LABMY CH23

A week after receiving the phone call, Wei Zhenge returned to the “home” he had been away from for so long. Staring at the brightly lit villa, exuding luxury and status, he suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

How long had it been since he last came back? Even the security guard at the gate was surprised to see him.

Wei Zhenge arrived late. The Wei family mansion was already filled with guests holding wine glasses and engaging in small talk. On the surface, they were celebrating the 80th birthday of Wei Chengye’s mother, but in reality, such gatherings had long become opportunities for networking and business expansion.

Everywhere reflected elegance, yet everywhere also revealed hypocrisy.

Wei Zhenge’s arrival did not attract much attention. After all, he was the less favored of Wei Chengye’s two sons. Most people only knew that Wei Chengye had two sons, but few actually recognized him.

However, as Wei Zhenge observed the crowd inside the mansion, he was somewhat surprised. There were significantly fewer guests than in previous years.

Although the villa appeared lively, with tables set up outside the living room and a pavilion filled with people, compared to the past, the scene seemed somewhat underwhelming.

Wei Zhenge quietly sat in a corner, waiting for the banquet to begin.

He hadn’t brought Jian Yuanbai with him. After all, it was the old lady’s 80th birthday, and he didn’t want to create unnecessary awkwardness. Even though the old lady disliked him, the feeling was mutual.

Besides, he couldn’t understand what madness had possessed Wei Chengye to invite him back for the celebration. Wei Chengye’s hatred toward him was evident. Whenever the Wei family hosted a banquet, Wei Zhenge was always the one ignored.

Wei Chengye was unwilling to introduce this “disgraceful” son to others. On such occasions, Wei Zhenge was more like a distant relative who came for a meal, except he would also face the host family’s deliberate humiliation afterward.

“Wei Zhenge, your father wants you to meet him in the study.”

Fu Pengyi, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, stood before him, relaying Wei Chengye’s words without sarcasm or hostility, but with a calm tone.

Wei Zhenge nodded, “Okay.”

The two of them acted as if the past conflicts never existed.

When Wei Zhenge entered the study, Wei Chengye, who was seated behind the desk, immediately asked, “Do you know that the chairman of Zhenge Group is Jian Yuanbai?”

Wei Zhenge replied, “No.”

Wei Chengye let out a fake smile and pretended to say with sincerity, “I know you blame me for leaving you in someone else’s care, but you have to understand, I did it for your own good.”

“I saw early on that Jian Yuanbai was no ordinary person. Placing you by his side was to help you build a connection with him.”

Seeing Wei Zhenge remain silent, Wei Chengye continued, “Look, he even named his company ‘Zhenge’ — clearly, he cares about you.”

Wei Zhenge interrupted him, “You don’t need to put on the act of a loving father. I barely know Jian Yuanbai. As for the name ‘Zhenge,’ it probably symbolizes ‘ending violence’ (a play on the Chinese meaning).

“He helped me twice, simply because I happened to lend him a few thousand yuan when he was in urgent need. We’ve had no contact since.”

Wei Chengye’s expression darkened slightly, but he insisted, “That’s impossible. I heard he even helped you out in school.”

Wei Zhenge stood up, “I’ve known him for barely four months. Because of him, I was forced to leave school.”

“If he really cared about me, why would he let me be expelled?”

“If you truly believe he has such feelings for a stranger, there’s nothing I can do. But spare me the ‘loving father’ act. It makes me sick.”

From the moment Wei Chengye spoke, Wei Zhenge already knew his true intentions. So, he decisively severed any connection between him and Jian Yuanbai.

He knew Wei Chengye would believe him — because Wei Chengye himself was a cold and selfish man. Judging others by his own standards, he would naturally accept it.

Sure enough, Wei Chengye’s face turned cold. “Enough. Leave.”

“Given such a golden opportunity, you’re utterly useless. You can’t even compare to a dog that knows how to bark.”

Wei Zhenge slowly turned around and said, “Then bark a few more times. I enjoy listening.”

He went downstairs, leaving Wei Chengye fuming in the study.

After sitting in the corner for a while, the noisy crowd gradually quieted down. Wei Chengye pushed the elderly lady with white hair out in her wheelchair. Time had not softened her appearance. She looked as sharp and bitter as her personality.

In such situations, as the main guest of honor, the old lady usually remained silent. She was a rural woman whose greatest pride in life was raising a successful son. She feared saying the wrong thing and embarrassing him in front of others.

Standing on the stage, Wei Chengye swept his gaze across the crowd, a trace of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

These people dared to disrespect him just because of an up-and-coming company? He would make them understand what it meant to be an established powerhouse.

