Zhao Shuncheng's expression kept changing as Zhao Youlin watched him indifferently. She smiled faintly and added fuel to the fire by saying, "Mr. Zhao, as you mentioned, I owe you half of my genes and my gratitude for bringing me up including those indelible memories, regardless of them being good or bad over the past decade. As such, this time, I spare Ms. Zhao in this matter. If it wasn't for someone pulling me out at the nick of time, I wouldn't have the chance to stand in front of you in one piece."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuncheng's entire body shuddered. He fell speechless.

Zhao Youlin raised her eyebrows indifferently, "Mr. Zhao, you should understand that no one on Earth could be so generous to the point of sparing a murderer who had intended to murder her. The reason why I decided to disregard this matter and merely kicked Ms. Zhao out of Zhao Enterprise is due to the remnants of my respect for you."

Zhao Shuncheng did not understand. Zhao Youlin had clearly told him that she was in his blood, and she owed him half of her genes. Yet, why did she pay him respect and spare Zhao Youxi?

Zhao Youlin no longer owed him anything after using half of her life in exchange for Zhao Youxi's life. From now on, there was no way he could use the same reason to ask her to do anything for him.

Looking at Zhao Shuncheng's dark expression, she smiled mockingly and wrapped up their conversations, "Mr. Zhao, you could be rest assured that I'll spare Ms. Zhao. However, it looks like Ms. Zhao doesn't quite appreciate my kindness to her. She even bad-mouthed me in front of you when I'm not around. That's very unkind of her. Ms. Zhao is also considered part of the Zhao family, the entire family would be put to shame if I lodge a report against her. However, since she was unkind to me first, I have to return the same to her. It'll be troublesome if I hand over the recording to the police, but I think it works if I hand it over to Grandpa…"

When Zhao Shuncheng heard Zhao Youlin's words, his expression… changed drastically.

"D-Don't! Don't! Youlin, don't act so recklessly. If you hand the recording over to Father, Youxi is finished! And I'll get it from Father too!" Zhao Shuncheng was very shocked, and he hastily went up to dissuade her.

Seeing Zhao Shuncheng's terrified look, a trace of mockery flashed across Zhao Youlin's eyes. Indeed, this man was way more selfish than she had imagined.

When she brought up Zhao Youxi's wrongdoings, Zhao Shuncheng had never looked that terrified, except for a dark expression. In other words, he would only react so frantically if his own interests were affected.

Zhao Youlin looked away, not willing to cast another glance at Zhao Shuncheng's despicable look. However, she pretended to look like she had been put in a difficult position and said hesitantly, "But, if I don't tell Grandpa about this matter now, what would happen if Ms. Zhao told Grandpa what she told you? Won't this make me become a scapegoat?!"

Zhao Shuncheng's face darkened. He said seriously, "Youlin, you don't have to worry about this. I'll certainly teach her a lesson and make sure she won't simply spread falsehoods."

Zhao Youlin stroked her chin and said in a low voice, "Mr. Zhao, since you've given your words, I'll trust you this time. I hope you can discipline Ms. Zhao properly and don't let her do anything stupid again. I was lenient to her all because of you, Mr. Zhao. If others were in my shoes, they wouldn't be so generous and forgiving. Moreover, please restrain Ms. Zhao from simply spreading the words to others regardless of how eloquent she is. A verbal defense will never be as convincing as tangible evidence."

There was an underlying threat beneath Zhao Youlin's words. She adopted a carrot and stick approach in her speech and precisely because of this manner of speaking, he could not find himself refuting her.

Zhao Shuncheng exchanged words with Zhao Youlin politely before he left in disappointment.

Seeing that her office door had finally closed once again, the corners of Zhao Youlin's lips unwittingly curled upward.

Just then, the office door was opened again. A familiar silhouette poked her head in and gave a worried glance at Zhao Youlin.

"General Manager, are you alright?" Li was worried about Zhao Youlin. Right after Zhao Shuncheng left, she immediately came in.

Zhao Youlin froze. Then, she smiled faintly and said, "What else could happen to me? Even if there are, it would be other people's turn. The show has just begun."

As Zhao Youlin was speaking, she suggestively looked in the direction where Zhao Shuncheng had left. A hint of mockery flashed across her eyes.

"What?!" Zhao Youlin spoke the final words very softly. Li was at some distance away from her so she could not hear her clearly.

"Nothing." Zhao Youlin withdrew her gaze. She looked up and asked, "How is it about the thing that I've asked you to ask around?"

Li heaved a sigh of relief when Zhao Youlin did really look fine. She answered, "The human resource personnel have basically implemented the measures and are going to open the job application to the public in two days. They can recruit a new applicant very soon."

Zhao Youlin nodded with satisfaction. She took the pen from the desk and signed a document. Then, she passed the document to Li and said, "Okay, noted. Ask them to hurry up. Otherwise, you might have a hard time these days."

"Huh?!" Li received the document from Zhao Youlin and looked at her in puzzlement. However, she did not ask anything further. She turned around and left.

After Zhao Shuncheng departed from Zhao Youlin's office, he did not return to his office. Instead, he went back to his home.

Today, Li Hongyu was idle at home and did not go out. When she saw Zhao Shuncheng come back at this hour, she was a little surprised.

Soon, she recovered her senses and greeted him with a smile, "Shuncheng, how's everything in the company today? Why did you come home so early?"

What surprised Li Hongyu most was that Zhao Shuncheng did not pull her into his arms like he normally did, nor hold her hands as he entered through the door. Instead, he glared at her fiercely.

Li Hongyu was caught off guard by his sudden change. The smile on her face also stiffened.

Zhao Shuncheng was boiling in rage. His face naturally turned dark when he was greeted by the sight of the main culprit who had caused him to be rendered speechless in front of Zhao Youlin.

"Where's Youxi? Where's the brat?!"

Li Hongyu sensed Zhao Shuncheng's unfriendly tone. Her heart clenched, and she said hesitantly, "Youxi… Youxi didn't go anywhere. She just finished her lunch and went upstairs. Why are you looking for her? Has anything happened?"

Before Zhao Shuncheng responded, a silhouette walked down from the stairs. She sleepily covered her mouth as she greeted him, "Eh, Father, you're back!" It was Youxi whom the two had been talking about.

Zhao Shuncheng's expression immediately turned black when he saw Youxi. Before Li Hongyu reacted to the situation, he strode forward to Zhao Youxi and slapped her.