Chapter 57: Uncle Becomes A Beast

Ding Jialing had followed Zhong Yu Bai for many years. No matter who he was negotiating or cooperating with, he had never seen his boss make a mistake or show fear.

What was a young Zhong Yu even worth?

He dared to challenge Zhong Yu Bai’s overarching plans, thinking he was adequately prepared. Little did he know, just lifting the threshold had him complying immediately. He probably wanted to refuse but didn’t have the ability to do so.

Ding Jialing wondered if it was because Zhong Yu was too intimidated by Zhong Yu Bai that he lost his composure momentarily. But the way he was acting made it clear he had made no progress.

Ding Jialing scoffed internally. It wouldn’t matter if he practiced for five years; even fifty years wouldn’t be enough!

He let out a whistle, glancing at the young master beside him, striding out with an air of indifference and arrogance.

Zhong Yu Bai was calm and carefree in front.

His presence at this reunion dinner was purely for show.

No matter how the performance turned out—whether it ended with Cixi punishing the performer or Wei Xiaobao capturing Ao Bai—it had nothing to do with him.

He came home to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival without caring about endurance or any hidden agendas. Since he was here, he might as well enjoy it. He simply thought, since the younger generation enjoyed watching, he would let them.

“Everyone’s here, why isn’t anyone singing?” Zhong Yu Bai looked at the Zhuang Ling Pavilion across the pool; the stage was still empty.

A round table in the pavilion was filled with Zhong family members.

Chi Ying had brought Zhong Danting, and Zhong Heng’s father, Zhong Jing, was also there. He worked as a puppet director at Boyang, with a relaxed job, but he worried a lot about matters of romance and had already started to show some gray hair. Upon seeing Zhong Yu Bai, Zhong Jing warmly called him over to sit.

Zhong Yu Bai scanned the room and noticed that Xue Jinyun was absent.

Chi Ying smiled and said, “We were waiting for you; who would dare perform without you?”

Whenever she spoke, whether good or bad, her words were always sharp, which was a talent in itself.

Zhong Yu Bai had long treated her words as background noise, ignoring them completely.

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of music began to fill the high pavilion.

Zhong Yu Bai took his seat and said, “When I was studying in Singapore, I loved listening to operas, especially ‘The Orphan of Zhao,’ which I’ve watched many times.”

Zhong Yu, sitting across, laughed upon hearing this: “There aren’t many Chinese people in Northern Europe. I’ve only been to see plays like ‘Hamlet’ and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ at the drama theater, but they were dull. Revenge stories are much more interesting when we watch our own local plays.”

Zhong Yu had studied liberal arts and had been working abroad for several years.

Zhong Yu Bai hadn’t encountered such a low-level provocation in a long time.

Before seeking revenge, Hamlet arranged a play within a play, which was a brilliant script. Unfortunately, this young man hadn’t grasped a bit of Shakespeare’s essence and only focused on the theme of revenge.

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t respond; he merely smiled faintly and took a sip from the wine he had clinked glasses with.

“Originally, I should be coming home in glory, but unfortunately, work abroad hasn’t been easy these past few years. There haven’t been many gains, and I’m counting on returning to Boyang for my third uncle to help arrange a job for me.”

Zhong Yu Bai nodded and said, “That’s reasonable.”

Zhong Yu smiled and continued, “Of course, there are still some unfinished business. For example, my father’s assets were mostly reclaimed after his passing, with only a small portion of legitimate funds left. I heard that it was injected into Boyang’s operations—so, since that’s the case, shouldn’t I inherit a share of the equity that belonged to my father?”

He looked at Zhong Yu Bai, speaking slowly, each word heavy. 

Even while smiling, it was evident he was gritting his teeth while saying this.

He didn’t know how long he had prepared his lines.

He hid all his hatred behind clenched teeth.

Zhong Yu Bai remained unfazed and said, “Equity should naturally be given to those who are useful.”

