Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Understanding, Manipulation, Declaration of War

“If he’s still unwilling to accept this and tries to stir up trouble behind our backs, making things difficult for Jiuzhou, then he can’t blame me for being ruthless.

Zhichou and I only have one son in the whole Yun family, and for his sake, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. I mean what I say!”

Tears streamed down Yun Nianzhou’s face despite himself. He clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth to keep from making a sound.

He used to long so much for Yun Runtong’s fatherly love, and now he hated his coldness just as much.

Thinking back on all those times he’d yearned for his father’s approval and praise, he found it laughable. Back then, Yun Runtong probably thought he was ridiculous too, didn’t he?

In this life, he was destined never to receive any love from him—so if that’s the case, let’s destroy everything together!

The two of them hid behind the door, watching as Yun Runtong and his wife strode away.

After a while, Yun Nianzhou composed himself, wiped away his tears, and returned to the house.

Grandma Yun hurried over to greet them when she saw them come back.

“Zhouzhou, don’t be afraid. Grandma is here. As long as I’m around, you are a true Yun family descendant—no one can do anything to you!”

“I’m sorry, Grandma. I got too emotional just now. I must have upset Mom, Dad, and my brother, right?

I’ll apologize to them next time. Today was really my fault—I ruined my brother’s family reunion dinner, made everyone leave unhappy, and even dropped the mung bean cakes I brought especially for you. I shouldn’t have done that,” Yun Nianzhou said tearfully.

“Grandma knows you’re a good child. Anyone would get emotional in a situation like this—you’ve already behaved very well.

Your father said, no matter what, you’re still a Yun family child. From now on, you and Jiuzhou should get along. Your parents will come to see your good side in time. Even if they don’t care about you, Grandma is still here. I love you.”

Seeing how sensible he was, Grandma Yun felt comforted. She always said that a child she raised herself couldn’t have a bad character.

When Yun Nianzhou heard the name “Jiuzhou,” he felt a wave of discomfort. So that was his name—Yun Jiuzhou.

Nianzhou, Jiuzhou.

Was he meant to “miss Jiuzhou”?

He was just a substitute for Yun Jiuzhou—even his own name existed because of him. How pathetic.

Gu Qingyue noticed his expression darken and quickly chimed in, “We will, Grandma. It’s such a coincidence—Qinghuan and I, two sisters, both married into the Yun family. I’m sure we’ll all get along well.”

“Yes, after all these twists and turns, Qinghuan still ended up marrying into our Yun family. It must be fate,” Grandma Yun sighed.

“Grandma, could you tell me more about my brother? Things ended badly just now, and I don’t really know much about him. I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong in the future.”

Honestly, when men act pitiful, women don’t stand a chance.

When Grandma Yun talked about Yun Jiuzhou, her face filled with pride. Although she felt more for Yun Nianzhou, she genuinely liked this newly found grandson—especially since he was so outstanding. He was truly a Yun, and even after years away, he’d grown up so well.

After Yun Nianzhou and Gu Qingyue heard all about Yun Jiuzhou, they couldn’t even force a smile.

In their eyes, Yun Jiuzhou came from the countryside and was ignorant and unsophisticated—no match for them. Sooner or later, the family would see how crude he was.

They wanted to find some sense of superiority in Yun Jiuzhou’s past.

But he turned out to be so exceptional—any one of his achievements was dazzling on its own.

They were utterly overshadowed.

Gu Qingyue dug her nails into her palm without even noticing.

Why? Why did fate give all the best things to Gu Qinghuan? She’d just picked some random country bumpkin, and yet he turned out to be such a dark horse.

That “country bumpkin” had even gone to university, while she herself, after scheming so hard to steal a man, ended up with a useless loser who couldn’t do anything right.

“Grandma, my brother is so outstanding. Am I just too useless?” Yun Nianzhou deliberately lowered his head and wrung his hands, putting on a self-abasing act.

“Silly child, everyone has their strengths. You don’t need to compare yourself to your brother.

I’ve always told you to learn some skills—you’ll need them one day. See, now you regret it, don’t you?”

“You’re right, Grandma. I really should learn something. What if one day even you don’t like me anymore? At least I’d be able to support my family.”

“Nonsense! I’ll always love you. But it’s never too late to learn a skill. I’m glad you’ve figured it out.”

Grandma Yun was pleased. Nothing she’d said before had worked, but now that there was competition in the family, it had motivated him. That was a good thing.

Using the excuse of learning a trade, Yun Nianzhou managed to get another two thousand yuan from the old lady.

To reassure him, she even showed him her private savings.

“Look, this is what I’ve saved over the years. The jade and jewelry will go to your wife, and the rent from these shops each month isn’t small. There are also two apartments—they’ll be for you and Xiaocong.

When Grandma is gone, everything will be yours.”

