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Chapter 667: The Late Mother-in-Law
Chapter 667: The Late Mother-in-Law
Shi Xinyu had come to deliver a gift for Yu Meotong, to fulfill their years of friendship. Only after experiencing so much did she discern who was sincere and who was false.
Since the Tao family had not invited Shi Xinyu, she left shortly after presenting her gift and exchanging a few words. Given the unpleasantness surrounding the broken engagement, this was the best way to handle the situation.
Not long after she left, Zong Shimeng arrived. Knowing her current situation, she sighed, "Their family business hasn't been doing well these past two years. It's been on a downward spiral, and there have been conflicts among the three brothers since they got married. Her parents are quite enlightened and immediately divided the family assets among the brothers. When she got married, she was given a generous dowry, so she didn't receive anything during the division of assets."
Hearing this, Yu Meotong couldn't help but snort, "So much for being the most pampered daughter. In the end, she doesn't have any share in the company. As they say, it's always better to have things in your own hands than to rely on others."
Zong Shimeng disagreed, "Her parents prepared a dowry of over fifty million for her wedding. The cash was used for buying property and stocks. She doesn't know how to run a business, and the future of the company is uncertain. It's better for her to have the money directly. Her life now is no worse than that of her three brothers."
Hearing this, Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but remember a joke from her past life—what you should fear is not that the second generation is useless, but that they want to start a business. If they're useless, they'll lie down obediently and live a life free from worry. But if they start a business, they might squander everything away in just a few years.
After a while, Yu Meotong's mother arrived, and Lu Jiaxin and Zong Shimeng stepped aside. Unexpectedly, only Mrs. Yu pulled Yu Meotong aside to talk, while her sister-in-law and sister-in-law approached Lu Jiaxin and Zong Shimeng.
Lu Jiaxin had nothing to say to them and simply flipped through a financial magazine. Zong Shimeng, being more sociable, struck up a conversation with them.
About twenty minutes later, Tao Yong arrived.
Since Yu Meotong was not from Star City, the wedding was held in a hotel. The first stop was the Tao family's old mansion. In the main hall, they saw a couple dressed in festive attire sitting on the sofa. The man bore a strong resemblance to Tao Yong and looked to be in his sixties, with half-white hair. Beside him was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties—this was Tao Yong's stepmother, Lv Yue'e. According to Lu Jiaxin's knowledge, this woman was actually in her forties, but one had to admit she looked well-preserved.
The emcee led the newlyweds to stand before Mr. Tao and Mrs. Tao. As soon as they stopped, someone brought in tea. Following the traditional custom, the bride was to serve tea to her parents-in-law upon entering her husband's home.
Seeing this shrewd-looking woman, Lu Jiaxin scoffed inwardly. She had felt uncomfortable with this woman overseeing the wedding arrangements, and now, at the tea-serving ceremony, she had come back to life like a zombie.
When it was Mr. Tao's turn to receive tea, Yu Meotong was very cooperative. She knelt down, accepted the tea, and presented it with both hands. When it was Lv Yue'e's turn, Yu Meotong raised the teacup and said softly, "Mother-in-law, rest assured, I will take good care of Yong from now on. You can rest in peace in your grave."
With that, she poured the tea onto the mat in front of her.
The hall, which had been lively, suddenly fell silent as if a pin drop could be heard. The guests stared in astonishment at the bold bride, while Lv Yue'e's face turned as red as if she had been dyeing clothes, and she nearly fainted from anger.
Mr. Tao immediately erupted in anger, "Is this how your family taught you to behave, Yu family?"
Yu Meotong was not afraid of him. She replied, "After my mother-in-law passed away, Yong went to a boarding school and later studied abroad. When he returned and worked in the family company for just over a month, he was forced out. At that time, you sent him off like a beggar with ten million yuan and haughtily declared that you would not give him another penny and that he had no share in the family's wealth.
"Father, I offer you tea because you raised Yong to adulthood, despite your partiality. What is she worth that I should serve her tea as well?"
Fortunately, her father was absent due to illness, otherwise, the Taos would have to think twice before doing anything to her, as her father would surely turn the tables on them.
Old Master Tao trembled with rage and pointed at Tao Yong, "If you still recognize me as your father, then cut ties with this woman!"
Tao Yong stood up and pulled Yu Meotong up with him. "When I was young, she would always stir up trouble, and I would get scolded because of her. I'm already being very generous by not taking revenge on such a venomous woman, and now you expect me to serve her tea? How dare she show her face here?"
His older brother and half-brother were vying for control of the company, so they were doing everything they could to curry favor with the old man. On the other hand, Tao Yong had started his own business and didn't rely on the family, so he wasn't afraid of severing ties.
Seeing that the situation was about to escalate, an elder of the Tao family quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "It's getting late. The newlyweds should be heading to the hotel."
If the couple didn't proceed to the hotel for the wedding, it would reflect poorly on the entire Tao family. Old Master Tao waved his hand. "Off you go to the hotel."
Seeing that he didn't object, the elder quickly ushered the newlyweds out. Tao Yong's older brother and his wife felt a sense of relief. They had been fighting with Lu Yuele for so long, and even though they had to maintain a polite facade and call her Aunt Lu, Tao's wife still had to pretend that they had a harmonious relationship. But Tao Yong and his wife dared to trample on Lu Yuele, knowing that the old man had already declared that the second son would not receive a share of the family fortune.
Lu Jiaxin walked up to Yu Meotong and deliberately raised her voice. "Tao Yong, your family is too stingy. Meotong served tea, and you didn't even give her a red packet."
Everyone within earshot fell silent. They were truly enjoying the spectacle, regardless of how big it got.
Zong Shimeng tugged at Lu Jiaxin's sleeve and shot her a look, warning her not to pour oil on the fire. If they really ruined the wedding, it wouldn't be a good thing.
On the way to the hotel, Yu Meotong held Lu Jiaxin's hand and said with reddened eyes, "Jiaxin, thank you."
If it had been her father, he would have certainly scolded her. Instead, Lu Jiaxin stood up for her. Yu Meotong had indeed hesitated the night before, thinking it would be embarrassing to make a scene at her own wedding. She had considered tolerating it since the other party seemed kind. But she hadn't expected this woman to show up dressed to impress, wearing jewelry worth millions, almost stealing the spotlight from the bride herself. That was something Yu Meotong couldn't bear.
Lu Jiaxin laughed. "Just don't blame me if my idea backfires."
Yu Meotong shook her head. "Those who are kind get bullied, and those who are meek get ridden. By making my stance clear today, the Taos won't dare to mess with me in the future."
"The future? Who knows if the Tao family's company will still exist in ten or eight years."
Seeing Tao Yong looking at her, Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Don't get the wrong idea. I won't do anything to the Tao family's company. I'm not that bored."
"In recent years, many long-established companies in Hong Kong have gone bankrupt. If the Tao family's company doesn't innovate and change, it will surely follow the same path."
This wasn't specifically about the Tao family's company but the market trend. New companies emerged every day, while others went bankrupt and disappeared.
Tao Yong remained silent. If the old master didn't designate his eldest son as the heir soon, the siblings would continue to fight, and the Tao family might end up like the Zongs. However, the potential bankruptcy of the Tao family's company wouldn't affect him. Of course, he didn't wish for it to happen, as the old master would surely come to him for money if he ran out.
(End of Chapter)
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