If he wanted to collaborate with that new company, there was no way the other party would refuse. The scale, capital, and connections of the Wei family were unmatched. This was an obvious win-win situation.

While the guests listened attentively to Wei Chengye’s speech, Wei Zhenge quietly ate without lifting his head. His actions should have been quite conspicuous, but he had chosen his spot too well—hidden behind a pillar in the corner—so most people didn’t notice him.

Except…

“After all these years, you still like sitting in the corner.”

Wei En sneered, “Like a rat hiding in the gutter, unworthy of the spotlight.”

Without even sparing him a glance, Wei Zhenge replied, “Then what does that make you, who keeps coming to find me every time? Sewer rat droppings?”

Wei En, clearly in a good mood, wasn’t bothered by his sarcasm. “You should start feeling grateful. Dad is going to announce tonight that he’s handing over the Su family’s company to you.”

The Su family… that was his mother’s family.

Wei Zhenge’s hand froze mid-motion. He couldn’t believe that Wei Chengye would be so generous, nor could he believe that Wei En would be happy about it.

“Don’t overthink it,” Wei En sneered maliciously. “That company is worthless.”

“Aren’t you curious why, even though we’re both his sons, you’re the one he despises?”

“You’ll find out tonight.”

Wei En hummed a tune, patted Wei Zhenge on the shoulder, and smugly left the corner.

He stood not far from the stage, looking at Wei Chengye with eyes full of admiration, like a son worshiping his father. He knew this was exactly what pleased Wei Chengye — feeding his ego as a father.

After finishing his polite thank-you speech, Wei Chengye signaled for Jiang Xuelan to escort the old lady off the stage. Then, clearing his throat, he revealed the true purpose of tonight’s banquet:

“I know that many of you here are shareholders or business partners of the Wei Group. Due to some recent developments, it’s understandable that there may be concerns.”

“But from the founding of the Wei Group to today, we’ve weathered countless storms. We are already in talks with Zhenge Group, and the partnership is within reach.”

After briefly reassuring everyone, Wei Chengye announced the second matter of the evening:

“Tonight, in front of all of you, I will officially hand over the Su family’s company, which was left to Wei Zhenge by his mother, to him.”

He smiled, but his gaze was cold and ruthless. “This was the will of Mr. Su. After Wei Zhenge turned eighteen, I was to temporarily manage the shares and transfer them to him once he came of age.”

This was the true reason for Wei Chengye’s hatred toward Wei Zhenge.

The Su family had never trusted him. The company they left for their grandson was nothing more than a token gesture, as if tossing scraps to a beggar.

Since that old man cared so much about his grandson, he could watch from the afterlife as that very grandson was crushed by the burden of the failing Su family enterprise.

Wei Chengye had already hollowed out the company. It lost millions every year. He had been waiting for this moment — the day he could hand over this sinking ship to Wei Zhenge.

With the will as his shield, he could easily dump this mess on him.

“Now that Wei Zhenge is of age, it is my responsibility as a father to return what belongs to him,” Wei Chengye declared, cold and heartless.

“From this moment on, I have no further ties with Wei Zhenge.”

“His household registration has already been removed from the Wei family.”

The entire room was stunned.

To see a father and son reach such a point — they were more like enemies than family.

But these guests were all seasoned players in the business world. No one would be foolish enough to interfere in someone else’s family affairs. They simply smiled and played along.

After all, everyone knew how the Wei family built their fortune. There were those who despised Wei Chengye, but in the face of profit, they could easily turn a blind eye.

Just when everyone thought this ugly spectacle had come to an end, Wei Chengye stepped off the stage and, in front of everyone, walked straight to Wei Zhenge.

Then, he sneered, “Take your things and get out.”

Although he didn’t use the microphone this time, the crowd couldn’t help but cast glances in their direction.

What a show…

Even the manager from Zhenge Group, who had been sent here to maintain appearances, couldn’t help but marvel at the drama unfolding before him.

He didn’t know that the legendary “Little Pillow” from Zhenge Group was actually Wei Zhenge.

The manager had only recently joined after the company’s expansion and hadn’t been exposed to the company’s core members. He was simply here to put on a front because Zhenge Group had no intention of collaborating with the Wei family in the first place.

The Wei family was already dissatisfied that Zhenge only sent a manager to negotiate, but since they were the ones seeking cooperation, they could only endure it.

Unexpectedly, the manager found himself witnessing a live performance of the Wei family’s internal strife.

Watching Wei Chengye publicly humiliate his own son, the manager couldn’t help but shake his head in disdain.

What a petty and disgraceful move.

He couldn’t understand how a man as classless as this had managed to build such an empire.

Or perhaps… he was just a pig that caught the wind at the right time.

