Chapter 15: Finally Done Acting—So Exhausting

Every word was hinting to Jiang Tangtang not to trust the police—that the police bureau couldn’t be relied on.

Jiang Tangtang was filled with contempt inside, but on the surface, she still had to act like she half-believed him.

“Dad, I know all of what you said. But how can you deny what the police are saying? What they said didn’t sound fake at all! Back then, you were penniless when you married into the Jiang family. If it weren’t for Grandpa and Mom, how could you possibly have the good life you enjoy now? If that woman Bai Shuiniang was jealous of my mom having you and pulled some tricks behind your back just to marry you, isn’t that entirely possible?”

If Jiang Tangtang had still been the same naive girl from before, she might have believed the beast-in-human-clothing that was Lu Zhicai. But she wasn’t that girl anymore.

Lu Zhicai was clearly on the verge of breaking down, unable to refute his daughter’s words.

“You… you can’t say that. Hasn’t Bai Shuiniang treated you well? And your little brother—he’s still just a kid. Do you really have the heart to send him to a juvenile detention center over this?”

Have the heart? Jiang Tangtang couldn’t wait for the police to execute him by firing squad.

But she couldn’t say that. She needed the truth and couldn’t afford to lose control. So she crossed her arms and said, slightly indignant:

“He’s not even my biological brother. Besides, he was incited by Bai Shuiniang to do this. Shouldn’t he be sent to juvie? What exactly are you so distressed about?”

That sentence alone was enough to make people start questioning things—why was he so distressed about a child with no blood relation? Was there something more?

And if they thought a bit deeper, another question would naturally emerge.

“Dad, why are you so distressed over him? I’ve had my suspicions for a long time. Is he… is he actually your biological son? That’s why you care so much, right? I knew it. I knew it all along…”

She stepped back a few paces, leaned against the wall, and slowly crouched down, hugging herself tightly like she’d just suffered a devastating blow.

Hearing that, Lu Mianmian, who had been silent this whole time, finally caught on.

There had been too much information to process that night—so much that she hadn’t had time to digest it before another bomb dropped.

But this was the one thing that finally made her connect all the dots from the past.

She wasn’t stupid—she had long suspected this was the case, but never had proof. Plus, back then she and her sister had been too young to fight back. And because she had Lu’s surname, their father had always treated her well—only Jiang Tangtang was neglected. So she never thought to verify it.

“No wonder Dad treats him so well—better than us two sisters. Dad! I used to think you pitied him because he was fatherless, but I never imagined… he’s your biological son, isn’t he? I guessed right, didn’t I? Ha ha ha!”

Jiang Tangtang’s words had the effect of tearing away the fog, bringing the murder mystery into sharper focus.

Lu Mianmian smirked with a trace of sarcasm. She had already noticed this long ago—after all, their father’s behavior toward her “brother” was never like that of a stepfather.

Now that his secret was slowly being uncovered, Lu Zhicai’s dark heart could no longer stay hidden. His expression quickly turned from calm to stormy—his face darkened like thunder on a rainy night.

“Enough! You’ve been messing around outside for a year and now you come back with all these twisted accusations—even daring to slander your own father? I have nothing more to say. Just sign the forgiveness agreement already.”

Hearing his desperate and reckless tone, Jiang Tangtang sneered and snapped the pen in her hand, throwing it straight at his face.

“Why should I sign it? The ones who did wrong were you, Bai Shuiniang, and Lu Yaozu! What does any of this have to do with me, Jiang Tangtang?”

After saying that, she stood up and walked over to the police, her tone firm and unwavering.

“Officer, I believe you will uphold the law fairly. Whatever the case, justice must be served. I will not sign that forgiveness letter. A murderer must pay with their life. I just want fairness and justice!”

Hearing those final words, Lu Zhicai—who had been suppressing his rage—finally exploded. He clenched his jaw, the veins on his forehead bulging, and raised his hand to strike Jiang Tangtang.

Seeing the situation escalate, the police—who had been on guard—immediately stood up and blocked him.

“Sir, assaulting someone is grounds for administrative detention under our laws. Typically, you’ll be detained for less than fifteen days or fined. If you hit her, I have the right to arrest you on the spot.”

As he spoke, the officer deliberately touched the handcuffs in his bag, producing a crisp clinking sound.

Already furious, Lu Zhicai was now so enraged that his chest heaved up and down violently. Even his hair seemed to stand on end.

“You ungrateful child! You dare defy your father? If I had known it’d come to this, I should’ve strangled you the day you were born!”

With the police holding him back, Jiang Tangtang grew even bolder. Arms crossed, she looked completely disdainful.

“I just want justice for my grandpa and my mom. What exactly did I do wrong?”

“You were a stray orphan on the street who couldn’t even feed herself! If my mom hadn’t taken a liking to you, how would you have made it this far? You’re just an ungrateful traitor!”

After so many years of marriage, Lu Zhicai seemed to have forgotten the shameful past he came from.

If Jiang Tangtang hadn’t brought it up, he would’ve kept hiding it. Every time something like this happened, he became obsessed with how others saw him.

Right now, the only outsider present was the police officer.

But for some reason, he felt like the emotionless officer was secretly mocking and ridiculing him.

He couldn’t stand it. Not at all.

And yet, no matter how angry he was, he managed to pull himself together and calm down.

Seeing that she might’ve pushed too far, Jiang Tangtang realized she couldn’t afford to completely burn the bridge with him.

She still had other plans to carry out.

So, she quickly squeezed out a couple of tears and choked up with forced sorrow.

“Dad, you’re the only elder I have left in this world. I lost my temper earlier and said hurtful things—please don’t take them to heart. I just… I just want some justice…”

Staring at his daughter, Lu Zhicai couldn’t even respond.

At what point, he wondered, had she become so completely unrecognizable to him?

Seeing that he still wasn’t moved, Jiang Tangtang played another card.

“Dad, I know I was wrong. Bai Shuiniang is just an outsider—she can’t possibly come before your own flesh and blood, right? Who knows, maybe she’s the one who secretly sold those antiques in the study…”

The moment she mentioned antiques, Lu Zhicai finally snapped back to reality.

The National Security Bureau could come for him at any moment—he couldn’t afford to blow up now. There were more serious problems to deal with!

His face ashen, Lu Zhicai shot her a glance.

“Let’s go home.”

And with that, he left alone.

His mind was in turmoil; he had no capacity to care about anyone else.

Seeing him leave, Lu Mianmian quickly followed. Jiang Tangtang wiped her tears and trailed behind.

As soon as they reached the doorstep, Jiang Tangtang started crying again.

Lu Zhicai ignored her, letting her cry alone as she went upstairs.

Once back in her room, Jiang Tangtang locked the door and shut the windows before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

“Ah… finally done acting. So exhausting.”