Guardian Chapter 3: The Solicitor

 

Chapter 3 The Solicitor

After his mother's death, Yu Shulin met his solicitor for the first time.

He watched coldly as Yu Xiu exchanged cordial pleasantries with the man, having already pieced together the underhand dealings at play. In his previous life, Yu Xiu's unrestrained access to his assets had likely been facilitated by this solicitor, whose lecherous grin spoke volumes. While guardians could oversee a minor's assets, such blatant exploitation was simply unacceptable.

“Mr Zhou, thank you for all your trouble this time.”

The short, stout, balding solicitor waved dismissively with a broad smile. “Not at all, not at all. We're all family here—no need for such formality.”

“You've been most thoughtful, Brother Zhou.” Zhou Mei smiled gently, nudging Yu Bo and coaxing, “This is your Uncle Zhou, a very accomplished barrister. Say hello to your uncle.”

In front of outsiders, Yu Bo always gave his parents face. Hearing this, he straightened up promptly and called out obediently, “Hello, Uncle.”

“Excellent, excellent. Xiao Bo shows great promise.” Mr Zhou beamed with delight, clearly flattered by Zhou Mei's description of him as a ‘renowned barrister.’ His manner grew even more cordial as he addressed the group.

After a few pleasantries, Yu Xiu impatiently broached the subject of signing the documents. Mr Zhou proved remarkably accommodating; within moments, the two men shook hands amicably, as if they'd settled the matter.

Yú Shūlín, nestled in the corner of the conference room, observed the cheerful group before disrupting the harmonious atmosphere: “Wasn't it mentioned that someone from my father's side is seeking custody? Where are they? I wish to meet them.”

Yú Xiū's confident smile froze.

Mister Zhou, his boastful narrative interrupted, looked rather displeased.

“Why is Shulin suddenly asking about this…” Zhou Mei grew flustered. Unaware of her husband's prior discussions with Yu Shulin, she merely feared the substantial inheritance slipping through their fingers. This matter needed settling swiftly. “Look, your uncle and Mr. Zhou have already reached an agreement. Just sign the papers first. Your father's people are so despicable—what's the point of meeting—”

“Where are they?” Yu Shulin cut her off, his tone sharpening as he adopted an angry, impatient demeanour. “My mother has only just passed away, and already these despicable scoundrels are scheming to seize what she left me! Damn them! I demand to see them!”

Yu Xiu's heart skipped a beat at the words ‘despicable scoundrels.’ It took him a moment to realise Yu Shulin was referring to his father's side. His heart eased slightly as he frowned, rising to try and calm him: “Shulin, don't get so worked up. I know you don't want to see your father's people—they're all scoundrels who'll try to take what's yours. But rest assured, Uncle won't let them bully you. Now, now.”

“Hmph. Scourge of the earth. Short-lived wretch.” Yu Bo had long disliked Yu Shulin. Seeing him dare speak thus to his parents, he immediately snorted indignantly.

“Xiao Bo!” Zhou Mei hastily covered his mouth, offering a slightly embarrassed smile to Yu Shulin. “Children don't understand things. Don't be angry, Shulin.”

Yu Shulin raised an eyebrow. Don't be angry? No. Of course he was angry.

He casually picked up the teacup before him and slammed it onto the floor. His gaze turned cold as he fixed it on Yu Bo, his eyes dark and vicious, unlike those of someone his age. “Who did you call a jinx and a short-lived ghost? Hah! I thought Uncle and Auntie genuinely cared for me. Little did I know you two taught my younger brother to slander me like this? I misjudged you both!”

“That's absolutely not true! Your uncle genuinely cares for you, don't get the wrong idea.” Yu Xiu hurried forward, reaching out to grab his arm. “Xiao Bo was just talking nonsense. I'll discipline him when we get back. Shulin, please don't misunderstand.”

