Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Yu Li’s second uncle stood frozen in place.

Behind him, Su Shengli glanced at the elder, gritted his teeth, and chased after Yu Li, leaving the second uncle behind.

Watching Su Shengli’s retreating figure as he pursued Yu Li, the second uncle couldn’t help but let out a contemptuous snort. He then lowered his head, resuming his thoughts on the next heir to the Yu family’s direct lineage.

The overseas Yu family had notoriously strict rules, especially those governing the succession of the patriarch from the direct bloodline—rules as rigid as military discipline.

Otherwise, over a decade ago, he—a capable man in his prime and a legitimate son of the previous patriarch—wouldn’t have been denied even a chance to compete for the position against a mere middle schooler.

All of this stemmed from the Yu family’s long-established rule: each patriarch must be chosen exclusively from the legitimate children of the previous patriarch.

Moreover, once a successor from the direct bloodline was selected, their siblings would automatically be removed from the direct lineage records, becoming part of the secondary branches within five generations.

This rule was undeniably inhumane. How could anyone willingly accept being demoted to branch family status, despite being born of the same parents?

Yet, unwillingness was futile.

Apart from the successor who inherited the patriarch’s position—gaining complete control of the family's wealth, power, and a lofty status—the other siblings could only receive paltry inheritances from their father and figurehead positions within the overseas Yu family’s headquarters.

Beyond that, there were no further benefits.

This led to a cutthroat competition among the direct lineage for the patriarch’s position, ensuring that every successor was exceptionally talented, sharp-witted, and formidable.

And so, through this ruthless selection process, the overseas Yu family maintained an unstoppable rise, always striving for greater success.

The secondary branches orbited the patriarch like courtiers around a king, collectively supporting the family’s future.

Some Yu family members, unwilling to live under such rigid rules, took their share of wealth and struck out on their own elsewhere.

The previous patriarch was Yu Li’s father, who had only one son—Yu Li. Under normal circumstances, he would have ruled the overseas Yu family for thirty or forty years.

But disaster struck. When Yu Li was just a middle schooler, his parents died in a plane crash, leaving him as the last remaining heir of the direct bloodline.

Though Yu Li was still a minor, according to family rules, he was unquestionably the next patriarch.

However… a child walking around with immense wealth would inevitably attract unwanted attention and covetous eyes.

Many within the Yu family harbored ambitions, and some saw this as an opportunity to upend the status quo. If Yu Li, the last remaining direct bloodline heir, were to die, the secondary branches could compete to become the new direct lineage.

As long as they were within five generations of the previous patriarch, all collateral members were eligible to make a play for power.

This led to fierce competition among those who believed their blood ties were closer, including the second uncle, who thought he had a chance and rushed back to the Yu family headquarters—only to find the path to power even more treacherous.

Amid this tense atmosphere of collateral branches eliminating rivals, the young new patriarch managed to survive.

But none of them anticipated how quickly Yu Li would grow. While they were busy scheming against each other, he quietly seized control of the overseas Yu family.

Of those who had once competed with the second uncle for power, all but him—who had the sense to bow out—had long since disappeared from the picture.

Not that they were dead.

Rather, some were relocated to the savannas of South Africa as neighbors to lions and hyenas, others to war-torn countries where gunfire and explosions made sleep impossible.

Not dead, but living in hell.

Even the second uncle got chills just thinking about their fates.

Though filled with resentment, he dared not confront Yu Li directly, limiting himself to taking cheap shots when he could.

But while he had better sense, others might not.

At this thought, the second uncle shivered, then—remembering his age—focused on a new goal.

Since Yu Li would never have a son, he would marry and produce an heir of his own to claim the next patriarch’s position.

***

Su Shengli chased Yu Li to the door of the private lounge, only to be stopped by bodyguards.

He blurted out, "President Yu, do you remember me?"

Yu Li paused and turned, his expression calm.

"Is there something you need?"

To him, Su Shengli was no different from anyone else.

He had never given Su Shengli a second thought before, and now that Su Shengli was the second uncle’s pet, Yu Li still felt nothing toward him.

Su Shengli felt torn—unsure whether to feel relieved or bitter.

Lowering his gaze, he murmured, "I never imagined President Yu was actually the patriarch of the Yu family."

"In that case, it’s clear you never gave me a second thought. No wonder you canceled the engagement between the Yu and Su families."

"I really… envy Gu Yubai."

A bitter smile curled his lips as he stared intently at Yu Li.

"Don’t worry. Now that I’m your uncle’s lover, I won’t entertain any ideas about you. I just want you to pass a message to Gu Yubai."

Even as Su Shengli turned to leave, Yu Li remained unmoving at the door.

He watched as Su Shengli, dressed head-to-toe in pink, descended the stairs—only to be intercepted by Su Linyuan, who had been waiting below.

Yu Li let out a mirthless laugh.

