Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I had my own motives when I tried to get close to you then. I felt guilty about it, so I did all I could to defend you after the fire occurred. Seeing that you’re fine and even living a blissful life, my heart is at ease.”
“…”
Nian Xiaomu did not expect such an answer.
As the children of the Xing Family were influenced by the previous generation, most of them were indolent.
The exception was Xing Fang, who excelled academically and was also extremely hardworking.
After she graduated from school, she had always been earning a living to provide for the family.
She had always thought that she was experiencing immense stress because of the Xing Family’s financial difficulties in the recent years. However, she did not expect that she had been experiencing this stress since she was young.
After Xing Fang spoke, the faces of the third uncle and aunt of the Xing Family darkened.
They wanted to say something, but were at a loss for words.
They were good-for-nothings who had caused their daughter to have to learn to live under the mercy of others at a young age.
Nian Xiaomu thought of something and suddenly asked, “You said that 10 years ago, everyone in the Xing Family relied on my adoptive parents for a living. After they passed away, how did you live your lives all these years? I recall that you said that someone had been supporting the Xing Family financially. Who is this person?”
After she spoke, the people in the Xing Family’s living room had strange expressions.
Nian Xiaomu could see that something was wrong. She spoke in a deep voice and continued, “I’ve said this before. This is the only chance for all of you. As long as you tell me the truth, I can assure you that I will not place the blame on the Xing Family.”
“Let me speak!”
The second uncle of the Xing Family stepped out with the aura of a patriarch.
Very quickly, his expression displayed signs of hesitation.
“Actually, everyone is unwilling to speak not because we have something to hide, but because we’re unsure of how to speak about it.”
“What do you mean?” Nian Xiaomu asked, frowning.
“This is a long story,” replied the second uncle of the Xing Family as he turned around to take a look at the members of the Xing Family behind him. With a deep voice and a nostalgic tone, the second uncle of the Xing Family continued, “The fire occurred so suddenly that the company was in a chaotic mess after the deaths of my eldest brother and sister-in-law. The rest of us had no choice but to watch as the company went into bankruptcy. We were on the verge of desperation… At that point in time, someone suddenly came to the Xing Family who claimed to be our eldest brother and sister-in-law’s friend. He specially came here to help the Xing Family. We had our suspicions because we had never heard about this person from eldest brother and sister-in-law. However, he seemed to be sincere in helping the Xing Family, which dismissed our suspicions.”
Hearing what the second uncle said, the fourth uncle, who had kept silent, opened his mouth and added, “I remember the reason why the Xing Family moved from City H without leaving any traces behind. It was a suggestion made by our benefactor. He had said that after something like this happened to the Xing Family, we would feel depressed if we were to continue staying there. As a result, he paid for us to move away from the city and helped us settle down in another city nearby.”
The third uncle of the Xing Family chimed in and said, “I also remember this. We were quite hesitant about moving the whole family, but we had no money on hand. The benefactor had promised to take care of the Xing Family until the younger ones were all grown up. However, three years ago, he disappeared all of a sudden!”
“Do you have a photograph of that person? What’s his name?” Nian Xiaomu asked. Her face lit up after hearing their words.
Her intuition told her that the person who had been taking care of the Xing Family could be one of her biological family members.
“I have a photograph! I remember that we took a picture with the benefactor, and I’ve kept it very carefully with me ever since then. It should be in the drawer. Give me a moment—I’ll get it now!”