CHAPTER 213: 192: WEDDING BANQUET RUINED - BREAK WITH YUAN LI_3

"Mom, this isn’t as simple as you think. Even if Brother Yan pulls some strings, at most, Dad will get his sentence reduced by two years."

"Impossible! Back then, I was able to get bailed out. Why can’t your dad? Is Chen Yan just refusing to help?"

Completely irrational, Yuan Li had completely forgotten the difference between tax evasion and illegal business operations.

Her mind was consumed by a single thought: Yu Baisheng must get out this time, or else this family is finished.

Yu Xinman, feeling pain from being gripped too tightly, impatiently pushed her hand away and broke free: "Mom, can you calm down for a bit?"

However, this shove only made Yuan Li’s expression grow colder. She looked at her daughter with disappointment: "Yu Xinman, that’s your father!"

From start to finish, she didn’t see a single trace of worry or urgency on Xinman’s face, as if this matter had nothing to do with her.

And this? This wasn’t the reaction a biological daughter should have.

Yu Xinman crossed her arms, her pent-up resentment erupting in that moment: "I’d rather not have a father like him!"

"Smack—"

A slap landed on the girl’s cheek.

The air turned disturbingly silent, the atmosphere dropping to a freezing point.

Yu Xinman’s delicate skin bore a visible mark. She brushed aside the strands of hair blocking her vision and suddenly laughed.

"Xinman, Mom didn’t mean to." Yuan Li, realizing her actions were too extreme, hurriedly drew her hand back, regretfully rubbing her forehead.

"Did you think saying ’I didn’t mean to’ would excuse it? With parents like you, I truly feel pathetic for myself."

"Pathetic? Yu Xinman, ask yourself: if it weren’t for me and your father, would you have the life you live now? Would you have caught the Chen Family’s eye?"

It’s true what they say—no one knows a daughter better than her own mother. How could Yuan Li be unaware of what Yu Xinman was thinking now?

It was merely because she had the Chen Family’s status to rely on, and Chen Yan’s affection as her fallback option, that she dared to speak so recklessly.

Yu Xinman let out a mocking laugh, pulled out the black card given by that man from her bag, and tossed it onto the bedsheet: "Now, I owe you both nothing."

With those words, she didn’t spare a glance at the woman who had lost all her warmth and grace, but turned and left.

Yu Cheng’an, who had silently watched everything unfold, awkwardly scratched the back of his head and picked up his backpack: "Mom, I’ll go talk to her. You should get some rest."

The successive sounds of doors closing felt like sharp, piercing knives slicing into Yuan Li’s heart, each strike an agonizing pain.

"People get bolder when they have money." She picked up the cold, unfeeling black card, flipping it over and over, as if she were trying to stare a hole into it.

The person who truly felt pitiful should’ve been her.

*

*

"Sis, wait for me." Yu Cheng’an chased after the resolute figure at the hospital entrance.

He affectionately linked arms with her, his face full of concern: "Are you okay? Does your face still hurt?"

Whatever ulterior motives might lie behind his sudden concern, Yu Xinman couldn’t be bothered to expose them anymore.

This family was just like that—everyone put on masks, everyone only cared about benefits. Utterly hypocritical.

Suppressing the messy thoughts in her mind, she took a deep breath and put on her best demeanor: "I’m fine. When are you going back to school?"

"Tomorrow. When will you introduce me to your fiancé?" Yu Cheng’an grinned mischievously, his earring gleaming brightly under the streetlamp.

He was still so carefree, as if the troubles at home couldn’t touch him at all. This, in a way, was something Yu Xinman envied.

"Next time."

"Sure, I’ll meet him sooner or later anyway."

"..."

The siblings chatted aimlessly, with Yu Cheng’an casually probing for details about Chen Yan and the Chen Family.

Upon hearing just how wealthy the Chen Family was, he began forming his own plans.

"Sis, now that you gave Mom the black card, do you still have money on you?" Yu Cheng’an looked concerned, as if he were genuinely worried for her.

But little did he know, his tricks had been seen through long ago.

"I do. Do you have enough for your expenses?" Yu Xinman wasn’t interested in beating around the bush; after all, it was only about money.

As long as she asked, Brother Yan would give her anything.

"It’s alright, but I’ve been wanting a high-spec computer lately, and I don’t have enough money right now."

"I’ll transfer fifty thousand to you."

"Really? Sis, you’re amazing!" Yu Cheng’an was just shy of bursting into laughter.

If he had known asking for money was this easy, he would’ve come back earlier.

"It’s only proper. If you need more in the future, just let me know." Under his admiring gaze, Yu Xinman curled her lips into a faint smile.

This round, both siblings walked away satisfied.