Ruan Zeer tried to move his legs, figuring if Qi Youxuan was unwilling to get down from his legs despite his pleas, he would piss into the wind and drag the kid into the restaurant instead.

However, Ruan Zeer was not strong enough.

Ruan Zeer let out a heavy sigh. His niece was really heavy!

Motivated by the huge feast, the kid instantly climbed down Ruan Zeer’s leg and walked hand-in-hand with Ruan Zeer into the restaurant.

The table Ruan Zeer deliberately chose was inconspicuous but the entrance remained visible from that spot. Normally, the customers were unwilling to choose this table due to difficulty in getting the waiters’ attention and it would be extremely troublesome if they required assistance.

Ruan Zeer was lucky enough to have such a strategic location without prior reservation.

The waiter came over with a menu after the duo sat down. Ruan Zeer passed the menu directly to Qi Youxuan for him to choose the dishes while he stared out of the window.

After the child finished ordering dishes, Ruan Zeer asked the waiter for a bill straight away. That way, their actions would not be considered as dine-and-dash when they pretended to leave the restaurant later.

“Don’t clean the table if we leave the restaurant later. We’re just taking a stroll and will return for this meal afterward,” Ruan Zeer instructed.

“…” The waiter was dumbfounded.

Why did the waiter feel that these two were unreliable?

Ruan Zeer had at least paid for the meal, so the restaurant would not suffer any loss despite the unreliable sensation.

The dishes were served one after another momentarily. The kid reached out for a piece of fried chicken wing directly with his sinful and chubby hand and started chewing, smearing oil and crispy crumbs across his face.

“He’s here!” Ruan Zeer exclaimed before standing up.

One of Qi Youxuan’s hands grabbed the chicken wing he had earlier munched on while the other was held by Ruan Zeer as they walked out of the restaurant under Ruan Zeer’s calculation.

The kid was curious when they passed by Chang Zhiyuan at the best possible location at the entrance. He was unsure if this was a result of his uncle’s precise calculation as a mathematical genius.

The kid seized the opportunity and asked immediately, “Uncle, Uncle, tell me more about my grandpa. His name is Ruan Keyu, so what’s my grandma’s name?”

“I think her name is Chang Yuehuan if I remember correctly. To be honest, our family knows nothing much about my aunt, because my uncle didn’t speak much about this to my grandpa and parents. Her name is the only thing we know…” Ruan Zeer’s tone was soft and calm, with a unique melodious tone of a youngster that sounded pleasant to others.

Chang Zhiyuan froze immediately and turned to them, ignoring the latter half of Ruan Zeer’s statement.

“You… What did you say just now?” Chang Zhiyuan grabbed Ruan Zeer’s arm and asked in agitation.

Chang Zhiyuan could not describe his current mood. He only knew Ruan Keyu was his brother-in-law’s name, but Ruan Keyu’s other details remained a mystery to him.

It could be a coincidence if Ruan Keyu’s name was mentioned only, but how could Chang Zhiyuan explain when they could say Chang Yuehuan’s name correctly too?

Moreover, Chang Zhiyuan overheard a kid referring to Ruan Keyu as his grandfather clearly just now, but Chang Jingqiu was Ruan Keyu’s daughter and she did not even have a child.

Unless Ruan Keyu had two daughters, Ruan Keyu only had one daughter as far as Chang Zhiyuan was concerned.

If this kid was referring to Ruan Keyu as his grandfather, what about Chang Jingqiu then?

Chang Zhiyuan did not consider the possibility that Chang Jingqiu was a fake at all, or perhaps he refused or unwilling to think about it. This was mind-blowing and his mind was in a whirl at the current moment.

Chang Zhiyuan’s first reaction was to stop these two youngsters. His next thought was, if the people they mentioned in their conversation were really his sister and brother-in-law, then his brother-in-law’s family was probably deceived.

The real child was living in the Chang family at the current moment.

What was Chang Zhiyuan thinking about when he stopped the two youngsters?

Chang Zhiyuan was unsure of his own intention too. Did he want to make things clear, clear up the misunderstanding and debunk the imposter, or was it… something else?

With a chaotic mind, Chang Zhiyuan lowered his gaze to the child who referred to Ruan Keyu as his grandfather, and to his astonishment, he was Qi Youxuan!

Naturally, Chang Zhiyuan recognized Qi Chenglin’s son.

“You…” Chang Zhiyuan had a lot of questions in mind but he failed to voice them out as his throat went on a pause.

If he was Qi Chenglin’s son and referred to Ruan Keyu as his grandfather, then Ruan Keyu’s daughter would be Ruan Danchen. If she was Ruan Danchen, why did she need to deceive others when she already had Qi Chenglin and the Qi family?

Despite Chang Zhiyuan’s biased thinking, he could not figure out Ruan Danchen’s need to lie.

Chang Zhiyuan froze after lowering his gaze to the kid.

“Anything I can help you with, mister?” Ruan Zeer shielded the kid before shifting his gaze to Chang Zhiyuan’s hand on his arm.

Chang Zhiyuan frowned and asked without any intention of releasing his grip, “The Ruan Keyu you mentioned just now—”

Then, someone interrupted before Chang Zhiyuan could finish his inquiry. “Director Chang.”

The voice sounded mellow, calm and cold, but it shuddered both Ruan Keyu and Qi Youxuan.

The duo thought of the exact same thing after making direct eye contact—they were doomed!

Chang Zhiyuan was stunned and shocked upon noticing Qi Chenglin and Jiang Yuan walking toward them. He quickly released his grip on Ruan Zeer and nodded. “Director Qi.”

“Is there something wrong?” Qi Chenglin stood firmly beside the kid, fixing his gaze on both Ruan Zeer and the plump child before averting his eyes back to Chang Zhiyuan.

Qi Chenglin’s expression remained calm but his gaze radiated warning, which made Chang Zhiyuan feel that he was protecting the youngsters firmly even though he was not standing in front of them.

Finally, Chang Zhiyuan regained his cool and smiled while shaking his head. “Nothing, I just ran into them coincidentally.”

Qi Chenglin nodded slightly and replied Chang Zhiyuan without asking Ruan Zeer and Qi Youxuan’s intentions on coming to this place. “After you.”

Then, the two of them walked into the restaurant together. Ruan Zeer finally realized that the client Chang Zhiyuan was supposed to meet this afternoon was Qi Chenglin after all. Everything made sense right now. Qi Chenglin mentioned that he had an entertainment today too, right?

Qi Youxuan merely felt that life was extremely difficult!

He was caught by his father while trying to set the Thames on fire with his uncle.

His father’s ubiquitous existence made his life especially rough!

Chang Zhiyuan turned around and took a glance at the two dispirited youngsters again before continuing forward.

Qi Youxuan then shook Ruan Zeer’s arm after noticing Qi Chenglin had walked further into the restaurant. “Uncle, since we can’t change the past now, we should go back and eat the meat first, or else they’ll become cold.”

“…” Ruan Zeer was left speechless.

Was it really good to think of food at this difficult moment?

However, Ruan Zeer figured it was unwise to waste those foods since money had been spent. He thus nodded with a heavy sigh and returned together to their table.

They failed to notice Qi Chenglin turning around to look at them when they returned to their table. Then, Qi Chenglin squinted upon noticing their dish-filled table at the corner before averting his gaze elsewhere with twitched lips.

Chang Zhiyuan could not think of anything else when the conversation between Qi Youxuan and Ruan Zeer seared into his mind. There were numerous times when he wanted to bite the bullet and question Qi Chenglin, but would swallow it back after noticing Qi Chenglin’s flat expression.

After they sat down in the private dining room, Chang Zhiyuan instructed his assistant to order food so that they would not receive disturbance from the waiter. Then, he started stammering. “Just now… the young man with Youxuan…”

“He’s my brother-in-law,” Qi Chenglin answered calmly, knowing all too well what the youngsters were up to. They came here deliberately to talk to Chang Zhiyuan.

Somehow, Qi Chenglin could guess the reason why they wanted to do this all of a sudden.

Perhaps Chang Jingqiu was putting on airs and even provoked Qi Youxuan with Grandmother Chang last week. Qi Youxuan was still young and could not tolerate them further, so he planned to disclose this information to Chang Zhiyuan.

Qi Chenglin made no attempt to stop the youngsters’ actions. Chang Jingqiu occupied Ruan Danchen’s place as the precious daughter of the Chang family and calumniated Ruan Danchen, so even though Ruan Danchen had no intention of associating herself further with the Chang family, he did not plan on letting Chang Jingqiu off the hook too.

Thus, Qi Chenglin did not expose them until now.

“I heard Mrs. Qi found her long lost family…” Chang Zhiyuan did not expect the Ruan family was actually Ruan Keyu’s own family.

Who could have thought about it?

Ruan Keyu’s parents and older brother were just ordinary teachers in those days. They could not even afford to buy meat with their perilously few wages and had to buy lard in order to make more palatable dishes.

To be honest, that was how most commoners survive at that time, but such a life was too agonizing for the Chang family. Thus, Grandmother Chang and Grandfather Chang’s oppositions on the marriage between Chang Yuehuan and Ruan Keyu at that time were unblamable.

However, who could have expected such an ordinary family achieved success and was well-reputed today? Both father and son in the Ruan family worked in the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the father was even a fellow who was prestigious across the world.

Perhaps their incomes were not as much as entrepreneurs such as the Chang family, but money could not buy such identity status and reputations. Most rich and powerful families would be envious of such achievement in life.

However, if Ruan Danchen was not the daughter of the Ruan family and she actually took over Chang Jingqiu’s right in the Ruan family, Chang Zhiyuan figured that he would not let this mistake continue further.

Even so, Chang Zhiyuan was in doubt. Would Qi Chenglin make such a silly mistake?

Other families might harbor envy on the Ruan family’s fame, but it was highly unlikely for the Qi family to do so. Judging how Qi Chenglin’s pampered Ruan Danchen, it was improbable for Qi Chenglin to allow such a simple mistake as recognizing the wrong family. The pain would be excruciating if the truth was finally revealed at that time.

Alternatively, perhaps Qi Chenglin planned on leaving the mistakes uncorrected for the sake of Ruan Danchen’s dignity?

Chang Zhiyuan’s mind was in a whirl at the current moment. There were endless possibilities and all of them were negative thoughts.

Qi Chenglin was unbothered about Chang Zhiyuan’s train of thoughts. He merely asked the waiter to come over and gave the waiter a few instructions in a soft voice.

…

…

The kid and Ruan Zeer returned to their seats again. Qi Youxuan was the kind who would ignore everything in the presence of meat, so his philosophical belief was that the past could not be changed even if there was no meat consumption. Thus, there was absolutely no need for melancholy since it was just mental suffering in oneself.

Since it was guaranteed that the next moment would not end well, it was better to enjoy the current moment happily.

With that in mind, the kid continued to munch on the chicken wing carefreely.

After listening to the chubby kid’s explanation, Ruan Zeer felt that his perception level was not high enough and he needed to learn more from his niece in this aspect. Thus, Ruan Zeer started to consume those meat pieces in a relaxing manner under the kid’s encouragement.

However, the duo took only a few bites out of those meat pieces before the waiter approached them and said, “I apologize for the interruption, Young Master Lin invited you to dine with him.”

The kid was about to devour a piece of short rib but stopped short, with the short rib almost touching his lips after listening to the waiter.

“We’re not done with our food yet!” Even though the kid failed to realize the profound meaning behind this, his intense sixth sense told him not to dine together with his father.

“Young Master Lin said you can enter his room directly and dine together with them,” the waiter conveyed the message softly and politely.

Qi Youxuan stared at all the meat on the table reluctantly. He wanted the waiter to carry all these dishes into the room initially but on second thought, he said, “Take-away all these please.”

Then, he turned toward Ruan Zeer and pleaded. “Dad won’t let me eat all these if we take them into the room, so I’m taking these away. Uncle, you need to hide these and let me eat secretly.”

“…” Ruan Zeer and the waiter were dumbfounded.

The waiter could not describe his feelings at the moment and could only reply softly, “Alright.”

The waiter then took some takeaway containers and put all those foods—which were basically left untouched—into the containers.

Ruan Zeer carried the takeaway foods and followed behind the waiter into the private dining room with the kid.

Qi Youxuan even made the best use of his time and devoured the short rib while they were on their way toward the dining room, swallowing it just in time when they entered the room.

Chang Zhiyuan’s gaze on Qi Youxuan was a little complicated when they met once again.

Chang Zhiyuan opened his mouth in an attempt to inquire further, but there were so many questions in his mind and he had no idea which question to start first. Then, Qi Chenglin said, “Director Chang, let’s finish our business first.”

The absent-minded Chang Zhiyuan nodded in response and forced those questions down his throat again.

Qi Chenglin instructed Jiang Yuan to order a few greens and put them in front of Qi Youxuan on purpose. Qi Chenglin would even shift his gaze to Qi Youxuan from time to time to supervise the kid’s green-eating progress while he discussed business affairs with Chang Zhiyuan.

The kid was dispirited instantly while chewing on the leaves. It was supposed to be a joyous day where he could attract Chang Zhiyuan’s attention while having a feast in the meantime, but who would expect to meet his father on the same day too?

The kid had no idea what kind of punishment awaited them after they were caught red-handed.

The kid gave a doleful look on Qi Chenglin, ignoring the business discussion between Qi Chenglin and Chang Zhiyuan.

After eating for quite some time, the kid noticed that Qi Chenglin seemed to be focused on the business discussion with Chang Zhiyuan and paid no attention to him anymore, so he seized the opportunity and got under the table secretly.

All of a sudden, Ruan Zeer felt something pulling on his pants which gave him quite a shock. It was in the middle of the day and Yang energy 1 was at its peak at this moment, and there were lots of customers in the restaurant too. It should not be a frightening manifestation of the supernatural, right?

The ashen-faced Ruan Zeer summoned up the courage to shift his gaze downward.

“…” Ruan Zeer was dumbfounded.

Ruan Zeer did not expect to see a chubby face emerging from under the table.

Qi Youxuan placed his chubby index finger vertically over his lips to beckon Ruan Zeer not to speak. Then, he pointed at the chopsticks on Ruan Zeer’s hand before pointing at his widely opened mouth and made a silent “Ah”.

“…” Ruan Zeer was dumbfounded.

Oh, dear niece. Did you think you were a puppy?

Qi Youxuan thought his hint was not obvious enough and pulled Ruan Zeer’s pants again. Ruan Zeer noticed the anxiety on Qi Youxuan’s face and shifted his gaze to Qi Chenglin and Chang Zhiyuan before placing a piece of squab drumstick on his plate. Ruan Zeer quickly passed the squab drumstick to the kid when the adults were not paying attention to him.

“Excuse me, I’m going to the washroom,” Qi Chenglin said suddenly and stood up. Coincidentally, he went around Ruan Zeer and Qi Youxuan on his way to the washroom.

The kid was taken by surprise. He could not decide whether to back off and hide under the table or to return to his seat when he was in panic mode.

When the squab drumstick was still in the kid’s mouth, a pair of long legs appeared before his eyes.

The petrified child lifted his head and saw the expressionless Qi Chenglin staring back at him with his eyebrows raised.

The kid assumed a slouched posture and swallowed the squab drumstick in a blink of an eye before returning to his seat cowardly. Tears started welling up in his eyes as he put a piece of broccoli in his mouth before saying agonizingly and against his heart, “Delicious!”

Qi Chenglin sneered at him before going to the washroom.

Chang Zhiyuan’s stress level reduced drastically in Qi Chenglin’s absence. He could not deal with Qi Chenglin, but at least he could deal with the two youngsters, right?

Chang Zhiyuan leaned closer to Ruan Zeer and the kid and asked, “Er… Youxuan, he is your uncle?”

The kid nodded innocently. “Yes.”

“Hello, my name is Ruan Zeer,” Ruan Zeer introduced himself with a warm expression, acting like he was very well-educated.

“Well… you’re Youxuan’s mother’s long lost family? I don’t mean anything else and certainly not being rude, I hope you don’t mind,” Chang Zhiyuan leaned in closer to Ruan Zeer again.

“Yes, we’re cousins.” Ruan Zeer nodded as though nothing was wrong and he did not mind at all.

On the other hand, the kid stared at Chang Zhiyuan with his big, sparkling eyes, which made Chang Zhiyuan wonder if he became a huge piece of meat. If not, why would the kid’s gaze on Chang Zhiyuan be so bright that it almost became dazzling?

“Well… I really hope you don’t mind my questions!” Chang Zhiyuan repeated again since he figured his next question would probably be rude.

Ruan Zeer and Qi Youxuan rolled their eyes deep down. His granduncle was not being straightforward in his questioning; was it really reliable to hope that he would stand firmly at Ruan Danchen’s side?

Thus, the duo stared at Chang Zhiyuan honestly and sincerely, and their gazes even radiated warmth and encouragement.

“We won’t mind, so you can ask anything you want,” Ruan Zeer replied and his gaze radiated even more encouragement.

The kid was so anxious that he almost yelled, “Dad’s coming back from the washroom if you don’t shoot your questions!”

Chang Zhiyuan felt uncomfortable and weird under these two youngsters’ gazes. What was going on with their encouraging and caring gazes on him?

“Well, I heard Youxuan’s mother was born an orphan, so… how can you be so sure that you’re her long lost family? Ha ha, I’m just… just asking. I don’t mean anything else and mean you no harm!” Chang Zhiyuan felt diffident for some inexplicable reason when he faced the youngsters’ gazes which radiated sincerity, encouragement, and care.

Ruan Zeer was worried that Chang Zhiyuan might not inquire about this, so his gaze became more gentle as he answered with a warm and calm voice. “It’s alright, anyone will have the same doubt too. My uncle and aunt passed away and thus eliminated the usage of paternity test, but my grandpa and dad did genetic profiling to crossmatch with my cousin sister. It may not be as accurate as paternity testing, but even paternity test isn’t one hundred percent accurate too. The genetic cross-matching between my cousin sister and my grandpa and dad were more than eighty percent. It may be a coincidence if one of the results showed such a high percentage, but both? Besides, when my grandparents and parents first saw my cousin sister, they knew straight away that she must be my uncle’s daughter, as my uncle and her really looked alike. If not ninety percent alike, they looked at least eighty percent alike.”

Then, Ruan Zeer took out his cellphone and searched for Ruan Keyu’s picture saved in the phone beforehand before showing it to Chang Zhiyuan.

“Look, this is my uncle.” Ruan Zeer put the phone in front of Chang Zhiyuan.

Chang Zhiyuan felt familiar at first glance but it was not due to the fact that he had seen Ruan Keyu almost thirty years ago. He was still a child when Ruan Keyu visited the Chang family for the first time, and as a minor, he was disallowed to join in the adults’ affairs.

Chang Zhiyuan merely glanced at Ruan Keyu secretly when he left the Chang family’s house. However, that was almost thirty years ago, so how was it possible for him to recall Ruan Keyu’s appearance?

Ruan Keyu appeared familiar to Chang Zhiyuan, all because of Ruan Danchen!

Ruan Danchen gave quite a deep impression on Chang Zhiyuan, not only because of Qi Chenglin but also due to Grandmother Chang and Chang Jingqiu’s criticisms on Ruan Danchen at home for no absolute reason. They acted as if they would fall sick if they did not release their anger on Ruan Danchen.

Looking at the picture at the moment, Ruan Danchen really looked like Ruan Keyu.

Then, Ruan Zeer scrolled the phone’s screen again to the next picture. “This is my cousin sister, do you think they look alike?”

Chang Zhiyuan was frozen on the spot, shifting his gaze from Ruan Danchen’s picture to Ruan Keyu’s again. They really looked similar the more Chang Zhiyuan glanced at them.

“If the genetic crossmatch wasn’t enough to explain everything, the fact that my sister and uncle look really alike is enough for the explanation too, right?” Ruan Zeer remained patient as he explained to Chang Zhiyuan slowly and warmly.

However, this warm voice conjured storms in Chang Zhiyuan’s mind. The evidence before him was solid and unshakable, and he had to admit that it was the truth despite the reluctance.

Once people started experiencing uncertainty, more doubt would follow; that was exactly how Chang Zhiyuan felt at the current moment. Chang Jingqiu’s face started to appear in his mind, and now Chang Zhiyuan realized that there was absolutely no similarity at all between her, Chang Yuehuan and Ruan Keyu.

From facial features to attitude and personality, none of it was similar to Chang Yuehuan and Ruan Keyu in any way.

Chang Zhiyuan never had a doubt for all these years, even though Chang Jingqiu did not look like Chang Yuehuan.

However, looking at Ruan Keyu’s picture right now, how could a child have no similarity with his biological parents at all?

Moreover, Ruan Danchen’s picture was there for comparison. Even an unrelated stranger would assume that Ruan Danchen was indeed Ruan Keyu’s daughter.

Chang Zhiyuan appeared dazed as if he took a big hit when Ruan Zeer took his phone back.

Ruan Zeer took a glance at him and smiled faintly. “This is a big issue. We tried to locate my cousin sister ever since her disappearance after she was born at the hospital, and that took us twenty-seven years. This was indeed a very important matter, so how could we recognize simply without solid evidence? There were quite a few who claimed to be my cousin sister during our search in these twenty-seven years, but all of them proved to be fake. We were actually quite experienced in this field too.”

“You… were searching all this time? Didn’t you figure that perhaps she was in her mother’s house?” Chang Zhiyuan asked in a trembling voice.

Ruan Zeer answered without a change in tone as if he did not notice Chang Zhiyuan’s abnormality. “To be honest with you, my uncle brought my aunt back home only once at that time, so except for my aunt’s name, we knew nothing about her family at all. We couldn’t investigate this matter even if we wanted to. Besides—”

Ruan Zeer shook his head and sighed. “My cousin sister was taken away secretly on purpose. She was my uncle and aunt’s friend back in the day and we had no idea why she treated my cousin sister and our family in that way. She knew we were searching for my cousin sister at that time and separated us nonetheless.”

Ruan Zeer’s eyes reddened and he could not speak further anymore.

Chang Zhiyuan understood everything right now, just as how he speculated. No wonder the Ruan family never visited the Chang family after all these years.

Chang Zhiyuan was impressed by the Ruan family because he realized that their financial status improved only recently. They remained committed in searching for their granddaughter despite their decent wages for twenty-seven years. This hardship was unimaginable indeed.

This was exactly why the Ruan family would not simply believe anyone who claimed to be their long lost granddaughter without solid evidence.

Since it was confirmed that Ruan Danchen was Ruan Keyu and Chang Yuehuan’s daughter, who was Chang Jingqiu then?

“Who… who took her away?” a dispirited Chang Zhiyuan asked.

Ruan Zeer sniffled and forced a smile. “Look at me. I can’t believe I told you my family issues, it’s embarrassing.”

Chang Zhiyuan nearly suffocated as he did not expect Ruan Zeer to stop abruptly in his explanation.

Young man, that was unkind of you!

On the other hand, Qi Youxuan seized the opportunity and ate a lot of meat in Qi Chenglin’s absence.

Then, Qi Chenglin exited the washroom and returned to his seat. His gaze swept across Chang Zhiyuan calmly and rested on his child’s oil-smeared lips.

Qi Chenglin’s heart sank immediately. It would be a long and arduous battle to let the chubby kid lose his weight.

Chang Zhiyuan found it unfitting to question Ruan Zeer further in Qi Chenglin’s presence. Moreover, Ruan Zeer’s current attitude suggested that it was inappropriate to discuss family affairs with an outsider, so it was impossible for Chang Zhiyuan to obtain further information even in Qi Chenglin’s absence.

The purpose of this meal was meant for business discussion, but Chang Zhiyuan ended the discussion with his mind preoccupied with troubles and paid for the meal.

The kid pulled Ruan Zeer’s hand again when they stood up and prepared to leave.

Ruan Zeer lowered his gaze curiously and saw the kid gesturing to the meat that they took away previously on the table.

This reminded Ruan Zeer as he had completely forgotten about it. He then grabbed the takeaway meat before leaving together with Qi Chenglin.

Qi Chenglin bade farewell with Chang Zhiyuan when they reached the entrance. When they were searching for their vehicles respectively, Chang Zhiyuan overheard Qi Youxuan’s yell. “Dad, let’s go to my Great-grandma Ruan’s house quickly. I miss them so much.”

Qi Chenglin merely uttered a simple “Mm” in response to the kid. Then, an idea formed in Chang Zhiyuan’s mind immediately. He entered his car quickly and trailed after Qi Chenglin’s car cautiously.

Ruan Zeer and Qi Youxuan were sitting at the back of the car. Qi Chenglin took a peek at the rearview mirror and saw Chang Zhiyuan’s car behind him. The corner of his lips curled up as he spoke to the youngsters at the back, “Don’t act on your own next time.”

The youngsters tensed up immediately and apologized quickly, only to sigh in relief after realizing that Qi Chenglin made no attempt in punishing them.

The kid grabbed the back of Qi Chenglin’s seat with his chubby hands and asked, “Dad, are you supporting us on this?”

“I support this time. It’s unreasonable to act arrogantly to Danchen when Chang Jingqiu is the one who took over Danchen’s identity. Since Chang Jingqiu stole Danchen’s identity, she should thank God for the wonderful days she had stolen and behave with her tail between her legs while living her life in fright, but she instead chose to act arrogantly,” Qi Chenglin answered calmly.