“You despicable, shameless fraud!” Yu Shulin flung his hand away, stormed over to Yu Bo in a few strides, seized the delicate little teapot from the table, and poured its scalding contents over the spread-out documents. Raising the teapot directly at Yu Bo, he glared menacingly: “Who did you call a jinx, eh?”

“You, you…” Yu Bo was utterly dumbfounded by this madman's actions and the venom in his eyes. Cowering timidly into Zhou Mei's embrace, he stammered incoherently, “Everyone says so! You, you are the unlucky star! You cursed your own mother to death! You, you short-lived wretch, short-lived wretch…”

Lawyer Zhou was now kicking himself. To impress these distant relatives, he'd brought out his most expensive, finest tea set. Now a cup had just been smashed, and the teapot was being taken... Oh dear, his precious tea set.

“Now... let's talk this through calmly. No need to get worked up.”

Zhou Mei was also thoroughly shaken. In her memory, Yu Shulin had always been introverted and well-behaved. This meeting found him even more silent and reserved than when they last met years ago. How could he suddenly go mad like this? She shielded Yu Bo, signalling to the stunned Yu Xiu beside her while echoing Lawyer Zhou's words: “Yes, yes, let's discuss this calmly. No need to get worked up... Xioubo just has a tendency to blurt things out. As his elder brother, you shouldn't hold it against him.”

Yu Shulin’s gaze swept over the soaked documents. He nodded inwardly with satisfaction, yet his expression grew increasingly grim. Turning to Lawyer Zhou, he snarled, “Speak! When are my father’s people arriving?”

Lawyer Zhou stared at the teapot in his hand and hastily replied, “Tomorrow. They're scheduled for tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. You... you put the teapot down first.”

Tomorrow? They're only coming tomorrow, yet Yu Xiu coaxed me here today to sign?

He turned to Yu Xiu, feigning confusion. “Uncle, if they're meeting tomorrow, why did you drag me here today?”

“Well... this…” Yu Xiu's face twitched as he stammered an explanation. “I feared they might harm you if they saw you. I wanted to keep you away from them. You know, you're still young. I did this for your own good.”

“Of course I know you mean well, Uncle.” Having secured the desired response and successfully intimidated the others, Yu Shulin's mood improved slightly. He flicked the teapot lightly to land at Yu Xiu's feet, resuming his obedient, quiet demeanour as he murmured: “Uncle, those scoundrels actually tried to scheme over what Mum left behind. Tomorrow I'll give them a proper telling-off. I don't care about meeting anyone or not—bad people deserve to die... You love me so much, Uncle, you'll help me, won't you?”

Yu Xiu watched his nephew shift between brooding rage and docile compliance, a strange tightness rising in his throat. He nodded. “Of course. You know I cherish you most of all... Sign the papers first... Once custody is settled, those villains won't be able to snatch you away or bully you anymore. You can berate them to your heart's content. So sign now…”

Still not giving up? He sneered inwardly, yet his expression remained innocent and compliant as he pointed to the documents on the table. “But I accidentally got the papers wet... Signing can wait till tomorrow. Wouldn't it be more satisfying to hand over custody to Uncle right in front of those villains? Uncle, I'm a bit tired. I'll head home now. Goodbye.” With that, he gave him one last piercing look and walked straight out of the office without a backward glance, leaving behind the wails of Lawyer Zhou clutching the shards of his teapot.

Yu Xiu couldn't let this opportunity slip through his fingers. He immediately took a step to chase after her, but Lawyer Zhou suddenly grabbed his arm, fuming, “Don't think you can get away! Your nephew smashed my tea set—pay up!”

“It's just a tea set! I'll pay for it! Let go!”

“Three thousand yuan! Pay up first!”

“What? For this rubbish, three thousand?”

Yu Shulin closed the lift doors, sealing their quarrel outside. He stared up at the scrolling floor numbers, his expression returning to blank indifference—such a hypocritical, cowardly family. How utterly foolish he must have been in his previous life not to see the wolfish hearts and dog's souls lurking beneath their veneer of kindness.

 

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