Chapter 184

Chapter 184 - 184 177 He Dongzhous Secret Wen Yuans Dear Love Chapter 184: 177: He Dongzhou’s Secret, Wen Yuan’s Dear Love (Second Update) Chapter 184: 177: He Dongzhou’s Secret, Wen Yuan’s Dear Love (Second Update) “I know about Qin Qi’s situation. He has a daughter, born to Wen Yuan, but Wen Yuan threw the child away, and the very next day, she adopted Wen Changling and Wen Zhaoyang.”

In other words, He Dongzhou had long known about Wen Changling’s family relations.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I wasn’t sure if Changling knew she was adopted. Before she came to the Qin Family, Qin Qi had no connection with her or you.

Moreover, Wen Yuan’s biological daughter was abandoned. Abandoning her means they didn’t wish to be involved, so there wasn’t much need for you to know of her existence.”

In his tone when he referred to “her,” Xie Shang sensed He Dongzhou’s protective emotion.

Xie Shang knew He Dongzhou very well, so, there was no need to press further.

“What exactly is Changling plotting?”

Xie Shang didn’t answer the question but instead requested, “Dongzhou, don’t expose her.”

He had seen Qin Qi’s photo on the wall of Changling’s second-floor photo gallery.

“At least tell me, is she friend or foe to Qin Qi?”

“An enemy.”

Qin Qi was Changling’s next target.

He Dongzhou was contemplating something Xie Shang could guess; the two matters weren’t conflicting.

“Then, that’s perfect.”

He Dongzhou agreed and didn’t ask further.

“If she gets into any trouble, tell me at once.”

“She’s an ex-girlfriend, and you’re still looking out for her.”

Ex-girlfriend.

It was a very delicate title. Among He Dongzhou’s acquaintances, only Xie Shang had an ex-girlfriend. It was quite a rarity. He Dongzhou teased, “Aren’t you going to see how your heartless ex-girlfriend is doing with recognizing her relatives?”

Xie Shang adjusted his glasses. Blessed with a distinctive face, his hand gesture revealed his refined demeanor, which bore an undercurrent of brutal wildness – a restless energy he couldn’t hide. He shifted the topic, “Are you getting out or riding with me?”

What a pointless question.

He Dongzhou knew Xie Shang’s nature well; this wasn’t a hand he could fold. As long as Xie Shang was alive, sooner or later he would penetrate walls and move mountains and seas to eliminate any obstacles in his way.

He Dongzhou got out of the car, “I’ll go see how your ex-girlfriend is doing with recognizing her kin.”

The car drove away.

Xie Shang had things he couldn’t tell He Dongzhou, and He Dongzhou also had his secrets. But they understood each other and never inquired further, a tacit understanding they had developed over many years.

They had known each other for many years, first meeting on this very road.

Both were still young then. He Dongzhou was carrying a schoolbag and holding a large bag, his face bore signs of being beaten, eyes swollen, lips crusted, limping along the road.

He had just been beaten.

Xie Shang called out to him.

“Hey.”

He turned around.

At the age of ten, his eyes were cold and proud, like a lone wolf cub battling fiercely.

Xie Shang didn’t call out to him out of compassion, but rather felt a similar magnetic field between them, “Do you have any money?”

He remained silent.

Xie Shang gave him all the money he had on him.

Just like that, they got to know each other, and it has been seventeen years since.

Xie Shang would later learn that at the time, the Qin Family had just celebrated the birth of a male heir. With their own bloodline secured, they viewed He Dongzhou, the foster child, with disdain. Abuse had become routine.

*****

Wen Changling had settled into the Qin Family home.

Ever since becoming an adult, He Dongzhou had lived independently and seldom visited the Qin Family.

Qin Ke often indulged in the nightlife, rarely coming home. Old Lady Zhao didn’t care; she wished he would whirl away into producing a son. Qin Ke’s wife, Liu Wenhua, was very traditional and meek, often unwell, and never setting foot outside. Old Lady Zhao despised her for not providing an heir and frequently made life difficult for her, yet she never fought back.

Having moved in only three days earlier, Changling had already witnessed Old Lady Zhao forcing Liu Wenhua to wash her feet and massage her legs twice.

