Chen Zi Hui's heart sank bit by bit, her mouth hanging open yet unable to utter a word. She stared fixedly at Zuo Si'an, waiting for her to continue.
Gao Xiang glanced at his grandfather and father sitting on the sofa. Chen Li Guo's face was ashen, while Gao Ming's complexion was deathly pale. Overwhelmed by fury, Gao Xiang slapped Zuo Si'an across the face and roared, "Shut up!"
The blow made Zuo Si'an stagger, a bright red handprint blooming on her pale cheek. Gao Xiang instantly regretted his action, but she immediately straightened up, her expression unchanged as if nothing had happened. Still avoiding Gao Xiang's gaze, she continued speaking to Chen Zi Hui in a flat tone: "You promised to gather 500,000 yuan for him first, so he could flee to Yunnan and seek refuge with his former comrade-in-arms named He Xiaoping, then find an opportunity to cross the border into Myanmar. I haven't misremembered anything, have I?"
Chen Zi Hui couldn't respond. Back when she was at the police station, overwhelmed by grief over her brother's death, she had refused to disclose anything. With Chen Zi Yu dead, no third person could have known these details. Yet Zuo Si'an recounted everything with such clarity that it couldn't possibly be fabricated or imagined.
"After my father received the tip, he notified the police and they tracked your brother down. He tried to escape by car but drove off a cliff. The car was destroyed, and he died without a complete body." As Chen Zi Hui's face twisted in agony, Zuo Si'an's lips curled slightly at the corners. She swept her gaze across the living room with a resolute, cold smile. "Well, that's the end of my story. Goodbye."
Zuo Si'an turned and walked out the door, slamming it shut behind her. Only then did Chen Zi Hui snap out of her daze and lunge toward Gao Ming. Gao Xiang reacted quickly, grabbing her, but he knew an uproar was inevitable. When it involved Chen Zi Yu's death, there was no way he could stop it. At that moment, Chen Li Guo stood up: "Zi Hui, don't make a scene."
"He has to explain this matter to me clearly."
"You'll frighten the child."
Bao Bao's wailing cries came from the top of the stairs. They looked up to see Wang Yujiao holding Bao Bao, her face filled with terror: "He's crying desperately to come downstairs. His face is turning blue from crying, and he's having trouble catching his breath. What should we do?"
Maternal concern temporarily restored Chen Zi Hui's rationality. She hurried upstairs, took Bao Bao, and went into the bedroom.
Gao Xiang rushed downstairs and saw Zuo Si'an and Liu Guanchao walking together toward the neighborhood exit. He caught up and grabbed her arm. She said calmly, "I forced Xiao Chao to bring me here. Don't blame him."
Gao Xiang's face turned livid with anger as he asked hoarsely, "Why would you do this?"
Zuo Si'an looked up. Under the streetlight, the left side of her face was already swollen and red, but her expression remained blank. "I don't need to answer that question."
Gao Xiang's heart suddenly softened, and he almost reached out to touch her cheek. But he couldn't bring himself to do it, instead asking painfully, "Do you know what consequences this outburst of yours will have?"
"Your parents will turn against each other, I suppose," she shrugged. "I don't care."
Gao Xiang was so shocked he could hardly believe his ears: "How... how can you be like this?"
Liu Guanchao, who had been waiting downstairs without knowing what Zuo Si'an had done upstairs, instinctively defended her: "We just went to ask my sister together. She said your mother forced her to spread the news about Xiao An having given birth to Shida High School."
Gao Xiang couldn't believe it: "What did you say?"Zuo Si'an shook off Gao Xiang's hand and tugged at Liu Guanchao. "Let's not say anymore, let's go."
Gao Xiang couldn't believe his mother would stir up trouble to this extent, and he never expected Zuo Si'an to counterattack like this. He stood frozen in place, momentarily distraught. He had been worried about whether her parents' divorce would hurt Zuo Si'an, never expecting the conflict to suddenly spread to his own family. No matter how much he didn't want to go home, he had to return.
When he went upstairs and opened the door, he saw Chen Li Guo and Gao Ming sitting in the living room, both maintaining silence, but the air was as stagnant as before a storm. Gao Ming finally spoke: "Dad."
