Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Dreams Shattered
Nan Qiao was carrying her newly purchased bed set to the parking lot when, by sheer coincidence, she ran into Chen Man and Li Xia.
The two were walking together, chatting and laughing.
When Chen Man saw Nan Qiao, a trace of disgust flickered in her eyes.
Li Xia’s expression, however, remained perfectly calm. She was playing her role well.
Nan Qiao couldn’t be bothered with pointless conversation and continued walking forward.
She couldn’t understand how a clever family like the Chen Family could have produced someone like Chen Man.
Perhaps she’d been overly protected, leaving her oblivious to the darker side of human nature?
Li Xia shouted, “Nan Qiao, how can you ignore your cousin like that? It makes you look so ill-mannered.”
Chen Man sneered coldly, her tone condescending. “She’s naturally ill-mannered. She was only brought back by my aunt eighteen years too late. What sort of manners could she have possibly learned?”
Nan Qiao retorted, “And what about your so-called manners? Are your manners to spit venom, to hurl veiled insults? Wow, your upbringing is just amazing!”
Chen Man & Li Xia: “…”
Chen Man scoffed, “My aunt only spoils you out of guilt. Did you really think you were the Bai Family’s true eldest daughter?”
“If I’m not the Bai Family’s eldest daughter, then what, are you?” Nan Qiao fired back.
Li Xia interjected, “No matter what, Chen Man is still your cousin. How can you speak to her that way?”
“And Chen Man is your lackey, isn’t she? But you don’t treat her any better! You scheme and plot behind her back, let her do the dirty work, and when she’s stuck behind bars singing prison blues, you act like you’re untouchable.”
Chen Man & Li Xia: “…”
Nan Qiao relentlessly continued, “Anything else? If not, stop barking in front of me. I’m not a veterinarian; I can’t cure whatever disease you have.”
Chen Man gritted her teeth. “Nan Qiao, you’re way too arrogant!”
“Of course, I’m arrogant! My dad and mom adore me, my three brothers dote on me, I’ve got money, power, looks, and a man. You tell me—don’t I have every reason to be arrogant around you?”
Nan Qiao added, “Chen Man, do you really think if you keep following Li Xia down this path of lawlessness, your parents will still love you? They cherish you like a treasure—was their love meant to transform you into this?”
Chen Man’s face darkened and she remained silent.
Seeing that Chen Man was on the verge of being swayed, Li Xia grew furious. “Manman’s parents only have her. If they don’t love her, who else would they love?”
“Exactly, she’s their only child,” Nan Qiao said with a meaningful glance at Chen Man.
With that, Nan Qiao turned and walked away confidently.
Li Xia said quickly, “Manman, don’t listen to her nonsense.”
Chen Man replied, “I have something to do. I’m leaving first.”
Chen Man walked away in a hurry, as if she were being chased by a monster.
Finding a secluded spot, she considered calling her family.
Before she could make the call, her father, Chen Hesong, called her instead.
“Manman, I need to tell you something. Your mother is pregnant, and we’ve decided to keep the baby.”
Chen Man: “!!!”
Did Nan Qiao know something?
In the past, Chen Man had begged Chen Hesong and Chi Chang to give her a little brother or sister, saying being an only child was too lonely.
Now there was a baby on the way, yet Chen Man wasn’t happy about it.
Did Nan Qiao already know?
Chen Hesong continued, “Qiaoqiao’s life has been tough. She’s the Bai Family’s true daughter, yet she spent eighteen years adrift. Manman, if it were you, could you handle things better than Nan Qiao? Could you be more exceptional than her?”
Chen Man said unhappily, “All you do is praise her—who exactly is your child, her or me?”
“Am I not stating the truth? She’s had it hard too. Your aunt only has one daughter. If she doesn’t spoil her, who would she spoil? If you offend her, how will our family’s business continue in the future?”
Chen Man stayed quiet. Chen Hesong pressed, “Manman, look up.”
Chen Man lifted her head, shocked to see Chen Hesong standing before her. She jumped to her feet. “Dad, why are you here?”
And just like that, she burst into tears.
Chen Hesong approached and gently patted her on the shoulder.
