Chapter 5: Even If All Men Perish, I Still Don’t Want Him

"Am I talking nonsense?"

"President Yu, you might as well save those personas of yours for deceiving outsiders; they don't work on me."

Yu Zi did not give him an ounce of respect, retorting bluntly.

"You—I think you're trying to be the death of me! How could I have sired such a wicked child?"

For years, Yu Cheng had been playing the role of a doting husband and father to the outside world. Naturally, he had successfully fooled everyone—everyone, that is, except for Yu Zi, who never gave him the slightest shred of face as a father.

In the end, he had been far too lenient with her! This daughter of his, he realized, needed to be brought to heel. At this thought, Yu Cheng’s expression turned grim.

"Yu Zi..."

"Now, now, Lao Yu, a child's marriage is hardly a one-off deal. Our Zi grew up in a wealthy household and has never known hardship, so of course, she doesn't understand that marrying into the Xie family would ensure her a better future. We should just reason with her; there's no need for this."

Yu Cheng’s words were cut short by Jiang Shuqi. As she mentioned the Xie family, she deliberately emphasized her tone and cast a suggestive glance at Yu Cheng.

Receiving the signal, Yu Cheng instantly sobered up. His expression softened, and his tone became gentle.

"Zi, your mother is right. You’ve been pampered in silk and velvet since you were small; if you marry just anyone, you’ll end up living a life of misery."

"If you marry Xie Xu—he’s an illegitimate son—you’ll be looked down upon by everyone on the street. Do you understand?"

Yu Cheng put on the act of a benevolent father, lecturing her with painstaking earnestness, attempting to make Yu Zi change her mind.

But Yu Zi only laughed with even more self-mockery, her target set directly on Jiang Shuqi.

"Heh, what could be so shameful about that? I see that Jiang Shuqi hasn't faced any retribution yet, so I suppose being a mistress carries no punishment—let alone marrying an illegitimate son."

Hearing this, Jiang Shuqi seethed with hidden hatred, aching to tear Yu Zi to pieces. But for the moment, she could only weep silently, putting on a display of forbearance and grievance, continuing to act as if she had Yu Zi’s best interests at heart.

"Zi, I know you have opinions about me, and I have never once thought of taking your mother's place. But marriage is a major life event. I treat you like my own daughter, and I absolutely cannot watch you act so recklessly. Xie Yuhuai is your best destination."

"On this matter, my opinion and your father's are the same. We absolutely cannot back down."

Her words were delivered with such righteous indignation that they made Yu Zi appear like an unreasonable, shrill shrew. Watching Jiang Shuqi, Yu Cheng’s expression shifted several times. Yu Zi’s arrogance wasn't just insulting Jiang Shuqi; it was, more importantly, an insult to him as her father.

Seeing that Yu Zi remained unmoved, Yu Cheng completely lost his patience. His gaze locked onto her, his tone dark and menacing.

"Yu Zi, I will give you one more chance. As long as you are willing to marry Xie Yuhuai, I will treat our previous unpleasantness as nothing more than a childish tantrum and let it all go."

Yu Zi looked up, her eyes sharp and devoid of any remorse. Such a gaze was exactly like her mother’s.

"Father, let me say this one more time: even if Xie Yuhuai were the last man on earth, I would never choose him."

"Zi, you child, why must you be so stubborn?" Jiang Shuqi lamented, clutching her chest as if in great pain.

Yu Zi rolled her eyes. Out of patience, Yu Cheng’s tone turned heavy with warning.

"If you insist on your own way, then I think you are being far too reckless. You are not yet capable of inheriting the estate your mother left behind!"