Chapter 51: Human Nature Is Inherently Base

Chapter 51: Human Nature's Perversity

"Young Master Chu, a pleasure working with you!"

After signing the contract, the middle-aged man smiled and extended his hand toward Chu Yi.

Chu Yi rose to shake the man's hand, his expression unruffled. Even facing a seasoned veteran of the business world, Chu Yi held his own without yielding an inch.

"President Liu, a pleasure working with you."

After President Liu departed, Chu Yi attended to a few more documents before preparing to leave.

Just as he was about to stand, his gaze drifted downward, and he suddenly spotted a familiar figure seated downstairs.

That was…

"Xiao Yan?"

His assistant, Gao, quickly followed his gaze. Indeed, it was none other than the disowned young master of the Chu family.

"CEO Chu, should we call Young Master Chu Yan up?"

"No need."

Chu Yi frowned, observing Chu Yan seated across from a middle-aged man in a suit.

He couldn't discern their conversation, but the middle-aged man appeared exceptionally enthusiastic. They seemed to have signed some documents, and the man excitedly rose, gripping Chu Yan's hand tightly for a prolonged moment before releasing it.

Though Chu Yi could clearly observe their actions, he couldn't hear their words.

For some inexplicable reason, the sight of that man's hand was particularly grating.

Chu Yi had initially presumed that without the Chu family's backing, his good-for-nothing younger brother would find himself utterly helpless. He had even prepared himself: if Chu Yan were willing to humble himself, admit his mistakes, and return to him, he would not make things difficult.

Even though Chu Yan had audaciously severed ties publicly, Chu Yi believed that if he were to grovel before him, he wouldn't be able to act too cruelly toward the current Chu Yan.

Even if the Chu family no longer accepted him, Chu Yi could still provide for him.

However, Chu Yi never anticipated Chu Yan's stubbornness. Beneath the timid and incompetent facade of the person they had overlooked for eighteen years lay an unexpectedly unyielding spirit.

Nor did Chu Yi expect Chu Yan to brave the pressure from the Chu Corporation to appear on that variety show—and that his performance would be nothing short of stunning.

To this day, Chu Yi still couldn't fathom when Chu Yan had acquired those skills.

Seeing Chu Yan again left Chu Yi with a complex mix of emotions.

How could they have lived with someone for eighteen years and yet remained utterly oblivious to his true nature?

It sounded absurd, yet it was undeniably true.

Just as Chu Yi was lost in thought, Fu Hongan happened to emerge from a private room downstairs, with Chu Shuo and Chu Xiuyi trailing behind him.

Upon looking up, Fu Hongan immediately spotted Chu Yan seated nearby.

A middle-aged man was gripping Chu Yan's hand tightly, refusing to let go. Chu Yan's expression appeared somewhat unnatural—clearly uncomfortable but seemingly reluctant to refuse. He remained stiffly in place, an awkwardness etched across his face.

Fu Hongan felt a surge of anger instantly engulf him, and with a darkened expression, he strode purposefully toward them.

Chu Shuo and Chu Xiuyi, following behind him, exchanged bewildered glances.

"Brother Hongan, where are you going?"

Chu Xiuyi was particularly surprised. Fu Hongan was a man of refinement, and he had never abruptly abandoned him like this before.

The two quickly caught up, only to witness Fu Hongan rudely seize the man's hand and, without a word of explanation, shove him back into his chair.

"Get your filthy hands off him!"

"Dare to touch him? You're asking for death!"

The middle-aged man—Deng Yuande—was stunned.

So was Chu Yan.

What was this man's problem?

Chu Yan gently pushed the agitated man aside and apologetically helped Deng Yuande to his feet.

"I'm so sorry, Brother Deng. He… he must have mistaken you for someone else. Are you alright?"

Deng Yuande was the liaison assigned to Chu Yan by the Angel Foundation. Barring unforeseen circumstances, their collaboration would be extensive in the future.

Chu Yan had a favorable impression of him—aside from his overly enthusiastic demeanor, which Chu Yan found a bit overwhelming, there was nothing negative. He was straightforward, and the genuine sincerity in his eyes made Chu Yan feel he could be trusted.

Who would have thought that in the midst of a perfectly amiable conversation, Fu Hongan—this madman—would appear out of nowhere, yank Deng Yuande away, and spout such nonsensical threats?

Though perplexed, Deng Yuande offered a good-natured smile.

"It's fine, it's fine."

Fu Hongan, witnessing Chu Yan's "descent" to such a degree, gritted his teeth in anger.

