Chapter 64: A Strange Father and Son

The Shen family had now made public the fact that Chen Yuyi was their son-in-law, and over the past few days, many relatives and friends of the Shen family had come specifically to catch a glimpse of this new member of the family. Of course, most of them came with the intention of seeing a joke, for they had heard rumors—who knows from where—that the Shen family had acquired a “bargain” son-in-law.

Upon seeing him, they had to admit his appearance was passable, but as a person, he left much to be desired. He never greeted anyone, his face perpetually expressionless, making it impossible to tell if he was aloof by nature or just putting on airs. To them, he seemed unbearably arrogant, and their disappointment was immediate.

Though the Shen family, in terms of status and wealth, could not compare to their former glory, the starved camel is still bigger than a horse—the family's foundation remained. Therefore, none dared mock Chen Yuyi openly, but privately, they snickered among themselves. Some even shook their heads and sighed, convinced the Shen family would never rise again.

On this day, another father and son came visiting. Upon entering, they first paid their respects to the late master at the ancestral hall, and only then proceeded to the main room.

The father and son were both tall and sturdy, with thick beards and hair, and their eyes held a faint trace of purple, giving them an unusual, almost otherworldly look.

“This must be the new son-in-law!” The middle-aged father greeted Chen Yuyi with a smile, while the young man glanced at him coldly, a look of disdain flickering in his eyes.

Shen Chengde hurried to introduce them. “Son-in-law, this is Brother Bao Kui. The old master once did him a great favor, so he comes occasionally to pay his respects. That’s his son, Bao Wu.”

Chen Yuyi merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Bao Wu’s thick eyebrows drew together in displeasure at Chen Yuyi’s attitude. Though he’d heard rumors that the new son-in-law lacked manners, he hadn’t quite believed it. Now, not only did he believe it—he wanted to teach him a lesson. It was one thing for this man to be rude to him, but to his father as well? He could never abide disrespect to his own family and was already itching for a confrontation.

“Bao Wu, greet the new son-in-law,” Bao Kui said sharply, holding back his own irritation. Bao Wu suppressed his impulse, cupped his fists, and muttered, “Greetings, new son-in-law.”

Chen Yuyi ignored him entirely, stepping past without a word.

Bao Wu’s fist clenched, the knuckles cracking audibly. Fortunately, everyone else had already entered the room and noticed nothing.

“Brother Chengde, I’ve come today to invite you to a special event,” Bao Kui said once they were seated, no longer interested in the new son-in-law.

Bao Wu remained standing behind his father, head lowered and face dark.

Chen Yuyi sat grandly on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, listening idly to their conversation.

“An event? What kind of event?” Shen Chengde asked with interest.

“I hear a new beast-fighting arena has opened on River Island. I thought you might like to come and watch,” Bao Kui said with a smile.

“A beast-fighting arena?” Shen Chengde’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, I’m told there will be many rare and ferocious wild beasts on display. Are you interested in joining the fun?”

Shen Chengde glanced at Chen Yuyi. “I’ll have to ask my son-in-law. If he’s interested, I can go along with him.” He certainly wanted to go, but he had his own calculations. The money he’d recently requested from his son-in-law had already gone to pay off debts; he didn’t have a penny left. Places like that were all about money and excitement—without money, what was the point? If he could bring his son-in-law along, he wouldn’t have to worry about expenses; after all, what young man doesn’t enjoy a little thrill?

Bao Kui was momentarily taken aback, then turned to Chen Yuyi. “Would you be interested?”

“No,” Chen Yuyi replied coolly. He was clearly trying to set a better example for his father-in-law; though the man was already something of a wastrel, now that he was head of the family, stricter discipline was needed.

Bao Wu could no longer hold back. “And who do you think you are, meddling in Master Shen’s affairs!” he snapped.

“Bao Wu!” Bao Kui rebuked sharply, then turned to Chen Yuyi with a slight bow. “My apologies, son-in-law. My boy is impetuous—please don’t take offense.” Though he offered an apology, a trace of displeasure glimmered in his eyes.

