Chapter 100 (part 3): Rebirth of the Tool Man in a Pampered Protagonist Novel

Referring to her as grandmother felt too kind; he preferred to call her Madam Zhou.

“Xie Wenxu!” Madam Zhou was infuriated by her grandson’s sarcastic smile.

She had a strong desire to control and could not tolerate anyone disobeying her, including her own son and grandson.

However, her reaction only made Xie Wenxu feel colder and his smile more mocking.

“Madam Zhou, from the moment you chose me to be the heir, you made every decision without consulting me. I thought that despite the mingling of interests, there was still some familial affection… but I later realized that in your eyes, I was just a pawn, a puppet for you to manipulate.”

“But I am a person, not a puppet. I have my own desires and my own life that I want to live. Yet, you never noticed these things. You only repeated over and over that the Xie family was ours, that without Xie Zheng, the Xie family would belong to the second branch, and I had to work hard to reclaim what was ours.”

“I love computers and have no interest in finance, but you forced me to learn it and excel at it.”

“I didn’t want to be adopted by Xie Zheng or become his son. I told you I would work hard to surpass Xie Zheng, but you insisted on taking shortcuts. Do you know how humiliating it was to call someone just eight years older than me ‘father’? Do you know how people in our circle laughed at me behind my back?”

“To become the heir, you must endure these things! There’s no free lunch in this world.”

Madam Zhou said coldly.

The mocking smile disappeared from Xie Wenxu’s face, leaving it expressionless. “But I never wanted to be the heir.”

Madam Zhou, furious, wanted to speak, but Xie Wenxu continued, his gaze just as cold.

“Even though I didn’t want to be the heir, I still listened to you and worked hard to improve myself, actively participating in family affairs. But in your eyes, the so-called heir was nothing but a puppet.”

“You never listened to my suggestions. After Xie Zheng left with the main branch, I became nothing more than a mascot.”

“You’re angry now because you’re worried this will ruin your cooperation with Yan Tong, just like when you were reluctant to break off my engagement with Ziyang because of Tang Xun’s support. From beginning to end, you only saw profit; there was no familial affection for me.”

“So why should I consider you? Isn’t the second branch’s principle to always prioritize self-interest?”

Madam Zhou’s face darkened. Even though she knew this was true, having it laid bare was deeply uncomfortable.

She was angry at her grandson’s defiance.

“But what good does this do for you? You’ve caused such a commotion, and even if the family pulls some strings, you’ll still go to prison. Is this the life you want?”

“Yes,” Xie Wenxu replied without hesitation.

Madam Zhou was stunned.

Xie Wenxu looked at her, his emotions calm. “Because it’s the only way for me to break free from you.”

It was also the only way for him to reflect and start anew.

The second branch of the Xie family had suffocated him. After nearly twenty years of being a puppet, he had enough. He wanted to leave the second branch, completely and utterly.

But that was not a simple matter. As long as he remained outside, he would never escape the shadow of the second branch.

So he had to destroy everything to rebuild.

“You don’t need me for your cooperation with Yan Tong. There are other young people in the family. You never take my suggestions anyway. What’s the point of me staying in the second branch?”

Madam Zhou was furious.

“Xie Wenxu, do you think you can escape the second branch? Don’t be foolish. As a former heir of the Xie family, you should know the family’s power! Even though the two branches have split, I can still deal with you!”

“Do you think you’re Xie Zheng? I’ve learned my lesson from him. I won’t make the same mistake twice. Even if you’re my grandson, I won’t show mercy!”

“Xie Wenxu, I’ll ask you one more time. Will you listen to your grandmother?”

Madam Zhou stood up, her voice full of threats.

She was indeed disappointed in her grandson. Despite his lack of real power, she had to admit that among the young generation of the second branch, Xie Wenxu was the most outstanding.

She felt he wasn’t obedient enough and wanted to temper him, hoping he would eventually take over the second branch.

But she didn’t expect her grandson to be so stubborn.

She hoped this final threat would make Xie Wenxu see reality.

But if Xie Wenxu could bow his head, he wouldn’t be a member of the Xie family. Both the main and second branches shared an unyielding spirit.

