Chapter 104: The Empress’s Resistance
Chapter 104: The Empress’s Resistance
It was almost time for the meal. The banquet hall had become more crowded with guests. Actually, the Du Family had not invited so many people. Many had heard the news and came to join the excitement. The Du Family had anticipated and arranged for this situation, so they prepared plenty of seats.
Yu Taishan was considered a person of some reputation and influence in Shanghai. Of course, his seat was not among the common ones; he was seated at one of the tables in the innermost part of the banquet hall.
A single table was placed against the main wall of the banquet hall. Only one table stood there, but even Yu Taishan was not qualified to sit there. Those who could sit at that table were the true giants of the business world.
“Uncle, I heard Ma Huayun is coming today. Actually, many people came because of him.” Yu Jiahao, who was seated at the same table as Yu Taishan, perhaps bored, found a topic to start a conversation.
Yu Taishan replied in a flat tone, “So what if he comes? We are in the manufacturing industry, and they are in the internet business. We are not the same kind of people. I think you should get to know President Du instead. His family has been in business in Zhejiang for ten generations, and they are also in manufacturing. We even have business dealings with them.”
Yu Jiahao said dismissively, “Uncle, times have changed. We need to keep up with the times.”
Yu Taishan snorted lightly, “No matter how times change, people still need to wear clothes and eat. Can the things on the internet be worn or eaten?”
Yu Jiahao lifted his eyes and glanced at the ceiling.
This conversation was going nowhere.
The generation gap was the hardest to cross.
Just then, Yu Meilin walked over and got straight to the point, “Dad, what did you want to talk to me about?”
But Yu Taishan glanced at Yu Jiahao and said, “Jiahao, I want to talk to Meilin alone.”
A trace of displeasure instantly appeared on Yu Jiahao’s face, but he said nothing and stood up to leave.
Yu Meilin did not sit either. She stood beside Yu Taishan, waiting for him to speak.
Yu Taishan watched Yu Jiahao walk away before he finally spoke, “I know that back then, you married that guy for the position of chairperson. Now that you have stepped down and are running your own company, there is no need to stay with him anymore. Divorce him.”
“Why?” Yu Meilin’s reaction was calm, as if she had expected Yu Taishan to say this.
Yu Taishan said angrily, “Our Yu Family is considered a distinguished family after all. You are my daughter, Yu Taishan’s daughter. You married a farm boy. You have brought shame to my face. Do I need a reason to tell you to divorce him?”
Yu Meilin said firmly and without backing down, “This is not the old society anymore, where parents decide their children’s marriages. I have the right to choose my own marriage. I don’t want to divorce him. You don’t need to bring this up again in the future. It’s useless even if you do.”
Yu Taishan abruptly stood up, his right arm making a noticeable movement to lift. It was the motion of wanting to slap Yu Meilin, but his right arm ultimately did not rise.
There were many guests here, all respectable people, and there were also some journalists from the media. This was not the place to discipline his daughter.
Yu Meilin just stood calmly in front of Yu Taishan. She had actually seen his movement to lift his hand and slap her, but she did not want to dodge. Her calm demeanor seemed to say to Yu Taishan, “Hit me if you want, I don’t care.”
Yu Taishan sat back down and said coldly, “A few days ago, I called that guy and told him to bring Xiaomei and your grandma back. I wanted to see Xiaomei and my mother. But not only did that guy not bring them back, he also fooled me.”
“So, you want me to divorce him because of that?” Yu Meilin retorted.
A hint of anger instantly appeared in Yu Taishan’s eyes, “You brat! What kind of tone are you using to talk to me?”
Gao Shengmei returned. There was still a bit of water residue on her hands. She had probably gone to the restroom and missed the earlier scene, but she happened to arrive just as Yu Taishan was scolding Yu Meilin. A smile smoothly appeared at the corner of her lips.
Yu Meilin fell silent.
“I called you here for one thing: send your grandma back.” Yu Taishan did not bother to beat around the bush and spoke directly.
Yu Meilin still did not make a sound.
Yu Taishan looked coldly at Yu Meilin, “My mother is old. As her son, shouldn’t I fulfill my filial duties? You and that guy are living outside. You are busy at the company all day. Is it appropriate for a young man like him to take care of my mother? I want to hire the best caregiver for my mother. If necessary, I will also hire the best private doctor for her. She should also return to my side.”
Yu Meilin still remained silent.
Gao Shengmei frowned and said displeased, “Meilin, your dad is talking to you. What do you mean by not responding?”
Only then did Yu Meilin speak, “You are my dad, and Grandma is your mother. She can live wherever she wants. She can choose whoever she wants to take care of her. As a daughter and granddaughter, what right do I have to say anything? But what’s the use of telling me? You need to go and talk to Grandma yourself, ask her to go back with you. You can’t expect me, as a granddaughter, to force the old lady into a car, drop her off at your place, and then leave. What kind of person would that make me?”
“You…” Yu Taishan was furious.
However, Yu Meilin’s words made sense. Even as her father, he could not easily refute them.
“Yu Meilin, how are you talking to your dad?” Gao Shengmei was having trouble controlling her emotions.
