Chapter 430: with translation of chapter title

The butler standing at the doorway saw that it was someone brought by Miss Mu, and said nothing extra.

Yu Yu stood at the doorway, her fingers unconsciously gripping the sleeve of the person beside her; Mu Youyu took her hand in return and led her inside.

In the living room, Yu Father and Yu Mother were still arguing, their voices not low, until they heard footsteps, then they both fell silent.

Yu Mother was the first to react; before her anger could fade, she forced out a stiff smile, looking somewhat rigid, 'This is…'

Her gaze swept cautiously over the four people around Yu Yu; with each pass, her heart sank a little.

!

Last year's internationally sensational banquet, aside from Yu Yu, no other Yu family members were qualified to attend, but the news was everywhere, making it hard not to know them.

Mu Family's beloved Miss Mu, Jiang Family's newly appointed heir of two major conglomerates, plus Mu Family's notoriously ill-tempered Young Master Two, and the Song Family's…

Last year's suppression still leaves the Yu family with lingering fear.

Yu Mother's expression turned somewhat forced as she asked the person with the most authority present, 'Miss Mu, how did you come here?'

Yu Father instinctively rose, his originally straight back bending slightly, 'Miss Mu, please sit, please sit.'

Mu Youyu sat down without ceremony, pulling Yu Yu onto the sofa; Jiang Liangjin naturally took a seat beside her.

Mu Xi and Song Lujing stood to the side, with no intention of sitting, appearing uninvolved.

Feeling uneasy under their gaze, Yu Mother turned and shouted at the servant, 'What are you standing there for? Pour tea!'

Only then did the servant hurriedly go to prepare tea.

Yu Father and Yu Mother exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of anxiety in the other's eyes.

In the end, Yu Mother forced an awkward smile and said, 'Miss Mu, why did you come suddenly without giving us notice? We could have prepared.'

Mu Youyu didn't respond to that, merely glancing sideways at Yu Yu beside her and getting straight to the point: 'Uncle, Aunt, I came today to talk about Yu Yu studying art.'

Jiang Liangjin seated nearby exuded an aura of pressure; Mu Xi's atmosphere was cold and stern, while Song Lujing's lips curled in a half-smile.

Yu Mother's smile froze, and Yu Father's expression showed a bit of awkwardness.

This was exactly the effect Mu Youyu wanted: 'Yu Yu has talent in art; I noticed it when she was in school. She studied with me for a while and improved quickly. She also entered today's competition, and her results won't be bad.'

She added a touch of politeness to her tone: 'So I think I should let her continue studying with me, developing in the art direction. Uncle, Aunt, what do you think?'

Yu Mother instinctively looked at Yu Father, who was also looking at her; their eyes met, each waiting for the other to speak first.

After a moment, Yu Father gave a light cough, choosing his words: 'Miss Mu, it's not that we don't support Yu Yu; it's just… this path isn't easy! We're doing this for her own good, hoping she'll have a more stable future.'

'Stable?' Mu Youyu repeated the word, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, yet showing no emotion, 'Uncle, what do you consider stable?'

Yu Father was at a loss for words.

Yu Mother took over, her tone softer than before: 'Miss Mu, you have a good background and favorable conditions; naturally someone would support whatever you want to study. But our Yu Yu is different—she doesn't have your advantages, and as parents we must consider more for her.'

As soon as she spoke, Yu Mother regretted it; the remark was inappropriate, sounding like a complaint about unfair fate and also implying that Mu Youyu's success relied entirely on her family background.

Indeed, a flicker of dark light passed through Jiang Liangjin's originally cold and stern eyes as he lifted his lip and said, 'You mean she got to where she is today solely because of her family?'

Mu Youyu's heart stirred slightly; perhaps it wasn't entirely unrelated to family after all…

Yu Mother's face changed; she waved her hands in panic, 'No, no, I didn't mean that, I mean…'

'What Aunt said is actually not wrong.' Mu Youyu raised her hand and lightly pressed down, stopping her explanation.

