Chapter Twenty-One

Zhan Ni seemed not to notice that anything was wrong with Liu Mumu. Her eyes were fixed on the man walking ahead.

She remembered that voice very clearly. It belonged to the lawyer who had come to her house a few days ago to announce her father's will.

The conversation between the two men up ahead continued.

"What a shame. Zhan Hongye had quite a lot of assets. If he'd changed the will, even without the company shares, the inheritance that girl would've received would still have been worth hundreds of millions, right?"

The lawyer gave a vague laugh and said only, "Zhan Huitian treats his sister pretty well. I don't think there's anything to regret."

When Zhan Hongye had consulted him, he'd been rather vague and hadn't made a final decision. The lawyer was only talking about it now because his client had died and his working relationship with the Zhan family had ended.

Someone had paid him extra to casually mention it to others. He hadn't lied, so why not? In the end, it was an internal matter for the Zhan family. He was an outsider; all he needed to do was make money.

The man beside him shook his head with a laugh. "Even real brothers keep their finances separate. She can't spend that much right now, but once Zhan Huitian gets married and has kids, how could he still let his sister spend his money?"

The lawyer said nothing more, clearly agreeing with him.

The two men gradually walked away, leaving Zhan Ni standing there, watching them go.

What did hundreds of millions mean? To a girl who hadn't even started earning money, it might be more than she could spend in her entire life.

She should have inherited that much. But now, not a single cent of her father's money belonged to her.

Her older brother had said he would take care of her, but all that meant was giving her a place to eat and sleep. If he really wanted to take care of her, why hadn't he given her a share of the money?

All kinds of tangled thoughts buzzed through Zhan Ni's mind. She didn't even acknowledge Liu Mumu beside her, suddenly turning and running off alone.

Liu Mumu stayed where she was instead of going after her, waiting for Dong Zhenghao to come find her.

She'd heard what they'd said, too. In her view, money was something you were lucky to gain and fated to lose. There was no need to give up striving just because you weren't destined to be wealthy, nor to dwell on losing a windfall.

Her grandfather had taught her that they could calculate a person's fate, but that didn't mean they should believe in it completely.

But not everyone had grown up with those beliefs. Zhan Ni's distress at missing out on an inheritance worth hundreds of millions was understandable. It only proved that the two of them really were different kinds of people.

"Where's that girl from the Zhan family?" Dong Zhenghao asked casually as he walked over and saw Liu Mumu alone.

"She left a moment ago."

Dong Zhenghao looked around, displeased. "She just left you here by yourself?"

Liu Mumu shrugged. "Maybe she's in a bad mood. Where's Aunt Jiang?"

Dong Zhenghao had come to find her alone. Jiang Li wasn't with him.

"She's talking to her family. I don't know what they're arguing about." Dong Zhenghao looked a little impatient; it was rare to see him like that.

When her biological father was out and about, he was usually better at managing his expressions than a celebrity.

There was a reason Dong Zhenghao was irritated. Besides Jiang Li and her younger sister, Jiang Jia, both of their parents had come to the funeral.

Even though the current head of the Zhan family had just inherited Zhan Hongye's estate and had heartlessly kicked Jiang Jia, his stepmother, out of the house, she had still been Zhan Hongye's legal wife.

Now that their son-in-law was gone, of course her parents had to show up.

Dong Zhenghao had always been cool toward Jiang Li's family. He sent gifts during holidays, but never went to see them. He couldn't be bothered dealing with them.

Speak of the devil, and he appears. They'd just mentioned the Jiang family when Jiang Li, her parents, and Jiang Jia came over together.

Jiang Li's face showed little emotion, but she walked quickly and heavily, as if she were angry.

A little behind her, Jiang Jia was holding the arm of a woman who looked to be in her seventies or eighties but was still in fairly good health. She was probably the sisters' mother. A man of about the same age walked on the other side.

When the two elderly people saw Dong Zhenghao, smiles immediately spread across their faces. "We heard Xiao Dong was here today, so we came especially to say hello."

Dong Zhenghao gave them a cool nod, which was all the greeting they got. The two of them didn't seem to mind his attitude at all.

Then the old woman began, "Oh, our Jiajia's had such bad luck. Poor Xiao Zhan, too—gone so young. Now Jiajia's all alone. Who knows how she'll manage?"

As she spoke, the old woman kept casting sidelong glances at her elder daughter.

Jiang Li gave a cold laugh and said bluntly, "She has several properties. She could sell any one of them and still live better than most people."