Chen Li Guo asked expressionlessly, "Is what that girl said all true?"
Gao Ming seemed to steel himself: "Yes."
"Why did she suddenly bring this up again?" Chen Li Guo asked.
Before Gao Ming could answer, Chen Zi Hui rushed downstairs like a whirlwind. This time, Gao Xiang didn't even have time to react before she lunged at Gao Ming. No matter how Chen Li Guo shouted to stop or how Gao Xiang pulled and restrained her, Gao Ming was still scratched and torn until he was covered in wounds, a pitiful sight.
While attacking him, Chen Zi Hui incoherently lowered her voice and cursed: "Gao Ming, what has our Chen Family ever done to wrong you? You ungrateful scoundrel! I want a divorce, I'll kick you out of the company, leave you penniless, make you a pauper again. I'll make you pay with your life for my brother, you bastard, saying one thing to my face and another behind my back. I'll fight you to the death..."
Gao Xiang cried out anxiously: "Mom, stop making a scene. Look at Grandpa."
Chen Zi Hui looked at her father and saw Chen Li Guo clutching his chest, slumped on the sofa. She panicked and called out: "Dad, what's wrong with you?"
Gao Xiang helped his grandfather take the Quick-acting Heart-Relieving Pill from his pocket and fed it to him, then laid him down flat. Chen Zi Hui froze for a moment before grabbing Gao Ming again: "If anything happens to my father, don't think you'll live either."
"Enough, everyone stop arguing," Gao Xiang said irritably. "I'll call an ambulance."
Chen Li Guo weakly waved his hand: "No need, I know my own body. I just need to rest for a while."
Gao Xiang watched carefully and only felt slightly relieved when he saw Chen Li Guo's complexion gradually returning to normal. Chen Zi Hui was about to speak again when Chen Li Guo said weakly: "Xiao Xiang, take your father out and find a place for him to rest. I need quiet."
Gao Xiang took Gao Ming to his former apartment and found cotton swabs to treat his father's wounds. Looking at his father's wretched state, he felt both pity and frustration, and couldn't help asking: "Why?"
Gao Ming looked at him: "Are you going to blame me too?"
"I just don't understand, Dad. You knew how Mom felt about Ziyu. You could have chosen not to help him, but why did you specifically monitor Mom and report the situation so detailedly to County Chief Zuo?"
Gao Ming was silent for a moment: "What do you think about what Chen Zi Yu did?"
"He committed a crime, but... he's still family after all. I couldn't bring myself to turn him in for the greater good."“The crimes Chen Ziyu committed are far more severe than what he admitted. Secretary Hu, who has a good relationship with me, showed me another confidential investigation report. You probably remember that girl named Liu Yaqin—your mother once invited her and her mother to our home to give them money. An anonymous tip revealed that after being seduced by Ziyu, she introduced at least six of her nursing school classmates to him, all minors aged 14 to 17, with specific names and classes listed. Several of these girls had multiple abortions. However, when the police interrogated Chen Ziyu, he refused to confess. Attempts to gather evidence from those mentioned in the anonymous letter failed: Liu Yaqin flatly denied everything, claiming she didn’t even know Chen Ziyu. None of the girls admitted to anything, and all their parents were uncooperative, even quickly moving their daughters away to avoid police questioning. The investigation hit a dead end. If Zuo Xuejun hadn’t come forward with his daughter to testify, Ziyu could have completely evaded all responsibility.”
Gao Xiang was stunned: “You never told us any of this?”
“What would be the point? Even with evidence, your mother would ignore it, let alone without any proof. It’s true that I’ve never liked Chen Ziyu, but that was only due to his frivolity and recklessness. Whether he squandered the Chen family’s fortune or tarnished their reputation, as long as your grandfather and your mother could tolerate it, I could too. But committing crimes is different. Your mother indulged him relentlessly, helping him buy Liu Yaqin’s silence and arranging medical parole for his escape. You grew up with him and see him as a brother—if he came to you for help, you might soften and assist him. I couldn’t stand by and watch him commit such heinous acts and then drag all of you down with him. So when Old Hu advised me to keep an eye on your mother’s movements, I agreed. I did it, and I don’t regret it.”
