At The Beginning Of The Novel, The Villain Forced The Protagonist’s Step-Mom To Bear His Children

Chapter 85: A Warm Welcome, Hidden Schemes, and Subtle Power Plays:

A stylish, luxurious Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the Chu family villa, exuding understated elegance. Bai Ling, seated in the driver’s seat, gracefully exited the car and opened the door for Xu Hao in the back.

As Xu Hao stepped out, he was immediately greeted by Chu Xiong, the patriarch of the Chu family.

“Brother Xu, you look younger every time I see you. I almost didn’t recognize you!” Chu Xiong said, his tone warm with admiration.

Xu Hao laughed lightly. “Well, unlike you, who still tirelessly runs the company, I’ve been taking it easy. The more I relax, the younger I seem to get.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, Chu Xiaotian, Chu Xiong’s son, was standing by the door, waiting to greet their guest. Seeing Xu Hao approach, he quickly stepped forward and greeted him with a respectful bow.

“This must be Brother Chu’s son.” Xu Hao remarked, offering a half-hearted compliment. “He’s quite the talented young man.”

Though Xu Hao’s words were polite, he could tell at a glance that Chu Xiaotian was just another spoiled second-generation rich kid—unfocused, with no real ambition. For a man like Chu Xiong, who had built an empire, having a son like this was a burden.

Unlike Xu Hao, whose seven daughters were all extraordinary in their own right—brilliant, accomplished, and beautiful. In fact, three of them had already become his most beloved and devoted daughters, always there for him like little cotton-padded jackets.

What about a son?

Xu Hao thought briefly.

He couldn’t care less about having a rebellious son like in those cliché novels, especially one who’d probably just love his sister and mother more than anyone else. If Xu Hao had ever picked up such a child, he would’ve thrown him away without hesitation.

“Wait a second…” Xu Hao’s sharp eyes caught sight of a young man standing next to Chu Xiaotian. There was a distinct golden aura around him, a sure sign of Luck’s Favor.

…

Name: Li Xiao  

Identity: Chu Xiong’s younger brother’s follower, Chu Xiaotian’s close companion, protagonist of the novel Wearing a Book and Becoming a Villain’s Follower  

Charm: 76 (out of 100)  

Strength: 78 (Intermediate-stage Bright Strength Realm)  

Physique: 45 (10 for ordinary people)  

Spirit: 38 (10 for ordinary people)  

Favorability: -10  

…

“So, this is the transmigrated protagonist.” Xu Hao realized, feeling somewhat reassured. Li Xiao’s strength was only in the intermediate-stage Bright Strength Realm, far weaker than Xu Hao. With power like that, Li Xiao posed no threat.

Feigning surprise, Xu Hao raised his eyebrows slightly. “And who is this?”

Chu Xiaotian beamed, clearly pleased by Xu Hao’s attention. “His name is Li Xiao. He’s like a brother to me.”

“Hello, Mr. Xu,” Li Xiao greeted, though he couldn’t shake off the instinctive dislike he felt for Xu Hao. Still, politeness was a necessity, and he forced a smile.

Xu Hao nodded but said nothing further, observing the young man in silence.

Chu Xiong, sensing the tension, explained, “Li Xiao saved my life once. I treat him like family.”

Xu Hao chuckled lightly. “Brother Chu, has your life been in danger before?”

“Yes, two years ago,” Chu Xiong replied as he guided Xu Hao to the sofa, offering him a cup of tea.

The two men sat down, sipping tea and exchanging small talk. Not long after, Yao Xinrui, Chu Xiong’s wife, entered the room. Although she harbored resentment toward Chu Xiong and had no interest in men, she knew the importance of maintaining appearances. With a distinguished guest like Xu Hao visiting, it wouldn’t do to stay hidden outside.

Chu Xiong waved her over. “Let me introduce you. Brother Xu, this is my wife, Xinrui. Xinrui, this is my very good friend, Xu Hao of the Xu Group.”

“Hello, Mr. Xu.” Yao Xinrui greeted, forcing a polite smile.

