Chapter 990: Just Wanted to Raise a Canary

In the Yu Family’s living room.

Yu Li’s Father sat in the middle, with Mother Yuxiu and Yu Li sitting on either side.

Yuxiu stood nervously in front of the three, with her head bowed as if awaiting judgment.

Xu Shaochen, however, sat opposite the trio without a hint of courtesy: “Not even serving tea? Is this how the Yu Family treats its guests?”

“Get up! Who gave you permission to sit down? Guest? Do you think you’re a guest in our Yu Family?”

Mother Yuxiu glared at Xu Shaochen with sharp eyes, scolding him harshly, then turned to Yuxiu:

“Yuxiu, you’re such a disappointment! Ah Chen taking a liking to you is a blessing for you and the Yu Family! And yet, you ran off with a reckless boy! How could you tarnish the Yu Family’s reputation like this?”

“Auntie, well, out of respect for Yuxiu, I’ll call you Auntie.” Xu Shaochen said mockingly, “Are you sure it was Yuxiu running away with me, this reckless kid? Or was it Zhao Chen fleeing abroad?”

From Mother Yuxiu’s words, Xu Shaochen could tell Zhao Chen had hidden a lot of the truth.

“Shut your mouth! Do you think you have the right to speak here? Ah Chen just went abroad for a business trip! Do you really think you’d still be standing before us if he were here?”

Yu Li’s Father slammed the table, furiously roaring at Xu Shaochen.

Why was the Yu Family’s reaction to this matter so intense?

First, it was for the Yu Family’s dignity.

Second, it was due to their selfish ambitions.

Zhao Lianghe was dead, and Zhao Chen was definitely going to inherit the Zhao Family next. The Yu Family expected to rise alongside them.

But at such a moment, Yuxiu did something like this. How could they not be angry?

It wasn’t entirely their fault. They just knew too little about the Zhao Family’s current situation.

“Really? This Young Master Zhao is indeed a dedicated worker. With his father dead, he still goes abroad for business.”

Xu Shaochen couldn’t help but feel hot with sarcasm. It seemed like this whole family was foolish, believing whatever Zhao Chen said.

“What do you know?! Especially at a time like this, Ah Chen needs to step up and stabilize the situation! With your status and insight, how could you possibly understand any of this? And yet, you, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat, dare to marry my daughter? Pah!”

Yu Li’s Father looked at Xu Shaochen with disdain, mocking him without holding back.

“Exactly! Why don’t you look in the mirror? You think you’re worthy of my sister? Trying to cling onto someone wealthy! You better give up on that idea early!”

Yu Li also glared coldly at Xu Shaochen.

“You’re mistaken. I don’t want to marry your sister. I just want to raise a canary—or a mistress, if you will.”

Xu Shaochen said seriously.

Yuxiu felt utterly humiliated.

“What did you just say? Let me tell you…”

Yu Li’s Father flew into a rage. His daughter could have been a lady of fortune, but now this young brat wanted to turn her into his canary. It was absurd beyond belief.

“Enough! Stop talking!”

Suddenly, Yuxiu shouted.

For a moment, everyone turned to look at her.

“Dad, how can you believe such nonsense about Zhao Chen being on a business trip? He’s already lost everything. Zhao Fei is now in charge of the Zhao Family, and Zhao Chen has slunk off abroad in disgrace!”

“Also, this guy you’re calling a ‘toad dreaming of swan meat’ is Xu Shaochen. Is that clear now?”

Yuxiu was terrified her parents and brother would keep pushing until they dug their own graves.

In an instant, the entire room fell eerily silent.

“Wha… what did you just say?”

Yu Li’s Father looked at Yuxiu in disbelief.

Yuxiu sneered: “I said, Zhao Chen isn’t on a business trip. He’s slunk abroad in disgrace.”

“Not that! I meant him—the person you just mentioned. Who did you say he is?” Yu Li’s Father shook his head and pointed at Xu Shaochen.

Yuxiu said coldly: “Xu Shaochen. Xu Shaochen of the Xu Corporation!”

Yu Li’s Father, Mother Yuxiu, and Yu Li were instantly pale with fear, followed by sudden joy.

“Xu… Xu Shao! Just now I must have gone mad! Please don’t hold it against me! You and Yuxiu are a match made in heaven. Zhao Chen leaving is perfect timing—it clears the way for you two.”

Yu Li’s Father’s expression was full of flattery, like a eunuch trying to please the emperor.

“Yes, yes! It was all our fault for not realizing your greatness earlier. Please forgive us! I’m sure our Yuxiu will be so happy with you.”

Mother Yuxiu chimed in, smiling so warmly that it was hard to believe she’d mocked him just moments ago.

At that moment, Zhao Chen’s fate had already slipped from their minds.

They couldn’t care less about Zhao Chen’s situation now. Even if Zhao Chen hadn’t had any troubles, they’d still be eager to push Yuxiu into Xu Shaochen’s bed.

“Xu Shao, my sister won’t just be your canary. She can also be… be…”

Yu Li stuttered halfway through, realizing his words were inappropriate and not daring to finish.

Yuxiu looked on coldly. Back then, they had sold her to the Zhao Family just like that.

The only difference was that she had had a good impression of Zhao Chen at the time.

“No, no need! You guys are making me nervous, really. After all, I’m just a toad that dreams of eating swan meat. I don’t deserve such high respect. Where does that leave me?”

Xu Shaochen sneered. What a group of weirdos. Yuxiu really had been used as a tool for the Yu Family’s climb to riches.

Yu Li’s Father and the others felt extremely awkward after hearing that. Their faces flushed but still, they forced themselves to fawn over him.

“Xu Shao, it was all a misunderstanding. Just a misunderstanding! If I had known that you were Xu Shao, even with 100 guts, I wouldn’t have dared to speak like that!”

Yu Li’s Father lowered himself completely, smiling so ingratiatingly that it looked like he might lick Xu Shaochen’s shoes.

“Yes, yes! Sis, help us say something!”

Yu Li looked at Yuxiu.

Yuxiu cast a sarcastic gaze at him: “When did you ever see a canary speak?”

The meaning was clear—they shouldn’t hope to use her for their gain anymore.

“Sis, what do you mean by this? Are you really going to forget your family just because you’ve climbed high? What, not just me, but you’re going to stop acknowledging Mom and Dad too? Where’s your sense of family?”

Yu Li acted like a lapdog in front of Xu Shaochen, but toward Yuxiu, he was overbearing once again, high and mighty.

This was a consequence of the Yu Family’s preference for sons over daughters.

“I don’t like the way you’re talking to your sister.”

Xu Shaochen pulled Yuxiu next to him, wrapping an arm around her slim waist, and smiled at Yu Li.

After all.

A canary he raised—a pet that belonged to him—wasn’t something just anyone could bully.