Villain: Without morals, you can’t be manipulated!

Chapter 37 The Battle for Mom – Chen Aunty’s Daughter, Chen Shuyi

“Of course, if you really want to eat it, it’s not impossible.”

Qi Lin’s gaze roamed up and down Qi Xueyao as he smacked his lips playfully.

“Xueyao, you can trade something for it.”

He grinned mischievously.

“Qi Lin, you bastard! What do you take me for? I would never trade myself for food!”

“You don’t have to worry—I will never eat anything from your house again!”

Qi Xueyao’s beautiful eyes welled up with tears, which then rolled down her cheeks. Qi Lin’s words had completely shattered her dignity. After saying that, she didn’t even care about dinner anymore. She wiped her tears and ran to her room, probably to cry in private again.

Watching Qi Xueyao flee, Qi Lin didn’t feel even a shred of guilt. Instead, he smirked and said, “Breaking down so easily? Is this really the same woman who dominated the business world in my previous life and treated me with cold indifference? Bullying this version of Qi Xueyao really isn’t satisfying at all.”

Shaking his head, Qi Lin walked over to the mahogany dining table and sat down, ready to eat. Whether Qi Xueyao starved or not had nothing to do with him.

She was an adult. If she couldn’t even feed herself, then what was the point of living in this world?

“Aunty Chen, is dinner ready?”

“Hurry up and bring out my favorites—braised pork ribs, steamed king crab, spicy eel, and shrimp steamed egg!”

Qi Lin deliberately raised his voice, making sure Qi Xueyao, who was crying in her room, could hear him. Just then, instead of hearing Aunty Chen’s response, a cool and disdainful voice sounded from behind him.

“Before, I thought you were just a spoiled rich second-generation kid—lazy, but not exactly evil.”

“But now I see I was wrong. You’re not just a spoiled rich kid, you’re also a scumbag who enjoys bullying women. And the woman you’re bullying is your childhood playmate.”

Qi Lin turned around in surprise. Behind him stood a young woman in her early twenties. She had long, silky hair cascading down her back, delicate and exquisite features, and a slender oval face filled with contempt.

She was dressed in a floral summer dress, and her long, straight legs were adorned with strappy sandals. Her fair, delicate feet glowed under the warm lighting.

“You must be Aunty Chen’s daughter, Chen Shuyi?”

With just one glance, Qi Lin recognized her. Chen Shuyi was about to throw another sharp remark when Aunty Chen walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of dishes.

“Shuyi, mind your words when talking to Xiaolin. They just had a little argument, that’s all. I watched Xiaolin grow up—he’s not a bad kid.”

Aunty Chen shot her daughter a reproachful look, signaling her to stop talking nonsense.

“Not a bad kid? Mom, did you even hear what he just said? He basically asked his own cousin to trade her body for snacks! This isn’t just about personality, this is about having no morals at all. He doesn’t even deserve to be called human!”

Chen Shuyi wasn’t afraid of Qi Lin in the slightest—after all, she didn’t live in his house.

Qi Lin, however, responded lazily, “Shuyi, are you deaf at such a young age? I clearly said she could trade something, like doing some housework. Which part of that sounded like I was asking for her body?”

When it came to twisting words and playing games, ten Chen Shuyis wouldn’t be a match for Qi Lin.

“You—!”

She was at a loss for words.

After all, Qi Lin hadn’t explicitly said anything inappropriate. But his tone had been completely off!

Chen Shuyi was certain that’ was what he had meant. Unable to out-argue Qi Lin, she turned to her mother instead.

“Mom, I have a job now. I earn a salary. You don’t have to work as a housekeeper anymore. Listen to me—come home with me and enjoy life.”

So this was why she had come today—she wanted to take her mother away from Qi Lin’s household. Aunty Chen had worked as a housekeeper here for over a decade, and Chen Shuyi had often visited. She knew all too well what kind of person Qi Lin was.

She didn’t want her mother to continue living under someone else’s roof. But that wasn’t the only reason. In truth, Chen Shuyi had always been jealous of Qi Lin.

Older generations often believed that having a son provided security in old age. But Aunty Chen only had one child—Chen Shuyi, a daughter. This had always been her greatest regret.

Since Aunty Chen had watched Qi Lin grow up, she had gradually come to treat him like her own son. As Chen Shuyi had pointed out, even though her mother didn’t need to work as a housekeeper anymore, she still insisted on coming to Qi Lin’s house every day to take care of him.

This was because Aunty Chen couldn’t let go of her son. Since childhood, Aunty Chen had always treated Qi Lin better than her own daughter. That was why Chen Shuyi absolutely despised Qi Lin. She loathed this spoiled rich kid who had stolen her mother’s attention.

At the same time, she wanted to prove to her mother that even without a son, she, as a daughter, could still take care of her, bring her honor, and provide for her in old age.

“Shuyi, I’m only in my forties—how can I retire so soon? I want to work a few more years and save up for your dowry.”

Aunty Chen shook her head, rejecting her daughter’s offer. Before Qi Lin had arrived home, Chen Shuyi had already spent a long time in the kitchen trying to persuade her mother, but with little success. Her mother wouldn’t budge, which made Chen Shuyi even more frustrated.

“Mom, I think you just can’t bear to leave this rich second-gen!”

“What’s so great about him? Is he really more important than your own daughter?”

“Fine, let’s say we wait. But what about the future? When I have a husband and kids, are you going to refuse to take care of your grandkids because you still can’t let go of this rich brat?”