Chapter 29: Adding Insult to Injury

Chapter 29: Adding Insult to Injury

“Zian, take Xiaomei to the Rest Room to play,” said Yu Meilin.

Li Zian nodded. He picked up Li Xiaomei and went into the Rest Room.

As soon as the door closed, Li Xiaomei said, “Daddy, Mommy can’t see us now. Do a magic trick for me, quick!”

Li Zian couldn’t refuse her. He freed one hand, secretly slipped a piece of Chocolate into her pocket, and said, “Xiaomei, close your eyes.”

Li Xiaomei closed her eyes.

“Mami, mami, hong! Taishang Laojun, quickly, as ordered! Poof!” Li Zian chanted. He then set Xiaomei down on the floor and grinned. “Xiaomei, check your pocket.”

Xiaomei immediately shoved her little hand into her pocket and pulled out the Chocolate. “Daddy is so amazing!” she cheered.

Li Zian chuckled and walked back to the door.

Voices drifted in from outside.

“General Manager Yu, Yu Jiayong is here. He brought someone with him. They just got out of the car and should be up soon,” Ma Chuan reported.

“Do you recognize the person with him?” asked Yu Meilin’s voice.

“No, I don’t. That person drove a Rolls-Royce. He’s very young, dressed in designer clothes,” Ma Chuan answered.

“Understood. You may go out now,” said Yu Meilin.

Li Zian stepped away from the door. He turned on the TV, found a cartoon show, and said to Li Xiaomei, “Xiaomei, watch some cartoons for a bit, okay? Daddy needs to go talk with Mommy.”

“Mm-hmm, I’m being good!” Li Xiaomei stared at the TV screen, munching her Chocolate, not even looking at Li Zian.

Li Zian shook his head with a wry smile, then opened the door and left.

“Zian, Ma Chuan was just here. He said Yu Jiayong brought someone,” Yu Meilin told him.

Li Zian replied, “I heard. I suspect it’s Yu Jiahao, so I came out to see.”

“I guessed it was him too.”

“Got a plan to deal with him?”

Yu Meilin sighed. “Not yet. Let’s see what he wants.”

Her words were just out when knocking sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Yu Meilin called out.

The office door opened. Two men entered: Yu Jiayong and Yu Jiahao.

“Jiahao? What brings you here?” Yu Meilin stood up to greet him.

Yu Jiahao offered a casual smile. “I meant to come see you yesterday, but I was tied up with too much work. Finally found some time today, so here I am.”

“That’s… thoughtful of you. Take a seat,” Yu Meilin said, her tone cool.

Yu Jiahao walked to the Sofa and plopped down with practiced ease. Only then did he flick his eyes towards Li Zian, a hint of disdain curling his lips. “Brother-in-law, just a glass of water for me.”

Yu Jiayong stood nearby, looking at Li Zian with an amused, mocking expression.

Yu Meilin frowned slightly. Yu Jiahao ordering Li Zian around like this wasn’t just disrespecting her husband; it was slapping her face too. Yet, she held her temper. She wasn’t a woman prone to rashness.

Li Zian merely smiled. He shifted his gaze to Yu Jiayong. “Section Chief Yu, why are you standing there? Go pour our brother-in-law a glass of wa

Yu Jiayong was visibly stunned. His eyes widened as he pointed at himself. “Me? Pour water?!”

Li Zian looked at him evenly. “Looking at the three people in this room, judging by rank and status… who else should do it, if not you?”

“You…” Yu Jiayong flushed. He wanted to snap back, ‘You’re a mere Live-in son-in-law! You dare order a Yu Family member around?’ But a sideways glance at Yu Meilin stopped him cold. Yu Meilin was glaring at him, her face like frost. The words died in his throat.

Yu Jiahao let out a short, sharp laugh. “Well now, Brother-in-law seems to think pretty highly of himself! I am curious, though. Where does such impressive confidence come from?”

