Chen Jinzhao’s gaze swept over the throng of people.
Su Hao sensed it and looked up, meeting Chen Jinzhao’s half-smiling, half-mocking gaze, which made him momentarily freeze.
After calming himself slightly, Su Hao’s lips also curved upwards.
In a brief instant, the two had reached a shared understanding through their eyes.
Chen Jinzhao withdrew his gaze, realizing Su Hao had agreed. He knew Su Hao wouldn’t let such a golden opportunity slip by. Daring and willing to stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
This move was called, “Driving the tiger to devour the wolf!”
Knowing Su Hao would act, Chen Jinzhao sent a text message to Tao Qiyue, who was far away in Ninghai, asking her to pay close attention to the personal safety of Bai Meizi and Yu Huaiqing.
On the other side.
Su Hao went to the restroom, dialed a number, and said directly, "Act tonight, but make sure not to take their lives, understand?"
"Then, have someone report to the municipal bureau under their real names, and have others cause a disturbance outside the Su family’s doorstep. Make the commotion even bigger, and expose Su Yuan’s wrongdoings one by one!"
"Once it’s done, there will be generous rewards."
After hastily ending the call, Su Hao took out the temporary SIM card and flushed it down the toilet. Then, he washed his face with cold water, watching the water drain into the sewer as he murmured, "After tonight, everything will be different."
"Chen Jinzhao, don't let me down!"
The people he had contacted just now were all close confidantes of Su Yuan. For years, he had been undermining Su Yuan, all for the day he could replace him!
With his own strength alone, he clearly couldn't bring Su Yuan down.
He needed Chen Jinzhao’s help!
Even if—
He and Chen Jinzhao were mortal enemies!
Returning to the venue again, Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi had already left. However, Su Hao was in an exceptionally good mood.
Everything was under control, and that felt wonderful.
On the other side.
Chen Jinzhao had already accompanied Yu Mengzhi out of the venue. He had no interest in the subsequent private meeting; he had already grasped Qin Fengwu's intentions.
Sitting in the car, Yu Mengzhi had yet to fully recover.
"Where are we going now?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Yu Mengzhi rubbed her temples. "Let's go back to Ninghai. I have many things I want to clarify. My father should know something."
She had no mood to attend the next two days of meetings.
"Let's go back tomorrow. If you're in a hurry to ask, you can call them first. Tonight's Jiangning City is likely to be very lively." Chen Jinzhao wanted to deal with Su Yuan before returning. Yu Mengzhi originally wanted to say something, but as she opened her mouth, she realized Chen Jinzhao might have a plan and changed her words, "I still haven't fully accepted it. How can I be from the Li family in the capital?"
"Don't you find it ridiculous?"
"You drive back to the hotel first. I'll call my dad and ask."
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
The two returned to the hotel. Yu Mengzhi stood by the window and called Yu Wendong. Yu Wendong sounded puzzled, "Mengzhi, why are you calling me? If I remember correctly, you should be attending a private reception hosted by Qin Fengwu right now?"
"Dad, I want to ask you a question, and I hope you'll answer truthfully," Yu Mengzhi said.
"Go ahead."
Yu Wendong didn't seem to mind.
Yu Mengzhi asked directly, "Who is my mother?"
Yu Wendong was silent for a moment. "Why are you asking this question? Your mother, she..."
"Has she entered a monastery and chosen to live with the ancient Buddha?" Yu Mengzhi posed this question, causing Yu Wendong to fall silent for a longer period. After a while, he said, "Who told you this?"
"You just need to tell me, yes or no." Yu Mengzhi’s tone was extremely firm.
Yu Wendong sighed. "Yes."
Yu Mengzhi found it difficult to accept for a moment. "So, I am indeed the maternal granddaughter of the Li family in the capital? And my mother is Li Zhiqing of the Li family?"
"Yes!"
Yu Wendong did not deny it.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me all this, not tell me anything about my mother?" Yu Mengzhi's questions were like cannonballs, leaving Yu Wendong unsure how to answer. In the end, he could only say, "These things are not convenient to discuss over the phone. Let's find a time to talk face-to-face. Since you already know all this, I will find time to take you to Linzhou to see your mother. She misses you very much."
