Chapter 98: Let Me Out

“Nanny, why won’t you listen to anything we say?” Liu Mingli gazed at his daughter’s stubborn face, feeling the fire within him burn ever stronger.

After returning home today, he had recounted the day’s events to Lin Yongfen. The couple, as always, shared a silent understanding; without even a word exchanged, their thoughts aligned perfectly.

If they could establish a connection with Young Master Huang, wouldn’t their family’s fortunes soar? The scarce materials from the hardware company would be theirs to command at will. At that point, wealth would flood in so abundantly that even sacks wouldn’t suffice to hold it all.

So, they sat upright at home, waiting for Liu Qian’s return, ready to give her a stern lecture. After all, no matter what they wished, their daughter had to cooperate.

But after an hour of back-and-forth, Liu Qian’s sole response was resolute: apart from Wu Ya, she would not associate with anyone else.

“What tricks did that poor boy use to bewitch your heart? Tell us honestly—what exactly happened between you and Wu Ya?” Lin Yongfen’s voice rose sharply as she pointed at her daughter, her words laden with meaning.

In those times, with such unenlightened mindsets, a girl forsaking everything for a boy was akin to being bewitched. The only plausible reason was that they had crossed a line that could not be spoken of.

Chastity was regarded as life itself. Once that boundary was crossed, devotion was absolute.

Judging by their daughter’s stance, could this be the case?

Beneath Lin Yongfen’s angry exterior was a heart gripped with intense anxiety. If it were true, their daughter would be ruined—no longer a fresh bloom but a withered flower.

No matter how much they wished for her to associate with Young Master Huang, no one else would accept her now.

She would be bound to Wu Ya, destined to endure a lifetime of hardship.

At that moment, an unmistakably fiery, angry gaze shot toward them.

“Mother, do you really see your daughter as such a shameless person? You are truly a wonderful mother!” Liu Qian’s furious shout exploded forth.

Lin Yongfen was stunned. Though her daughter was no angel, she was always polite and had never spoken to them in this tone.

Before her shock could deepen, Liu Qian turned her eyes to Liu Mingli.

“Father, haven’t you always said I was your little cotton-padded jacket, so precious you feared I’d melt in your hands? Then how come in the face of profit, you no longer care if I get hurt? You actually want to use me to pave the way for yourself! Sacrificing me to associate with Huang Silu? Don’t you feel ashamed? Besides, even if I were willing, would Huang Silu agree?”

Faced with such reproach, Liu Mingli was rendered speechless.

Once, he had loved his daughter dearly, treating her as delicately as if she might shatter or burn.

But as his business career lengthened, some things had quietly slipped away.

A wave of guilt, mixed with heartache, surged within him—but he quickly suppressed it.

Once upon a time?

Reality always prevails.

“Darling, for our family’s sake, for your future to be a little more comfortable, what is there to feel guilty about? And besides, if you agree, I’m sure Young Master Huang won’t refuse! Our daughter is not only well-educated but also beautiful. Within a hundred miles, no one compares!” he declared confidently.

His certainty, of course, stemmed from Liu Qian’s reputation.

A talented young woman from Yan University, blessed with both beauty and brains.

Even if the young seamstress from the market could compete with her in looks…

What about education?

Liu Qian was the only one in the Suiyan District to have been admitted to the highest university in China.

Top scholar!

That title alone would attract countless suitors, let alone the son of a hardware company manager.

“Yes, darling, your father is right! Your future is our greatest concern. You’re our only daughter, and whether we seem a bit materialistic, it’s all for what? To earn more money and build a solid foundation for your future! Now that you have such a good opportunity to connect with Young Master Huang, how many detours could you avoid?”

Though angered by their naivety, they still had to persuade her.

As her mother, guiding her daughter to understand life’s hardships was an inescapable duty.

Following Wu Ya—what good would that do? Was she to endure a life of poverty, relying on a tiny tailor’s shop?

It might seem fine now, but if the market shifted, how many storms could they weather?

They were business people and could see through such things clearly.

“Especially after hearing today that Young Master Huang is skilled in finance and created a miracle on the first day of trading. Darling, tell me honestly—is that mysterious figure really Young Master Huang? If so, you should draw closer to him! Remember, the future of business is inseparable from finance!” Liu Mingli added suddenly, eager to press the point.

