It turned out Tang Tang was the illegitimate daughter of the Tang family's second master, her mother a girl from a small town on the southern border.
The second master went there for business, and the two developed feelings. However, due to a family arranged marriage, he ultimately abandoned Tang Ran's mother.
Less than a year later, the second master died of illness. The second madam, unwilling to remain a widow, remarried directly.
To leave an heir for the second son, the Tang family patriarch found Tang Tang.
He brought Tang Tang back to the Tang family and handed her over to the eldest branch, asking the eldest daughter-in-law to look after her. This eldest daughter-in-law was none other than Sun Fang.
Sun Fang had disliked her second brother-in-law for years, and now she was being asked to care for this illegitimate child, so naturally, she was resentful. She treated Tang Ran with constant abuse and beatings.
Tang Ran lived every day in the pain of being abused…
Hearing this, Su Ding and Jin Xiao Xi felt immense heartache. The mother and son each held one of Tang Ran's hands, softly comforting her, "No one will ever hit Tang Tang again."
Tang Tang nodded, "I used to really want to stick close to Tang Yi Yi and treat her like a sister, but she always ignored me. Back then, Yin Bo Ge Ge and Xiao Xi Gu Gu also came to play. Yin Bo Ge Ge stayed over that night. In the evening, I suddenly heard Yin Bo Ge Ge crying out in pain. When I entered his room, Yin Bo Ge Ge had already fallen asleep."
"Sun Fang didn't give me food that day. I saw the leftover snacks and drinks on Yin Bo Ge Ge's table, so I secretly ate them. Then my body started to ache intensely, and I lost consciousness…"
Su Ding's heart leaped, and she quickly asked, "What happened next?"
"When I woke up, Yin Bo Ge Ge was gone. And from that day on, I couldn't feel pain as much. The pain from Sun Fang's beatings seemed to lessen, and I became very strong. They called me a monster and beat me even more. Later, I remembered what happened that night and guessed it was the drink on the table."
"Diminished pain, increased strength…" Su Ding, hearing this unbelievable story, suddenly realized, "Yin Bo is also like this!"
When she first arrived in the southern territory, she had seen Yin Bo in the underground boxing ring.
At that time, she found Yin Bo somewhat strange. Given his unskillful boxing techniques, his excessive height, and his slightly frail physique, how could he win every match? He could even lift opponents twice his weight with ease. Such strength and physical resilience were completely mismatched.
Did he also consume this mysterious substance?
Tang Tang was the same. Children are most sensitive to pain, yet every time Su Ding applied medicine to Tang Tang, Tang Tang would say it didn't hurt. Was this the reason?
Su Ding's heart was filled with unspeakable shock. This medicine was too terrifying.
Jin Xiao Xi also expressed worry, "Mama, what if this medicine has side effects?"
"Yes, we need to think carefully about this matter."
Su Ding's expression turned solemn. She stroked the heads of the two children, "When we get back, I'll find someone to investigate this medicine."
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed a strange expression on A Da and A Xiao's faces as they listened nearby.
"A Da, A Xiao." Su Ding called out to them.
"Ah?" A Da was startled, snapping out of his deep thought with a conflicted expression.
A Da glanced at A Xiao, and A Xiao looked back at A Da. There seemed to be a secret in their exchange.
"Do you know something?" Su Ding sensed it keenly.
"Um…"
A Da and A Xiao fell silent simultaneously.
Su Ding's face darkened, "Uncle said you are people who protect me, and I trust you very much. Don't you trust me?"
A Da sighed, seemingly making up his mind, "Miss, this matter involves a secret of our Ouyang family. You know that our Ouyang family has lived on an island for generations. After several generations of reproduction, the Ouyang family has many branches. Some of these branches are not content to live on the island their entire lives; they desire external power and wealth."
"So, about twenty years ago, an organization was formed. They developed a drug that could enhance a person's physique. As soon as the drug was released, it was sold to the southern territory, with customers being wealthy individuals from the lower rungs of the upper circles."
"However, it failed. Some wealthy individuals experienced adverse reactions, and many died shortly after."
"At that time, the main lineage of the Ouyang family was undergoing internal strife. The Patriarch returned with the young master and madam, quelled this internal rebellion, and punished this organization. Thus, the matter passed."
A Xiao added, "Judging by Miss Tang Ran's condition, she should have taken this drug. As for who sold this drug to the Young Master Yin, our Fortress Master needs to investigate and clear this chain."
"Then will Tang Tang be okay?"
Hearing about the side effects that led to the deaths of those wealthy individuals, Su Ding's heart clenched.
A Da and A Xiao shook their heads simultaneously. But seeing the anxious eyes of Su Ding and Xiao Xi, they added, "But you don't need to worry. The dosage she took should not be much, and it's been several years. If there were going to be issues, they would have appeared long ago."
Everyone's eyes turned to Tang Ran on the bed.
Tang Ran was not her usual timid and confused self. Instead, she looked at them seriously, "What the two brothers said is correct. Auntie and Xiao Xi, you don't need to worry about me. Also, you might be wondering why I'm different from usual?"
Su Ding, Jin Xiao Xi, A Da, and A Xiao all nodded simultaneously.
"I might have a split personality," Tang Ran said, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "I read about it. I only used to appear at night, but I don't know why I suddenly came out today."
Hearing this, everyone's expression turned to shock.
Su Ding noticed a fleeting look of disappointment on Tang Ran's face and quickly hugged the child, "It's okay, we will always love you, no matter which you it is."
Jin Xiao Xi also rushed forward, "Tang Tang… Sister Tang Ran, I will always protect you."
At this moment, he finally understood where that strange feeling came from. It was because the Tang Tang before him was not the docile older sister he usually cared for, but the older Tang Ran, who was older, more sensible, and smarter than him.
Hearing that address, Tang Ran felt a subtle warmth, and she nodded.
"It seems the situation is more complicated than we imagined. So the old man misunderstood us as being part of that organization, which is why he locked us up," Su Ding said.
A Da and A Xiao also nodded, "The Jin family was involved back then. No wonder."
With these matters clarified, although Su Ding still felt immense pressure, it was also as if a fog had lifted.
She stood up to pour a glass of water, her gaze falling upon the earring on the table.
Her heart suddenly began to pound wildly!
Su Ding snatched up the earring and examined it carefully, confirming it was the pair she had lost on the yacht that time!
This recording earring had captured Tang Yi Yi's true colors!
She had personally admitted to being behind the rape of Jin Miao Miao!
With trembling hands, Su Ding pressed the button.