“We gave Chang Jingqiu the identity, so of course we can take it back too,” Qi Chenglin continued coldly.

The kid and Ruan Zeer felt completely relieved right now. After Qi Chenglin stopped his car before the red light, he turned around to look at the youngsters. “Discuss with me first in the future, don’t act on your own.”

The youngsters promised Qi Chenglin immediately.

…

…

Chang Zhiyuan followed Qi Chenglin’s car all the way to Grandfather Ruan’s house. The residents in this housing area were scholars and scientists since this area belonged to the Academy, so the atmosphere here was different from those ordinary housing areas.

Chang Zhiyuan stayed in the car while Qi Chenglin brought Ruan Zeer and Qi Youxuan into the housing unit.

Chang Zhiyuan did not leave either. He just sat there and waited. Then, at approximately five o’clock in the evening, he received a phone call from Mo Yuxin asking if he was going home for dinner tonight.

“I still have something left to do, so I’m not going back home for dinner tonight,” Chang Zhiyuan answered. It was getting late and he realized it only now.

“Take care of yourself. Don’t drink too much alcohol and return earlier tonight,” Mo Yuxin instructed.

Chang Zhiyuan agreed before hanging up. Then, he opened a food delivery service app to check for available nearby restaurants and ordered some food for delivery before leaning back into the car seat.

Chang Zhiyuan had been thinking about this issue for the whole evening, and Chang Jingqiu became increasingly suspicious the more he thought about it. To be honest, he firmly believed that Ruan Danchen was actually his sister’s daughter. He merely felt unwilling to admit the truth without seeing the evidence with his own eyes.

Chang Zhiyuan had no idea how to face Chang Jingqiu at the moment. Once the seed of doubt had been planted and started to send out little roots and sprout, Chang Jingqiu’s recent behaviors felt suspicious with peculiarities in some of her actions.

Then, Chang Zhiyuan recalled Chang Jingqiu questioning him regarding the Ruan family and let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she did not get any answer from him since he really knew nothing about the Ruan family. He had no idea what Chang Jingqiu would do if she found out about the truth.

Chang Zhiyuan was well aware that this young lady was selfish and would do anything for her own benefits.

Chang Zhiyuan started to put on a solemn expression. Was it possible that Chang Jingqiu asked him regarding the Ruan family because she was aware of the truth? Was that the reason why she appeared troubled as if something was going on recently?

Chang Zhiyuan’s eyes snapped open, and without further delay, he dialed a phone number. “Lao Liang.”

“Brother Chang? Why did you suddenly think of calling your younger brother now?”

“I want you to help me investigate Jingqiu,” Chang Zhiyuan replied.

“Jingqiu? Your niece, Chang Jingqiu? What happened to her, and why do you want to investigate her?” Lao Liang asked in surprise. It was rare for an uncle to hire a private investigator to look into his own niece.

“Lao Liang, I treat you as my own brother, so I’m going to tell you the truth. You can’t tell anyone what I’m going to tell you next. Anyone including my family members except for me.” Chang Zhiyuan’s eyes were flushed red and his expression radiated solemnity.

Lao Liang could hear the solemnity in his voice and replied seriously without joking further, “Of course, we’re brothers. Trust me.”

“I trust you, that’s why I hired you instead of others,” Chang Zhiyuan whispered. “I suspect Jingqiu isn’t my niece. My real niece is, in fact, someone else.”

“She’s a fake?” Lao Liang let out a gasp of surprise; it was unexpected that Chang Zhiyuan hired him for such a bizarre issue.

They were not even making a television show!

“That’s why I want to look into her. Whoever she gets in touch with recently and in the future—” Chang Zhiyuan gave this some thought and continued. “I’m not a professional so I’m not sure about this, but it’s best if you can investigate everything in detail. Look into anything you can think of. Anything from her personal issues to the people she has contact with. Don’t miss out on anything you can possibly think of.”

“I understand,” Lao Liang promised.

“Lao Liang, I hope you can investigate this matter personally. I don’t trust others. I’ll pay you according to the price you investigate personally. I won’t let you suffer losses just because you’re my brother,” said Chang Zhiyuan.

“Brother Chang, I won’t be so calculative with you, so why are you even saying this? I’ll look into this matter personally even if you don’t mention it,” replied Lao Liang.

Chang Zhiyuan chitchatted with Lao Liang for a while before hanging up.

Chang Zhiyuan would hire Lao Liang not only because of their intimate relationship and trust in each other but also due to Lao Liang being the elite in this profession. Lao Liang would carry out his investigation with scrupulous attention to detail and stubbornness too. He would look into anything suspicious no matter how difficult or inconvenient it was. There were many details which others would miss, but not him. Moreover, he was well-connected and had abundant resources. Any matter that was difficult for others would be a simple case for him.

The food Chang Zhiyuan ordered was delivered to him after a while, so he gulped it down in the car.

After a long wait until around eight o’clock at night, Qi Chenglin and his family exited the house with three people following closely behind them. One of them was Ruan Zeer whom Chang Zhiyuan met this afternoon.

Chang Zhiyuan rolled down the car window immediately. Then, he realized that they were Ruan Zeer’s parents—which were also Ruan Keyu’s older brother and sister-in-law—after hearing Qi Youxuan bidding them goodbye.

…

…

Mo Yuxin noticed Chang Zhiyuan’s unusual expression as though something had gone wrong after he returned home. After Chang Zhiyuan had a shower and finished tidying himself in the bedroom, Mo Yuxin asked, “What happened today? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

Chang Zhiyuan massaged his glabella and canthi before letting out a heavy sigh. He then told Mo Yuxin about what truly happened in the afternoon.

Mo Yuxin covered her mouth in shock, and her eyes widened as her mind went into a state of confusion.

“Then… do you believe?” Mo Yuxin found her voice after a while.

Chang Zhiyuan sighed. “How about you? What are your thoughts after listening to all these?”

“I think I prefer Ruan Danchen,” Mo Yuxin hesitated before voicing out her concern. “My opinion may be biased because as you know, I don’t really like Chang Jingqiu. I won’t treat her kindly if it wasn’t because of you.”

Chang Zhiyuan patted her hand gently. “To be honest, I don’t like Chang Jingqiu too but she’s my sister’s daughter. Who knows if my preference toward Ruan Danchen is all because of my fondness toward her in my heart? Anyway, I passed this case to Lao Liang and he’ll help me look into it. Let’s see the result later. Keep this a secret too and treat her as how you normally did, there’s no need to change your attitude toward her now.”

Chang Zhiyuan’s wife usually treated Chang Jingqiu kindly without any exaggerated fondness, unlike how Liu Xiangwen normally did.

Mo Yuxin nodded in response. Frankly speaking, she really hoped that Ruan Danchen was their own niece.

…

…

Qi Chenglin did not keep the incident in the afternoon a secret from Ruan Danchen too. She was involved in this, thus she had a right to know about it.

“Don’t blame them for acting on their own, it was Chang Jingqiu’s arrogance that provoked them. Besides, we gave this information to Chang Zhiyuan, so he’ll investigate this matter himself. It’ll be more convincing that way and saves a lot of trouble for us, we don’t need to waste time bickering with him anymore. Chang Zhiyuan has a sense of propriety too, so he won’t reveal it simply even to Grandmother Chang once the information is confirmed,” Qi Chenglin said while helping Ruan Danchen dry her hair.

“I won’t blame them.” Ruan Danchen’s smile was especially warm as she leaned slightly backward and rested her head on Qi Chenglin’s firm lower abdomen. She could even feel the chiseled rectus abdominis muscles on his abdomen.

Ruan Danchen reached out to Qi Chenglin’s hand which was stroking her hair initially. Then, she leaned her face onto his palm and started nuzzling back and forth like a cat trying to please and ingratiate him.

“I know you guys were just protecting me. I used to fend for myself, but now I have a husband, a son and even a cousin brother to protect me, which warms my heart. It’ll be ungrateful of me to be angry at them. Youxuan and Zeer merely thought that it was unfair for me, and besides, you guys will protect me and won’t let me suffer if the Chang family realized my true identity.” Ruan Danchen was all alone initially, but now she had many who were willing to protect her. This very thought sent overwhelming warmth and pride in her heart.

Ruan Danchen did not expect to be protected like the apple of their eyes when she was at this age group and even her son had grown up too.

Ruan Danchen blushed at her own thought. She pounced straight into Qi Chenglin’s embosom and encircled her arms around his waist. Then, she rubbed her face back and forth against his chiseled lower abdomen which aroused Qi Chenglin.

Qi Chenglin asked with a croaky voice, “Why this sudden act?”

“I’m blessed, yeah!” Ruan Danchen blurted out. Obviously, she was brainwashed by the kid.

Nobody knew where the kid learned this “yeah” from recently, and he had been saying it repeatedly in Ruan Danchen’s presence every day. Now, even Ruan Danchen was brainwashed and accidentally blurted it out without her realizing it.

Qi Chenglin’s lips twitched involuntarily at the impression that he raised two children at the current moment.

Ruan Danchen’s face felt slightly wet and cold after she was done nuzzling against Qi Chenglin, which made her realize that her hair was not dry yet. Thus, Qi Chenglin’s shirt acted as a towel and absorbed the water that remained on her hair.

“…” Ruan Danchen released her grip amid the embarrassment. She tried to wipe the wet area on his shirt but her attempt was futile. Left with no choice, she lifted her gaze and gave Qi Chenglin an ingratiating smile.

Qi Chenglin raised his eyebrows in response, figuring that Ruan Danchen had a tendency to become silly after her pregnancy.

Ruan Danchen’s giggle even looked like Qi Youxuan to some extent.

“Were you this silly too when you conceived Youxuan last time?” Qi Chenglin could not help but complained.

“…” Ruan Danchen’s face darkened immediately. Using her fair and soft bare foot, she stomped on Qi Chenglin’s foot which was within a slipper. However, she was unwilling to muster up strength due to possible heartache, so she tapped lightly on his foot instead. “You’re the silly one. Your whole family is silly!”

“Ha-ha,” Qi Chenglin mocked.

“…” Ruan Danchen finally realized that something was wrong in her previous statement. She was Qi Chenglin’s wife, so she was actually scolding herself too with that statement.

Ruan Danchen had multiple episodes of vomiting during the first trimester, so the Qi family and the Ruan family prepared tonic soups for her together. However, the nutrient intake was far greater than the nutrient loss through emesis. Thus, fat had started to accumulate around her face and gave her a chubby appearance now.

Ruan Danchen’s initial oval-shaped face had a tendency to develop into a round shape. Her chubby face crumpled as she leaned backward pitifully and stared at Qi Chenglin in an upside-down position. “I realized my intelligence is deteriorating now.”

Ruan Danchen’s dejected expression appeared especially pathetic. The fair skin on her cheeks had an attractive rosiness to it, and it appeared more supple than before too. She was unsure if all of these were the effects of the tonic soups she consumed.

Qi Chenglin noticed Ruan Danchen was more emotional now than before the pregnancy, and she made no attempt in hiding those emotions too. She would appear as if acting cute with her chubby face once emotions controlled her.

This was cheating, and it was absolutely disgraceful!

However, Qi Chenglin was overwhelmed and defeated by Ruan Danchen’s cute expression.

The benignity on Qi Chenglin’s handsome face was indescribable. His gaze was soft as he pinched Ruan Danchen’s chubby cheek with his long and delicate fingers, controlling his strength so that he would not induce pain in Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen’s huge emotional fluctuations during pregnancy made her appear especially delicate and fragile now; she would be moody and petulant if things did not go her way.

Qi Chenglin felt like he was coaxing a child when he tried his best to please Ruan Danchen during this period without feeling annoyed. He found it interesting for her change in attitude and personality during her pregnancy and would like her to continue acting in this way from now on.

Moreover, Qi Chenglin considered this as a prior training so that when Ruan Danchen gave birth to a baby girl, it would be easier for him to coax his own daughter.

“If your intelligence is deteriorating, we can combine our brainpower together, so don’t you worry about it.” Qi Chenglin’s lips curled up and his dark eyes radiated laughter.

Even though Ruan Danchen admitted that her own mental agility was impaired, she still felt uncomfortable after listening to Qi Chenglin’s reply.

Ruan Danchen turned toward Qi Chenglin and poked his solid and firm lower abdomen with her soft index finger. “They say one will get baby brain for three years post-pregnancy. I really think I was smarter before giving birth to Youxuan. Now that I’m pregnant again, there goes my intelligence.”

The good-tempered Qi Chenglin was helping Ruan Danchen to dry her hair. Her long hair was spread across his palm while he dried each and every part of her hair in small bunches while enjoying the smoothness that went through his fingers.

“What are you worrying about? Do you think I’ll let you suffer in my presence?” Qi Chenglin smiled. He leaned forward and grasped Ruan Danchen’s hand which was still poking at his lower abdomen and gave a few light pecks on her fingers.

Ruan Danchen’s fingers were slender and soft without any callus formation or desquamation, which felt especially delicate.

Ruan Danchen squinted. “Others won’t be able to bully me, but you’re especially evil occasionally.”

Qi Chenglin made no attempt in denying as happiness flared in his narrowed eyes. Obviously, his mood was lightened after listening to Ruan Danchen.

“…” Ruan Danchen was left speechless.

What else could Ruan Danchen say when her man acted in this way?

Qi Chenglin placed the hairdryer down and carried Ruan Danchen to the bed. Then, he frowned upon noticing her barefoot.

“Even though the weather is getting warmer, it’s not warm enough to the extent that you can walk barefoot yet,” Qi Chenglin disagreed.

Then, with his nice-looking and delicate hand, Qi Chenglin grabbed both of Ruan Danchen’s feet. They really felt cold, so Qi Chenglin gave her a ‘you were so disobedient’ look.

“…” Ruan Danchen stared as her feet were grasped firmly by Qi Chenglin’s delicate hand.

Ruan Danchen felt uneasy when her feet were clasped within Qi Chenglin’s clean, elegant and especially warm palm too. She figured that they were dirty since it was not her hand which he was holding.

Even though Ruan Danchen took a shower and every part of her body was clean now, she would still feel embarrassed when he grasped her feet.

Ruan Danchen tried to retract her feet but Qi Chenglin’s grip was too strong. He raised his eyebrows in response and saw Ruan Danchen avoiding direct eye contact with rosy cheeks. This gave Qi Chenglin a good mood as he loved watching her feeling helpless in his presence for some inexplicable reason.

It was a terrible habit, but Qi Chenglin was unable to change it!

Qi Chenglin gave a little massage on the soles of her feet with both of his thumbs and showed his disagreement with his eyes. “Don’t move, your feet are cold.”

Ruan Danchen still felt uneasy. Normally it would be fine to use her foot to kick Qi Chenglin’s calves, but she had never thought of using it to contaminate Qi Chenglin’s hands.

Qi Chenglin’s hands were too refined, so they must be kept clean and pristine.

“My feet are dirty,” Ruan Danchen mumbled.

However, Qi Chenglin seemed to take it seriously and examined her feet carefully. He even checked her toe web spaces which mortified her.

Fortunately, Ruan Danchen washed her feet clean. It would be extremely embarrassing if they were left dirty!

“They’re quite clean,” Qi Chenglin concluded after a thorough examination of her feet. Then, he gave some gentle squeezes on the soles of her feet again and put on a warm smile. “Fat accumulated on your body but not on your legs.”

Ruan Danchen’s lower limbs were still fair, slim and beautiful.

Then, Qi Chenglin tucked both of Ruan Danchen’s feet under his shirt. The soles of her feet were pressed against his lower abdomen, and she could even feel the smoothness and warmth on his firm muscles.

Ruan Danchen gave up struggling and lifted up her shirt to reveal her enlarging abdomen due to fat accumulation.

Ruan Danchen was fortunate enough to go through an entire pregnancy and gave birth to Youxuan without developing striae gravidarum. Some women were born with different skin constitution and elasticity which allowed them to go through pregnancy with no obvious changes except for further abdominal softness postpartum as compared to nulliparous women.

Ruan Danchen squeezed the fat on her waist and complained with teary eyes. “It’s not even three months yet and I’m already this fat. What am I supposed to do now?”

Ruan Danchen’s feet remained on Qi Chenglin’s lower abdomen but he asked her to bent her knees. Then, he leaned forward and placed his palm on her soft abdomen. “It’s soft and feels good. You’re too thin, you need to become sturdy so that it’ll be easier to give birth later.”

Ruan Danchen felt like burying her face at the current moment. She pouted and countered, “I’ve heard that the fetus will absorb mother’s nutrients too. If there’s excessive nutrient in the mother, the fetus will grow bigger and lead to difficult labor.”

Ruan Danchen grabbed the corner of the blanket and struggled with her thoughts. “What should we do if our daughter becomes too fat?”

“There’s such a thing too?” Qi Chenglin was indecisive now.

Qi Chenglin took care of newborn Qi Youxuan before this, but he had never taken care of pregnant women. Thus, it was natural that he had zero knowledge on the care and particulars in pregnancy.

“Yes, there is!” Ruan Danchen nodded vigorously.

Qi Chenglin pondered before nodding his head. “Then I’ll ask the doctor next time, and besides, aren’t we going for routine antenatal checkup? Everything should be fine if we follow the doctor’s advice strictly.”

Ruan Danchen’s feet were warmed under Qi Chenglin’s shirt. Then, she rubbed them on his abdomen shamelessly since she had nothing to lose before taking her feet out of his shirt and buried them under the blanket. After that, she turned around and rested her head on his thighs while playing around with the corner of his shirt.

“You promised to cook for me personally on my birthday initially,” Ruan Danchen complained regretfully. Qi Chenglin even mentioned that his cooking skills improved too.

Ruan Danchen planned to have a small birthday celebration with just the three of them only, but it was unexpected that Ruan Danchen recognized the Ruan family one week before her birthday. Thus, the Qi family and the Ruan family gathered together and organized a grand birthday celebration for Ruan Danchen instead.

Even though they did not prepare a feast for Ruan Danchen’s birthday celebration, they dined in together with the largest table available in Dynasty.

Ruan Danchen was excited to know how much Qi Chenglin improved in his cooking skills, but he seemed to have forgotten about his promise and made no attempt in raising this issue after her birthday celebration.

Qi Chenglin remained silent and continued to comb her hair while massaging her scalp.

Ruan Danchen squinted and poked Qi Chenglin’s thigh. “Are you planning to break your promise?”

“You vomit everything you ate recently, so what am I supposed to cook for you?” Qi Chenglin seemed to be mocking Ruan Danchen and even squeezed her chubby abdomen before making fun of her in a distasteful manner. “Besides, you’re already this fat.”

“…” Ruan Danchen was left speechless.

Ruan Danchen’s heart broke into shreds upon hearing the distaste in Qi Chenglin’s tone.

Ruan Danchen pouted and hissed, “I hate you!”

Then, Ruan Danchen moved away from Qi Chenglin and buried herself fully under the blanket, failing to notice the warm smile on his face.

Qi Chenglin fought the urge to laugh after seeing a huge bump on the blanket. A doting warmth spread across his face as he buried himself into the blanket silently and wrapped his arm around Ruan Danchen while pulling the blanket down to reveal her face.

“Are you not worried about suffocation when you covered yourself so tightly?” Qi Chenglin’s mellow and husky voice rang beside Ruan Danchen’s ear.

Qi Chenglin’s thin and warm lips were pressed against Ruan Danchen’s helix, his voice caressing her ear like feathers. Occasionally, it felt especially soft like the wind blew across the fine hairs on her helix; while other times it felt like Qi Chenglin placed his lips a little too close and almost engulfed her whole helix.

Qi Chenglin’s amorous act sent shivers down Ruan Danchen’s spine. Her ears were kissed pink and he could even feel the warmth on her skin wherever his lips went.

Ruan Danchen swallowed before curling up into a ball and pulled the blanket close to her chin to cover herself tightly. Even so, her body continued to tremble uncontrollably which was very annoying!

“Don’t be naughty, I’ll prepare home-packed meals for both of us tomorrow.” Qi Chenglin encircled his arm around Ruan Danchen’s waist and pulled her closer to him.

The delicate softness was lying right in Qi Chenglin’s embrace, but he was unable to release sexual tension ever since Ruan Danchen’s confirmed pregnancy, thus his desire had grown so strong until he had trouble suppressing it at the current moment.

Ruan Danchen could feel something poking at her too and tried to move away, but her body was roasting hot.

Ruan Danchen braced herself to complain with puffed cheeks. “You made fun of my fat, best if I stop eating too much food now.”

“You’re pregnant, so fat accumulation is inevitable. Besides, it’s the fetus who grew well inside your womb instead of you becoming fatter. Please don’t be mad,” Qi Chenglin comforted Ruan Danchen quickly.

“Humph!” Ruan Danchen expressed her dissatisfaction at her man who was telling a barefaced lie with a straight face.

Ruan Danchen turned her head slightly and gave Qi Chenglin an annoyed glance. However, her expression appeared especially flirtatious when her face had a special sense of charm due to her current pregnancy.

Qi Chenglin was having trouble trying to suppress his sexual desire, and the walls came crumbling down after Ruan Danchen gave him a flirtatious glance. He pushed Ruan Danchen closer into his embrace as he pleaded with a croaky voice, “Are you still going to be mad at me when I’m suffering right now? Do you want to punish me by sticking closer to me?”

“…” Ruan Danchen was at a loss for words. She turned around and lifted her head, only to get shocked upon meeting his fiery gaze. Words failed to come out from her opened mouth and a few moments later, she mumbled. “Just… just another half a month left. Besides, our marriage ceremony will be over by then and we’re just in time for the wedding night. You’ve just got to hold it in for a couple of days.”

Watching Ruan Danchen’s fair skin slowly flushed pink like a spring rose, Qi Chenglin could not hold back the urge to plant kisses on her cheeks, which turned into the color and temperature of a bad sunburn. Qi Chenglin took her hand and placed it onto his phallus. “I can’t hold it any longer, you’ve got to help me tonight.”

“…” Blush seared through Ruan Danchen’s cheeks as she buried her face into Qi Chenglin’s shoulder, unable to speak due to the uncontrollable quivers.

Then, Qi Chenglin’s deep and husky voice travelled to Ruan Danchen’s ears. “My palm isn’t as soft and delicate as yours, so I won’t feel comfortable to release this tension myself.”

Qi Chenglin’s voice sounded especially pathetic at the moment.

The ball of sweltering embarrassment had grown far too long and it was on the verge of explosion right now. Ruan Danchen was unwilling to let him suffer but did not want to promise him easily either since she would lose dignity that way. Moreover, Qi Chenglin might assume that it was easy to get whatever he wanted, so it would be unwise if Qi Chenglin requested for it persistently.

Thus, Ruan Danchen tried to rack her brain which was becoming inefficient during her pregnancy and replied, “Prepare your home-packed meals nicely. I’ll deduct a chance to help you if they don’t taste good.”

Qi Chenglin smiled and agreed to Ruan Danchen’s requirement without hesitation.

Then, with a reddened face, Ruan Danchen slipped her hand into Qi Chenglin’s pants.

…

…

Ruan Danchen was awakened by the alarm clock in the next morning. When she reached out to turn off the alarm, she felt an excruciating pain and soreness on the muscles around her wrist.

Ruan Danchen frowned and complained after recalling the reason for this soreness; even a simple task such as putting on a shirt felt extremely difficult.

The empty slot beside hers on the bed that belonged to Qi Chenglin was empty and cold.

Ruan Danchen’s mind was foggy despite being fully awake now. Not only did her cognitive function decrease ever since her pregnancy, her reaction had become poorer and even her memory had deteriorated too.

It was only until Ruan Danchen washed her face to wake herself up when she recalled that Qi Chenglin promised to prepare home-packed meal for her last night.

Ruan Danchen hurried downstairs to the dining room and noticed that breakfast had been served on the table by Aunt Zheng, but Qi Chenglin was nowhere to be seen. Then, she entered the kitchen and saw Qi Chenglin standing tall and straight in front of the countertop with lowered head, busy at his work.

Qi Chenglin would always stand up straight without the slightest curvature in his spine despite his lowered head, appearing as if he would bow down to nothing. The way his body moved when he placed those meals into a lunch box looked very tall, handsome and graceful!

Ruan Danchen was getting excited at such an amazing view. After noticing that Aunt Zheng had no intention to enter the kitchen, she pounced straight at Qi Chenglin and wrapped her arms around Qi Chenglin’s lean waist from behind.

Even though this man would torture her at night, his charm remained unambiguous.

It felt great to be able to lean on Qi Chenglin’s back and hug his waist tightly while inhaling the fresh fragrance emitted from his body!

This was a man who usually attracted lots of women’s fondness and admiration and this very thought excited Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen rubbed her face vigorously on Qi Chenglin’s back and yelled all of a sudden, “Prince Charming is mine!”

Qi Chenglin was stunned and frozen to the spot at this exclamation. Then, he turned around to see if his wife was having a seizure or something.

Ruan Danchen lifted her soft, chubby face and grinned sweetly at Qi Chenglin. “You woke up early in the morning just to prepare a meal for me. Thank you for your hard work, my dear husband.”

