The Twenty-First Chapter

Zhan Ni seemed not to notice Liu Mumu's unusual behavior, her eyes fixed on the man walking ahead.

She remembered the voice very clearly; it was the lawyer who had come to her house a few days ago to announce her father's will.

The conversation between the two men ahead continued.

"It's a real shame. Zhan Hongye's assets are considerable. If he had changed his will, even without company shares, the inheritance that girl would have received would be worth hundreds of millions, right?"

The lawyer chuckled vaguely and only said, "Zhan Huitian is quite good to his younger sister, so there's really nothing to regret."

When Zhan Hongye consulted him that day, his questions were vague, and nothing was finalized. Now, he was only speaking out because the employer had passed away, and his cooperation with the Zhan family had ended.

Someone had paid him extra to say whatever he wanted to others. Since he wasn't lying, why not do it? In the end, it was all internal affairs of the Zhan family. As an outsider, he just needed to make money.

The person next to him laughed and shook his head, "Even brothers keep clear accounts. How much money can she spend now? When Zhan Huitian gets married and has children, how could he possibly give the money in his hands to his younger sister?"

The lawyer stopped talking, clearly agreeing with the other person's statement.

The two gradually walked away, and Zhan Ni remained in place, watching their retreating figures.

What did hundreds of millions mean? For a young girl who hadn't started earning money, it was probably more than she could spend in a lifetime.

She should have received so much money, but now, not a penny of her father's money belonged to her.

Her elder brother said he would take care of her, but that only meant giving her a place to eat and sleep. If he truly wanted to take care of her, why didn't he give her the money?

Various chaotic thoughts buzzed in Zhan Ni's mind. She didn't even pay attention to Liu Mumu beside her and suddenly ran off by herself.

Liu Mumu stayed put and didn't chase after her. Instead, she waited for Dong Zhenghao to find her.

She had heard the conversation just now. In her opinion, wealth was something that one should accept with gratitude if it came and let go of if it was lost. One shouldn't stop striving just because fate had no wealth, nor should one dwell on the loss of fleeting riches.

Her grandfather had taught her that they could calculate destiny, but they couldn't entirely believe in it.

However, not everyone received such philosophical education from childhood. Missing out on an inheritance worth hundreds of millions, Zhan Ni's loss of composure was understandable. It only proved that they were indeed two different kinds of people.

"Where is that young girl from the Zhan family?" When Dong Zhenghao walked over, he only saw Liu Mumu alone and casually asked.

"She left earlier."

Dong Zhenghao looked around with some displeasure, "She left you here alone?"

Liu Mumu shrugged, "Probably in a bad mood. Where's Aunt Jiang?"

Dong Zhenghao had come to find her alone; Jiang Li was not with him.

"Talking with her family. I don't know what they're arguing about," Dong Zhenghao's face showed a hint of impatience. It was rare to see him make such an expression.

When her own father was around, his expression management was no less than a celebrity's.

Dong Zhenghao was agitated for a reason. At today's funeral, besides Jiang Li and the Jiang Jia sisters, their parents were also present.

Even though the current head of the Zhan family, having just inherited Zhan Hongye's fortune, had heartlessly driven Jiang Jia, the stepmother, out of the house without regard for their relationship, she was still Zhan Hongye's lawfully wedded wife.

With the son-in-law gone, the father-in-law and mother-in-law naturally had to show up.

Dong Zhenghao had always been indifferent to Jiang Li's family. He only sent gifts during holidays and never visited. He was impatient with dealing with this family.

Speak of the devil, as they were mentioning the Jiang family, Jiang Li, her parents, and Jiang Jia walked over together.

Although Jiang Li's face showed no expression, her steps were heavy and fast, as if she were angry.

Jiang Jia, walking a little behind, held the arm of an old woman who looked seventy or eighty years old but was still quite healthy. That should be the mother of these two sisters. On the other side was an old man of similar age.

The two elders' faces immediately broke into smiles upon seeing Dong Zhenghao, "We heard Xiao Dong was here today, so we came specifically to say hello."

Dong Zhenghao nodded at them coldly as a greeting. The two didn't seem to mind his attitude.

Then, the old woman began to speak, "Oh, our Jiajia has such bad luck. Little Zhan is also unlucky, dying so young. Leaving Jiajia all alone, I don't know how she'll get through life."

As she spoke, the old woman glanced sideways at her eldest daughter.

Jiang Li let out a cold laugh and said unceremoniously, "She has several houses. If she sells just one, she'll live better than most people."

The old woman patted Jiang Li's arm unhappily, "You child, why are you talking about your younger sister like that? You live in a villa, and you want Jiajia to squeeze into that small apartment of a few dozen square meters? Is it proper to live by selling houses?"

Wow, Liu Mumu's eyes were opened.

After witnessing the Dong family, she thought no other family could shock her anymore. Today, she learned something new.