Xu Hao couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

What a coincidence, he thought, remembering their recent encounter. Out loud, he feigned surprise. “Ah, so this is Sister-in-law. Brother Chu, you’re truly lucky.”

Chu Xiong forced a smile in response, though there was a tinge of embarrassment. Lucky wasn’t how he felt. Having such a beautiful, young wife was more of a curse than a blessing. For a man who had lost his ability to enjoy life’s pleasures, being surrounded by beauty he couldn’t touch was nothing short of torture.

Xu Hao understood the feeling all too well—at least, he had in the past.

Desperate to change the subject, Chu Xiong quickly turned to business. “Brother Xu, I’ve heard you’re making moves into the new energy sector. My wife’s electronics company has been involved in that industry for over a decade. Perhaps you could exchange ideas.”

Xu Hao smiled. “Is that so? What a coincidence. I’ve been delving into the electric vehicle industry lately. I’ll certainly have to ask Sister-in-law for her advice.”

There was a certain playful undertone in Xu Hao’s voice when he mentioned “asking for advice,” and Yao Xinrui picked up on it. Her expression tightened slightly; she had no interest in conversing with men, especially one like Xu Hao. Just as she was about to refuse politely, Chu Xiong spoke for her.

“Of course, Xinrui would be happy to help. She’s been in the industry for years and has a wealth of knowledge. After dinner, you two can sit down and discuss.”

Yao Xinrui’s frustration grew. She silently fumed at Chu Xiong’s insensitivity. Why would he offer her up like that?

Xu Hao’s smile widened, sensing her discomfort. “Is that alright? I’ve encountered a couple of tricky issues lately and could really use some guidance from a professional.”

Yao Xinrui could only manage a stiff nod in response.

Sensing the tension, Chu Xiong quickly changed gears. “Brother Xu, let’s relax a bit. It’s been so long since we played chess and had tea together. Come, let’s have a game.”

Chu Xiong laid out a chess set as Xu Hao took a sip of tea. He noted that the tea leaves were of excellent quality, but Chu Xiong’s brewing skills left much to be desired. Such good tea leaves, wasted by bad technique.

As they played chess, Chu Xiong continued, “Brother Xu, I truly admire you. You’ve done incredibly well in real estate, and this sudden transformation into new energy? It shows tremendous vision and determination.”

He paused before adding, “But you know, we aren’t young anymore. Maybe it’s time we start delegating more responsibility to the younger generation. That way, we can take a step back and enjoy our retirement.”

Xu Hao’s heart stirred slightly.

What was this old fox getting at?

He kept his expression calm, curious about what Chu Xiong was really hinting at.

“It’s precisely because I want to pass the company on to the next generation that I’m focusing on diversification,” Xu Hao replied coolly, sipping his tea. “If the real estate market takes a hit in the future, I don’t want the entire group to suffer.”

Chu Xiong laughed, but his eyes glinted with curiosity. “Brother, you’re joking. Real estate is booming right now. Everyone’s rushing into it.”

Xu Hao nodded, but inwardly he sneered. It may seem like a boom now, but all it takes is a shift in policy for the whole market to crash.

Sensing that Xu Hao wasn’t taking the bait, Chu Xiong pushed further, trying a new angle. “Brother Xu, you’re too cautious. I’ve seen your eldest daughter, and she’s got business talent as sharp as yours. In just a few years, she built a multimillion-dollar company from scratch. Women like her are no less capable than men, you know.”

Xu Hao’s expression remained calm, though inside, he knew exactly where Chu Xiong was heading.

Was he trying to propose a marriage alliance?

Xu Hao thought with disdain.

Dream on. Even if it was the King of Heaven asking, his daughters belong to him and no one else. Especially not to a family like theirs.

His thoughts grew darker, “If it weren’t for the fact that your Chu family’s power matched my own, I might have crushed you for even thinking of such a thing. Fine, if you want to play this game, don’t blame me for what I’m about to do to your wife.”