Qi Chenglin raised his eyebrows in response. Staring at her clear and round eyes, he put on a smile which made Ruan Danchen lose focus. “Thank you for your hard work last night too.”

“…” Ruan Danchen was at a loss for words.

Was this home-packed meal a trade for Ruan Danchen’s hard work?

Ruan Danchen figured the cost to consume her man’s personal home-cooked meal was a little too big. Moreover, Qi Chenglin promised that he would cook a meal for her birthday initially, so why did the terms and conditions changed all of a sudden?

Ruan Danchen’s lips twitched uncontrollably as she tried to sneak a peek at the meal prepared by Qi Chenglin. However, he was closing the lid coincidentally and Ruan Danchen failed to peek at the inside of the lunch box.

“What did you make? Show me,” Ruan Danchen said softly.

“Wait till noon,” Qi Chenglin replied while placing the lunchboxes into a tote bag. Taking the bag with one hand while holding Ruan Danchen’s hand in the other, they went into the dining room for breakfast.

Qi Chenglin smiled deeply and continued, “Come up earlier this afternoon.”

…

…

Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen arrived at the company in the morning. Ruan Danchen went to the design department before Qi Chenglin used the elevator to reach the top floor.

A few colleagues who worked in the secretary room exited the crowded staff elevator and saw Qi Chenglin carrying a tote bag with what seemed to be lunchboxes inside it.

A female colleague asked with glittering eyes, “General manager, are these lunchboxes of love made by your wife?”

Qi Chenglin choked in response to the question. There was absolutely no way he would admit to outsiders that he made all these. It would bring the impression that he was actually a henpecked husband who even became a househusband in the morning.

Thus, Qi Chenglin nodded without feeling guilty. He even looked blankly inscrutable as he straightened his tie.

“My wife treats me well with meticulous care,” Qi Chenglin replied solemnly without any guilty conscience.

“General manager is really blessed.”

“General Manager Qi’s wife is very virtuous.”

Qi Chenglin stood proud and straight when endless compliments came rushing toward him and overwhelmed him. They could even visualize his pride as he returned to his office.

Qi Chenglin initially wanted to place the lunchboxes on the table to show off, but on second thought, these were not made by his wife after all. What if he boasted a little too much and embarrassed himself in the end?

Thus, Qi Chenglin placed the lunchboxes in a small refrigerator in his office silently.

…

…

Qi Chenglin’s trick worked like a charm as Ruan Danchen was physically present in the design department for the whole morning, but mentally, her heart stayed with Qi Chenglin.

Moreover, Ruan Danchen was considered an idler in the design department at present. The only reason why she insisted on working was because of her reluctance in loafing at home and become disjointed with society. At least she could keep up with the times despite being a layabout at work so that she would not run out of topics to talk about with Qi Chenglin when they returned home.

Approximately eleven o’clock in the morning, Ruan Danchen received a phone call from Jiang Yuan.

Why would Jiang Yuan contact Ruan Danchen? The curious Ruan Danchen accepted the phone call and heard Jiang Yuan said, “Madam, the general manager is free at the moment. There’s no business discussion with clients or meetings to attend.”

In conclusion, the general manager was bored to death and waiting for Ruan Danchen to save his life.

“…” Even though Ruan Danchen’s intelligence was deteriorating recently, she could understand the meaning behind Jiang Yuan’s statement. “I’m heading up now.”

Ruan Danchen packed her belongings and took her bag before leaving the design department while muttering to herself. Why did Qi Chenglin ask Jiang Yuan to convey his message when he could just call her personally?

It was not lunchtime yet when Ruan Danchen reached the top floor. Everyone was busy at work and Ruan Danchen could even see someone running off with documents from time to time.

Even so, everyone would stop and greet Ruan Danchen when they met. “Madam, we saw the general manager carrying home-packed meals today.”

“Madam prepared home-packed meals for the general manager despite your busy schedule. You’re a good wife.”

“Your relationship with the general manager is very stable.”

“Lunchboxes of love!”

“…” Ruan Danchen knew Qi Chenglin all too well; she figured Qi Chenglin must have been too embarrassed to admit that he was the one preparing home-packed meals for her.

Ruan Danchen did not debunk her husband’s lies out of sincere love, so she smiled and nodded in response. Since it was virtuous of her to prepare home-packed meals for her husband, she protected her husband’s reputation in public was considered an act of virtue too.

A virtuous and kind wife—that summed up Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen responded to all the compliments with a gentle and polite smile as she headed for Qi Chenglin’s office. Upon entering the office, Qi Chenglin stood up immediately and brought her to rest on the couch.

There were a few additions of cushion pads on the couch that were absent before this.

“I’ve heard that pregnant women get lower backache easily, so these are for you to support your back,” Qi Chenglin explained while placing one cushion pad behind Ruan Danchen’s lower back.

Frankly speaking, Ruan Danchen’s pregnancy had not reached the stage where backache became common. She could hardly feel the fetus’s presence in her womb at the moment other than the recent excessive vomiting. Lower back pain would only start to get worse with enlarging uterus at the late stage of pregnancy.

However, Ruan Danchen did not correct Qi Chenglin’s mistake since this was his act of kindness and love after all. Moreover, she felt comfortable with the cushion pad supporting her back.

“Are you tired? Do you want to take a short nap?” Qi Chenglin asked solicitously after recalling the torment he inflicted on Ruan Danchen last night. He was worried that it might be the last time Ruan Danchen helped him to release his sexual tension with her hand.

Ruan Danchen pouted in response; she knew Qi Chenglin all too well.

However, Ruan Danchen was unwilling to argue with Qi Chenglin as she glanced at his handsome face, so she sighed and leaned closer to him. Then, she rested her head on Qi Chenglin’s thigh after yawning. “Wake me up later.”

Qi Chenglin agreed happily.

Ruan Danchen merely buried her face into Qi Chenglin’s firm lower abdomen instead of actually falling asleep. There was no need for her to worry about staining Qi Chenglin’s shirt with her makeup since she did not apply any ever since her pregnancy. Inhaling the fragrance emitted from Qi Chenglin that made her feel secure, she closed her eyes and pretended to fall asleep.

When it was about time to have lunch, Ruan Danchen woke up automatically without needing Qi Chenglin to call her. Qi Chenglin’s heart melted and fought the urge to laugh at the sight of the drowsy Ruan Danchen who had a red mark on her cheek due to pressure exertion upon lying down. He rubbed the red mark on her face slowly and gently before heading for the refrigerator to heat up the home-packed meals.

A savory aroma wafted into the office when Qi Chenglin returned with the meals later.

Ruan Danchen’s eyes lit up with anticipation. It was good enough to swallow the food prepared by Qi Chenglin, and there was never such a fragrant scent before this.

Ruan Danchen’s anticipation gave Qi Chenglin joy as he thought that all the hard work was not all for nothing. The only thing left to worry at the current moment was her lack of appetite and the possibility of vomiting.

Qi Chenglin placed the lunchboxes in front of Ruan Danchen and opened them. All of them were Ruan Danchen’s current favorite—sweet and sour in flavor. Even though there were frequent episodes of emesis recently, she craved for sweet and sour food and had quite a good appetite for them.

Ruan Danchen tasted each and every food before smiling happily. They were not exquisitely delicious, but the taste was enough to give her thrills of joy. Ruan Danchen did not have high expectations of the current meal Qi Chenglin prepared when she recalled the food he cooked last time ended up being a paste. Surprisingly, this meal was an absolute success which was beyond her expectations.

“Delicious,” Ruan Danchen praised her man which sent him into high spirits.

Ruan Danchen’s lips were smeared with oil, but Qi Chenglin did not use a tissue paper to wipe them clean. Instead, he leaned forward and licked the oil off her lips before replying with a deep and husky voice accompanied with a smile, “My cooking skill isn’t so bad after all.”

“I didn’t see you cook before this, so since when did your cooking skills improve?” Ruan Danchen gulped down the food happily. To be honest, her main purpose was to express her gratitude and motivate him so that he would put in effort persistently.

Qi Chenglin’s ears were flushed pink. His gaze which was penetrating and imposing toward outsiders was now drifting without the usual temperament. Then, he answered after a few moments of hesitation, “I only know how to cook these at the moment.”

Ruan Danchen understood him immediately; Qi Chenglin basically mastered only a few dishes.

This meal ended with great satisfaction. Ruan Danchen wiped her mouth with a piece of tissue paper before planting a kiss on Qi Chenglin’s lips. “My dear husband, how sweet of you to cook these so well. When you want… to release your tension, I… I’ll help you.”

Qi Chenglin’s eyes lit up brightly after listening to Ruan Danchen. She figured it was unwise to promise him simply and added her terms and conditions quickly. “Only once per night. It’s unhealthy to release it multiple times a day.”

Ruan Danchen’s lips twitched as she squeezed her wrist in grievance. “My hand will be sore.”

Qi Chenglin’s heart melted immediately after seeing Ruan Danchen’s pitiful expression. He took her hand quickly and started massaging it gently and cautiously. “Still sore right now?”

“I feel better right now, but the sore was excruciating in the morning and I nearly dropped my chopsticks too.” Ruan Danchen had decided to use her left hand to help him released his sexual tension in the future during her breakfast just now.

Even so, Qi Chenglin massaged Ruan Danchen’s wrist seriously.

The massage continued until Ruan Danchen said, “Eat your lunch quickly. You were just staring at me without eating just now.”

Ruan Danchen tested the food to make sure they were still warm before letting Qi Chenglin take the lunchboxes and started eating.

Qi Chenglin gulped down all the leftovers in a blink of an eye until there was nothing left.

Qi Chenglin woke up very early in the morning just to prepare a meal for Ruan Danchen, and he only had leftovers as his lunch in the end. Ruan Danchen felt a stinging in her nose as this sad thought struck her, figuring that her man really lived a difficult life.

Ruan Danchen wiped the tears that threatened to come out from the corner of her eyes and planted a kiss again on Qi Chenglin’s stuffed cheek due to his full mouth.

After that, Qi Chenglin went to clean the lunchboxes. He instructed Ruan Danchen to take her nap in the office and return to the design department only after she had rested enough.

Initially, Qi Chenglin went through the whole morning leisurely, but work came rushing toward him all of a sudden in the evening. There was a lot on his plate which was a huge contrast with the idling in the morning.

When it was almost time to get off work, Ruan Danchen received a call from Qi Chenglin stating that the meeting was not over yet. It was obvious that Qi Chenglin excused himself after taking a peek at the time and came out to report the situation to Ruan Danchen while they were still in the middle of the meeting.

“I’ve no idea when the meeting will end so don’t wait for me. Don’t starve yourself, just go home and have dinner with Youxuan first,” Qi Chenglin said. Ruan Danchen could even hear the exhaustion in his voice through the phone.

The meeting had been going on for over two hours. There appeared to be some critical and emergency situations in Chang City which required both Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengzhi’s immediate attention, and they must come out with a conclusion after the discussion on the same day.

Ruan Danchen was aware that her presence would just make Qi Chenglin worried, so she agreed to his instruction.

…

…

Ruan Danchen returned home but did not consume much food during her dinner. She was not really hungry after eating a lot of food during lunch as an encouragement to Qi Chenglin.

Ruan Danchen was having doubt at the moment. Was her enlarging abdomen due to the growing fetus or merely having too much food?

Regardless, Ruan Danchen finished her dinner in a hurry and cleaned the food container before giving Jiang Yuan a phone call. Then, she was told that Qi Chenglin was still in the meeting.

“Did he have his dinner?” Ruan Danchen asked.

“Not yet. They thought everything would be settled quickly, but there was no conclusion yet even until this hour. I just asked the secretary to order food delivery right before you called me, but it was dinner rush hour right now. Every restaurant in B City, no matter the reputation, is having long queues at the moment and God knows when the food will be delivered to us,” Jiang Yuan explained.

“Alright, I’ll bring dinner to him personally,” Ruan Danchen figured that it would be faster for her to depart from Prestige Residences to Qilin than to wait for food delivery from the restaurants.

Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengzhi were picky eaters who definitely could not tolerate foods from those small restaurants, and Dynasty certainly could not save them from their urgent needs too. Moreover, the other colleagues who worked overtime in Qilin at the current moment would not order food delivery from Dynasty.

Ruan Danchen was fully aware of the nearby restaurants’ standards that prepared food of only decent taste. Restaurants with slightly better food qualities, on the other hand, would be too crowded without any hope for drastic food deliveries from them.

Thus, Ruan Danchen hung up the phone call and called Song Yu afterward to explain the situation and asked if she needed to bring two dinner sets—one for Qi Chengzhi as well.

Song Yu might deliver dinner to Qi Chengzhi too, which was exactly why Ruan Danchen wanted to ask in advance, or else there would be too much food if she delivered two dinner sets directly without prior questioning. Fortunately, Ruan Danchen inquired Song Yu beforehand, because Song Yu was about to leave the house to deliver food to Qi Chengzhi at the moment.

Thus, without further delay, Ruan Danchen filled the food container quickly. Then, she instructed the child to do his homework at home before leaving the house.

However, the kid chased after Ruan Danchen and held onto her shirt firmly. “Mom, I want to go too.”

Ruan Danchen lowered her gaze and asked, “Are you done with your homework?”

“There isn’t much homework today and I’ve completed them in school. I can bring my book for revision,” the kid answered, reluctant to stay at home alone.

Ruan Danchen gave this some thought before agreeing to his plea.

There was no one at the reception and only security guards were present at the main entrance when Ruan Danchen and the kid arrived at Qilin. This was because only a few related personnel were working overtime and most of them worked in the upper management; whereas the rest of the staff had left the company a long time ago.

Ruan Danchen was wearing a pair of flat shoes, and the kid walked silently like a ninja too. All of a sudden, they heard footsteps at their tails.

Then, someone called out to them from behind. “Danchen!”

Ruan Danchen relaxed immediately and turned around to see Song Yu walking toward them with a bag in her hand.

“Since Chengyue is in mid-pregnancy period, they didn’t ask Dongge to work overtime and let him accompany Chengyue at home instead,” said Song Yu as she walked toward them.

Qi Chengyue took maternity leave from this month onward to rest at home. Even though there were four months left until the expected date of delivery, the elders at home were taking extreme precautions to avoid any potential accidents to Qi Chengyue’s pregnancy. Qi Chengyue did not insist on working too and was enjoying her rest at home in peace at the moment.

Ruan Danchen and Song Yu went up and passed the dinner to Jiang Yuan without disturbing their husbands. It was obvious that Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengzhi planned to have their dinner while continuing the meeting.

Suddenly, the door to the meeting room opened just when they were about to leave. Then, Qi Chengzhi and Qi Chenglin walked out of the room together.

They were pleasantly surprised upon seeing Ruan Danchen and Song Yu.

“Why did you guys come?” Qi Chenglin walked over immediately and stroked Ruan Danchen’s already smooth and neat hair habitually with his long fingers.

Qi Chenglin complained despite his exhilaration. “I thought I asked you to rest at home?”

“I missed you and worried that you’ll have your dinner late. Are you done with your meeting?” Ruan Danchen squinted in satisfaction and comfort when Qi Chenglin massaged her scalp with his long fingers.

“Not yet, we’re just out to get some air. We figured dinner should be delivered soon so we’ll continue the meeting after our stomachs are full,” Qi Chenglin’s voice sounded soft but tiring.

The Qi brothers intended to continue the meeting while having their dinner but decided against it after noticing the exhaustion on everyone’s face.

“The meeting is ending soon. There’s still a little bit left to discuss, then everything will be settled.” Qi Chenglin took a glance at the time before taking Ruan Danchen and the kid back to his office. “We’re taking a forty-five minutes break.”

Qi Chengzhi brought Song Yu along to Qi Chenglin’s office for dinner since his office was nearer to the meeting room. That way, they could continue their discussion while having dinner together.

Even though the kid had taken his dinner which mainly comprised of greens, he still felt hungry due to lack of proteins and fats in his digestive system. Thus, he stared at the food both Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengzhi were munching on with saliva pooling in his mouth.

Ruan Danchen brought some pre-cut fruits for Qi Chenglin as desserts initially, but after noticing the gluttony in the kid’s expression, she took it out to satisfy the kid’s cravings.

Even though Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengzhi were having their business discussion, they wanted their wives to accompany them by their sides. Thus, the ladies sat beside them and chit-chatting softly without disturbing their husbands.

Qi Chenglin’s office had a pleasant and soothing ambiance initially, but all of it was destroyed when there was a sudden argument outside the office.

Qi Chengzhi frowned. “What’s going on?”

The kid’s big round eyes blinked in curiosity and without fear.

Song Yu gestured Ruan Danchen to sit while she went to take a look at the commotion. Then, the door opened to Wu Qiaoyin confronting Jiang Yuan outside the office. Jiang Yuan was blocking Wu Qiaoyin’s attempt to barge into the office while calling the security guards.

They could even hear Jiang Yuan’s particularly cold and annoyed tone when Song Yu opened the door. “Come up and show Miss Wu the way out. What’s wrong with you guys? The upper management is very busy working overtime for a meeting today, and yet you allowed outsiders to barge in and cause further trouble. If you can’t perform such a simple task, then you may as well quit this job.”

Wu Qiaoyin ignored the fact that Jiang Yuan was on a phone call and protested in grievance. “How can you say so? I’m not here to cause trouble! I know Big Brother Qi, you saw me when I came here with my mom last time, so how can you defame me? Let me in, how can you stop me?”

The impatient Jiang Yuan hung up the phone call. When he was about to shove Wu Qiaoyin to the ground floor, Song Yu opened the door.

Wu Qiaoyin’s eyes lit up immediately. “Big Sister Song, it’s me. I… I knew Big Brother Qi is working overtime tonight, so I brought dinner for him. I made them at home myself.”

Wu Qiaoyin lifted up the bag in her hand happily.

Song Yu could not help but rolled her eyes in front of Wu Qiaoyin.

Who did she refer to as Big Sister Song, their relationship was not that close!

Wu Qiaoyin was not even coveting Song Yu’s husband, and yet Song Yu felt disgusted when Wu Qiaoyin referred to her as Big Sister Song. How disgusted would Ruan Danchen feel when Wu Qiaoyin referred to her as Big Sister Ruan?

“Sorry, who are you? I don’t recognize you, so there’s no need to greet me with such affection,” Song Yu replied harshly.

Jiang Yuan spoke to Song Yu immediately, “I’ll take her down now.”

Song Yu nodded and attempted to close the door without any intention in inviting Wu Qiaoyin into the office.

A light bulb went on in Wu Qiaoyin’s head as she bypassed Jiang Yuan in a flash and slammed her hand onto the door frame with great force until blood drained from the tips of her fingers.

Qi Chenglin nearly choked after listening to Wu Qiaoyin just now.

Ruan Danchen gazed scornfully at Qi Chenglin. “Looks like someone will get the benefit if I didn’t deliver dinner tonight.”

“No such thing! I won’t even let her pass through the door. If it wasn’t for the fact that I don’t want to get near her, I’ll take her dinner and throw it into the rubbish bin in front of her.”

Qi Chenglin’s harsh statement broke Wu Qiaoyin’s heart. She wept and said, “Big Brother Qi, I’m merely delivering dinner to you, I didn’t mean anything else. How can you…are you really that disgusted when I’m just delivering food to you? I’m just trying to be kind since you must be exhausted after working overtime, plus the restaurants around here aren’t hygienic too…”

The kid took a glance at Wu Qiaoyin before feeding a strawberry to Ruan Danchen. “Mom, I love you!”

Ruan Danchen felt like she had just consumed a mouthful of love when she ate the strawberry in the kid’s hand with a smile.

Ruan Danchen and the kid’s actions induced discomfort in Qi Chenglin, so he stood up and walked toward the door personally.

Wu Qiaoyin forgot to react completely and instead, she fixed her gaze on Qi Chenglin’s handsome face.

Qi Chenglin had been working for a whole day and involved himself in a meeting for a long period of time. As a result, exhaustion was written all over his face but it brought a different sense of charm with his maturity, which made Wu Qiaoyin drunk in love.

“My wife loves me dearly. What need do I have for you? I’d rather let myself starve to death then let you dote on me.” Qi Chenglin shot her a merciless glance, with his eyes filled with evil intentions.

Wu Qiaoyin did not look at him. Her heart shattered to pieces after hearing her Big Brother Qi’s heartless words.

“Are you leaving, or not?” Qi Chenglin asked coldly.

Wu Qiaoyin shook her head and presented the lunchbox. “I… I’ll leave, but Big Brother Qi, please keep this. It’s from the heart. I made it myself.”

Qi Chenglin seemed oblivious to what she said. He simply asked, “You’re really not leaving?”

“If… If you don’t accept this, then I won’t leave.” Wu Qiaoyin shuddered at the door like a little white flower. Her expression however, remained steadfast, and in that steadfastness was also a look of weakness, as if she was pitiable.

“Hehe,” Qi Chenglin’s laugh was a happy one that came from the heart.

Without saying anything further, he turned and slammed the door. Wu Qiaoyin scarcely imagined that Qi Chenglin would act so quickly despite smiling so genuinely earlier. She was completely unable to react at all.

Her hand was still placed on the door frame, so the door slammed painfully against her hand.

Qi Chenglin did not need to exert any energy. The malicious glimmer in his eyes was actually lying in wait for her refusal to leave, after which he would then have a reason to slam the door in her face.

Since she could not understand his words and actions, the only option left was to scare her.

Qi Chenglin had decided to leave the worst impression in Wu Qiaoyin so she would shudder at the sight of him and her infatuation would no longer manifest itself.

The sound of Wu Qiaoyin’s scream greeted his ear. It was so piercingly loud that it seemed capable of transmitting to the floor above. Qi Chenglin’s face brightened up—to him, her scream was practically the most wonderful thing to greet his ears.

Wu Qiaoyin was in so much pain that she did not care about anything else. She retracted her hand immediately and could feel that her four fingers were no longer in her control. She did not dare to move them, and the searing pain made her entire body tremble.

As she brought the injured hand to eye-level, she saw how it did not take much effort—if any at all—to make her fingertips turn reddish-purple. Each one of them was swollen, like a radish.

Wu Qiaoyin was afraid to touch her fingers. She merely raised her hand while howling and wailing. Tears and mucus were streaming down her face and she was completely unable to bear the pain.

The lunchbox she held in her good hand dropped to the ground, with the cover cracking open and the contents spilling out. It was a miserable sight.

Wu Qiaoyin did not care about how she looked anymore. She was already in so much pain that she could not even stand up. Falling onto the floor with a thud, she cried and wailed.

When the door slammed onto Wu Qiaoyin’s hand earlier, it bounced back. Qi Chenglin was still standing at the door. He cocked a brow, and looked heartless, so much so that he even sounded like he was reveling in her misfortune. He said crisply and gleefully, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see your hand on the door frame. How could you be so careless? Even little kids know that it’s not right to put it there.”

Wu Qiaoyin shuddered and cried. She gasped for air and said, “I… I… I…”

“Aren’t you going to bring Miss Wu away?” Qi Chenglin shot a look at Jiang Yuan. Qi Chenglin’s face was all along unemotive, and it was rare that a hint of deviousness appeared in his expression.

Jiang Yuan understood at once and began dragging Wu Qiaoyin out of the main entrance.

Wu Qiaoyin cried in pain and was completely unable to straighten her back, leaving it to remain like a prawn. Her silky-soft hair drooped over her shoulders and down the front of her body, shielding her face.

As she walked, her hair was tousled, making her look like a lunatic. Those tears soiled her makeup too. Beneath all the hair sticking to her face was a black smudge of makeup, turning her fair-skinned face into a frightening monstrosity that was not unlike a black dahlia.

Jiang Yuan let go of her and stopped holding her up. He watched as Wu Qiaoyin swayed as if she was going to tumble over.

In a voice that was loud enough for bystanders to hear, he said, “Sigh, why bother, Miss Wu? Our general manager has his wife to take care of him. Why must you come over and insist on sending food? Your hand was clipped by the door, yes? Don’t do this again in the future. You’re only injuring yourself by coming here.”

Jiang Yuan cleared his throat and said sincerely, “Our general manager really didn’t mean to do it on purpose. Is the injury bad? How about I give Mr. and Mrs. Wu a call and let them send you to the hospital?”

He refrained from offering to bring her to the hospital.

It was no joke that he still had to work overtime. If the general manager did not leave, he—as the general manager’s assistant—could not leave as well. He could not just skip his duties.

Wu Qiaoyin’s mind was no longer functioning properly. She could feel that Jiang Yuan’s voice was coming in continuous waves, but they went in one ear and went out the other. Those words were heard, but not understood.

Next, there came a raucousness from all around. Slowly but surely, she heard the discussion going on beside her.

“Did she try to be a mistress and was beaten up by the rightful partner instead?”

“Didn’t you hear the young man? The man doesn’t like her in the first place. The rightful partner doesn’t even need to do anything. The man could just hit her like that.”

“Yeah, sounds like it’s an accident, but I think it’s on purpose.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, the couple is on very good terms with each other and can’t tolerate other people butting in. This lady is so young, but she’s already learning all the bad things. She insists on being a homewrecker. Does it make you happy to do such an immoral thing?”

“This is a problem that has to do with family values. If the family did their part and taught her well, she wouldn’t have done such a thing.”

