Chapter 12
1842 Words
To be honest, Xu Mei never intended to fight over the inheritance.
The original Xu Mei had died because of that very struggle. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake.
Besides, for Xu Mei, having a place to live was enough. She had two hands, she could earn her own money. Why should she ever have to ask Xu Zhongya for anything?
Even this apartment—she wasn’t dead set on keeping it. It was just that under yesterday’s circumstances, she had no choice but to fight.
But now, Xu Zhongya’s behavior made her utterly sick.
Suddenly, she understood why the original Xu Mei had insisted on fighting Xu Lang for the inheritance.
It wasn’t about the money—it was the sheer humiliation.
At this point, Xu Mei felt like even if it meant going down with him, she wanted to drag Xu Zhongya into the abyss.
“Don’t be angry.”
A low male voice spoke next to her, smothering the disgust rising in her chest.
Xu Mei took a deep breath and lifted her head.
She didn’t even realize when Fu Shuyang had come to stand beside her. His face was still expressionless as he spoke in a quiet voice, “The angrier you are, the more pleased he gets.”
Xu Mei nodded and took a step back. “Yeah. I’m not angry.”
“How can someone be this shameless?” Chu Yeran was fuming and couldn’t help but curse, “Is this how a father treats his daughter?”
“And is this how a daughter treats her father?” Xu Zhongya scoffed coldly. “If she’s not after my money, then why won’t she sign? If she really has no designs on the inheritance, who knows what tricks she might pull in the future? What’s wrong with me taking precautions?”
Chu Yeran clenched his fists. “Oh, you’re really testing my temper! By your logic, why did you even raise your daughter? Out of love? Or to secure your retirement? If it's love, great! Then to keep from burdening her later, why not just go die now?”
Xu Zhongya wrinkled his nose in disgust. “You’re Chu Xiuyuan’s son, aren’t you?”
“Why bring up my dad?” Chu Yeran’s arrogance instantly deflated.
“Raised a real winner, huh?” Xu Zhongya sneered. “While the old man’s out groveling for business and kissing a*s, the son’s out flaunting his temper, making enemies left and right. Real impressive.”
Chu Yeran’s family was decently well-off. Not rich, but comfortable. His parents ran a small business, and money was never easy to make. It wasn’t unusual to be pushed around out in the world.
But to say something like that about his dad—right in front of him—was a low blow.
Chu Yeran couldn’t take it. He charged forward at Xu Zhongya.
But before he could reach him, Fu Shuyang grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. “You’ve got less self-control than a teenage girl.”
“Let go!” Chu Yeran tried to shake him off, but failed. He snapped, “I don’t need anyone holding me back!”
“Chu-ge,” Xu Mei quickly stepped in. “Look over there.”
He followed her gaze and saw someone on the side discreetly putting away a camera.
“What the hell?” Chu Yeran was confused.
“They provoked you on purpose and recorded it,” Fu Shuyang said calmly. “In case they need to show it to your dad later.”
“f**k!” Chu Yeran was livid.
“Don’t get into it with him over my business, it’s not worth it,” Xu Mei tried to soothe him. “I didn’t want his money anyway. I’ll just sign. Better to get one house than end up with nothing.”
And she meant it. If she didn’t sign, she might end up like the original Xu Mei—no inheritance and a life lost for nothing.
But in Chu Yeran’s ears, it sounded like she was swallowing her pride. He was even more furious. He punched the side of his car with a loud bang.
“You really don’t want any of the Xu family’s assets?” Fu Shuyang glanced at him, then asked Xu Mei.
Xu Mei nodded. “As long as I have a place to live, I’m good.”
She started to step forward, but Fu Shuyang held her back.
She looked down at his long fingers resting lightly on her wrist. “What’s wrong?”
Fu Shuyang quickly withdrew his hand and shoved it into his pocket. Then he asked seriously, “If you had the chance to sever ties with him for good, would you take it?”
“Absolutely. I’d love to,” Xu Mei said without hesitation. Then she paused. “Wait… that’s possible?”
In real life, the law didn’t allow people to sever legal parent-child relationships. Even if they signed a private agreement, it wouldn’t hold up in court.
Fu Shuyang didn’t answer. He just stared at her, his expression unreadable.
A shiver ran down Xu Mei’s spine as realization hit.
The novel she’d fallen into was set in a semi-fictional world. It resembled her own reality in many ways—but not entirely. Some laws and systems were different.
She remembered now. In the original story, a side character had managed to sever ties with their biological child. It was only briefly mentioned, so she hadn’t paid much attention at the time.
So in this world… cutting legal ties with a parent was actually possible?
That was amazing!
But wait… had she just slipped up?
Xu Mei shifted uncomfortably.
