your mother to death! You... you short-lived devil, short-lived devil..."
Lawyer Zhou was now filled with regret. To show off in front of his distant relatives, he had brought out his most expensive and prized tea set. First, a cup was smashed, and now the teapot was taken... Oh, his precious tea set!
"This... let's talk this over calmly. Don't be rash."
Zhou Mei was also thoroughly frightened. In her impression, Yu Shulin had always been introverted and well-behaved. This time, he seemed even more silent and quiet than when they met years ago. How could he suddenly go berserk like this? She shielded Yu Bo, shooting a look at the stunned Yu Xiu, and echoed Lawyer Zhou's words, "Y-yes, let's talk calmly, don't be rash... Little Bo just likes to talk nonsense. As his older brother, don't hold it against him."
Yu Shulin's eyes flicked over the soaked documents. He nodded with satisfaction inwardly, but his expression grew even more ferocious as he turned to Lawyer Zhou and snarled, "Tell me, when are the people from my father's side coming!"
Lawyer Zhou, his eyes fixed on the teapot in Yu Shulin's hand, hurriedly replied, "Tomorrow. They scheduled for tomorrow morning at ten. You... please put the teapot down first."
Tomorrow? They were coming tomorrow, and Yu Xiu had dragged him here to sign today?
He looked at Yu Xiu, deliberately asking with feigned confusion, "Uncle, they scheduled for tomorrow. Why did you bring me here today?"
"This... that..." Yu Xiu's face twitched as he explained, "I was afraid those people might hurt you if they saw you, so I wanted you to avoid them. You know, you're still young. I did this for your own good."
"Of course I know you did it for my good, Uncle." Having gotten the answer he wanted and scared everyone, Yu Shulin felt a bit better. He tossed the teapot lightly at Yu Xiu's feet, reverting to his obedient, quiet demeanor, and said softly, "Uncle, those bastards actually want to scheme for what my mother left me. I must give them a good scolding tomorrow. It's not about wanting to see them or not; bad people deserve to die... Uncle, who dotes on me so much, will definitely help me, right?"
Yu Xiu looked at his nephew, who kept switching between gloomy and irritable and calm and obedient, and felt an inexplicable tightness in his throat. He nodded, "O-of course. You know your uncle cares for you the most... Let's sign the documents first... Once the guardianship is settled, those bad people won't be able to take you away or bully you. You can scold them to your heart's content. So let's sign first..."
Still not giving up? Yu Shulin sneered inwardly. On the surface, he wore an innocent, obedient expression, pointing at the documents on the table. "But the documents got wet by accident... Let's talk about signing tomorrow. Wouldn't it be more satisfying to give Uncle guardianship right in front of those bad people? Uncle, I'm a bit tired. I'm going home first. Goodbye." After saying this, he gave Yu Xiu a deep look and, amidst Lawyer Zhou's wails over the shattered teapot, left the law firm without looking back.
Yu Xiu couldn't let the duck that had fallen into his hands just fly away, and hurriedly stepped forward to give chase. However, Lawyer Zhou abruptly grabbed his hand, angrily demanding, "Don't even think about running! Your nephew smashed my tea set. Pay up!"
"It's just a tea set, I'll definitely pay! Let go of me!"
"Three thousand yuan. Pay first!"
"What? This thing costs three thousand?"
Yu Shulin closed the elevator door, cutting off the sound of their argument. He looked up at the floor numbers changing incessantly, his expression turning blank once more. Just how foolish had he been in his past life, to have failed to see the wolfish heart and dog's lungs hidden beneath the affection of such a hypocritical and cowardly family?
