Chapter 99

That night, after learning that Lu Zhe was the child of the Lu family, Zhao's Father and Zhao's Mother were so excited that they couldn't fall asleep the entire night.0

They even forgot about Fu Baili not returning home for dinner in the evening.0

"Do you think the Lu family will ignore Youyou if we send her to their house tomorrow?" Zhao's Mother turned around and nudged Zhao's Father's back.0

"You're so short-sighted. Do you know what rich people value the most?"0

Zhao's Father looked at his wife and explained, "Rich people don't care about money, but they care about their reputation. We raised Lu Zhe for them, so we are their benefactors. It's only right that they should be grateful to us."0

Zhao's Mother found her husband's words very convincing.0

"Besides, I'm sending our daughter to the Lu family tomorrow to test their attitude. If they really try to deny it, I have other plans." Zhao's Father's small eyes gleamed with cunning.0

Zhao's Mother could already imagine piles of gold and silver in front of her. "Do you think the Lu family will give us a lot of money as a reward?"0

Zhao's Father was extremely disdainful of his wife. "After all these years, how have you not improved at all? Just eating rice and not using your brain?"0

He continued, "It's not about how much the Lu family will give us. You should think about how much we should ask from the Lu family. Do you know how powerful and wealthy the Lu family is? Their businesses not only span across the country but also extend to many foreign countries."0

In B City, the Lu family and the Su family are both well-known for their wealth and influence.0

Zhao's Mother swallowed hard. "Should we ask for a million?"0

Clearly, Zhao's Father had bigger ambitions. "When Lu Zhe inherits the Lu family, it will be hundreds of billions. Asking for ten million, plus a house, is not at all unreasonable."0

Zhao's Mother quickly brushed her hair back and was completely shocked. "Ten... million."0

Previously, when their daughter won the lottery and they received five million, she already felt like she was dreaming. Now, after her husband lost all that money, they were about to get ten million again. It was truly divine blessing for the Zhao family.0

Zhao's Father was also filled with excitement. "Alright, alright, let's sleep now."0

The next day, Zhao Youyou found the address of the Lu family.0

Standing outside the grand gate of the Lu family's mansion, she felt timid for the first time since her rebirth.0

The imposing gate and the high walls made her feel intimidated and hesitant to approach.0

She clearly realized that Lu Zhe was indeed different from his previous life. The once cold and destitute young man had now become the heir to a wealthy family.0

Inside the Lu family's residence, Wen Ya was entertaining Su's Mother. She had invited her over to enjoy tea, do some flower arranging, and chat. At that moment, the butler came in to report that a girl was waiting at the gate, claiming to be Lu Zhe's sister.0

"What's her name?" Wen Ya put down her cup.0

The butler replied, "She says her name is Zhao Youyou."0

After finding Lu Zhe, Wen Ya and Lu Chen had sent people to investigate his past life, including the time he was adopted by the Zhao family.0

"Did she say what she wants?"0

The butler said, "Madam, Zhao Youyou says she has something to discuss with you or Sir."0

Wen Ya paused for a moment, then turned to ask Su's Mother, "Tong Xin, are you interested in hearing about Lu Zhe's past?"0

Although she didn't know the reason, Wen Ya could clearly sense that Su's Mother's attitude towards the two children had softened during their conversation today. This was a good sign.0

Su's Father had previously investigated Lu Zhe's background, so Su's Mother was also aware of his adoption. "Since we're just relaxing, it wouldn't hurt to listen."0

Wen Ya nodded. "Butler, let her in."0

As Zhao Youyou entered the Lu family's mansion, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She walked proudly behind the butler, her eyes constantly wandering around.0

When they reached the grand and exquisite house, and she saw the two well-maintained ladies in the living room, Zhao Youyou quickly snapped back to reality.0

"Are you Zhao Youyou?" Wen Ya glanced at her and gestured, "Please, have a seat."0

Although Zhao Youyou was good-looking, to Wen Ya, she was quite ordinary.0

Not to mention that Wen Ya herself was strikingly beautiful, and the woman sitting next to her, Su's Mother Tong Xin, was also gentle and graceful. Moreover, Wen Ya was accustomed to seeing many beautiful young ladies from wealthy families. Even more so, the girl she envisioned as her future daughter-in-law, Su Ci, was an absolute beauty.0

"Thank you," Zhao Youyou politely and courteously sat down on the single sofa across from them.0

Wen Ya had someone bring tea for Zhao Youyou: "You just told the butler that you are Lu Zhe's sister?"0

Zhao Youyou felt a bit embarrassed but spoke sincerely, "Madam Lu, I'm very happy that my brother has found his biological parents, but no matter where he goes, he will always be my brother."0