Fu Shuyang noticed her fidgeting, her fingers clenched so tightly they were turning white. He paused and said casually, “It’s possible. The process is just a bit complicated.”
“I’m not afraid of trouble!” Xu Mei immediately replied.
As long as she could shake off Xu Zhongya, she was more than willing to go through anything.
“You done thinking?” Xu Zhongya checked his diamond-studded watch impatiently. “If you’re not signing, I’m leaving. I don’t have time to waste here.”
Xu Mei looked at Fu Shuyang.
Fu Shuyang lifted his eyes lazily and said to Xu Zhongya, “If you’re scared you’ll regret it, go ahead and leave now.”
Xu Zhongya didn’t take Xu Mei or Chu Yeran seriously, but when it came to Fu Shuyang, he was nervous. Something about this young man’s presence, the way he spoke yesterday, his quiet aggression—it unsettled him.
But he couldn’t let himself be intimidated, so he checked his watch again. “You have twenty minutes. After that, I’m out.”
“If you have evidence of a***e, you can file for legal severance,” Fu Shuyang said in a low voice, explaining the law to Xu Mei. “With a good lawyer, you might even get compensation.”
From what she remembered, the original Xu Mei had been abused more than once.
But there was no evidence.
“I don’t have proof,” Xu Mei said.
“I figured,” Fu Shuyang nodded. “What about your mother’s assets?”
“I only know she had a dowry—thirty thousand and an apartment. I don’t know about the rest.” The original novel didn’t go into much detail, so Xu Mei had limited knowledge.
Fu Shuyang nodded again. “Once you legally sever ties with him, there’s no going back. No inheritance, no relationship. He’s worth around ninety million now, maybe more later. You sure you’re okay giving that up?”
Xu Mei answered without a second of hesitation: “I’m sure.”
She knew that with Xu Lang and the male lead’s relationship, Xu Zhongya’s business would skyrocket. Eventually, his net worth would reach hundreds of millions.
But compared to her life, money meant nothing.
Chu Yeran had calmed down a bit, but hearing that made his blood boil again.
So rich, and still treated his own daughter like dirt? What kind of scum was this guy?
“Mr. Xu,” Fu Shuyang now stood in front of Xu Zhongya, “I’m Ms. Xu’s legal representative. I’ll be negotiating on her behalf.”
Xu Zhongya smirked. “Sure. That’s my lawyer over there. Go ahead.”
His lawyer—a man in a suit—looked at Fu Shuyang with disdain. “Name’s Liu. Where’s your license? Which firm are you with?”
Fu Shuyang didn’t even look at him. He said directly to Xu Zhongya, “You sure you want your lawyer to hear what I’m about to say?”
Xu Zhongya paused, feigning confidence. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Fu Shuyang smirked. “Nineteen years ago—”
“Wait!” Xu Zhongya interrupted with clenched teeth. He waved his lawyer away. “Go stand over there.”
Lawyer Liu was stunned. “Mr. Xu, this guy’s clearly trying to manipulate you. Don’t fall for it—”
“Get lost!” Xu Zhongya snapped.
Of course he knew Fu Shuyang had something on him—but what could he do?
Once the lawyer was gone, he glared at Xu Mei, then turned to Fu Shuyang. “You think you can blackmail me with old dirt? I—”
“We’re not here to play games,” Fu Shuyang cut him off. “Let’s be direct. Nineteen years ago, Ms. Xu’s mother brought in a dowry of thirty thousand yuan and an apartment. Add in other fixed assets and jewelry, let’s call it a million. The company you founded was originally a joint venture between you two, with three million in registered capital. Today, your company is worth close to a hundred million. Doesn’t a third of that rightfully belong to Ms. Xu? She’s not asking for your share. Just her mother’s. Thirty million, that’s fair.”
Xu Zhongya was stunned—not just by the outrageous number.
But because this young man clearly knew everything about his finances.
Xu Mei couldn’t possibly know all this.
He glanced at her. Sure enough, she looked just as shocked.
“Who the hell are you?” Xu Zhongya asked, bewildered.
“I told you—I’m her lawyer,” Fu Shuyang replied calmly. “You think I’d walk in here without knowing who I’m dealing with?”
Xu Zhongya’s face twisted. Then he sneered shamelessly: “So you are after my money! Even if her mom had a dowry, money doesn’t just grow on trees! You think all this wealth came out of nowhere? I built this from the ground up! You want a third? You’re out of your damn mind! She’s rotten to the core already!”
Fu Shuyang’s smile turned icy. “And her mother died after marrying you. Shouldn’t you start by paying for that? Why don’t you just drop dead right now? Xu Mei won’t ask for a single cent.”
- Writer