He seized Chu Yan's hand, which was still supporting Deng Yuande, his eyes filled with an unconscious ferocity.

"Chu Yan! Have you truly fallen so low?"

"If you're unwilling, why force yourself?"

"Has it only been a few days? Have you already squandered all fifty million yuan?"

Three rapid-fire questions, all utterly bewildering—yet Chu Yan understood their underlying meaning. So did Chu Shuo and Chu Xiuyi, who had just arrived.

Chu Yan shook off Fu Hongan's grip, first apologetically excusing Deng Yuande, then turning a cold glare toward the suddenly deranged Fu Hongan.

"Fu Young Master, are you unwell? If you are, please seek treatment. Don't come here acting unhinged. After all, since the engagement was broken off, we are strangers now, aren't we?"

Fu Hongan's expression darkened. "Sharp-tongued. Chu Yan, when did you become like this?"

Recalling Chu Yan's performance on the variety show, he added, "Or perhaps this is who you've always been? Was your former self merely an act?"

Chu Yan didn't deny it.

"Believe what you wish."

With that, he prepared to leave.

"Please move."

Chu Yan's coldness made Fu Hongan deeply uncomfortable. The person whose eyes used to light up at his sight, who had once adored him wholeheartedly, now regarded him with such obvious aversion. It left Fu Hongan feeling suffocated, and he clenched his jaw, blocking Chu Yan's path.

"Who was that man just now? What's your relationship with him? Explain yourself."

Fu Hongan's gaze was chilling, as if Chu Yan had committed some unforgivable offense against him.

"Who are you? Why should I explain anything to you?"

"Chu Yan! What is this attitude? You never used to be like this."

Chu Yan genuinely believed this man was mentally unstable; every additional word risked infuriating him to death.

"Don't bring up the past. It's tiresome."

Chu Shuo, standing nearby, could no longer hold back. He had heard Fu Hongan's words clearly, and given Chu Yan's current predicament, it wasn't difficult for him to grasp the implication.

But it was precisely because he understood that he was so furious.

"Chu Yan, are you truly so intent on self-degradation? It's only been a few days since you left the Chu family, and you've already debased yourself to this extent?"

Chu Shuo's face was livid. He had once pitied Chu Yan, even thinking that if Chu Yan begged him, he would give him a chance.

He had assumed Chu Yan possessed some dignity—severing ties with the Chu family, terminating his contract with Chu Corporation. And this was his so-called backbone?

Finding a man to support him, and one so old and ugly at that? Most importantly, the man's clothes were so cheap that his entire outfit wouldn't even buy a pair of Chu Shuo's socks. This was the kind of man Chu Yan had chosen?

How could he not be angry? If Chu Yan had just humbled himself and admitted his mistakes, Chu Shuo would still have been willing to acknowledge him as a brother.

The Chu family was not so impoverished that they couldn't support an adopted son.

And yet, after cutting ties, this was how Chu Yan ended up?

What infuriated Chu Shuo the most was that even in such a state, Chu Yan refused to return to the Chu family.

"Have you even considered how old that man is? He's old enough to be your father, and you have no shame? Is this where your so-called backbone leads you—"

Chu Yan didn't give him the chance to continue his tirade. He raised his hand and splashed the remaining coffee directly onto Chu Shuo.

The coffee splattered directly into Chu Shuo's mouth and face.

The spray even reached Fu Hongan and Chu Xiuyi, splattering their faces and clothes.

"If you don't know how to speak, then shut up."

"Chu Yan, have you lost your mind?!"

Chu Shuo was aghast, his eyes wide, his entire body trembling with rage. "You dare to splash me?"

"You actually dared to splash coffee on me?"

This was the first time in his life Chu Shuo had ever been treated with such disrespect.

Even Chu Yi, who had been silently observing from upstairs, stood up in shock.

Was this truly the same timid, silent Chu Yan?

"Yes, I'm splashing you," Chu Yan sneered. "I've always known your mouth was foul, but today I've truly realized just how filthy it is."

"What did you just—"

"Do you even know who that man is? Do you know what our relationship is? Do you know what we were just discussing?"

"You know nothing! Yet that doesn't stop you from slandering me without a shred of evidence!"

"So what gives you the right to confront me with your disgusting conjectures?"

"Is this what you call the upbringing of your so-called elite families?"

Chu Yan spoke rapidly, his rapid-fire questions leaving the fuming Chu Shuo utterly speechless. Even Fu Hongan was stunned by this side of Chu Yan.

Chu Yan had pursued him for fifteen years. He had seen Chu Yan happy, disappointed, shy, even nervous and afraid—but never angry.

