Bab 52: Chapter 52 Don't talk back
Forty minutes later, two cars arrived at Phoenix Villa.
The courtyard of the patriarch was built at the highest point of the villa, almost reaching the top of the mountain. It was called "Wolong Courtyard," a name that, in ancient times, would likely have led to the execution of one's entire family or at least severe punishment.
The wind and snow on the mountain were much harsher than in the city. As soon as she got out of the car, Zhao Yanan couldn't help but shiver, hunching her shoulders and wrapping her coat tightly around herself, her expression showing a hint of anxiety. Chu Zhiqing glanced at the two luxury cars parked outside the courtyard, smirking slightly as he said to Chu Yuxuan, "Your uncle and aunt are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself." Chu Yuxuan pouted and glanced at Zhao Yanan, saying, "Don't be afraid."
Zhao Yanan nodded slightly, hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly slipped her hand into Chu Yuxuan's arm. As they walked, she asked, "Are you going to get beaten today?" Chu Yuxuan drooped his eyelids, as if his head was still aching, looking somewhat unwell. "What do you think?" Zhao Yanan, feeling uneasy, said, "Don't talk back."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Go to hell... I'm just afraid you'll drag Dad down with you again."
"Dad?" Chu Yuxuan raised an eyebrow, smiling strangely.
Chu Zhiqing was stunned, both surprised and delighted. "Huh? Son, what did you just call me?" Over the years, when had this unfilial son ever called him 'Dad'?
Zhao Yanan: ...
Chu Yuxuan's expression stiffened. "I wasn't talking to you."
Chu Zhiqing felt confused. "Not me? Then who were you talking to?" As he spoke, he inadvertently glanced at the third brother standing next to the G-Class.
The third brother: ...
No way! Aren't you afraid your son will beat the crap out of me?
Chu Yuxuan rolled his eyes. "Let's go, hurry up and get inside; it's freezing."
In the east-side hall, Chu Haoran was holding a bowl of steaming hot meat soup, bowing slightly as he stood in front of the patriarch. "Grandfather, this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup was specially made by a master chef I brought from Guangdong. Please have a taste."
The sharp-tongued aunt glanced up, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "How thoughtful of you!"
The patriarch sat upright, smiling as he said, "My eldest grandson is indeed considerate, going to such lengths. Hehe... but let's set it aside for now; it's too rich for early in the morning."
"Yes!" Chu Haoran took a step back, finally straightening up. He handed the bowl to the maid beside him, warning her, "Be careful, it's hot."
A blush spread across the maid's cheeks. This eldest grandson was always so refined and approachable, making people feel at ease. Unlike the spoiled and domineering young lady of the second house, who had inherited her mother's overbearing nature, never showing the servants a kind face and always scolding them.
As for the playboy of the third house, though rarely seen, whenever one went online, his scandalous news was often there to be found—a prime example of "like father, like son."
The maid was sighing inwardly when, as she turned to leave, she noticed that the second-generation heir she had just been mocking in her mind was now entering the courtyard with his father. By his side was a beauty so stunning that even women found her captivating.
Indeed, people are different. Wealth and poverty differ, beauty and plainness differ. But a woman's natural beauty is just as valuable as a man's wealth and power. The maid thought to herself as she walked past, quietly sighing, "What a perfect match."
Upon entering, Chu Zhiqing bowed his head. "Dad... Brother, Sister, you're here too."
The brother and sister put on a façade of friendliness, smiling and nodding.
Chu Haoran smiled naturally and nodded in greeting, "Uncle."
The patriarch, who had just praised his eldest grandson, still had a smile on his face as he said calmly, "You're here."
Chu Zhiqing responded with a nod, then turned his head to glance at Chu Yuxuan behind him and angrily said, "Why aren't you apologizing to your grandfather yet? You're a grown man, and still act like this!"
The culprit who had stabbed Chu Xiaotian's lung three days ago reluctantly took a few steps forward and knelt down with a thud, twisting his neck as he said, "Grandfather, I'm here to take my punishment."
Zhao Yanan's palms were sweating as she nervously glanced at the patriarch. She then stole a look at Chu Yuxuan's uncle and aunt, wanting to greet them but not daring to speak. In the end, she remained standing still.