Chen Yuyi shot Bao Wu a cold glance and called out, “Uncle Zhong, see them out!” If not for the long-standing relationship between their families, Bao Wu would already be on his knees.

It was an unmistakable order to leave. The faces of the Bao father and son darkened.

Shen Chengde was mortified. “Son-in-law, Brother Bao just arrived. Why are you sending them away?”

Butler Ma Zhong, upon hearing Chen Yuyi’s words, immediately stepped forward and, with a polite gesture, said, “Mr. Bao, please see yourselves out.”

Shen Chengde was baffled by Ma Zhong’s obedience. Since when did he take orders from Chen Yuyi so readily?

“Ah Zhong, what do you mean by this? I didn’t say to send them away.”

Ma Zhong remained unmoved.

Shen Chengde was left deeply frustrated.

Little did he know, Ma Zhong had received instructions from the old matriarch: in this house, the son-in-law’s word was law.

Had Bao Wu not been restrained by his father, he would have already lunged at Chen Yuyi; in his eyes, the so-called son-in-law of the Shen family was nothing at all.

“In that case, Brother Chengde, we’ll take our leave. If you’re interested, you know how to reach me,” Bao Kui said, not sparing Chen Yuyi another glance as he dragged his son away.

“Son-in-law, that was hardly hospitable. The Bao father and son rarely visit, and you sent them off before they’d even finished their tea. What are you thinking?” The old man was openly critical now.

“There will be no more ruinous entertainments!” Chen Yuyi said, leaving no room for argument.

Shen Chengde was taken aback. Was his son-in-law really speaking to him this way? It was as if the man had become a different person.

After the Bao father and son left, Bao Wu fumed all the way home. “Father, why didn’t you let me teach that son-in-law a lesson? So what if Master Shen was present?”

“Bao Wu, what’s the point of acting rashly now? We’ve waited all these years. It’s not worth offending the Shen family just for a second-rate son-in-law,” Bao Kui admonished.

“I can’t stand his attitude. The whole city is laughing at him—he’s nothing but a hanger-on and thinks he’s someone important!” Bao Wu sneered.

“That’s enough, Bao Wu. Have a little patience.”

“How much longer do we have to wait? If you ask me, we should just seize that jade plate from the Shen family directly. Why waste time on all this?”

“The old master did us a favor—we can’t just take it by force. Besides, the Shen family is already nearly ruined by Shen Chengde’s mismanagement. In another couple of years, when the old matriarch passes, Shen Chengde will hand over the jade plate to us himself. We have plenty of time; there’s no need to rush.”

As Bao Kui spoke, his eyes caught sight of a luxury car stopping outside the Shen residence.

“Hmm, that looks like a Yan family car.”

Bao Wu looked as well. “Isn’t the Yan family based in Shangdu?”

“Yan Shouzhong has been in Jiangcheng lately. Could he be in contact with the Shen family?” Bao Kui’s eyes narrowed with suspicion and concern.

He had played no small part in the Shen family’s downfall and hoped they would be left with nothing, making it easier to claim the jade plate with legitimacy. Any sign of the family’s resurgence was unwelcome.

“Should we sneak back in and have a look?” Bao Wu was eager.

“No need. We’ll go home. Shen Chengde will come to me in a few days, and I’ll ask him directly then.” After thinking it over, he concluded that Shen Chengde lacked the ability to turn things around; his worries were unfounded.

“That son-in-law really doesn’t know his place. I can’t understand why Shen Zhujun would marry someone like him,” Bao Wu grumbled.

“Forget about it. Even if Miss Shen hadn’t married him, it wouldn’t have made any difference to you. Still, I’ll be sure to mention this to the Xing family,” Bao Kui said darkly.

No sooner had the Shen family sent off their last guests than two new arrivals appeared.

Shen Chengde, recognizing them, leapt up in alarm. “Mr. Yan!”

The visitors were none other than Yan Shouzhong, head of the Yan Consortium, and trailing behind him was the plump Young Master Yan Hongyi.