Chapter 40

The next day, He Yao indeed brought a man to the house for a meal.

“Alright, you guys eat. Your brother and I are going to the military district for a while.”

Zheng Rongrong remained silent, unsure of what He Yao was up to.

Before leaving, He Yao gave the man a knowing glance and then pulled Zheng Youcai away.

Once they were gone, the man became bold. He ate his fill first—after all, He Yao had already promised him that Zheng Rongrong wouldn’t be able to escape.

Meanwhile, Li Pandi suggested, “Gu Nian, the weather is nice today. Let’s go to the mountains to pick some mushrooms for chicken stew.”

She had talked to Liu Chuanzhi the night before, and it turned out that he truly only had eyes for her. He even insisted on having a child with her. Thinking about it made Li Pandi blush.

When Gu Nian came out, she saw her lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about? Let’s go.”

“I’m thinking of inviting Sister Xu to join us.”

The three women carried baskets and set off to pick mushrooms.

At the house, after finishing his meal, the man thought it was time to act and approached Zheng Rongrong.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, alarmed.

“Rongrong, your sister-in-law has given me clear instructions. Today, we must consummate our relationship. Otherwise, she won’t be able to drive you out.”

“What?!”

Zheng Rongrong was shocked by He Yao’s cruelty and immediately tried to run.

But the man grabbed her. She struggled with all her might—she could not let He Yao succeed, or she’d never be able to face anyone in the military district again.

She screamed for help.

Meanwhile, the three women were picking mushrooms when they suddenly heard cries for help.

Acting on instinct, they rushed towards the source of the sound. Gu Nian recognized the house—it was the home of Commander Zheng.

“Stop shouting. Your sister-in-law has sent everyone away.”

Just as Zheng Rongrong was about to lose all hope, Gu Nian arrived. She grabbed a stick and struck the man, knocking him to the ground.

“Gu Nian, thank you for saving me,” Zheng Rongrong said gratefully.

Gu Nian shook her head. “It was just a coincidence.”

“What’s going on?” Xu’s wife asked, confused.

“No time to explain. I need to go to the military district and report He Yao!” Zheng Rongrong said anxiously.

But before she could leave, a group of military personnel arrived in the courtyard, led by Jiang Huaijing and Liu Chuanzhi.

“Where’s Zheng Youcai? Tell him to get out here!”

“The two of them aren’t home. But I want to report He Yao—she tried to have someone ruin me!” Zheng Rongrong declared.

Everyone knew that Zheng Rongrong had been married before, but they didn’t realize she was still a virgin.

“That will have to wait. We’re here for Zheng Youcai today,” the leader stated.

A while later, He Yao and Zheng Youcai returned, thinking everything was fine.

However, they were immediately confronted. Even Gu Li and Gu Qiang were brought over. Seeing them, Zheng Youcai had a bad feeling.

“Sir, why have you come to my house so suddenly?”

“You know exactly what you’ve done. Tell me, what is your relationship with Gu Li and Gu Qiang?”

The investigation had already confirmed that Gu Li and Gu Qiang were Zheng Youcai’s biological children.

“I have nothing to do with them,” Zheng Youcai denied immediately. He had kept this secret for so many years—he couldn’t let it be exposed now.

“And you two?” the leader asked Gu Li and Gu Qiang.

Zheng Youcai tried to hint at them, “I was the one who asked people to take care of you in the residential compound. You shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

But Gu Qiang was unafraid. “Zheng Youcai is our father.”

As soon as he spoke, He Yao and Zheng Youcai’s expressions changed dramatically.

He Yao lashed out. “Where did these bastards come from? How dare they slander my husband!”

“He Yao, mind your words. We’ve already investigated—the two of them are indeed Zheng Youcai’s children. We’re here to get the truth from him,” the leader said firmly.

He Yao turned to Zheng Youcai in shock. “Is this true?”

At this point, Zheng Youcai knew denial was useless. His best chance was to admit it and beg for forgiveness.

“He Yao, let me explain! This was a mistake from my youth—”

He Yao was furious. No wonder he had taken in those children back then!

“Zheng Youcai, we’re getting divorced. You’ll leave with nothing!”

“He Yao, please listen to me!”

Years ago, Zheng Youcai had been attracted to Gu Li’s mother. But when he met He Yao, he had broken things off immediately—only to later find out she was pregnant.

He Yao didn’t care to listen. She turned to Gu Li and Gu Qiang, her eyes filled with hatred. They had ruined her family—she would not let them stay.

“They don’t belong in the residential compound. I’ll have them expelled according to military district rules!”

Gu Li panicked. If she left, she would never see Liu Chuanzhi again.

“I’m not leaving!”

“You must leave!”

He Yao had lost control. She couldn’t have peace of mind unless they were gone.

Just then, a young woman ran in and knelt beside Gu Qiang.

“Xiuxiu! What are you doing? Get up!”

“Mom, you can’t drive Gu Qiang away!”

“Xiuxiu, she’s your mother?” Gu Qiang was just as shocked.

Seeing them together, He Yao felt a chill run down her spine.

“Xiuxiu, what is going on?”

“Mom, I’m in love with Gu Qiang. I’m pregnant with his child. You can’t make him leave!”

He Yao nearly fainted from rage. It was bad enough that Zheng Youcai was a failure—why was her daughter making the same mistakes?!

Zheng Rongrong stood by, watching the drama unfold, waiting for her moment to get back at He Yao.

“Absolutely not! Xiuxiu, Gu Qiang is your brother!”

Xiuxiu froze in shock. She had never known Gu Qiang was Zheng Youcai’s son.

The onlookers gasped.

“A brother and sister in love?”

“Are they insane?”

“It’s clear Zheng Youcai and He Yao failed to raise their children properly. What a disgrace!”

Zheng Youcai felt utterly humiliated. The secret he had hidden for years had been completely exposed.

“Mom, Gu Qiang and I can be together! We’re not related by blood—did you forget?”

Everyone was confused. Weren’t they both Zheng Youcai and He Yao’s children?

He Yao’s face turned pale.

“Xiuxiu, stop talking nonsense! If you’re confused, go inside and clear your head!”

But Xiuxiu didn’t care anymore. She had Gu Qiang’s child—she wouldn’t let her baby be fatherless.

And more than that, she loved Gu Qiang. She wouldn’t let anyone stand in their way.

This was her moment to fight for her own happiness.

“Mom, I’m completely clear-headed. I overheard you talking to a man before. I know the truth—I’m not Zheng Youcai’s biological daughter, am I?”