Chapter 83: By What Right

The Binhai Chu family and the Xiaojia family in the western suburbs were both reclusive clans, known together as two of the five great reclusive families of Huhai. Over the past decade or so, as the Xiao family’s numbers dwindled, the Chu family’s strength gradually surpassed theirs, faintly taking the lead among the five. Of course, the strength referred to here was not overall power, but rather prowess in cultivation; with the Chu family’s flourishing lineage, they naturally boasted more masters than the Xiao family.

For reclusive families, the only true measure of strength was the number of innate masters. The Chu family had as many as five, while the Xiao family, even counting their retainer Wang Qiyi, only had two—making the disparity obvious at a glance. Although Xiao Fusheng was known as the strongest among the five families, in the end, he was just one man.

Others might fear the influence of the Xiao family, but to the Chu family, who stood as their peers, there was no reason to show deference. In fact, in private, they even found amusement in the Xiao family’s misfortunes. With no heirs to carry on the line, and their sole scion a wastrel who idled his days away, it was clear that the Xiao family’s future was headed for decline. Once Xiao Fusheng was gone, the Xiao family might no longer be worthy of standing among the five great reclusive families of Huhai.

Chu Jinghui was the third young master of the Binhai Chu family. More precisely, he was a widower, having lost two wives. Yet when the family forced him to marry a widow, he was deeply displeased. He had no right to inherit, but finding a good wife was hardly difficult for him—why should he settle for secondhand goods? In the end, the family head promised him a share of the family stock, and only then did he agree.

In his eyes, marrying a man like him was the widow’s fortune, and she ought to accept it with joy. He never expected Fang Yujia to treat him as she did, saying he was unwelcome and even calling for security to remove him.

“Hmph!” Chu Jinghui snorted coldly. “There’s no need for security. I’ll leave on my own. But don’t come to regret this later!”

The Fang family was eager to curry favor with the Chu family, and now the Xiao family had signaled their willingness to allow Fang Yujia to remarry. This was no longer her choice. Chu Jinghui was curious to see just how much power Fang Yujia thought she had—how could she possibly defy the will of three families? In the end, she would have no choice but to submit.

With those words, Chu Jinghui strode from the reception room without a backward glance.

Fang Yujia paid his threat no mind. Regret? Why should she regret anything?

“Young Master Chu, wait!” Zhang Lan shot Fang Yujia a glare, then hurried after Chu Jinghui with a sycophantic smile. “Yujia is young and doesn’t know her place, please don’t take it to heart. I’ll talk to her—she always listens to me.”

“If she listens to you, all the better. I’ll be on my way. Talk to her first,” Chu Jinghui replied, pressing the elevator button as the doors slowly closed behind him.

Once the elevator was gone, Zhang Lan’s face changed; the makeup could no longer hide her wrinkles, and anger twisted her features.

She returned to the reception room and closed the door, leaving just herself and Fang Yujia.

She was perplexed. In the past, Fang Yujia had never been particularly easy-going, but neither was she quick to anger. Why today did she seem ready to explode at the slightest provocation?

“How can you talk like that? He’s the third young master of the Chu family! Do you know what kind of family the Chus are? They are the most powerful reclusive family in Huhai, real estate tycoons—and you spoke to him like that. Do you know how much effort our family spent to secure a good marriage for you?” Zhang Lan fumed, her tone sharp. If this marriage failed, the Fang family would suffer enormous losses.

“You’ve already taken care of my marriage once. There’s no need to do it again,” Fang Yujia replied coldly to her mother.

Her mother’s words were all too familiar—just as when she’d been pushed to marry the third young master of the Xiao family: talk of a good match, of happiness, as if it were all for her own good.

Two years ago, she had not understood, but gradually she came to realize that the Fang family cared nothing for her happiness. She was nothing more than a bargaining chip, her marriage a transaction for profit. To put it bluntly, she was being sold.

After learning all that Xiao Cheng had done for her, her entire outlook on life shifted. If someone else could risk their life to make her happy, then why couldn’t she pursue her own happiness? She would never accept an arranged marriage again.

“How can you say that? Everything I do is for you! If I don’t worry about your marriage, who will? Do you want to spend your life as a widow in the Xiao family? You know what their situation is—their only heir is a good-for-nothing who does nothing but cause trouble and bully others. The Xiao family is finished!” Zhang Lan tried to reason with her, believing it was the truth. With the Xiao family in decline and the old master giving his blessing, there really was nothing to hesitate over. While Fang Yujia was still young, she ought to remarry. The Chu family’s standing surpassed even the Xiaos—the match was a perfect deal.

