Dignity isn’t something you can just sell at will.

If Xia Ziyun knew Du Zhaohui’s assessment, she would certainly be indignant. The effort she put into catching Du Chengrong’s eye exceeded what ordinary women could imagine. To sell one’s dignity, you needed to have some capital to begin with!

Youth was just one of Xia Ziyun’s assets.

For a man like Du Chengrong who had moved through countless flowers without a leaf sticking to him, besides his concubines at home, he’d dated countless women. That he could remember Xia Ziyun meant she truly had the ability.

Everyone was surprised when Du Zhaohui agreed to return to the Du family mansion.

Because just days ago, Du Zhaohui had quarreled with Du Chengrong, father and son parting on terrible terms, with Du Zhaohui declaring he’d never set foot in the Du mansion again.

Indeed, words from Du Zhaohui’s mouth were as weightless as passing wind.

Du Zhaohui swaggered through the front door to find Liu Keying enjoying a hand treatment on the sofa.

Seeing him enter, Liu Keying mocked:

“Zhaohui, it’s good you came home. Be good and apologize to your father. How can father and son hold grudges overnight!”

Du Zhaohui wasn’t angry at all, instead grinning playfully: “Fourth Mother is right, father and son don’t hold overnight grudges. No matter how much I argue with Father, I’m still his son. How could he not care for me? After all, blood ties between father and son can’t be severed. But Fourth Mother, you should pay attention to maintaining your marital relationship.”

Liu Keying withdrew her hand from the beautician: “What are you insinuating?”

Du Zhaohui laughed heartily, “Nothing, nothing, I’m just concerned about Fourth Mother. You’re not young anymore, you need to take good care of yourself. You know there are so many young women out there, and Father never turns anyone away. When he brings home a Fifth Mother, won’t this house be lively?”

Du Zhaohui never came without a purpose. He’d stormed out in anger just days ago, and now suddenly returned eating his words… Liu Keying’s heart sank, but she forced a smile:

“Zhaohui, have you heard something?”

Du Zhaohui waved his hands repeatedly, “No, no, I was just joking with Fourth Mother.”

No, this bastard never joked casually. Liu Keying was certain Du Zhaohui had returned to the mansion just to mock her.

Mock what?

Du Zhaohui must have gotten some definite news from somewhere!

Liu Keying dismissed the beautician, and seeing no one around, finally dropped her smile: “If you came to mock me, you’ll be disappointed. I don’t care about your father’s women outside because I know they’re all just playing along, little toys to amuse him. I now have sons and daughters, and I have Big Brother to rely on. What woman could easily shake my position!”

Du Zhaohui nodded:

“Yes, yes, you’re not worried at all… being so confident, why explain so much to me?”

“You—”

Liu Keying wanted to curse him for being outrageous, but Du Zhaohui just laughed, “You’re right, I came back specifically to mock you. You’re not worried, so what do I have to worry about? Even if the old man takes ten more wives, I’m still his eldest son.”

Sons are forever one’s own.

Women might not be like clothes, but they’re still divided into favored and unfavored.

Liu Keying’s privileged treatment came from being favored, which even elevated her entire family.

If that favor was stolen by another woman, unlike the Second Mistress, Liu Keying didn’t have grown sons to rely on… The businesses that Liu Tianquan now managed, couldn’t they be taken back and given to the future Fifth Mistress’s family to manage?

No one knew better than Liu Keying how powerful pillow talk could be!

After stirring up trouble, Du Zhaohui left laughing.

Liu Keying’s expression kept changing.

She knew the woman Du Zhaohui meant – it was that Vivi. Last time, she and the Second Mistress confronted Vivi, not expecting to drive her away with just a few words but to test Vivi’s importance in Du Chengrong’s heart.

Liu Keying thought Du Chengrong would definitely take a stance afterward – either distance himself from Vivi or officially acknowledge her.

Unfortunately, Du Chengrong did neither.

He continued seeing Vivi, even more frequently than before, yet never mentioned giving her any status.

When things are abnormal, there must be something amiss. Liu Keying understood men’s psychology – having secret affairs without official status was exciting, just like when she and Du Chengrong used to meet behind everyone’s backs.

Once things were out in the open, that thrill of stolen pleasure would be gone, and slowly she’d become just an ordinary woman.

Liu Keying gritted her teeth. The old man’s regard for Vivi was so significant that even Du Zhaohui, who rarely stayed in Hong Kong, knew about it and came back specifically to mock her – that bastard Du Zhaohui must be waiting for her to fall from favor so he could deal with her!

Liu Keying felt a chill down her neck.

She had indeed been quite arrogant these years while in favor, not only setting up numerous obstacles for Du Zhaohui but also constantly stepping on the Second and Third Houses. If someone were to replace her position… Liu Keying suddenly shouted:

“Sister Hua, call Uncle and tell him to come over!”

Uncle meant Liu Tianquan.

Liu Tianquan happened to be in Hong Kong recently. He managed Du’s family’s “big business,” with countless goods and money passing through his hands yearly. He’d grown even fatter, his belly protruding high, looking more prosperous than Du Chengrong.

“What’s so urgent that you’re this panicked?”

Liu Keying’s heart was racing: “Brother, was it wrong for us to ally with Second Mistress and support Du Zaoqi’s rise to power?”

Liu Tianquan was surprised, “Why do you say that? We have a blood feud with that wolf cub Du Zhaohui, years of grievances with no possibility of reconciliation. If we don’t help Du Zaoqi, what good will come to us when Du Zhaohui takes power?”

Of course, neither Liu Tianquan nor Liu Keying was content to live under Du Zaoqi’s name in the future.

The siblings both felt Du Zaoqi would be easier to deal with. Supporting him now was just to suppress the more detestable Du Zhaohui.

The brothers would likely fight for several more years before determining a winner. By then, Liu Keying’s children would be older and could stand on their own. Then they could pull down Du Zaoqi – this was the plan the siblings had agreed upon, the best plan for now.

Liu Tianquan was confident that given a few more years, even if Du Chengrong wanted to take back these businesses, it would be difficult. With him outside and his sister inside, what was there to fear about taking over the entire Du family?

People are greedy.

Du Zhaohui wanted all the family assets, and Liu Keying wasn’t so generous as to be willing to share equally with other Du family members.

“I feel uneasy. Du Zhaohui is a wolf cub, but Du Zaoqi isn’t simple either. Now the old man is completely besotted with that woman called Vivi, who was previously Du Zaoqi’s secretary. The Second House denies Vivi is their person, but how can there be such coincidences in this world? Brother, we’re planning to bring down Du Zaoqi later, but maybe Mother and Son are already planning too, waiting to turn on us after defeating Du Zhaohui, pulling the rug out from under us!”

Liu Keying’s children were too young to be helpers; her greatest support was Du Chengrong’s “favor.”

If someone took away this “favor,” Liu Keying would become a toothless tiger.

Liu Tianquan frowned:

“You mean…”