Wu Qiaoyin could only feel her brain fill with blood and turn giddy. As she listened to what the surrounding people were saying, she thought, ‘What do you know!’

‘All these old ladies with nothing to do except to criticize people. What does it have to do with them!’

She then came to a sudden realization of what Jiang Yuan said earlier. She looked up suddenly and glared at him.

Those words all sounded nice, but in truth, it was blatant smearing of her reputation in public! “Don’t think I don’t know that!”

Jiang Yuan was slightly taken aback by her viciousness, but after taking two steps back, he put on an earnest look and said, “Miss Wu, our general manager’s son is afraid of you. He’s only seven. Please don’t always come looking for him. He says that you put a lot of pressure on him and it makes him feel scared.”

Jiang Yuan felt that Qi Youxuan would not mind him making that statement.

After that sentence, murmurs were heard once again.

“Ah, so she used the child as a vessel for her intentions.”

“What the hell? Harming other people’s children! Those who lay their hands on children have the worst heart!”

Gao Xiaoyang originally heard about an incident at Chang City and came just to take a look. To her surprise, she was faced with that spectacle when she arrived at Qilin’s door.

Gao Xiaoyang’s eyes lit up instantly since their newspaper also had an entertainment news department!

It must surely be someone in their circle if that person dared to come over and try to be Qi Chenglin’s mistress.

Chang Jingqiu did the same thing in the past, did she not?

Although the woman was unidentifiable due to tear-smudged mascara and long hair stuck to her face, Gao Xiaoyang felt that the girl was surely someone of status.

If it could make the news, it did not matter if it was a topic that she was responsible for. It would still be good if she passed it to her colleague in exchange for a future favor.

Just as she stumbled upon some newsworthy gossip, her colleagues at the entertainment news department might someday stumble upon some financial news!

Moreover, those in the entertainment news department had vast connections. They knew all sorts of people and there was no drawback whatsoever in establishing a relationship with them.

Gao Xiaoyang thus took out her cell phone and opened the video recorder. From time to time, she would even take pictures from different angles. She then shuffled over to Jiang Yuan’s side and said, “Special Assistant Jiang, may I ask who is this?”

Jiang Yuan realized it was Gao Xiaoyang and felt that she was a very persevering journalist. She phoned him every day to arrange a meeting with Qi Chenglin, and at times, she would even pay a personal visit to ask various questions and check whether there were any appropriate times to conduct an interview.

He was not the only one she called. During a gathering between himself, Cheng Dongge, and assistants of Yan Beicheng and his circle, he found out that she called each of them once a day, giving all of them equal treatment.

Jiang Yuan heard that Gao Xiaoyang was Ruan Danchen’s high school classmate, and although the two women did not have too close a relationship, they still got along pretty well. Despite that, she never attempted to burden Ruan Danchen by trying to get the latter’s help in things.

Jiang Yuan regarded Gao Xiaoyang as someone with good character.

It was not a bad thing to make new friends professionally and give oneself more options in the future.

Seeing her resplendent gaze, Jiang Yuan knew what she wanted to do and felt that it was very doable.

Special Assistant Jiang’s expression turned warm as he answered Gao Xiaoyang, “This is Wu Qiaoyin, or Miss Wu.”

As a reporter who specialized in finance, she knew of those big bosses’ families. “Ohhhhh…” she answered immediately to show that she understood.

“May I ask what exactly happened, from start to beginning?” Gao Xiaoyang stared at Wu Qiaoyin.

Knowing that Wu Qiaoyin was trying to interfere in Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen’s marriage, Gao Xiaoyang raised her voice instead of quieting down. She was determined to use all her resources to get one back for Ruan Danchen.

Jiang Yuan was a smart man who got it immediately. In a loud voice, he recounted every single thing in precise detail.

Wu Qiaoyin was surrounded by hordes and hordes of people. She could not step out, and all she was able to do was stand there to be horribly denounced by strangers.

In addition, her hands were hurting very terribly. She swayed and struggled to stand upright, let alone walk. All she felt was her brain turning fuzzy as if she was going to collapse at any moment.

The crowd was already aware of what happened. A group of women, aged twenty to fifty, came over to show their disdain and spoke unpleasantly of Wu Qiaoyin.

“Hey! Girls! Can we talk!” Gao Xiaoyang noticed a group of students—still clad in their high-school uniform—shooting everything with their cellphones. She left Jiang Yuan and went over.

The girl turned around while still raising her phone up. She looked curiously at Gao Xiaoyang and heard the latter ask, “Can you please don’t post this up just yet?”

Through disheveled hair, Wu Qiaoyin saw Gao Xiaoyang’s actions and felt grateful that there were still kind people out there.

In the end though, her thoughts had yet to properly materialize when she heard Gao Xiaoyang say, “Can you wait till the headline appears tonight before posting it on the web?”

Since it was of no detriment to the girl, she happily agreed.

At that point, Wu Qiaoyin looked resentfully at Gao Xiaoyang and merely stopped short of vomiting blood.

Jiang Yuan fancied himself as an exceptionally good person. Although Wu Qiaoyin was crass, he did not stoop to her level and phoned Wu Chuanshu. “Director Wu, yes, hello. I’m Jiang Yuan, Qi Chenglin’s assistant.”

“…”

Jiang Yuan was smiling ever kindlier as he held the phone. “Well, here’s the thing. General Manager Qi is working overtime tonight. Miss Wu knew about it and wanted to send him some food, but when our general manager showed her the door, he accidentally put pressure on Miss Wu’s hand. She’s currently in pain and can’t walk. I have to work overtime too, so it’s not appropriate for me to leave. How about you send someone over to fetch her?”

“…”

Jiang Yuan then hung up happily.

Gao Xiaoyang wrapped up her video-taking and followed Jiang Yuan. “Special Assistant Jiang, about Chang City…”

“It’s settled. As for the specific means, please check tomorrow.” Jiang Yuan smiled and left.

Gao Xiaoyang pouted and decided that she should first build rapport with her colleagues from the entertainment news division.

…

At the other end, Qi Chenglin—who dealt with Wu Qiaoyin by himself and inflicted such damage to Wu Qiaoyin’s soft, delicate, and injury-free hand—felt incredibly happy as opposed to feeling heartbroken.

Qi Chenglin closed the door and straightened his suit before walking back handsomely. He earned looks of adulation from Ruan Danchen and Qi Youxuan.

His wife and child’s utter satisfaction with his actions made the little person in Qi Chenglin’s heart tremble excitedly, making the man himself stand even more proudly.

“She interrupted our meal. Come eat, quick. It’s gonna be cold.” Ruan Danchen waved at him and smiled beautifully.

Qi Chenglin returned the smile and sat back down.

The little boy’s eyes glimmered. “Dad, you’re amazing!”

Although it was not the first time he received praise from his son, it was the first time that Qi Chenglin felt incredibly proud. His handsome face became even more captivating.

“As a husband, I have to make my wife feel reassured.” Qi Chenglin’s heart was overflowing with pride, but on the surface, he spoke very calmly.

Qi Youxuan nodded with full of praise.

…

Bystanders were soon growing tired of scolding Wu Qiaoyin since it was all centered around that one issue anyway. Everyone was rushing home, so the crowd dispersed.

Wu Qiaoyin sat at the roadside near Qilin’s entrance. She buried her head in her arms and cried mournfully.

She cried until Wu Chuanshu arrived. He did not even bring his driver because his family’s ugly public spectacle would be a source of embarrassment.

“GET UP!” Wu Chuanshu stood before Wu Qiaoyin and felt only anger after seeing how she was crying.

Of all the terrible things she did, she just had to degrade herself by wanting to become a mistress. Was that something to be proud of?

She was the one who brought it on herself and still had the decency to cry!

Wu Qiaoyin raised her wretched face. It was as if she saw someone to rely on when she saw Wu Chuanshu. “DADDY!”

“You still have the decency to cry? GET UP!” Wu Chuanshu got even angrier when he noticed that passers-by were looking in their direction. He grabbed Wu Qiaoyin’s arm and pulled her up, and it just so happened that the arm he held was Wu Qiaoyin’s injured hand.

“OWW! DADDY!” Wu Chuanshu shrieked.

It was then that Wu Chuanshu noticed her purplish-red fingers.

“What’s this?” Wu Chanshu glanced briefly at it and suppressed his anger. “Go up the car first.”

After helping Wu Qiaoyin into the car, Wu Chuanshu was furious. He was reminded of what Jiang Yuan told him, that Wu Qiaoyin’s fingers were clipped by the door.

Wu Chanshu huffed angrily. Wu Qiaoyin’s head should have been clipped by the door!

As he drove to the hospital, Wu Qiaoyin began wailing and telling everything.

“I was being kind. I heard about what happened at Chang City and I knew he would be very busy, so I brought some food that I made myself for him. Who knew…” Wu Qiaoyin was in so much pain that her voice was faltering. Time and again, she inhaled sharply, letting Wu Chuanshu feel as though she might experience shortness of breath.

Wu Chuanshu was raging, but seeing his daughter’s radish-like fingertips made him bear with it all for the time being.

To his surprise, Wu Qiaoyin continued rambling, “If it wasn’t for Ruan Danchen, Big Brother Qi wouldn’t have refused my cooking! She’s nothing but a jealous woman who controls Big Brother Qi so strictly. She doesn’t even allow it if we interact normally. Big Brother Qi is married and I know I don’t have a chance, but so what if I just want to be friends with him? I want what’s best for Big Brother Qi. I’m willing to sacrifice this by not taking him away from her, but she’s the one that’s not compromising. She even made her son tell lies and badmouth about me. And today she came and bullied me. She forced Big Brother Qi to send me off. Doesn’t Big Brother Qi have any right to make friends at all?”

“SHUT IT! Stop referring to him like that. He’s not even close with you. You don’t need to be so disgusting!” Wu Chuanshu could not imagine how a proper person like him was able to raise such an idiot daughter like Wu Qiaoyin.

Her actions, when shown in public, would do nothing more than cause them to be the butt of jokes!

She would not be only one embarrassed—he would be too!

“DADDY!” Wu Qiaoyin felt so aggrieved that her own father did not defend her.

Wu Chuanshu was irritated to no end. “Don’t think I’m unaware that you’re only plucking out the point-of-view that benefits you. Do you think people can’t see whether you really want to be purely friends? DO YOU THINK THEY’RE IDIOTS? Qi Chenglin’s son has already taught you a lesson but you still aren’t learning from it, are you? He doesn’t like you. Even if you want to be friends, you can’t go up and bother them if they don’t like you. And with the intentions you have, you think no one knows? As a father, I feel ASHAMED for you. You still want to throw away our families’ dignity and let others look down on us?”

Wu Chuanshu was so enraged that he could not stop himself from punching the steering wheel.

With one hand on the wheel, he pointed the other at Wu Qiaoyin, “STOP BEING DELUSIONAL. You aren’t fooling anyone, only yourself. Isn’t that right? ‘Just friends’?”

Wu Qiaoyin’s startled face prompted Wu Chuanshu to snicker. “Don’t even think about being ‘just friends’ in the future! BEHAVE!”

Wu Qiaoyin felt insulted and began crying. “Daddy, how could you do this to me!”

“What did I do? Qi Chenglin has plenty of friends, but why don’t I see him treating them the way he treats you? Why does he dislike you that much? You really think I’m stupid? You think you’re the smartest person in the world, don’t you?” Wu Chuanshu was seething with anger. He wanted nothing more than to cut open Wu Qiaoyin’s head and see what was inside!

“You never stood a chance anyway, and I never hoped for you to do anything that would elicit praise from others, as long as you behave and stop giving our family so much trouble. Is that really that hard for you to fulfill that request?” Wu Chuanshu pointed at her and did not give a damn that Wu Qiaoyin was crying so miserably.

If he were to care deeply about her, the family business would be in shambles because of her.

“I… How am I causing trouble for our family? I know you’ve always thought of me as useless, but I’m trying my best!” Wu Qiaoyin cried plaintively. “You’re my dad! How could you look down on me like this? How could you do this!”

The flustered and aggrieved Wu Qiaoyin fell forward.

Wu Chuanshu was a man who suffered much pressure in his work and had a bellyful of anger. Discussing business deals frequently caused him to suffer losses and be wronged, but he simply swallowed all of it down. He most certainly did not have the patience to straighten out Wu Qiaoyin.

Besides, he thought of Wu Qiaoyin as someone who was too obstinate. If talking things out really worked, she would long been talked out of it instead of reverting to her old ways as soon as she had been scolded.

Wu Chuanshu might as well skip the pleasantries with her. “Behave yourself and don’t look for Qi Chenglin ever again! Or any of his family members for that matter! If it’s a public event and you can’t avoid them, just say hi and don’t do anything else! Stop pestering the Qi family and don’t look for his son ever again!”

Wu Chanshu hated offending people. He simply wanted to vomit blood after seeing how Wu Qiaoyin was acting all wronged.

What was he going to do with such a moronic idiot in his family!

“If you still don’t accept this and keep going on with your idiotic stupidity, I’ll send you overseas! If you don’t behave, I won’t let you come back again!” Wu Chuanshu gritted his teeth in anger and was so enraged that his eyeballs were nearly going to pop out.

He managed to breathe a sigh of relief only when Wu Qiaoyin was shaking in her seat.

As he drove, he made a mental note to let Zhao Fengchun keep an eye on any suitable bachelors within the circle. If there was any suitable candidate, he would then wed her as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, Wu Chuanshu frowned, because Wu Qiaoyin’s stupid character might bring disaster to others. That would then lead to a feud. He came back to the country not to make enemies, so after some thought, he decided it was best to teach Wu Qiaoyin first before making a decision.

Wu Qiaoyin remained quiet there, seemingly behaving already. Deep down however, she was actually feeling indignant! What right did her father have to say that about her! Which part of her was less than human!

So be it if her father did not protect her and encourage her to pursue her true love, but he even looked down on her so despicably!

She did not realize that she was that useless of a person in her father’s eyes.

‘He… How could he demean me to that extent!

‘What did I do wrong?’

Wu Qiaoyin felt that her true love surpassed everything else! It was something both touching and inspirational!

Wu Chuanshu did not know that she was thinking along those lines. If he did, he might immediately change course and drive straight to a mental institution.

At the end of the day, Wu Chuanshu brought her to the hospital for an X-ray. Once it was confirmed that her bones were all okay, they applied medicine on it and bandaged it before dispensing some anti-inflammatory medication. After that, he pulled a long face and brought her home.

Back home, he lashed out at Zhao Fengchun for spoiling Wu Qiaoyin.

Zhao Fengchun could only nod with a straight face. Seeing her daughter’s fingers wrapped in thick bandages made her tear up.

“Mom, I… I’m the one who was wronged!” Wu Qiaoyin whispered to her mother only when it was the two of them in her room.

Zhao Fengchun closed her eyes in deep thought and patted Wu Qiaoyin’s shoulder to console the girl.

…

The next morning, Guan Liya donned her sportswear and was about to head out for her morning exercise. As she turned the corner past the Wu family’s villa, she saw Zhao Fengchun and Wu Qiaoyin exiting from the entrance.

Wu Qiaoyin raised her injured hand. The thick bandages were so eye-catching that Guan Liya could not pretend to not see it even if she wanted to.

The night before, her talkative grandson gave him a call and boasted about Qi Chenglin’s good deed.

Guan Liya was therefore well-acquainted with how Wu Qiaoyin got injured.

“Liya!” Zhao Fengchun greeted happily. “Such a coincidence! Going for your morning exercise?”

Guan Liya feigned coincidence and said, “Oh yes, such a coincidence. You guys woke up early.”

Zhao Fengchun saw the opportunity and took it. She immediately raised Wu Qiaoyin’s injured hand and showed Guan Liya. “Qiaoyin’s injured, so I have to bring her to the hospital to change her bandages. You have no idea how shocked I was when she came back. Her hand was completely unrecognizable. She was in so much pain that she cried and couldn’t sleep at night. She just laid down on the bed shivering. Later on, I gave her some painkillers from the doctor, but it didn’t have much of an effect. It was still very painful and she couldn’t sleep the entire night. Looking at her eyebags, I feel so heartbroken.

“You’ve seen her grow up. She’s not the kind who can endure such suffering.” Zhao Fengchun’s body leaned forward unwittingly. “Didn’t you hear any sound last night? That was all her cries. When our housekeeper went to buy vegetables this morning, she found out that everyone along this road heard it.”

The corner of Guan Liya’s mouth twitched. She began to really dislike Zhao Fengchun. Even though she never really thought that Zhao Fengchun was outrageous in the past. She did not know whether Zhao Fengchun changed drastically, or whether she used to be outrageous in the past herself, as that would then lead the two of them to click and be able to hold a conversation. Maybe that was why she thought Zhao Fengchun was a good friend back then.

“I didn’t hear it at all,” Guan Liya smiled on the outside. “We don’t usually go out at night either, and the soundproofing in our house is very good.”

“Hehe,” Zhao Fengchun felt that Guan Liya was playing dumb.

Guan Liya felt that Zhao Fengchun and Wu Qiaoyin were annoying her, so she decided not to be so passive. She said, “Chenglin called me and told me everything last night. I told him off for doing something so careless when he’s already an adult. It’s such a shame that he slammed the door on Qiaoyin’s tender hands.”

Guan Liya stepped forward and grabbed Wu Qiaoyin’s injured hand. “Is it still painful now?”

As she asked that, she put on a very caring expression and began poking the bandages.

“AGHHH!” As soon as Guan Liya’s finger landed on the bandage, Wu Qiaoyin let out a scream that was not unlike that of a pig going to the slaughterhouse. It sent waves of pain into Guan Liya’s ears.

She endured it although the shout made her face turn pale. It looked as though she was being worried about Wu Qiaoyin.

“What’s wrong?” Guan Liya touched Wu Qiaoyin’s hand. It was so painful that Wu Qiaoyin was shuddering incessantly. Tears streamed down like a broken tap, and she did not consider whether it was rude or not when she flung away Guan Liya’s hand. Her right hand held her left hand and she was in so much pain that she fell onto the floor and began crying.

“Oh dear, did… did I make it painful?” Guan Liya looked on helplessly and took one step forward as if wanting to take a look at Wu Qiaoyin.

Wu Qiaoyin shuddered in pain and shrieked, “DON’T COME NEAR ME! DON’T COME HERE! It’s painful… It’s too painful…”

“Oh dear, what are we going to do now?” Guan Liya remained where she was and was insistent on inflicting so much pain that Wu Qiaoyin could not walk.

Before their eyes, there were more and more people who came out for their morning exercise. Some of the housekeepers were holding baskets and were heading to buy breakfast, as well as rush to the market and the supermarket. People began increasing in number.

Everyone could not resist taking a look. People who lived there were usually reserved, so they did not crowd over them. Instead, they slowed their pace down as much as practicable so they can look longer if need be.

Those who brought their dog for a walk began walking only around that area.

“Ah, Qiaoyin! Auntie didn’t do it on purpose,” Guan Liya said nervously. Her voice was a bit loud, so those who pretended to just pass-by the place—and have, in fact, already circled them for God-knows-how-long—were sent into a frenzy and looked over in unison.

Guan Liya remained rooted where she was. Zhao Fengchun was completely exasperated and her eyes were seething with evil. Wu Qiaoyin may be stupid not to know what was going on, but Zhao Fengchun knew that Guan Liya did it on purpose!

She used to have such a good relationship with Guan Liya in the past, but in the end, Guan Liya fell out with her and even bullied her daughter in front of her!

Guan Liya however, was so courteous and so caring toward Wu Qiaoyin that no one could say a bad word about her. It was like a lump of blood was stuck in one’s throat.

Zhao Fengchun took a deep breath and did not want to make a fool out of herself in public. She helped Wu Qiaoyin up and said, “We’ll go to the hospital.”

“Yes, yes, yes! Go to the hospital!” Guan Liya exclaimed, but she did not move aside. “Oh, Qiaoyin, please be more careful next time.”

Wu Qiaoyin was shuddering and felt so much pain that she was going to collapse. At that point, she really wanted to give Guan Liya a resounding kick.

“Our Chenglin’s hands slipped, but next time, you shouldn’t stubbornly lay on his office door frame. It’s so dangerous!” Guan Liya advised sincerely. “You see, when Chenglin closed the door, he accidentally clipped your hand!”

Zhao Fengchun was so angry that she nearly fainted. Blood rushed to her brain and she rued not being able to drag Wu Qiaoyin up the car fast enough.

Guan Liya said those words on purpose!

None of the people around them were idiots. Guan Liya’s words enabled them to quickly deduce what had happened, even going so far as to embellish their perceived notion of events.

They did not reveal too much through their expression, but they were already looking at the mother-daughter duo with mockery and derision. Those who resided there were all legal wives; mistresses were all living at the ‘mistress side of town’.

Wanting to become a mistress was all fine and dandy since plenty of people within their circle had mistresses. There were all kinds of interference to a couple’s relationship, from younger women snatching men, to men snatching women. For them, it was a mutual desire to outdo one another.

With those in the older generation, their men kept mistresses and were coveted by even more younger women.

Smarter ones would not grovel in the dirt and become the subject of ridicule since those who wanted to become a mistress would only hit up those who were willing to take them as such. Wu Qiaoyin was different—Qi Chenglin did not want her at all, and even Qi Chenglin’s mother stood up for him and did not spare Wu Qiaoyin’s blushes.

Even if she offered herself to him, he still wanted to chase her out!

If her name was already so tarnished, what was her future going to be like?

Zhao Fengchun was embarrassed and angry at all the stares around her. Without bothering to be courteous and polite, she shielded Wu Qiaoyin and walked past Guan Liya without even saying goodbye.

Guan Liya did not mind that. When the two women got into the car and left, Guan Liya stretched her limbs and loosened her neck before beginning the slow jog.

…

Within those few days, Chang Zhiyuan’s skepticism toward Chang Jingqiu’s status affected him greatly. He was particularly willing to observe each of Chang Jingqiu’s movements. The more he scrutinized them, the more suspicious he became.

On that day, he arranged to meet with Lao Liang at the Red Roof Club. That was the venue of choice because it was secretive enough and did not simply let outsiders in.

For Chang Jingqiu at least, she could not enter the place because she had no membership card, unless they were really unlucky and she came in under someone else’s prestige. Chang Zhiyuan was confident though, that such a coincidence would not occur.

It was not the first time Lao Liang went there either. As one of the few top-class private investigators, many gentries requested for his services and arranged their meetings at the Red Roof Club.

Inside the room was only Lao Liang and Chang Zhiyuan. Lao Liang took out an envelope that did not look too thin.

Chang Zhiyuan opened the envelope without further ado and took out a stack of photos. There were not too many, so it could not be described as a thick stack, but all of them were on Chang Jingqiu’s latest movements.

Most of it, however, was that of Chang Jingqiu parking her car at Qilin.

Chang Zhiyuan found it odd. If Chang Jingqiu frequented Qilin that often, Lao Liang could have just told him that. Chang Zhiyuan could not possibly doubt what Lao Liang told him.

On closer inspection however, Chang Zhiyuan saw Ruan Danchen in the photograph.

Beside Ruan Danchen was Qi Chenglin, but he believed that Chang Jingqiu’s focus of attention was on Ruan Danchen.

Within the photographs, Ruan Danchen sometimes appeared in Qilin’s entrance, while at other times she passed by Chang Jingqiu’s Z4.

“I had someone tail her and noticed that every couple of days, she would go to Qilin’s entrance. She doesn’t do anything though. She just waits for Ruan Danchen and leaves once Ruan Danchen leaves. This week alone, she did that four times,” Lao Liang explained.

Chang Zhiyuan looked closely at Chang Jingqiu’s in-car expression. He did not know whether he was thinking too much because he was biased against her, but he had the feeling that he could see her resentment.

What did Chang Jingqiu seek to achieve by stationing herself at Qilin’s entrance every day? That resentful glance, could it be because she wanted to dispose of Ruan Danchen and ensure that no one else could expose her true status?

Chang Zhiyuan unwittingly found himself feeding a conspiracy theory. Deep within his heart, he had long disowned Chang Jingqiu as his niece.’

“These are all I’ve managed to find out recently, but other than that, there are a few personal matters that are slightly problematic. I’ll keep looking,” Lao Liang explained.

After some thought, he decided to divulge what he could. “I’ve looked into her bank account and noticed that there was quite some movement last month. She spent one-point-eight million alone on cheques. Eight-hundred-thousand was cashed in from J City, and the other one million from B City. On J City’s side, it was to an account by the name of Wang Lixia, but B City’s remained untraceable. Whoever was able to do this must have good resources.”

As soon as Chang Zhiyuan heard J City, his heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened. “Lao Liang, if you still remember, our Chang family used to live in J City. When she was brought to us as a baby, we were still at J City.

Lao Liang heard that and frowned slightly. He nodded and said, “I know. I’ll pay more attention to J City. From the way they took the money, they seem like normal people. It shouldn’t be a problem finding them.”

…

After bidding Lao Liang goodbye, Chang Zhiyuan was feeling dejected. He unwittingly drove his car to Grandfather Ruan’s house and looked up at the lit windows.

He noticed that pink paper was stuck onto manhole covers, while the character for ‘double happiness’ was pasted on the walls and the electric poles. After taking another look, he noticed that the ‘double happiness’ word was pasted on each door within Grandfather Ruan’s block.

