The Ultimate Devil's Magnificent CEO

"Father, Zhou Fan may be married to Xiaoyan, but his surname isn't Chu. How can you let him into our family's ancestral hall?" Chu Peiyu complained the moment the doors shut.

"Second Brother has a point. Besides, Xiaoyan is already married off, and Qianqian will be too, sooner or later. Strictly speaking, neither of them should be considered part of the Chu Family!" Chu Peiyang chimed in, sounding like a complete moron.

"Both of you, shut up! You think I don't know what you're plotting? You're just afraid Xiaoyan and I will take a piece of the family fortune, aren't you? Well, let me tell you something—the two of you aren't worthy!" Before anyone could respond, Chu Qianqian shot back, grabbing a teacup and hurling it at them.

"I'm warning you. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Third Brother and Fourth Brother dote on me the most. Do you believe that when they get back, I'll team up with them and throw you two losers out?"

Don't be fooled by her usual demeanor. Chu Qianqian was typically mild-tempered and easygoing, but she refused to tolerate her two aggressive brothers.

"Chu Qianqian, who the hell do you think you're talking to? I'm your eldest brother! The saying goes that the eldest brother is like a father, so watch your mouth! Even if we do split the inheritance, it's not a woman's place to get a share!" The teacup had struck Chu Peiyang squarely on the shoulder. He slammed his hand on the table, pointing at Chu Qianqian as he roared.

"This is outrageous! Do you even see us as your older brothers anymore? You actually want to throw us out? Believe it or not, I'll team up with my big brother and throw all of you out first!"

Chu Peiyu's face was also contorted with rage. The day's events had already left him frustrated, and now he exploded.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH!

Just as the three of them were about to come to blows, their anger boiling over, a very incongruous sound cut through the tension. They turned to see Zhou Fan, sitting calmly to the side. He had produced a handful of sunflower seeds from somewhere and was snacking on them as he watched the drama unfold.

"Go on, don't mind me."

When they all turned to look at him, Zhou Fan showed no hint of embarrassment. Instead, he offered some of his sunflower seeds to Chu Yan beside him and gestured for the others to carry on.

'Carry on, my ass!'

"Stop eating!" Chu Yan wished she could take a needle and sew Zhou Fan's mouth shut. 'Why does this guy never do what's expected of him?'

"Brother-in-law, what flavor are those? Let me have some!"

But Chu Wen just grinned and held out his hand, asking for a share.

"Nope. This is all I have, and I don't even know how old they are."

Zhou Fan shook his head, guarding the seeds like they were treasure. This made Chu Wen roll his eyes and mutter, "Stingy," while Chu Yan was on the verge of a complete meltdown.

'It's one thing for my husband to be useless, but why is my usually obedient little brother being so useless now, too?'

'Is this really the time to be eating sunflower seeds?'

"Insolence! The ancestral hall is a sacred place, not somewhere for you to fool around! Do you have any respect for our ancestors at all?"

Chu Peiyu had snapped out of it, bellowing with his eyes wide in fury.

"Xiaowen, why are you fooling around with him? Apologize to our ancestors, now!" Chu Peiyang shot a frightened glance at Chu Tianxiang, frantically trying to signal Chu Wen with his eyes to apologize.

"Apologize for what? And I suppose you two arguing in here means you *do* have respect for our ancestors?" Chu Wen shot Chu Peiyang and Chu Peiyu a disdainful look, his words blunt.

"Well said, well said! Here." Zhou Fan, clearly enjoying the drama, reluctantly handed his sunflower seeds to Chu Wen. "I'll bite the bullet and give you these."

Chu Yan was speechless. With an unreliable man on either side of her, she was at her wit's end.

"Are you all done venting? If so, sit down quietly and listen to me."

At last, Chu Tianxiang spoke.

Hearing his words, they all obeyed, despite their dissatisfaction.

"Regarding Chu Yifeng's recent affair, you, as his father and my second son, bear the primary responsibility. Your punishment is six months of confinement. During that time, all businesses under your control will be handed over to Lao San and your fourth brother to manage."

"As for you, my eldest son, you will also step down. Your businesses will be handed over to Xiaowen to manage."

In just two sentences, he had sealed the fates of Chu Peiyang and Chu Peiyu, filling their hearts with bitter resentment.

"As for you, Qianqian, you will find me a son-in-law this year. Otherwise, I'll find one for you. And whether you like him or not, you will marry him."

Chu Qianqian pouted, clearly not taking him seriously. 'If I refuse to marry, it's not like the old man can actually tie me up and force me, can he?'

"After this incident, many in the family will surely harbor resentment, and emotions will be running high. Xiaowen, you will handle this."

"All of you may leave. Xiaoyan and Xiaofan, you stay."

With a wave from the old patriarch, the group had no choice but to rise and leave, however unwilling they felt. But just as they reached the door, he spoke again. "Remember this: as long as I'm still alive, none of you will stir up any trouble."

No one noticed the sinister, murderous glint that flashed in the depths of Chu Peiyang's eyes the moment he stepped out the door. When he was sure no one was looking, he slipped away furtively toward a corner where someone was waiting for him...