The old woman unhappily slapped Jiang Li. "What kind of thing is that to say about your sister? You live in a villa while Jiajia has to squeeze into that tiny apartment. How can it be right for her to live off selling property?"

Wow. Liu Mumu was getting an eyeful.

After seeing the Dong family, she'd thought no family could shock her anymore. Today had been an eye-opener.

Dong Zhenghao's face was stern. He clasped his hands in front of himself and said nothing, simply listening to them talk.

Jiang Li's parents seemed completely incapable of reading the room. Even though he stayed silent, they kept chatting away.

When the old woman saw that Dong Zhenghao wasn't reacting, she shifted her gaze to Liu Mumu. The way she looked her up and down was anything but friendly.

She continued speaking to Dong Zhenghao. "This is the child Xiao Dong just found, right? I heard she has a bad attitude. Don't let her bully our Xiao Qi. He's the only son in the Dong family."

Dong Zhenghao remained silent. Of course he cared about his son, but with Liu Mumu there, he didn't dare show too obvious a preference.

His son was important, of course, but his daughter... He didn't dare offend her!

"That's enough, Mom. Can you stop?" Jiang Li glared fiercely at Jiang Jia and interrupted her mother.

Even though she disliked Liu Mumu, she'd never spoken badly about her in front of Dong Zhenghao. Her mother had been taken in by Jiang Jia and didn't care at all about her elder daughter's predicament.

The old woman didn't understand how her elder daughter felt. She gave an unhappy snort. "I'm only looking out for you. I also heard from Jiajia that you were egged on by this girl and kicked Jiajia out of your house. Is that true?"

Then she glanced at Liu Mumu out of the corner of her eye. "So young, yet so malicious."

Dong Zhenghao looked at Jiang Li in surprise. He'd seen Jiang Jia at home a few days ago, but he hadn't spoken to her in the car and hadn't known she'd been kicked out.

If they kept talking, things would get out of hand. Jiang Li couldn't blame her parents, so she could only direct her anger at Jiang Jia.

"Jiang Jia, what have you been telling Mom and Dad all day?"

Jiang Jia folded her arms and enjoyed watching Jiang Li get scolded by their parents. "Wasn't what I said true? Brother-in-law, I'm not complaining or anything, but a child brought home from outside still needs to be taught properly. She doesn't even know basic manners. You've been married to my sister for years, so I'm her sister-in-law in name, at least."

Dong Zhenghao glanced uncertainly at Liu Mumu.

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

It wasn't a big deal. One apology would settle it. No matter how willful a child was, she shouldn't be rude to her own relatives.

But he really didn't dare make decisions for Liu Mumu.

Who would've thought that this time Liu Mumu would actually be so sensible? Facing Jiang Jia's accusation, she stepped forward, lowered her head, and said, "I'm sorry. That day was all my fault. I was being inconsiderate. I hope Aunt Jiang... won't hold it against me."

Dong Zhenghao and Jiang Li both stared at Liu Mumu in shock.

Jiang Jia was very pleased with her attitude and waved a hand magnanimously. "All right. I won't hold it against you."

She'd gotten to complain about Jiang Li in front of their parents and brother-in-law, and had even managed to scold the little brat. She felt a bit better.

"Come on, Mom and Dad. Let's go home," Jiang Jia said.

The old woman answered, then took Jiang Li by the hand before leaving and reminded her, "Your sister has it hard, too. Help her out whenever she needs something, all right?"

Jiang Li's face was cold. She said nothing.

When Jiang Li didn't answer, the old woman turned to Dong Zhenghao. "Xiao Dong, our family is counting on you."

She hadn't said she was counting on Jiang Li, but on their entire family.

Dong Zhenghao hated hearing things like that most of all. He couldn't bring himself to snap at the elderly, but he felt thoroughly vexed and decided to keep his distance from them.

Jiang Jia left with their parents. Dong Zhenghao was about to go, but then he noticed Liu Mumu hadn't moved.

He thought the girl had been pretty sensible today, that she'd understood how to save her father's face and let the matter drop.

Before he could finish feeling relieved, Jiang Jia and her parents had walked a few dozen meters away. Suddenly, Jiang Jia stepped into a hole, stumbled, and sent her high heel flying. Her ankle gave a sharp crack.

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

The whole sequence happened in one smooth motion.

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

Liu Mumu looked up at him and gave him a sweet smile. "Does Dad want to go help?"

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

"Nothing much. I just sincerely acknowledged her as a relative."

Not everyone was like Dong Zhenghao, immune to her Life pattern. When she deliberately tried to make something happen, other people could still suffer misfortune—especially those closely connected to her, like a younger brother or an aunt.

