"Surprised? Did you think you hid your affair so well at the time? Did you think my mom would leave this world without doing anything? You’re underestimating her. She made sure everything was in order before she left. I think the only thing my mom didn’t anticipate was that even a cruel tiger doesn’t eat its cubs, yet you’re worse than an animal." He Ziyun curled his lips, forming a humorless arc, looking at Father He with unfamiliar eyes.
Father He was so angry that his lips were trembling, while the stepmother on the other side was completely stunned. Her mind felt like it had been hit with a stick, totally blank. She usually could argue black was white, but even her mouth seemed glued shut, unable to make a sound.
How did things turn out ? If it’s really as He Ziyun said, what was everything she did for the He family over the years worth? What about her and her son?
The stepmother stood unsteadily behind everyone, and even the sun above seemed unable to bring warmth to her body.
"You’re lying to me, aren’t you? How could your mom, who knew nothing and was just a silly romantic, make such arrangements? I know you don’t want to apologize to the Nie Family, so you’re lying. Do you think I would believe your lies? Do you think I would?" Father He roared at He Ziyun.
He Ziyun sneered, prying off Father He’s hand from his wrist. "Why are you so agitated if you don’t believe? Your agitation just proves you also believe there might be such a will, right? I guess you’ve searched for it but never found it because you couldn’t imagine my mom would directly give something so important to me, the overlooked child." He Ziyun said, looking into Father He’s eyes, articulating each word clearly.
"You’re just saying this without evidence. Why should I believe you unless you can prove it?" Father He’s eyes suddenly sparkled with a shocking brightness.
How could He Ziyun, who was closely observing Father He’s changes, miss this? But after being disappointed too many times, He Ziyun no longer harbored any expectations for this so-called father. In his heart, their position wasn’t even as significant as Xu Ke and Ariel. These days were the happiest days in his life outside of painting.
"I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not a child anymore. I have my own judgment. Your tricks don’t work on me anymore. Regarding the apology, I’m not the one at fault, and I won’t apologize. I don’t know how you found this place, but I hope I don’t see you here again. If I discover you bothering my friends, I will sell the He family immediately, ensuring it happens faster than being taken over by the Nie family. If you don’t believe me, you can try and see if I’m lying." He Ziyun said with a threatening tone.
Did Father He dare to risk it? He didn’t. He looked into He Ziyun’s eyes and heard his determined tone, and he backed down.
"You’re in a bad mood today. I’ll come to see you another day. We are father and son, after all. There’s no overnight grudge between us. We just have a little misunderstanding. Once it’s resolved, I believe you’ll understand me." Father He hurriedly said this and then turned to leave, his back exuding urgency.
Father He left the stepmother, who had come with him, standing there.
The stepmother watched Father He’s departing figure, then looked at He Ziyun’s expressionless face. Her usual kindness was gone, replaced by more hardness and malice. Her eyes looking at He Ziyun were filled with aggression and a desire for destruction.
"Your stepmother sure has an unfriendly look." Xu Ke, who had been a silent observer for a while, finally spoke after the stepmother left.
"A representative of someone who speaks kindly but has a serpent’s heart. It’s normal for her to have a hostile look. If she were suddenly caring towards you, that would be scary." He Ziyun replied weakly.
"Do you have any plans to handle it?" Xu Ke asked.
He Ziyun smiled bitterly, "I have nothing right now. What method could I use? I even need you guys to take me in. I’m just going to take it one step at a time."
"But you have your mom’s will, don’t you? What’s there to fear?" Ariel, who appeared at some point, poked her head out from behind Xu Ke and curiously asked.
"I lied to them. If I really had that will, I would have left that house long ago. Why would’ve I tolerated it until now?" He Ziyun said tiredly.
"So why did you tell them that?" Ariel asked again.
"They made me suffer for so many years, so I just wanted to scare them a little. But it probably won’t last long. When they calm down, they’ll figure out I was lying." He Ziyun explained.
"Do you want to take back the company? I can help you." Xu Ke offered.
He Ziyun was silent for a moment, "If it were me before, I definitely would have. The company was my grandfather’s hard work and my mom’s property, but now, I don’t want it. Even if I got the company back, I’d only paint. Besides painting, I can’t do anything else. The company would still face destruction in my hands. So, let it disappear completely in this turmoil. Maybe that’s the best ending." He Ziyun said, looking at Xu Ke.
"As long as you’re sure and won’t regret it." Xu Ke had no objections to He Ziyun’s decision, as long as he himself did not regret it.
"I’ve thought it through. This is the result of my careful consideration. Anyway, I can’t keep it if it comes to me. I also want to see them lose everything and if they truly love each other, as they claimed to be noble back then. Their rightful ending is to end up with nothing." He Ziyun curled his mouth slightly.
"But with that, my stay might be extended. After I finish the competition and earn some prize money, I’ll move out and treat you guys to a meal. You two have to come, don’t refuse." He Ziyun said calmly, his demeanor lacking the despondency he had when he first arrived, looking as though he had been revitalized.
Xu Ke didn’t refuse, and Ariel nodded. The room returned to its previous state, with the three occupying their spaces, living harmoniously and quietly. Inside, He Ziyun felt an unprecedented calm, believing he could live for a lifetime without getting tired.