I have studied art since childhood; my teacher is Lin Tingsong, my paintings have won international awards and been exhibited at the International Art Exhibition. Years ago, a practice piece signed with the pen name Yue Shu fetched an eight-figure offer. Tens of thousands follow Yue Shu, and my comic 'When Rain Falls on the Fingertips' is liked by hundreds of thousands…

Under the proud gazes of Jiang Liangjin and her brothers, Mu Youyu softened her tone: 'Aunt, I'm saying this to tell you that Yu Yu studying with me won't fall short of anyone. Whatever school she wants to apply to, whatever resources she needs, I can arrange them here, and I can guarantee it to you.'

'Even the best domestic art academy is just a matter of time for her level. If she wants to go abroad, I can write a recommendation letter for the Royal Art Academy of Y Country; if you look down on me, I can have Brother Ai Luoxiu or Brother Xun Li write it.'

Yu Father and Yu Mother's eyelids twitched; they of course knew what caliber the Royal Art Academy of Y Country is—a global top-tier art school that countless art students strive to enter but fail.

Having the Prince of Y Country or the Duke's Manor Young Master write a recommendation letter is something they dare not even dream of in a lifetime!

Mu Youyu didn't give them much time to think: 'Anyway, I came today just to have Yu Yu study art, and I'll ask you once more—do you support her taking this path? Yu Yu needs your support.'

Yu Father and Yu Mother exchanged glances again, each seeing something different in the other's eyes.

Mu Youyu's status stands here, with countless people behind her, still the art world magnate Yue Shu, and she is willing to pave the way forward for Yu Yu; following her brings only benefits.

Yu Father's attitude loosened a bit: 'Miss Mu, we're not doubting you, it's just…'

'What is it?' Song Lujing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke with a hint of impatience: 'Uncle, do you think it's embarrassing for her to study art with my sister?'

Yu Father was choked by that, his face awkward, yet he dared not retort.

With Jiang Liangjin, Mu Xi, and Song Lujing applying pressure from the side, Yu Mother could no longer insist, forcing out a smile: 'Since Miss Mu has said all this, we have nothing to oppose. Yu Yu, study well with Miss Mu, don't let her kindness go to waste.'

Yu Yu lowered her head: 'Okay.'

Mu Youyu knew this was just lip service; Yu Father and Yu Mother might not truly agree inside, but at least on the surface they wouldn't obstruct anymore.

She pulled Jiang Liangjin up: 'Then that's it for today; we still need to hurry back, we won't disturb you further.'

Yu Father hurriedly urged them to stay: 'Leaving so soon? Why not stay for a meal?'

'No need, thank you, Uncle.' Mu Youyu gave a light smile, turned to Yu Yu, 'Yu Yu, will you see us out?'

'Okay.' Yu Yu rose and followed her out, with Yu Father and Yu Mother trailing behind.

At the doorway, Mu Youyu paused: 'Yu Yu, if anything comes up, just tell me anytime; come often to C Shi to play, the Mu Family always welcomes you.'

'Sure, definitely if I have time!' Yu Yu said, full of reluctance.

Yu Father and Yu Mother forced smiles as they saw them off to the car.

As the car pulled away, Yu Mother's face fell; she turned to Yu Father, 'Look, look, they've come knocking on our door!'

Yu Father's resentment was no less: 'What can we do? Didn't you see the expressions of those young masters just now? Do you really want to upset them?'

Yu Mother felt unwilling: 'Yu Yu was so obedient as a child; how did she end up obsessed with painting, turning out like this…'

'Mom, Dad, I'm going upstairs first.' Yu Yu said softly, but no one paid attention.

Yu Father glanced at his daughter heading upstairs, 'Fine, let her go; I can't control her anyway, I'm off to the company.'

Yu Mother ultimately said nothing more and went inside.

Yu Yu went upstairs to her room, closed the door, leaned against it, slowly slid down to sit on the floor, the heaviness in her heart largely dissipated, a warmth rising at the corners of her eyes.