Chapter 74: Self-Exposure

The Xiao family was completely thrown into disarray. Xiao Lin had originally thought that he could easily control Xiao Zhao, but he didn’t expect Xiao Zhao to be so decisive in calling Xiao Miaomiao and revealing the truth.

At this moment, the video in Xiao Lin’s hand had become useless. Moreover, Xiao Zhao was only eleven years old at that time, and even if he was sent to the police station, no charges could be pressed against him.

Lin Yushuang felt extremely frustrated. She had intended to scheme for Xiao Zhao’s shares, but ultimately gained nothing, and even her own children did not receive any benefit.

Worse still, the departure of Xiao Zhao, the important money bag, plunged her into deep despair.

In the future, she would only be able to rely on the meager five percent of the shares in Xiao Lin’s hands. This amount of money was far from enough to maintain her wealthy lifestyle.

Not only that, household expenses would become a huge problem, and buying beautiful clothes and expensive jewelry would be an unattainable dream.

Seeing that Xiao Zhao was really leaving, Xiao Yuyan quickly stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

“Big Brother, don’t you want me either?” Xiao Zhao looked at Xiao Yuyan, whom he had cherished for over twenty years, with mixed emotions.

He remembered the harsh words he had spoken to his younger sister, Xiao Miaomiao, and his heart was filled with guilt and self-reproach.

Facing Xiao Yuyan, he felt incredibly conflicted and didn’t know how to respond.

Slowly pulling away Xiao Yuyan’s hand, Xiao Zhao said in a heavy voice, “You saved my life back then, and I don’t deny that. But to treat you the same way as before, I’m afraid I can’t do that anymore.”

“From today onwards, I will give you a one percent share dividend each month as compensation. If you have any other needs, you can come to me anytime. But remember, we can never go back to the way we were.”

After speaking, he looked at her deeply and added, “Don’t go after Miaomiao anymore. You don’t have the right.”

Xiao Yuyan’s eyes widened, tears welling up in her eyes. She choked out, “Big Brother, are you really so heartless? I’m your savior. No matter how Mom and Dad treated you, I truly treated you like my own brother.”

Xiao Yuyan knew this was her only trump card.

Xiao Zhao looked at her, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes, then said firmly, “This is all your parents’ fault. If you don’t want Miaomiao to expose the fact that you’re an illegitimate child, causing you to be unable to continue your career in the entertainment industry, then don’t provoke her anymore. She doesn’t recognize me as her brother anymore, and I can’t guarantee that she’ll let you off.”

After saying these words, Xiao Zhao turned around, picked up his luggage, and left without hesitation.

Xiao Zhao drove to the Li family’s doorstep. From afar, he saw a conspicuous sign hanging at the entrance, with eight large characters written on it: “Xiao Family Members and Dogs Not Allowed.”

Xiao Zhao’s heart ached, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

He knew that the Li family must love Xiao Miaomiao dearly, which made him feel relieved. At least, Miaomiao would be well taken care of in the Li family, and he could rest assured.

After all, he was one of the people who had forced Xiao Miaomiao to marry to save the Xiao family from their predicament.

Thinking of Hong Wenbin’s affair and illegitimate child, he was filled with regret and self-blame. If he hadn’t investigated Hong Wenbin thoroughly, Miaomiao might not have ended up divorced.

Now, Miaomiao had married into the Li family and become a second-time bride. He only hoped that if Li Jingcheng woke up, he would treat Miaomiao sincerely and not despise her past.

Or perhaps it would be best if he never woke up, so that Miaomiao wouldn’t be subjected to so much criticism.

Xiao Miaomiao learned from the housekeeper that Xiao Zhao had parked in front of the house for over half an hour before leaving.

Hearing this, she couldn’t help but twitch her lips slightly, wondering what Xiao Zhao was up to.

However, she didn’t care about Xiao Zhao’s actions.

At this moment, she was more concerned about Jiang Lin, who was visiting.

She rushed to the living room and saw Jiang Lin, running towards him excitedly. As for Xiao Zhao, he had already been forgotten.

“Second Cousin!” Xiao Miaomiao ran towards Jiang Lin with a face full of surprise, but just as she was about to hug him, Jiang Lin deftly dodged to the side.

Due to inertia, Xiao Miaomiao fell directly onto the sofa next to her, landing in an awkward position.

She pouted, her eyes filled with resentment as she looked at Jiang Lin. Then, she quickly got up from the sofa and questioned him, “Am I really your most beloved sister? You actually dodged my hug!”

However, Jiang Lin didn’t respond to her question. Instead, he asked sternly, “How dare you say that! I was only gone for a short while, and you’ve already caused so much trouble. First, you get divorced, and then you get remarried so quickly. Do you think the Jiang family can’t accommodate you anymore? Or are you eager to get married?”

As he spoke, he widened his eyes and stared intently at Xiao Miaomiao.

Hearing these words, Xiao Miaomiao felt a wave of grievance wash over her.

She furrowed her brows and tried to explain, “Second Brother, I can explain this…”

But before she could finish, Jiang Lin interrupted her and continued to reprimand, “Haven’t Big Brother and I been good to you? Have we forbidden you from returning to the Jiang family? The afternoon you left Hong’s house, you moved into the Li family. Do you really consider the Jiang family your home?” After saying this, Jiang Lin sat down on the sofa angrily.

At this time, Xiao Miaomiao stood there dumbfounded, with a look of bewilderment on her face.

Seeing this, Jiang Lin sighed helplessly and said, “If I had known this would happen, I would have asked Dad to directly change your surname from ‘Xiao’ to ‘Jiang’. Perhaps that would have prevented this situation. Maybe it’s because you have the surname ‘Xiao’ that you always feel like you’re just staying at the Jiang family.”

“We pamper you, even to the point of holding you in our hands for fear of dropping you, and putting you in our mouths for fear of melting you. But now it seems that you have no sense of belonging to the Jiang family.” As he spoke, Jiang Lin’s voice became heavy and dejected.

“No, it’s not like that.” Xiao Miaomiao shook her head hurriedly.

“Really, Lin Ge, I don’t have those thoughts. You guys are the closest people to me,” Xiao Miaomiao said, holding his hand. Fortunately, this time Jiang Lin didn’t pull away.

“The divorce is definitely necessary, and as for the remarriage, I thought it through carefully. As for not telling you guys first, I was afraid you wouldn’t agree.” Xiao Miaomiao said nervously.

Jiang Lin said with self-deprecation, “You know we wouldn’t agree, but you still did it.”

“Xiao Miaomiao, you’re taking advantage of our pampering. Why do you have to choose Li Jingcheng? Are you really not afraid of regretting it later?”

“Li Jingcheng is very capable, I don’t deny that, but that was in the past. He’s now a vegetable, a vegetable who won’t give you any response. If you have something to say, something to discuss with him, he won’t respond at all.” Even if the Li family gave Xiao Miaomiao the most, Jiang Lin still didn’t approve of her marriage to Li Jingcheng.