Dong Zhenghao's face was grim, his hands clasped and hanging in front of him. He remained silent, just listening to them talk.

Jiang Li's parents seemed oblivious to his mood. Even though he didn't speak, they continued their lively conversation.

Seeing Dong Zhenghao's lack of reaction, the old woman shifted her gaze to Liu Mumu, her eyes appraising her in a decidedly unfriendly manner.

She continued speaking to Dong Zhenghao, "This must be the child Xiao Dong just found, right? I heard this child has a bad temper? Don't let our Xiao Qi be wronged. Xiao Qi is your Dong family's only son."

Dong Zhenghao remained silent. Of course, he valued his son, but with Liu Mumu present, he didn't dare show too much obvious favoritism.

His son was naturally good, but his daughter... he didn't dare offend her!

"Alright, Mom, can you stop talking?" Jiang Li glared fiercely at Jiang Jia and interrupted her mother.

Even if she disliked Liu Mumu, she never spoke ill of her in front of Dong Zhenghao. Her mother had been intimidated by Jiang Jia and completely disregarded her eldest daughter's predicament.

The old woman didn't understand her eldest daughter's feelings. She snorted unhappily, "I'm doing this for your own good. I also heard from Jiajia that you, instigated by this young girl, kicked Jiajia out of your house. Is that true?"

After speaking, she glanced at Liu Mumu from the corner of her eye, "So young, yet so venomous."

Dong Zhenghao looked at Jiang Li with a hint of surprise. He had indeed seen Jiang Jia when he went home a few days ago, but he hadn't greeted her in the car. He didn't know she had been kicked out.

If she continued talking, it would be hard to resolve, so Jiang Li couldn't blame her parents and could only turn her anger towards Jiang Jia.

"Jiang Jia, what nonsense are you always saying to Dad and Mom!"

Jiang Jia crossed her arms, happy to see Jiang Li being lectured by her parents. "Isn't what I said the truth? Brother-in-law, I'm not complaining about anything. A child brought back from outside needs to be taught properly. She doesn't even understand basic manners. You've been married to my sister for so many years, and I'm technically her younger aunt."

Dong Zhenghao hesitated and looked at Liu Mumu.

If the person standing beside him had been Dong Yue, he could have made the child apologize to Jiang Jia.

It wasn't a big deal originally; an apology could have resolved it. No matter how willful a child was, she shouldn't be rude to her own relatives.

However, he truly didn't dare to act rashly with Liu Mumu's master.

Unexpectedly, Liu Mumu was sensible this time. Facing Jiang Jia's accusation, she stepped forward, lowered her head, and said to Jiang Jia, "I'm sorry. It was all my fault that day. I was ignorant. I hope my younger aunt... won't blame me."

Dong Zhenghao and Jiang Li looked at Liu Mumu in shock.

Jiang Jia was very satisfied with her attitude and waved her hand magnanimously, "Alright, I won't stoop to your level."

After complaining about Jiang Li to her parents and brother-in-law, and lecturing this little brat, she felt a bit better.

"Alright, Dad and Mom, let's go home," Jiang Jia said.

The old woman responded. Before leaving, she didn't forget to pull Jiang Li aside and instruct her, "Your younger sister has it hard too. Help her out with things in the future, understand?"

Jiang Li's face was cold, and she didn't say anything.

Seeing Jiang Li's silence, the old woman turned to Dong Zhenghao. "Xiao Dong, our family is counting on you."

She wasn't referring to her own daughter Jiang Li, but to their family.

Dong Zhenghao hated hearing such words the most, but he couldn't get angry at an elder. He felt unlucky and planned to stay away from them.

Jiang Jia left with her parents. As Dong Zhenghao was about to leave, he saw Liu Mumu standing still.

He thought, this child is quite sensible today, knowing how to save his face as a father and de-escalate the situation.

Before he could finish feeling relieved, Jiang Jia's family of three had walked dozens of meters away. She suddenly stepped into a pit, her body tilted, her high heel flew off, and her ankle made a cracking sound.

Jiang Jia screamed and fell face-first into the dirt.

The series of actions was smooth and complete.

The scene was so familiar that Dong Zhenghao stiffly turned his head to look at his eldest daughter.

Liu Mumu looked up at him and gave a innocent smile. "Dad, are you going to help?"

Dong Zhenghao's throat bobbed. "What happened to her?"

"Nothing much. Just now, I sincerely acknowledged a relative."

Not everyone was immune to her fate like Dong Zhenghao. When she intentionally wanted to do something, others would still have bad luck, especially those closely related to her, like her younger brother or younger aunt.

Dong Zhenghao was speechless for a long time.

This fate was truly fierce; even listening to her apology made someone sprain their ankle.

