Chapter 105: Chen Ya Makes a Decision
âAunt, youâre back!â Ye Chenâs face lit up upon seeing Chen Ya return. Having left just a day ago and already back would surely raise suspicions, so Chen Ya deliberately stayed in her external residence for two days to adjust her mood. She had originally planned to stay at the Lu family estate last night!
Glancing sideways at Ye Chen, Chen Ya couldnât hide her disgust. After being suspected by Lu Li due to her blood relation to Ye Chen, she found Ye Chen increasingly unbearable to look at. The more she saw him, the more repulsed she felt, not to mention his disturbing thoughts towards her.
Ye Chenâs face stiffened, a shadow passing over his eyes. Although he knew his aunt was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, he was not accustomed to being disregarded like this.
Yet, he couldnât voice his grievances; his actions of beating those two men might have been satisfying, and his grandfather might have approved, but his aunt did not think so.
Her argument was rational; being experienced in their circle for so many years, she had her own ways of handling things. If she couldnât handle those two on her own, she would have been devoured by wolves long ago.
But to say this outright felt like a slap in his own face, blatantly telling him his actions were meaningless and had only caused trouble for the Chen family. Even if he was in the wrong, it shouldnât be like this. He was doing it for his aunt, after all!
Shouldnât he be praised for valuing family over power and privilege? He wished for such acknowledgment from his aunt like the approval he received from his grandfather.
Biting his lip, Ye Chen approached Chen Ya.
âNever mind, never mind. Auntie is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Though she speaks harshly, she still cares for me deep down. She was just upset because I acted impulsively,â he reasoned with himself. Given the situation, and considering the special place his aunt held in his heart, he was willing to tolerate her whims.
Elder Chen still sat leisurely by the living room window, basking in the afternoon sunâa beneficial activity for the elderly. Seeing Chen Ya approach, he showed a hint of surprise.
âBack so soon?â Elder Chen inquired.
âYes, the partner I found this time is quite efficient and decisive. Itâs normal for them to work quickly,â Chen Ya said, her eyes betraying a complex sentiment.
âTheir family has significant clout and deep ties with the capital, which is why they asked for a high price,â she continued somberly.
Who would have thought, Miss Cao of the Cao family, would actually be at the Lu family estate!
Lying involves mixing truth with falsehood, a method Chen Ya often used effectively. However, this time, in front of Lu Li, her âart of languageâ seemed to fail completely, all thanks to Ye Chen.
If possible, she wouldnât want to stand against her own father!
âThis time, we nearly gave up thirty percent of our current assets to have them⊠offer us protection without any direct benefits,â Chen Ya said, watching her fatherâs expressions closely.
Elder Chenâs face showed concern upon hearing that engaging Chen Yaâs chosen partner for the Chen familyâs protection cost them thirty percent of their assets.
Thirty percent!
This meant a significant reduction in the Chen familyâs holdings.
But hearing of the partnerâs connections with the capital, Elder Chen sighed in resignation.
âWell, if itâs thirty percent, so be it! Having received benefits, weâve also established a connection with them. This transaction, in some sense, is not a loss.â
True to his experienced nature, even amidst the sting, he saw opportunity.
Chen Yaâs expression flickered briefly. What if she faced someone other than Lu Li? What would she do if the partner had different demands?
Would she have to use her body to pay for Ye Chenâs mistakes?
Of course, there were no ifs. If it werenât Lu Li, she wouldnât have taken such actions. The title of âUnderworld Queenâ wasnât just for show.
Yet, seeing her father like this, she couldnât help but think: âIn my fatherâs eyes, am I, his daughter, less important than Ye Chen, his grandson?â
âFather, do you still think what Ye Chen did was right? Things I could have handled on my own were messed up by him. Do you still believe he was right?â
Elder Chen smiled gently: âProtecting family is never wrong.â
âEven if the aftermath brings greater harm to oneself, would you still think so?â Chen Yaâs eyes flashed coldly, tempted to reveal everything she had gone through. She wondered if her father would maintain his stance if he knew, without understanding her feelings, what had happened to her.
Elder Chen looked up, his gaze soft: âXiaochen is your sisterâs only son. Our family, our Chen family, has an obligation to protect him, and you have a duty to protect your nephew.â
Chen Ya closed her eyes, feeling a pang of pain. Yes, Ye Chen was her sisterâs son, a loved one by proxy.
But Iâm also your daughter! Why must I accept this unjust moral burden?
Opening her eyes, she smiled faintly: âFather, youâre right. Xiaochen is my only nephew, and I should protect him, being my sisterâs only bloodline.â
Her fatherâs biased words broke Chen Yaâs equilibrium, fostering a hint of resentment towards him.
Perhaps not intense now, but certain things could be fatal.
âYou thinking this way is good. A family should be like this!â Elder Chen nodded, smiling: âThough Xiaochen still has his shortcomings, his care for family is correctâa commendable trait!â
âIndeed, the commendable Ye Chen even has commendable improper thoughts about me, his aunt.â A mocking light flickered in her eyes, but outwardly, Chen Ya nodded seriously.
âFather, I was wrong before!â She apologized sincerely, feeling as if something inside her had shattered.
Was it her expectations of her father?
Upon her return, he hadnât asked what happened to her, only insisting she help her nephewâŠ