Chapter 17

At this moment, Yu Congyan was enjoying tea at the Shao residence.

An elder of the Shao family accompanied him personally, but Yu Congyan seemed to be there merely for casual conversation. The tea had already been refilled for the third time, yet he hadn’t brought up the main issue.

His expression was calm and composed, giving the impression that he was completely indifferent to the current situation.

However, everyone present was a seasoned player in the business world; they had keen insight.

Uncle Shao clearly sensed that matters were not as simple as they appeared.

Unfortunately, Yu Congyan had no intention of speaking plainly, so Uncle Shao could only probe cautiously:

“Our families haven’t gathered like this in a long time. It’s a pity the old master isn’t at the old residence today. Business matters might be difficult to discuss.”

Uncle Shao was no spring chicken. Seeing Yu Congyan’s stance, he suspected this sudden visit was more of a summons for accountability than a friendly chat.

But with the head of the family absent, blame must be assigned to the right person. No one wanted themselves to be implicated.

He hoped Yu Congyan would quickly reveal the culprit so he could put on a show of righteous indignation and pass the responsibility along.

“No particular matter. Business dealings have been sparse lately. I just had some questions for the old master Shao,” Yu Congyan said in a steady tone.

Yet those sitting nearby were already sweating cold.

The words carried a weight beyond the surface—did he mean to seek advice on business matters, or was this an interrogation of the Shao family?

Hopefully, it was the former, so there was still room for negotiation.

“President Shao is attending a summit today and hasn’t returned yet…” Uncle Shao was unsure how to proceed.

By calculation, the old master should be back soon. Sending someone to fetch him wasn’t impossible.

But the Shao family valued face; they wouldn’t summon their elder just because a junior demanded it.

Yet this was Yu Congyan—a self-made man who had risen to success. If it weren’t for the Shao family riding on his momentum, the Yu family might have been the ones in trouble now.

Calling him a prodigy was no exaggeration. No one wanted to offend him unnecessarily.

Uncle Shao fretted over how to handle the predicament when a noise came from the entrance.

Suddenly alert, it felt like reinforcements had arrived. He quickly stood, preparing to greet the visitor.

“It must be President Shao returning.”

Uncle Shao moved toward the entrance, eager to step outside and catch a breath. Being alone with Yu Congyan any longer was suffocating.

Simply sitting in silence, Yu Congyan’s commanding presence was formidable.

Reaching the doorway, Uncle Shao relaxed slightly and adjusted his face into a practiced expression ready to flatter the old master. But he was startled by the commotion at the door—it didn’t sound right.

It seemed it wasn’t President Shao who had returned.

Shao Huan also noticed his uncle coming out to greet him. With bleary eyes, he greeted, “Oh, Uncle, you’re here.”

“…”

The uncle was not present.

Uncle Shao’s mood plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant.

What a massive difference!

He had hoped the old master would use his elder status to temper Yu Congyan’s audacity as a junior.

Instead, the opposite had arrived—a total counterexample.

Wasn’t this just rushing to become a sacrificial pawn?

Uncle Shao nearly gasped for air, clutching the doorframe to steady himself.

The only consolation was that Shao Huan held little business value; at best, he could serve as a scapegoat for Yu Congyan.

Unaware of the brewing storm in the living room, Shao Huan staggered through the old gate, reeking of alcohol.

---

Upon entering, he carelessly tossed his coat on the floor, kicking toward the door in displeasure. Muttering, “Why does the old man have to make me come home today? It’s not even a holiday, and I barely ate.”

Shao Huan clicked his tongue, thinking he’d better ask the old master for some spending money—couldn’t have come all this way for nothing.

Mid-sentence, he noticed the living room had fallen silent. Looking again, he saw guests still seated.

He assumed the old master had brought someone to persuade him to inherit the family business, growing increasingly impatient:

“Why bring someone else to convince me? I told you, I have no interest in managing the company…”

His words caught in his throat as his gaze met Yu Congyan’s cold stare.

“?!”

Shao Huan’s drunken haze was abruptly lifted.

Frozen in place, he wished he could slap himself for his earlier loose talk.

Why was it Yu Congyan who had come?

He was not the gentle, humble working emperor the old master sent to persuade him. Among the younger generation, only Yu Congyan had secured his position through his own ability and ruthless methods.

If not for the past friendship between their families, Yu Congyan would have long since uprooted the Shao family’s tangled influence without a second thought.

“President Yu… you’re here,” Shao Huan reluctantly addressed him with respect under his uncle’s pointed gaze.

Had he offended him recently?

Shao Huan struggled to think clearly through the alcohol fog, finally grasping a faint clue.

It had to be about that music travel show!

Yu Congyan must have learned of his plan to make Xia Wansheng look bad on the program and came early to cause trouble.

Clutching the door handle tightly, he almost turned and fled.

Every encounter with Yu Congyan brought no good.