His meaning was clear: compete based on ability. Just because your father is dead doesn’t mean you can gain a position without effort.

Zhong Yu was sharp and direct.

Zhong Yu Bai, on the other hand, restrained his rationality and was able to calmly discuss the rules with him.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yu wasn’t surprised by his response, but still felt anger bubbling to the surface. He smiled coldly and directly tore off the veil of pretense: “To understand this matter, we need to look back at the way my third uncle handled things back then. If you hadn’t leaked the secrets of the Zhong family, I believe Boyang would be even bigger and more prosperous now. If you return to share in the profits at this time, it wouldn’t be a small amount for you.”

Zhong Yu Bai looked at him.

He reminisced slightly, wondering what he truly hated.

He hated that Zhong Yu Bai had exposed his father Zhong Lin’s dealings in gray trade, leading to Zhong Lin being wanted.

He hated that if it weren’t for him, his father wouldn’t have been driven to suicide, and his mother wouldn’t have gone mad from witnessing it.

So, in that sense, the one responsible for his family’s destruction was indeed Zhong Yu Bai.

A few relatives nearby were clearly becoming restless, feeling the tension at the dining table rising. They shot looks at Zhong Yu, but he ignored them.

“Third Uncle, I came here today to ask you, have you been sleeping soundly all these years?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the performance on stage reached its conclusion.

As the actor thrust the sword of vengeance forward, Zhong Yu Bai raised his hand and threw an ashtray—

With a “bang,” it hit with a muffled sound, not too loud but heavy enough to make an impact.

The thick glass struck Zhong Yu squarely on the forehead.

“Ah!”

Zhong Yu cried out in pain, holding his forehead as blood began to ooze through his fingers, trickling down his face.

His broken glasses fell onto the table. A crowd of people panicked.

“Xue Ma! Quick, get a first-aid kit!” Chi Ying shouted, “Hurry, hurry!”

Everyone rushed over to check on his injury. Zhong Yu Bai remained indifferent.

He said, “To gain power in the Zhong family, first, you must know how to bend and yield.”

Though his tone was calm, his words carried weight, instantly chilling the atmosphere and silencing the chaotic screams.

“To bend and yield means, when the situation looks unfavorable, and the blades are about to strike you, you should dodge when necessary. Know when to retreat; otherwise, you’ll be left with no way out.”

“No words should be said to the extreme, and no demands should be made unreasonably. When something is too full, it will spill; to achieve great things, one must learn the art of concealment and patience.”

Zhong Yu Bai looked at the painfully distressed Zhong Yu, simply leaning against the table, holding a wine glass, swaying the thin layer of wine inside. He continued, “Have you forgotten the ways of dealing with people as a Chinese after being out for so long?”

He smiled and finished his drink: “Then let your uncle teach you.”

Zhong Yu shot him a glare through the fingers covering his wound.

That glare was so fierce it seemed capable of piercing through a thousand blades.

Unfortunately, a glare can’t kill. It’s less powerful than an ashtray.

Zhong Yu Bai finished his drink, ensuring not a drop was wasted. He stood up and politely bid farewell to everyone.

Just then, the play had also finished.

He stepped out of the pavilion and bumped into Aunt Xu, who had come with first-aid. Zhong Yu Bai tilted his head slightly toward Zhong Yu’s direction: “Help the young master treat his wound, and after he’s done eating, take him to the west building.”

Aunt Xu asked, “What about the second young lady?”

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t respond but glanced at the painfully distressed Zhong Yu, speaking softly: “Let him reunite with his family properly.”

They exited from Chen Zhang Garden.

Ding Jialing, having watched the battle, was in good spirits. He made some sharp comments about Zhong Yu, saying that his level was too low to compete with Zhong Zong.

Zhong Yu Bai remained silent as he walked to the car.

“Zhong Zong, where are we going?”

