"One must have a conscience. Back then, in Hong Kong, how much support did you receive from the He family? How did you treat their daughter? Even the good woman you see in your eyes, upon learning I was bringing Ming Rui back, actually wanted Gao Mingyuan to drive and kill us all."
Upon hearing He Ziyu's last sentence, He Zinian froze instantly. "Ziyu, what are you talking about? What do you mean you're bringing Rui back?"
"It's rare indeed that you, the father, show concern for your son. Did you know he was almost run over by a car?"
He Zinian ignored He Ziyu's mockery. He eagerly stepped forward, grabbed He Ziyu's shoulders, and pressed, "You really found Rui? Where is he now?"
"I heard you all arguing from my room..." Mother He came out holding clothes. As she reached the stairs, she heard He Zinian's words, her hands loosened, and the clothes she was holding fell to the ground. Trembling, she said incredulously, "Zinian, what did you just say?"
He Ziyu looked up, saw his mother's unsteady figure, and quickly took the stairs in a few strides. He supported her arm and said, "Mom, I found Rui. There was a minor accident on the way back. He's in the hospital now, just minor external injuries, you don't need to worry."
"Really, you really found Rui?" Mother He's eyes instantly welled up. After waiting for so many years, hearing the news so suddenly made it feel unreal.
"Hurry and take me to see him, quickly." Mother He said as she hurried downstairs. "Zinian, your father went to your Uncle Li's. Hurry, go and call him back. I'll go to the hospital first."
Seeing her rush out, He Ziyu glanced at He Zinian and Zhu Shasha. "Don't think this is the end of it."
With that, he bolted to catch up with Mother He. "Mom, slow down."
Mother He asked as she walked, "Are you sure it's Rui? You're not mistaken, right?"
He Ziyu: "Mom, don't worry. If I didn't have absolute certainty, why would I..."
He Zinian glanced at Mother He and He Ziyu, who were walking away, then looked back at Zhu Shasha and Qingqing. He opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, and walked outside.
"Mommy, is Daddy abandoning us?" Children are the most sensitive. Seeing that their father, who usually doted on them, wasn't hugging him as usual and looked a bit fierce, Qingqing couldn't help but feel wronged.
Zhu Shasha stared at He Zinian's receding back, lost in thought. Finally, as if having made a decision, she took her son's hand and turned to go upstairs.
...
Father He glanced at the time and felt it was getting late. He said goodbye to his old friend and got up to leave.
Shortly after he left, He Zinian arrived. Upon learning his father had already left, he turned and headed home.
The He family and the Li family were not far apart. Grandfather He saw a vegetable stall halfway and specially bought some dishes his wife liked.
Carrying the vegetables, he entered the house, only to find it quiet. He went to the kitchen first. At this time, his wife usually cooked, but she wasn't there. After putting down the vegetables, he returned to the living room. Just then, he heard voices from upstairs and went up.
"Mom, what are you doing? Daddy is here, I'm not leaving!"
"What do you know? If we don't leave now, I'll lose my life! If you don't want to go, you can stay here yourself." Zhu Shasha said, hugging the items in her arms tighter. Regardless of her son's tantrum, she dragged him outside, only to bump into Father He. Zhu Shasha was so startled she almost screamed.
Father He's gaze fell on the pile of things in her arms, and his face became extremely grim.
"What are you doing? I never knew we had a thief in the house!"
Zhu Shasha clutched the things in her arms tighter.
These were jade ware, calligraphy and paintings, as well as gold bars and cash that Grandfather He had accumulated over the years.
The matter had been exposed. Given He Ziyu's personality, she would certainly not let her off easily.
Since she was destined to leave, she had to at least get some capital. Who knew this old fossil would return at this very moment.
"Dad, I..."
Grandfather He reprimanded sternly, "Don't call me Dad. Where is He Zinian? As expected of someone from a humble background, to do such a shameless thing. Our He family has no daughter-in-law like you. Put down the things and get out immediately!"
Zhu Shasha had wanted to explain a few words, but seeing his attitude, her anger was ignited. She sneered without reservation, "You look down on me, so you think I'm actually eager to marry into your He family? Don't you know what your own son is like? He has a wife and child yet he's involved with me. Is He Zinian more noble than anyone else? I'm not worthy of entering the He family door? I've been by He Zinian's side for so many years. If I don't have merit, I at least have effort. Taking a small amount of things as compensation is not excessive at all."
Father He's face turned ashen. "Fine, fine. The fox's tail is finally showing. I'm too lazy to argue with you. Hand over the things. For Qingqing's sake, from now on, you have no relation to our He family. As long as I live, you won't be allowed to enter this house!"
Since the facade had been torn down, Zhu Shasha was determined to air all her grievances from the past years, as if to anger Father He. She raised her eyebrows and chuckled lightly, "I will naturally leave, but there are some things I need to tell you. The brat born to that bitch He Wenxin was sold by me. They say your He family is so powerful and wealthy, yet you're still played in the palm of your hand by a woman you look down upon."
"You slut!" Father He was furious. A surge of blood rushed to his head, and he felt half his body go numb.
Unable to control himself, he raised his hand and slapped Zhu Shasha hard.
Due to the great force, Zhu Shasha fell to the ground to the side, and the things in her arms scattered.
Zhu Shasha looked up, saw his flushed face, and thinking of something, her eyes flickered. She slowly got up from the ground and continued, "You still don't know, do you? If it weren't for your precious son and that brat being lucky, they would have been hit by a car long ago. But it's not much better; he's still in the hospital."
"You!" Father He raised his hand again, but this time his movement was noticeably slower than before.
Looking at Father He standing at the top of the stairs, a trace of viciousness flashed in Zhu Shasha's eyes. Just as she was about to push him down, Qingqing, who was beside her, suddenly rushed over.
"You're not allowed to bully my mommy!"
Father He staggered from the impact, losing his balance and leaning backward. Just as he was about to fall down the stairs, he thankfully managed to grab the handrail.
Qingqing wasn't so lucky. Unable to stop himself, he tumbled down the stairs.
His small body rolled several times, and finally, his head hit the pillar at the bottom of the stairs, causing blood to flow from the back of his head.
"Qingqing!" Father He was anxious. He wanted to go over, but his blood pressure surged, and his vision went dark. He collapsed on the steps.