Qiao Youtian was blunt. Family inheritance had always been a taboo in big, rich families like this one, but no one could look past it.
No one in the living room dared to speak a word and all eyes were on the majestic, king-like man.
However, he acted as if he heard nothing. He then went up to Old Master Qiao and sat down next to the latter.
The look on Qiao Youtian’s face changed when he saw Qiao Yu’s reaction. He was obviously displeased. What kind of attitude was that? Was Qiao Yu not going to explain himself at all?
Moreover, Qiao Zhiming, who was Qiao Yu’s senior, was still standing. How could Qiao Yu sit down?
Qiao Youtian had disliked his cousin since they were little. That guy had excellent grades and good looks and was the eldest son of their grandfather’s eldest child. Qiao Youtian was inferior to Qiao Yu in every single aspect. So much so that people seemed to have forgotten that the Qiao family even had another grandson.
His father is my grandfather’s son and so is mine. Why can my uncle’s family have all the meat when we’re starving here?
Old Master Qiao glanced at Qiao Yu, then turned to Qiao Zhiming and Qiao Youtian with a frown. He said in a displeased tone. “What do you think you’re doing? I’m not dead yet!”
“Dad, please don’t put it that way!” Qiao Zhiming smiled obsequiously. “It’s just kid’s talking.”
“He’s what? 25? 26? And you call him a kid?” Old Master Qiao shot a glance at Qiao Zhiming, then snorted. “Has he ever done anything meaningful so far? All he ever did was fooling around, wasting his time, and staying ignorant and incompetent! How many times have I told him to learn from his cousin?”
“Yes, you’re right,” said Qiao Zhiming in a hurry.
Qiao Youtian wouldn’t have it. “Grandpa, I don’t agree. It’s not that I don’t want to learn from my cousin, but he never gave me a chance.” He then glanced at Qiao Yu. “Could it be that my cousin has been limiting my opportunities because he was afraid that I would outshine him? Frankly, if I’m doing the same job as he does now, I would be as good as him!”
“Teehee…” Someone chuckled all of a sudden.
The look on Qiao Youtian’s face changed and he turned in the direction of the sound. He then saw his relatives cover their mouths and try their best to fight back their smiles. It was so obvious that they were laughing at him.
“What are you laughing at?!” Qiao Youtian glared at them, then said angrily, “Laugh again and I’ll kick you all out!”
“That’s enough! Watch your mouth!” Old Master Qiao cut Qiao Youtian off. “You’ve been spoiled. That’s not the way you’re supposed to talk to your seniors. Sit down and behave yourself, or leave now!”
Despite his vexation, Qiao Youtian didn’t dare to talk back. He sat down in frustration.
Everyone in the living room lowered their heads and kept their breathing quiet. The main family members were fighting and the best they could do was to stay out of it.
Old Master Qiao turned to Qiao Yu. “Your cousin is still young. Don’t mind him.”
“I won’t.” Qiao Yu looked at Old Master Qiao and said indifferently.
“He’s only behaving like that because he has nothing better to do. How about giving him a position and letting him work for our company this year?” Old Master Qiao went on.
Qiao Yu sipped his tea, then said to Old Master Qiao in an emotionless voice. “I’m afraid that the only job he’ll want is mine.”
The blunt statement baffled Old Master Qiao and he frowned without saying anything else.
“As if I would beg to get a job in Shengshi.” Qiao Youtian smirked.
Putting down his teacup, Qiao Yu rose to his feet, then said to Old Master Qiao. “I still have errands to run in the afternoon and I should get going. I’ll come visit you some other day, Grandpa.”
The old man knew what was bothering Qiao Yu and he didn’t try to keep him here longer. He nodded. “Sure.”
Qiao Yu nodded at him, then turned to leave. A middle-aged woman was standing by the door with a young woman and they watched as Qiao Yu left. He never darted a look in their direction.
The middle-aged woman tugged at the young one. “Xinni, do you know who that is?”
Watching Qiao Yu from behind, Meng Xinni looked stunned. She smiled. “Of course I do. He’s Qiao Yu, the president of Shengshi!”
The middle-aged woman went on. “I brought you here today just to see him. If you can get his attention and marry him, our family will surely prosper.
Looking at her mother, Meng Xinni was very confident. “Don’t worry. I know I can do it!”