Xiao Yanyan felt as if struck by lightning, rushing forward to hug Zhao Father's legs. Her face was streaming with tears. This dramatic movement caused her bathrobe to open slightly, and Zhao Father, that old lecher, felt a shameless stir within him.
"Uncle, I beg you, grant us our wish. I will never see Xianming again, and when Yu Ming and I move out, it won't affect him."
The physical contact and friction made Zhao Father's face turn redder, his heart pound faster, and his blood surge. He kept telling himself it was just a plaything. If he touched it, what of it?
He lifted her up and forcefully sat her on his lap. Xiao Yanyan was no child and immediately sensed something was wrong.
Zhao Father was quite capable for his age. In a short while, he had Xiao Yanyan completely subdued. Soon, she became proactive, and the two of them engaged in a passionate embrace.
Zhao Yuming heard Xiao Yanyan's voice from the entryway. Sensing something was amiss, he rushed over in a fury.
Seeing the scene before him, he felt dizzy and momentarily lost his balance. Upon realizing what was happening, he dropped his briefcase and landed a heavy punch on Zhao Father's head.
"Dad, you're my father! How could you do this to me?"
"She's just a plaything, why do you care so much? A woman for anyone, she's not worthy of being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhao family."
Xiao Yanyan cried out in a wronged manner, and Zhao Father suddenly felt a stab in his heart.
"Alright, stop crying. Are we still going to mistreat you?"
"Dad, what do you mean? Yanyan is mine alone." Zhao Yuming's eyes were filled with obsession and possessiveness.
"Heh, yours alone. Ask this little slut if she's willing. Neither Xianming nor I ever forced her; it was all consensual."
"I won't allow you to insult her like this."
Saying this, he stepped forward and attempted to punch Zhao Father again. Zhao Father agilely dodged and kicked him in the abdomen.
"Yelling at your father for a woman, you unfilial wretch."
Zhao Yuming ferociously tackled Zhao Father and rained blows upon him. Zhao Father grabbed his hair and with a strong pull, his parted bangs were gone.
The bloody appearance was terrifying. Xiao Yanyan screamed in fright. The pain stimulated Zhao Yuming into a frenzy. He grabbed Zhao Father's head and smashed it against the floor. Slowly, Zhao Father ceased to move.
Shui Wa: "Tsk tsk tsk, murdering one's own father. Truly ruthless. What should we do next?"
Jun Jiuli: "Are we not going to call the police? Just attend a funeral?"
Soon, the police broke through the door and arrested Zhao Yuming on the spot. Xiao Yanyan was utterly bewildered and afraid of retaliation from the Zhao family. Just then, the opposite door opened, revealing Sun Yanwu.
Sun Yanwu had been driven out of his home by his mother upon returning. All the cards and assets his mother had given him were confiscated. Even his father, who might have pleaded for him, was sent back to the countryside.
He could only use the money he had earned from his previous competitions to buy a small apartment here. Upon hearing the sirens, he came out to see what was happening and unexpectedly saw the woman he admired in such a disheveled state.
He hurried over to ask what had happened. Xiao Yanyan scrambled to his feet and threw herself before him.
"Yanwu, please save me. I'm so scared, so scared. I never thought it would turn out like this." Her expression was vacant, and she trembled all over.
Sun Yanwu quickly helped her up, took off his jacket, and covered her with it. He urgently asked the police officer what had happened, and the officer could only explain that they had received a report and the situation at the scene.
They were already contacting family members. As an eyewitness, Xiao Yanyan would definitely need to go to the police station to give a statement. Sun Yanwu calmed her down, accompanied her to change her clothes, and they headed to the police station together.
With complete evidence, Zhao Yuming was sentenced to life imprisonment. Xiao Yanyan was hidden away by Sun Yanwu.
Zhao Mother expressionlessly buried Zhao Father. All of Zhao Father's assets and shares were transferred to the remaining four relatives. Zhao Yuming's assets were handed over to Zhao Mother for management.
The Zhao family made every effort to suppress the news, and outsiders remained unaware of the inside story. Yang Jinxiu, after careful investigation, guessed the reason.
He had intended to personally avenge himself, but unexpectedly, his great enemy was gone in an instant. He felt an unusual mix of emotions.
Someone had acted faster than him, and Xiao Yanyan would not have a good end either. He drained his glass of red wine, resolving that no matter what, he would protect Sun Nanyi this time.
In his previous life, Zhao Yuming had kidnapped Sun Nanyi to please Xiao Yanyan. They had thrown her into the sea in front of him, and he was eventually shot dead by Zhao Yuming's men.
Even now, he could still recall these events in his dreams. Just then, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Yang Jinxiu smiled happily.
"What's wrong, my outside-the-circle boyfriend? Why are you smiling so brightly today?"
"I guess you know."
"Hahaha, nothing can escape your notice. Come to my place for dinner tomorrow. My mom wants to meet you."
Yang Jinxiu felt a moment of panic. "Why so suddenly?"
Sun Nanyi pretended to be angry. "What, you don't want to?"
"Of course, I do."
"I just don't know what your mother likes, and what preparations I should make?"
"My mom said it's enough if you just come. You can buy whatever you think is appropriate."
"I really can't do anything about you."
...
While their side was filled with sweetness, the Zhao family was in a state of "gloomy desolation." Zhao Yuanming had been on leave for half a month due to a problem with his hand.
No matter how many examinations he underwent, the cause of his condition couldn't be found. His fingers twitched strangely, and his wrists and arms went numb. The hands that were once incredibly agile with a scalpel had become like this.
The formerly confident and cheerful person was now deeply melancholic. He was now disabled and could no longer shine in the operating room.
He had seen many doctors without success. Some had even suggested he see a psychologist.
The psychological pain tormented him constantly. People who had never experienced setbacks could hardly endure such a blow.
Unable to face reality, he had become addicted to drugs and locked himself away.
Jun Jiuli pushed open Zhao Xianming's door. He was now incredibly bloated. The room was filled with a foul odor, and all the hair on his head had "retired honorably."
"Get out, get out. I don't want to see any of you."
"Don't you want to see your Xiao Yanyan either?"
"In my current state, how can I possibly be worthy of her?"
"Your elder brother is in prison, and no one can compete with you anymore. Do you really want to give up this opportunity that's within your grasp?"
Zhao Xianming finally raised his head, his eyes frighteningly bright.
"Little sister, can I trust you?"
"Of course. I will make your wish come true."