Wen Ya asked her, "Are your relationships very good?"0

Zhao Youyou was startled. Was her relationship with Lu Zhe good?0

No, she had always looked down on him and bullied him since they were children. Now, Lu Zhe was also very cold towards her.0

"Is that question difficult to answer?" Wen Ya looked at the silent Zhao Youyou. "Tell me about Lu Zhe's life in your family."0

She and Lu Chen had sent people to investigate Lu Zhe's life in the Zhao family. The Zhao family had moved away, so the investigators had asked the neighbors around their old house. They learned that Lu Zhe's life in the Zhao family was not good.0

The neighbors didn't know much, as everyone kept to themselves, but they could describe what they had seen.0

From a young age, Lu Zhe had started helping the Zhao family with shopping, even carrying heavy items like rice and oil.0

At just under ten years old, he would carry a dozen pounds of rice up five flights of stairs in the winter, wearing thin clothes that left his ankles exposed and old, tattered shoes.0

Or, the neighbors would open their doors to see Lu Zhe, wearing just a single layer of clothes, standing outside in the freezing cold, his hands covered in purple welts from being beaten. The young boy stood there, his face stern, his pale lips tightly pressed together, not making a sound.0

When Wen Ya saw the investigation results, her heart ached.0

Considering that the Zhao family had adopted her son, she decided not to pursue trouble with them. After all, in her view, the one most deserving of punishment was herself. Her son had been kidnapped, and the main responsibility was hers. She hadn't protected him well enough.0

"My brother in our family..." Zhao Youyou wasn't foolish enough to reveal the true circumstances of Lu Zhe's life in her family, but she also couldn't lie, as Lu Zhe would definitely expose her.0

Zhao Youyou quickly thought for a moment, "My brother was very capable."0

Wen Ya sipped her tea without responding.0

Even Su's Mother, who was sitting beside her, just smiled and remained silent.0

Zhao Youyou felt nervous and continued, "My brother had a good relationship with us. He often helped my parents with chores that he could manage."0

Wen Ya put down her teacup. "Anything else?"0

"Our family wasn't well-off, so during vacations, my brother would go out to do part-time jobs." She remembered that from middle school, Lu Zhe had started working part-time during holidays, though most of his earnings were eventually taken by her parents.0

Wen Ya looked at Zhao Youyou.0

Zhao Youyou continued, "When my brother was little, he was very caring towards me. He would let me have my way in everything..."0

Zhao Youyou cleverly avoided the heavy topics, mixing truth with lies, making it hard for others to catch her in deception.0

Both Wen Ya and Su's Mother Tong Xin listened quietly. As wealthy ladies, they had seen all kinds of people.0

Zhao Youyou might be able to act cute in front of a boy who liked her, but in front of Wen Ya and Su's Mother, she was simply out of her depth.0

Feeling impatient, Wen Ya interrupted Zhao Youyou directly, "Enough. What you're saying is completely different from the results of my investigation. There's no need to say any more pleasantries. What is your purpose for coming to the Lu family today?"0

Zhao Youyou, still young, was shocked and ashamed upon hearing Wen Ya's words, her face turning red instantly.0

Had she already investigated?0

So, all the while, they had been listening to her as if she were telling a joke?0

Zhao Youyou felt so embarrassed that she bit her lip tightly, and her hands, which were resting on her legs, clenched into fists. After her rebirth, this was the first time she had felt so humiliated.0

"Speak, what is your purpose for coming today?" Wen Ya was a smart woman and not easily fooled.0

Zhao Youyou's face was burning, but she still remembered her goal. "My parents raised my brother, and now that he has found his family, they are also very happy. But recently, our family has encountered some difficulties. Since my parents have nurtured my brother, I would like to ask him for help."0

Wen Ya had long anticipated such a day. "How much do you want?" she asked.0

Zhao Youyou's throat tightened, and her face burned with shame. "Ten million, plus a house."0

The air in the living room froze.0

Su's Mother couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Wen Ya, I always thought raising Tong Xin was expensive, but I didn't expect Lu Zhe to cost so much when he was adopted."0

She continued, "I never knew that raising a child in an ordinary family could cost ten million. A house is worth at least several million, so that's over ten million in total."0n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Su's Mother's words made Zhao Youyou blush with embarrassment. She clenched her palms tightly, feeling utterly humiliated.0

Wen Ya's bright face carried a smile, but her gaze was sharp as she looked at Zhao Youyou. "There's a saying you might have heard: being too greedy can lead to poverty."0

