Chapter 30: Shameless

With just a few words, Zhong Xiao managed to send Zhou Yongxin off, eager and unsuspecting. She watched him leave with a cold gaze, waited a while longer, then rose and headed to the state-run restaurant.

As expected, she spotted Du Huacheng dining with Du Changlin and Du Changgong. Du Ying’er sat beside them, looking preoccupied, as if weighed down by her own thoughts.

Though Du Huacheng had been driven out of the Zhong household by Zhong Xiao and all their belongings remained with the Zhong family, the items he and his sons wore still held considerable value. For instance, the two longevity locks in solid gold that Du Huacheng had made for his sons weighed a total of one hundred grams. And that was not counting their bracelets and anklets, nor the accessories, watches, and pocket watches Du Huacheng wore himself. Pawning these would see them through not just a few days, but several months or even a year with little trouble.

What’s more, Du Huacheng likely still coveted the golden Buddha statue in the Zhong family courtyard, so he harbored no fear of running out of money. He assumed Zhong Xiao had yet to discover the statue’s secret.

Zhong Xiao observed from outside for a while before she saw Du Ying’er rise from the table and head toward the restroom. Zhong Xiao quickly followed, stealthily trailing after her. She slipped a note onto the floor of the stall Du Ying’er entered, then hid in an inconspicuous spot nearby to watch.

When Du Ying’er exited the stall, she noticed the note on the ground, bent to pick it up, and her face changed instantly. Furious, she spat, “Zhou Yongxin, you bastard!” and stormed out.

By the time Du Ying’er returned to the dining room, she had lost all appetite. The note in her palm was crumpled beyond recognition. She had no idea who had left it, but its message was clear:

Tonight at ten o’clock, Zhou Yongxin, to curry favor with Zhong Xiao and become the Zhong family’s live-in son-in-law, has arranged to meet her in the Westwood Grove, where they plan to pledge themselves to each other for life.

Du Ying’er was livid. Zhou Yongxin and Zhong Xiao had first met in Westwood Grove, when Zhong Xiao had been harassed by a group of thugs and Zhou Yongxin had played the hero, winning her heart at first sight and earning himself a place in the Zhong household. Unexpectedly, Du Ying’er had also fallen for this charming, debonair man. Later, although Yang Yuehe wanted to use Zhou Yongxin to plot against Zhong Xiao and urged Du Ying’er to seduce him, Du Ying’er had gone along willingly. It was more than just a scheme.

Du Ying’er’s feelings for Zhou Yongxin were genuine. So now, seeing that he might choose Zhong Xiao over her, how could she not be anxious and furious? No, she absolutely could not let Zhong Xiao have Zhou Yongxin.

With this thought, Du Ying’er had no desire to eat. She told Du Huacheng, “Dad, I’m not feeling well. I’ll skip dinner and go get some sleep. Don’t wake me later—I’ll sleep through the night and get up tomorrow.”

Du Huacheng, distracted and preoccupied with thoughts of the Buddha statue, barely registered her words and replied absentmindedly, “Alright,” before returning to his meal. With his mind so occupied, he had no energy to deal with Du Ying’er.

Back in her hotel room, Du Ying’er paced anxiously, waiting and waiting until finally the old clock on the wall showed it was nearly ten to ten. She changed into inconspicuous dark gray clothes and slipped out, making her way to Westwood Grove. Cautiously, she ventured deeper into the woods, glancing nervously around as she went. The deeper she walked, the darker it became, until she could hardly see her surroundings, forced to feel her way forward.

In the stillness of the night, the only sound was her footsteps crunching on the leaves, chilling in the silence. Just as fear began to creep in, a familiar voice called out from the darkness.

“Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao, is that you?”

Du Ying’er froze—Zhou Yongxin’s voice! The heartless scoundrel, the liar! And he still dared to call her “Xiaoxiao!” He had betrayed her, just as she suspected. For a moment, Du Ying’er didn’t know whether to be angry or heartbroken; even her fear was forgotten as she shouted in his direction:

“Zhou Yongxin! You liar! You really did come here to meet Zhong Xiao behind my back!”

Her shrill voice cut through the night. Zhou Yongxin, who had been searching cautiously, started at her cry, stepping back in shock. Once he regained his composure, his voice turned flustered and hurried.

“How is it you? Why are you here?”

Du Ying’er let out a cold laugh. At this point, she no longer cared who had left the note. All she could think of was Zhou Yongxin’s betrayal.

She had suffered so much for Zhou Yongxin, endured so much pain. Now, before her confinement was even over, this faithless man was sneaking off to meet another woman—and the very woman she hated most in the world! Du Ying’er was nearly driven mad with rage.

“You dare ask why I’m here? I should be asking you why you’re here!”

Seeing his plan unraveling, Zhou Yongxin hastily tried to placate her. “You’ve misunderstood! I arranged to meet Zhong Xiao here to deceive her, to win her trust so I can take control of the Zhong family. Once I’m in charge, won’t I bring you and Uncle Du back? It’s all for the greater good, can’t you see?”

But Du Ying’er refused to believe him. “The greater good? You just want to make your act real and marry Zhong Xiao! You’ve been lying to me all along, haven’t you?”

She burst into tears. Zhou Yongxin grew increasingly anxious and confused—wasn’t Zhong Xiao supposed to be here? Why had Du Ying’er shown up instead?

Unable to explain, he resorted to the truth. “Crying won’t help! You and Uncle Du have been kicked out by Zhong Xiao; she calls all the shots now. If I stick with you, we’ll have nothing, not even a roof over our heads. Only Zhong Xiao has money and property. Once I’ve secured her assets and that heirloom, they’ll all be mine. Then, even if you don’t return to the Zhong family, I can buy you a beautiful house elsewhere for you and Uncle Du to live in comfort. Everything I’m doing is for you—why can’t you see that?”

Soothed by his words, Du Ying’er’s anger began to subside. The two of them lingered in the woods, tugging at each other. At first, Du Ying’er resisted Zhou Yongxin’s embrace, but soon she yielded, half-resisting, half-allowing his advances.

Zhou Yongxin grew bolder, his hands wandering as the night deepened, the secluded grove providing the perfect cover for forbidden acts. His voice grew huskier. “My dear Ying’er, I’ve missed you so much these days… It doesn’t matter that we lost our child, we’re still young, we can have another. Once I have Zhong Xiao’s possessions, I’ll treat you and our child well. Darling, let me satisfy this longing.”

As he spoke, he began undressing himself and Du Ying’er. As the two lost themselves in reckless passion, a blinding beam of white light suddenly swept over them from nearby, dazzling their eyes. From all directions came stern, commanding voices:

“Who’s there? Behaving so shamelessly in the dead of night! Seize them!”