Talent, he thought.

Securities trading was the future, though in China it was just beginning.

Yet Young Master Huang was already leading the trend, standing at the pinnacle of this world.

On the first day of trading, he had turned a twenty-thousand capital into a three-hundred-thousand fortune—a prodigious gift unmatched by anyone Liu Mingli had ever seen.

But…

“Heh. For my own good? All talk and no action. It’s just to satisfy your vanity! The mysterious figure, the financial genius—that’s a story made up to prop up Huang Silu and Qiao Ya! The real mastermind is Wu Ya! He was the one who made Huang Silu buy personal bonds and put on a show for Qiao Ya! The goal was to make Qiao Ya admire Huang Silu!” Liu Qian said helplessly.

She spoke her truth to clear Wu Ya’s name and reaffirm that the mysterious figure was indeed Wu Ya—whose future was far brighter than Huang Silu’s.

She also wanted her parents to understand that Huang Silu’s affections were for Qiao Ya, and Qiao Ya’s admiration for Huang Silu was only because of Wu Ya’s guidance.

But Liu Mingli heard none of this as she hoped. Instead, her words only provoked his anger.

“Girl! Have you lost your mind? Young Master Huang is so superior—why don’t you fight for him instead of foolishly handing him over? Even making up stories to cut off your mother and me! Wu Ya guiding Young Master Huang? I think it’s the other way around—Wu Ya only made some small gains because Young Master Huang guided him!”

He had turned the situation on its head.

In his mind, Huang Silu came from a privileged background, naturally exposed to different things from a young age.

His horizons were broad, and his education incomparable.

With such conditions, studying finance was only natural.

So Huang Silu’s financial knowledge was acceptable.

But Wu Ya, born poor and barely able to secure his own meals?

How could he know finance? What a joke!

Liu Mingli guessed correctly.

Wu Ya truly did not understand finance.

But…

He could not match his two lifetimes of experience, nor his memory that seemed like cheating.

Liu Qian was utterly speechless.

“Mom, Dad, your imagination is truly boundless! And your shamelessness grows thicker every day! For profit, you’ll stop at nothing! I once admired you so much, but now I feel only shame!” After a moment’s silence, Liu Qian exploded again, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Her resolute stance made her feelings unmistakably clear.

Huang Silu?

You can forget about him.

“Hmph! You’re getting more and more unruly! I’m telling you: if you want to be with Wu Ya, then you and your mother might as well die tomorrow! Otherwise, you’d better forget it! From today on, you’re not allowed to go anywhere! Except to associate with Young Master Huang, you will not set foot outside this house! Pack your bags and prepare for school!” Liu Mingli’s temper flared as he issued his final order.

“What are you doing?” Liu Qian protested as he grabbed her roughly.

Under Lin Yongfen’s pained gaze, he forced her back inside.

The next moment, a heavy iron lock snapped onto the door bolt, imprisoning Liu Qian within.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Liu Qian’s furious kicks and anguished screams echoed through the entire house.

“Her father, aren’t we being a bit…” Lin Yongfen’s voice faltered as she looked at the lock and her daughter’s heart-wrenching cries.

Before she could finish, Liu Mingli interrupted impatiently.

“A bit what? If we don’t act ruthlessly now, will we just watch her suffer in the future and feel sorry then? By then, it’ll be too late!”

Lin Yongfen remained silent, acknowledging her husband’s point.

If they didn’t stop their daughter now, following Wu Ya would surely lead to destitution.

Feeling sorry then would be meaningless.

“Let me out! Liu Mingli, let me out!” Liu Qian’s strength waned, and the room gradually fell silent.

“Wu Ya, what are you doing? Hurry and come save me…” she whispered as exhaustion and weariness overcame her.

At this moment, Wu Ya was still at home, enjoying a warm family meal with his parents.

The household was as harmonious as ever.

Chewing heartily on the dishes made by his mother, Wu Ya praised, “Mom, your cooking keeps getting better!”

In his past life, this scene had haunted him countless times—the taste of his mother’s food, a longing felt during endless nights wandering the streets, gazing at the countless lights of distant homes.

Now, at last, he could savor it again.

His appreciation was deeply felt.

Yet he was unaware that Liu Qian, for his sake, endured such torment.

Even in her sleep, she furrowed her brows, whispering his name…