It was then that he remembered Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen’s wedding, which was to be held the next day.

Many families received the invitations except for the Chang family. The reasons for that were well-known to everyone.

During the period when invitations were received, the Chang family was made the subject of veiled mockery by the other families.

That night, Ruan Danchen stayed at Grandfather Ruan’s place, as did Ruan Keshan and his family. Ruan Danchen had no elder brother, so Ruan Zeer would be tasked with carrying her the next morning.

At that point in time, she was watching television in the living room with Grandmother Ruan. There was not a shred of nervousness regarding her wedding the next day.

Ruan Danchen felt that there was nothing to be nervous about. After all, they were like an old couple—she had already gotten married to him long ago, and before they registered their marriage, they were already living under one roof for quite some time.

Nevertheless, the old Ruan couple were very content. They did not expect to see a day where they could witness their own granddaughter’s wedding ceremony.

It was enough for them even though Ruan Danchen had already gotten married.

“Where’s Zeer?” Grandmother Ruan looked all around and noticed that her grandson was nowhere to be seen.

Chen Minxia blushed and said awkwardly, “He’s working out in his room.”

The lad did not need to immerse himself in books, so when she sent some fruits over to Ruan Zeer, she wondered what her son was doing inside. When she finally went in, she saw that he placed his cell phone on top of a cell phone stand, and the entire setup was then placed on the table. Ruan Zeer was on the floor doing push-ups.

The phone was on a video call, with the fat little Qi Youxuan on the other end of the line. He was very focused on counting for Ruan Zeer.

“Why does he want to work out all of a sudden?” Grandmother Ruan mumbled while getting up from her seat. She headed to his bedroom to have a look.

Her grandson was a slim yet handsome young man with a personality that stood out prominently. Could he be thinking of training his body into a muscle man?

After knocking on the door, she heard her grandson’s voice panting from inside, “Come in.”

Grandmother Ruan went in to see her grandson catching his breath on the side of the bed. He held his phone in front of him and was speaking with Qi Youxuan.

Despite their age gap, they seemed to have much to talk about.

“Grandma.”

“Great-Grandma Ruan.”

Both kids greeted the old lady.

Grandmother Ruan gleefully acknowledged them and asked Ruan Zeer, “It’s so late. Why do you suddenly want to work out?”

“Uncle needs to carry Mom tomorrow, so we have to work out in advance!” the little boy said from the video chat.

“Oh dear, does working out for one night have any effect?” Grandmother Ruan looked at her grandson’s bony figure.

Ruan Zeer pulled him his sleeves and flexed his muscles. “There’s some muscle.”

Grandmother Ruan looked at those rather unnoticeable bulges and did not have the heart to put down her grandson. She looked at it and looked away, as she did not have the heart to look at it any longer.

“Uncle, how about you try it now? It’ll be good for you to try and lift Mom so you can know her weight. Just in case you’re not prepared for it and you can’t carry her tomorrow.” He appeared to suggest that his mother was heavy. It was quite embarrassing.

Ruan Zeer thought it was quite logical to do so. He nodded and handed the phone over to his grandmother without saying a word. The little boy voiced out his opinion, “Great-Grandma, please help to hold up the phone so I can see.”

Grandmother Ruan flipped the phone screen outward and followed Ruan Zeer out.

Ruan Zeer smiled bashfully at Ruan Danchen, making her smile back in some confusion. She placed her apple down and asked curiously, “What’s up?”

“Big Sis, how about I try and carry you up tonight?” Ruan Zeer blushed and asked.

Ruan Danchen regarded it as no big deal, so she agreed happily. She moved to the edge of the sofa and thought a bit before saying, “Is the sofa a bit too low? Is it a bit too troublesome?”

Ruan Zeer nodded, to which everyone returned to the bedroom once more. Ruan Danchen sat on top of the bed and waited for Ruan Zeer to crouch down.

“I’m going up now, get ready,” Ruan Danchen reminded.

Ruan Zeer nodded, but Ruan Danchen was still somewhat embarrassed. She said, “I’ve gained some weight because I’m pregnant.”

“It’s okay, your Lil’ Bro can do the job.” Ruan Zeer nodded earnestly at him.

Ruan Danchen took it a deep breath and tried to minimize her weight as much as possible before attempting to get onto Ruan Zeer’s back.

The handsome young lad’s face turned red immediately. She was heavy, and her weight made it hard for him to straighten his back.

Ruan Danchen could see that, so she coughed awkwardly. “Um, Zeer, if you can’t do it, you have to tell me. Last time, Song Yu let Qi Chengzhi carry her up. I can tell Chenglin to do the same for me.”

The handsome lad shook his head determinedly. “The bride’s family must carry you.”

Consequently, Ruan Zeer held in his breath and carried Ruan Danchen around the house. Having circled the house, success was within reach, so he finally released his breath.

With great effort, he brought her to the sofa. Ruan Keshan and Chen Minxia prudently, but immediately helped Ruan Danchen sit down. They were afraid that Ruan Zeer’s strength would not be insufficient, thus causing Ruan Danchen to fall or knock onto something.

Before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, he heard some raucousness from the phone.

“The boy doesn’t have enough strength!” Grandfather Qi’s voice resounded.

“How about parking the car at the entrance of the building? Even if you’re using the elevator, you still have to stand there for quite some time. Can you take it?” Qi Zhongxun’s voice was heard too.

“His slim arms and legs are worrying,” said Grandmother Qi.

“Uncle, how about you have a bit more to eat tomorrow morning?”

Ruan Zeer was thoroughly embarrassed to see the entire Qi family on the screen. At some point, they were all looking at him panting and gasping for air.

Ruan Danchen consoled embarrassedly, “Well, it’s all because I’ve put on weight.”

“You’re pregnant. Isn’t that supposed to happen?” Guan Liya asked. “I really can’t see the weight gain at all.”

“When Song Yu got married last year, her stomach was big already. Chengzhi still carried her without breaking a sweat.” Xia Wenna shook her head and looked at Ruan Zeer in encouragement.

‘Young lad, you need to work out even harder!’ she thought.

“When I carried Danchen, I didn’t think it was heavy at all,” came Qi Chenglin’s calm voice.

Ruan Zeer blushed. “I… I’ll eat more tomorrow. It’ll be okay!”

Through the phone screen, the entire Qi family was making statements one after the other. It was Qi Chenglin that remained quiet as he looked through the screen and quietly watched Ruan Danchen.

She had gone to stay with her family because the wedding was the next day.

Other than the necessary business trips, Qi Chenglin had never been separated from his wife before. He was in so much pain due to not being able to see Ruan Danchen that night.

Even if he was with the whole Qi family, he would still be missing her if she was not beside him.

Whenever there were gatherings at the old manor every Saturday, she always sat beside him. A simple stretch of the hand was all it took for him to reach her waist, and if he exerted a bit more strength, he was able to pull her into his embrace.

“Mom! I miss you!” Qi Youxuan was at the foreground of the screen. He said those words pitiably, full of emotion.

“You’ll see me tomorrow and you’ll even be my flower boy,” Ruan Danchen smiled and said. “Sleep earlier. You need to wake up early tomorrow. If you sleep now, you’ll see me first thing tomorrow.”

The little guy felt that it was quite logical to do so. He nodded and complained about his troubles—he ate very little that day just so he could look good in his suit.

Ruan Danchen yearned to caress the boy’s face. “Be good. You’ll have a feast tomorrow at the wedding.”

The little boy immediately realized that it was a good opportunity to eat lots of meat, as his father would be too busy being the groom.

Qi Youxuan was too unwilling to part with Ruan Danchen. He went to sleep only when Ruan Danchen hung up.

Grandmother Ruan urged Ruan Danchen to sleep as well. “You need to wake up at four o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Ruan Danchen tidied everything up and went to the room to lie on her bed, but the instant her head hit the pillow, her phone rang.

She saw that the caller was Qi Chenglin and he even used the video calling option.

Ruan Danchen smiled and picked it up. She saw Qi Chenglin sitting on the bed, and it was certain that he rushed to the bedroom after just hanging up.

When Ruan Danchen was with the Ruan family out in the living room, she really did not feel nervous at all. She was not at all self-conscious that she was going to be in a wedding ceremony the next day.

After lying down on the bed alone, nervousness began to creep in.

She was used to sleeping with Qi Chenglin on one bed, so it was hard for her to fall asleep when she was alone.

She was so used to Qi Chenglin’s embrace at night even if she could not sense it during her slumber. When she woke up, her back would be facing him and she would be at one end of the bed, but her back still felt incredibly warm because it was pressed to his chest. Being tightly locked in his arms made her feel like she was surrounded by a ball of silk.

Even if it was summertime, Qi Chenglin would rather turn down the temperature on the air-conditioner so she would not feel hot. She would feel cold instead, and that would necessitate him bringing her into his embrace.

If Qi Chenglin was on the occasional business trip, Qi Youxuan would bring his pillow over to sleep with Ruan Danchen.

She did not sleep alone too frequently ever since she moved into Prestige Residence.

It became massively uncomfortable for her.

Qi Chenglin noticed that she was already lying down, so he followed suit as well. He used his bent arm as a pillow and chuckled sexily. “Miss me?”

“I’m not used to sleeping alone now. I never felt that way before,” Ruan Danchen answered honestly. “I’m glad it’s only for tonight.”

“Husband and wife need to be separated just for a wedding. It’s not good at all.” Qi Chenglin’s thick brows frowned. He felt that such a move was inhumane. “Do you want me to go there now?”

Ruan Danchen rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not like I’m living alone now! If you come, you’ll be stopped. Are you going to climb through the window? It’s ten floors up!”

Qi Chenglin pursed his lips and thought to himself, ‘Thank Heavens it’s only one night.’

He applied for leave and tossed all of his work to Qi Chengzhi and Jiang Yuan. After the wedding was done, he would bring Ruan Danchen on a honeymoon immediately and leave their little boy at the old manor.

As he thought of that, he remembered how Qi Youxuan did not even attempt to conceal his happiness. Evidently, it was because the little boy was finally freed from continuous surveillance and could eat meat as much as he wanted.

Qi Chenglin’s frigid gaze swept over and made Qi Youxuan turn his expression into one that was reluctant to part with them.

When that happened, Qi Chenglin chuckled. No one would believe the little boy!

“Let’s hang up. Sleep earlier. You need to come over early tomorrow morning,” Ruan Danchen blushed slightly and said.

Qi Chenglin smiled. All of a sudden, Ruan Danchen took the phone and placed it to her lower face. “Let this be your goodnight kiss for now.”

Once she said that, her screen turned black, and after some time, the image cleared up again to reveal Qi Chenglin’s face. It was obvious he had copied her and placed the screen to his lower face.

He was smiling particularly warmly and handsomely then.

After saying goodnight, Qi Chenglin hung up only after Ruan Danchen hung up.

Instead of sleeping, he sat back up and narrowed his eyes in deep thought. He ran to find some paper and quickly wrote something down. He then took the paper and went to the living room.

He then saw the supposedly-asleep, pajama-clad Qi Youxuan coming out of the room and complaining to the old lady that he was hungry.

Qi Chenglin sniggered, and Qi Youxuan then shook his fatty stomach. “I… I came out…to go to the toilet!”

“You came out at just the right time.” Qi Chenglin waved the A4 paper in his hand. “I consulted a nutritionist and this is the menu that was given. During the ten days that we aren’t here, eat according to this. I heard it can make you lose five kilos after ten days. When we’re back, I’ll weigh you. If you are five kilos lesser, I’ll let you have three days where you can eat meat in normal portions. If you put on more weight instead of losing it, HEHE…”

Qi Youxuan shuddered. His miserable life flashed before his eyes. His dad was going on a honeymoon but did not let him take it easy. At that exact moment, he felt as though he suffered much more than Little Cabbage.

“Youxuan, Youxuan, won’t know when he’ll go hungry or have food,” the little boy sang the theme song from The Adventures of Sanmao, but changed the lyrics slightly and ran off crying.

Qi Chenglin, “…”

Everyone else in the Qi family, “…”

“He knows a lot of old songs,” Qi Chenglin remarked leisurely. “When I went to the hospital, he sang Little Cabbage. Now he’s singing Sanmao and even knows how to change the lyrics.”

The enabler—Grandmother Qi—was particularly proud. “My grandson is truly smart!”

Qi Chengzhi, “…”

QI Chenglin, “…”

…

The next morning, Qi Chenglin—along with Yan Beicheng and the others—came to the Ruan family home with gusto.

The challenges were easily overcome and they soon went in to meet the bride. Qi Chenglin looked at Ruan Zeer’s arms and was worried about Ruan Danchen’s safety. He decided to let Ruan Zeer carry Ruan Danchen out of the room only and he would take over from there.

Ruan Zeer breathed a sigh of relief after finally having the pressure lifted from his shoulders.

Qi Chenglin pressure on his waist after taking Ruan Danchen onto his back. He noticed that she put on some weight indeed, and it was unfair to blame Ruan Zeer for not being up to the task.

Qi Chenglin broke into a sweat, and since Ruan Danchen was practically sticking to his face, she could see the beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. Feeling guilty, she wiped it for him. “Just hang on there.”

Qi Chenglin lifted Ruan Danchen up and entered the elevator.

Ruan Danchen saw that the elevator was empty because everyone was waiting for the next step. She said, “How about you put me down for a while? No one’s going to see anyway.”

“That won’t do.” Qi Chenglin hoisted her higher and chose not to let go. “When receiving the bride, she can never touch the ground.”

The man was quite insistent when it came to tradition.

“Then lean back. Lean me against the wall so you won’t be so tired,” Ruan Danchen suggested.

He agreed to it and did as told. It was quite comfortable actually.

When Qi Chenglin carried her out, firecrackers began crackling loudly, with kids running over from all directions to see the bride.

From afar, Chang Zhiyuan watched as Ruan Danchen was carried on Qi Chenglin’s back. He felt an unspeakable sorrow in his heart.

Ruan Danchen was his sister’s daughter, but he could not openly watch her get married and participate in the wedding. He looked on as Ruan Danchen smiled happily on Qi Chenglin’s back.

Behind them were the Ruan family, who were all smiling equally happily.

The old Ruan couple got into the car with the help of Chen Minxia and Ruan Keshan. Ruan Zeer diligently held Ruan Danchen’s dress from behind, and the entire family was bursting with happiness. They felt a sense of harmony with the unification of the two people.

Chang Zhiyuan wiped his face and felt that the scene in front of him was just too eye-piercing.

“Big Sister, I’m sorry… I let my niece…I let my niece suffer.” Chang Zhiyuan covered his face. His chest hurt and he felt a bitter taste at the back of his throat.

“Big Sister, don’t worry. She’s living a good life now. She’s married to a good man. In the past…she suffered a lot, but from now onward, your little brother will definitely protect her. I’m sorry, Big Sister…I’m sorry…”

…

Qi Chenglin carried Ruan Danchen up the car, but saw Qi Youxuan sitting opposite him in a child-safe seat. The boy wore a suit. His hairdo was very suave too.

A wine-red bowtie was fastened on the collar of his crisp-white dress shirt, making him look especially reinvigorated. A pocket square, folded in a three-peak fold, was placed in the outer breast pocket of his suit.

He had ample panache to his look.

The little boy did not undo his seatbelt, so when he leaned over, he dragged the seatbelt along with him and reached out to Ruan Danchen. “MOM!”

Ruan Danchen had makeup on her face, so kissing him was not an option. She leaned over to hug him before placing him back down on her seat. “Why are you here? Why didn’t you follow Great-Grandma to the manor?”

“Lil’ Sis wants to be with you, so I have to be with you too,” the little boy wiggled excitedly in his seat. “I… I also want to follow you throughout the whole process.”

Ruan Danchen shuffled inside so Qi Chenglin could come in and sit too. She then asked Qi Youxuan, “If you were at the manor, you would’ve been able to sleep more, wouldn’t you? Aren’t you sleepy after waking up so early to head out with Dad?”

“I slept a while during the journey,” said the little boy. “I’m full of energy right now!”

“Are you hungry? Have you eaten breakfast yet?” Ruan Danchen asked again. She had forgotten her wedding jitters with him by her side.

“I had a bowl of noodles.” The little boy patted his own tummy. “I’ll wait for lunch.”

Ruan Danchen chatted with the boy until they reached the manor. After picking up the Qi family, they headed to Dynasty.

Chang Zhiyuan waited at Dynasty’s entrance and looked inside without paying any mind to the odd gazes.

Dynasty was particularly crowded that day. The Qi family booked the entire place because of Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen’s wedding, so they were not open for business. In spite of them, the sheer amount of people far outdid their regular clientele.

Other than the wedding cars, most of the great families were in attendance too, which meant that plenty of rich cars stopped at the entrance for the guests to disembark, after which their drivers would then drive off. The car behind would then do the exact same thing, one after the other in an endless stream.

Passers-by were inevitably halted in their footsteps. As they watched the bustling scene and discussed it, they finally realized which family threw such a grand event.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, Chang Zhiyuan stood by the side of the road opposite Dynasty and watched on.

When the cars lessened, he looked at his watch. The wedding was about to start.

Chang Zhiyuan sighed, seeing a member of Dynasty’s staff walk over from up ahead. Chang Zhiyuan did not think that the attendant was looking for him, so he did not react. He simply glanced at the attendant and paid no further attention.

To his surprise, the attendant stopped in front of him.

Chang Zhiyuan was shocked, but it did not show much in his expression. The attendant then politely said, “Mr. Chang, Young Master Lin invites you in.”

At that point, Chang Zhiyuan could no longer maintain his composure. “Invite me? It’s…”

Was it because Qi Chenglin loathed him so much that he did not even let him watch secretly from the entrance?

Chang Zhiyuan’s feelings turned apprehensive almost immediately.

The attendant did not say much, but remarked, “I don’t know exactly, but Young Master Lin told me to invite you in.”

Chang Zhiyuan’s mind went blank. Completely at loss for words, he simply followed the attendant across the road and into Dynasty.

As they walked, he saw quite the crowd in Dynasty, with a few who just arrived at the entrance and were invited in by Dynasty’s staff. They were personally escorted in the hall, since—like any other high-rated hotel—a simple direction card was placed at a very inconspicuous place. Guests would be hunting for it as if they were in a wild goose chase.

Invitees to a Qi family wedding were people of high-status, naturally. Even if they were not on the same level as the Qi family, it was not as if any Tom, Dick, and Harry could come in. One such example was Xia Zishan, who was simply regarded as a parvenu in the eyes of the Qi family.

If she had a good relationship with Ruan Danchen, the Qi family would not feel it beneath them to invite her, as she was Ruan Danchen’s ex-classmate from high school.

However, she had previously made snarky remarks to Ruan Danchen. Even if she really did her best to be thick-faced and showed up, she would not be allowed in.

Xia Zishan’s parents had earlier found out that Xia Ziashan and Ruan Danchen were high school classmates. The parents were very eager to participate, and unlike normal families that shied away from weddings, they relished giving the large sum of money in exchange for a spot.

Nevertheless, the Xia family’s status meant that they would not receive an invitation from the Qi family even if Xia Zishan had not offended Ruan Danchen.

Mr. Xia was not aware of his daughter’s asinine actions. When he remembered that Xia Zishan was classmates with Ruan Danchen in high school, he ran happily over to Xia Zishan and persuaded her to get closer with Ruan Danchen in order to get an invitation. They would all then be able to meet with those of the upper-class.

They did not even need to know everyone at the wedding. It was good enough that they could interact with those who were at the same table with them.

Xia Zishan dodged it, as she knew Ruan Danchen would not give her an invitation. The Qi family might not even agree to it if Ruan Danchen were to award them an invitation.

She simply agreed noncommittally, and after a few days, she went to Mr. Xia and said that Ruan Danchen did not invite them. She said that she was not really close with Ruan Danchen, and the tables were full. It was impossible to add any more chairs to any of the tables.

Mr. Xia did not let it go that easily. He tried looking for people, but in the end, it still ended in failure. It was only then that he gave up.

Although Chen Libai’s family had some status, it was not enough for them to be invited to such a wedding. Chen Libai left an impression on Qi Chenglin, as the former liked Ruan Danchen in the past and really wanted something he could not get. Along the way, he also treated Qi Chenglin as a useless person, so Qi Chenglin thought it best to allow Chen Libai to gain a broader perspective. Qi Chenglin made it a point to tell the Grandmother Qi and Guan Liya to give the Chen family an invitation. That would kill off whatever intentions Chen Libai had, and it would make him feel ashamed of his own inferiority, ensuring that he would no longer dare to look at Ruan Danchen ever again.

The Chen family had no idea of their son’s anguish, so they happily brought their children over.

Chang Zhiyuan saw plenty of familiar faces when he walked over. Most of them were shocked to see him. They all thought to themselves, ‘Didn’t Grandmother Chang and that dishonest grandson Chang Jianan offend the Qi family rather terribly? Why is Chang Zhiyuan still attending the wedding?

‘What is up with the Qi family and the Chang family? Could it be that they did not have a true falling-out and their relationship has already recovered?

‘If that were the case, then why was Chang Zhiyuan the sole attendee?

‘What attitude were they going to give the Chang family in the future?’

The Qi family’s unclear stance was a torment!

Those who met with their peers discussed their future stance toward the Chang family.

Chang Zhiyuan heard the murmurings from all around him. Despite being unable to hear what was being said, he could easily divine the subject of those whispers. He smiled a self-mocking smile as he realised how low he had fallen.

“I think it’s best we just keep an eye and watch the situation unfold!” someone offered. “It’s only Chang Zhiyuan that came here, right? If the two families mended their relationship, it wouldn’t be only him who is here. At least they’ll let him bring his wife, am I right? Looking at Chang Zhiyuan, it doesn’t seem like he was invited in the first place.”

“I heard Qi Chenglin and Chang Zhoyuan had business dealings before. Their contract probably hasn’t ended yet, so maybe they only allowed Chang Zhiyuan to come by himself. It must be because of their professional circumstances that he was invited.”

After they discussed it among themselves, all of them calmly went over to find their respective seats.

Chang Zhiyuan followed the attendant into the hall. His first thought was that Qi Chenglin would place him in an unnoticeable corner. Being able to attend Ruan Danchen’s wedding was already enough for Chang Zhiyuan, as he felt that it was a blessing from his elder sister. He was subsequently shocked to see the attendant bring him deeper into the venue, and the main table was practically within reach.

They finally stopped at the Ruan family’s table.

As members of the Qi family and the Ruan family were plenty, two tables were dedicated to them.

The attendant pulled out a seat from the Ruan family’s table and invited Chang Zhiyuan to take a seat.

“This…” Chang Zhiyuan’s mind short-circuited. He had no idea that Qi Chenglin would invite him to sit at the main table.

In fact, if Ruan Danchen acknowledged him, he would rightly be sitting with the Ruan family, but he was not yet acknowledged, was he?

For Qi Chenglin to willingly give him so much respect, Chang Zhiyuan’s eyes reddened and nearly teared up.

Grandmother Ruan watched him and said softly, “Come and sit.”

Chang Zhiyuan nodded furiously and sat without a second thought. Despite his age, he turned childlike in front of the old Ruan couple—a far cry from the ruthless businessman he was.

“Old mister, old madam, you…” Chang Zhiyuan did not know how to face the Ruan family.

Truthfully speaking, he had never met the Ruan family before and was unable to understand their position. With Ruan Keyu, he was secretly watching them back then.

Grandmother Ruan smiled kindly, “We know you’ve been following us. You wanted to watch Ruan Danchen get married, didn’t you?”

Chang Zhiyuan nodded honestly.

“Hehe, it’s pitiful to see you out there like a little cabbage,” Grandfather Ruan said in a tone that seemed to revel in misfortune. Not a single bit of pity could be heard from his tone.

The old man really took joy in tragedy as his family had already reunited with his granddaughter, while the other family had not acknowledged her yet.

His relish was more apparent as it was the Chang family; Grandfather Ruan really despised Grandmother Chang. Besides, Grandmother Chang was selfish. If not for her decision to keep the Ruan family in the dark about finding their granddaughter, they would not have raised someone else’s child for nothing and be oblivious to the truth for so long.

Grandfather Ruan really wanted to say, ‘BAH! This is karma!’

He still pitied Chang Zhiyuan, of course, but that did not do anything to diminish his rejoicing in the Chang family’s misfortune!

Grandfather Ruan’s words made the adult Chang Zhiyuan blush and look down.

Grandmother Ruan smiled and shot a glance at the ever-teasing Grandfather Ruan, before pointing at Ruan Zeer and speaking in a soft tone so Chang Zhiyuan would not be shocked. “This boy told us everything that happened that day. If you came here today, that means you believe Ruan Danchen is your niece?”

Those who did not know would think that Chang Zhiyuan’s earnestness stemmed from his fragile heart.

“Although I don’t know the specifics, I believe it,” Chang Zhiyuan remarked solemnly. He looked at the entire Ruan family without any ill-will. “I didn’t think it would be like this. Old mister, old madam, I… I believe not because I want to be in the Qi family’s good books. I believe because of my elder sister. I’m a businessman, but when it comes to family matters, I don’t have any hidden intentions. This is even more the case when it comes to my elder sister. She treated me better than my own mother did when we were children. I owe her a lot.”

