The next day, Chu Yuxuan, as usual, prepared fried eggs and warmed milk for breakfast, watching Zhao Yanan eat with affection before sending her to the company with the third brother. Upon getting into the car, Zhao Yanan was surprised to find Xiao Qing in the front passenger seat.
Previously, when she had injured her foot, Xiao Qing had come to her home to take care of her. The burly man often came around to talk to Xiao Qing. During this time, the third brother had been driving her around, and they would chat occasionally. Zhao Yanan wondered if the third brother liked Xiao Qing. Although he adamantly denied it, his endearing mannerisms made it clear he wasn't very good at lying.
Seeing them together now, Zhao Yanan didn't think much of it and merely gave the third brother an encouraging look. Chu Yuxuan then notified the fourth brother to take Li Bin hunting that day while he himself went to Fenghuang Mountain Villa to discuss Ye Yongsheng with Chu Zhiqing.
Not long after they met, unexpectedly, Chu Haoran also came to see Chu Zhiqing. The uncle and nephew did not engage in any formalities; Chu Haoran went straight to the point: "Uncle, I may have caused trouble for you. I came here to apologize."
Then, he looked at Chu Yuxuan and smiled: "Yuxuan, you're here too."
Chu Yuxuan gave a nonchalant reply and then eyed Cui Zhe, who was standing next to Chu Haoran.
Chu Zhiqing, with a smile that was more like a smirk, said: "Haoran, why did you aim your first shot at me? Haha, it makes sense, though. You've always eaten the things you dislike first, leaving the best for last. Good habit, good habit…"
"Uncle, you misunderstand. Whether you believe it or not, I have no intention of declaring war on you. I just want to temporarily balance the power between the three branches," Chu Haoran said as he took a seat, smiling lightly. "Your family is dominant, leaving the first and second branches with no place. Everything I'm doing is for the Chu family."
Chu Zhiqing smiled and then glanced at Chu Yuxuan before sighing softly.
Look at the young master of the first branch, who talks endlessly about the Chu family. Yet, my own son doesn't even glance at the Chu family. I'm afraid that if I take over the Chu family, he wouldn't even want it if I gave it to him for free.
Chu Zhiqing felt a pang of sadness and said: "Haoran, can you give me a hint? Is your coming out related to the old master's wishes?"
Chu Haoran blinked and answered vaguely: "I just don't want the Chu family to fall apart."
Chu Zhiqing smiled and asked: "What about the second branch? What are your plans?"
Chu Haoran replied: "The overseas projects will be given to her. They'll have enough to squander. When the time is right, I'll persuade her to go abroad."
Chu Zhiqing asked: "What does the old master think?"
Chu Haoran was silent for a moment, neither confirming nor denying, only saying: "Please, Uncle, spare her and leave her a way out. We are family."
Chu Zhiqing remained unperturbed: "If she behaves and goes abroad, I won't hold any grudges about past events. I might even sponsor her travel expenses, haha... I just worry she might not listen."
"I'll find a way." Chu Haoran said, then changed the subject: "For now, I think we should figure out how to find Ye Yongsheng."
"I've already sent people to investigate," Chu Zhiqing said, chewing on his words. "Haoran, you're decisive and calculative, but you're still too young."
In the afternoon, after Chu Zhiqing's men had not found any news for a long time, Chu Yuxuan checked the time and went to the company to pick up Zhao Yanan.
The couple had planned to visit Zhao Yunbo in prison today. In the company, Zhao Yanan had been busy from morning until now. She had just sent off a major client and was eating the fast food bought by her assistant, Xiao Mai. Xiao Wei was tidying up the signed contracts on the table and occasionally glanced at Zhao Yanan, who was eating without regard to her appearance, with a touch of sympathy and even a bit of pity. That d*mn flirtatious boss never showed up, leaving all the work for Zhao Yanan. She didn't know if he felt any remorse for his wife.
Just then, Chu Yuxuan pushed the door open. Xiao Wei was momentarily stunned but quickly greeted him and went to file the contracts in the administration department.
Zhao Yanan swallowed the rice in her mouth and looked up at Chu Yuxuan: "Didn't I tell you to wait for me downstairs?"
Chu Yuxuan glanced at Xiao Wei who was walking out and walked over to Zhao Yanan with a smile: "I missed my wife."
Zhao Yanan rolled her eyes and didn't respond. After finishing her fast food and touching up her makeup, she went downstairs with Chu Yuxuan and headed to the prison. Zhao Yunbo, now in a much worse condition than before his imprisonment, was frail and had a dismal appearance. His once sharp eyes were now dull and his figure had withered.
Although Chu Zhiqing had used various connections to ensure Zhao Yunbo was well cared for, physical well-being couldn't alleviate the mental torment of imprisonment. The father and daughter spoke through a glass wall using a phone. After just a few words, Zhao Yanan couldn't hold back her tears. She didn't want her father to see her cry, but seeing the only family member she had in such a pitiful state was like a knife twisting in her heart.
Chu Yuxuan silently comforted his wife. After the father and daughter spoke for a while, he started to join in.
"Dad, you need to rest. Look at those dark circles under your eyes."
"Dad, are you still not used to the food? I'll have Chu Zhiqing think of another way."
"Dad, Yanan has me, so don't worry."
"Dad…"
With Chu Yuxuan's increasingly frequent calls of "Dad," Zhao Yanan managed a smile through her tears: "You're taking advantage of my dad now? Shameless…"
"We're legally married, so your dad is definitely my dad too. How can this be considered taking advantage? Isn't that right, Dad? Look, Dad is smiling now."
Zhao Yunbo looked at his daughter and son-in-law with a smile, feeling quite moved.
Before, marrying Zhao Yanan off to the Chu family was just to ensure her safety; he never expected it would lead to a genuine bond.
But now it seemed his son-in-law was becoming a true son-in-law.
However, thinking of his daughter's mental health, Zhao Yunbo felt a mix of emotions.
After comforting Zhao Yanan, Chu Yuxuan cracked a few jokes and then whispered to Zhao Yanan: "Nanan, could you wait in the car for me? I need to discuss something with Dad."
Zhao Yanan was suspicious: "What do you need to discuss?"
Chu Yuxuan smiled mysteriously: "It's a secret… Be good, just a few minutes, I'll be out soon."
Seeing his determined look, Zhao Yanan did not refuse. After saying goodbye to her father, she went back to the car.
Zhao Yunbo looked puzzled, wondering what trouble Chu Yuxuan wanted to discuss with him this time. The last visit had left him sleepless for ten days.
"Dad, I just wanted to let you know," Chu Yuxuan said, getting straight to the point, "I really like that girl Xiao Qing, so I'm not giving her back to you. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
Zhao Yunbo was stunned for a moment, then nodded and smiled: "Alright, alright. Zhiqing has already given me a heads-up. That girl has had a hard life. Being with you, she can at least live a decent life."
"Decisive, as expected of my father-in-law, my real father-in-law."
Zhao Yunbo:…
Is this how this troublemaker usually talks?
Chu Yuxuan smiled and continued: "Dad, there's one more thing I'm curious about. Are there any other 'Xiao Qings' around Nanan?"
Zhao Yunbo shook his head without hesitation.
Chu Yuxuan stared at him, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.