Since his parents had come all the way to see him, Chen Xu couldn’t just ignore them.
He went back to his room and changed into a simple white T-shirt and ripped jeans. His hair was slightly messy from just waking up, and he only wore one of the sapphire earrings Si Ye had bought for him—on his left ear.
Even with this slightly disheveled look, his fair skin and delicate features kept him from looking unkempt or rebellious. Instead, he carried an effortless, free-spirited charm.
When he came downstairs, his parents were sitting stiffly on the sofa, nervously sipping tea.
Uncle Zhong was hosting them, and as soon as he saw Chen Xu, he smiled warmly and walked up to greet him.
“Young Master Xu, would you like to have breakfast now? Sir specially instructed the kitchen to prepare your favorite Four Happiness Steamed Dumplings.”
“Sure. Thank you, Uncle Zhong.”
Chen Xu didn’t change his plans just because his parents were there.
Uncle Zhong then turned to Chen Xu’s parents. “Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, if you haven’t had breakfast yet, please feel free to join Young Master Xu.”
The couple, who had just been glaring daggers at Chen Xu behind Uncle Zhong’s back, immediately adjusted their expressions.
Their hostility disappeared in an instant, replaced by forced smiles.
“Oh, we wouldn’t want to trouble you…” his mother, Wang Qiang, said sweetly, her tone filled with fake humility.
“No need to be polite,” Uncle Zhong said, instructing the kitchen staff to prepare additional servings.
—
Chen Xu strolled over to the sofa and sat down without the slightest formality. His posture was relaxed—his parents might as well have been air.
“Chen Xu! Have you lost your manners?!”
His father, Chen Yue, couldn’t tolerate being so blatantly ignored. His face darkened as he snapped at him, his voice full of authority.
“Don’t you know how to greet your elders?!”
Chen Xu popped a grape into his mouth.
“Oh. Dad. Mom.”
That was all.
No warmth, no respect. Just a casual acknowledgment.
His dismissive attitude made Chen Yue and Wang Qiang’s blood boil. They were this close to slapping him across the face.
“You!” Chen Yue fumed, his temper flaring. “Who taught you to behave like this?! Do you think scoring top in the exams makes you invincible? Let me tell you something—there’s always someone better than you! If you keep acting like this, sooner or later, you’ll suffer a huge loss!”
He slammed his hand on the table, standing up and pointing an accusatory finger at Chen Xu, lecturing him about life and humility.
Chen Xu didn’t even lift his gaze.
Completely unfazed, he replied flatly, “No one taught me. This is just how I am.”
If Chen Yue had heart disease, this would have triggered an attack.
His mother, Wang Qiang, quickly grabbed his arm to calm him down. “Don’t be angry, dear. Xiao Xu is just throwing a tantrum.”
She turned to Chen Xu, changing tactics.
“Xiao Xu, why didn’t you tell us about your incredible achievement? You becoming the top scorer is such wonderful news!”
Her words were laced with subtle accusation—implying that he had deliberately kept them in the dark.
Chen Xu almost laughed.
Ah. The same old tricks.
The same formula.
The same routine.
For a moment, he felt like he was back in his past life, dealing with their hypocrisy all over again.
He had once been foolish enough to believe they truly cared.
When he was twelve and they sent him to the Si family, they had used the same excuses.
“We don’t want the Si family to think we visit too often and trouble them.”
“We’re only staying away so they won’t mistreat you.”
He had believed them—at first.
But after seeing countless family vacation photos on his sister’s social media—photos of his parents happily spending time with his siblings while he was left behind—he stopped being naïve.
They had never cared.
In his past life, he had once confronted them.
“Am I not your son too?”
“Why did you send only me away?”
“Do you even know how miserable I was at the Si family? How Si Yichen bullied me every day?”
But now…
He didn’t care anymore.
The answers didn’t matter.
If they wanted to act like he never truly belonged, then fine.
He’d treat them as strangers too.
Wang Qiang felt uneasy at his silence. She exchanged glances with her husband.
Normally, when they played “good cop, bad cop,” Chen Xu would eventually soften up.
But today…
Something felt different.