Yu Mengzhi gave a bitter smile.
If her mother truly missed her, why would she have been absent for twenty-odd years of her life?
And even kept her from knowing her mother’s existence.
How heartless!
Yu Wendong wanted to say more, but Yu Mengzhi said in a low voice, "Dad, I'm a bit tired. Let's talk about these things later."
*Beep—*
She hung up directly.
On the other end of the phone.
Yu Wendong looked melancholic, not knowing how to explain to his daughter.
"It's not time for her to know the truth yet. This will cause some deviation in the plan. I wonder what Zhiqing will plan." Yu Wendong muttered to himself, but he was still somewhat relieved that Yu Mengzhi only knew this much. If she knew other things, her mood would likely worsen.
"So be it."
"It's been over twenty years. It's time for her to know these things. You can hide it for a while, but not forever."
Jiangning.
After finishing the call, Yu Mengzhi stood by the window, lost in thought.
Chen Jinzhao walked over and hugged her, gently comforting her. "They must have had some difficulties doing this, otherwise they wouldn't have kept it from you for so long."
"Actually, I understand the reasoning, but I just can't accept it for now." Yu Mengzhi was a strong-willed woman.
"All I want to know now is, why did they do this?"
Chen Jinzhao wasn't sure either.
Yu Mengzhi shook her head and stopped thinking about these chaotic matters. She said to Chen Jinzhao, "Let's not talk about this for now. I'm a bit hungry. I didn't eat anything at the reception."
Seeing Yu Mengzhi quickly regain her composure, Chen Jinzhao's mood also improved.
"Alright, then let's take a stroll through Jiangning City at night."
Jiangning City, a former capital of six dynasties, was rich in historical heritage with numerous scenic spots. At night, the most bustling area was undoubtedly the Qinhuai River banks, making one feel as if they had stepped into the prosperous ancient capital of a thousand years ago.
Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinzhao walked hand-in-hand along the Qinhuai River, greatly alleviating her gloomy mood.
After getting tired from walking, they sat on a bench by the roadside to rest.
Yu Mengzhi leaned against Chen Jinzhao, recalling their first time at the night market street near Chen Jinzhao's home. Back then, both of them had feelings for each other, but neither of them dared to break the unspoken barrier.
"I want to know, did you like me back then?" Yu Mengzhi blinked her big eyes, staring into Chen Jinzhao's eyes.
Chen Jinzhao replied honestly, "Naturally, I did."
Yu Mengzhi hummed softly, as if playfully pouting. "You're lying. Back then, you were just acting out of responsibility towards me. Don't think I don't know."
"Uh..."
"It's true that initially, it was like this. After all, love at first sight in this world is merely lust at first sight. Later, after I got to know you more deeply, I fell in love with you. I'm not lying about this," Chen Jinzhao answered truthfully.
"Did you fall in love with me, or did you fall in love with me?" Yu Mengzhi smiled and retorted.
Chen Jinzhao was stunned.
It took him a full ten seconds to understand the meaning of Yu Mengzhi's words. He cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, I think I like both."
Yu Mengzhi pinched Chen Jinzhao's waist hard. "You're pushing your luck!"
"Actually, my emotional journey was similar to yours. Initially, I didn't have much feeling for you, and only later did I slowly fall in love with you."
She paused.
Then she added, "I like both, too."
Chen Jinzhao burst into laughter.
The two looked up at the moon. Because the moon could carry longing, Yu Mengzhi said after laughing, "Jinzhao, I often ponder a question. Do you ever feel like your life is being manipulated? Your growth seems to be proceeding along a path set by someone. I had this feeling before, but I never spoke it aloud."
"And tonight, after learning about my mother, this feeling has become even stronger."
"We seem to be like chess pieces."
Chen Jinzhao thought of the abnormality in his body, perhaps it was the result of someone interfering with his growth. "Actually, even if you didn't say it, I had this feeling, but I don't know whose hand is manipulating us, nor what their intentions are."
"Don't think too much about these things."
"If someone wants to control my life and manipulate my personality, it depends on whether they have the ability. If one day I find out who the mastermind is, I will definitely let them know what 'backlash' means!"