Female lead’s Delusion of Starting Over

Chapter 105: Chen Ya Makes a Decision

“Aunt, you’re back!” Ye Chen’s face lit up upon seeing Chen Ya return. Having left just a day ago and already back would surely raise suspicions, so Chen Ya deliberately stayed in her external residence for two days to adjust her mood. She had originally planned to stay at the Lu family estate last night!

Glancing sideways at Ye Chen, Chen Ya couldn’t hide her disgust. After being suspected by Lu Li due to her blood relation to Ye Chen, she found Ye Chen increasingly unbearable to look at. The more she saw him, the more repulsed she felt, not to mention his disturbing thoughts towards her.

Ye Chen’s face stiffened, a shadow passing over his eyes. Although he knew his aunt was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, he was not accustomed to being disregarded like this.

Yet, he couldn’t voice his grievances; his actions of beating those two men might have been satisfying, and his grandfather might have approved, but his aunt did not think so.

Her argument was rational; being experienced in their circle for so many years, she had her own ways of handling things. If she couldn’t handle those two on her own, she would have been devoured by wolves long ago.

But to say this outright felt like a slap in his own face, blatantly telling him his actions were meaningless and had only caused trouble for the Chen family. Even if he was in the wrong, it shouldn’t be like this. He was doing it for his aunt, after all!

Shouldn’t he be praised for valuing family over power and privilege? He wished for such acknowledgment from his aunt like the approval he received from his grandfather.

Biting his lip, Ye Chen approached Chen Ya.

“Never mind, never mind. Auntie is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Though she speaks harshly, she still cares for me deep down. She was just upset because I acted impulsively,” he reasoned with himself. Given the situation, and considering the special place his aunt held in his heart, he was willing to tolerate her whims.

Elder Chen still sat leisurely by the living room window, basking in the afternoon sun—a beneficial activity for the elderly. Seeing Chen Ya approach, he showed a hint of surprise.

“Back so soon?” Elder Chen inquired.

“Yes, the partner I found this time is quite efficient and decisive. It’s normal for them to work quickly,” Chen Ya said, her eyes betraying a complex sentiment.

“Their family has significant clout and deep ties with the capital, which is why they asked for a high price,” she continued somberly.

Who would have thought, Miss Cao of the Cao family, would actually be at the Lu family estate!

Lying involves mixing truth with falsehood, a method Chen Ya often used effectively. However, this time, in front of Lu Li, her ‘art of language’ seemed to fail completely, all thanks to Ye Chen.

If possible, she wouldn’t want to stand against her own father!

“This time, we nearly gave up thirty percent of our current assets to have them… offer us protection without any direct benefits,” Chen Ya said, watching her father’s expressions closely.

Elder Chen’s face showed concern upon hearing that engaging Chen Ya’s chosen partner for the Chen family’s protection cost them thirty percent of their assets.

Thirty percent!

This meant a significant reduction in the Chen family’s holdings.

But hearing of the partner’s connections with the capital, Elder Chen sighed in resignation.

“Well, if it’s thirty percent, so be it! Having received benefits, we’ve also established a connection with them. This transaction, in some sense, is not a loss.”

True to his experienced nature, even amidst the sting, he saw opportunity.

Chen Ya’s expression flickered briefly. What if she faced someone other than Lu Li? What would she do if the partner had different demands?

Would she have to use her body to pay for Ye Chen’s mistakes?

Of course, there were no ifs. If it weren’t Lu Li, she wouldn’t have taken such actions. The title of ‘Underworld Queen’ wasn’t just for show.

Yet, seeing her father like this, she couldn’t help but think: “In my father’s eyes, am I, his daughter, less important than Ye Chen, his grandson?”

“Father, do you still think what Ye Chen did was right? Things I could have handled on my own were messed up by him. Do you still believe he was right?”

Elder Chen smiled gently: “Protecting family is never wrong.”

“Even if the aftermath brings greater harm to oneself, would you still think so?” Chen Ya’s eyes flashed coldly, tempted to reveal everything she had gone through. She wondered if her father would maintain his stance if he knew, without understanding her feelings, what had happened to her.

Elder Chen looked up, his gaze soft: “Xiaochen is your sister’s only son. Our family, our Chen family, has an obligation to protect him, and you have a duty to protect your nephew.”

Chen Ya closed her eyes, feeling a pang of pain. Yes, Ye Chen was her sister’s son, a loved one by proxy.

But I’m also your daughter! Why must I accept this unjust moral burden?

Opening her eyes, she smiled faintly: “Father, you’re right. Xiaochen is my only nephew, and I should protect him, being my sister’s only bloodline.”

Her father’s biased words broke Chen Ya’s equilibrium, fostering a hint of resentment towards him.

Perhaps not intense now, but certain things could be fatal.

“You thinking this way is good. A family should be like this!” Elder Chen nodded, smiling: “Though Xiaochen still has his shortcomings, his care for family is correct—a commendable trait!”

“Indeed, the commendable Ye Chen even has commendable improper thoughts about me, his aunt.” A mocking light flickered in her eyes, but outwardly, Chen Ya nodded seriously.

“Father, I was wrong before!” She apologized sincerely, feeling as if something inside her had shattered.

Was it her expectations of her father?

Upon her return, he hadn’t asked what happened to her, only insisting she help her nephew…