Especially since Xie Wenxu was a proud person.

“Do you really think the second branch of the Xie family will rise as you hope? The ones who can’t see reality are you… I might not be Xie Zheng, but so what? I’m more than enough to deal with you.”

Xie Wenxu coldly laughed.

Then he said no more, standing up and leaving the visiting room.

Trading a few years in prison for a chance to leave the Xie family and a place to quietly reflect was worth it to him.

“Xie Wenxu, you’ll regret this!”

Madam Zhou angrily slammed the table, furious at her grandson’s defiance and honesty.

But as he disappeared from sight, Xie Wenxu didn’t look back.

…

Xie Wenxu’s sentencing was swift.

He was sentenced for intentional assault, but since he had been careful not to cause fatal injuries, had turned himself in, and had a good attitude, along with the lawyer’s efforts, he was only given three years.

Lu Yan, upon waking, wanted to appeal and severely punish Xie Wenxu.

But being physically incapacitated, his manager had resigned due to Lu Yan’s disobedience and hidden relationship with Yan Tong. Fang Ziyang and Tang Xun couldn’t be found, Xie Zheng didn’t want to get involved, and his friends were unreliable.

So despite his intentions, no one could help him, and he could only watch as Xie Wenxu was swiftly sent to prison without a chance for revenge.

Lu Yan was trembling with rage when he heard the result.

Not only had Xie Wenxu disfigured him, but he had also destroyed his ability to be a normal man. His methods were ruthless!

When Lu Yan found out Yan Tong had been pregnant with his child but had lost it, he coughed up blood and fainted again…

Meanwhile, in prison, Xie Wenxu was very calm.

Though he had been impulsive in seeking revenge on Yan Tong, he had already planned what to do afterward. On the way, he had entrusted his affairs to the only person he could trust, the family butler.

So facing three years in prison didn’t make him feel lost or confused.

Instead, he felt a sense of relief, having shed all psychological burdens.

…

At the Second Municipal Hospital.

An elderly man, over fifty, was negotiating with the hospital. His expression was sorrowful, and he kept wiping his eyes.

“Yes, I’m the Xie family’s butler… although this child did many things to hurt my young master, he did live with the Xie family for a long time. I feel sorry for him; he’s just lost his way…”

“He did have some affection for my young master in the past. Though my young master hates him now, I can’t be sure of his attitude… He’s an orphan with no one to take care of him… staying in the hospital isn’t a solution. It’s better if he stays at our house…”

“Ah, what a mess this is. I watched both children grow up…”

The butler, who had taken care of Xie Wenxu since he was young, handed over various documents to the hospital while speaking.

Yan Tong, still unconscious, had no one else to take care of him due to his orphan status and unreliable friends. With the proper paperwork, the butler easily took him away.

But no one expected that the butler didn’t return to the Xie family estate. Instead, he drove to the seaside and boarded a ship…

…

Meanwhile, across the ocean in M country, at the James family estate.

Moore was inspecting the research progress in the lab, looking displeased.

Despite significant advancements, the recent technological achievements in China made their progress seem inadequate, much to his dissatisfaction.

However, his expression softened when he reached a young Chinese researcher and saw the progress displayed on his computer.

He couldn’t help but pat the young man’s shoulder in praise.

“Shi, you’ve done very well. But I hope you can speed up; there’s not much time left before the International Technology Competition.”

The young man smiled gently. “Don’t worry, boss. I’ll do my best. But I’ve been quite tired lately. Could I take a few days off?”

“Of course. As long as it doesn’t delay progress, I’m very accommodating.”

Moore readily agreed, appearing cheerful and easygoing. However, only those close to him knew how ruthless he could be.

The young man smiled again. “Then may I have the honor of inviting you, boss? I’ve heard that the Caesar cruise is quite fun.”

“The Caesar cruise? That’s an excellent place. If you’re interested, Shi, I’d be delighted to join you.”

Moore’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he eagerly agreed.

He loved his work but also enjoyed life’s pleasures.

xxx

Sandy: wait, Shi? Is it the Shi guy we know? He’s been gone so many chapters I totally forgot about him

Previous TOC Next