Chapter 151: Dare Not Interfere

It was not that Shu Yiming was unwilling to help, but the affairs of the Zhao family were far too intricate for him to risk getting involved. He feared the unpredictable and troublesome consequences that might follow should he intervene.

Vivian, feeling the urgency, frowned and pressed him directly: "Well? I have made myself perfectly clear—are you still too afraid to help me?"

"It is not that I refuse to help. You know better than anyone the nature of your family’s affairs; it is not a matter of whether I want to help, but whether I can. Furthermore, your grandfather would never allow an outsider to interfere. If I were to step in, your own utility would be nullified, and the consequences would be unthinkable." Shu Yiming sighed, furrowing his brow as he gave Vivian’s shoulder a gentle pat.

Vivian nodded. Though displeased, she knew he spoke the truth. She understood all too well the kind of man her grandfather was. With a self-deprecating laugh, she said, "Fine, fine. Since you’ve put it that way, what else can I do? So be it. I’m leaving."

In the time that followed, Vivian never again sought Shu Yiming's help. Relying on her own iron will, she fought her battles alone, carving a path through the crowd until she became an indispensable force within the Zhao family. She eventually transformed from an obscure illegitimate child into the right-hand aide of Zhao Tianguang.

Of course, that was all in the future. For now, Vivian remained somewhat childish, her words and actions still colored by raw emotion.

Zhao Sheng, while highly competitive, was far more flexible than Zhao An, handling his affairs with seamless precision.

As they were speaking, Zhao Sheng approached them. Seeing Shu Yiming and Vivian standing so close, his expression darkened. "Mr. Shu, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s been a long time!"

He glanced toward Vivian with a faint, disdainful smile and asked coolly, "And this, I presume, is the illegitimate child?"

"Hmph, as if you aren't one yourself," Vivian retorted with a cold, sharp sniff.

Seeing the two on the verge of a confrontation, Shu Yiming stepped forward and pulled Vivian away.

"Why bother arguing with him? He came here specifically to provoke you. The more upset and unhappy you become, the more he enjoys it." Shu Yiming shook his head, tapping Vivian lightly on the forehead.

"But you can tolerate him; I cannot. He is just a brazen scoundrel. If you give him an inch, he will take a mile." Vivian’s lips were pale with fury.

"To achieve great things, one must ignore the gaze and the chatter of others. You cannot succeed if you spend your days following in others' footsteps, letting them lead you around by the nose," Shu Yiming sighed.

He was suddenly reminded of the lessons his father had taught him many years ago.

"Vivian, you have no path forward—only a dead end. If you can break through your cocoon and soar, you can achieve greatness. If you cannot, you are left only to perish." Shu Yiming closed his eyes, exhaling slowly as he recounted his father’s words.

After a moment, he smiled and added, "Therefore, if you want to succeed, you must fix your gaze on a single point and strive toward it relentlessly, never giving up regardless of what happens."

Vivian seemed to grasp his meaning. She nodded and tucked her arm into his.

By the end of the banquet, Vivian had learned much. Though she was still the same person, her expression had shifted entirely. In that brief span of time, she seemed to have grown up in a heartbeat.