Chapter 13: Turning the Tables

Zhou Yongxin appeared mysterious, a sly gleam flickering in his eyes. Zhong Xiao could see right through his impure intentions at a glance. With all his thoughts written plainly across his face, Zhou Yongxin was such a fool that Zhong Xiao simply could not fathom how, in her previous life, she had been so thoroughly deceived by someone like him.

But Zhong Xiao had no intention of blaming herself. The ones who did wrong were them, those who schemed against her were them; everyone had banded together to bully her, so she would not join in and bully herself any further.

She suppressed her thoughts and asked, “What secret?”

Zhou Yongxin cautiously stepped forward, wearing a sycophantic smile.

“Xiaoxiao, let’s talk in your room.”

Once inside, Zhou Yongxin closed the door. Zhong Xiao instinctively became alert, discreetly grabbing a hairpin from the vanity and holding it tightly in her palm, though her expression remained calm.

“Whatever it is, just say it.”

Zhou Yongxin approached, hesitated for a while, then spoke in a grave tone:

“Xiaoxiao, what do you think of Uncle Du’s treatment of you?”

Zhong Xiao sensed something and deliberately replied, “My father treats me well, of course. He’s the best person to me in the world.”

As expected, Zhou Yongxin became agitated.

“Xiaoxiao, think carefully. Over the years, Uncle Du’s treatment of you and your sister, Du Ying’er—who do you think he favors more?”

Zhong Xiao pretended to ponder, then said, “Father is stricter with me and more indulgent with Du Ying’er, but he’s explained it’s to train me, to temper me, since I’m the eldest daughter of the Zhong family and must shoulder its responsibilities…”

Hearing this, Zhou Yongxin, unable to hold back, interrupted urgently:

“That’s not it at all!” he cried. “He’s strict with you, kinder to Du Ying’er, purely because he prefers Du Ying’er—because she’s his real daughter!”

Zhong Xiao stood up abruptly, her gaze sharpening.

Her nails dug into her palm as she trembled, asking, “What did you say? Don’t make things up—I’m also my father’s…”

Yet, as she tried to finish the sentence, she found herself unable to say the words.

Seeing Zhong Xiao’s emotions surge, Zhou Yongxin hurried on, “Xiaoxiao, you must have sensed something was wrong, haven’t you? Why is Uncle so strict with you, why does he keep you in the dark about everything, why won’t he tell you the secret of the warehouse…”

And not only that.

Why had they tricked her into going to the countryside alone, using forged documents and fake receipts to inflict further torment, and why did they let Yang Yuehe torment her without restraint?

She had always believed it was because Du Huacheng, weighing pros and cons, had chosen to abandon his own daughter in favor of the Zhong family’s wealth and Yang Yuehe’s three children.

But it turned out—

From the very beginning, she had never been considered as one of Du Huacheng’s options.

Du Huacheng had intended to sacrifice her from the start.

Because she was not his biological daughter!

Zhong Xiao clenched her teeth. For thirty years in her previous life, she had never once suspected this.

Never knowing that even a tiger would not devour its own cub.

She should have realized it long ago.

Slowly, Zhong Xiao’s gaze shifted to Zhou Yongxin. She knew he wasn’t coming to warn her out of kindness; he must have his own motives.

She pinched her palm so hard pain brought tears to her eyes.

She looked at Zhou Yongxin and asked, “Is everything you said true? What should I do now?”

Taking his cue, Zhou Yongxin drew her into an embrace.

“Don’t cry, Xiaoxiao, don’t cry—you still have me.” Where he thought Zhong Xiao couldn’t see, a smug smile curled on Zhou Yongxin’s lips. “The most urgent thing now is to make sure all your belongings are properly accounted for. Don’t let them fall into their hands.”

“For example, your receipts, your money, your jewelry, and… oh, your family heirloom!” Zhou Yongxin said. “You must keep it safe!”

Zhong Xiao caught the key point instantly.

So it was true—Zhou Yongxin’s real aim was her jade pendant.

Since he wanted it so badly, she might as well use him to help her accomplish something.

Without betraying her emotions, Zhong Xiao pushed Zhou Yongxin away, still maintaining her tearful demeanor.

“My things are all still with me, especially the jade pendant. My grandfather once told me it’s worth a fortune, as valuable as a thousand taels of gold…”

Zhou Yongxin’s eyes lit up.

“But now I’m still living in the Zhong household. If one day, my father and Aunt Yang insist on taking my things, there’s nothing I can do.”

Seeing her predicament, Zhou Yongxin said, “It’s alright, Xiaoxiao! You can keep your things at my place. I’m not part of the Zhong family—once you entrust them to me, I’ll just say you gave them to me. They wouldn’t dare snatch them from me.”

Zhong Xiao sneered inwardly but continued to look troubled.

“But the jade pendant is so valuable. If I give it to you just like that and my father reports it to the police, he still has the right to dispose of my belongings. If things escalate, they might even accuse you of fraud and ruin your future.”

Zhou Yongxin was caught in a dilemma.

Suddenly Zhong Xiao exclaimed, “Ah!”

She looked up, her face glowing with joy and anticipation.

“I have an idea. If I sever ties with my father, then my belongings will truly be mine alone. I can give them to whoever I please.”

Zhou Yongxin frowned. “Sever ties?”

“Yes,” Zhong Xiao nodded, taking Zhou Yongxin’s arm and coaxing gently. “My father knows exactly what I possess—he’s always coveted this jade pendant. If I go to them asking to cut off relations, they’ll certainly be suspicious. There’s only one way: make them take the initiative to sever ties with me.”

“That way, they won’t dare take anything from me anymore.”

“Once I’ve completely cut off relations, my belongings will only be mine,” Zhong Xiao continued. “And mine will become yours, won’t they?”

Zhou Yongxin pondered her words carefully.

Gradually, he became more convinced.

Zhong Xiao added a final touch to sway him further.

“Brother Yongxin, to tell you the truth, most of the Zhong family’s assets and receipts are in my possession. My father has no idea—they were all left to me by my grandfather when he departed.”

“After I cut ties with my father and his family, we can get married, and you won’t need to worry about family status.”

“I will have no one else in this world—only you.”

“Then I’ll take my money and my family heirloom and follow you wherever you go. Everything I have will belong to you!”

A greedy glint flickered in Zhou Yongxin’s eyes.

He resembled a repulsive snake.

“Don’t worry, Xiaoxiao. Leave it to me,” Zhou Yongxin said. “Once ties are cut, we’ll get married, and I’ll be your lifelong protector and family.”