Zhong Yu Bai looked up at the moon hanging like a jade plate.

He thought of calling Ji Zhen Tang, recalling she mentioned she was with her father today, so he pressed the screen of his phone and said, “Just drive for now.”

Ding Jialing’s hometown wasn’t nearby; for several Mid-Autumn Festivals, he had spent them with Zhong Yu Bai. He had many unsatisfactory matters at home and didn’t like returning, preferring to eat and drink with his boss.

Zhong Yu Bai handed Ding Jialing a gift box filled with mooncakes he had brought out from Chen Zhang Garden.

Ding Jialing glanced at the gift box and remembered something. Seeing Zhong Yu Bai’s furrowed brow, he deliberately tried to cheer him up and said, “Have you heard? The Chen family hasn’t been peaceful these past couple of days.”

Upon hearing the Chen family mentioned, Zhong Yu Bai naturally looked at him.

He continued, “Last week, when Mr. Chen was on a business trip abroad, his backyard almost caught fire. Young Master Liang sent Miss Zhu mooncakes at just the right time. As a result, Mr. Chen found out and rushed back overnight, throwing out those several thousand dollar gift boxes to feed the dogs. Ha ha, so amusing.”

After a pause, Zhong Yu Bai indeed smiled, catching onto the name of Young Master Liang, and asked, “Is he still not giving up?”

Ding Jialing said, “That’s understandable; they had an arranged marriage since childhood. Who knew that after studying abroad, his wife would be taken away? It’s just like a sudden appearance of a rival out of nowhere!”

Zhong Yu Bai responded, showing a hint of protectiveness: “As for the Chen family, I can’t guarantee anything else, but their dealings are absolutely straightforward. Marriages are always aboveboard; how can there be talk of stealing someone away?”

Ding Jialing quickly changed his tone: “Right, right. Who asked that playboy to be so extravagant, embracing all kinds of people every day? If I were him, I wouldn’t choose him either. He’s particularly provocative, saying that a marriage without love is immoral.”

Zhong Yu Bai pondered this, recalling Ji Zhen Tang’s views on marriage, love, and sex—all essential, which seemed to convey a similar sentiment.

“There’s some truth to that.”

As the car entered the driveway, Zhong Yu Bai said, “Let’s go to the Chen family and see if this fire has been put out.”

—

That night, Ji Huan was driving his Audi to pick up Ji Zhen Tang from school.

She no longer had much anticipation for meeting her father, sitting in the back of the car and leaning against the window to gaze at the round moon.

It was a beautiful night, perfect for family reunions, but she didn’t like today at all.

“We’ll have dinner with Auntie and the others later,” Ji Huan said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

Ji Zhen Tang replied absently and then asked, “What are you going to give me?”

If Ji Huan hadn’t mentioned he had a gift for her today, Ji Zhen Tang probably wouldn’t have paid him any mind. She wasn’t really expecting a gift from him; she was merely curious about what Ji Huan had up his sleeve.

The truth soon revealed itself.

After dinner, Ji Huan took her to a real estate office. It was a newly developed property in the city center. Following Ji Huan, Ji Zhen Tang saw the prices on the advertisement board in the lobby, and her brows furrowed deeper.

“Choose an apartment,” Ji Huan said, pointing to the model display. “There’s a nice one with a river view, but it’s nearly ten thousand more expensive. But price aside, a house isn’t just for one or two years; the view is important, and the floor matters—higher up gives a better view. The first floor is two thousand more—”

Ji Zhen Tang interrupted, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Dad is buying you a house.”

“…” Ji Zhen Tang asked bluntly, “What do I need to sacrifice to get this house from you?”

Ji Huan coughed, glancing at the sales staff nearby, and pulled Ji Zhen Tang aside.

He was someone who cared about face; family matters shouldn’t be overheard by outsiders.