Old Lady Zhao also took a dislike to Changling, seizing any opportunity to berate her. However, Qin Qi was protective of Changling, although he was very busy and often out early and back late.

What troubled Changling the most was the Qin Family’s Little Princess.

Possibly the Little Princess felt Changling was there to steal her possessions, so whatever belonged to Changling, she also wanted to snatch away.

Take, for example, a chair.

“That’s my spot. You’re not allowed to sit there.”

Or dinner.

“This is for me to eat.”

Such as the car.

“I want to go out and play, let Uncle Driver take me first.”

Such as the room.

“Grandma, I want to sleep in her room.”

Whatever.

Just as Wen Changling was about to give in, Qin Qi, who had just come home from work, happened to overhear and stepped forward to scold, “Xiao Nai, don’t be unreasonable.” Qin Qi was usually gentle and kind, rarely stern-faced, “That’s your sister’s room.”

Qin Ke was of a certain age and, although he held a nominal position at Huaqi Technology, the meager salary was hardly enough to sustain his indulgent lifestyle, so he needed to rely on Qin Qi’s and live in Qin Qi’s home.

Naturally, Qin Qi became the most authoritative head of the family.

The scolded Little Princess felt indignant and mumbled, “I don’t have a sister, Grandma said she was born to a vixen from outside.”

Qin Qi shouted angrily, “Qin Nai!”

Qin Nai immediately hid behind her mother.

“Apologize to your sister.”

As the Qin Family’s only granddaughter, Qin Nai was usually coddled and spoiled by everyone. This was the first time her uncle was so fierce with her, all because of that hateful woman born to the vixen.

She frowned and glared at Wen Changling, pursing her lips and retorting, “I won’t.”

“Apologize.”

She burst into tears with a loud “wah.”

Her mother, Liu Wenhua, immediately crouched down to console her.

Qin Qi frowned slightly, somewhat displeased, and his tone, though not harsh, carried a commanding air, “Take her back to her room to copy characters, and she’s not allowed out until she’s finished.”

Liu Wenhua didn’t talk back, just bowed her head and carried the child away.

“Changling,” Qin Qi said, deliberately sending her away, “you go upstairs too.”

Wen Changling obediently went upstairs.

Old Lady Zhao’s voice was loud and powerful, audible even on the second floor.

“You have quite the temper.”

“Mom, what kind of way is that to teach a child?”

“I just casually said a few things, how was I to know she would follow along and learn them?”

...

“I just casually said a few things, how was I to know she would kill herself?”

When Ah Na “committed suicide” in prison, rumors ran wild in White Peach Village that the Wen family’s girl had cast a spell on someone, so she too would suffer retribution. The villagers’ spittle nearly flooded the doorstep of Wen Yuan’s home, and not long after, Wen Yuan also took her own life.

Ignorance, superstition, speaking without thinking.

Just like Old Lady Zhao.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Qin Qi entered, “Changling, I’m apologizing on behalf of Xiao Nai. She’s young and doesn’t understand, I’m sorry she made you feel uncomfortable.”

In this family, Wen Changling played the role of someone translucent and silent, unresistant, without grievances, the emotions underneath her glasses calm, “It’s okay, I didn’t take it to heart.”

Qin Qi moved closer, hesitated for a long time, and cautiously looked at Wen Changling’s expression before asking, “Did your mother ever mention me to you?”

Mention what?

What is there to fear?

Wen Changling shook her head, “I only heard her call your name when she was on her deathbed.”

Qin Qi’s face showed an expression of profound remorse, “I wronged her. I didn’t know that after we broke up, she gave birth to the child.” His eyes reddening, he looked at her with deep affection and kindness, “Are you also blaming me, is that why you’ve refused to address me properly?”

Broke up?

Wen Yuan had mentioned that she had loved only one man in her life, and that was Xie Qingze.

This was a secret, even Xie Qingze didn’t know.

Wen Changling did not respond to Qin Qi.

Qin Qi reached out, wanting to pat her on the back.

She instinctively stepped back.

Qin Qi stiffened for a moment, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, “It’s okay if you don’t want to change how you address me.”