Zhao Youyou was stunned.0

Wen Ya spoke slowly: "Butler, see our guest out."0

The butler stepped forward. "Miss Zhao, please."0

As she watched Zhao Youyou leave, Wen Ya's beautiful face showed clear displeasure. If it weren't for the fact that the Zhao family had indeed raised her son, she would have already taken action against them.0

Back at home, Zhao Youyou just walked in when her parents, Zhao's father and Zhao's Mother, both stood up simultaneously. "Youyou, how did it go? What does the Lu family think?"0

Zhao Youyou bit her lip and shook her head. "They didn't agree."0

Zhao's father looked anxious. "How did you communicate? Were they unwilling to give ten million, or not willing to provide a house?"0

"I presented our demands, and Lu Zhe's mother warned me not to be too greedy and told me to leave," Zhao Youyou said softly. "Dad, I don't think the Lu family will give us that much money."0

"Don't worry, I've already thought of a plan," Zhao's father said, already considering what to do next if the Lu family refused.0

At that moment, Fu Baili emerged from his room.0

Zhao's father, Zhao's Mother, and Zhao Youyou all turned to look at him.0

Fu Baili glanced at Zhao Youyou before continuing to walk out.0

"Baili," Zhao Youyou followed him.0

Zhao's father's mood soured. "Look at him now, what is he even doing?" he said to Zhao's Mother. "He's just a good-for-nothing, wasting away."0

Zhao's Mother quickly covered her husband's mouth. "Speak softer, he hasn't gone far yet."0

Outside the door, Zhao Youyou heard her parents' words and awkwardly looked at Fu Baili. "My dad didn't mean you, he wasn't talking about you."0

Fu Baili's handsome face showed no emotion. He spoke coldly: "Did you notice I came back late last night?"0

Zhao Youyou was shocked. "I was a bit tired yesterday and went to bed early. I didn't notice when you came back. Where did you go?"0

"I found a job."0

Zhao Youyou was truly stunned this time. "A job? What kind of job?"0

"Extra, 100 yuan a day." Fu Baili had been searching for work all over the past couple of days. He suddenly realized that without the Fu family, he was good for nothing except fighting.0

Zhao Youyou looked at Fu Baili in disbelief, thinking he had gone mad.0

In her eyes, Fu Baili was a golden boy. His family was wealthy, and all he needed to do was live a life of luxury. She never expected him to look for a job, let alone one that paid 100 yuan a day as an extra.0

When had Fu Baili ever cared about 100 yuan?0

Zhao Youyou's voice trembled slightly. "You're not going back to the Fu family?"0

Fu Baili looked at her seriously. "Yes, I have nothing now. Do you still want to be with me?"0

Zhao Youyou's heart was in turmoil. "Why don't you go back to the Fu family and sincerely apologize to Grandma Fu? She'll forgive you. I don't mind waiting until she agrees to us."0

Fu Baili was silent for a moment before gently rubbing Zhao Youyou's head. "I mind you feeling wronged."0

"No..."0

Fu Baili interrupted her. "You're better at studying than me. Go back to school and focus on your classes. I still need to head to the set today."0

With that, Fu Baili turned and left decisively.0

...0

Today, Su Ci had no classes. She received a call from her older brother, Su ZhiYuan, asking her to go to his office and bring him a document. The document was important, and he didn't trust anyone else to handle it.0

The Su Corporation building was located in the heart of the city, where land was expensive. The interior of the building was not only luxurious but also exuded a high-end modern feel.0

She approached the front desk, where two receptionists politely asked who she was there to see.0

"I'm here to see Su ZhiYuan."0

The receptionists looked at the strikingly beautiful girl in front of them, about to tell her that seeing the CEO required an appointment. But at that moment, they saw the CEO's trusted assistant coming down and quickly walking over to the girl.0

The assistant's attitude was respectful. "Miss Su Ci, the CEO asked me to escort you. Please follow me."0

Su Ci nodded. "Thank you."0

The receptionists watched as the girl followed the assistant into the CEO's private elevator. It dawned on them that this girl was the Su family's daughter, the CEO's sister.0

Both the CEO and his sister were incredibly good-looking.0

Su Ci was visiting Su ZhiYuan's office for the second time. The office's design remained in shades of black and gray, cold and austere, reflecting a serious and rigid atmosphere.0

"Miss Su Ci, the CEO is still in a meeting but will be done soon. He instructed that you wait here, and he'll take you home after the meeting," the assistant relayed Su ZhiYuan's message.0

Su Ci placed the document down. "Alright, I understand."0

"If you find it boring, I can take you to the eighth floor. A film crew has rented our company's space to shoot, and the lead actor is Xie Yinan, the film emperor under our Creative Gods Entertainment."0

Su Ci was a bit surprised. "Shooting on the eighth floor? That's great. Take me there." Since she had nothing else to do while waiting, she figured she might as well go.0