—
“Young Master Xu, Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen—please enjoy your breakfast,” Uncle Zhong interrupted smoothly.
Without another word, Chen Xu stood up and walked toward the dining table.
He had no interest in listening to their scripted nonsense any longer.
With no other choice, his parents hurried after him.
—
Throughout breakfast, they tried to strike up conversation.
But Chen Xu barely reacted—until his phone rang.
His parents watched as he picked it up, tapped the screen twice, and casually placed it on the table.
Then, in a tone as natural as breathing, he greeted:
“Why are you eating so late?”
Clang!
Both Chen Yue and Wang Qiang dropped their forks at the same time.
The harsh clatter rang through the dining room.
Chen Xu didn’t even glance at them. He simply continued his conversation.
—
“What was that noise?” Si Ye’s voice came through the speaker. “Is Sun Wei’ang and Tong Jiaxi there?”
“No,” Chen Xu replied, biting into his dumpling. “It’s my parents.”
Silence.
Then, on the other end of the call—Si Ye’s brows furrowed deeply.
“What are they doing there?”
The phone was on speaker.
Which meant—Chen Yue and Wang Qiang heard every word.
Their bodies went cold.
—
They had originally come to confirm the rumors.
If Si Ye really threw the banquet for Chen Xu, that meant they had a chance to climb higher.
They had planned to guilt Chen Xu for not inviting them—make him feel bad, pressure him into asking Si Ye to help their company.
And if the rumors weren’t true?
Then they’d scold him for lying, manipulate him into working harder to earn Si Ye’s favor.
But now…
There was no need to confirm anything.
Because Si Ye himself had just given them the answer.
He never called anyone.
He never wasted time on unnecessary people.
Yet here he was, video calling Chen Xu first thing in the morning.
They had severely underestimated their son’s importance to Si Ye.
Chen Yue’s back was covered in a cold sweat.
He regretted everything he had just said.
If Chen Xu got angry and complained about them to Si Ye…
Then the Chen family might be finished.
Both husband and wife stared at their son with fearful, silent desperation.
Chen Xu watched his parents’ reactions, taking in their fearful expressions, and let out a soft scoff.
Then, he lazily replied to Si Ye, “Uncle Si, I don’t know either.”
Si Ye’s expression darkened.
In his past life, after Chen Xu had died, the police had initially contacted Chen Yue and Wang Qiang to identify the body.
But when they received the call, they didn’t even care enough to respond.
They hung up on the police.
Only after the authorities reached out to Si Ye did he finally learn about Chen Xu’s death.
Later, at Chen Xu’s lavish funeral—one that Si Ye had arranged personally—his parents finally showed up, crying bitterly.
Yet Si Ye could see through them.
Their sorrow was an act.
There was no grief in their eyes—only indifference.
It was then that Si Ye realized he had no reason to hold respect for these two people.
This time, at Chen Xu’s graduation banquet, he had deliberately left them out.
Why?
Because he didn’t want these people ruining Chen Xu’s mood.
Even the Si family’s relatives hadn’t been invited.
As for the prominent businessmen he had invited—that had been for one reason only.
To make sure everyone understood that Chen Xu was not to be underestimated.
From now on, anyone who dared disrespect Chen Xu would be taking a serious risk.
Si Ye furrowed his brows. “If you don’t want to see them, tell Uncle Zhong to kick them out.”
Chen Yue’s entire body stiffened.
His heart pounded as an icy chill spread through his limbs.
He had never expected Si Ye to say such things so casually.
Weren’t they Chen Xu’s parents?
Shouldn’t Si Ye at least show them basic courtesy?
What happened to the saying “when one person prospers, their whole family benefits”?
Why was it not working in their favor this time?!
Chen Xu chuckled, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread in his chest.
Having someone who would protect him… felt good.
His lips curled into a playful smirk.
“That won’t be necessary,” he replied.
Si Ye’s voice softened. “Eat your breakfast properly. Finish your milk. If they upset you, let Uncle Zhong handle it.”
His words were so indifferent, so ruthless.
And yet, he didn’t even care that Chen Yue and Wang Qiang were sitting right there, listening.
