Chapter 168: The Chu Family, Now Under the Stewardship of Chu Li

Cheng Wan showed no expression: "Something up?"

Madam Chu moved her lips several times before she could squeeze out three words: "Thank you."

Once these words were spoken, she suddenly felt much more relaxed and relieved.

"Thank you."

This time, it was sincere.

Cheng Wan lowered her head again, "No need to thank me, I don't like her."

She spoke bluntly.

Madam Chu gave an "Mm" and reminded her, "Don't be fooled by Chu Yue's smiling face; she is actually quite sinister at heart. Don't meet with her if you don't have to."

Cheng Wan nodded, "Understood."

Having said this much was already Madam Chu's limit; she turned and left, encountering Chu Fangfei, who had been standing behind her at some point.

She left coldly.

Chu Fangfei felt a bit awkward, but she still carried a small plate of fruit and walked toward Cheng Wan.

She placed the fruit in front of Cheng Wan, "Sister-in-law."

Cheng Wan did not like this form of address, so she frowned and corrected her, "Your brother and I have not remarried yet."

"Oh."

Chu Fangfei nodded, sat by herself on the other side, and lowered her head to play with her phone.

In the study.

Chu Yue frowned extremely tightly, "A Li, no matter what, he is still your father. How could you make him leave with nothing? If there is a divorce, the one who should leave is Zhou Lin."

Chu Li leaned against the window, his voice cold, "From childhood to adulthood, you haven't seen how he treated me, Aunt, but you must have heard a thing or two. Making him leave with nothing and still providing him with living expenses is already my greatest tolerance toward him."

"That is your father, are you still holding a grudge?" Chu Yue could not understand, "He just likes to play around."

"And there is Qin Yun Shu. Since she is the eldest brother's child, bring her over to acknowledge her ancestors sooner," Chu Yue planned, "Her marriage with Cheng Han must be well-maintained; don't let it delay the cooperation between the two families."

Chu Li did not agree, "She still carries the surname Qin for now."

"Changing a surname isn't difficult," Chu Yue said, her attitude softening, "A Li, I know you care about your mother and feel that if Qin Yun Shu is brought over, your mother won't be happy, but what family doesn't want to be harmonious?"

"For so many years, you haven't had any siblings. Who will help you share the burden when there are matters in the family later? Qin Yun Shu acknowledging her ancestors is a good thing."

Chu Li still refused to budge.

He could provide help to this younger sister, but he had never thought about letting her take the surname Chu.

Chu Yue became a bit annoyed, "Zhou Lin hasn't been able to capture your father's heart for so many years, yet she forbids your father from having other children. How selfish! Do you intend to follow her example and let this family wither away?"

What she said was truly severe.

Old Master Chu coughed, "Xiao Yue, A Li has his own plans regarding this matter; don't interfere."

Chu Yue could only close her mouth unwillingly and brought up another matter.

"I heard you stopped the perfume production line?" Chu Yue's gentle face had turned serious as she questioned Chu Li.

"Aunt, I will re-plan the Perfume Division," Chu Li explained.

Chu Yue's tone was very poor, "Cheng Wan is at least a disciple of Old Master Fang; how can she be of no use at all?"

"It has nothing to do with Wan Wan; it is my decision."

"Let Fangfei manage the perfume sector," Chu Yue decided, "The production line stays for now."

"Aunt."

"A Li, the perfume sector was something I asked you to do in the first place. Since you feel it's a burden, let Fangfei practice with it. I will be responsible for any profits or losses."

It was indeed Chu Yue's suggestion to start the perfume sector, but this sector had always been lukewarm and was slowly abandoned.

Later, after Cheng Wan and Chu Li married, it fell into Cheng Wan's hands.

Since Chu Yue had spoken to this extent, Chu Li agreed.

"I will leave four perfume production lines for Fangfei, and one line I have given to Wan Wan; Fangfei cannot touch it."

"A Li, I really don't know what to say to you," Chu Yue was very disappointed in her nephew, "Cheng Wan is a disciple of Old Master Fang and has the Perfume Notes of Wen Suxue in her hands. You should be coaxing her to manage the research and development work."

Chu Yue looked down on Cheng Wan, but she was reluctant to let go of her resources.

Chu Li saw through it.

He was unwilling to let Chu Yue make things difficult for Cheng Wan.

"She is pregnant and needs to take care of her health."

Chu Yue sighed and changed the subject.

"There is one more thing. Your uncle's health is poor, so I brought him over. You should have the Yiyuan make arrangements."

"Uncle's illness..."

Chu Yue's eyes were a bit red, "It has worsened again. The doctor says he can only hold on for another half a year."

Chu Li knew he had poked at his aunt's painful spot, so he didn't bring it up again.

He left the study.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Chu Yue complained, "In this family, is it Zhou Lin and Cheng Wan who are in charge now? Why must everything revolve around them?"

She was very dissatisfied.

One must know that the mistress of the Chu Family could only be her; outsiders had no qualifications.

Old Master Chu understood his daughter's personality and advised: "A Li is the one in charge now; you should settle down."

He thought for a moment and then urged: "Give up on that matter regarding Qin Yun Shu; I won't agree to it."

He did not like Qin Yun Shu.

He didn't even like his own granddaughter.

Chu Yue choked, "Then the marriage alliance with the Cheng Family..."

Only if Qin Yun Shu took the surname Chu would this marriage alliance be secure.

Old Master Chu did not speak, his clouded eyes seeing through everything.

He tapped the table, "Chu Yue, I have said it, the Chu family is now under A Li's command."

Chu Yue's expression changed slightly, and her attitude became much more humble.

"Dad, I don't have any other meaning; I'm just worried that A Li is young and will let his emotions dictate his actions."

There was no expression on Old Master Chu's aged face.

At this moment, Chu Yue saw the majesty of the past in her father.

Yet she was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

"Dad."

"Take good care of Zhou Cheng."

Zhou Cheng was Chu Yue's husband.

Chu Yue understood her father's meaning: he was telling her not to interfere in the affairs of the Chu family.

She adjusted her emotions, and a gentle smile climbed back onto her cheeks.

"Dad, don't worry, I won't interfere with A Li's decisions, it's just that the house is in such a foul state right now, it really needs to be managed."

Old Master Chu felt these were all trivial matters and waved his hand, "Do as you please."

Chu Yue was satisfied, and she left the study.

Old Master Chu braced himself on his cane and tried several times before he could stand up from the sofa.

He walked slowly to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the dim sky.

This daughter of his, she looks gentle, but in reality, her ambitions are higher than the heavens.

Chu Li encountered Madam Chu at the corner.

She asked softly, "Did Chu Yue give you a hard time?"

She had learned of Chu Yue's capabilities when she married Chu Bolin; she was very formidable.

Fortunately, not many years later, Chu Yue married far away to another province and only returned during holidays, so her life had been easier.

Chu Li considered for a moment, "Would you like to move to my place?"

With her brother-in-law hospitalized, his aunt would certainly have to stay at the Old Residence.

Since they would be seeing each other constantly, Chu Li was worried his mother would feel uncomfortable.

Madam Chu, however, shook her head, "There's no need. Back then I endured it because I was afraid she would incite me and Chu Bolin to divorce, but now that I am divorcing anyway, what do I have to fear from her?"

She intended to stay at the Old Residence, lest Chu Yue bring Qin Yun Shu in to disgust people.