Gao Xiang fell silent for a long moment before saying, “I don’t understand why Mom still won’t let Zuo Si’an go. She had to send Liu Yaqin to expose her past, making it impossible for her to stay in school. Otherwise, given Zuo Si’an’s quiet nature, she would never have barged into our home to reveal this old story.”
Gao Ming sighed deeply: “I think I understand the reason somewhat. You’ve always cared about Zuo Si’an, and your mother constantly worries you’ll be entangled with her. She hired that woman named Wang Yujiao as Bao Bao’s nanny—her son is Zuo Si’an’s classmate. You went to Liu Wan to see Zuo Si’an this summer, and half a month ago, when Zuo Si’an had a fight with her mother and ran away from home, you were the one who found her and brought her back. Wang Yujiao reported all of this to your mother.”
Gao Xiang was astonished: “This time, she actually held back from lecturing me.”
“After your outburst last time, she’s become somewhat cautious. Last week, she called me again to complain about it. I got fed up and told her to stop worrying unnecessarily. Secretary Hu had spoken with Zuo Xuejun on the phone—Zuo Xuejun is likely to apply for a transfer to another city after completing his Aid Tibet assignment, though his wife seems reluctant to change jobs. Your mother didn’t say anything at the time, so I thought she had finally relaxed. Little did I know she’d come up with another foolish idea, eagerly asking Liu Yaqin to spread rumors. She obviously wanted to make it impossible for Zuo Si’an to stay in Hanjiang City, forcing her mother to take her away.”Gao Xiang felt a chill in his heart. He truly didn't want to believe his mother could be so vicious, yet he had to admit that Chen Zi Hui never cared about right or wrong, prioritizing personal preferences above all else. Combined with her reckless nature, she was indeed capable of such actions.
"Zuo Xuejun had only been working in Qinggang for a year. I had no personal relationship with him, but I thought well of him—he was educated, capable, diligent, and responsible. If his daughter hadn't gotten into trouble, or if he had listened to advice and not escalated the matter, as Old Hu said, his future would have been bright. Instead, because of your mother's outburst, he had no choice but to join the Aid Tibet program. I genuinely sympathize with him. When I did what I did, I didn't plan to confess voluntarily, but I was prepared for the day your mother or your grandfather might find out."
"You should apologize properly to your mother and explain the reasoning to stop her from causing more trouble."
Gao Ming shook his head. "It's useless. Your mother is someone who never listens to reason. I've had enough—if she wants a divorce, so be it."
Gao Xiang was deeply displeased. "Dad, you speak of divorce so lightly. Have you been considering this for a while?"
"I never wanted it to come to this. I chose this marriage and have swallowed everything I could. When have you ever heard me complain? But I hold shares in Clear Ridge Winery. Your grandfather's health is poor, and most of the work has been handed over to me. I oversee production, R&D, and sales. The expansion strategy I set has shown initial success—this year's sales and profits could double, and next year our goal is to go public. Trying to kick me out won't be as easy as she thinks. Don't worry; I suspect your grandfather will calm her down."
It was unclear what Chen Li Guo said, but he did manage to pacify his furious daughter. The next day, Chen Li Guo was driven back to Qinggang by his chauffeur. Before leaving, he urged Gao Xiang to counsel his mother more. Gao Xiang felt sorrowful. "Grandfather, please take care of your health, and as for my father..."
He struggled to find the right words. Chen Li Guo nodded. "I understand."
After Chen Li Guo left, Chen Zi Hui looked pale and withdrawn, saying nothing. When Gao Xiang mentioned that he had called his secretary the previous night to arrange for a new nanny for Bao Bao, who would arrive soon, she didn't even have the energy to object. Gao Xiang felt a twinge of pity.
He paid Wang Yujiao six months' extra salary and asked her to pack her things and leave immediately. Wang Yujiao was shocked. "I had no idea Zuo Si'an would come here and cause a scene. You can't blame me for this—I didn't do anything wrong."
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