Chapter 4: Chapter 4 The Parents with Double Standards
Evening had fallen when Chu Zhiyi was informed to return home for dinner at the Chu family residence.
As she alighted from the taxi and was about to enter the house, she saw a young-looking woman pacing back and forth outside the Chu residence.
Could it be another scandal caused by Zhou Hen outside that had even led the woman to her family's doorstep?
While she was wondering, the woman approached her.
"Is this Chu Heng's family home?" The woman had a delicate and pleasing appearance, a face that was easy to like.
Chu Zhiyi grew even more curious. "You're looking for my dad?"
"Your dad?" The woman's expression became complex, "You are Chu Zhiyi?"
Upon hearing her question, Chu Zhiyi observed the woman subtly.
She was about the same age, had undergone a nose job and double eyelid surgery, and was carrying a handbag of a light luxury brand made of crocodile leather worth a hundred thousand, but her clothes were only worth a few thousand.
Chu Zhiyi had never met this person before.
Yet, she knew who Chu Zhiyi was.
"Who are you?"
The woman sized up Chu Zhiyi as well, envy and resentment flashing quickly in her eyes.
She sneered, enunciating every word, "You'll find out soon enough."
With that, the woman took one more look at the Chu family mansion and left unwillingly.
Chu Zhiyi detected the woman's unwillingness and resentment; she found it utterly baffling.
If this woman was one of Zhou Hen's affairs, she shouldn't have mentioned her dad's name. Could it be that she was her father's lover?
Chu Zhiyi, recalling the times she had seen Chu Heng with other women, felt indifferent and stepped into the Chu house.
Not surprisingly, Father Chu and Mother Chu were fussing over their son Chu Zuo.
He must have just returned from racing, still clad in his racing suit.
Father Chu and Mother Chu were pleading with him earnestly, but Chu Zuo was clearly impatient. Upon noticing Chu Zhiyi's return, his face soured.
"Since you don't trust me to go by myself, then let Chu Zhiyi come with me to race." Chu Zuo pointed at Chu Zhiyi, "I won't cause trouble with her around."
Chu Zhiyi inwardly scoffed.
Yet, Father Chu and Mother Chu took his suggestion seriously. Mother Chu turned to Chu Zhiyi, "From now on, when your brother goes racing, you follow."
Chu Zhiyi walked over and reminded her, "Mom, I'm getting married after my birthday."
"Getting married means you're no longer a member of the Chu family?" Father Chu disapproved of her remark.
"Even if you marry into the Zhou family, you are still a daughter of the Chu family. He is your only brother. If you don't help him, who will?"
Chu Zhiyi had heard such remarks many times before; she no longer bothered to argue in vain and simply nodded faintly.
A smug smile crept onto Chu Zuo's face.
As a child, Chu Zuo had always sensed that he was the most important person in the entire Chu family.
If he ever did something wrong, he just needed to pin it on Chu Zhiyi. Regardless of the actual truth, his parents would surely blame her.
This situation had never changed.
Even after Chu Zhiyi got married, she would still have to clean up his messes.
During dinner, Father Chu had eaten his fill and turned his gaze towards Chu Zhiyi, scrutinizing her, "I heard that because of work, you were several minutes late to meet Auntie Zhou."
That had been when Chu Zhiyi went to try on a dress; she had rushed to the appointment but Mother Zhou had been waiting there for ten minutes already.
"I wasn't late." Chu Zhiyi had already put down her chopsticks and explained, "I was on time when I arrived."
"Don't quibble," Father Chu frowned, "Making Auntie Zhou wait is your fault."
Chu Zhiyi's words got stuck in her throat, unable to go either up or down.
"How did I use to teach you? In the future, you are to marry Zhou Hen. You should always prioritize the Zhou family above all else and not let your personal matters make the Zhou family feel you are neglecting them!"
Chu Zhiyi didn't argue back and pretended to listen deferentially, all while silently criticizing in her mind: 'Wasn't it just a moment ago someone said that even if she married Zhou Hen, she would still be a person of the Chu family?'
"Tomorrow you need to resign from the TV station job and train etiquette at home, properly and sincerely."
Zhiyi suddenly looked up, stayed calm for a long while, and then said, "It might not be possible now."
"Why?"
"Dad, I'm still in my internship period. Only with the internship certification can I obtain my bachelor's degree from the school." Zhiyi's hands, hanging by her sides, gripped the tablecloth tightly, barely controlling the emotions that threatened to burst forth. "I think the Zhou family wouldn't want their future daughter-in-law to be without a bachelor's degree."
Zhiyi spoke with a mix of truth and deception.
The internship certificate from Jiang City TV Station could give Zhiyi an edge, but even without it, it wouldn't affect her graduation certificate.
Before Father Chu could speak, Zhiyi's phone began to ring.
She took out her phone and saw that it was a call from the teacher assigned to her at the station.
"Dad, shall I just clear it up with my teacher now and say I don't need the internship certificate?"
Without waiting for Father Chu to answer, Zhiyi answered the phone and put it on speaker.
"Zhiyi, pause your current interview project. Join me this Friday to interview President Yan of the CE Group."
Upon hearing the words "President Yan," Father Chu immediately looked at Zhiyi.
Zhiyi was about to decline but was stopped by Father Chu, who snatched the phone from her.
Father Chu cleared his throat, "Hello, is this Zhizhi's teacher? I am Zhizhi's father."
The teacher uttered a sound of understanding and chuckled, "Look at me, forgetting this is dinner time. It's only right for Zhiyi to be with her family."
Father Chu started by asking about Zhiyi's current work status at the TV station.
Zhiyi was quite skilled in her field, and even as an intern director, the work she completed was impeccable. The teacher, without excessive praise, affirmed the quality of Zhiyi's work.
Father Chu responded calmly, "That's an overstatement of praise."
"This Friday, our Zhizhi will be there on time for the interview."
"That's good."
Father Chu hung up the phone and returned it to Zhiyi.
"Dress well on Friday and try to make President Yan remember you," Father Chu told Zhiyi.
"It would be best if you could inform Jingting that you are a child of the Chu family. Our company is looking to expand into other industries, and a collaboration with CE Group is the best option."
Zhiyi looked down, hiding the mocking coldness in the depths of her eyes, and compliantly replied, "I'll try my best."
Father Chu handed her a dessert, "I remember this being your favorite. Don't let your brother snatch it from you."
Chu Zuo snorted, "I couldn't care less for such insipid sweets."
Zhiyi said with a smile, "Thank you, Dad."
She tucked into the dessert without any expression while her head was bowed.
Zhiyi never liked sweets.
Never has since she was young.
...
After dinner, Zhiyi offered to return to the place she was currently renting to rest.
Mother Chu frowned, "Not sleeping at home?"
Zhiyi replied with a light smile, "My teacher just sent over some materials. I live closer to the TV station, so I plan to stay up and finish reading them."
"Go back then."
After changing her shoes, Zhiyi left the mansion, and the obedient look on her face disappeared without a trace.
The summer night air was so hot that even the breeze felt scorching. Zhiyi hailed a taxi, which only arrived after a half-hour wait.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone