Cao Dayong was hospitalized after a stroke and diagnosed with late-stage cancer, with little time left.
As a matter of course, control of “Cao Ji” fell into Yu Shangmei’s hands.
During the half month that Cao Dayong was hospitalized, Yu Shangmei only visited a few times initially, then used “being busy” as an excuse to refuse further visits.
Just a step away from death’s door, lying in his hospital bed, Cao Dayong suddenly thought of his long-deceased first wife. In contrast to his current wife’s coldness and cruelty, he found himself increasingly sentimental about his first wife’s deep affection.
Even his stepson, Jiang Da, whom he once found disagreeable, now appeared respectful and kind.
Some things don’t stand up to scrutiny, and the more he thought about it, the more he realized how wrong he had been.
Cao Dayong regretted it all.
He had once enjoyed a harmonious family and a deep father-son bond, which only grew stronger after his wife’s death.
When did it all change? Cao Dayong knew the answer but had never wanted to admit it.
Now, facing death, he finally accepted it.
“Cao Ji” was his life’s work, and he couldn’t allow it to fall into someone else’s hands!
So he summoned his lawyer and drafted a will, explicitly stating in black and white that he wanted Jiang Da to inherit “Cao Ji.”
Jiang Da, however, was only fulfilling a promise he’d made to his mentor’s wife, ensuring his mentor didn’t die alone. He’d never truly considered the inheritance.
But the more he seemed indifferent, the more determined Cao Dayong became to give it to him.
In the last moments of his life, he finally saw people’s true colors. Unfortunately, it was too late.
After Cao Dayong’s death, the lawyer presented the will. Yu Shangmei and her son contested it, claiming Cao Dayong was mentally unsound when he drafted it, thus refusing to recognize its legitimacy.
The inheritance dispute led to a sharp decline in “Cao Ji”’s business and damaged its reputation.
The court invalidated the will, noting that Jiang Da was not a blood relative and that the “adoption” was just a verbal agreement without legal standing. As the legal wife, Yu Shangmei inherited everything.
Jiang Da didn’t appeal and left F City the same day.
He had nowhere to go but back to his biological family.
When Qiu Shufen found out, she first scolded Jiang Da for being too weak to secure such a substantial inheritance, then cursed Yu Shangmei bitterly.
With no job, Jiang Da could only stay at home, but as time went on, even his family grew tired of him.
It wasn’t until he married Han Yunru that his relationship with his mother exploded, leading to his expulsion from the family.
“Cough…that’s pretty much it.”
Little Brother Jiang frowned, ran over to Jiang Da, and patted his back gently. “Poor Daddy…”
Jiang Da smiled wistfully.
But then he heard his son continue, “All that money just gone…”
Jiang Da: “?” Is this really about the money?!
Little Brother Jiang patted him again, “But it’s okay, it’s already gone…though it’s a bit of a pity…”
Jiang Da: “…”
“Why haven’t you mentioned this before?” Han Yunru asked.
“It’s all in the past; no point in talking about it.”
But his expression betrayed lingering bitterness.
“So why did the three of them reach out to you?”
Jiang Da’s lips pressed into a thin line.
When he left, he’d been in such a hurry that he hadn’t had time to say goodbye to his friends. He’d later asked around about them and learned they stayed with “Cao Ji.” Some even became head chefs at branch locations. Knowing this, Jiang Da felt both pride and regret.
Since then, he had cut ties with F City, never expecting them to seek him out, urging him to take action.
Jiang Da sighed, “I think they haven’t had it easy…”
He knew Yu Shangmei all too well—paranoid, greedy, ruthless, but always careful to keep up appearances.
The fact she tolerated his former colleagues for so long was surprising.
Han Yunru asked, “So, what are you going to do?”
Jiang Da shrugged. “It has nothing to do with me.”
They may want him as their banner, but only if he agrees.
It seemed that Jiang Fuyue was seeing her father in a new light. Everyone else probably underestimated him.
The fact that he brought those old friends to the villa spoke to his cleverness.
Han Yunru nodded, “You’re right; our family is doing well now. No need for extra wealth.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Da’s friends were in their room, debating their next steps.