“Manman, you’re my daughter. If I don’t love you, who will I love?”
Crying, Chen Man asked in a choked voice, “But haven’t you already got a second child now?”
“Silly child. Having someone new in the family doesn’t mean we’ll love you any less. You’ve been our precious one all these years. A few years from now, when you get married and have kids, the ones you love most won’t be your parents anymore.”
Chen Man held onto her father’s arm, pouting. “Dad, I’m not getting married! I’ve only met scumbags. I don’t want to date anyone anymore. Dad, I just want to stay home and never get married.”
“Manman, as long as you’re happy, whatever you decide, your mom and I will support you.”
Chen Hesong continued to talk about other matters, his intentions clear: he wanted her to stay away from Li Xia and stop causing trouble.
The reason Chen Hesong had arrived was that Nan Qiao had called him, urging him to find Chen Man and have a proper conversation with her.
Thus, Chen Hesong and Chi Chang wrapped up their company affairs and rushed to Jing City.
…
Old Lu had returned to the Lu Family.
When Ren Yongshi heard this, she was stunned.
She hadn’t even returned to the Lu Family estate yet, and now the old man was back?
Ren Yongshi grabbed Lu Tianlei and pleaded, eventually convincing him to bring her back to the Lu Family.
When they arrived, the entire Lu Family had already gathered.
Lu Chen and Lu Wang sat on either side of their mother, Liu Yun, instinctively shielding her.
Lu Tianlei walked in with Ren Yongshi and Lu Zhengyang, but Liu Yun didn’t even glance at them.
Lu Chen and Lu Wang did the same, acting as if they hadn’t seen anything.
Old Lu was seated in his wheelchair. When he saw Lu Tianlei entering with Lu Zhengyang and Ren Yongshi, his anger exploded.
“Lu Tianlei, it seems you’ve completely ignored my words. I told you: they are not allowed to set foot in this house. Why didn’t you listen?”
“Dad, Ah Shi and I have a child together. Zhengyang is already an adult; it’s time he is recognized by the family,” Lu Tianlei argued.
Old Lu sneered, “Oh? Are you trying to force my hand?”
“Dad, I’m just trying to point out that Zhengyang is also your grandson. You shouldn’t favor some over others,” Lu Tianlei said.
Liu Yun laughed mockingly, “What’s the matter? If he’s not recognized by the family, does that mean he’s not your kid? Or is he someone else’s kid?”
Lu Tianlei’s face turned dark with fury. “You shut up!”
Lu Chen shot back, “You’re the one who should shut up!”
Lu Wang added, “What’s wrong? Did my mom’s words hit a nerve?”
Lu Tianlei & Ren Yongshi & Lu Zhengyang: “…”
Liu Yun smirked; her sons were magnificent!
Old Lu declared, “Lu Tianlei, I’m not here to argue. I came to say that Lu Wang and Lu Chen will be the Lu Family’s heirs. All my shares are going to them. As for the three of you, you’re all banished from the Lu Family.”
Lu Tianlei & Ren Yongshi & Lu Zhengyang: “???”
Ren Yongshi felt fury bubbling inside, but she plastered on a look of quiet misery. “Old Lu, even if you won’t accept me, you shouldn’t take it out on Tianlei. He’s your flesh and blood.”
Old Lu dismissed her coldly, “A useless son is not worth having.”
Lu Tianlei panicked. “Dad, what do you mean by this? You want grandsons but not sons now?”
“Lu Wang and Lu Chen are capable, and I’m confident leaving the family business in their hands. As for you, take your woman and get out,” Old Lu ordered sharply.
Lu Zhengyang cried out, “Grandpa, I’m also your grandson!”
“I already have real grandsons. Why would I need you?” Old Lu replied with an icy sneer.
He continued, “I’ve already made it public: I’ve severed ties with Lu Tianlei. I will not acknowledge any of his children. The Lu Family is officially in the hands of Lu Wang and Lu Chen.”
Ren Yongshi staggered, nearly collapsing on the spot.
“No! You can’t do this! I won’t agree to this!”
She had schemed for years, all with the goal of taking control of the Lu Family.
She had been just one step away from reaching the top.
There was no way she would allow things to end like this!