I Got Rich in Period Fiction-Chapter 548 - 542: If Life Could Start Over (3)

Especially Zhou Hai, who had thought it would be just an ordinary meeting—at worst, he would agree to compensate Zhang Zening within his means.

Now he felt as if he were standing on trial, his skin being peeled off layer by layer. He struggled to maintain his composure, his complexion so dark it seemed it could drip with moisture.

Suddenly, the so-called twelve years of child support came to mind—how was it that he knew nothing about it?

Looking at Liu Ying, he asked, "Twelve years of child support, is this also a lie?"

Liu Ying was about to speak when Xiao Wei interrupted from the other end, "There are receipts for the child support, signed by Liu Ying herself. If you find it hard to believe, I can present the receipts to the relevant departments for verification."

"How much in total?" Zhou Hai asked through gritted teeth.

"In total, eight thousand yuan," Xiao Wei revealed the amount, then explained, "I didn’t have this money at all. I had to borrow some from my parents, brother and sister-in-law, as well as colleagues, to make up the total."

Eight thousand yuan from over a decade ago was a significant amount of money.

And Zhou Hai had no idea about it.

Zhang Zening didn’t know what to say about Zhou Hai anymore. Now, he actually felt some pity for him, but it’s said that those deserving of pity often have hateful aspects.

He had it coming!

But Zhang Zening knew that although it seemed like all was over, it was in fact just the beginning.

Zhou Hai, with a dark glare, asked Liu Ying, "Where is the money?"

Liu Ying’s forehead was now slick with sweat, her lips devoid of color, and she could barely stand, her legs like jelly. She collapsed into a chair and whispered, "I didn’t spend the money, I gave it to your mother."

"What?" Zhou Hai raised his voice in disbelief.

"I’m not lying. Go back and you can ask your mother."

Zhou Hai was thunderstruck. How could his mother be involved? After more than a decade, he was completely unaware, kept in the dark by these two women.

So, these two women must have been hiding it along with Lian Jiaojiao and Pengcheng.

Zhou Hai admitted to himself that he was not a good man when it came to marriage matters, even scum, but he never wanted his two children to disown their biological mother.

In terms of feelings, it was cruel; in terms of reason, it would do no good for the children’s future.

Yet from the day of the divorce, this woman had unhesitatingly abandoned the two children, caring for nothing, asking for nothing, not even buying the children a piece of candy.

But today, he discovered it was apparently not the case.

Xiao Wei frowned. Some things were truly unexpected. She had considered a lot back then, which is why it was essential that she gather the funds to give Liu Ying.

But she never expected that Zhou Hai had no idea about the money.

It was her fault; she had been too young and impetuous at the time.

Too optimistic about people.

She then said, "Over the years, I’ve sent many things to the children from abroad..." Then she looked at Zhou Hai, "There were a lot of items, for boys and for girls. I didn’t just buy things for Jiaojiao, but also for your and Liu Ying’s daughter. Surely you’re not unaware of this too?"

Zhou Hai shook his head, muttering, "I didn’t know, not even seen a single piece of candy from you."

Xiao Wei gave a bitter smile, "It wasn’t only a piece of candy. I’ve spent my salary over these years on these things."

Zhou Hai looked at Liu Ying, "Did you receive the things Xiao Wei mailed?"

Liu Ying had a vacant look, her gaze evasive as if she hadn’t heard Zhou Hai’s question. She hung her head, silent.

Zhou Hai no longer pressed the matter; it was easy to solve. He would just investigate when he got back home. The address Xiao Wei mailed to was their residence, which hadn’t changed in many years.

Xiao Wei explained further, "After you were transferred to Xichuan, I kept sending things to the old house. After all, it’s a research base. Things mailed from abroad always get checked, and I didn’t want to cause you any trouble."

Silence ensued in the room for a moment, and Ye Hongyuan’s mouth actually curled into a smile, as if he found the entire drama more thrilling than a movie.

Had the occasion not been inappropriate, he would have wanted to vigorously clap his hands to express his joy.

Xiao Wei waved her hand, "These are all trivial matters. Let’s not talk about it." Then she looked at Zhang Zening, "Xiao Ning, your first and second questions should have been answered by the conversation we just had. The beginning of all this was not complicated, but other uncontrollable events occurred in the midst. I don’t know why Zhou Hai and Ye Hongyuan started fighting, but your imprisonment came because of Zhou Hai, and you suffered for his sake. He owes you for that. Back then, as his wife, the only thing I could do for you is what I’ve done. But now, I must say, Xiao Ning, I’m truly sorry. My heart has never been at peace all these years..."

Looking at Xiao Wei’s reddened eyes, along with her gaunt face, Zhang Zening, whose heart had hardened like iron, felt a lump in his throat and a warmth in his eyes.

What did all this have to do with Sister Weiwei?

Nothing at all.

The ones who erred were Zhou Hai and Liu Ying.

It was he, Zhang Zening, who had acted impulsively.

But because of this matter, not wanting to add to his sin, Sister Weiwei had paid such a heavy price. And if he hadn’t brought people here, she would have probably kept this secret for a lifetime.

She was the type of person who does a lot for you but doesn’t want you to feel burdened.

Why is it that good people always end up suffering?

Zhang Zening’s severe gaze suddenly turned towards Liu Ying, sitting there.

Zhang Zening closed his eyes, then opened them again, speaking slowly, "Now that things have come to this, I know what I wanted to know, and understand what was once incomprehensible."

As he spoke, Zhang Zening’s tone shifted, "However, I still have a question for Liu Ying..."

Yet unexpectedly, Ye Hongyuan, who had been silent all this while, suddenly interrupted Zhang Zening’s words, "Let me ask Liu Ying the last question."

Zhang Zening looked at Ye Hongyuan, who gave him a slight smirk. In that moment of eye contact, Xiao Wei felt that Xiao Ning and Little Yuan didn’t seem to be the sworn enemies everyone made them out to be.

Originally, they were indeed enemies.

The Zhang Family and the Ye Family were, too.

But now, it seemed like they had reached some kind of understanding.

Remembering her phone conversation—that Xiao Ning had visited the Ye Family several times after getting out—she figured the two must have reconciled. If that was the case, the unease and guilt in her heart would feel lighter.

Xiao Wei sighed deeply within and silently watched Zhou Hai and Liu Ying.

Zhou Hai at that moment looked truly pitiable, overwhelmed by the revelations.

And Liu Ying had all along been sitting with her head bowed and hands clasped, exuding an air of resigned indifference.

But when she heard Ye Hongyuan speak, she suddenly lifted her head, her eyes frantically searching his.

Xiao Wei acutely noticed that Liu Ying’s whole body trembled when Ye Hongyuan spoke those words.