Li Zian’s smile remained pleasant. “Since you call me Brother-in-law, young man, it seems you understand basic etiquette and seniority. I won’t speak for customs here,” he added, “but in my hometown, I would never dream of asking someone older or of higher standing to pour me water.”

The smile vanished from Yu Jiahao’s face. He’d meant to cut Li Zian down to size. Instead, he’d been outmaneuvered, accused of disrespect and lack of upbringing. He was Yu Family’s second young master! Even his own father hadn’t insulted him so directly!

“I… I’ll go pour the water,” Yu Jiayong muttered, breaking the tense silence as he shuffled towards the water dispenser in the corner.

“Come back!” barked Yu Jiahao coldly. “I don’t want it anymore.”

Yu Jiayong immediately retraced his steps.

Li Zian nodded appreciatively. “Section Chief Yu, what sharp hearing. The moment you’re told to come back, here you are. I know someone. Name’s Wang. Similar character. I should introduce you. I bet you’d get on like houses on fire.” You’d be perfect barking buddies, Li Zian thought inwardly.

Yu Jiayong scowled. “Not interested.”

Yu Jiahao’s voice was icy. “Are you calling Jiayong a dog, Brother-in-law?”

Li Zian raised his hands defensively, eyes wide and innocent. “I said no such thing. That’s your interpretation.”

Yu Jiayong hadn’t caught the insult initially. But Yu Jiahao’s words connected the dots instantly – “Wang.” Dog barks! Heat flooded his face. He jabbed a finger towards Li Zian. “YOU dare call me a dog?!”

“Enough!” Yu Meilin snapped loudly. Her voice cut through the room.

Yu Jiayong glared daggers at Li Zian, anger simmering but contained.

Li Zian merely smiled back. Go on, get mad. I love watching you want to hit me but not daring to, his relaxed posture seemed to say.

“Jiahao,” Yu Meilin’s voice carried an edge. “You didn’t come all this way just to trade barbs with your brother-in-law, did you?”

The strain was evident. She was holding herself together. By the thinnest thread. These two, especially Yu Jiahao – forcing her out at the Dajiang Group, stealing New Star Company secrets – they were circling for the kill. If Li Zian hadn’t warned her to stay calm first, she might have already lost her composure.

Yu Jiahao leaned back into the Sofa and crossed his legs casually. “Alright, sister. Since you mention it, I’ll cut to the chase. New Star Company owes eight million to the Dajiang Group’s finance division. The payment is due next month. I came to remind you.” He paused meaningfully. “Wouldn’t want you to be… short.”

“And if I am?” Yu Meilin challenged.

Yu Jiahao shrugged. “In the past, under the group, certain leniencies were possible. But New Star Company is your baby now. Consider my position. Uncle will have questions if there’s a default. The Board of Directors… won’t approve.” He feigned thoughtfulness. “You could always ask Uncle for an extension? I could offer the lowest rate on interest. Tidy solution, hm?”

“You know I won’t beg favors,” Yu Meilin stated flatly. Not that it would do her any good.

Yu Jiahao spread his hands. “What then? See me in court?” His expression turned mockingly concerned. “Sister, you must know New Star Company has other creditors? If they learn Yu Jiahao himself is suing you… they’ll be flocking to your door demanding money too! You’re family! I can’t just stand by while that happens. Think of the Yu Family’s reputation!”

Yu Meilin felt the palpable threat in his words. Her face grew colder.

Li Zian chuckled. “Such consideration, Brother-in-law! More than a month left on the loan, and you rushed over today just to send us a little reminder.”

Yu Jiahao gave a dismissive snort, turning his head away slightly.

Li Zian’s expression grew serene. “Brother-in-law, let me give you a little tip. New Star Company owns a Copper Mine in Yun Di. Massive reserves. Undisclosed. Once word gets out, everyone and their dog will be throwing money at us. Eight million? Not a problem. Even eight billion? Negotiable.”

