On the day of her return to China, she was tied up and coaxed by the richest man to get her marriage

With that thought, Yu Zongxian's scrutinizing gaze fell on Jiang Xintong again, his eyes, as wide as the sea, becoming even more gloomy and intense than before.

When he was a child, his parents were busy, so he was sent to live with relatives for ten years, just like Jiang Xintong was in the Yu family.

No one understood better than him how uncomfortable it was to be dependent on others.

Fortunately, the relative who took him in was a businessman. Businessmen are mostly shrewd and pragmatic, and they value blood ties very much, so he didn't suffer any major losses.

However, no matter how good they are to him, they are not his blood relatives after all, and he will naturally retain a sense of wariness deep down.

In such a relationship, giving too much would seem like having ulterior motives. Giving nothing at all would seem heartless. Therefore, he always treated them with great politeness, which was best for both sides.

Jiang Xintong came to the Yu family at the age of twelve and was already independent in her thinking. He did not understand her character, and he was busy with his company. Even Chaochao was raised by A-Xian, so he had no energy to raise her.

He knew he hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities as a stepfather to her, nor had he developed any feelings for her.

So he gave her a status that others didn't have, gave her respect, sent her to the best school, and let her enjoy the honor that the second young lady of the Yu family should have.

But that doesn't mean she can replace Chaochao.

If she were smarter, she could live a life of comfort and ease; otherwise, she would be worse off than even a servant in the Yu family.

Jiang Xintong felt that Yu Zongxian's gaze was so sharp that it seemed to see into her heart and discover all her darkness.

At that moment, I inexplicably felt like a rat in a stinking ditch, unable to see the light of day. A chill ran down my spine, and I nervously swallowed.

Lin Hui clenched her fist, revealing a polite and gentle smile, and looked at Yu Jinxian again.

"Tongtong is still a child. I have already disciplined her severely. She will pay attention next time."

This is to pin the blame for Yu Jinzhao slapping Jiang Xintong on her.

Jiang Xintong's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at her mother with surprise and suspicion.

Shouldn't they take this opportunity to complain to their elder brother so that he will take pity on them?

Why should Mom take all the blame on her? Isn't she just suffering for nothing?

Looking at Jiang Xintong's purplish-blue half of her face, Yu Jinxian felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside her.

Surprisingly, my first feeling wasn't heartache for Jiang Xintong's injury, but rather a sense of relief that it wasn't Yu Jinzhao who hit her.

This proves that Yu Jinzhao is no longer so impulsive, and will not suffer losses in the future.

In that instant, his eyes seemed to be swept by a gentle breeze of early spring, dispelling the chill of frost, and his voice was warm and soothing.

"Aunt Lin, Xintong only misspoke. A few words of reprimand would have sufficed. You went too far."

Lin Huisu looked completely impartial and selfless. "If you strike hard enough, she'll learn her lesson."

Jiang Xintong lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and a touch of warmth appeared in her eyes.

The older brother is just feeling sorry for her.

As Yu Zongxian watched this scene, his thick eyebrows, which had been furrowed into a "川" shape, gradually relaxed.

Although her stepdaughter had ulterior motives, Lin Hui genuinely cared for the Yu family. Knowing that he wanted A-Xian and Chao-Chao to reconcile, she deliberately said those things to prevent A-Xian from having any more complaints about Chao-Chao and ruining the atmosphere for clearing up the misunderstanding.

Looking at Jiang Xintong, who lowered her head and didn't refute, she probably knew she was wrong and was trying to make amends by cooperating with Lin Hui's words.

As long as his stepdaughter hopes for the well-being of the Yu family, he can tolerate some harmless little thoughts, even if he doesn't like them.

Lost in thought, his expression softened considerably. He raised his hand and patted Jiang Xintong's shoulder gently, saying,

"Housekeeper, go and call the doctor to come and apply the medicine to Xintong."

Jiang Xintong could clearly sense that Uncle Yu's attitude towards her had become somewhat closer, not as cold as before, but she felt a chill in her heart, and a twisted sense of resentment.

She had been cautious and careful in the Yu family for many years, but she was only slightly careless last time, and Uncle Yu remembered it for so long. No matter how much she tried to please him, he never treated her well.

But Yu Jinzhao caused his grandmother to become a vegetable, yet Uncle Yu forgave her so quickly, without even needing Yu Jinzhao to flatter or beg for reconciliation.

