Zhao Jiusi was feeling a bit unsteady.

“Provocation?” Zhao Jiusi was stunned. “Dad, you’re saying Lin Ninghua provoked you?”

“Yes, and not just once,” Zheng Yixu nodded. “There was one Sunday afternoon when he came to our house for dinner. Throughout the meal, he kept smiling and flirting with your father, and your father smiled back. Lin Ninghua even asked me to cook for him, and your father said to make whatever he wanted. The way things were going, it seemed like Lin Ninghua might soon try to push me out. If I don’t initiate the divorce, how will you cope with him, Jiusi, when the time comes?”

Zheng Yixu’s eyes were red-rimmed as he made a concerted effort to persuade Zhao Jiusi.Zhao Jiusi thought that at this moment, even the end of the universe couldn’t save his worldview.

Usually, when Dad cooked, he made whatever they wanted to eat. Not only was it unthinkable to boss Dad around and dictate what to make, but it was also unacceptable not to finish the food Dad prepared.

But how could a father who was so indulgent toward Dad allow Lin Ninghua to treat him like this?

The poor young man didn’t understand concepts like “saving face” or “suffering in silence to preserve one’s pride.” It seemed like showing off his role as the head of the family in front of outsiders was a deep-seated flaw in men.

“Dad, don’t worry, I won’t let anyone bully you!” Zhao Jiusi now felt that his father had suffered a lot of injustice, and his previous convictions were no longer as firm.

“Not only that, but he was also secretly meeting with Lin Ninghua behind my back,” Zheng Yixu said, wiping away non-existent tears and continuing, “And didn’t Lin Ninghua appear at this event? But before, Lin Ninghua would never have shown up in front of our family. In the end, it’s really about Zhao Louqin’s changed attitude toward him. Jiusi, this kind of thing is actually quite common. The toys you liked as a child, you might not like them now. Your father is the same with me.”

Zheng Yixu was almost giving himself goosebumps with his own dramatic storytelling.

Zheng Yixu thought he could be a contender for an acting award with how well he delivered these melodramatic lines. But to move Zhao Jiusi, he didn’t care about the details.

What he was saying was true, only with a slightly heavier tone.

If there was blame, it should fall on Zhao Louqin for his lack of integrity!

“…Could it really be?” Zhao Jiusi’s voice wavered, clearly still grappling with disbelief.

Zheng Yixu took the phone from Zhao Jiusi and pulled up a video he had secretly filmed. “The camera was too far to capture sound, but you can see for yourself if there’s an affair. I’m not lying to you.”

In the video, Zhao Louqin and Lin Ninghua were both smiling and chatting, looking quite harmonious and cheerful.

As Zhao Louqin slowly moved closer to Lin Ninghua, the angle of the camera made it look almost like they were kissing.

Zhao Jiusi’s worldview shattered.

If he could argue against everything his father had said before, this video was solid, irrefutable evidence. His father was actually smiling while kissing someone else—where did that leave him and his dad?

Zhao Jiusi suddenly remembered what had been said: “Can your father resist a beauty, much less a whole crowd of admirers?”

Eighty percent of the parents in his class were superficially together but living separate lives, and he had thought he would be an exception. But he wasn’t, he just hadn’t realized it!

Zhao Jiusi swayed, and thankfully, Zheng Yixu caught him just in time.

“Dad, don’t be sad,” Zhao Jiusi said, tears streaming down his face as he choked up while trying to comfort Zheng Yixu. His heartfelt concern only served to break Zheng Yixu’s heart even more.

Such a good son, even at a time like this, still thinking of comforting him. Zheng Yixu felt even more justified in his efforts to take Zhao Jiusi away.

Zheng Yixu was practically floating with satisfaction.

“Jiusi, when we get home, I’ll have a serious talk with your father about the divorce. I hope you’ll come with me,” Zheng Yixu said, firmly holding Zhao Jiusi’s shoulders.

“…Okay, I’ll listen to you, Dad.” Zhao Jiusi was now feeling lost, his mind filled with past happy memories. But now, with his father having betrayed Dad, what was he supposed to do?

No wonder Father was so adamant about not letting Dad regain his memory, and no wonder he always spoke ill of Lin Ninghua.

So this was what was really going on?

Zheng Yixu embraced Zhao Jiusi, soothing him gently.

During a moment of leisure, Zheng Yixu sent a text to Sun Ai, asking her to help find some good lawyers for the upcoming divorce.

Sun Ai’s reply came quickly, saying it was no trouble at all.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of the accusations against him, Zhao Louqin was currently enjoying himself with Lin Ninghua.

Lin Ninghua was throwing around boastful and mocking comments with utter satisfaction. In the past, he could only watch as Zhao Louqin walked around with the person he liked. Now, years later, he could proudly hold his lover in one arm and his child in the other, looking down on Lin Ninghua as if he were a winner in life.

It felt really satisfying!

“Dad, sorry to keep you waiting,” Lin Chuhuo said, appearing beside Lin Ninghua and pulling him away, directly under Zhao Louqin’s gaze.

It took Lin Ninghua a while to calm down.

