Xu Wanting wasn’t sure how Xu Xuehui would perceive this matter, but she needed to know Xu Xuehui’s perspective. She wanted to understand how Xu Xuehui treated this blood-related younger brother.

At present, Xu Wanting was deeply eager to thoroughly comprehend the hellish experiences Xu Mo had gone through during his four years at the Xu family. She didn’t immediately share the chat records and diaries with others because she feared they would scoff at them and not take it seriously.

In particular, her third elder sister, Xu Manni, might continue to mock the situation. Xu Mo had long become a subject of ridicule among their sisters.

Upon careful consideration, Xu Wanting felt a chilling sensation throughout her body. After all, they were all high-achieving students! They were knowledgeable, highly qualified, and well-off. How could they act so foolishly in this matter? Perhaps, they simply never took it seriously!

…

Xu Xuehui had just returned home after school and, unaware of why Xu Wanting wanted to see her, hurried to her elder sister’s room to find out.

With the storm looming, Xu Xuehui wasn’t particularly busy. These days were quite leisurely for her as there were fewer music classes at school.

Xu Xuehui had several close friends and had been busy these days, meeting with them for tea, shopping, and indulging in luxury purchases.

…

Today, it seemed that Xie Bingyan and Xu Deming had not contacted the police to search for Xu Mo. It was likely due to their concern for Xu Junzhe being at home, fearing that he might be affected. The entire family was worried that Xu Junzhe might see himself as an outsider, so they cautiously protected his sensitive and fragile heart.

As Xu Wanting watched her seemingly carefree parents and sisters chatting below, she felt a chill until her second elder sister, Xu Xuehui, arrived.

“Elder sister, did you need me for something?” Xu Xuehui inquired.

“Come in,” Xu Wanting said as she saw Xu Xuehui elegantly dressed with light makeup, wearing a beautiful chiffon dress, and couldn’t help but sigh softly.

In contrast to their sophistication and beauty, Xu Mo could only be found selling live crabs in the dirty vegetable market, enduring the pungent odor. Although they were blood-related siblings, their lives were worlds apart.

Xu Wanting couldn’t fathom why the world had turned out this way, feeling a growing sense of frustration that was hard to release. She, too, was a part of this reality!

Seeing Xu Wanting’s swollen eyes, Xu Xuehui was somewhat surprised and quickly entered, asking, “Sister, what’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

Shaking her head, Xu Wanting replied, “Sit down! Let’s talk.”

Not knowing what her elder sister wanted to discuss, Xu Xuehui suddenly felt a bit flustered.

At home, she might not fear her parents, as they rarely disciplined her, but she couldn’t help but fear her elder sister. After all, the ties of blood held a certain authority, and the dignity of the eldest sister was something she couldn’t resist.

“Elder sister, you called me in. What’s the matter?” Xu Xuehui asked cautiously.

“It’s nothing! I just wanted to ask you, was it really Xu Mo who damaged Mom’s dress seven days ago?” Xu Wanting inquired.

“This…,” Xu Xuehui was taken aback.

“Don’t hide it from me! The third sister has already told me,” Xu Wanting sniffled. “Xu Mo had no reason to damage Mom’s dress, let alone create a hole in it. I know about your situation. So, tell me! Who really damaged it?”

Xu Xuehui appeared somewhat flustered, unsure of how to respond, but seeing Xu Wanting’s serious expression, she knew she had to answer. She could only smile wryly and said, “It was Junzhe who damaged it! He told the third sister, and the third sister told me!”

“So, you framed Xu Mo!” Xu Wanting’s heart turned cold.

“It’s not my fault! Why does he keep going into Mom’s room? And elder sister, you don’t think Mom doesn’t know who did it, do you?” Xu Xuehui argued.

Xu Wanting was stunned, her eyes wide.

“Mom definitely knows! Even if she doesn’t, she can guess!” Xu Xuehui shrugged. “So, it’s not our fault! Who knew he would be so petty and just run away from home!”

Xu Wanting’s tears were on the brink of flowing, finding it hard to believe. She instantly realized the suffocating foundation of this family.

“Elder sister, are you okay?” Xu Xuehui noticed Xu Wanting’s reddened eyes and asked urgently.

“I’m fine!” Xu Wanting sniffed and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “Xuehui, do you think Xu Mo is our real biological brother?”

“Well…” Xu Xuehui looked surprised. “I think so! After all, Dad and Mom went for testing several times—twice before, and once two years ago. They had some doubts two years ago, but after another test, they were convinced!”

“They went for testing many times? Even two years ago?” Xu Wanting wasn’t aware of this.

“Yes!” Xu Xuehui nodded. “Mom and Dad said Xu Mo didn’t resemble them or any of us sisters! So, they went for testing. I’ve seen the reports, and they were one hundred percent!”

With this information, Xu Wanting found it even more difficult to comprehend. However, upon reflection, it seemed to make some sense. Perhaps they regarded Xu Mo as nothing more than an irredeemable mess. It also explained why they were unwilling to visit Xu Mo’s school, feeling ashamed, and why they hesitated to provide him with a private car and driver, considering it embarrassing. It even explained their reluctance to take Xu Mo out, feeling similarly ashamed.

Xu Wanting sniffed, feeling a deep sense of heartache.

“It’s not over yet!” Xu Wanting said. “This afternoon, I went to the police, and they found Xu Mo! He’s at the vegetable market, selling live crabs to make money! He hasn’t disappeared!”

“What?” Xu Xuehui exclaimed.

“I also visited the East City Orphanage, where Xu Mo used to stay, and saw many orphans there!” Xu Wanting continued. “Those little orphans, without parents or support, were being beaten while fighting over r even a broken doll, crying loudly! The older ones bullied the younger ones, the taller ones bullied the shorter ones!”

Xu Xuehui was stunned, not understanding what Xu Wanting meant.

She hurriedly asked, “Mo is selling live crabs? Why?”

“Why do you think?” Xu Wanting looked at her.

Xu Xuehui fell silent.

“Xuehui, you graduated from Nanjing University as a high-achieving student and even studied at Harvard. You should have studied psychology! You majored in music and have read many stories, understanding the lives of numerous people! But have you ever understood the life of an orphan? Have you understood their psychological changes?” Xu Wanting stared at her.

Xu Xuehui widened her eyes slightly.

“Orphans… there are many in orphanages!”

“Yes, there are many orphans in orphanages! We all know there are many orphans in orphanages! We also know that Xu Mo grew up in an orphanage and was an orphan himself!” Xu Wanting took a deep breath and said, “Even though he has many flaws and bad habits, this is simply because he was an orphan without parents in the past, with no one to provide for him. He had to fight to survive, or else, life would have been unbearable for him!”

“But, but he shouldn’t steal things either! He has stolen so many things already!” Xu Xuehui interjected.