Because Chu Yan had never gotten angry at him, nor had he ever displayed anger in his presence.

He had despised Chu Yan so much that Chu Yan never dared to be angry with him.

But now, the sight of Chu Yan's anger forcefully imprinted itself in Fu Hongan's mind, like a background character suddenly gaining consciousness. He had never realized Chu Yan could be so captivating.

Just like at his grandfather's birthday banquet, when Chu Yan had cursed him and even laid hands on him—those memories were stubbornly etched in Fu Hongan's mind, impossible to shake. After that day, Chu Yan seemed to have changed.

The current Chu Yan…

Was very different.

Against his better judgment, Fu Hongan found this version of Chu Yan… endearing. Even… captivating.

He must be insane.

Fu Hongan guiltily averted his gaze.

He had never thought Chu Yan was handsome before, always believing he paled in comparison to Xiao Yi. But now, he realized Chu Yan's face was undeniably striking.

Even more, with his silver hair and sharp demeanor at this moment, his radiance completely eclipsed the well-behaved Xiao Yi.

"Sorry, Xiao Yan," Chu Xiuyi pulled the furious Chu Shuo back. "Second Brother didn't mean it."

Chu Shuo ignored him, his mind solely occupied with the thought that these two deranged men should just get engaged, married, and be forever bound to each other.

It was truly baffling how they could still cause trouble for him even after he had severed ties with them.

"Brother Hongan and Second Brother are just worried about you. You're inexperienced—before, you had the Chu and Fu families protecting you. But now that you're on your own, the entertainment industry is a complex place, and many people aren't as simple as they seem. Second Brother is just afraid you'll be deceived."

"Exactly. Ungrateful."

Chu Shuo couldn't help but compare the two. Look at how sensible Xiao Yi was, and then look at Chu Yan.

He shouldn't have bothered!

"Xiao Yi is right," Fu Hongan added. "With your foolish mind, you'd probably be sold out and still help them count the money."

Chu Yan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Thank you for your concern."

"However, my affairs are none of your business."

Chu Shuo trembled with anger again.

Chu Yan, however, had no desire to waste more words on them. He turned to leave, only for Fu Hongan to block his path once more.

"Chu Yan, don't do anything you'll regret."

Fu Hongan didn't even know why he was putting himself out there for someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with him. His body moved faster than his mind, his hand already gripping Chu Yan's arm.

Somewhere in his mind, he even added—if Chu Yan just asked for his help, he would not refuse. If Chu Yan would just say the word.

But Chu Yan again shook off his hand with undisguised revulsion.

"None of your business."

"Next time we meet, please pretend you don't know me."

Fu Hongan froze. Chu Yan's attitude toward him was even worse than last time. Why?

Didn't he love him? How long was he going to keep playing this cat-and-mouse game?

"Don't come crawling back to us. Let's see how long you last!"

Chu Shuo glared at Chu Yan's departing figure, uttering a harsh threat, but Chu Yan didn't even pause in his steps.

"He infuriates me! I never knew he could be so annoying. He used to be so meek in front of me."

"Alright, Second Brother, let's go clean up your face first."

They were public figures—getting photographed like this would be a PR disaster.

The reason they had brought Second Brother along to meet Fu Hongan today was because, after Chu Yan's variety show became a hit, Chu Shuo also wanted to participate in a reality show. It just so happened that they could all participate in a dating show together. With Second Brother's top-tier influence, surpassing the popularity of *Rebirth Challenge* wouldn't be a problem.

The unexpected success of that show had caught many off guard. Fortunately, their dating show was set to air next week, coinciding with *Rebirth Challenge*'s second episode.

Chu Shuo was a last-minute addition, but with his A-list status, the production team couldn't have been happier.

Fu Hongan, however, was the investor, which was why Chu Xiuyi had brought Chu Shuo to meet him.

Who could have guessed they would run into Chu Yan here?

Fu Hongan's gaze lingered on the spot where Chu Yan had disappeared, his heart growing increasingly heavy.

He didn't notice the shift in Chu Xiuyi's darkening expression, displeased at being ignored yet again.

As for Chu Yan—he hadn't expected to run into more familiar faces than just those three. The moment he turned the corner, he saw Chu Yi waiting for him.

"Eldest Brother."

Chu Yan didn't dislike him, and remained respectful.

"Xiao Yan, let's talk."

Chu Yan sighed inwardly.

"Alright."

Seriously, is human nature just inherently perverse?

When he was eagerly seeking their attention, no one cared. Now that he no longer catered to them, they were all suddenly clamoring for his presence.

It was truly perplexing.