The Chang family’s internal matters were not known to many outsiders. Grandmother Chang was a capable person—she fended off mistresses during her youth, fought off people who wanted to take advantage of her, and resisted her in-laws attempts to steal her family’s assets.

Thirty percent of that stemmed from Grandmother Chang’s own subjective thinking. She was constantly suspicious and always felt that someone was out to get her. She treated all three of her children very strictly too.

Chang Yuehuan had it slightly easier. Grandmother Chang believed that Chang Yuehuan would have to marry sooner or later because she was a woman, and therefore her education need not be too complete, lest she become too good for her future in-laws. With Chang Zhiyuan, Grandmother Chang wielded an iron fist. The kind of strictness she imposed made one’s hair stand on end. Chang Zhiyuan suffered plenty of hardship when he was younger, and it was always Chang Yuehuan who had protected him.

As a result, Chang Zhiyuan never received motherly love from Grandmother Chang but he did feel it from his elder sister.

When his elder sister was still alive, she would rather suffer herself than watch him suffer.

If his elder sister was still alive, he believed that she would surely be like Chen Minxia, who—despite the lack of youth—was very kind and gentle in temperament!

Although Chang Zhiyuan was no child, the thought of his elder sister brought him back to his childhood. His eyes misted with tears and he pouted slightly, trying to hold them back.

“I believe you,” Grandmother Ruan responded softly.

Chang Zhiyuan looked at Grandmother Ruan full of emotion. He was no dunderhead, and since the Ruan family knew about it already, he could roughly guess the intentions of the Ruan and Qi family, including that of Ruan Danchen.

Since it was a rare chance for him to meet the Ruan family, he might as well say what he wanted to say. “Old Mister, Old Madam, does…Ruan Danchen have no desire to acknowledge us?”

Although he had anticipated that and could understand it fully, Chang Zhiyuan’s eyes still displayed emotions of pain.

Grandmother Ruan shook her head and said, “Danchen’s not someone who holds grudges. She just has doubts in her heart. Is your family willing to believe her even when she doesn’t have any evidence? What would your family think when she announces that she is their biological granddaughter? Moreover, your mother doesn’t like her. That’s common knowledge to everyone. Who’s to say that she won’t think Ruan Danchen was lying to her? Although I’m not that familiar with your mother, the things I heard about her from others…”

Grandmother Ruan felt it was improper to be calling Grandmother Chang an unreasonable woman. All she could say was, “If she does acknowledge Ruan Danchen as her granddaughter, would she sincerely treat her well? Perhaps your mother might not still like Ruan Danchen since she had always disliked her in the past. That probably wouldn’t change just because of Danchen’s status, would it?”

In that respect, precedent alone made Grandmother Chang’s actions far too easy to read.

Even Chang Zhiyuan, her own son, might not be able to refute her.

Grandmother Ruan then said, “Ruan Danchen suffered too much all these years. If all that pain was piled onto a grown person, he or she might still be able to pull through with it. But she suffered since she was a young girl. Putting all that suffering on a child is just too pitiful. It breaks your heart. It wasn’t easy for her to be reunited with her family today. And now that we have acknowledged her, we won’t let Danchenallow her to be wronged. No one will be allowed to make her suffer, not even her own maternal grandmother.

“Your mother doesn’t like her, and we won’t let Ruan Danchen kindness be repaid with hostility, much less let a good child like her be insulted. If your side doesn’t care for her, we’ll do it. Her husband’s family treats her like their own daughter, and with us, she won’t need anyone who doesn’t treat her kindly,” Grandmother Ruan dropped all courteousness and spoke candidly to Chang Zhiyuan.

Grandmother Ruan was thoroughly exasperated after hearing from Qi Chenglin and Qi Youxuan about all the terrible things Ruan Danchen suffered at Grandmother Chang’s hands. She had no intention of dealing with Grandmother Chang—a woman who knew not of how to differentiate good and bad—for the rest of her life.

“I understand,” Chang Zhiyuan nodded and feeling dispirited.

He wanted to say a few good things about his own mother, but there was absolutely no reason that could justify him doing that. Grandmother Ruan was correct—Grandmother Chang was truly that terrible of a person.

Grandmother Chang had clearly treated Ruan Danchen terribly. Even if Ruan Danchen was acknowledged by the family, Grandmother Chang would still not allow her to make a public appearance as she felt her to be uneducated. She did not receive the upbringing of a true member of the Chang family and was therefore considered to be uneducated.

Chang Zhiyuan could already imagine what Grandmother Chang would say.

If Grandmother Chang really did believe it, she might not refuse to acknowledge Ruan Danchen. The biggest worry was that the old lady would ‘teach’ Ruan Danchen a lesson and mould Ruan Danchen into someone who fitted what she wanted.

After saying all that, Grandmother Ruan said softly, “Ruan Danchen can differentiate things well. She never lets those who treat her well be sad. Aren’t you invited to the wedding today? Grandmother Chang’s mindset is not something we care for. If she doesn’t like Ruan Danchen, we have to reason to just go up to herno reason to interact with her. Why would we want that? It isn’t logical for one to willingly put themselves in a sufferable situation, is it? Qi Chenglin said that you and your elder sister were on good terms last time, and that you truly wanted the best for your elder sister’s child. That’s the reason you’re invited here today.”

“If you hadn’t done a miserable job of hiding beneath our apartment unit and tailing us, we wouldn’t have invited you here,” Grandfather Ruan clicked his tongue and said.

Through that, Chang Zhiyuan’s sincerity in treating his niece well could clearly be seen. He did not care for the character or the standing that his niece possessed. All that mattered was that she was the daughter of his beloved elder sister; it was enough.

Chang Zhiyuan’s pitiful appearance really made it heart-wrenching.

Their gesture was something he understood.

Ruan Danchen would acknowledge him, but he was his own person and Grandmother Chang was Grandmother Chang. The rest of the Chang family still required some slow and careful consideration.

He nodded. “I understand. I won’t tell my family without getting your approval, but…it’s enough if I can meet Danchen.”

Grandmother Ruan nodded with a smile.

Chang Zhiyuan’s back was facing the table behind, and the only thing everyone saw was the sweetly-smiling, gentle, and friendly Grandmother Ruan. At that point people were unable to keep their composure.

Although they had all decided to wait and see the situation unfold, they could not understand the swift manner in which it unfolded, nor could they understand the direction the events had taken? How did Chang Zhiyuan find himself seated at the main table?

His seemingly amicable conversation with Grandmother Ruan did not suggest one who was in Ruan Danchen’s bad graces. So, would Grandmother Chang too be forgiven?

Then… How should the others treat the Chang family?

It was not very nice for the Qi family to string them along so heartlessly!

As the rest of them were still pondering about it, the wedding march began playing. Everyone kept quiet and turned around. The door to the entrance swung open, and two little children walked through the door.

Qi Youxuann was wearing a suit that fitted snugly on his fat physique. He was exceptionally cute, and beside him was Little Muran in a Western dress. The two of them were carrying a small basket that contained rose petals. They grabbed a handful of petals and sprinkled it over the red carpet, doing so until they reached Qi Chenglin, who was standing at the end of the aisle.

The little boy looked up at his father and smiled resplendently before the two children parted ways to head back with their respective families.

Ruan Keshan led Ruan Danchen into the hall slowly, in sync with the music’s rhythm.

Halfway through, she saw Chang Zhiyuan sitting at the main table, looking at her. His eyes were red and his lips trembled before he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

Ruan Danchen smiled at him, and that one smile set the floodgates loose for Chang Zhiyuan. He broke into tears and had to hide his face from prying eyes.

Qi Youxuan got terribly excited, and clapped his hands furiously at the exchange of rings. He felt immensely proud, watching his parents exchange their vows and rings.

Ruan Danchen looked at her son and smiled, after which she looked up and gazed deeply into Qi Chenglin’s soft and warm eyes. Before the master of ceremonies invited the groom to kiss the bride, she had already taken a step forward and tiptoed to kiss Qi Chenglin on the lips.

The guests were all in shock. It was the first time that they had seen such an eager bride!

Even those arrogant darling daughters would usually want to feign shyness during their wedding.

Qi Chenglin had a big smile on his face after Ruan Danchen kissed him. He felt that it was evidence of how much she cared for him, how certain she was of him, and how much she loved him!

In taking the initiative to kiss him before everyone, Ruan Danchen made him feel very happy, since it was her expression of love. Feeling contented, she wanted to break the kiss, but Qi Chenglin stopped her by grasping her waist. He kissed her passionately, and Ruan Danchen could not escape even if she wanted to.

The guests below could not see it, but Ruan Danchen could feel his lips move and say, “You can’t be the only one taking the initiative. I need to take the initiative too.”

Plenty of guests were feeling quite awkward, as the couple did not seem too bothered about their surroundings at all! A little kiss just for show was more than sufficient for a wedding, so why did they subject them to such a show when they could return home and kiss as much as they liked!

None of the guests would admit that they were actually envious!

Grandfather Ruan chuckled and was incredibly happy.

“AHEM!” Finally having enough of it, the master of ceremonies surreptitiously reminded them to break it up.

Ruan Danchen blushed and was taken to change her wedding gown before coming out again to make a toast.

Qi Chenglin sat down calmly and scanned around with cold eyes. He was looking to see if anyone dared to make fun of his wife!

The public felt that it was really unwise to provoke these Qi family men, considering they had mental deficiency when it came to their wives. The Qi family men forever saw their wives as being in the right. It was not something that would change despite the evidence in the contrary.

Each of them turned around and pretended to talk to their neighbor, regardless of whether or not they actually knew their neighbor. That was better than being glared at by Qi Chenglin.

…

Beside Song Yu was Qi Youjin, who was placed in a child seat. A bib was wrapped around his neck and he was holding a slice of watermelon. His hands were already drenched in the fruit’s red juice and the little table of his child seat bore a puddle of juice. His own parents were powerless to do anything but continue mopping at the mess with a wad of tissues.

Little Youjin even reached out to touch the puddle. His sticky hands drew on the table, while drops of watermelon juice dripped down from his fair-skinned fingers.

His hands pointed at the wedding sweets in front of everyone. He cooed frantically a couple of times, and his eyes, very much that of Qi Chengzhi’s, sparkled with excitement.

Song Yu could not look him directly in the eye. Qi Chengzhi’s gaze was so penetrating that outsiders would shudder at the mere sight, and Qi Youjin had the same kind of eyes that truly displayed….

Even Qi Chengzhi felt that his son was tarnishing his own image.

“Ah! Ahhh!”‘Sweets, I want sweets!’

Qi Youxuan felt like the victor that day because he could participate in his parents’ wedding. From that alone, Qi Youjin could never compare to him.

When Uncle and Auntie were getting married, Qi Youjin did not know a single thing, as he was still inside Auntie’s belly!

Little Youjin could feel Qi Youxuan’s smugness but he did not know why his elder cousin was so smug. He ignored it without much thought and continued pointing at the candy box.

“Ah! Ah!”‘Sweets! Sweets!’

Qi Youxuan was extremely dissatisfied. Noticing that he did not gain the attention of his cousin, he proceeded to take the box of chocolates, open it and unwrap a piece of Godiva chocolate.

Little Youjin was now looking at him more intently, unlike the earlier nonchalant looks.

Qi Youxuan chuckled and looked left and right. Everyone was busy drinking and eating as they pleased without worry of being too courteous.

He climbed off his chair and hugged two boxes of chocolate to his chest, protecting them well. He ran to Little Youjin and ate a heart-shaped chocolate in front of the baby boy.

Qi Youxuan’s closed his eyes in satisfaction, but it was not simply an act. A light bite was enough to fill his mouth with silky sweetness, and the rich taste of chocolate made him narrow his eyes contentedly. He immediately popped another piece into his mouth. He did not chew it but rolled it around, enjoying the silky texture of the chocolate.

He then looked at his fingertips and saw that it was coated in some melted chocolate. Immediately, he popped his fingers into his mouth.

He did not care about Little Youjin’s craving anymore. Qi Youxuaun truly felt deep in his heart that it was too delicious. Though he sucked on his fingers until they were clean, he still could not get enough and continued to savor it as much as he could.

In the end, he felt that he had licked them clean. His mouth still held a small portion of chocolate, and one of his cheeks was even puffed up.

He swallowed the sweet, delicious amalgamation of saliva and chocolate, and when he looked up, he was shocked by the scene in front of him.

Little Youjjin’s unconsciously left his mouth open and saliva flowed out in a continuous stream toward his jaw. His bib was wet as a result.

He closed his mouth and swallowed his saliva, but when he opened his mouth again, his saliva flowed out even more vigorously than before.

Qi Youxuan licked his lips and said gratifiedly to Little Youjin, “So delicious, so delicious!”

Little Youjin went bonkers. He became more and more frantic, and at that moment, he looked at Song Yu with a mixture of anxiety and solemness. His hands then pointed spiritedly at the chocolates. It was rare that he showed such a serious expression to Song Yu.

“AH!”‘Sweets! Your son wants sweets!’

Little Youjin grew more impatient.

Song Yu watched him in silence.

Her son’s deadly earnest and especially imposing look was used only when it came to food.

Song Yu found it hard to express what she was thinking at that moment. She speechlessly looked at Qi Youxuan’s blessed expression as he at all those chocolates.

Her nephew seemed to have had a bad influence on her son.

Feeling helpless, Song Yu opened a box and used the table knife to cut a small piece, which she then placed in Little Youjin’s hand. “You can only eat this much. It’s too sweet, and that’s not good for your teeth.”

Although Little Youjin was not satisfied with it, he could at least have a taste. That tiny piece of chocolate was stuffed into his mouth, and a few swipes of the tongue melted it into oblivion.

Nevertheless, his eyes narrowed in delight from the sweetness of the chocolate. He wiggled happily in his seat and flailed his arms about, as if he had eaten a precious treasure.

Qi Youxuan pouted and silently called his little cousin brother silly. He turned around and went off in search of the Ruan family.

Little Youjin called out, “Ah! Ah!” and pointed at the chocolates with vim and vigor. Thoroughly spirited, he fervently requested more chocolates.

“Yah! AH! Yah!”‘Come on! Gimme summore!’

Before his mother could react, his pupils caught sight of his elder brother running over to the other table and trying to fawn over the older people there.

Qi Youxuan’s fattened body thrashed about within Ruan Keshan’s embrace. There was not much pressure though, as Ruan Keshan did not let out any expression that suggested his stomach was in pain due to the weight.

Ruan Keshan was feeling remarkably happy. Qi Youxuan struggled onto his lap, and the first thing eyed by the little boy were the chocolates on top of the table.

Ruan Keshan’s eyes lit up and he immediately shoved the chocolates to Qi Youxuan. Chen Minxia fished out a plastic bag from nowhere and placed the entire table’s worth of chocolates into it. She then gave it to Qi Youxuan.

Qi Youxuan returned to the table with a big grin. Little Youjin watched as QI Youxuan then placed the entire bag into his backpack.

“Ee-yah!” Little Youjin opened his eyes and pointed at the table behind. It was the Song family—Qi Youjin’s maternal grandparents!

Qi Youjin…he had maternal grandparents too!

The child seat that Little Youjin sat in was with wheels. He tried his best to jerk his little butt and twist his waist, since he wanted to look for his maternal grandparents.

Qi Youxuan fancied himself a good elder cousin brother, so there was no way he could neglect his little cousin brother’s wishes. Thus, he ran over and pushed Little Youjin away.

Song Yu looked as Little Youjin stretched his hand to Yu Qianying and beseeched a hug. The baby boy’s look of admiration was nothing but sheer acting.

Yu Qianying bought into it and happily called out, “Darling, Darling,” while pulling him into her embrace.

Little Youjin moved about in Yu Qianying’s arms before swiveling his head toward the chocolates. His saliva was streaming down uncontrollably.

Yu Qianying saw that and hogged the entire table’s chocolates. She called the attendant and asked for a plastic bag, then gave it all to Little Youjing. “Here! I’m giving them to you!”

“Eee-yaah!”‘Your Grandson is really happy!’

Qi Youxuan turned around to look at Qi Chengzhi, then whispered to Little Youjin, “Good food must be given to great-grandma. If your dad knows, he definitely won’t keep it for you.”

“YAH!” Little Youjing agreed unequivocally to Qi Youxuan’s statement.

“Then let Big Brother help you give them to Great-Grandma to keep!” Qi Youxuan said as insincere thoughts began to appear in his mind. On second thought, it was an idea that stemmed from how much he cared about his younger cousin brother.

Little Youjin nodded happily. “Yah! Ee-yah!”

‘Big Brother is correct!’

…

When the wedding ended, Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen had a change of clothes. The Qi family and the Ruan family went to the guest room upstairs to wait for the couple. Other guests left by themselves, but after some thought, Chang Zhiyuan followed behind the Ruan family.

After Ruan Danchen and Qi Chenglin changed their clothes and came out, Ruan Danchen saw Chang Zhiyuan but did now know what to say. There was some kind of distance between them,

The old Ruan couple were looking on in admiration. ‘Our granddaughter…she’s family with us!’

Chang Zhiyuan wanted nothing more than to call for her warmly, but he felt too embarrassed to say anything as he did not know what Ruan Danchen’s stance on it was. Furthermore, the Qi family and the Ruan family were glaring at him like tigers. Chang Zhiyuan felt rather lacking in power and particularly guilty.

“You…” After seeing how he looked at her with ardently hopeful eyes, Ruan Danchen’s heart melted.

Chang Zhiyuan said immediately, “I won’t tell my family since you don’t want them to know. I’ll respect your decision. But as long as… As long as you acknowledge me as your uncle, that’d be nice.”

“Uncle,” Ruan Danchen said and smiled.

Chang Zhiyuan was the only person who made Ruan Danchen feel guilty about hiding her status from the Chang family. Hearing from Qi Chenglin about Chang Zhiyuan’s feelings toward Chang Yuehuan, Ruan Danchen felt that it was too selfish and unfair toward him.

Since the chance was in front of her, she was not going to be unreasonable.

Chang Zhiyuan’s face and eyes reddened after being addressed as such. He answered immediately, “Yeah,” and followed up with, “Then…next time, if we have the chance, can I bring your aunt to come and meet you too? Just your aunt, no one else; but if I can bring your little cousin sister too, then…”

Both the Qi and Ruan families simultaneously shot a look that said, ‘Gave him an inch, he wants a mile—a businessman through-and-through!’ Their looks guilted Chang Zhiyuan into laughing dryly.

“Sure,” Ruan Danchen smiled and said. “When we’re back from our honeymoon, we’ll go visit you at your place.”

“Yeah, sure, sure!” Chang Zhiyuan was thrilled. He did not care much for the rest of the Chang family, since Grandmother Chang’s temper would only offend Ruan Danchen even more. It was best not to let them acknowledge her.

As for Chang Zhixing, his wife was unprincipled. Chang Zhiyuan did not feel the slightest pressure in hiding it from his own mother and younger brother.

It was all good if he, his wife, his daughter, and his niece could be together happily.

Chang Zhiyuan left happily and no longer felt the effect of the Qi family and Ruan family’s stares.

It was the first time in a long time that his mood was truly uplifted.

That changed, however, when he returned home.

Grandmother Chang was seated at the single-seated sofa in the living room, with the attitude of an old ancestor. From her expression, the situation did not look promising at all.

The first person beside her was Chang Zhixing, with his wife Liu Xiangwen to his side. Opposite them was Mo Yuxin.

Mo Yuxin’s expression was not good either, but Chang Zhiyuan could see from afar that her dissatisfaction was not directed to himself, but rather, the old lady. In spite of that, Mo Yuxin still endured it because the old lady was her mother-in-law.

From time-to-time, the old lady would roll her eyes fiercely at Mo Yuxin. She felt that her daughter-in-law’s expression was a sore sight and completely unfilial!

Chang Jingqiu did not sit on the sofa. She took a chair from God-knows-where and sat beside Grandmother Chang.

“Mom, why are you here?” Chang Zhiyuan frowned and took a deep breath before asking with a controlled temper.

Mo Yuxin looked to him. He walked over, and Mo Yuxin moved aside for him to sit down.

Chang Zhiyuan held Mo Yuxin’s hand and turned to Grandmother Chang.

“I heard you went to the Qi family’s wedding today?” Grandmother Chang asked unhappily.

Chang Zhiyuan’s originally joyous expression sunk at once.

He glanced at Chang Zhixing and Liu Xiangwen before telling the old lady, “I just came back from Dynasty. News travelled pretty fast considering you all know about it already.”

After saying that, his eyes shifted seamlessly to Chang Jingqiu. He overlooked that in the past, but after he paid close attention, he discovered that fear and tyrannical calculatedness were indeed present in Chang Jingqiu’s eyes.

Her expression came and went quickly, but the observant Chang Zhiyuan could see it clearly.

He chuckled coldly in his heart. Chang Jingqiu was young after all, and she thought she could cover it so well that no one could see it at all. What she did not know was how she carelessly allowed some of her expressions to slip.

Chang Zhixing shot Liu Xiangwen a dissatisfied glance and was angry at her talkativeness.

No to be defeated, Liu Xiangwen pursed her lip before flashing a pretentious smile to Chang Zhiyuan. “Didn’t our family fall out terribly with the Qi family some time ago? The Qi family is unreasonable and wants to suppress us. They pushed us to a very awkward spot. As long as the Qi family will be present in a public event or celebration, no one dares to invite our family. People are afraid to invite us even if it’s only a private gathering with friends.”

Liu Xiangwen had first-hand experience. She used to play cards frequently and had plenty of gatherings—such was her enriched life. If she had nothing to do, she could compare her fortunes with others. If someone showed off their million-yuan jadeite, she would show off her sapphire, one that was collected by sending a professional over to Sri Lanka. Liu Xiangwen trained her lips everyday by triumphing over others through verbal sparring. It was something she thought worthy of being proud of.

Now, she could only stay at home in agitation. When she finally could not take it anymore, she put on a thick face and took the initiative to contact her past friends. Each one of them however, turned her down and said they had things to do, but in the blink of an eye, she saw those same friends posting pictures of their gathering on WeChat Moments, irking Liu Xiangwen thoroughly!

“Even saying a few extra words when bumping into them outside would give the Qi family a false impression that we’re on good terms with them,” Liu Xiangwen said.

Grandmother Chang was incredibly angry, more so when she recalled all the wrong that she suffered in recent times. She realized that the Qi family was the reason why all those younger than her were completely disrespectful to her in public!

Even those who used to be close to Grandmother Chang had stopped contacting her.

Besides, she was almost grounded at home by her own son and was not allowed to go anywhere!

“That Qi family, what is it then if it’s not bully?” said Liu Xiangwen as she felt a growing sense of grievance. “Before this, they forced us to transfer Jianan to another school because he had a fall out with Qi Youxuan. It was merely a brawl among the children. Even blood-related siblings have fights with one another. Children never hold grudges. They always get along again soon after their fights. Yet the Qi family refused to let such a small conflict off…”

Chang Zhiyuan had truly lost his patience. It was indeed merely a small conflict among children. So, was it not annoying to bring it up repetitively?

“What do you want to say? You haven’t answered my earlier question. Why are you going over and over again on the past matter?” Chang Zhiyuan glared at Chang Zhixing who was standing next to Liu Xiangwen. He felt so mad that he had disregarded his own identity to discipline his sister-in-law on behalf of his younger brother. “Have you forgotten the pain where gain follows? Who came back from school the other day, crying so badly that she couldn’t even speak clearly? How long has it been since? Have you forgotten your lesson and are trying to cause more trouble now?”

Liu Xiangwen’s face reddened as Chang Zhiyuan mocked her.

Chang Zhiyuan was disheartened. No wonder Ruan Danchen had refused to be recognized as a part of the Chang family!

Who would want to return to such a troublesome family?

Chang Zhiyuan recalled how harmonious the Ruan family was. Then, he cast a glance across his own and felt his strength leaving him at the comparison.

“As for the question I asked earlier, forget it if you don’t want to answer me. Just stop beating around the bush!” said Chang Zhiyuan in exasperation.

“I only brought up the Qi family’s strangeness in this incident.” Liu Xiangwen was pained by Chang Zhiyuan’s words. “My friend saw you at the wedding today and called me out of curiosity. You were seen sitting with the Ruan family at the head table. Didn’t… Didn’t the Qi family leave us out of the wedding? How did you even get in and be placed at such good seating?”

Liu Xiangwen’s feelings were very contradictory. On one hand, she was very angry at the Qi family for ‘bullying’ them. She perceived the Qi family to be so petty and absurd that she could not hold back her hatred for them.

On the other hand, she was very jealous to find out that Chang Zhiyuan had attended the Qi family’s wedding whereas she was not invited. She yearned to attend the wedding because it was after all an honor to be associated with the Qi family.

The contradiction between hatred and wanting to be on friendly terms with the Qi family was indeed indescribable.

Then, Liu Xiangwen’s expression quickly changed into that of suspicion as she looked at Chang Zhiyuan. “Brother Zhiyuan, could it be possible that the Qi family did send us an invitation but you kept it away from us and attended the wedding secretly?”

Immediately after her question, Grandmother Chang glared furiously at Chang Zhiyuan as though believing in Liu Xiangwen’s accusation.