At first, their families had considered a strong alliance. But Yu Congyan’s achievements grew ever more outstanding, his talent seemingly surpassing even President Shao. Meanwhile, Shao Huan’s entertainment career had produced little beyond minor notoriety.

The gap widened, and the matter was gradually forgotten.

Most of the time, Shao Huan thought Yu Congyan was pretentious and often slandered him behind his back, but deep down he understood the man’s formidable nature.

When Yu Congyan took in a golden songbird, everyone mocked him, believing he would soon drown in decadence.

Some even bet on when the Yu family would crumble.

But as time passed, there was no sign of decline.

The Yu family’s business continued to rise steadily. Yu Congyan had even purchased a building and left it unused.

He refused all investment offers seeking to curry favor, claiming he had his own plans.

Everyone speculated that building was Yu Congyan’s ultimate trump card.

Contrasting Shao Huan’s stunned expression, Yu Congyan’s mood was quite good.

After all, the main event had finally arrived.

He no longer fussed over his teacup, shifting slightly to casually face Shao Huan.

“Since you’re here, why not come over for a chat? Last time, the old master Shao asked me to discuss the management of the branch with you. He said that once you caused a scandal, you must immediately quit the industry,” Yu Congyan said, feigning recollection.

He avoided stating it outright before the elder, but anyone in the circle knew of Shao Huan’s past bullying.

Grabbing resources, occupying positions, and throwing tantrums were standard; without the Shao family’s top-tier PR team, Shao Huan’s reputation would have collapsed long ago.

This was a subtle warning to Shao Huan: be honest in the coming conversation, or Yu Congyan had the means to erase him from the industry forever.

Knees weakening, Shao Huan nearly collapsed, barely steadying himself on the sofa.

This time, he sincerely pleaded, “I know I was wrong. For the sake of the Shao family, can you please let me off this once…”

Though unaware of his precise fault, his humility was evident.

---

Inwardly, Yu Congyan thought: Xia Wansheng is just an ordinary minor star. What kind of spell was cast? Yu Congyan was always profit-driven—when had he ever stood up for a golden songbird like this?

It was rare enough to make Shao Huan feel dizzy.

“Were you aware of the director threatening Xia Wansheng before?” Yu Congyan’s tone remained calm.

Yet his eyes were like a leopard locking onto prey, unwavering.

Though not the sharpest, Shao Huan likely knew many of the circle’s unsavory figures and probably had some insight into the matter.

At this, Uncle Shao quickly took a stand beside Yu Congyan, his tone stern: “Shao Huan, be honest. Your wild antics outside are one thing, but how could you harm someone from the Yu family!”

Uncle Shao deliberately raised his voice, thinking this was his chance to sever ties cleanly. If the dispute dragged on, Yu Congyan might take him down too.

Better to settle clearly and early.

After the questions, both men looked toward the silent Shao Huan.

His confused expression was genuine.

No, how had he never heard of this?

Xia Wansheng flaunted his connection with Yu Congyan daily. Who would dare touch him?

But even if Shao Huan said this now, no one would believe him.

He cautiously offered a half-plausible excuse: “I really don’t know about Xia Wansheng’s situation, but knowing that director, he could do such a thing. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in prison now…”

His voice trembled at the end.

“Were you involved?” Yu Congyan suddenly asked.

Though a simple question, Shao Huan nearly jumped, hastily denying any connection.

“No! I really don’t know anything!”

Facing Yu Congyan’s disbelief, he felt hopeless.

Help! Yu Congyan mustn’t think he was resisting. But he truly had nothing to confess—he didn’t know what Xia Wansheng had gone through!

He quickly sought his uncle’s help, tugging at his sleeve: “Uncle, you know I only hang out with a few rich kids. I’ve never done anything illegal!”

Surely, he wasn’t guilty enough to deserve this!

But Uncle Shao, surprisingly agile for his stout frame, silently stepped back, leaving Shao Huan grasping at empty air.

“Shao Huan, it’s come to this. You should tell the truth,” Uncle Shao said, his tone mixed with disappointment and frustration.

If he confessed everything, their families could still collaborate peacefully next quarter.

Shao Huan opened his mouth, intending to describe Xia Wansheng’s arrogant behavior to support his earlier claim. But one look at Yu Congyan’s icy gaze told him:

Speaking up would only bring more trouble.

As Shao Huan fell silent, Yu Congyan’s stare grew colder, as if contemplating how to dismantle the Shao family piece by piece.

Tension soared, the atmosphere suffocating.

Another sound came from the entrance.

Someone had returned.

Shao Huan, desperate, turned quickly and finally saw the long-unseen old master Shao, longing to immediately cling to him for salvation.

Shao Huan: Help! Grandpa, save me!

Old Master Shao: ???

He had only stopped for dinner after a meeting. Why did it feel like the Shao family was on the brink of collapse?