Chapter 573: Did Someone Say Something to You?
Chapter 573: Chapter 573: Did Someone Say Something to You?
"N-nothing," Zheng Jiang stammered, quickly lowering his head to hide his expression.
"Xiao Jiang, what exactly happened? Did someone say something stupid to you?" Zheng Lin asked with a frown.
The fact that the Li family’s biological daughter had been switched wasn’t a secret in the residential compound. What Li Yuan had done was impossible to hide, and almost everyone who knew the Zheng family was aware of it.
The Zheng family could be considered victims as well. People didn’t say anything to the other members of the Zheng family, but they weren’t so friendly toward Li Yuan’s two biological sons. They all said the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In many people’s minds, Li Yuan’s sons had inevitably inherited some of her bad genes. Because of this, some of the children in the compound no longer wanted to play with Zheng Jiang and Zheng Hai.
Zheng Jiang and Zheng Hai were fourteen and twelve at the time, old enough to understand what was happening. Although their family treated them no differently, the upheaval at home and the alienation from their former friends still affected them deeply. Over the past year, Zheng Jiang and Zheng Hai had clearly become less talkative and weren’t as lively as they used to be. The Zheng family saw this and tried to counsel them many times, but to little effect.
"No," Zheng Jiang said, pouting. "Zheng Lin, just stop asking."
Zheng Jiang’s reaction made Zheng Lin frown. He was certain someone had said something to Zheng Jiang; otherwise, he wouldn’t be reacting this way. At this thought, Zheng Lin sighed and said, "Xiao Jiang, I know what happened with your Second Aunt was a blow to you and Xiao Hai. But you shouldn’t let it drag you down. You need to remember that you and Xiao Hai are descendants of the Zheng family. You should put certain people and things behind you and not let them affect you. If you keep moping like this, you’ll ruin your own life. Do you understand?"
Zheng Jiang looked at Zheng Lin. "But Zheng Lin, my brother and I are still related to our mom by blood. That can’t be severed. No matter what, we’re connected to her. I know what Mom did back then was wrong. But Zheng Lin, it takes two to tango. I think she must have had a reason for doing what she did. Everyone says she’s completely evil and that she wronged the Li family. But I’ve seen it with my own eyes all these years—my mom treated the Li Family members incredibly well."
The more Zheng Lin listened, the more uneasy he felt, his frown deepening. "Xiao Jiang, how could you think like that? What your Second Aunt did back then truly wronged the Li family. The family explained everything clearly to you and Xiao Hai. You’re not little kids anymore; you should understand this."
Zheng Jiang pressed his lips together. "But Zheng Lin, she’s still my mom."
Hearing this, Zheng Lin took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Xiao Jiang, tell me the truth. Did someone say something to you?"
Zheng Lin’s question made Zheng Jiang’s eyes flicker. ’He’s right,’ he thought, recalling what that person had told him. ’What they said makes a lot of sense. No matter how bad Mom might be, she was always good to my brother and me. Besides, if she hadn’t married into the Zheng family, my brother and I wouldn’t even exist. It’s because of the choice she made back then that we have this comfortable life, unlike others who have to struggle just to get by or even worry about their future jobs.’
"No," Zheng Jiang denied. "Zheng Lin, no one said anything to me. I just miss my mom. Will I ever have a chance to see her again?"
Zheng Lin pursed his lips. A while ago, the Zheng family received news that Li Yuan had passed away on the farm in the Northeast due to health reasons. However, the family hadn’t told the two boys, Zheng Jiang and Zheng Hai, fearing it would be too great a blow for them.
"Xiao Jiang, you are a child of the Zheng family, and only the Zheng family. Don’t think about anything else. You’re only fifteen; you’re still a kid. Your most important task right now is to study. Don’t worry about other things, okay?" Zheng Lin said, softening his tone.
Zheng Jiang didn’t speak. He just looked at Zheng Lin, his eyes turning red again. Then, he lowered his head and mumbled, "I know."
’Just as I thought,’ he mused. ’That person was right. The Zheng family won’t help me, and they won’t help Mom. I’m her son. Since the Zheng family won’t help, I’ll do it myself. I can’t let my mom keep suffering on that farm while I, her son, am here enjoying a life of luxury. I have to find a way to get her out.’
Zheng Lin had no idea what was going through Zheng Jiang’s mind. Thinking that Zheng Jiang had accepted his words, he patted him gently on the shoulder and said, "Come on, let’s go home. It’s almost time for lunch."
"Okay."
Not far from the compound entrance, a person in a hat and large sunglasses stood, completely concealed. They stared in the direction of the compound for a long time without moving. Finally, the person gave a cold snort and turned to leave.
When Su Qing got home, Aunt Zhang had just finished cooking and was bringing the dishes out. Aunt Zhang was a staff member who took care of Mr. Li and Mrs. Li, mainly responsible for the elderly couple’s meals. The Li Family members were all very kind, and the younger generation, like Su Qing, was very respectful toward Aunt Zhang. Seeing her bring out the food, Su Qing greeted Mr. Li and Mrs. Li, washed her hands, and said with a smile, "Aunt Zhang, let me help you."
"No need, Qingqing. I’m almost done here. Go on to the living room. The two elders were just talking about you," Aunt Zhang said with a warm smile, gently pushing Su Qing toward the living room.
Seeing that things in the kitchen were indeed almost finished, Su Qing smiled. "Alright then, I’ll wash the dishes after we eat."
With that, Su Qing playfully threw herself next to Mrs. Li and hugged her arm. "Grandma, did you miss me?"
"You child, the older you get, the more you know how to sweet-talk," Mrs. Li said, chuckling as she hugged Su Qing back. "Is school very demanding?"
"It’s fine, I can handle it," Su Qing replied with a grin, then she noticed her grandpa giving her a mock-reproachful look.
Su Qing’s eyes crinkled with laughter. "Grandpa, I really missed you."
"Hmph. If you missed me, why are you hugging your grandma?"
Hearing that, Mrs. Li’s eyebrows shot up. "What? You old man, are you trying to compete with me for our granddaughter?"
"Why would I need to compete? She’s my granddaughter to begin with," Mr. Li huffed.
Before Mrs. Li could say anything else, Su Qing quickly interjected with a laugh, "Aunt Zhang has all the food ready. Let’s hurry and eat, I’m about to faint from hunger."
Ever since Su Qing had started helping the two elders improve their health, their personalities had become more and more playful. The Li Family members were quite used to this kind of drama over who was the favorite.
Hearing Su Qing say this, Mrs. Li quickly agreed. "Right, right, let’s eat first. We can’t let our Qingqing go hungry."
Just as they were about to eat, the doorbell rang.