Now, just because she didn't take the opportunity to complain about Yu Jinzhao, Uncle Yu has completely changed his attitude towards her.

Isn't it true that only by doing what's best for Yu Jinzhao can one gain Uncle Yu's love?

A sudden, sharp pain pierced her heart; she clenched her hands tightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Lin Hui spoke with a smile.

“Zongxian, I’m inseparable from you every day. I know you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. They say that strict fathers raise outstanding daughters. You may seem strict with Tongtong on the surface, but you really hope that Tongtong will succeed.”

As he spoke, his loving gaze swept over Yu Jinzhao, the last syllable emphasizing his words with an ambiguous meaning.

To onlookers, she wouldn't think much of it; they would just think she had high emotional intelligence and was easing the tension.

But Yu Jinzhao knew that she was provoking him.

The implication is that she is now her father's close bedmate, and one day she will make her father recognize Jiang Xintong as his daughter.

Moreover, her words subtly carried the air of a female hostess, as if they were the family.

Yu Jinzhao's eyes shimmered, yet a hint of coldness emanated from them.

One has to admit that Lin Hui is truly remarkable.

I used to think my stepmother was smart and resourceful.

Only now do I realize that this person's greatest strength is their ability to read people's expressions and manipulate their hearts.

She was like a strategist who controlled puppets in ancient times, unassuming and appearing virtuous and honest in front of others.

But they had already figured out what the people around them were thinking, and then naturally spoke and acted in accordance with their thoughts.

This will leave people with the impression that she is very considerate and kind, and they won't feel that she is being deliberate, because she is usually very low-key in her behavior.

That's why he was able to appear at every crucial moment and quietly pave the way for Jiang Xintong's escape route.

It is precisely because of the good impression she usually leaves on people that they let their guard down and subconsciously trust her.

This is a form of psychological suggestion, an innate charm of perception.

No wonder she had a way to get her father, who deeply loved her mother, to marry her.

Who wouldn't want to have someone by their side who understands and cares for them?

Even I, didn't I, let my guard down with her at times?

At first, I didn't like this new stepmother and even felt repulsed by her, thinking that she had taken my mother's place in my father's heart.

Lin Hui retreated in order to advance, and took the initiative to show weakness.

First, she cooked soup for her day and night, showing concern and care. She discovered that the girl was secretly studying traditional Chinese medicine, and she even helped cover for her, gradually breaking down her defenses and getting her to accept her as her stepmother.

Afterwards, Lin Hui took her hand and gave a heartfelt confession, saying that she and her father were just keeping each other company and finding comfort in each other, since her brother would get married and she would also get married.

With her around, Dad won't be alone; he won't be lonely when he gets old.

She just wanted to give her father warmth. The person her father loved most in his heart was still her mother. She would not take her mother's place in her father's heart. She would even remember her mother with her father. During holidays, she would add an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl for her mother on the table so that her mother's spirit in heaven would not be lonely.

Listen to what a magnanimous statement she made, how great and selfless her love for her father is.

She was deeply moved and felt that her father had excellent taste in finding Lin Hui, a wife who was good to him, so she accepted her.

From then on, she believed she had treated her stepmother very well and regarded Jiang Xintong as a sister. Her grandmother never mistreated the mother and daughter.

However, they secretly plotted against the Yu family, viciously harming Grandma and destroying her relationship with her family.

She had to make her father see the true colors of this mother and daughter, and never give them another chance to hurt her family.

"It's hot, let's not stand outside, let's all come inside." Yu Zongxian patted Yu Jinzhao's hand, pulled her towards Yu Jinxian, and smiled gently.

"A-Xian, don't go to the company this afternoon. Chaochao has something to tell you."

Yu Jinxian's long, curled eyelashes fluttered, and her warm, tea-like eyes fell on Yu Jinzhao's face.

The sunlight cast a gentle halo over his fox-like eyes, reflecting a warm glow. "Hmm."

Yu Zongxian frowned and looked at him thoughtfully.

The son finally faced his daughter calmly, his previous harsh words gone, and he returned to his former gentle and serene self.

It seems she took his last words to heart.

But why did her son's expression seem so indifferent? Although his temperament was gentle and his voice was as tender as before, it was as if he had lost all emotion.

It was as if he didn't care about Chaochao at all.