Chapter 58: Retrieving the Ten Million Yuan  

If Yang Xiaolin hadn’t mentioned it, Yang Dapeng would have nearly forgotten about the money. At the time, he had assumed that since Yang Xiaoyun and Ou Zichen were in a relationship, giving her ten million yuan was like an investment.  

But now, knowing that they had never been in such a relationship, there was no way he could just let that ten million slip away. He had to get to the bottom of it.  

“Xiaoyun, is what Xiaolin said true? Did you not use that ten million to buy jewelry?”  

“Dad, I… I…” Yang Xiaoyun stammered, unable to form a coherent response.  

Yang Xiaolin continued to fan the flames: “Dad, look at her! I told you she was lying! You can’t just let her off—she has to return that ten million!”  

Ten million wasn’t a small sum. It wasn’t just a thousand yuan. Now that they knew Yang Xiaoyun had no ties to Ou Zichen, she had no right to keep that money.  

But she had already spent five million of it. Now that they were asking for the full amount back, she had nowhere to get the money. She turned to Yang Dapeng, pleading with her eyes, hoping he would let her off on account of their father-daughter relationship. After all, because of her, the Ou Corporation had once given the Yang family a project, which had earned them at least tens of millions.  

However, Yang Dapeng ultimately disappointed her. What father-daughter bond? In his eyes, only interests mattered. The moment she lost her value, did she really think he would continue treating her like a treasure?  

“Since that ten million wasn’t used as you originally claimed, I want it back!”

When Yang Dapeng spoke, his tone carried no warmth whatsoever. It was utterly cold, as if Yang Xiaoyun had nothing to do with him at all.  

This was human nature—selfish people valued money above everything else.  

Yang Xiaoyun found it unbelievable. During this period, her father had treated her with care, making her feel a trace of fatherly love. But that love had originated from the benefits she could bring to the Yang family. Now that he knew she had no value to him, he severed that affection completely.  

However, she knew she couldn’t fall out with Yang Dapeng now. She still had to rely on him to survive. As long as she stayed alive, there would still be hope.  

So, she pleaded with Yang Dapeng: “Dad, I’ve already used half of the money. Can I just return five million to you?”  

“No!”  

His response was crisp, without hesitation, and utterly heartless.  

“If you don’t return the full ten million to me, don’t even think about staying in the Yang family.”  

At that moment, Yang Xiaoyun panicked completely. If she was kicked out of the Yang family, how would she survive?  

Although she had never been truly welcomed in the Yang family and had endured countless cold stares over the years, at least she had lived a life of comfort, with no worries about food or clothing. If she left the Yang family, she had neither skills nor a diploma—she might not even be able to find an office job. In that case, she would have no choice but to work in a restaurant as a waitress, carrying trays.  

How could she be willing to become a waitress?  

If she stayed in the Yang family, she still had a chance to marry into a second-tier family. Although such families couldn’t compare to the powerful Ou family, they were still wealthy. It was certainly better than living as a working-class person.  

But if she was kicked out of the Yang family, she would truly have no opportunities left.  

So, she agreed to Yang Dapeng’s demand. “Dad, I will return the money to you, but I hope you can give me a few days!”  

After all, ten million was no small amount, and gathering it would take some time. As long as she eventually returned the money, that was what mattered.  

Yang Dapeng readily agreed. “Fine, I’ll give you five days. If I don’t see the money by then, don’t blame me for disregarding our father-daughter relationship.”  

He didn’t want to sit around any longer. Since things had already come to this, losing face was inevitable. He decided to go out and socialize with other influential people—after all, after tonight, he might not have another chance like this. He had to make the most of it.  

Naturally, Chen Lan followed Yang Dapeng.  

Yang Xiaolin and Yang Zhifan also went out to find food. Since they were here, they certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to meet wealthy heirs and government officials’ children.  

In the end, only Yang Xiaoyun was left alone. But she couldn’t sit still either—she had to find Lin Zhenzhu. Right now, only Lin Zhenzhu could help her. Five million was just a small sum to Lin Zhenzhu. As long as she asked, Lin Zhenzhu would definitely lend it to her.  

Yang Xiaoyun spotted Lin Zhenzhu sitting at a white table and chairs in the distance, chatting with a few noblewomen. She immediately walked in that direction.  

As she passed by a group of wealthy young ladies, she overheard them talking about her, so she slowed her steps.

“This time, Yang Xiaoyun has really lost all dignity. She was the first one to be rumored with Ou Zichen back then, and I even envied her luck—imagine catching the eye of such a perfect Male God like Ou Zichen. But in the end, it turns out he never liked her at all!”  

“Exactly! I said from the beginning, how could someone like President Ou, a true Male God, ever be interested in Yang Xiaoyun? She has no money, no looks, and no figure. It’s like a beautiful flower being stuck in a pile of cow dung. Only, in this case, President Ou is the flower, and Yang Xiaoyun is…”  

She didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone understood what she meant and immediately burst into laughter.  

“Now that we know President Ou was never with Yang Xiaoyun, I feel so much better! He remains the Male God of our hearts!”  

“A Male God is indeed a Male God, but he already has someone in his heart—and now, he even has such an adorable and beautiful daughter!”  

“That’s right! President Ou’s daughter is absolutely adorable. Her mother must be very pretty too, don’t you think?”  

“If she caught President Ou’s eye, she can’t be bad, right? Look at the little girl—she’s so beautiful! Besides inheriting President Ou’s genes, she must have also inherited her mother’s. Look at her smile, those deep dimples—so sweet, so charming. Her mother must have dimples too.”  

Since Ou Zichen didn’t have dimples, they concluded that Zhao Jiaying must have inherited them from Zhao Yunxi.  

And in fact, that was true.  

“But no matter what, I bet this little girl’s mother is definitely younger and prettier than Yang Xiaoyun. If President Ou is with such a beauty, I won’t feel too heartbroken. After all, I know I don’t deserve President Ou either—I’m content just admiring him from afar!”  

The other women teased her: “Wow, didn’t expect you to have such self-awareness!”  

“Of course! Do you think I’m like Yang Xiaoyun, completely unaware of her own worth? Someone like her actually dared to dream about our Male God, President Ou! How delusional! Today, she got a brutal reality check, didn’t she?”  

The wealthy young ladies chatted and laughed among themselves, completely oblivious to Yang Xiaoyun standing not far away, listening to every word.