“Let’s secure the house first. Once it’s settled, there won’t be any pressure. After everything is in place, I’ll introduce you to a boyfriend. Let’s wrap this up quickly; stop dreaming about marrying into a wealthy family.”

So this was his plan.

Her anger flared at his words, and Ji Zhen Tang shook off his hand gripping her wrist: “I’ve already said I don’t want it.”

“Whether you want it or not, you must break up with him!” Ji Huan couldn’t raise his voice too loud, fearing family disgrace, and he restrained himself from yelling.

“I won’t break up with Zhong Yu Bai. Forget it!” 

She spoke decisively, looking her father in the eye as she said it. His belated concern couldn’t keep her in check anymore: “I won’t go on blind dates. I still want to go to school and build my career. I don’t want to hastily find a man to marry; I won’t settle for anything less.”

“You’re just a young girl; why are you always thinking about school?” Ji Huan said. “In a few years, when you go to the blind date market, you’ll find all the leftovers. To be frank, men don’t like women who are stronger than they are. Look at those female PhDs; how many of them get married? In the blind date market, women are valued only for their youth, not their education! Culture!”

Ji Zhen Tang was about to lose her temper!

“I feel so unlucky right now, why did it have to be your child!”

“What gives you the right to be a father? Just because you contributed a sperm? You haven’t helped me in my life at all, and now you want to start giving orders? You don’t deserve to be called ‘father’! You’re basically an immoral, irresponsible rogue! What gives you the right to be my father!”

Ji Huan glanced around anxiously and whispered, “What are you shouting about? People can hear you! It’s so embarrassing.”

As he said this, he reached to grab her hand.

Ji Zhen Tang dodged, leaving him grasping at air, and said in anger, “This is goodbye forever; I never want to see you again!”

She turned and quickly walked out of the sales hall, ignoring Ji Huan’s persistent shouts from behind.

…

The next day, she was at Lanting Mansion, complaining to Zhong Yu Bai.

He had prepared the ingredients and was cooking at home.

Zhong Yu Bai’s cooking skills were learned from Xu Ma, without any specific recipes, so he had to recall the steps, and cooking required his full concentration.

However, someone was being restless and distracting him. Ji Zhen Tang hugged him from behind, feeling it wasn’t warm enough, so she moved to the front, wrapped her arms around him, and looked up at his focused face.

This position was indeed a bit obstructive.

Zhong Yu Bai let out a gentle sigh, as if he knew what she was about to say. Ji Zhen Tang hurriedly said, “Don’t push me away; I just want to be close to you.”

He was chopping vegetables and said, “This pepper is a bit spicy; don’t get it in your eyes.”

“I won’t, don’t worry,” she replied without thinking, “I have indestructible eyes.”

Zhong Yu Bai chuckled.

He slowly shook his head, a bit helpless but unwilling to push her away, so he let her stay close.

“I’ve given him a chance in my heart,” Ji Zhen Tang said about her father. “I thought if he sincerely apologized and realized things, saying something like, ‘Hmm, I think Zhong Yu Bai is pretty good, a catch,’ then I might really consider easing our relationship.”

“But he didn’t; he got worse.”

Finally, she calmly told him the outcome: “So I severed ties with him. It wasn’t an impulsive decision; it was well thought out.”

Hearing the words “severed ties,” Zhong Yu Bai paused his movements and turned to look into her bright, thoughtful eyes: “Is it worth it for me?”

“It’s not for you,” Ji Zhen Tang shook her head. “It’s for myself.”

He gazed down at her like that.

She continued, “It’s for my freedom, my love. Although they are directly related to you, fundamentally, the biggest issue between my father and me is his denial of me. I must negate his denial.”

Zhong Yu Bai smiled with relief and nodded in approval: “I’m glad you can think this way.”

Ji Zhen Tang smiled back, withdrew from him, and asked if he needed any help. He said all she needed to do was wait for the meal.

At the dining table, Ji Zhen Tang looked at his refined and elegant face and inappropriately recalled that night when her uncle turned into a beast, thrilling and exciting her.