But she failed to notice the growing storm on her daughter’s face.

She could say what she liked about others, but slandering Xiao Cheng was a step too far. How could Xiao Cheng be worthless? He had done so much for her—no matter his faults, he was better than most.

“You just want to sell me again. Why dress it up with such fine words?” Fang Yujia’s anger boiled over.

It was the first time she had ever spoken so directly to her mother. The first marriage had already felt like a betrayal, but she had excused it for the sake of family ties. Now, confronted with a second attempt to sell her, even the faintest bond of affection vanished. She even began to doubt if Zhang Lan was truly her mother. If she was, how could she act this way?

And now, speaking ill of Xiao Cheng—on the one hand, a mother willing to sell her a second time; on the other, a younger brother-in-law who risked his life to save her. What right did Zhang Lan have to judge Xiao Cheng?

Having finally spoken these words, Fang Yujia felt a wave of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted. After years of suppression, she had at last voiced her true feelings.

“You—!” Zhang Lan was shaking with rage, and raised a hand as if to slap her daughter. Fang Yujia’s words had struck at the heart of the matter, stripping away her last pretense and leaving her furious.

Fang Yujia did not flinch, but calmly raised a hand to block the blow.

“This is not up to you. I’ve already made arrangements; next spring, you will marry into the Chu family!” Zhang Lan insisted.

“Why should I? If the Chu family is so wonderful, you should marry into it yourself!” Fang Yujia retorted.

“Because I am your mother!” Zhang Lan’s anger threatened to overwhelm her.

She had thought that while Fang Yujia might resent such matters, she would not be so stubborn; that with some gentle persuasion, she would agree. She had not expected this level of resistance.

Looking at her daughter now, she felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. Was this really the obedient child she had always known? In the past, Fang Yujia would never have spoken so rebelliously. What had changed her so completely?

“I have no mother like you!” Fang Yujia’s voice was calm now. Having spoken the words she had bottled up for two years, her heart felt lighter; she saw things more clearly. As she said this final sentence, a sudden thought struck her.

She stared intently at Zhang Lan, then deliberately tested her, “Actually, I’ve long known that I’m not your real daughter.”

Zhang Lan, still caught up in her anger, was momentarily stunned. How could Fang Yujia possibly know? How could that secret have come out?

“How could you not be my daughter? No, no, you are my own flesh and blood. I overreacted, it was my fault—I shouldn’t have shouted at you,” Zhang Lan’s demeanor changed in an instant, her anger replaced by a contrite smile.

Seeing how quickly Zhang Lan’s mask shifted, Fang Yujia’s heart sank. Her instinctive guess had been correct. From Zhang Lan’s reaction, she knew—she truly was not her biological daughter.

There was no point in continuing. Fang Yujia had no desire to argue further.

“I was just speaking in anger. Please, leave me alone for a while,” Fang Yujia said, then left the reception room.

Hearing that Fang Yujia spoke out of anger, Zhang Lan relaxed a little. She must have been too anxious—when she adopted Fang Yujia, the child was only a few months old. How could she possibly know the truth? Not even the old master of the Fang family knew; only she and her husband ever had.

Knowing she could not push too hard, Zhang Lan let Fang Yujia go.

Back in the CEO’s office, Fang Yujia shut the door and leaned against it as a single tear slid down her cheek. She was not Zhang Lan’s daughter—then who was she? Was everything in her life a lie? Was she truly an orphan? No wonder Zhang Lan was so heartless—willing to sell her once, and ready to do it again.

She had always thought herself lucky, growing up with parents, siblings, a family. But now, looking back, it was all false—she had no parents, no siblings, nothing at all. A wave of helplessness swept over her.

She sat down slowly, hugging her knees, and wept in silence. In all the years of her life, she had only cried once before—when she wept for Xiao Cheng. This was the second time.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. She picked up her phone and dialed a familiar number.

“The number you have dialed is powered off. Please try again later…”

In this sudden upheaval, the first person she thought of was none other than her brother-in-law, Xiao Cheng. Yet his phone was unreachable.

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[Rolling on the floor, begging for votes and support…]