The assistant led the way.0

In the elevator, the assistant informed Su Ci that Xie Yinan was currently negotiating a contract termination with the company, aiming to establish his own studio.0

Xie Yinan had been promoted to fame by Creative Gods Entertainment and had made a lot of money for the company. Su ZhiYuan, being a businessman focused on profit, was naturally unwilling to let him go easily.0

The building occupied a large area. The film crew had rented an entire floor, which would usually be expensive, but since Creative Gods Entertainment was an investor in the project, the cost was halved.0

Su Ci had acted in many films before and wasn't surprised or curious about the filming process.0

However, what caught her attention was that the person being grabbed by the collar and beaten was Fu Baili.0

Su Ci blinked, confirming she hadn't mistaken him.0

“Su... Su Ancestor,” Xu Duo, the agent, had just returned from the bathroom and saw the beautiful girl watching the scene. He nearly scared his legs to buckle. How did the little ancestor of the Su family get here?0

"I'm Su, not your grandma," Su Ci said, looking at Xu Duo in his garish green outfit, unimpressed.0

Xu Duo lightly slapped his own mouth. "Look at my mouth, speaking nonsense. I deserve a slap."0

Su Ci found it amusing. She asked Xu Duo, "Are those also actors?"0

"Yes, yes, they're extras I hired yesterday," Xu Duo said. Currently, he wasn't valued by the company and had no artists under him, reduced to managing extras.0

He had once fantasized about signing Su Ci and reviving his career, but after discovering that Su Ci was the Su family's daughter and the boss's sister, he quickly gave up that idea.0

Su Ci glanced at Xu Duo again, unsure what kind of luck he had. He had once found her for ads and variety shows, and now he had found Fu Baili to be an extra.0

However, Fu Baili, after leaving the Fu family, had fallen so low as to become an extra, and even one who got beaten up.0

The director wanted realism, so the actors were really hitting each other.0

Su Ci's eyes sparkled as she watched Fu Baili get beaten. She felt no sympathy at all.0

Until the director called cut, Fu Baili had already taken several punches, his mouth bleeding, while the other two actors were special guests.0

In the film crew, hierarchy was strictly defined. Extras were at the bottom, and when staff came over, they first asked if the two special guest actors were injured, only then turning to Fu Baili to give him a bandaid.0

Not only was the staff's attitude different, but the treatment during breaks was also distinct. The special guest actors had small stools to sit on, while the extras could only find a corner to squat in or sit on the ground.0

Su Ci noticed that compared to the Fu Baili she had seen at Grandma Fu's birthday party, he had changed a lot.0

In the past, Fu Baili was the school bully, arrogant and unrestrained, with an air of self-importance. Now, reduced to a mere extra in a fight scene, the pride in his eyes has vanished.0

She watched as Fu Baili casually stuck a bandage on the corner of his mouth and silently retreated to a corner to rest.0

"I bought some bread. Here, have one. I noticed you didn't eat breakfast this morning," another male extra said, handing a piece of bread to Fu Baili in the corner.0

"No, thanks," Fu Baili replied, but his stomach let out a series of "rumbling" sounds, leaving the once-proud young master blushing in embarrassment.0

He had returned home too late last night and hadn't had dinner. This morning, he had left without breakfast and was indeed hungry.0

"Take it," the male extra insisted, pushing the bread into Fu Baili's hand. "Extras like us aren't treated the same as other actors. Lunch isn't included, so it's best to prepare something in advance."0

Fu Baili rarely thanked people. His voice was cold and a bit awkward as he said, "Thank you."0

"We don't have to come tomorrow. Have you gotten another role?" the male extra asked enthusiastically. "I'm going with another crew for an outdoor shoot the day after tomorrow, acting as a stunt double for 200 yuan a day. They're still short-handed. Do you want to join? I can introduce you."0

Fu Baili thought for a moment and replied, "Sure."0

"Look over there. Isn't that the new actress the crew hired? She's gorgeous," the male extra nudged Fu Baili's arm. "She seems to be looking at us?"0

Fu Baili lifted his head and saw the actress the male extra was talking about at a glance.0

It was Su Ci!0

He averted his eyes indifferently. He remembered how sharp-tongued and arrogant Su Ci had been at his grandmother's birthday party, traits that made her quite unlikable.0

This was Su Corporation's turf, so it wasn't surprising to see her here.0

Su Ci's gaze fell on the male extra's wrist. She saw that his life expectancy was represented by a thin red line, only two days left, in stark contrast to the green bar on Fu Baili's wrist.0

Su ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‍Ci narrowed her eyes. Another golden cotton candy.