“Ha… Ha ha ha…” Yu Jiahao suddenly burst out laughing. The sound was harsh.

Li Zian smiled along. “Brother-in-law, you have such a charming laugh. Really suits you. Just… maybe scale your mouth back a smidge? Near perfection then.” Open any wider and I could land an airplane in there, he managed not to say.

Yu Jiahao stopped laughing instantly. His eyes turned glacial. “Don’t. Call. Me. Brother-in-law,” he hissed. “I certainly don’t think of you as such. Hearing it from you… makes me feel sick.”

“Brother-in-law,” Li Zian called out clearly and deliberately.

Yu Jiahao froze, jaw tightening.

“BROTHER-IN-LAW?” Li Zian repeated, louder.

Yu Jiahao’s expression darkened to a thundercloud.

This… this uncouth bumpkin! How dare he?! He’d never encountered such barefaced insolence, such direct, repeated provocation! In Shanghai! He was Yu Family’s Second Young Master! Few dared cross the top echelons here! Yet this country oaf was openly insulting him, grinding his face into the dirt again and again!

“Brother-in-law,” Li Zian pushed further, stepping right onto the trigger of Yu Jiahao’s temper, “you wouldn’t be thinking of hitting me, would you?”

Yu Jiahao exploded. Fury twisted into a cruel laugh. His control snapped.

“Li (You jerk!)!” He spat the surname like a curse, abandoning any pretense. “Stop your pathetic gloating! Do you think I’m stupid?!” His voice dripped venom. “That Copper Mine in Yun Di that New Star Company supposedly holds? I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT!”

Li Zian immediately glanced sideways at Yu Jiayong.

Yu Jiayong paled, flinching under Li Zian’s gaze, unable to meet it.

“Jiahao,” Yu Meilin asked sharply, a thread of tension in her calm, “how did you come by that information?”

“Doesn’t matter how I know!” Yu Jiahao retorted, waving a dismissive hand. “I had my people look into it last night. Know what I found?” He leaned forward, his leer triumphant. “That mine? There isn’t even an identifiable vein established yet! ‘Massive Reserves’? Hah! You may fool others with fairytales, sister… but not me!”

“What do you actually want?” Yu Meilin repeated coldly.

Yu Jiahao settled back, savoring his upper hand. “A Copper Mine with no proven vein? Useless to me. Yun Di is crawling with potential mines. If I wanted to dig, I wouldn’t need to waste time on your pitiful gamble.” His smirk widened. “Yesterday, when I heard New Star Company was sitting on some undeveloped treasure? Impressive bluff. You had us all fooled! Now?” A contemptuous shrug. “The truth? You’re throwing your company’s weight into a pure gamble.”

Despite his immense dislike for the man, Li Zian couldn’t help a flicker of reluctant respect. Yu Jiahao’s resources and efficiency were undeniable. Yu Jiayong had only snatched the Yun Di documents yesterday, and Yu Meilin had meticulously doctored them. Yet Yu Jiahao had unraveled the truth about the mine’s barren reality with just a phone call? This guy was definitely sharper than he acted.

Yu Meilin’s voice hardened. “Get to the point. What are you after?”

Yu Jiahao adopted a look of magnanimity. “Well, we are family. You’re my sister. If you hit gold with your gamble… I wouldn’t be here now.” He spread his hands wide. “I’m not here to gloat. Sister? I came to help you.”

“Spare me the charity act. State your demands.”

“Hah! Always direct.” Yu Jiahao nodded approvingly. “Fine. I’ll be blunt. I like the environment… around Lujiazui. Your apartment there? It’s… acceptable.” He locked eyes with her. “Transfer the deed to me. I’ll… settle your debt to Dajiang Finance. Call it a helping hand. Family price. I might take a loss… but who else is going to bail you out?” In your sinking ship, hung unspoken.

Yu Meilin drew a long, harsh breath. Then, abruptly, she pointed straight at the door.

“GET OUT!”