Dong Zhenghao was speechless for a long moment.

What a ferocious fate. Just hearing her apology was enough to sprain an ankle.

He'd clearly underestimated his elder daughter's desire for revenge. He was already considering whether to buy her a couple of properties and put them in her name in a few days, to make up for their earlier misunderstanding.

After all, he was a father with a whole family to support. He couldn't afford to get hurt!

"Let's go." He pretended not to see his sister-in-law's sorry state and headed in another direction.

Jiang Li was still hesitating over whether to help when her husband hurried away with Liu Mumu.

After a moment's hesitation, she hurried after them.

Dong Zhenghao's family left. Jiang Li's parents were busy helping Jiang Jia, who had landed face-first, back to her feet.

The farce was over. Mr. Ning, who had been watching from nearby, smiled and said to Zhan Huitian beside him, "Your stepmother, aside from her looks, really doesn't have much going for her."

Zhan Huitian said nothing. Now that she'd fallen on hard times, everyone could see her flaws. Back when she was still Mrs. Zhan, no one had ever said a bad word about her.

She was nothing but a malicious woman who'd climbed her way up by relying on men.

If Jiang Jia hadn't been unable to have children, Zhan Huitian's place in the Zhan family might have been taken from him long ago.

"All right, I should get going. The Zhan family will still have to rely on you from now on." Mr. Ning patted Zhan Huitian on the shoulder.

Zhan Huitian said respectfully, "I owe everything I have today to your support, Mr. Ning. If you need anything in the future, just tell me."

With that, he offered him a card in both hands.

Mr. Ning accepted it and sighed. "Oh, how time flies—it's been five years. Five years ago, when you came to me because you didn't want your stepmother to have a child, you were still an impulsive kid who never thought before he acted. Now you're able to run a company. You've turned out much better than your father was at your age."

Zhan Huitian fell silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "He was a madman."

After learning from Mr. Ning what Zhan Hongye had done, Zhan Huitian could no longer look at the father he'd once respected in the same way.

Mr. Ning smiled. "Someone who's lost his reason can drag everyone down into the abyss with him. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Don't worry," Zhan Huitian promised.

He wouldn't be like the mad Zhan Hongye, harming people recklessly to expand his business empire. It hadn't been enough to hurt others; he'd even gone after his own family.

And his birth mother, who'd given birth to him and his sibling and grown up alongside him.

They were both people with no blood relation to him, yet Zhan Hongye had sacrificed his mother without hesitation while sparing Jiang Jia, who was right by his side.

That was why Zhan Huitian hated that woman. It was her original sin.

Coming back to himself, Zhan Huitian brought the car around and drove Mr. Ning back to his residence.

Mr. Ning got out and was about to leave when Zhan Huitian suddenly called out to him.

He got out of the car, took a box from the trunk, and opened it to reveal a gray vase inside.

Mr. Ning looked surprised when he saw it. "Why did you bring this thing over?"

Zhan Huitian avoided his gaze and said quietly, "I've thought it over. This thing isn't safe to keep at home, and I don't plan to use it again. Please take it back, Mr. Ning."

After a pause, he continued, "I'll keep the company going. I won't use the same filthy methods he did."

Zhan Huitian hadn't made this decision on a whim. He'd watched his father turn from a human being into a monster. If he kept the vase, he was afraid that one day he would become the same.

Mr. Ning took the box. "That's for the best. When I gave this to your father, I never expected 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. The Zhan family really does make trouble for everyone."

The day after the funeral, Zhan Huitian had already returned to work as usual. At this time of day, he was always at the company.

Zhan Ni was alone in the empty villa. She picked up a book and flipped through it, but it was a dull read. She was about to return to her room when she heard the doorbell ring.

She went to open the door and saw a man in a Chinese tunic standing outside, holding a box. She recognized him; he'd been at the funeral yesterday, and her older brother had treated him with great respect.

When he saw Zhan Ni, Mr. Ning spoke gently. "You're Zhan Ni, right? I was a friend of your father's. I've come to return something."

Zhan Ni continued watching him warily. After hesitating for a moment, she opened the door and let Mr. Ning in.

Mr. Ning didn't walk farther inside. He seemed to intend to say just a few words with her in the courtyard.

He handed Zhan Ni the box and said, "Your brother left this behind 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 little heavy. She lowered her head and studied it curiously 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 set it on the coffee table and opened the lid. Inside, she saw the gray vase.

Besides the vase, there were two empty blood collection tubes, exactly like the ones her father had used that night. They'd contained her blood.

She took out the vase and peered through its opening. Inside was a piece of paper that hadn't burned completely, with her birth date and hour written on it.

