He wanted to say…
If only he had known earlier that Ming Zheng was Z.
Their relationship… would never have devolved into the current situation.
Perhaps, they could have become very good friends.
Ming Zheng, however, scoffed.
Clearly not believing his words.
The mockery and indifference in her eyes made Ming Yanlun’s heart ache with every beat.
His eyes grew increasingly red.
The hands propping himself up on the table strained, veins bulging.
“I don’t want to waste time discussing these irrelevant matters with you,” Ming Zheng said, her voice flat and cold, as if she couldn’t see his pain.
No.
She wasn’t unable to see it.
She simply didn't care.
She felt no concern for his suffering.
In her eyes.
He was less than a stranger.
This feeling… was exactly the same as how they, back then, couldn't see, didn't care about, and weren't concerned with Ming Zheng's pain.
Ming Yanlun’s hands slowly clenched into fists.
“Ming Zheng.”
He spoke hoarsely, “I am your brother, after all. Must you treat me with such an attitude?”
“No, you are Ming Zhi Rou’s good brother,” Ming Zheng smiled. “I have long since left the Ming family, and Chairman Ming and Madam Ming personally said they would never acknowledge me as their daughter. So… don’t try to force a connection; it’s useless.”
She tilted her head.
Her ink-black hair cascaded down.
Adding a fiery intensity to her ordinarily indifferent face.
Ming Zheng tapped her crimson lips with her slender finger. “Speaking of Ming Zhi Rou… let me think, your intrusion into the Wang family’s system tonight, attempting to crack their core technology, was it perhaps to… earn that one hundred million in compensation for Ming Zhi Rou?”
She tutted, her eyes filled with even greater mockery. “Looking back, YL, who styled themselves as a harbinger of justice, was rampant online, looking down with disdain on all behaviors they deemed unworthy. Now, for their precious sister, they’re willing to abandon their principles.”
“What touching sibling affection, willing to break the law for one’s sister.”
Though the words were meant as an observation, from Ming Zheng’s mouth, they were laced with endless sarcasm.
“I didn’t do it for her!” Ming Yanlun, for some reason, didn't want Ming Zheng to misunderstand that everything was for Ming Zhi Rou.
He no longer had any illusions about Ming Zhi Rou.
He certainly wouldn't abandon his principles for her.
Ming Yanlun’s pupils widened. “I recovered the surveillance footage from Yin Yang Mountain that day… I saw… I saw what happened that day.”
“I know… my car was tampered with by Young Master Song, and Ming Zhi Rou was nearby… she saw it all, I know…”
As he spoke, his voice grew hoarser, his eagerness to prove something to Ming Zheng palpable.
But the girl on the screen showed no emotional reaction, even looking at him with a half-smile.
As if asking – So what?
So… so…
“Because Young Master Song tampered with my car, you crippled his hand for me, and avenged me. I know you still care about me as your brother…”
Ming Yanlun’s voice became increasingly urgent. “I knew I was wrong a long time ago… I know I did many things to hurt you for Ming Zhi Rou, but I’m making it up to you now…”
The Ming family, whenever they mentioned her, was full of complaints.
Only he.
Only he would speak up for her, bearing the pressure of the entire family.
When Ming Zhi Rou got close to him, he would push her away.
He was already trying his best to change and make amends.
“Hold on,” Ming Zheng made a stopping gesture and adjusted her posture, nearly bursting into laughter from the sheer mockery. “No, you’re mistaken. I, like Ming Zhi Rou, knew from the beginning that your car had been tampered with.”
Ming Yanlun’s pupils contracted abruptly, the frantic expression of desperate proof freezing on his face.
“Also, I never intended to save you at any point,” Ming Zheng’s smile slowly widened, deepening. “Even if you died in front of me, I wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”
She would have even stepped over his corpse and walked away.
Thinking his body was obstructing her path.
Ming Yanlun felt as if struck by lightning, utterly defeated, slumping back into his chair.
His pupils widened, staring intently at the girl on the screen, unable to believe the cold words she uttered.
Ming Zheng scoffed, “Don’t delude yourself, and don’t flatter yourself. I don’t need your so-called amends.”
She raised a slender finger, about to move towards the keyboard.
Clearly intending to cut off their video call.
Ming Yanlun, in a panic, lunged towards the computer. “Don’t… don’t hang up! I’ll tell you whatever you want to know, just let me… let me see you again…”
After this video call ended.
If he wanted to speak to Ming Zheng again,
She would likely be too lazy to utter another word to him.
He didn’t want to reach such an end with his own sister.
“I didn’t do this for Ming Zhi Rou, I did it for the Ming family… Dad, Mom, and Eldest Brother all knelt before me and begged me. I really had no choice…”
He was eager to prove himself; he had no feelings left for Ming Zhi Rou, and the only one he cherished and valued now was his own sister!
The Ming Zheng of the past cared so much about their family.
As long as he was willing to repent.
Ming Zheng would surely forgive him!
Ming Yanlun’s tone was urgent, afraid that Ming Zheng would hang up the video call at any second.
He quickly explained how Ming Zhi Rou had asked him to infiltrate the Wang Corporation’s core technology and use it as leverage to secure investments.
The more Ming Zheng listened, the more incredulous she became.
Ming Zhi Rou?
Disappeared for a few days, specifically to find an opportunity for the Ming family?
And she actually found a way to save the Ming family?
And successfully stole some technology from the Wang Corporation and sold it to President Wang’s company for one hundred million?
And she actually learned about the Wang family’s core technology that was poised to elevate them to the top of the four major families?
This was preposterous!
Ming Zheng knew from the three years she spent with Ming Zhi Rou in her previous life that Ming Zhi Rou was merely a superficial good-for-nothing.
If she hadn’t invested so many resources in her previous life,
How could Ming Zhi Rou have had the chance to rise later?
How could she have become the Ming family’s so-called pride and honor?
So, after leaving the Ming family, Ming Zhi Rou was nothing?
Ming Father and Ming Ting Xu couldn’t find a way to save the Ming family.
Yet, Ming Zhi Rou managed to find one?
Did Ming Zhi Rou understand business affairs?
From this, it didn't seem like a plan that Ming Zhi Rou’s intellect could devise.
It seemed…
Ming Zhi Rou had someone behind her.
But was that person's aim directed at the Ming family? Or the Wang family?
Or perhaps…
A greater purpose?
“It’s true! Everything I did was for the Ming family, not for Ming Zhi Rou!” Ming Yanlun even raised his hand in a gesture of an oath.