So she tentatively poked the hook in deeper.

She lied to him, “I signed up for the school’s study abroad program; I’m going to school.”

Zhong Yu Bai paused, holding the chopsticks, looked at her for a moment, and asked, “When?”

Ji Zhen Tang thought for a moment, “Um… soon, just… next month, I guess.”

He didn’t say anything, his expression was calm, making it hard for her to guess what he was thinking.

Ji Zhen Tang said, “You encouraged me to further my studies; you can’t forget that.”

He remained noncommittal and continued to ask, “Where to?”

She thought again, where to go? “America.”

That’s quite far.

After a brief pause, Zhong Yu Bai said, “I’ll wait for you.”

When talking about studying abroad, she had previously asked him: Would you wait for me? He had never given a clear answer until now, when he firmly stated he would wait.

She slowly smiled, “Really? Until what age?”

He rationally considered some possibilities and finally could only say, “It depends on you.”

Ji Zhen Tang looked at him and smiled.

Zhong Yu Bai didn’t understand why she was so happy. He wasn’t very talkative and didn’t want to ask her anything. He silently ate his meal, feeling that today’s food didn’t taste quite right.

While Ji Zhen Tang ate, her eyes remained on him, probably observing him. Her bright, curious eyes were always filled with wonder about the world, especially about him. After watching him for a while, she meaningfully said, “I wonder what I will be like at thirty.”

Zhong Yu Bai asked, “What do you want to become?”

She slowly thought, “A bit wiser, I suppose.”

Wiser, braver, more confident. With the people she loves, and those who love her. Opening the window to see vast mountains and rivers, and coming home to a warm meal every day.

That’s the future she yearns for.

In the evening, Zhong Yu Bai took out two bottles of red wine.

The glass of the bottles was thick; he said he needed to wash them.

This strange behavior made Ji Zhen Tang curious, but she didn’t ask why and just accompanied him to wash the wine bottles. In front of the bathroom faucet, Zhong Yu Bai stood behind her, meticulously washing the neck of the bottles.

The corks were tightly sealed, and the wine sloshed inside the bottles, making a faint gurgling sound. Ji Zhen Tang held the glass, his hand covering hers. Zhong Yu Bai guided her hand as they washed the bottles; the glass was cool and warmed a bit in her palm after rolling around a few times.

She recalled other wonderful moments, but the bottle felt cold, lacking the support of blood and bone, and the lively rhythm of life.

Ji Zhen Tang looked at the mirror, seeing Zhong Yu Bai behind her.

He was dressed in a white shirt, with a couple of buttons slightly undone, looking very proper. Even though the shirt style was casual, it made him appear noble and steady while doing something peculiar. It was hard to know what he was thinking; his unperturbed expression revealed no hint of discomfort.

There was a touch of the gentlemanly rogue vibe about him.

She stood in his embrace, looking up at him in confusion, “Shouldn’t we pour the wine out first?”

He replied, “Wine should be used in the right way; how can it be wasted?”

“…Oh.” Ji Zhen Tang responded, half understanding.

She watched him as he held her fingers.

Zhong Yu Bai slowly paused his movements, turned to her, and asked softly, “You’ll come back, right?”

Ji Zhen Tang took a moment to understand what he meant by “come back.” Lying, she replied hesitantly, “I don’t know.”

Seeing a flicker of distraction in his eyes, she surprisingly felt a sense of accomplishment.

He tightened his grip on the wine bottle with one hand and wrapped the other around her, pulling her close. He was so forceful that Ji Zhen Tang leaned forward slightly, turning her head away so she couldn’t see his expression, only brushing against his jaw.

She heard his deep voice, close enough that it sent shivers down her spine—”I might not be that carefree.”

Zhong Yu Bai’s breath was warm against her ear as he said, “Give me a definite answer.”

Previous

Next