The extravagant villa was impressive. After meeting Xu Lan, Bai Wu had never been to anywhere as extravagant as this. Xu Lan had always worried about money. In fact, he could not afford a house and had to resort to renting, even if that meant putting up with the landlady’s vituperation.

Bai Wu was brought over to a huge room. The people in the room craned their necks to take a peep at Bai Wu and decorations were hung around the room. A big bed was situated in the middle of the room, where a sickly old man rested upon it.

“Since when did the unfilial son have a child this old?” asked the sickly old man.

“I heard he’s Xu Lan’s distant relative, his name is Bai Wu,” replied the butler.

“Hmph, distant relative? Cough, cough. Is he still not awake yet?” the old man asked weakly.

“He’s awake now. I’ve sent someone to get him,” replied the butler again.

“Cough, cough. You, come over here.” The old man gestured at Bai Wu and everyone in the room made space for him immediately.

Bai Wu remained motionless. He stood afar as everyone in the room judged silently.

“Well, we can’t expect the bastard to know how to raise a well-behaved child, can we?” a well-preserved beautiful woman said contemptuously.

Bai Wu was displeased. He glared at her with his bloodshot eyes the way an eagle watched its prey.

“You! Why are you staring at me? He’s a bastard son who’s not well brought up, am I wrong?” The woman took a few steps back and fell by the side of the bed.

“You don’t have the right to criticize my boy!” Someone supported Xu Lan and walked him to the room. His body was shivering and yet, he put on a brave face to defend Bai Wu. As Bai Wu saw Xu Lan, he ran over and held Xu Lan’s shivering hand.

“Oh yes, I do! You’re the bastard of Xu family and that gives me the right to criticize you!” Xu Lan’s stomach started to churn at the mention of family.

“Cough, cough. Su Mei…” the old man said weakly before launching into a coughing fit. The woman immediately tended to the old man with feigned concern.

“Cough, cough. Is everyone here?” the old man whispered.

“Yes,” answered the butler.

“Cough, cough. I’m old now and I’ve gathered everyone around to discuss the following matters. Cough, cough…” The old man gasped for air before asking, “Is the lawyer here yet?”

“Yes, he’s here,” replied the butler. The old man nodded in approval.

“All of my sons are jointly entitled to eighty percent of my assets. Meanwhile, my daughters will be jointly entitled to fifteen percent of my assets. As for you,” the old man pointed at Xu Lan, “you can have this house and the remaining five percent of my assets.”

The room was in chaos right after the old man spoke.

“Master! How could you give the bastard five percent of your assets! It’s so unfair! We’ve worked hard to get to where we are today. He’s not entitled to the five percent! Do you know how much this villa is worth?” The woman named Su Mei shrieked angrily and wrinkles began to appear on her well-preserved face.

“Cough, cough. Su Mei, he’s entitled to this.” The old man launched into a coughing fit again and Su Mei immediately patted his back.

“Haha, hahaha! You’re funny! Who did you take me for? You’ve disowned me fifteen years ago and now you’re sparing me some of your assets like I’m a beggar?” Color returned to Xu Lan’s pale face – his cheeks were blushing unnaturally out of anger.

“Have you forgotten how you treated me in the past? Why, is this a last-ditch attempt to make yourself feel better?”