Yu Meilin shifted her gaze to Gao Shengmei and said coldly, “How I talk to my dad has nothing to do with you.”
Gao Shengmei did not have Yu Taishan’s reservations and self-control. Yu Meilin’s words were like lighting a firecracker—it ignited immediately. She stepped forward and swung her hand to slap Yu Meilin’s face.
Yu Meilin reached out and grabbed Gao Shengmei’s wrist, then pushed her away forcefully. Gao Shengmei was wearing high heels, which made her balance poor. Pushed like this, she lost her balance, stumbled backward, and almost fell to the ground.
Yu Taishan was stunned. He could not believe that Yu Meilin, who had always been submissive, actually dared to fight back!
“You little bitch!” Gao Shengmei could not swallow such an insult. She cursed and was about to step forward again.
Yu Taishan shouted, “Enough!”
Gao Shengmei might not care about face, but he had to. If his wife and his ex-wife’s daughter started fighting here, he would probably make the headlines of the entertainment section and become a classic joke in the business world.
Gao Shengmei then stopped but still glared hatefully at Yu Meilin.
Yu Taishan said coldly, “Meilin, your wings have hardened. Are you denying me as your father?”
Yu Meilin said lightly, “It is you who do not treat me as your daughter, but you will always be my father. That cannot be changed. I have never had such thoughts.” She shifted her gaze to Gao Shengmei, and her voice turned cold, “But this woman is not my mother. She wants to hit me, but she should think about whether she has the right or is worthy.”
Gao Shengmei was so angry she was about to explode on the spot.
“So, you refuse to send your grandma back?” Yu Taishan was actually also on the verge of exploding, struggling to control himself.
Yu Meilin said calmly, “I have already made it very clear. If you want Grandma to come back, you have to go and talk to her yourself. You know her temper. Even if I speak to her according to your wishes, I will only get scolded by her. You know where I live. You can go and talk to her anytime.”
Yu Taishan was so angry he could not speak.
How could he not know Lin Shengnan’s temper? If he went to tell Lin Shengnan to come back with him, she would probably not only scold him harshly but might even slap him twice. This matter required someone to play the villain, the unfilial child. Of course, it could not be him. So, he wanted either Yu Meilin or Li Zian to be that villain and unfilial child, forcibly sending Lin Shengnan to his home. This should have been a happy outcome for everyone, but Yu Meilin and Li Zian refused to do it. Isn’t that infuriating?
Just then, a tall, slender figure in white appeared in the banquet hall. When Yu Meilin saw that familiar figure, a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips, and she even raised her hand to indicate her location.
That tall, slender figure in white was none other than her husband, Li Zian. With his handsome appearance and well-proportioned figure, walking through the crowd gave the impression of a white crane passing through a flock of chickens.
There is a kind of handsomeness that stands unmatched.
Li Zian spotted Yu Meilin and quickly walked over. Along the way, countless women glanced at his face and his butt.
The moment Yu Taishan and Gao Shengmei saw Li Zian, they felt a surge of anger. Greetings were out of the question. The fact that the father did not stand up and grab a chair to smash over his head was already restraint. The fact that the mother did not swing a slap at him was already polite.
No one else could be a son-in-law so despised.
Since Yu Taishan and Gao Shengmei did not greet him, Li Zian could not be bothered to greet them either. Speaking would only invite scolding, and he was not stupid. Why would he offer his handsome face to meet a cold rear?
“What were you talking about?” Li Zian asked.
“Let’s talk about it when we get home. How did things go on your end?” Yu Meilin did not want to discuss the unpleasant incident now.
Li Zian smiled, “It’s done. Let’s find a seat to sit.”
“Okay.” Yu Meilin nodded.
Just as the couple was about to leave, Yu Jiahao and a few others walked over.
“Brother-in-law, if you can’t find a seat, you can sit with us. Although those qualified to sit here are people of status and prestige, they are all acquaintances. For my sister’s sake, it’s fine if you sit. No one will say anything.” Yu Jiahao’s face wore a smile, looking so sincere and kind.
He had finally found an opportunity to humiliate Li Zian without worrying about getting beaten up. How could he miss it?
That Xie Jianfei sneered nearby.
He loved seeing Yu Meilin angry but unable to do anything about Yu Jiahao.
Why did you marry a man who lives off you? How much better it would have been if you had married me!
If you had married me, you wouldn’t be so embarrassed now. I am the man in this world who suits you best!
Before Li Zian could say anything, Yu Taishan snorted coldly, “Sit? If he sits here, where will I put my face?”
“Uncle, he is your son-in-law after all. Even though he lives off others, he is still your son-in-law. I see my sister really likes him. Why don’t you give him a chance? Let our whole family sit at one table. I also want to chat with Brother-in-law and learn a bit from him about how to please women.” Yu Jiahao pleaded with utmost sincerity.
Truly worthy of being the Best Actor of the Yu Family, full of acting skills.
Li Zian just smiled and said nothing.
Watching the performance quietly is a form of respect for an actor.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the banquet hall. Some people clapped, some cheered, and others exclaimed in surprise.
“Ma Huayun, President Ma, is here!”