Meanwhile, Wei Zhenge looked at the aggressive Wei Chengye and chuckled, “Did you forget? This is the Su family’s villa.”

“Not anymore. It’s under the Wei name now,” Wei Chengye replied indifferently.

“If it weren’t for Wei En’s friend informing him that you’ve already turned eighteen, how much longer were you planning to freeload here?”

“And your wretched mother… The day she died, the air I breathed became fresher.”

He had deliberately chosen tonight, in front of all these people, to stomp on both Wei Zhenge and the memory of the deceased Su family.

He wanted Wei Zhenge to be thrown out like a stray dog — just as he himself had been when he first stepped into the Su family’s home and was driven out with shame and humiliation.

“Wei Chengye!”

Wei Zhenge shot to his feet, but before he could speak, a group of well-trained bodyguards surrounded him.

The man leading the group spoke politely, yet with a threatening undertone: “Please leave. It would be unfortunate if we end up hurting you.”

Wei En sneered from the side, “Go on, keep talking. One more word and they’ll break your legs and drag you out of here.”

Wei Zhenge let out a cold laugh. “Good. Very good.”

“I’d love to see how long you can keep thriving after leeching off the Su family’s blood.”

“I’ll remember tonight.”

All of Wei Zhenge’s belongings were stuffed into a cheap woven sack and thrown in front of him.

After all these years, everything he owned couldn’t even fill one bag.

“You’re just like this sack — lowly and worthless,” Wei En mocked, standing alongside Fu Pengyi, watching the scene with satisfaction.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Wei Zhenge. Some mocked him, some pitied him, while others remained indifferent.

Their stares pierced through the eighteen-year-old’s spine like blades.

With the woven sack in hand, Wei Zhenge walked out of the grand hall under everyone’s gaze.

The sack, deliberately used to humiliate him, was in stark contrast to the extravagant, brightly lit Wei family mansion behind him — as if they belonged to two completely different worlds.

Just as Wei Zhenge stepped out of the Wei family estate, he saw Jian Yuanbai getting out of a car.

He was slightly surprised, yet somehow, it felt inevitable.

Despite just being kicked out of his home, upon seeing Jian Yuanbai, Wei Zhenge couldn’t help but smile.

“Jian-ge.”

In his rage, Wei Zhenge had intended to declare, “I will repay today’s humiliation tenfold.”

But the memory of the infamous “public humiliation broadcast” incident flashed through his mind, and the words stuck in his throat.

In the end, all he said was, “I’ll remember this.”

Jian Yuanbai looked at him with concern and couldn’t help but reach out to touch his forehead. “Are you out of your mind? How can you still smile after this?”

Jian Yuanbai had rushed over after receiving a mission from the system. Originally, he had been sulking about why his “Little Pillow” hadn’t brought him along to the banquet. Now that he had a legitimate excuse, he wasted no time showing up.

But when he saw the pathetic woven sack in Wei Zhenge’s hand, Jian Yuanbai’s anger surged.

After all these years in the Wei family, everything he owned couldn’t even compare to what he had accumulated while staying with Jian Yuanbai for a short time.

“This is the Su family’s villa, isn’t it? If anyone’s leaving, it should be them.”

Jian Yuanbai grabbed Wei Zhenge’s hand and was about to head back inside.

However, Wei Zhenge stopped him.

“No need, Jian-ge. I’ll handle it myself in the future.”

“You’ve already helped me enough.”

Jian Yuanbai frowned. “Why wait for the future? We can deal with this right now.”

Without thinking, he added, “You have me now.”

Those words caught Wei Zhenge off guard.

Before he could process what Jian Yuanbai meant, the man had already marched back into the hall.

The first person to notice him was the manager from Zhenge Group.

There’s a strange phenomenon in this world — subordinates seem to possess an innate radar for detecting their boss’s presence.

The manager was stunned to see Jian Yuanbai and immediately rushed over.

“President Jian!”

Jian Yuanbai nodded and pulled out his wallet.

“Here, I’m giving you half an hour. Go buy me a loudspeaker.”

“No, buy ten. Surround sound. I want every corner of this mansion to hear what I’m about to say.”

“You can keep the change.”

If Wei Chengye wanted to humiliate his Little Pillow in front of everyone with a cheap microphone…

Then Jian Yuanbai would buy ten loudspeakers and make sure everyone heard his humiliation instead.

The manager glanced at the thickness of the wallet and eagerly agreed.

Jian Yuanbai scanned the crowd and locked eyes on Wei Chengye.

“Mr. Wei, long time no see.”

With a smirk, he added, “Oh? Your face seems to have healed rather quickly. I guess I didn’t hit you hard enough last time for you to remember the pain.”