In fact, Grandmother Chang agreed that Liu Xiangwen’s suspicion was rather plausible.

Chang Zhiyuan scorned in disdain. He was so enraged that he felt his viscera 1crunching up in pain, especially when he noticed that Grandmother Chang had been taken in by the accusation.

“Will you believe me if I tell you that I was invited by the Qi family when I happened to pass by the entrance of Dynasty?” Chang Zhiyuan sneered.

Of course, they would not.

“Don’t treat us like idiots!” Liu Xiangwen spat back at him.

“Ha!” Chang Zhiyuan let out a ridiculing laugh. He would definitely not divulge the truth to his family. Earlier that day at the wedding, he had already made up his mind to protect Ruan Danchen, his niece, at all costs!

The hostility and resentment toward Ruan Danchen that he caught in Chang Jingqiu’s eyes put him on his guard. Liu Xiangwen’s meddling could perhaps lead Chang Jingqiu to begin to suspect Ruan Danchen’s identity. Chang Zhiyuan was afraid that when pushed too far, Chang Jingqiu might do something extreme to hurt Ruan Danchen in order to keep her own identity and status.

That was also a reason why he had agreed to not give away Ruan Danchen’s identity to the Chang family.

“I know that our family has some conflicts with the Qi family. Nonetheless, even if we were to meet force with force, we’ll still lose out. I’ve nothing to say if you insist that you’re right out of a false sense of pride. However, I’m the eldest son in the family. I need to support Changhe’s operation and take care of your daily lives. I can’t afford to be as obstinate as you. Since you’re unwilling to lower your head, let me be the one doing it. It’s true that the Qi family didn’t invite us and I don’t think that I’m in any way better to let them invite me alone to the wedding.” Chang Zhiyuan stared coldly at Grandmother Chang and Liu Xiangwen.

“If we didn’t have a fall out with the Qi family, with the Chang family’s status even if we aren’t close to each other, we would still receive their wedding invitation. Why don’t…” Why don’t you have enough decency to feel ashamed of yourselves?

Chang Zhiyuan did not complete his sentence. Otherwise, Grandmother Chang would go at him in fury.

“I believe that you too have felt the hostility in our circle these days resulting from our poor relationship with the Qi family.” Chang Zhiyuan continued to stare at Grandmother Chang and Liu Xiangwen.

Both Grandmother Chang and Liu Xiangwen were silently disgruntled. They were still piqued at the Qi family’s absurd actions.

Chang Zhiyuan noticed their disagreement but was helpless against it.

Shaking his head, he sighed, “Let me guess. Being isolated by the circle, no more gatherings, and no one to flatter you whenever you go out. You must have gotten fed up with this life. The Chang family, a first-rate family, has now become worse than a common small family in the circle. Do you still want to let it go on this way? Your friends in the past, have they even come to visit you?”

Liu Xiangwen pursed her lips. Even Grandmother Chang who had refused to accept the truth could not refute him.

“If you don’t want to continue living your lives like this, someone must lower their head to the Qi family, don’t you agree? Today, I did so by waiting in front of Dynasty with a red packet. They were willing to let me in just because I was in their way.” Chang Zhiyuan tightened his lips. He hoped that they would believe in the excuse he gave or at least, let Chang Jingqiu lowered her guard.

“As for the Ruan family,” Chang Zhiyuan sneered, “The other tables were full. Their table was the least occupied with only five people. Besides, I was the one who set aside my pride to go and apologize. So, they did not ask me to leave.”

While Chang Zhiyuan was explaining, he caught a flash in Chang Jingqiu’s eyes as though letting out a sigh of relief.

He felt slightly at ease and said, “The Ruan family are kind and sensible. It is my privilege to be allowed to sit with them.”

Grandmother Chang hit the armrest of the sofa hardly. “Why did you apologize? We did nothing wrong! Why did you go and apologize? The others will assume that it’s our fault if you go and apologize! If you lower your head to them, do it yourself! Don’t represent us!”

“Even if we are in the right, the others will nevertheless assume that it is our fault. After all, we brought it on ourselves by offending the Qi family. In their opinion, whoever with higher authority is always right.” said Chang Zhiyuan coldly. Since his mother insisted that she was right, he gave up on the argument.

If he could make Grandmother Chang admit her mistakes, then that must not be Grandmother Chang anymore.

“Hmph! It is only a group of common people. I can let it off for the Qi family. Yet you apologized to the Ruan family as well. Who are they to accept your apology?” exclaimed Grandmother Chang bitterly.

Chang Zhiyuan chuckled, “A wrong is a wrong. It has nothing to do with identity or status. If you could understand this principle, you would have understood it a long time ago.”

He glanced coldly at Grandmother Chang, Liu Xiangwen, and even Chang Zhixing who Grandmother Chang had no control of.

He continued to mock frivolously, “You want to continue living a good life but couldn’t set aside your pride. You don’t want to suffer any loss to your self-esteem or material. So, I’ve chosen to forgo my pride on your behalf for your comfort. Has it now become my fault for meddling? As the eldest son in the family, I do bear the responsibility to care for you but I don’t owe you anything. My sacrifices are not for you to step on! If you think that what I did is not good enough, you can try to figure something out yourselves. I would also like to know what other ways that you can come up with to preserve your self-esteem as well as your material!”

Chang Zhiyuan stood up from his seat. He did not want to speak any longer with Grandmother Chang.

“Where are you going? Stop right there!” bellowed Grandmother Chang harshly.

Chang Zhiyuan gritted his teeth as he lowered his head to look at her.

With a somber expression, Grandmother Chang said in seeming reluctance, “We know that it is hard on you. However, as the eldest son in the family and the director of Changhe, everyone in the family and the company is counting on you. Shouldn’t you pay the price and carry the responsibility corresponding to your current status? Besides, I am your mother and Zhixing is your younger brother. We are both your family so where comes your grievance? Isn’t it a must to act for our sake? If it’s not for us, your family, who else can you care for?”

Chang Zhiyuan curled his lips into a sneer. He said nothing else.

Mo Yuxin also stood up with him. She would stay by his side regardless of his decision without any questions.

Still, Grandmother Chang’s words were too shameless!

Why did Chang Zhiyuan need to face injustice just because he was the eldest son in the family?

He had done his best to provide them comfortable lives but his efforts were not appreciated.

Although one should not be too calculative with their family, their family should not be as ungrateful as her husband’s.

They were enjoying the fruits of his labor while criticizing his efforts.

Mo Yuxin trembled in anger. Suddenly, her hand was held in another.

She lifted her head to see Chang Zhiyuan blinking at her. He was soothing her down and letting her know that he was alright.

Mo Yuxin’s eyes reddened. Then, she looked down after calming down.

“Since we have made up with the Qi family, go and negotiate with them so Jianan can return to Jixia Academy,” said Grandmother Chang suddenly.

Chang Zhiyuan looked at Grandmother Chang in disbelief. Even if she was his mother, he was tempted to ask her, ‘Are you still sane?’

When she noticed Chang Zhiyuan’s silence, Grandmother Chang had thought that he was reluctant to do so. Thus, she pulled a long face and said, “Jianan is our child, our one and only precious child. How can he not study in an aristocratic school? Isn’t it lowering his status? It’s a disgrace to let Jianan study with the children from those families with new money. That’s unfair to him. Who are those children to be of equal footing with our Jianan?”

Chang Zhiyuan’s lips curled up cynically yet Grandmother Chang was not aware of it and spouted on, “Since we’ve made up and we were the one to lower our head first, the Qi family should return our sincerity with sincerity. They should properly, politely and earnestly invite Jianan back to Jixia Academy!”

Upon hearing that, Chang Zhiyuan was no longer furious. He was horrified instead. Despite being unfilial, he had to admit that his mother was a fool!

“Tell them that. Additionally, we’ll also get the short end of the stick and acknowledge Ruan Danchen’s status. I’ll hold myself back in the future even if I can’t stand her.” Grandmother Chang felt that she had swallowed her humiliation and given in greatly. “Let’s… Let’s just take it as acknowledging her status!” she said unwillingly.

Chang Zhiyuan could not stop the chuckle from escaping his lips. “Mom, Ruan Danchen doesn’t need your acknowledgment.”

“How can it be?” exclaimed Grandmother Chang. “If she wants to keep a foothold in our circle, she needs to socialize with us. Does she want everyone to look down on her?”

Then, Grandmother Chang lifted her chin and said proudly, “You must be clear with my position in our circle. If I initiate our interaction, everyone else will be on friendly terms with her!”

Chang Zhiyuan realized then that Grandmother Chang was not a fool, she was only dreaming all along.

“Do you assume that Grandmother Qi to be incapable? Her words would work better than yours,” Chang Zhiyuan could not hold back ridiculing her, “I heard that Grandfather Ruan and Grandfather Xiao are close friends. Perhaps, the Ruan family is not as wealthy as us but their reputation is definitely better. Grandfather Ruan often chats with our nation’s leader over the phone and everyone out there always addresses him as our national treasure. Tell me, is there anyone as capable as him in our family?”

Didn’t Grandmother Chang prioritize a person’s status the most? Didn’t she feel that every other family was not up to par with the Chang family? She often considered the rich as new money and the less wealthy as poor as refugees.

He would let her know that the Chang family was nothing in terms of reputation.

Grandmother Chang’s face had become distorted from Chang Zhiyuan’s scorn. Nevertheless, he did not stop upsetting her. “Let’s not mention how Ruan Danchen doesn’t need you to raise her status. Who else in the circle do you think can uplift their own status and scold her whenever they see her just like you?”

Chang Zhiyuan let out another scoff, “Who doesn’t try their best to treat Ruan Danchen politely and get on her good side? Don’t you see the Qi and Ruan families backing her up? Only you would think that she is not worthy enough and requires your help to place her footing in the circle.”

Grandmother Chang was either mad or shocked for her chest moved up and down as she gasped deeply for breath.

In fact, both feelings were bubbling inside her. Not only was she furious at Chang Zhiyuan’s derision, but she was also shocked at the same time. She had never noticed the changes to the Ruan family. Her perception of the Ruan family had stayed the same since the past. Wasn’t the Ruan family a group of normal research nerds? How could they become so great?

Since when did the Ruan family solidify their background? Their reputation alone could only be measured up by the favorable Great Eight Families.

“When can you realize that you have no right to point your finger at the others? Their lives and statuses have nothing to do with you. The Qi family will be there for Ruan Danchen. Therefore, her status doesn’t bring you shame,” advised Chang Zhiyuan earnestly.

Who were you to worry about it!

“I don’t want to discuss this anymore! Look at how you talk back to me! I’m old now. My children don’t respect me anymore! You’re just the same as your wife, looking down at me all the time! Having a son like you to set such an example, how can she even respect me?” snapped Grandmother Chang.

Mo Yuxin: “…”

Mo Yuxin was really an innocent caught in a crossfire. Grandmother Chang, on the other hand, was like a beacon that could never shine on its own base. She had never looked back at her own virtue. She should at least act in a respectful manner to earn respect from others.

“Just tell me, are you going to negotiate with the Qi family? Since they want to make up with us, they should not let us be the one to lower our heads all the time,” Grandmother Chang continued in irritation.

“…” Chang Zhiyuan pursed his lips before saying gently, “Mom, it’s my fault for not making it clear. Although I represented our family to apologize to the Qi family, they did not mention anything about making up with us. They just chose to take the high road and won’t affect our future business relationship.”

Grandmother Chang’s eyes were wide open at that clarification. “What’s the point of all the things that you have said to make yourself seem so pitiful! Aren’t you ashamed to be standing here and criticizing us if you have not even solved anything?”

Liu Xiangwen wiped away her tears next to Chang Zhixing. “Brother Zhiyuan, didn’t you say that you’re willing to set aside your pride for our sake. However, you just left us and went to make up with the Qi family on your own. Do you… Do you intend to only bring sister-in-law out to socialize with the people in the circle and abandon us?

Her eyes were glazed with tears as she continued, “Brother Zhiyuan, you can’t… You can’t be thinking about splitting up the family, aren’t you?”

Chang Zhiyuan laughed out of anger, “Sister-in-law, your brain seems to be lacking usually but it has finally caught up now! How about it? Are you afraid that I would really want to split up the family and abandon all of you?”

“So, you can still be afraid that I’ll split up the family. Why aren’t you afraid of the consequences when you did those things earlier? Can’t you work up your brain more?” Chang Zhiyuan shifted his gaze to Chang Zhixing while pointing at Liu Xiangwen. “Keep a leash on your wife. I’m your brother after all. I’ll only admonish her here and won’t harm her. If she still goes out with a loose mouth like this, who knows how many more people will be offended.”

“Mom, one day, I’ll not be able to save us all even if I were to kneel and beg. I wonder if you’ll only regret it when that time comes,” said Chang Zhiyuan coldly.

His family had always forgotten the pain after the wound was healed.

When Jianan was forced to transfer to another school, they regretted their actions so much that even Liu Xiangwen was keeping herself under the radar for some time. Yet, how long had it just been for them to forget their lesson?

“I’m tired. My head hurts. I’ll go have a rest.” Chang Zhiyuan sounded truly worn out. “Zhixing, send mom home will you?”

Then, he left them on their own and went upstairs with Mo Yuxin.

Right before he closed the door to his bedroom, he could hear Grandmother Chang’s angry screech, Liu Xiangwen’s adding-fuel-to-the-fire sobs, Chang Zhixing berating Liu Xiangwen, and Chang Jingqiu placating Grandmother Chang.

…

After the wedding, both the Qi and Ruan families gathered at the Qi family mansion.

Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen were leaving for their honeymoon in the early morning the next day. They had packed their baggage and kept them in the mansion.

Qi Youxuan wriggled in Guan Liya’s arms while observing Little Youjin crawling around happily on the carpet. His large dark eyes rolled around as he saw Little Youjin crawling toward the coffee table. Little Youjin gripped the side of the coffee table with his small hands and attempted to support himself up. His eyes were shining brightly at the sight of the fruits and candies on the table.

Qi Chengzhi frowned slightly at the sight and carried Little Youjin away from the coffee table. Little Youjin waved his short limbs anxiously, trying to flop toward the coffee table.

“Yayayi!”‘Eat! I want to eat! Still… still hungry!’

“Oh, look at how hungry the child is,” said Grandmother Qi with concern. “Can’t you two let the child enjoy eating more?”

“What if he becomes as fat as Youxuan?” Qi Chengzhi said distastefully.

Qi Chenglin: “…”

Ruan Danchen: “…”

Qi Youxuan: “…”

Look at how he had no pressure expressing his distaste for another’s child.

“That is your nephew. How can you say that?”

Grandfather Ruan harrumphed and took Qi Youxuan into his embrace. “Our Youxuan looks best like this. How soft and adorable he is! Children look better if they are chubby. It’s not good for them to be too skinny. Skinny children look as though they lack fortune.”

While speaking, Grandfather Ruan also eyed disdainfully on purpose at Little Youjin who was maintaining the right figure and body weight at his age.

“A! Yayayaya! Yiyiyiya!”‘Hey! What’re you saying? I’m very handsome!’

Little Youjin clenched his fist to particularly express his disagreement.

“Well, they’re still children. They can start to lose weight when they’re older.” Grandmother Qi took a slice of watermelon from the table and gave it to Little Youjin. “You can eat more fruits but not candies. Too many candies are not good for your teeth.”

As soon as Little Youjin took hold of the watermelon, he began to gnaw at it.

Qi Youxuan quickly rolled into Grandmother Qi’s embrace and said, “Great-grandma, when dad and mom go on their honeymoon, I’ll be left here alone. I’ll be very lonely!”

“How about we let Youjin stay here as well?” Grandmother Qi understood the look in the little one’s eyes instantly.

The little one felt that his great-grandmother was indeed his best partner in crime!

Qi Youxuan gazed at Grandmother Qi in great satisfaction. “I’ll no longer be lonely with Youjin’s company!”

Thus, Grandmother Qi turned around and looked eagerly at Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu. “I heard that my dear Song is working on a new design recently. You’ll be pretty busy, right?”

Song Yu: “…”

The smile on Grandmother Qi’s face grew warmer. “How about we let Youjin stay here for a few days?”

Qi Chengzhi: “…”

What was that malicious intent that he felt?

Finally, Qi Chengzhi could only give in to Grandmother Qi. He might as well take this opportunity to enjoy Song Yu’s company alone. It was not a bad idea after all.

Little Youjin seemed to know that he could eat without restraint during those few days. So, he was not in the least sad to part with his parents.

When Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu left the mansion, he even waved them goodbye from the carpet where he lied on his stomach.

Such a heartless and shameless attitude broke Song Yu’s heart to pieces.

…

As Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen went on their honeymoon, Chang Zhiyuan and Lao Liang drove over seven hours to a county-level city in J City and spent a night there. The next day, they drove for over another hour before reaching the entrance of a village.

The village was not small neither was it very well-off. At a glance, there were only about two or three families living in three-story houses and two other families living in double-story houses. Those western-styled houses were not beautiful. They looked just like two or three levels of rectangular boxes put together. There was no sense of design. Even the walls were only laid with normal ceramic tiles.

Chang Zhiyuan did not have the mood to study those buildings. He drove into the village along the road and up a small slope. His car tires were covered in yellowish soil. One side of the road laid some single-story houses that came with compounds. On the other side was the hillside. Wild grass and flowers grew by the roadside. There were even some stones stuck firmly inside the muddy soil.

The journey was bumpy. Finally, the Toyota jeep stopped halfway up the hill next to another intersection.

The road after the intersection was too narrow and had many uneven potholes. They could barely drive along the narrow road with a small-sized sedan car. However, their jeep could not make it.

Chang Zhiyuan and Lao Liang got out of the car and continued their journey on foot. Along the road were rows of houses with compounds. The doors of those houses also seemed rather durable.

They could basically determine the financial ability of the families living in those houses from their doors alone. Some houses had their gates opened. They could see a black or brown mutt tied to a leash in the compound. Other houses had a trishaw or tractor parked at the entrance.

They walked until the end of the road and reached a house that looked out of place in that area.

The house had small brick walls. Its gate was run down. The thin wooden door could not block anyone or anything from entering. Those houses that they had come across along the road earlier suddenly seemed especially high-ended in comparison.

Chang Zhiyuan gave the house a cold glance and nodded at Lao Liang. “Let’s enter.”

Lao Liang stepped forward to knock on the door. A woman’s voice could be heard from inside the house asking, “Who’s there?”

The voice was quickly followed by a fierce dog barking.

After a short while, the wooden door cracked open. A woman with a slightly dark face and rough skin stood behind the door.

Wang Lixia was surprised and hesitant to find two men standing in front of her house. Both men were dressed finely and did not seem like any commoner. Why did they appear before her house?

Wang Lixia did not understand why she instinctively thought of Chang Jingqiu just then.

She did not know who those two men were yet she could associate them with Chang Jingqiu. She remembered that Liu Ronghua also turned up in front of her house suddenly last time, catching her off guard.

Perhaps, those two men were similar to Liu Ronghua. They were dressed presentably and their aura was different from the villagers.

“Who are you looking for?” Wang Lixia’s sight swept to and fro their faces.

“What’s wrong?” asked Huang Pinggui as he stepped out of the house, followed by a young man.

Huang Pinggui was wearing a scruffy shirt and dusty black trousers. The young man standing behind him was thin and weak. He had dark circles under his eyes and seemed to not have sufficient sleep.

Wang Lixia turned around to look at them and answered, “Strangers. Not sure what they want from us.”

After that, she quickly said to that young man, “Jincheng, why are you out here? Quick, go back and study. It’s almost time for your university entrance exam. Don’t waste any more time.”

The young man uttered an ‘Okay’ and cast another glance at Chang Zhiyuan and Lao Liang before turning around slowly and headed back in.

“Are you Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia?” asked Chang Zhiyuan.

“What do you want?” Huang Pinggui raised his voice as though it could make him seem more imposing and give him additional courage.

“Please relax.” Lao Liang smiled warmly. “We’re sent here by Ms Chang.”

Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia looked at each other. Then, Wang Lixia asked without thinking too much about it, “Chang Jingqiu sent you over?”

Her response had confirmed Chang Zhiyuan’s probe.

Only uneducated people like Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia, who had some trickery in mind but not really smart, could be easily probed.

Lao Liang nodded his head earnestly. “Can we talk inside?”

As his job required him to deal with people from all walks of life, his acting skills had been so polished that Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia could not rival him.

Furthermore, Lao Liang was born with such a sincere and kind face which made him appear even more honest than the actual villagers in that village. His natural advantage killed any doubt and sense of crisis in both Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia.

Looking at the well-dressed and seemingly well-off Chang Zhiyuan and Lao Liang, Huang Pinggui quickly invited them in without much thought.

He straightened his back and told Wang Lixia in front of his guests, “Didn’t I tell you? Jingqiu will not stand to see us suffer. After all, she’ll be shamed if we suffer, right? No matter what, we’re still her parents. If she is unfilial, she can be struck by lightning!”

“That’s right! That’s right!” Wang Lixia gleamed as she nodded continuously.

Chang Zhiyuan was startled by their conversation and exchanged a glance with Lao Liang. They were only probing Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia earlier and had even prepared themselves to brace the difficulties in eliciting information from them. Who would have known that those two blurted out their relationship with Chang Jingqiu on their own!

During their discussion, Chang Zhiyuan and Lao Liang even presumed that Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia were either not aware of their relationship with Chang Jingqiu or had possessed something against her. They did not expect that those two were, in fact, Chang Jingqiu’s blood-related parents.

That had cleared up the reason why Chang Jingqiu sent them money. However, the woman who brought Chang Jingqiu to the Chang family had informed them that the baby was his sister’s daughter.

The only answer to that was the woman knew Chang Jingqiu’s true identity but had purposely tricked them!

It was detestable!

Chang Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. He almost lost control of his anger. His change of mood intimidated Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia. They had caught on that Chang Zhiyuan did not seem to visit them to send them money.

“You… Who’re you?” stuttered Wang Lixia.

“Uncle, why are you here?” A panicked voice of a woman sounded from the gate. The voice was underlaid with a hint of tremble.

Chang Zhiyuan turned around to find Chang Jingqiu standing at the entrance. Her face paled as she looked at him in fear. Then, she turned her gaze toward Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia, wondering if they had let her secret out.

“Why are you here then?” asked Chang Zhiyuan dully.

In fact, he knew the answer even without Chang Jingqiu’s response.

He had attended the Qi family’s wedding banquet and sat together with the Ruan family. How could Chang Jingqiu feel relieved about that?

Therefore, she went to meet her parents to make sure that her identity would not be leaked.

He would like to know how she intended to conceal her identity.

“I…” Chang Jingqiu’s eyes rolled around in nervousness. Then, she stepped into the compound and said, “Uncle and Auntie are my friend’s parents. I’m helping her to care for them. So, I’ll come here occasionally to visit them.”

Huang Pinggui had instantly decided to get a sum of hush money from Chang Jingqiu after that. Since her uncle had found them at their house, he must have had his suspicion on her identity. Did she really think that they were stupid?

She had only given them eight hundred thousand last time. He wanted more money later and was not afraid that she would refuse.

Hence, Huang Pinggui nodded his head in cooperation with Chang Jingqiu. “That’s right! That’s right!”

“Oh? It is different from what you said earlier,” mocked Chang Zhiyuan.

Wang Lixia paled and shook her head continuously. “We… We did not say anything!”

Lao Liang fished out a voice recorder pen from his pocket. He pressed the button and Huang Pinggui’s voice was played, ‘Didn’t I tell you? Jingqiu will not stand to see us suffer. After all, she’ll be shamed if we suffer, right? No matter what, we’re still her parents. If she is unfilial, she can be struck by lightning!’

“You said nothing?” Chang Zhiyuan curled his lips upward. “I think that you’ve told us everything you know.”

“Uncle, it was nonsense!” Chang Jingqiu took a large step forward and pointed at Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia. She appeared wronged by the accusation. “I take such good care of you. Why did you accuse me?”

“How did they accuse you? Didn’t you give them eight hundred thousand? If you’re not related to them, why did you give them so much money?” Chang Zhiyuan interrogated coldly.

“Uncle, that…. That’s because my friend has faced some troubles but is worried about her parents. She is a really good friend of mine. So, I agreed to help her care for her parents. I know that they are living a difficult life and could not even afford to send their son to a university. Since I had agreed to help, I gave them some money. Eight hundred thousand is sufficient for them to live comfortably in this village, send their son to the university, and renovate their house. As long as they don’t spend their money unnecessarily, the money is enough to last them a long time even without having to work.”

Chang Jingqiu glared at Huang Pinggui and his wife. “Why did you accuse me? I’ve tried so hard to make your life better. What else are you not satisfied with so much that you spouted lies about me? You’re truly a group of ungrateful people!”

Resent flashed past Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia’s faces. Nonetheless, they schooled their expression and kept their silence.

“Uncle, let’s go.” Chang Jingqiu grabbed Chang Zhiyuan’s arms in grief. “Many people are saying that we can’t act kindly anymore in recent years. You may be sold off if you’re being kind to someone. I’ve never thought that helping a friend could result in such an accusation. It’s just like the story of the farmer and the snake!”

Chang Jingqiu only wanted to quickly pull Chang Zhiyhuan away from that place.