But on the surface, Xu Hao remained composed. “Mingyue has a long way to go,” he said with practiced modesty. “She’s still learning the ropes. After she graduated, she jumped into business, and I haven’t seen much of her since. I used to think a daughter would be less worrisome than a son, but it turns out I worry just as much.”

Chu Xiong seized the opportunity to keep the conversation going. “Oh, Brother Xu, everyone knows your seven daughters are all extraordinary. My son, on the other hand, is a constant source of concern. All he does is waste time and fool around.”

There was a brief pause before Chu Xiong hesitated, then continued, “What do you think of my son?”

‘You already admitted he’s good for nothing, and you’re still asking me this?’

Xu Hao smiled to himself, but outwardly, he played the part. “He seems like a well-mannered young man. These days, young people want to enjoy life. Once he’s had enough fun, he’ll find his way. You don’t need to worry.”

Though Xu Hao’s words were diplomatic, they were clearly not an endorsement. Chu Xiong sighed, realizing that his subtle attempt at matchmaking wasn’t getting anywhere. He quickly changed the topic to avoid further awkwardness.

…

The meal was eventually served, and the entire group sat down together, including the protagonist, Li Xiao. It was clear that the Chu family treated Li Xiao like one of their own, even seating him as part of the family.

Xu Hao observed this with interest. Even if the Chu family treats the protagonist as family, things rarely end well for those connected to him in the novel. And they weren’t even real relatives here…

To make sure everything went smoothly, Chu Xiong brought out a bottle of fine wine, something he had saved for a special occasion. It was Xu Hao’s first time visiting their home, and Chu Xiong wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Even though Yao Xinrui declined to drink, all the men filled their glasses.

Eager to make a good impression, Chu Xiaotian was the first to raise his glass. “Uncle Xu, since this is your first visit to our home, let’s toast to you!”

Chu Xiong gave his son an approving nod. Xu Hao wasn’t interested in marriage alliances right now, but if his son performed well, who knew? Maybe Xu Hao would change his mind later. Chu Xiaotian smiled confidently. This strategy had been suggested by Li Xiao—win Xu Hao over at the dinner table by drinking with him.

For the rest of the meal, Chu Xiaotian repeatedly toasted Xu Hao, with Li Xiao joining in as well. But Xu Hao was unfazed. With his enhanced physique, the alcohol barely affected him. He drank with ease, welcoming all the toasts, while both Chu Xiong and his son grew tipsy.

When the meal finally ended, the Chu family patriarch and his son were noticeably drunk, but Xu Hao and Li Xiao remained sober, thanks to their strength. As the evening darkened, Xu Hao took some time to drink tea with Chu Xiong to let him sober up a little before excusing himself to leave.

“Brother Xu, didn’t you have a question for Xinrui?” Chu Xiong said, stopping Xu Hao just as he was about to go. “She’s home today. Why don’t you ask her now?”

Yao Xinrui, standing nearby, frowned slightly but said nothing. The relationship between her and Chu Xiong was strained, and her disdain for men in general had only deepened. Still, she had to keep up appearances.

Xu Hao paused, somewhat surprised. He had planned to seek Yao Xinrui’s help later, but it seemed Chu Xiong was conveniently offering her up now. This was almost too easy.

He smiled. “Well, if Sister-in-law is available, I would love to ask her a few questions.”

“Of course she’s available,” Chu Xiong replied, trying to keep up the facade of a harmonious couple. “Xinrui, why don’t you and Brother Xu talk outside? I wouldn’t want to get in the way.”

Yao Xinrui could only nod, her disdain for Chu Xiong growing. She didn’t want to spend more time with him, anyway. “Sure. Let’s go outside and talk.”

Xu Hao’s gaze lingered on Chu Xiong, sensing his slight discomfort. It was clear that even the surface-level pretense of their marriage was wearing thin. But Chu Xiong smiled through it, trying to act as if everything was normal.

“You two go ahead. I wouldn’t be able to offer any meaningful advice on new energy vehicles, so I’ll stay here and finish my tea.”

“Alright then, Brother Chu, enjoy your tea. I’ll be back shortly after chatting with Sister-in-law.” Xu Hao said as he followed Yao Xinrui outside. 