The sheer disregard made them break into a cold sweat.
Chen Xu felt oddly delighted at their reactions.
“Alright,” he said cheerfully. “Uncle Si, get back to work. I’m hanging up now.”
After ending the call, Chen Xu enjoyed his breakfast even more.
And, just as Si Ye had instructed, he obediently drank his glass of milk.
After all, he didn’t mind drinking milk. If it helped him grow taller, all the better.
Meanwhile, across from him, Chen Yue and Wang Qiang were in absolute misery.
Their stomachs churned with anxiety, and even the most delicious food tasted like ash in their mouths.
The way Si Ye had openly disregarded them—as if they were completely unimportant— was a slap in the face.
They had thought they could use this visit to guilt Chen Xu into supporting them.
Now, they were starting to realize…
They had severely miscalculated.
After breakfast, their attitudes completely changed.
Chen Yue forced a stiff smile, cautiously testing the waters.
“Xiao Xu, it seems like Mr. Si is very fond of you?”
Chen Xu glanced at his phone to check the time.
“If you have something to say, say it. I have plans later, so I don’t have time to waste.”
His blatant disregard made Chen Yue’s anger flare up again.
How dare this ungrateful brat speak to him like this?!
His impulse to slap Chen Xu right then and there surged—but before he could make a move, Wang Qiang grabbed his arm, signaling him to hold back.
She knew the truth—Chen Xu was now untouchable.
Si Ye had personally protected him at the banquet.
If they pushed too hard and Chen Xu got upset and complained to Si Ye, the Chen family would be finished.
So, she quickly switched to a gentler, more pitiful approach.
“Xiao Xu,” she said with a sigh, her voice soft and affectionate, “you did so well on your exams. Your father and I are very proud of you. Your brother and sister were also very happy for you.”
Then, she pulled out a small gift box and placed it in his hands.
“This is a present from us,” she continued. “We wanted to give you something nice, but… times have been tough.
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling.
“Your father has been working so hard for the company. He’s barely slept in days. Look at him—he’s even grown white hairs from stress.”
“That’s why we didn’t get a chance to celebrate your exams with you earlier. It wasn’t because we didn’t care, Xiao Xu.”
Her voice was full of sorrow and guilt.
If this were his past life, Chen Xu might have wavered.
He might have felt sorry for them, might have even offered to help.
But now?
He saw through their lies.
They weren’t here out of love.
They were here because they wanted something from him.
Chen Xu smoothly withdrew his hand from Wang Qiang’s grip.
His tone was icy.
“Is that so? Because my father looks perfectly fine to me.”
He leaned back lazily.
“He seemed full of energy when he was yelling at me earlier. Didn’t seem tired at all.”
“You—!”
Chen Yue’s rage ignited instantly.
He pointed a trembling finger at Chen Xu, about to curse him out—
But Wang Qiang desperately held him back.
She quickly switched tactics.
“This is the truth, Xiao Xu. If you don’t believe me, you can check online. Why would we lie to our own son?”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
But Chen Xu remained unmoved.
Instead, he smirked and dealt the final blow.
“Oh? If our family is really struggling so much… how did you afford that new C-brand handbag?”
The color drained from Wang Qiang’s face.
That bag was from this season’s luxury collection.
Retail price? Around 350,000 yuan.
“I…” She fumbled, her voice cracking. “You must be mistaken. I’ve had this bag for a long time.”
But Chen Yue, who actually had been trying to cut costs lately, immediately exploded.
“You money-wasting woman! You still dared to buy a new bag?!”
The company was actually struggling, and yet this woman had been secretly splurging?!
“I didn’t! Don’t listen to Xiao Xu’s nonsense!” Wang Qiang panicked. “He’s a boy! What does he know about handbags?”
Chen Xu sat back, watching the show unfold.
With a casual, knowing smile, he added,
“Well, I recognized it right away. It’s the latest summer collection from C-brand. Retail price? Around 350,000.”
“350,000?!”
Chen Yue’s face twisted in fury.
And without a second thought—
He raised his hand and SLAPPED Wang Qiang across the face.
R : ….
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