He had indeed underestimated his eldest daughter's vengefulness. He was already considering whether to buy her two apartments in her name in a few days to clear up the previous misunderstanding.

After all, as a father with a family, he couldn't afford to get hurt.

"Let's go." He pretended not to see his sister-in-law's embarrassment and changed direction.

Jiang Li was still hesitating whether to help. Her husband had already taken Liu Mumu and walked away quickly.

She hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.

Dong Zhenghao's family left. Jiang Li's parents were anxiously pulling Jiang Jia, who had fallen face-first, up.

The farce ended. Mr. Ning, who had been watching from not far away, smiled and said to Zhan Huitian beside him, "Your stepmother, apart from her face, has nothing commendable about her."

Zhan Huitian remained silent. She was down on her luck now, and everyone could see her flaws. When she was still Mrs. Zhan, no one would say a bad word about her.

She was clearly a malicious mistress who only used men to get ahead.

If Jiang Jia hadn't been unable to have children, her position in the Zhan family would have likely been replaced long ago.

"Alright, I should be going. The Zhan family will have to rely on you in the future," Mr. Ning said, patting Zhan Huitian's shoulder.

Zhan Huitian said respectfully, "It's all thanks to Mr. Ning's support that I've achieved what I have today. If you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

After speaking, he handed over a card with both hands.

Mr. Ning accepted the card and sighed, "Ah, five years have passed in the blink of an eye. Five years ago, when you came to me because you didn't want your stepmother to have children, you were still an impulsive kid who acted without thinking. Now you can manage a company. You're much better than your father was back then."

Zhan Huitian was silent for a moment, gritting his teeth. "He's a lunatic."

After learning what Zhan Hongye had done from Mr. Ning, he could no longer look at the father he once respected.

Mr. Ning smiled. "A person who loses their reason will drag everyone into the abyss. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Don't worry," Zhan Huitian promised.

He would not be like the crazy Zhan Hongye, who harmed others indiscriminately to expand his business empire, and not only harmed others but also his own family.

And his biological mother, who gave birth to him and grew up with him.

Even though they weren't related by blood, Zhan Hongye could sacrifice his mother without hesitation, yet let Jiang Jia, who was right beside him, go.

This was why he hated that woman, and it was also that woman's original sin.

After snapping back to reality, Zhan Huitian drove Mr. Ning back to his residence.

As Mr. Ning got out of the car, Zhan Huitian suddenly called out to him.

He got out of the car and took a box from the trunk. Inside the box was a gray vase.

Upon seeing the vase, Mr. Ning showed a hint of surprise. "Why did you bring this thing over?"

Zhan Huitian avoided Mr. Ning's gaze and said in a low voice, "I've thought about it. It's not safe to keep this thing at home, and I don't plan to use it anymore. Please take it back, Mr. Ning."

He paused before continuing, "I will support the company and won't use those dirty methods like he did."

This decision wasn't made by Zhan Huitian suddenly. He had watched his father turn into a monster with his own eyes. If he kept the vase, he feared he would eventually become the same.

Mr. Ning took the box. "That's fine. When I gave this to your father, I didn't expect it to cause so much trouble. It's good that you won't use it."

Seeing that Mr. Ning wasn't angry with him, Zhan Huitian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After he drove away, Mr. Ning weighed the vase in his hand and muttered to himself, "Tsk, these Zhan family people really don't make things easy."

The day after the funeral, Zhan Huitian had already returned to work. He was at the company during this time.

Zhan Ni was alone in the empty villa. She picked up a book and flipped through it, finding it uninteresting. Just as she was about to return to her room, she heard the doorbell ring.

She went to open the door and saw a man in a Zhongshan suit standing outside the gate, holding a box. She recognized his appearance; he had been at the funeral yesterday, and her elder brother had been very respectful to him.

Seeing Zhan Ni, Mr. Ning said to her gently, "You must be Zhan Ni. I am a friend of your father's. I've come to return something."

Zhan Ni still eyed him warily. After a moment of hesitation, she opened the door and let Mr. Ning in.

Mr. Ning didn't walk further inside, seeming to only intend to speak with her in the yard.

He handed the box in his hand to Zhan Ni and said, "Your elder brother left this yesterday. I happened to be passing by, so I brought it back. Please give it to him for me."

Zhan Ni took the box. It felt a bit heavy. She looked down at it curiously for a few moments before saying, "I understand."

Mr. Ning smiled at her. "Then I'll take my leave."

After Mr. Ning left, Zhan Ni carried the box back into the house.

She placed the box on the coffee table and opened the lid, revealing the gray vase inside.

Besides the vase, there were also two empty blood collection tubes, identical to the ones her father had used that night. The blood collection tubes contained her blood.

She took out the vase and looked into its opening. There was a piece of paper inside that hadn't been completely burned, with birthdates and times written on it.

She remembered what Liu Mumu had told her, to keep her birthdates and times safe because someone could use them to harm her.