The patriarch narrowed his eyes, his face unconsciously clouding with anger. "You little brat, you've really put me in a tough spot, haven't you? Huh?"
"How would I dare? It was purely luck," Chu Yuxuan replied carelessly.
"Oh? Well, aren't you clever!" the aunt sneered. "Zhiqing, I don't think your son can be taught!"
"Aunt, don't laugh too much; it'll add more wrinkles to your face," Chu Yuxuan said in a low voice.
"You ungrateful brat!" the aunt slammed the table, about to explode, but the patriarch stopped her. "Enough! Yapping all morning—are you the only one with a mouth?"
Then, glaring at Chu Yuxuan, he said, "How much face does the Chu family have left for you to disgrace like this? Hmm?"
The patriarch's gaze was sharp as he grabbed his cane and swung it at Chu Yuxuan, making Zhao Yanan's heart skip a beat.
Chu Zhiqing stood by, head down, not daring to intervene.
After hitting him more than ten times, the patriarch finally stopped, angrily tossing the cane onto Chu Yuxuan's back. His tone was icy as he said, "This is my final warning: control your temper, or I'll break your legs!"
Chu Yuxuan knelt perfectly straight, his lips tightly pressed together. His expression could be summed up in three phrases: I know I'm wrong, I won't change, and I dare you to try.
Seeing that he wasn't talking back this time, Chu Xiaotian snorted, sat back in his chair, and turned his gaze to the trembling Zhao Yanan. In a harsh tone, he said, "The Zhao family is still considered a small wealthy family. How did they raise such an ill-mannered girl like you?"
Zhao Yanan trembled violently and quickly took a step forward. "Hello, Grandfather…"
"You still know to call me grandfather? Hmm? Kneel with your man!"
Zhao Yanan bit her lip, just about to comply, when Chu Yuxuan interjected, "Say what you will, but why make her kneel? What is this, feudal times? You didn't even attend our wedding! How is she supposed to know who you are?"
"You insolent fool!" The patriarch slapped him across the face, splitting his lip.
"Yuxuan, just stop talking!" Chu Zhiqing frowned, saying, "Dad, please don't get angry…"
Zhao Yanan hurriedly knelt down, her hands trembling as she grabbed Chu Yuxuan's arm, pleading, "Please, don't talk back…"
The patriarch breathed heavily, "So now you care about your wife? Huh? But when you were messing around, did you care? You're just like your father!"
"And you," the patriarch pointed angrily at Zhao Yanan, "Can't you control him, or are you too afraid to? I heard that you two had a sham marriage. Is that true?"
The sudden accusation of a "sham marriage" made Zhao Yanan shiver.
Chu Zhiqing had repeatedly warned her not to let the patriarch see through the pretense of their marriage. The old patriarch despised nothing more than being deceived by his own family.
Moreover, in a wealthy family, marriage was rarely about love. It was all about interests. Even if the match wasn't perfect, the gap couldn't be too wide, right? Especially since the patriarch loathed the idea of a beautiful face representing the Chu family. To him, the saying "beauty brings disaster" was an unchanging truth—historical examples like Daji and Baosi were living warnings.
Zhao Yanan's beauty was certainly enough to be considered a "disaster," and although the Zhao family was wealthy, it was nowhere near the status of the Chu family. How could the patriarch possibly approve of this marriage? Even though he didn't like Chu Yuxuan, the matter of marriage still concerned the Chu family's face and interests.
Therefore, Chu Zhiqing, knowing he couldn't hide the truth from the patriarch, still had to bite the bullet and conceal it. He only informed Chu Xiaotian about his son's return to the Chu family and his impending marriage the day before the wedding.
That day, the patriarch was nearly driven to a fit, but the invitations had already been sent out, and the guests were all prominent figures in Jiangcheng. There was no room for negotiation. The patriarch had to reluctantly agree but was ultimately displeased, so he didn't attend the wedding and even sent the butler to warn his illegitimate son.Now, with the patriarch still fuming, it seemed
The siblings from the first and second households exchanged a glance and smiled without saying a word.
Everyone knew about the close relationship between Chu Zhiqing and the Zhao family. When the Zhao family fell on hard times, Zhao Yanan married Chu Yuxuan. Although Chu Zhiqing claimed that the two families had long been engaged, he might fool outsiders, but could he really deceive the Chu family?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone