Chen Xuyao blocked the pillow thrown at him by Jiang Yao but could not dodge the apple that came flying right after. He sat down on the couch and wailed in pain.
How could he forget about Liang Yueze and Luo Ruoran!
“You’re in need of a beating.” Luo Ruoran went over and kicked Chen Xuyao in the shins. “Why are you still here? Get going!”
Lu Xingzhi laughed. He grabbed Jiang Yao, said their goodbyes and left the Liang family.
It was a time for reunion and kinship as dinner time approached but things were different in the Zhou family as it turned into a condemnation of Zhou Weiqi.
Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Zhou and Zhou Ning were already there waiting for Zhou Weiqi when he arrived. The Du family came shortly afterward.
Upon arrival, Zhou Weiqi was greeted with an onslaught of criticism spearheaded by Mr. Zhou. Charges included disrespect toward Mrs. Zhou and Zhou Ning, causing humiliation upon them.
Mrs. Zhou was teary-eyed, evidently having fought with Mr. Zhou. He might have even hit her out of frustration.
Zhou Weiqi silently stood at a corner and kept smoking, the ashtray on his hand getting dangerously close to overflowing. Other than acknowledging his father when he arrived, he did not speak at all.
No matter how much he was insulted and criticized, he kept his mouth shut.
He was used to the abuse, after all; he knew better than to react to their tirade.
Staying silent did not mean that he was reflecting on his actions though, no, it was far from it.
He wanted to ask his father why someone like him—an illegitimate son and the shame of the family—was expected to look after the high-handed duo of the mother and daughter out in public.
Mrs. Zhou spent every ounce of her energy reprimanding Zhou Weiqi, only to see him standing like a scarecrow with his head hung low, not muttering even a single word. She was perturbed; it felt like everything she just said had fallen on deaf ears.
“Alright, alright. We’ll let it slide this time, your sister and I are not blaming you.” Mrs. Zhou waved her hand, pointing toward the couch and said, “Sit down and talk to us. Don’t just stand there with the cigarette in your hand, the smell of tobacco is overwhelming us.”
“What are you blaming me for? For not shamelessly offering you Brother Lu’s seat?” Zhou Weiqi chuckled. “Go on. I’ll stand here. Let me know once you’re done. I still have places to be.”
Zhou Weiqi did not think that Du Rongzhen—the most pompous and egotistical woman in the world—would be kind enough to actually ask him to sit down. He flicked the ashes on the ashtray and inhaled a big puff of smoke. Looking at his watch, he realized that it was getting late.
“Dad! Did you hear what Zhou Weiqi said?” Zhou Ning was dismayed. She stomped her feet and glared at Zhou Weiqi.