“Damn Zhao Louqin!” Lin Ninghua’s once-beautiful face was now twisted with rage. “If it weren’t for the knife you stabbed me in the back all those years ago, everything would be mine now, mine!”

Lin Chuhuo stood silently by, letting his adoptive father vent his frustrations.

It was likely because Lin Ninghua hadn’t made any progress recently and was instead watching as the amnesiac Zheng Yixu and Zhao Louqin grew closer.

The nightmare from over a decade ago was resurfacing, and no one could endure it.

If Lin Ninghua couldn’t find a way to recover, he might fall into irreparable decline.

But he wouldn’t let that happen.

With Lin Ninghua driven away, Zhao Louqin now wanted to find his beloved partner and child. However, many people at the banquet couldn’t find Zheng Yixu, the CEO of Xucheng Group, and with Lin Ninghua gone, they had no choice but to turn to Zhao Louqin for information on the collaboration between Lin’s Corporation and Xucheng Group.

Both companies were large and influential, and there might even be some support from the Zhao family. If they couldn’t get any substantial information, at least they could gather some useful tidbits.

So, a crowd gathered around Zhao Louqin.

Some of the celebrities at the banquet also showed great respect for Zhao Louqin. The fact that he had reached his current status meant his connections were beyond their imagination. Even just a few words of advice on acting or other career paths from him would be invaluable.

While wealthy businessmen could offer financial support, their influence didn’t extend to providing top-notch product endorsements or knowing which roles would be cast in upcoming films.

In no time, Zhao Louqin was surrounded by people.

Since it was awkward to directly ask about the collaboration, and given that it was Zhao Jiusi’s birthday party, the conversation naturally shifted to parenting topics.

This was right on the mark!

Zhao Louqin suddenly felt a wave of satisfaction, as if he could finally let out the frustration of being a good father all these years.

He thought about how today, not only had he driven away his lifelong rival Lin Ninghua, but he also had the chance to show off his parenting skills and shed the label of being unable to teach his child. It truly was a great day!

The so-called “joy leading to sorrow” seemed to be just around the corner.

Once Zhao Louqin started talking, he couldn’t stop.

He began with stories about how Zhao Jiusi never wet the bed from a young age. If he was hungry, he would cry twice; if he needed to use the toilet, he would cry three times. Oh, and his smile was so charming, and those bright green eyes seemed to want to offer everything good to everyone.

He also shared how Zhao Jiusi had amazed his teachers when he started school. His English speaking skills were impeccable, and while other kids were still learning the multiplication table, Zhao Jiusi could already handle addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division within a hundred, and even solve word problems.

Since childhood, their parents have always been the ones to represent at parent-teacher meetings. Now, at sixteen, the child is neither rebellious nor dating early, and is both well-behaved and considerate.

They keep talking endlessly, saying things that never seem to stop.

By the end, those who wanted to change the topic had faces as green as envy.

“Will you ever stop? When will it end?”

We don’t want to know how many points your son scored; we just want to know how the cooperation is progressing!

But even so, they can’t really turn and leave, as that would be very impolite.

Moreover, with so many people listening, no one wants to be the one to make a move and risk being remembered with resentment by Zhao Louqin. Zhao Louqin is backed not only by the Zhao family and Xucheng Group, but possibly now also by the Lin family business.

Furthermore, Zhao Louxing’s actions in recent years have become increasingly inscrutable. Zhao Louqin is someone they really cannot afford to provoke lightly.

Everyone’s faces turned red with embarrassment, deeply understanding what it means to “try to steal a chicken but end up losing rice.” Meanwhile, they secretly began to see Zhao Louqin’s seemingly foolish behavior as a sign of deep strategy.

To protect their own interests with the Lin family business, he is willing to sacrifice his own image?

This person is so ruthless to himself—no wonder he’s Zhao Louxing’s brother!

Thus, it’s clear that there are many people who let their imaginations run wild. Misunderstandings, sometimes, can also involve “beautiful misunderstandings.”

Zheng Yixu and Zhao Jiusi returned to the party as if nothing had happened. By this time, the event was nearing its end.

After the family of three bid farewell to Zhao Louxing and got into their car to head home, Zheng Yixu’s smile could no longer be maintained, and Zhao Jiusi’s expression wasn’t very good either.

Zhao Louqin’s heart sank, and the previously elated mood suddenly plummeted to the depths.

This sense of crisis… is unprecedented!

“… Yixu, Jiusi, what’s wrong with you? Are you hungry?” Zhao Louqin asked cautiously, lowering his head and being careful.

Zheng Yixu and Zhao Jiusi both ignored him, especially Zheng Yixu, who looked at him as if he were a stranger.

What on earth is happening?

“Did you meet Lin Ninghua? Did you have a good chat?” Zheng Yixu suddenly asked.

“… Yes, it was okay,” Zhao Louqin nodded. They should not have met today, so could this fool have pulled some trick behind the scenes?

Seeing her father’s acknowledgment, Zhao Jiusi’s eyes, which had still held some hope, instantly dimmed.

Her father actually admitted it.

What Dad said was indeed entirely true.

“Well then, I won’t say much more.” Zheng Yixu straightened up, pulling Zhao Jiusi’s shoulder close. “Let’s get a divorce. The child will stay with me, and the house will be yours!”