Entering the lounge, he found the Su family’s elder nursing a cup of tea. Su Wanlin was absent, but the elder had clearly heard Su Shengli’s final words—though he didn't bat an eye.

Yu Li poured himself a cup of tea.

"What do you think of Su Shengli’s desire for revenge against the Su family?"

The elder replied indifferently, "I couldn't care less. Minding my own business is how one lives long."

"If the Su family collapses because of Su Shengli alone, then its last two generations of successors were incompetent. Better to fail early than be made into laughingstocks in the business world later."

"As for his marriage, I’d be glad if he and Song Manman separated sooner the better. As long as no one’s committing murder or arson, don’t bother telling me the details."

Yu Li chuckled softly and forwarded Su Shengli’s message to Gu Yubai, receiving a thumbs-up emoji in response.

Gu Yubai never thought he'd hear of Su Shengli again after two years—and like this.

He'd grown up, but as Gu Yubai had asked back then, Su Shengli’s real venom was no longer directed at him, the true young master, but at the Su family—who had lied to, used, and thrown away his sincerity all along.

Su Shengli's past temperament was one thing, but now that he's become the lover of Yu Li's second uncle and still acts so boldly, it's clear his shrewdness has deepened considerably.

If he returns to Mingcheng, the Su family may truly be turned upside down by him.

No—it’s guaranteed.

Gu Yubai was already beginning to suspect whether Su Shengli was behind the ongoing divorce between Su Wanlin, the current head of the Su family, and his wife, Song Manman.

----

Su Shengli's return caught the Su family off guard.

From the moment he stood behind Yu Li's second uncle, Su Wanlin and Song Manman had already recognized the change in his standing.

Su Wanlin frowned in silence, while Song Manman's gaze lingered on Su Shengli's face—unchanged in two years, yet more defined—her eyes glimmering with recognition.

Su Linyuan's eyes widened. He instinctively moved to step forward but was pulled back sharply by Su Wanlin.

"What are you doing?"

Su Linyuan's gaze wavered slightly. "That's Shengli. We couldn’t find any trace of him for two years, and now he’s finally here. I want to ask where he’s been."

A mocking smile curled into a sneer on Su Wanlin's lips.

"Isn’t it obvious? Don’t kid yourself."

"He sold off all the assets the Su family gave him and left Mingcheng without a word. Do you think he loves or hates the Su family now?"

"Catch up if you want, but don’t treat him like a fool."

Su Wanlin saw it clearly—Su Shengli had left Mingcheng decisively two years ago, harboring resentment toward the Su family.

After two years, Su Shengli had gone from a pampered young master to someone else’s gilded pet. There was no way he’d be as easily deceived as before.

Song Manman, seeing this, also snorted in agreement with Su Wanlin.

"Being Yu Li’s uncle’s lover isn’t for amateurs. Your scheming might not even be enough to play with Su Shengli. Throw yourself in his path if you want, but don’t drag us down with you."

"He’s not the puppet you can twist and squeeze at will anymore. Be careful, or he might really take a pound of flesh."

Even as she said this, her gaze lingered on Su Shengli’s face—now as radiant as a rose yet as pure as fresh snow—and suddenly, the image of a dazzling but greedy woman flashed in her mind.

Her distraction grew more obvious.

Su Wanlin scoffed. "He’s not some boytoy you kept hidden. At least have some decency—he’s a child you raised with your own hands. Don’t eye him like prey."

Song Manman’s expression instantly turned icy. "I’m not you."

Su Linyuan tuned out their warnings.

Burdened by guilt for failing to help Su Shengli two years ago—forced to watch as he was cast out by the Su family—he waited for Su Shengli and finally intercepted him.

Su Shengli walked past him coldly, not even looking his way.

Strangely, Su Linyuan felt oddly relieved.

He hurried after him, his face etched with worry.

"Shengli, these past two years... how’ve you been?"

-----

Mingcheng was buzzing with strange news.

Su Shengli, the former adopted son of the Su family who disappeared from Mingcheng two years ago, resurfaced in the elite social circles as the protégé of an overseas company's CEO.

He brought some contracts to the Su family.

Shortly after signing the cooperation agreement, photos of the handshake were leaked to tabloids.

The Su family even arranged a banquet specifically for Su Shengli.

Some acquaintances from the past, who had once thrown him under the bus, now greeted him with smiles at the banquet as if they had forgotten their betrayal two years prior.

Two years ago, Su Shengli was a minor celebrity in Mingcheng’s media—a freshman at a film academy who gained online fame due to his background, only to later appear on true crime shows due to his relatives' legal troubles before vanishing without a trace.

Now, two years later, Su Shengli had fallen from grace.

Apart from those in high society who already knew him, few on the internet paid him any special attention.

Thus, his transition from a film academy student to a transfer student in the finance department of nearby Mingcheng University flew under the radar.

When the October holiday ended, Gu Yubai left the rehab facility and returned to Mingcheng.