She remembered what Liu Mumu had told her: to keep her birth details safe, because someone could use them to harm her.

Liu Mumu hadn't said what method they might use.

Was it something like this—writing her birth details on a piece of paper and then burning it?

Was that how her father had died?

Her older brother had been carrying this vase around with him for the past few days. If Mr. Ning hadn't happened to return it while her brother was away, she might not even have had the chance to touch it.

Zhan Ni's fingers rested lightly on the vase. The next moment, she snatched them back as if she'd been shocked.

She picked up the empty blood collection tubes beside it, and anger gradually welled up inside her.

Her father was dead, and her older brother had been keeping the vase this whole time. It was obvious who'd used up the blood in the tubes.

Her older brother really hadn't planned to let her live.

What should she do? Should she ask Liu Mumu for help?

No. Liu Mumu wouldn't help her. Zhan Ni immediately dismissed the idea.

Maybe she could confront her older brother? No, no. If he turned against her, then she'd truly be in danger.

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

A month ago, her father had wanted to change his will... He'd originally planned to leave her a very generous inheritance.

If it hadn't been for her older brother—if he hadn't taken all of their father's estate...

That was right. It was her older brother!

Zhan Ni felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her older brother had killed their father!

She suddenly remembered that her older brother had asked her for their father's real birth date and hour. She'd told him herself, and not long afterward, her father had died.

His death hadn't been natural. She only knew that there hadn't been any sign of another person at the scene. The police still had no leads, which meant they must not have found the murderer.

But she'd already guessed who the killer was.

If he'd even killed his own biological father, would he really spare her?

Zhan Ni gripped the empty blood collection tube, as if it gave her the courage to burn her bridges.

She didn't know whether Mr. Ning had told her older brother in advance that he was returning the vase today. Even if he hadn't, she didn't have much time.

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

First, she hid the vase under the bed. Then, still uneasy, she dragged the box back out and placed it beneath the desk, within reach of her legs.

She sat beside the desk, found a notebook she had never used, tore out a sheet of paper, and picked up a pen.

After holding the pen for several minutes, she finally made up her mind and wrote down the first number.

It took her five full minutes to write a simple string of numbers. When she finished, she realized with some frustration that she had only written down the date and time of birth, not her birth date and time in the traditional Chinese calendar.

So she opened her phone again and searched the browser for a way to convert it into the traditional Chinese birth details.

After a lot of effort, she found a website. It turned out she had to pay for a membership to get the conversion, but she paid without hesitation and entered the numbers she had written down.

After more than ten minutes of fussing with it, she finally got her eldest brother Zhan Huitian's birth details.

She took another sheet of paper and carefully wrote down the birth details. This time, she did it in one go. She took the bottle out of its box and set it on the desk, then went downstairs and found Zhan Huitian's lighter on the coffee table. With everything ready, she held the lighter in one hand and the paper with his birth details in the other, then set it alight.

Only when the flames licked her fingers did Zhan Ni finally seem to feel the burning pain. She hurriedly let go and tossed the nearly burnt scrap into the vase.

As she watched the flames inside the vase slowly die out, the unease on her face gave way to calm.

Zhan Ni didn't leave her room all day. She didn't even cook.

She sat quietly on her bed, waiting.

At nine that evening, she saw a car pull into the courtyard through her window.

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

Zhan Huitian had just parked when he saw Zhan Ni rushing out. He couldn't help looking surprised. "Why did you run out without shoes?"

When Zhan Huitian came closer, Zhan Ni stiffly took two steps back. Her voice carried a faint, barely noticeable tremor. "I ran too fast and forgot."

"Go back and put your shoes on." Zhan Huitian didn't think anything of her odd behavior. After saying that, he went straight inside. He'd been busy at the company all day and was exhausted; he had no energy to deal with Zhan Ni.

It had failed.

Zhan Ni stood at the doorway, fists clenched, and turned to stare fixedly at Zhan Huitian.

Or had she been wrong in the first place? Had she messed up a step?

What should she do now? Would Zhan Huitian discover what she'd done? Would he find out that she had the vase?

Zhan Ni kept telling herself to calm down. Zhan Huitian probably didn't know she recognized the vase, let alone that she knew what it could do. Even if he asked her for it, it wouldn't matter.

This time had failed, but she'd have another chance.

But Zhan Huitian didn't mention the vase once, not even when it was time for bed.

The worry that had weighed on Zhan Ni all evening finally eased. Had he forgotten? Or had Mr. Ning forgotten to tell him?

Either way, it was a good thing.

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