“….Why are you so quiet, Xiao Douzi?”
Snapping back to reality, Cao Dou replied, “About what?”
“Never mind. You’re useless, as always.”
Hidden in the corner where they couldn’t see, Cao Dou smirked.
In his opinion, Jiang Da, now comfortably living in a villa, wouldn’t risk getting involved in their mess. Just wait and see…
Sure enough, when they woke the next morning, Jiang Da was already out running his store.
They hurried to the shop, only to be put to work immediately.
Han Yunru found the situation quite amusing. Free labor—might as well take advantage!
That day, Jiang Fuyue didn’t go to the store; she was attending Yici’s birthday party.
Two days earlier, he had hinted at it multiple times, urging her to come.
She had agreed right away, but finding the right gift was challenging.
Luckily, she solved that problem soon enough.
Others invited from her class included Wan Xiutong, Liu Bowen, and Lin Qiao. Interestingly, though they weren’t close to Yici, they were friends with Jiang Fuyue.
“What?! Brother Ci invited me to his birthday party?!” Liu Bowen almost jumped when he got the invitation.
Wan Xiutong looked completely stunned: the tyrant invited her? To a birthday party?
Lin Qiao reacted the fastest, flicking the invitation card with her fingers twice. “I’ve long heard that Yi, the school bully, comes from a super-rich family and lives in a manor-style mansion. This is our chance to get a glimpse of that world.”
Wan Xiutong: “A glimpse of what?”
Lin Qiao glanced meaningfully at Jiang Fuyue, who was focused on her work and completely unfazed. “What do you think?”
On the day of the party, Jiang Fuyue met up with the three of them at the school gate as planned, and they took a taxi to the Yi residence together.
When they arrived, it was already 2 p.m.
A butler, accompanied by bodyguards, stepped forward to open the car door for them. After checking the invitation, he politely welcomed them inside.
Wan Xiutong gasped, “It really is a manor… So big, so beautiful…”
Unlike the villa communities like Yutian Huafu, the Yi residence was an independent estate. Compared to the refined, deliberate craftsmanship of those planned neighborhoods, this place had a wilder, more untouched beauty—closer to nature.
For example, the fountain was fed by a mountain spring, connected to an underground drainage system to ensure a continuous flow of fresh water.
Even the garden behind the house was actually the foothill of a mountain, which had been fenced off as part of the estate. Occasionally, they could even spot wild animals wandering about.
Both Liu Bowen and Lin Qiao came from well-off families, but even they were dazzled by what they saw.
“How much do you think this place costs?” Liu Bowen swallowed hard.
“This area is designated as a protected development zone,” Lin Qiao said. In other words, no amount of money could buy land here. Without the land, how could one even build an estate like this?
Aside from the four of them, other guests had already arrived, gathering in small groups on the lawn—chatting, eating, and enjoying themselves.
Although most were their age, seeing how everyone was dressed to the nines made it clear that this birthday party was nothing like the “simple celebration” Yici had described.
Wan Xiutong glanced down at her casual dress, then looked at the other girls in elegant evening gowns with flawless makeup. Anxiety crept in. “Did I… wear the wrong outfit?”
Lin Qiao also hesitated. She had no idea this was going to be a formal event. She had assumed it would just be a small gathering to eat cake, blow out candles, and play some games.
If she’d known, she would have worn an evening gown too.
Liu Bowen covered his face. Everyone else was in suits and bow ties, while he showed up in a hoodie and sneakers.
Kill me now.
Looking around, he barely recognized anyone from their school. He suddenly felt out of place.
At that moment, the three of them instinctively turned to Jiang Fuyue to see how she would react.
After all, she hadn’t even bothered with a dress—just a simple T-shirt and jeans.
Jiang Fuyue quickly noticed their gazes and returned an unbothered look. “What are you all staring at me for?”
With that, she casually stuck her hands in her pockets and strode inside.
Still the same old Sister Yue.
That calm, composed demeanor, the steady confidence in her steps—it was like a stabilizing force. The three of them instantly felt reassured.
What was there to be afraid of?
With her leading the way, they straightened their backs and followed, heads held high.
Never flinch. Never back down!
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