What kind of method was it? Liu Mumu hadn't said.

Was it like this, writing the birthdates and times on paper and then burning them?

Was this how her father died?

For the past few days, this vase had been carried around by her elder brother. If Mr. Ning hadn't returned it while her elder brother was away, she might not have even had a chance to touch it.

Zhan Ni's finger lightly landed on the vase, then she snatched it back as if she had been shocked.

She picked up an empty blood collection tube next to it, and a surge of anger gradually welled up within her.

Her father was already dead, and the vase had always been kept by her elder brother. It was obvious whose blood had been used from the blood collection tube.

As expected, her elder brother had no intention of letting her go.

What should she do? Ask Liu Mumu for help?

No, she couldn't. Liu Mumu wouldn't help her at all. Zhan Ni immediately dismissed the thought.

Perhaps she could confront her elder brother? No, no. If her elder brother turned hostile, her situation would become truly dangerous.

At this moment, the lawyer's words from the cemetery yesterday echoed in her mind.

A month ago, her father had wanted to change his will... Originally, her father had intended to leave her a very generous inheritance.

If it weren't for her elder brother, if it weren't for him, he would have snatched all of her father's inheritance...

Yes, it was her elder brother!

Zhan Ni was struck by lightning. It was her elder brother who had killed her father!

She suddenly remembered that her elder brother had asked her for her father's true birthdate and time. She had told him herself, and not long after, her father had died.

His death was not natural. She only knew that there were no traces of anyone else at the scene of death. The police had not made any progress to this day, so they definitely wouldn't be able to find the murderer.

But she had already guessed who the murderer was.

If he could harm his own biological father, would he really spare her?

Zhan Ni clutched the empty blood collection tube, as if she had found the courage to burn her bridges.

She didn't know if Mr. Ning had informed her elder brother in advance about returning the vase today. Even if he hadn't, she didn't have much time left.

Zhan Ni carried the box back to her room and carefully locked the door.

She first hid the vase under the bed, then, feeling uneasy, dragged the box out and placed it under her desk, within reach of her legs.

She sat at her desk, found a brand-new notebook, tore off a sheet of paper, and picked up a pen.

She held the pen for several minutes before finally making up her mind and writing the first number.

It took her a full five minutes to write a simple line of numbers. After finishing, she regretfully realized she had only written her birth year, month, day, and time, not her Bazi.

So, she opened her phone again and searched for methods to convert birthdates and times in the browser.

After much effort, she found a website. Upon clicking it, she discovered she needed to become a member to get the conversion. Without hesitation, she paid the fee and entered the numbers she had written.

After fiddling for over ten minutes, she finally obtained her elder brother Zhan Huitian's Bazi.

She got a fresh sheet of paper and wrote down the Bazi, this time completing it in one go. She took the vase out of its box and placed it on the table. Then, she went downstairs to the coffee table and found Zhan Huitian's lighter. With the preparatory steps complete, she held the lighter in one hand and the paper with the Bazi written on it in the other, setting it ablaze.

Only when the flame licked her fingers did Zhan Ni finally feel the burning pain. She quickly let go and threw the nearly burnt paper into the vase.

Watching the firelight in the vase gradually disappear, the expression on her face shifted from apprehension to calm.

Zhan Ni didn't leave her room all day, not even to cook.

She just sat quietly on her bed, waiting.

At nine o'clock in the evening, she saw from her window that a car had driven into the yard.

Zhan Ni's heart leaped. She opened the door and rushed downstairs.

As soon as Zhan Huitian stopped the car, he saw Zhan Ni rush out. He couldn't help but be surprised, "Why did you run out without shoes?"

Seeing Zhan Huitian approach her, Zhan Ni stiffened and took two steps back, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, "I ran too fast just now, I forgot."

"Go back and put on your shoes." Zhan Huitian didn't pay attention to her unusual behavior. He only said that to her before heading into the house. He had been busy at the company all day and was exhausted, not in the mood to deal with Zhan Ni.

It failed.

Zhan Ni stood at the door, her hands clenched. She turned her head and stared intently at Zhan Huitian.

Or was her previous idea wrong? Did something go wrong in the steps!

What should she do next? Would Zhan Huitian discover what she had done? Would he know the vase was with her?

Zhan Ni repeatedly told herself to calm down. Zhan Huitian shouldn't know she recognized the vase, let alone knew its function. Even if he asked for the vase back, it would be fine.

This time failed, but there would be another chance.

To Zhan Ni's surprise, Zhan Huitian didn't mention the vase at all until bedtime.

This eased the worry that had been weighing on Zhan Ni's heart all evening. He didn't mention it. Did he forget? Or did that Mr. Ning forget to tell him?

Regardless, this was a good thing.

However... she needed to figure out as soon as possible how the vase was actually used.