Chapter 2、Are you still alive?

"Doesn't matter who I am, the call is connected. Just answer it," the chubby man said.

Chu Yuxuan eyed the man suspiciously, then slowly took the phone. "Hello?"

"Yuxuan…" The voice on the other end was all too familiar. "It's Dad."

Chu Yuxuan was slightly surprised, then he smirked, "Oh? You're still alive? Heaven really must be blind."

The chubby man next to him turned pale.

A moment of silence followed on the other end of the line, then a sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if you're really my son. How did you get such a sharp tongue?"

Chu Yuxuan snorted coldly, "Chu Zhiqing, even though my grandmother was the mother of your third wife, she was still your mother-in-law. If you have any decency left, you should come and pay your respects."

The man whose mere frown could strike fear into the hearts of Jiangcheng's business elite didn't seem angered. He chuckled, "Let this fat guy do it on my behalf. It's a bit inconvenient for me to come."

Chu Yuxuan pressed his lips together and glanced sideways at the chubby man. "He says you should bow 800 times. You're not allowed to go home until you're done."

The chubby man: "…"

Chu Zhiqing burst into laughter. Though he hadn't seen his illegitimate son in over a decade, he knew his nature all too well.

After laughing for a while, his tone suddenly turned serious. "Let's talk business, Yuxuan. Two years ago, when you first returned to the country, I wanted you to come back to the Chu family. But you said you wanted to care for your grandmother until the end, so I didn't force you… Now that she's gone, don't you think it's time for you to come back?"

The Chu family—Jiangcheng's most prominent clan.

However, Chu Yuxuan remained indifferent in the face of this wealth. "Come back for what? To send you off too? Are you on your way out?"

The chubby man, unable to maintain his kneeling position, slammed his head into the ground.

"Yuxuan, I know you hate me, but now isn't the time for grudges. You're my only son! Your grandfather's health is declining by the day, and I think…"

"So, you want me to come back to help you fight for the inheritance? Can't wait to replace that old man, can you? Heh…" Chu Yuxuan cut him off coldly. "Don't forget, I'm just an illegitimate child. I'm neither qualified nor interested!"

Another silence ensued on the other end. After a long pause, Chu Zhiqing suddenly said, "Don't think I don't know. You've been investigating that matter all these years."

Chu Yuxuan's pupils contracted briefly, but he quickly regained his composure. He asked in a low voice, "What else do you know?"

"Heh… Boy, no matter what, I'm still your father. You've been lying low for ten years, fooling everyone else, but you can't fool me. By the way, I just saw the news. It seems your little wife is planning to run off with someone else? Son, all that romantic nonsense is just something bored people at the bottom chase after. You shouldn't be making such a basic mistake. There isn't a woman in this world that money can't buy… I've prepared a big gift for you—Jiangcheng's number one beauty. Do you want her? If you come back, you can marry her immediately!"

Chu Yuxuan seemed uninterested in Jiangcheng's top beauty and instead retorted, "Bored people at the bottom? Heh… Chu Zhiqing, in some ways, you don't even count as a person."

"Just get it out of your system! At least leave me some dignity, you little brat… You only get one chance. I'll give you a week to think it over. Oh, and a heads-up—Chu family's resources and connections might just help you with that matter you're investigating… Not to rain on your parade, but with your current little tricks, you might never find the truth in this lifetime."

Chu Yuxuan fell silent, pondering for a while before gritting his teeth and saying, "Chu Zhiqing, don't you want to uncover the truth from back then?! Sometimes… I really want to cut open your chest to see if you even have a heart!"

Chu Zhiqing chuckled, his tone nonchalant, "Don't forget, one week. After that, the offer expires."

Then, the call ended.

Chu Yuxuan furiously threw the phone to the ground, his eyes red, with a hint of moisture glistening within.

The chubby man looked at the broken phone, wanting to say, "Why the hell did you smash my phone just because you're angry?"

But seeing the murderous look in Chu Yuxuan's eyes, he swallowed his frustration and continued to bow.

Meanwhile, in Gao Ning's villa, Xia Zhu was peeling an apple on the sofa, while Gao Ning was showing her mother around upstairs and downstairs.

"Auntie, my dad bought this new house for me last month, planning for me to use it when I get married. If you don't mind, you can move in today."

"Oh, how could I?!" The woman feigned modesty, but her eyes clearly showed approval of Gao Ning.

Indeed, Gao Ning was not only handsome and tall, but also came from a wealthy family. Both his parents were well-known business figures. Any mother-in-law would be satisfied.

Gao Ning smiled, "Auntie, you and my parents are old friends, and Xia Zhu and I have been in love for a long time. You moving in is only natural."

Xia Zhu's mother laughed heartily and walked over to Xia Zhu, saying, "Xia Zhu, call that loser and tell him to come over. You two should finalize the divorce today! I didn't agree to you being with him from the start, but you… I don't know what kind of spell he put on you, you were completely out of your mind… Kept saying he was caring, gentle, and considerate…"

At this point, the woman seemed to realize she had said too much and quickly shut her mouth.

After an awkward pause, she turned to Gao Ning, "Ning'er, don't worry. I guarantee that nothing ever happened between Xia Zhu and that loser. I swear on my honor!"

"Mom!" Xia Zhu frowned, displeased. "What are you talking about…"

Perhaps she didn't even know why she ended up with Chu Yuxuan in the first place.

Women often face two choices: chasing after the person they love or settling for someone who loves them.

With her strong-willed nature, Xia Zhu naturally chose the former. But that choice led to heartbreak and dissatisfaction.

So, she compromised with the latter.

And now, her first choice had returned, the misunderstanding from three years ago cleared up, and the person who had unilaterally loved her was destined to lose.

"Here, have an apple." Xia Zhu stood up and handed the peeled apple to Gao Ning, her eyes brimming with affection.

To be honest, Xia Zhu's appearance, figure, and temperament were all top-notch. In ancient times, she could have brought down a kingdom.

A few years ago, some bored aristocratic youths in Jiangcheng had compiled a "Rouge List," updating the rankings each season. Xia Zhu consistently ranked among the top three. However, now at the "advanced age" of 28, it was inevitable that she would drop out of the top three this year.

After all, nothing lasts forever—youth and beauty fade with time.

Speaking of the Rouge List, one couldn't ignore Jiangcheng's number one beauty, who had held the top spot for several years. She made the list as a college freshman and had remained there for seven years, with her position entirely unchallenged.

Many wealthy and powerful men, blinded by lust, had tried all sorts of tricks to make her theirs, but to no avail. This stunning beauty had a cold temperament and came from a solid family background. Now 25, she had yet to be touched by anyone.

Gao Ning took a bite of the apple Xia Zhu handed him. "It's really sweet."

The two stood face to face, almost touching. From a distance, they looked like a perfect match.

Seeing the two of them getting cozy, Xia Zhu's mother, ever the opportunist, smacked her lips and said, "Xia Zhu, you keep Ning'er company. I'll go whip up a few dishes. Let's have a family dinner today to celebrate Ning'er's comeback and the rekindling of your relationship!"

As Xia Zhu's mother headed to the kitchen, Gao Ning naturally wrapped his arms around Xia Zhu, leaning in for a kiss.

But unexpectedly, Xia Zhu turned her face away at the last moment, shyly saying, "Ning-ge, don't… I'm still married to Yuxuan. It just doesn't feel right."

A flash of coldness flickered in Gao Ning's eyes, but he maintained his gentlemanly demeanor. "Alright, I'll respect your wishes… Xia Zhu, let's meet him soon. I can't wait to marry you."

Xia Zhu nodded lightly, "Okay…"