Chapter Three: Breaking Up
The rest of the Yun family panicked; they didn’t know if they got through to Yun Nan.
“Mom, Dad, I’m the one who made Yun Nan mad. I’ll apologize to her and beg her forgiveness,” Yun Liu said in a trembling voice, but she didn’t move an inch from her spot.
Yun Zhang frowned as he mumbled, “I didn’t expect her to be so vindictive.”
Gu Wei sensed that there was more to that comment and quickly asked, “What is it? What did you do to provoke her?”
Yun Zhang hesitated for a moment before he revealed, “Yun Nan’s previous two movies received very good reviews and her reputation has risen because of that. Riding on the previous success, we’re now starting to prepare for the third movie.”
“Yun Liu and I took a look at the script and got someone to modify it into an urban romance drama; this genre is very popular nowadays. We also decided Yun Liu should play the female lead; with her current fame, she only needs a blockbuster hit to boost her to the next level. She could make use of Yun Nan’s fame.”
Yun Zhang’s voice lowered as he continued, “But who would have thought that Yun Nan would become so angry when we mentioned it to her? She didn’t want us to touch her script and firmly forbade Yun Liu from playing the lead role.”
“She made a big fuss in the company; it was a shameful affair. Yun Liu asked her nicely, but she refused to listen. In a fit of anger, I told her that if she didn’t comply, I wouldn’t give her any funding for her movie. She told me not to regret it.”
Yun Liu hurriedly said, “It’s my fault. The script was written by Yun Nan; I shouldn’t have changed it.”
“She’s mad over such a small matter?” Yun Xiang frowned.
When Yun Zhang heard this, he hurriedly answered, “Yeah, it’s just a small matter. Dad, you know what her temper’s like—willful and stubborn.”
“Although everyone says that she’s a genius and showered her with praise for achieving such fame at a young age, we can’t just focus on her in the company’s operations! We still have other directors and actors. Although she’s my biological sister, I can’t favor her! Such nepotism would ruin the family company’s reputation!”
Yun Xiang waved his hand to stem his son’s ranting. “Fine, enough! You did the right thing; she was being unreasonable! She grew up in the countryside; what kind of upbringing could a pair of uneducated country bumpkins give her? Since she has returned to our Yun family, she must follow our family’s rules! We can’t have others make fun of us and say we lack decorum!”
“When she comes out of her room, bring her to the Shi family and make sure she apologizes and gets a divorce! When Elder Shi returns in the next few days, I’ll personally pay him a visit and settle the marriage between Shi Nian and Yun Liu! This matter can’t be delayed any longer!”
“Sir, Mr. Shi’s assistant is here,” a household staff came in to report and interrupted Yun Xiang.
Yun Xiang was startled and looked at Yun Zhang.
Yun Zhang immediately perked up and said, “I suggested to Shi Nian to invest more in our company and he agreed. His assistant’s probably here to discuss the details with me.”
He turned to the staff and ordered, “Hurry and bring him in now!”
Yun Xiang’s expression relaxed. In the end, it was his son who was the most promising among his children and didn’t cause trouble for him.
Shi Nian’s assistant—Chang Yuan—was the grandson of the Shi family’s head steward—Chang Pei. Chang Yuan was Shi Nian’s classmate and had been by his side since he started his first business venture. He was the person Shi Nian trusted the most and had a high status. For someone with Yun Zhang’s standing, seeing him was like seeing Shi Nian.
Yun Zhang greeted Chang Yuan with a smile as he reached out to shake his hand, “Assistant Chang, it’s a pleasure to see you! My apologies for the wait. Why didn’t you call me beforehand? I would have booked us a room at the ‘Spirit Pavilion’ so we could have tea together.”
Yun Zhang thought his comment was witty, but Chang Yuan didn’t respond at all. His business-like expression conveyed a sense of distant aloofness as he simply stated, “I’m here to escort the Young Madam home.”
Yun Zhang’s outstretched hand suddenly froze.
Yun Nan came out of her room, dragging her luggage along with her. Chang Yuan respectfully informed her, “Young Madam, Young Master asked me to escort you home.”
‘
What?!
‘
The Yun family members were thunderstruck, whereas Yun Nan was only startled for a moment. ‘
Shi Nian is quite astute,
‘ she thought to herself so she politely thanked Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan handily took Yun Nan’s luggage, but any further conversation was interrupted by Yun Liu’s heartbroken sobs.
“Stop right there!” Yun Xiang came to his senses when he heard Yun Liu crying.
Chang Yuan turned around and graciously asked, “Is there anything you need, Mr. Yun?”
Yun Xiang glanced at the tearful Yun Liu and patiently explained, “Assistant Chang, Yun Nan can’t go with you. Shi Nian must have made a mistake as the one he should be marrying is Yun Liu…”
Chang Yuan frowned and asked, “Is Miss Yun Nan the biological daughter of the Yun family?”
The faces of the Yun family members paled and Yun Xiang nodded with great reluctance. “Yes, she is! But-”
Chang Yuan interrupted him. “Then, there’s no mistake. Back in the day, Old Master had arranged for Young Master to marry the daughter of the Yun family.”
“Miss Yun and Young Master has registered their marriage and received their certificate today. Their wedding will be held when Old Master, Sir and Madam return but even so, Young Master said that they are already legally married. As such, Miss Yun—my mistake—the Young Madam should go back home to the Shi family!”