“That can’t be. How can we let them accuse you?” Chang Zhiyuan stood unmoving no matter how hard Chang Jingqiu tried. Thus, she could only stand anxiously next to him.

Chang Jingqiu’s heart was lifted up to her throat. She wondered what Chang Zhiyuan intended to do next.

She was not convinced that Chang Zhiyuan did not suspect her identity. Otherwise, he would not be there nor would he found out about the money she gave Huang Pinggui’s family.

With a thumping heart, she heard Chang Zhiyuan saying, “I think we have to resolve this conflict once and for all. Go and perform a DNA test with these two. No one will be able to accuse you when the result is out. Otherwise, your reputation will be affected if they continue to spout nonsense out there.”

Chang Jingqiu’s heart turned cold instantly. Her feet lost their strength and she stumbled backward. She could no longer hold onto the hope that Chang Zhiyuan was not aware of the truth.

He was there because he knew everything.

“Un… Uncle…” called out the pale Chang Jingqiu.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you want to perform the test?” Chang Zhiyuan sneered.

“I…” Chang Jingqiu felt the blood drained out of her body. “Uncle, I…”

“Am I really your uncle?” asked Chang Zhiyuan faintly.

Gazing at her pale face, Chang Zhiyuan’s face sullen. “Do you still refuse to admit it? Do you really want me to slap the evidence in your face?”

“Uncle!” Chang Jingqiu knelt down with a thump.

She pulled on Chang Zhiyuan’s sleeves. “Uncle, I don’t mean to hide this from you. I just don’t know what else I can do! Uncle, I don’t want to do this too! I’ve been a Chang for twenty-seven years. Suddenly, someone appeared and told me that you’re not my family. They are my family instead! I don’t know what to do. Uncle, I really think of you as my family. I don’t know them at all! We’re not familiar with each other! I only know that they sold me off for money in the past. Now, they look for me for money as well. How can I treat such people as my family?”

Chang Jingqiu cried, “In my eyes, only you and the Chang are my family! Even though I’m related to them by blood, I don’t know them at all. They appeared out of nowhere and asked me for money. How can I be close to them? I’m just afraid… Just afraid that you’ll not want me anymore when you found out the truth. After all… After all, I’m not your niece. I remember how well you and Grandma treated me all this time. I can’t bear to leave your side. I really can’t! I treat you as my family with all my heart and can’t bear to leave you. I’m truly afraid that you’ll not want me anymore…”

Chang Jingqiu choked with sobs. She seemed really pitiful.

Chang Zhiyuan shook off her grip coldly. Did she think that he did not know her character after bringing her up for twenty-seven years in the Chang family?

At that moment, did she still take him as an idiot?

“Is it us whom you can’t bear to leave or is it the Chang family’s wealth and the status of Ms Chang?” Chang Zhiyuan questioned. He pointed at Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia who were standing helplessly at a side. “You were afraid to let others know that these are your parents because they may look down on you, isn’t it true? You used to pick on Ruan Danchen’s identity, causing Grandmother Chang to look at her in disdain. Now, you’re the one with an unspeakable identity. So, you’re afraid of retribution.”

“No, I’m not!” Chang Jingqiu shook her head in desperation. “I really think of you as my blood-related uncle! I can’t bear to leave Grandma and you! I know that both of you dote on me the most! I can’t bear to be apart from you!”

“You know that I dote on you the most. Yet how do you treat me? You keep on whispering lies about my wife to Grandmother Chang. Is this how you repay me?” Chang Zhiyuan pushed on.

Chang Jingqiu was stunned. She did not expect Chang Zhiyuan to notice that.

Chang Zhiyuan let out a snicker. “You can’t bear to part from us but are you even concerned about my real niece out there? I treated you well because you were my sister’s daughter. Therefore, even if you did something outrageous, I would stand by your side and cover it up for you. It’s all for my sister, not you! Since you’re not my niece, why should I still dote on you?”

“Uncle, even if we are not blood-related, we’ve lived together for twenty-seven years! Don’t you have the slightest bit of love for me?” Chang Jingqiu grabbed his sleeves again.

“How could I not have any affection for you? Even after raising pets for some time, one would have felt affection for them,” replied Chang Zhiyuan. Before Chang Jingqiu could feel delighted, he continued, “Since you’ve known the truth, why do you hide it from us? We love you and will not abandon you even if you tell us the truth. However, you’ve chosen to conceal it and let my real niece suffer out there while you take her place in the Chang family. What are you up to? We’ve raised you up into such a pampered lady and not done you any wrong. Is this how you repay us? Letting our real family wander outside and planning to keep it away from us forever?”

“You’re selfish! For your own benefit, you can cast aside our feelings. This is what you meant by twenty-seven years of affection for you! This is what you called your family! Even a dog would show his loyalty. How about you?” Chang Zhiyuan trembled in fury. “If you’re sincere with us, I’ll treat you well as an adoptive daughter. To others, you’ll still be our blood-related daughter. Yet what have you done now!”

“Uncle, I know I was wrong!” Chang Jingqiu grabbed his trousers when her hands were once again shaken off by Chang Zhiyuan. “Uncle, I know I was wrong. I really do. Uncle, I’m selfish but who isn’t? We just have different ways to express our selfishness. I was just at a loss when I first found out about the truth.”

“I admit that my choice earlier was not right. I’ve let you down but I was just so scared. I was terrified. Uncle, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please forgive me. Don’t say that you don’t want me. I beg you,” cried Chang Jingqiu. “Can… Can you bear to push me away to these couples? They can sell off their children for a little money! You’re pushing me off a pit if you send me to them, uncle! When they knew of my identity, they didn’t want to recognize me as their child nor did they try to care for me. They just asked me for money. How can I acknowledge them as my family?”

“Uncle, I was not in my right mind earlier. I didn’t have a clue what to do and made the wrong decision. I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry,” Chang Jingqiu cried shamelessly as she knelt on the floor and tugged on Chang Zhiyuan’s trousers.

She knew that she must not be abandoned by the Chang family. Otherwise, she would lose everything.

She could not stand being stepped on by others.

As long as she could pass the crisis, she could seek her revenge slowly after that!

Of course, Chang Zhiyuan did not believe in her. If what she said was true, what did Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia have against her?

Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia were fully aware of Chang Jingqiu’s worry about the disclosure of her true identity, which was exactly why they could blackmail Chang Jingqiu for this matter.

However, Chang Jingqiu was raised in the Chang family for twenty-seven years after all.

The phrase Chang Zhiyuan mentioned was absolutely right—normal human beings would have feelings for their pet dogs or cats after raising them for more than ten years, not to mention raising, tolerating, and loving a child sincerely for twenty-seven years!

Chang Zhiyuan sighed. “Stand up.”

“Uncle…” The teary-eyed Chang Jingqiu clung to the hope and stood up.

“Let’s go home and tell your grandma about this. We need to decide about your future together. Anyhow, you can’t occupy my biological niece’s place and we need to recognize my real niece if we can locate her. Your grandma will make the decisions but don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer as well,” Chang Zhiyuan stared at Chang Jingqiu indecisively.

Chang Zhiyuan’s statement extinguished all hope in Chang Jingqiu. The ashen-grey faced Chang Jingqiu could not believe that her desperate plea and attempts in belittling herself to mere specks of dust ended up being futile, and Chang Zhiyuan merely gave her a perfunctory statement in return.

Chang Jingqiu knew Grandmother Chang all too well since she had been accompanying and ingratiating Grandmother Chang for all her life. Grandmother Chang was a heartless lady who would throw her out of the house without hesitation when her true identity was disclosed. Grandmother Chang would not allow an outsider, especially a daughter of two lowlife villagers, to bring disgrace to the Chang family.

Grandmother Chang may even give Chang Jingqiu the cold-shoulder for wasting the Chang family’s food even if Chang Jingqiu’s parents were not as unpresentable as Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia.

Chang Zhiyuan’s decision was basically sentencing Chang Jingqiu to death!

Chang Jingqiu even thought that… that Chang Zhiyuan had feelings for her!

Huang Pinggui and Wang Lixia were so scared that they lost their courage to speak.

They stood idly by when Chang Zhiyuan dragged Chang Jingqiu out of the house, but this time, Chang Jingqiu stood her ground and tried desperately to stop Chang Zhiyuan’s actions.

“Uncle, uncle, please don’t tell grandma. She won’t accept me! She’ll despise me since I wasn’t born in the Chang family, so there’s no way she’ll accept me. Uncle—” Chang Jingqiu was dragged out of the house to the courtyard by Chang Zhiyuan in the end despite using up all her strength.

Chang Jingqiu’s statement was stopped short at the look on Chang Zhiyuan’s face.

“What do you want with my real niece when you insist that I keep this a secret? Do you want her to stay outside without a chance to meet her family for her whole life while you enjoy the privilege that was supposed to be hers? Is there any difference between this and your initial thoughts? You said you were wrong, but I don’t think you realize your mistakes yet based on your words just now.”

At this moment, Huang Jincheng came out of the lodge beside the main house and stared anxiously at the ongoing commotion.

Chang Jingqiu could not bother to explain further and shook her head vigorously. “I didn’t mean that. Uncle, I’m just afraid, afraid that grandma won’t accept me anymore.”

Chang Zhiyuan sighed. “What do you have to be afraid of? Your quality of life won’t deteriorate at all even if Grandmother Chang chose not to accept you anymore. The money I had left for you when you were young was being kept in a trust. I won’t reclaim that money and you can still withdraw them as usual. Besides, you have a job now with no worries in life. I bought a house for you in the city under your name and I won’t ask you to return it to me. None of it is going to change except for the title of the Chang family’s young madam. You don’t even need to change your current name too.”

Chang Zhiyuan’s expression softened up gradually as he comforted Chang Jingqiu. “Besides, this is the worst possible outcome for you. I’ll help you persuade Grandmother Chang to let you continue your stay in the Chang family and keep the title of the Chang family’s young madam. I’ll just mention that we have another niece staying outside as an orphan. That way, you won’t suffer any losses at all no matter the circumstances.”

She would not suffer losses? How?

Despite being rich, Chang Jingqiu was nothing without the title of the Chang family’s young madam.

Those who had a close relationship with Chang Jingqiu initially would ignore her completely. Once they realized Chang Jingqiu’s biological parents’ identities, they would despise her and her status would end up being lower than Xia Zishan!

“Uncle! Uncle!” The only thought that went through Chang Jingqiu’s mind was to stop Chang Zhiyuan at all costs.

The duo was having a tug of war on their way to the car. Lao Liang was going to enter the driver seat while Chang Zhiyuan went around to get into the passenger seat.

Chang Jingqiu was following closely behind Chang Zhiyuan throughout the journey, but he was getting annoyed at Chang Jingqiu’s constant disturbance and shoved her aside.

An idea formed in Chang Jingqiu’s mind. She peeked at the slope beside her and through gritted teeth, she leaned backward, voluntarily allowing a freefall.

“Ah! Uncle!” Chang Jingqiu exclaimed. She reached out to Chang Zhiyuan, hoping that he would save her while her body tumbled backward.

Chang Zhiyuan was taken by surprise and turned around quickly, only to see Chang Jingqiu rolling down the slope like a puppet suddenly released of their strings. Subconsciously, he tried to grab Chang Jingqiu’s outreached hand.

“Jingqiu!” Chang Zhiyuan yelled and finally held onto Chang Jingqiu’s hand amidst the panic. However, Chang Jingqiu’s downward force was too much and with a trip, Chang Zhiyuan was brought down the slope by the momentum.

Chang Zhiyuan and Chang Jingqiu parted ways as they rolled down the declivity uncontrollably.

Chang Zhiyuan only felt some rocks and unknown sharp objects stabbing and jabbing his body, and his head knocking against everything along the bumpy slope. He tried to scream for help, but words failed to come out of his mouth.

All of a sudden, the back of Chang Zhiyuan’s head slammed into a huge rock. Then, darkness consumed him completely as his consciousness faded away. Meanwhile, Chang Jingqiu continued to roll and flip down the slope.

“Brother Chang!” Lao Liang exclaimed after noticing Chang Zhiyuan coming to a halt but ended up in an unconscious state.

Finally, Chang Jingqiu came to an absolute stop when her lower back crashed into a thick tree trunk, screaming in pain as her body trembled in agony.

Lao Liang was a well-reputed police officer who was a superb marksman, skillful in close combat, and had excellent crime-solving skills before he changed his career to become a private investigator. Thus, he regained his calm quickly after a slight moment of anxiety and called the police immediately.

There was only one local police station in-charge of nearby villages, so the police officers needed some time to arrive at the scene. Lao Liang went to the edge of the slope and glanced at Chang Jingqiu who was lying beside a tree with ashen-grey face and closed eyes. The mud, grit, and weeds had become enmeshed with her raw pink flesh spotted with blood as she was cut in multiple places due to the rocks down the bumpy slope.

“Brother Chang!” Lao Liang had no idea if Chang Zhiyuan was able to hear him or not. “Miss Chang, I’ll save you guys, hang on! I called the police, so now I’m going to ask the villagers for ropes first!”

Then, Lao Liang took a glance at the duo to ensure that they had come to an absolute stop before borrowing ropes from each house.

The police officers arrived shortly after Lao Liang returned with three long hemp ropes. Moreover, the villagers who borrowed ropes to Lao Liang had men in their houses too, and when they heard someone had accidentally fallen down the hill, they rushed to the scene to lend a helping hand.

After they tied the ropes together, Lao Liang wrapped one end of the rope around his waist while passing the other end of the rope to two police officers before sliding down the slope cautiously.

Chang Jingqiu wished to be unconscious rather than staying awake because an excruciating pain came from her lower back as if a knife was being twisted in her spine. The pain was so unbearable that she almost wished for death.

Chang Jingqiu tried to move but quickly realized how futile it was as energy was drained completely from her body. Tears were welling up in her eyes. Every movement would cause a sharp pain to lance through her lower back and felt as if her spine was going to break into half.

However, Chang Jingqiu had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. Even the slightest breathing would induce an agonizing pain, making her grunt.

Never did Chang Jingqiu expect that she would ever end up badly wounded.

Chang Jingqiu merely glanced at the slope and concluded that it was not steep enough and certainly not a high cliff at all. She had decided to take a leap of faith since she would lose everything anyway when she returned to the Chang family.

Since the situation was beyond saving, Chang Jingqiu came up with a rather ruthless idea—a trick to secure Chang Zhiyuan’s faith by inflicting pain on herself deliberately.

Chang Zhiyuan would definitely feel guilty if he was the cause of Chang Jingqiu’s physical suffering, and because of that, he would not act too harshly and might even compensate for her agony.

A small injury in exchange for persistent wealth and glory in the future. Totally worth it!

There was a saying—you cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs. How could success be achieved without sacrifices?

Chang Jingqiu possessed such determination.

Thus, with gritted teeth, Chang Jingqiu fought for her glorious future.

However, it was impossible to calculate everything perfectly since this idea was merely formed spontaneously. One could consider her actions as a cornered beast acting desperately.

The slope seemed to have a gradual incline to it when Chang Jingqiu observed it from above just now, so she assumed that it was not really a big deal to roll down the slope.

However, Chang Jingqiu realized that there were many solid and unpleasantly jagged rocks embedded along the declivity upon rolling down.

Chang Jingqiu slammed into every rock along the slope with uncontrollable force, feeling the cut and jabs on all parts of her body—arms, waist, legs and so on. The pain was so overwhelming that she started to feel regretful about her leap of faith.

Chang Jingqiu even experienced a burning pain on her forehead when she accidentally knocked her head during the process. She could even feel a warm gush of fluid flowing down her forehead, but unsure if that was merely due to her psychological thoughts.

Chang Jingqiu endured all of these physical sufferings through gritted teeth, but she did not expect the last hit to be her doom.

Finally, Chang Jingqiu came to a halt by the tree trunk that stood in her pathway, but her lower back crashed right into it and the pain made her feel like her spine was shattered. Due to that last hit, she did not feel like herself anymore.

Chang Jingqiu stared anxiously at Lao Liang who was sliding down the slope slowly and cautiously. Then, he said after reaching Chang Jingqiu’s side, “How are you feeling? Where did you get hurt?”

“Lower back… my lower back… hurts… like hell…” Chang Jingqiu’s body quivered with every word which appeared especially agonizing.

Lao Liang fixed his gaze on Chang Jingqiu before shifting it to the unconscious Chang Zhiyuan who was lying nearby and said, “Brother Chang is unconscious and I’ve no idea where he got injured. I’ll pull him up first and come back for you later.”

Then, Lao Liang moved toward the unconscious Chang Zhiyuan.

“Save … save…” Chang Jingqiu wanted Lao Liang to save her first. She could not care less about Chang Zhiyuan’s fate since he would be more useful dead than alive. That way, no one would be able to reveal her secret anymore. However, she was unable to think clearly as the overwhelming pain caused her mind to be inoperable.

Chang Jingqiu was so scared at the moment. She wanted to live.

Despite the excruciating pain in her lower back which sent Chang Jingqiu into uncontrollable convulsions, she suddenly recalled that other than Chang Zhiyuan, Lao Liang was aware of the whole situation too. If Chang Zhiyuan regained consciousness and Lao Liang conveyed her thoughts to him, her ruthless plan would fail in the end.

Ideally, Chang Jingqiu would prefer if she fell down the slope alone while Chang Zhiyuan stood above ground safely. That way, Chang Zhiyuan would be the cause of her agony and give consideration to her welfare due to his guilty conscience.

Unlike the current situation where both Chang Jingqiu and Chang Zhiyuan fell down the declivity together and no one had any idea how badly injured Chang Zhiyuan was.

Chang Jingqiu’s face contorted but unsure if it was due to the possible failure of her scheme or the excruciating pain in her lower back.

“Save… my uncle… save… uncle first…” Chang Jingqiu stammered due to strenuous effort in voicing out words. Fortunately, it was not too late to correct herself since she did not complete her previous statement due to stammering.

Lao Liang nodded before moving toward Chang Zhiyuan cautiously. He checked for breathing and listened for heartbeats before concluding that Chang Zhiyuan merely lost consciousness. Then, he did a thorough physical examination. Other than bruises after getting knocked by rocks along the slope, there was no obvious wound noted on Chang Zhiyuan’s body.

Lao Liang felt a huge swelling on Chang Zhiyuan’s occiput after slipping his hand carefully to the back of his head, which was an indication that his head was struck just now. It was fairly obvious that Chang Zhiyuan’s current state of unconsciousness was related to it. Fortunately, Lao Liang could not feel any obvious warm fluid around the swelling.

Lao Liang retrieved his hand and noticed that only the pulp of his middle finger was slightly stained with blood.

Then, Lao Liang lifted Chang Zhiyuan’s head with extreme care. After noticing that there were only a few blood streaks on his hairline which were not obvious at all, Lao Liang relaxed immediately.

Lao Liang untied the rope that encircled around his waist and knotted it around Chang Zhiyuan’s waist before asking the crowd above to pull the rope gently. During the process, Lao Liang followed closely behind Chang Zhiyuan to ensure that there were no further knocks on him.

After Chang Zhiyuan was pulled up successfully, they placed him on the back of the car, bandaged, and gave him first aid. Then, Lao Liang tied the rope around his waist again to save Chang Jingqiu.

The frightened Chang Jingqiu was getting impatient after waiting for some time, worrying that she would be left alone in this place. After seeing Lao Liang returning for her, she relaxed immediately and waited eagerly for her life to be saved.

Chang Jingqiu trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks. Lao Liang planned to untie the rope around his waist and knot it around Chang Jingqiu like what he did to Chang Zhiyuan and let the men above pull her to safety first. Then, they would throw the rope down again for him to get up, since it would be arduous to pull both of them at the same time.

However, just when Lao Liang was about to untie the rope, Chang Jingqiu understood his intention immediately and rejected weakly, “No… can’t… my… lower back… hurts… badly… can’t tie…”

Doubt flashed across Lao Liang’s mind immediately, but he did not voice out his concern at that moment. He merely nodded to indicate that he understood the situation and yelled to the men above, “Her lower back hurts so we can’t pull her up. Are you guys okay to pull both of us together?”

“No problem! There are villagers who are willing to help,” the police officer responded.

Lao Liang took a glance and saw two men joining the rescue attempt. Since five men were more than enough to pull just the two of them up, he nodded in response.

Lao Liang slipped his hand under Chang Jingqiu’s arm and just when he was about to lift her, Chang Jingqiu screamed at the top of her lungs. “Cannot! My lower back! Argh! It’s painful! Pain! Don’t move! Don’t touch me! Pain… boohoo… it’s so painful…”

Lao Liang frowned and peeked at Chang Jingqiu’s lower back. He had a bad feeling about this.

“You’ve got to hold on. You can’t just lie down here forever. You need to get up quickly so that we can send you to a hospital. Your injury may worsen if you stay down here any longer, and you’ll regret your decision,” Lao Liang replied calmly without feeling the slightest compassion for Chang Jingqiu.

Chang Jingqiu’s face was a mess with mud and tears smearing across her face. She had a bad feeling about the unusual pain in her lower back but was unwilling to think further about it.

Chang Jingqiu merely thought to herself that it should not be a big problem and she should not be scared out of wits since anyone who injured his waist would definitely experience an excruciating pain afterward.

“Save… save me… I’ll endure… you… bring me up…” Chang Jingqiu wept.

Lao Liang gave a gentle reminder before mustering up his strength. “Hold on.”

Then, Lao Liang slipped his hand under Chang Jingqiu’s arm and lifted her without touching her lower back.

Chang Jingqiu convulsed in pain and gritted her teeth as tears started to stream down her cheeks uncontrollably. The only thing she wished at the moment was to get up as soon as possible.

Inevitably, Chang Jingqiu crashed into the rocks along the bumpy slope with each pull of the rope, which sent her crying in pain throughout the journey. Finally, she reached the surface and two police officers quickly took her to safety.

Lao Liang reminded, “She injured her lower back and we’ve no idea how bad it is right now.”

“There aren’t any decent hospitals around these villages, so she needs to go to the district to get herself checked,” said the police officer.

Lao Liang nodded in response. Since Chang Zhiyuan was lying on the back of his car, Chang Jingqiu had no choice but to rest in a supine position in the police car.

The police officers were fully aware of Chang Zhiyuan and Chang Jingqiu’s injuries, so they drove the police car at the front to make way so that the patients could reach the district hospital as soon as possible.

Chang Jingqiu was in so much pain and the doctor had no choice but to order an X-ray immediately. Since Chang Zhiyuan remained unconscious, the doctor took a detailed history profile before arranging a cranial computed tomography scan for him.

After that, a nurse came out while Lao Liang was waiting for the result. “Who’s the patients’ family member?”

“The patients who arrived just now are uncle and his niece, and I’m their friend. Their family members are in B City so they can’t rush here in such a short time,” Lao Liang stood up and explained.

The nurse nodded in response. “Follow me please.”

There was only a doctor and a nurse inside the consultation room with a film hanging beside the table.

“Doctor,” Lao Liang sat down.

The doctor pointed at the film and explained. “We did a cranial computed tomography scan for the patient named Chang Zhiyuan, and the result is normal so far, but we need to wait until the patient wakes up for further detailed investigations.”

“When can he wake up?” Lao Liang asked.

The doctor shook his head. “I can’t give you a time frame. The problem right now is that everything is normal so far. It’s better to have found something during our investigations and treat symptomatically. A brain injury can be disastrous. I’m worried that there are some injuries at the cellular level and there’s no manifestation of signs and symptoms yet, so we can only wait until he regains consciousness.” Lao Liang then asked, “When can he wake up?”

“Truth be told, this is just a district hospital. Our facilities aren’t as good as tertiary referral hospitals.”

“Is it alright to transfer Chang Zhiyuan to B City in his current condition?” Lao Liang asked again.

The doctor mentioned everything should be fine and Lao Liang nodded to indicate understanding. Then, the doctor explained Chang Jingqiu’s situation.

“You can see that there’s an obvious fracture here. A huge traumatic impact fractured the patient’s lumbar spine and damaged the associated nerves. There’s a great possibility that she’ll be paralyzed even after surgical repair.”

Lao Liang was stunned after hearing that. Despite his dislike toward some of Chang Jingqiu’s behaviors, he had never intended to let her suffer such a great loss.

A young, healthy beauty who was alive and kicking with such a great future ahead of her ended up being paralyzed and had to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of her life?

“You said a great possibility, does that mean she can still recover as well?” Lao Liang asked hopefully.

However, the doctor shook his head again. “Let me tell you the truth. Even though this is just a district hospital that doesn’t receive as many patients with intractable diseases as tertiary referral hospitals, and there aren’t many patients too; as a doctor, I’ve received many patients with various diseases, and in my experience, no one can recover with such a serious injury.”

“The only reason why we’ll say this is because we need to take care of the family members’ emotions and give them hope. We don’t want the family members to collapse before the patient even recovers. The patient needs his family members’ guidance and support for closure too. I think you’re not the type who needs others to deceive and give you false hope, and you seem to have a strong mind too,, that’s why I’m telling you the truth. I hope you’re fully prepared,” the doctor continued.

Lao Liang nodded in response. Even a bystander like him had trouble accepting this information, so what kind of reaction Chang Jingqiu could possibly have after realizing this fact?