But human greed knows no bounds. Grandma Yun’s deep love for her grandson was not appreciated.

Gu Qingyue had never seen so many valuables—her eyes went wide, and she secretly rejoiced. Clearly, cozying up to the old lady was the right move.

But Yun Nianzhou wasn’t grateful at all. He didn’t know exactly how much the Yun family owned, but he knew their wealth ran deep. With just Grandma’s savings, he couldn’t secure his place.

The real family fortune was still in Yun Runtong’s hands.

He hated it—hated himself for not working harder before, hated the Yun family for treating him unfairly, hated Yun Jiuzhou. Why couldn’t he have just died in the countryside? Why did he have to come back?

On the surface, though, he fawned over Grandma Yun. “Thank you, Grandma. If it weren’t for you, I don’t even know if I’d have a place in this family.”

Grandma Yun stuffed another five hundred yuan into his hand. “Silly child, as long as I’m here, this will always be your home. But you can’t just drift through life anymore. I believe in you—you’re not worse than anyone else.”

Afterwards, Yun Nianzhou started asking around about Yun Jiuzhou.

When he found out that what Yun Jiuzhou cared about most was his wife and two children, a cruel plan began to take shape in his mind.

Luckily, he’d always had a habit of keeping things.

He rummaged through the attic at home and found many old items.

When he was about ten, the two families were close, so he often saw the Gu siblings. Gu Qinghuan had given him a few small gifts—just little things children exchanged, not worth much, but meaningful.

He took these things and went to see Yun Jiuzhou (from now on, the story will just call him Yun Jiuzhou).

“Do you know who gave me this folding fan? Gu Qinghuan! She made it herself, even wrote the calligraphy on it.

And this scarf—she knitted it for me. The stitches aren’t great, but she said she’d never made anything by hand for anyone else. I bet you’ve never received anything hand-made from her, have you?

This string of beads—she got it at a temple, praying for my safety and happiness.

And all these—she gave them to me!” Yun Nianzhou shoved the box in front of Yun Jiuzhou.

At first, Yun Jiuzhou’s face darkened—he was nearly fuming with jealousy.

Other than food, he’d never received anything handmade from Gu Qinghuan. She always said it was too much trouble and just bought things instead.

But then he quickly realized—why was he getting jealous over this? The Gu Qinghuan who gave those things wasn’t the woman he loved now, but the one who was already gone.

What mattered to him was the Gu Qinghuan in front of him, not what the previous one did.

Still, he couldn’t help but get flustered whenever it came to Gu Qinghuan. He almost fell for Yun Nianzhou’s trap—this guy was sly, trying to provoke him with Gu Qinghuan. Luckily, Gu Qinghuan had already told him everything. Otherwise, he really would have been jealous.

“So what’s your point with all this? Showing off? Gu Qinghuan is my wife now—she has nothing to do with you. She already told me everything that happened back then. You were the one who kicked her when she was down and chose someone else. You had no taste!

Now, with me, she’s a princess, a treasure. She doesn’t have to please me—she can do whatever she wants and be herself.

My wife doesn’t need to knit me sweaters or scarves—it’s too hard on her hands! I’ll buy them myself!

She doesn’t need to give me gifts or do anything for me. As long as she’s there, I’ll love her.”

Yun Nianzhou saw him darken at first and thought he was just putting on a brave face, secretly delighted.

Anyway, he and this so-called brother were destined never to get along. Fine, let’s declare war—let’s see who takes the other down first!

“But your princess used to love me! She almost married me! She loved me! Doesn’t that bother you?”

Yun Jiuzhou shook his head, giving Yun Nianzhou a once-over and clicking his tongue.

“Look at you—not as handsome as me, not as tall, not as good-looking, no presence, no education, no job, just greedy for comfort, a total failure, still living off your parents. Now, you don’t even have the same status as me. Tell me, is there anything about you that’s better than me? Anyone with a brain would know who to choose.

Even if Qinghuan liked you back then, that was just your luck. If I’d shown up earlier, you wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

Yun Jiuzhou’s words left him utterly humiliated—a little revenge for the original, pitiful Gu Qinghuan.

Yun Nianzhou exploded on the spot!

“Yun Jiuzhou, don’t think just because you’re back, you’re really part of the Yun family.

Other than Mom and Dad, no one else will accept you—not Grandma, not any of our relatives or friends.

No matter what, I’ve been the Yun family’s son for over twenty years. And you? You’re just a stray dog from the countryside. What makes you think you can compare to me?

Even if I do nothing, Mom, Dad, and Grandma will still feed and clothe me. And you? You’re just a jinx they threw away! Pathetic!”

A shadow flickered in Yun Jiuzhou’s eyes. Yun Nianzhou had enjoyed everything that should have been his, yet felt no gratitude and even lashed out. Disgusting."