Chapter 72: Cluck Cluck
Yu Xin lowered her eyes, avoiding looking at Yu Yuan sitting across from her.
Even so, by glancing at the table, she could see Yu Yuan’s hands tightly clenched into fists.
Originally, the closest seat to the men of the Yu family would have been Yu Yuan’s.
Once, during a casual chat, Xia He had mentioned this to her.
Xia He: “Your ‘little sister’ is actually a bit clever.”
Xia He: “I don’t know exactly how things were for her before you returned to the Yu family, but after you came back, it’s clear she’s actively trying to get close to the center of power in the Yu household.”
Xia He: “She knows she isn’t a biological daughter of the Yu family, yet she’s more favored than you, a real daughter. Naturally, to maintain her current wealth and status, she’s trying to climb the social ladder within the Yu family.”
Xia He: “The seemingly friendly atmosphere you noticed at meal times? She probably spent a lot of effort maintaining that.”
Xia He: “Whether the Yu family genuinely cares for her, or is just cooperating out of habit or convenience, only the Yu family knows.”
Reading Xia He’s messages, Yu Xin was indeed momentarily stunned.
She knew Xia He wasn’t speaking on Yu Yuan’s behalf, but rather highlighting her circumstances, making it clear that wasting time competing with Yu Yuan for so-called “favor” was pointless.
Still, for a moment, she felt a pang of sympathy for Yu Yuan.
She had seen Yu Yuan practice piano at home, put on exquisite makeup, and wear expensive, fancy dresses to competitions.
Whenever Yu Yuan returned with a trophy, she would lift her chin high, give a challenging look to Yu Xin, and then act coquettishly toward Yu Wenli and others, asking to travel, have lavish meals, and buy handbags.
Outside of academics, Yu Yuan was also outstanding. Otherwise, the Yu family wouldn’t value her more.
Academically, Yu Yuan wasn’t terrible — just not as strong as Yu Xin.
However, the Yu family only considered Yu Yuan’s “value,” thinking about how to leverage it in the future.
Yu Xin didn’t know how to talk to Yu Yuan. The bias of the Yu family divided them into opposing camps, fostering hostility and competition, where only one could emerge victorious, seemingly inevitable.
For now, all she could do was avoid confrontation with Yu Yuan and focus on self-improvement, seizing more from the Yu family’s attention.
Because of her “passive approach,” Yu Yuan couldn’t act against her, but she still strove for the Yu family’s favor, using it as her “strength.”
Now, seeing Jiang Chuchu occupy her usual seat, Yu Yuan must feel uncomfortable — and since Jiang Chuchu was Yu Xin’s friend, Yu Yuan might even blame Yu Xin for this discomfort.
Yu Xin sighed quietly, wishing for an opportunity to calmly talk things through with Yu Yuan.
Compared to the silence between Yu Xin and Yu Yuan, Yu Jinxin’s attitude was far more eager.
Unlike Gu Qinghuan, Jiang Chuchu, upon seeing Yu Jinxin seated across from her, immediately understood Yu Wenli’s intentions.
It wasn’t necessarily about fostering a romantic relationship; bluntly put, as long as Yu Jinxin could curry favor with her, it would benefit the Yu family.
In these circles, no matter the method, if Yu Jinxin could enter the inner circle — even at the periphery — he became a member.
Those outside the circle would then try to establish connections with Yu Jinxin, often at great personal cost.
For Jiang Chuchu, this was a familiar scene since childhood.
Before high school, she disliked this setup, feeling that others’ attention wasn’t genuine friendship but motivated by her family background.
After entering high school and meeting Gu Qinghuan and Yu Xin, her perspective shifted.
Interactions always have purposes. People approach her because of her family’s wealth. She, in turn, approaches Gu Qinghuan because of her interesting personality and the comfort of their companionship.
The motives differ, but the principle is the same. Helping Yu Xin can also provide Jiang Chuchu with a sense of fulfillment.
The key is whether the interaction is mutually beneficial and sustainable.
Relying purely on family background for gain, or exploiting connections, is to be avoided.
However, seeking help temporarily and repaying it later — or even not repaying it — isn’t a big deal; the Jiang family can afford it.
As long as goodwill spreads and benefits the industry, society, or country, such relationships are valuable.
This perspective may be naive, but there’s nothing wrong with it.
With this mindset, Jiang Chuchu could now face such situations more calmly.
Although still inexperienced in handling the “enthusiasm” of Yu Wenli and Yu Jinxin, she excelled at maintaining composure.
Yu Jinxin, on the other hand, found it tricky.
He assumed a first-year high school girl like Jiang Chuchu would have little insight, and that steering the conversation would make him appear impressive and earn her admiration.
Yet Jiang Chuchu merely kept a friendly smile, offering brief feedback without diving deeply, refusing to be drawn into his rhythm.
At times, she even subtly took control of the conversation. If she hadn’t offered him an “out,” he wouldn’t have known how to respond.
Jiang Chuchu smiled inwardly, thinking: You think I can’t see through these little tricks? Dream on! Just my dad’s advice to my brother alone is enough to crush you, Yu Jinxin!
Gu Qinghuan, sitting between Jiang Chuchu and Yu Xin, was unusually a bit bewildered.
Cui Wanning paid no attention to her, occasionally speaking to Yu Wenli. Elegant during the meal, she seemed not to eat much.
Xin Bao ate normally, responding politely when addressed but not paying attention to the family’s conversation.
Yu Yuan appeared most distracted, her focus entirely on Yu Jinxin and Jiang Chuchu.
She seemed to want to speak but couldn’t find an opportunity, eventually giving up, hanging her head, and barely chewing a few leaves of vegetables.
Jiang Chuchu and Yu Jinxin’s conversation seemed lively. Gu Qinghuan only half-understood, sensing Jiang Chuchu was in control.
Looks like she wouldn’t need to “perform” after all.
Honestly, Yu Jinxin gave her the impression of a chicken “clucking” beside a crane, ready to be stomped the moment the crane lifted its foot.
It seemed amusing; Jiang Chuchu could handle it, so she could eat in peace…
Yet this feeling of a capable hero unable to act was bittersweet — like having a melon in your mouth and not knowing how to eat it.
Gu Qinghuan sadly shoveled a large prawn into her mouth: Hmm, these braised prawns in Yu household style are quite tasty.