As they walked into the courtyard, with lanterns softly illuminating the night, Xu Hao couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly Chu Xiong had set things up for him.

“What a convenient opportunity, just when I was wondering how to get some time alone with her, Chu Xiong practically handed it to me.” Xu Hao thought.

They sat down on a stone bench, surrounded by soft lighting. Yao Xinrui glanced at him with indifference, clearly just waiting for this interaction to end.

“Mr. Xu, if you have questions, please feel free to ask. I’ll share whatever I know.” She said coolly, wanting to get it over with.

Xu Hao chuckled lightly and leaned back. “I’m sure my sister-in-law knows exactly what I’m asking about.” His tone carried a deeper meaning as he gazed at her.

Yao Xinrui felt a shiver run down her spine, “What is this man really after?”

He gazed at the mature and captivating woman before him, observing her with growing interest. Yao Xinrui sensed a shift in Xu Hao’s demeanor, and it made her uneasy. Her frown deepened, and her tone turned slightly colder.

“What exactly do you want to ask, Mr. Xu?” she inquired, trying to maintain her composure.

Xu Hao, unbothered by her coolness, smiled teasingly. “I’d like to know if you could explain to me the transactions for Xiongba Electronics Co., Ltd. on July 30th of this year. And while you’re at it, perhaps you could go over the details for May 1st, March 15th, and February 10th, as well as some transactions from last year, and the year before that…”

As Xu Hao listed specific dates, Yao Xinrui’s eyebrow furrowed deeper with every mention. But by the time he finished, her pupils had widened, and her face had drained of all color. She looked at Xu Hao as if he were some kind of monster, her disbelief clear.

Those dates—every one of them—matched the times when she had secretly falsified accounts and embezzled company funds. She had always been so careful, taking great pains to hide her tracks. How could Xu Hao possibly know? And how did he know with such precision?

“Mr. Xu, I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Yao Xinrui said, her voice trembling slightly as she pressed her lips together. She was hoping—praying—that this was all just some bizarre coincidence.

But she was soon disappointed.

Xu Hao’s voice shifted, becoming colder. “Sister-in-law, I think you know very well what I’m talking about. You wouldn’t want Brother Chu to find out, would you?”

Yao Xinrui felt a sudden ringing in her ears, and her mind went blank. He knew. Xu Hao knew everything.

The embezzlement had started innocently enough. In the second year after she was forced into marrying Chu Xiong, she had begun taking off company funds. Despite being named General Manager of Xiongba Electronics, it had been nothing more than a title. Chu Xiong gave her no real authority or respect. He saw her as nothing more than free labor, a figurehead with no power.

It was at that point she had seen him for what he truly was—a man who had used her to maintain appearances for years, only to discard her once she was no longer of any value. The thought of being abandoned after everything filled her with bitterness.

If he could be so heartless, she had reasoned, why shouldn’t I take something for myself?

So, she began transferring small amounts from the company’s accounts into her own. At first, she was cautious, but as time went on, and no one seemed to notice, her confidence grew. Soon, she was moving millions at a time. Over the course of 10 years, she had quietly amassed 300 million yuan.

But now, the weight of what she had done came crashing down. Embezzling public funds was a serious crime. For a sum this large, she could spend the rest of her life in prison. And if Chu Xiong ever found out, he wouldn’t stop at legal action—he would retaliate, and not just against her, but her family as well. Yao Xinrui knew this for certain.

This shouldn’t come out.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

“Mr. Xu… you wouldn’t tell anyone about this, would you?” she asked cautiously, her voice low.

Xu Hao leaned back, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He hadn’t told Chu Xiong. He could have exposed her secret during dinner, but he had chosen to confront her in private. That could only mean one thing: he didn’t intend to expose her. He wanted something in return.

“There’s room for negotiation,” Yao Xinrui realized, a glimmer of hope returning. But at what cost?

Xu Hao smiled knowingly. “That depends, Sister-in-law. What are you willing to offer in exchange for my silence?”