Hong Xiuxiu was scolded so harshly that tears streamed down her face. Looking utterly aggrieved, she said,
“Dad, I didn’t… I just… I was trying to explain to her earlier that Fuyuan and I are innocent, to make her not misunderstand.
It was her—she said a bunch of awful things first. It has nothing to do with me.”
Hong Jianshe knew exactly what kind of person Su Jin was. That girl’s temperament was identical to her mother’s—stubborn, but honest.
He also understood Hong Xiuxiu. She had her little schemes, but she was his own daughter. He owed her, and as long as it wasn’t serious, he let her get away with mischief.
Besides, he could use Zhao Fuyuan to achieve his own goals.
But now… the situation was getting out of control.
He glared at Hong Xiuxiu.
“Why are you crying? After what you’ve done, how can you even cry?
You and Zhao Fuyuan are usually close, holding hands or whatever—I never said anything.
But… you just had to do it where Su Jin could see, in that little grove—you worried no one would notice?”
Hong Xiuxiu sniffled, lifting her misty, tear-filled eyes. She bit her lip and looked at Hong Jianguo, pitifully.
“Dad… I didn’t think… it would be such a coincidence.”
“Coincidence? What coincidence?
I’ll tell you, Hong Xiuxiu, you’d better behave now. Stay home quietly and don’t cause trouble.
If you ruin my plans, I will not go easy on you.”
Hong Xiuxiu shivered at his words, unable to believe it.
Zhou Yuehong, seeing her daughter’s distress, looped her arm through Hong Jianguo’s and pressed her chest against him.
“Jianguo~
Our daughter knows she was wrong. Next time she won’t make this mistake, so stop scolding her.”
She gave Hong Xiuxiu a meaningful look. Xiuxiu understood and quickly went upstairs.
Hong Jianguo glared at Zhou Yuehong.
“Now Su Jin is like a completely different person… it seems she knows Xiuxiu is my daughter.”
“What? How would she know? Only the two of us knew, we didn’t tell anyone. Xiuxiu herself didn’t even know…
What did that little brat say to you?”
Hong Jianguo recounted the entire incident to Zhou Yuehong.
He really liked this woman. Though she had been married before, they had shared all their “firsts” with each other.
Moreover, she had remained virtuous, and the two children she brought were both his own.
This woman was far more desirable than that wooden Su Qingli.
Zhou Yuehong let out a relieved sigh.
“Ha, what were you worried about?
I’ll tell you, Jianguo—keep your heart to yourself. That little brat will never learn the truth.
She’s just a young girl, craving a father’s affection, which made her feel unfairly treated and say those words to tug at your heart.
But you mustn’t let a few words make you fall for her.
Remember, she’s a wealthy young lady, surrounded by servants. Our Xiuxiu and Liye have nothing.
Even getting an egg in the countryside is hard—while she enjoys state banquet-level meals.”
Hong Jianguo still looked unconvinced.
“Really?”
“Really. Do you think I’d lie? Women know women best—and she’s just a little girl.
Trust me. She doesn’t know any real truth; she was just speaking out of sibling rivalry. Don’t scare yourself.”
As she spoke, her eyes glimmered. She tugged at her shoulder strap, letting it slip down slightly, her voice sultry.
“Jianguo~ this spring night…”
Hong Jianguo thought Zhou Yuehong made perfect sense. Su Jin knew nothing—she hadn’t even figured out by that old man Su Tingyun yet. Why would he expect that brat to know?
He had truly been scared by Su Jin’s icy stare, thinking she had uncovered some of his unspeakable secrets.
If she really knew, she would have told the old man—whose temper would have ensured Hong Jianguo got his comeuppance.
Tonight, he hadn’t seen the old man around, so he realized he had overthought it.
Looking at Zhou Yuehong teasing him, he suddenly grabbed her hand from his chest. With his other hand, full of pent-up anger, he grabbed her butt, his tone rough.
“You little minx, thinking naughty thoughts again? Fine, I’ll satisfy you…”
He hoisted Zhou Yuehong into the house and tore at her clothes roughly.
The whole process was rough, almost like an outburst of fury, eliciting cries and moans from Zhou Yuehong…
Meanwhile, Hong Xiuxiu, having gone upstairs, didn’t immediately enter her room. She tiptoed, trying to eavesdrop on her mother and Hong Jianguo.
Unexpectedly, she overheard an astonishing secret.
She—was actually Hong Jianguo’s biological daughter!
Upon realizing the truth, she covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.
So she, too, was a young lady of high status—a true heiress of the Su family.
All along, she had been cautiously trying to get a few unwanted clothes and used jewelry from Su Jin.
But now the truth was revealed: she was the rightful young lady of this household.
It was all Su Jin’s fault—if Su Jin and her deceased mother hadn’t occupied her rightful place, she wouldn’t have had to endure those harsh years in the countryside.
She wouldn’t have tiptoed around Su Jin like a servant, seeking small favors.
If Su Jin knew what she was thinking, she would have looked at her like a fool.
Thinking back to what had just happened, Hong Xiuxiu felt both anger and ecstatic joy. She hadn’t even noticed when the people downstairs had returned to their rooms.
Only after squatting at the staircase until her legs went numb did she quietly, like in a dream, retreat to her room.
Lying in bed, her greedy eyes schemed to take all of Su Jin’s belongings. Those prized possessions—now hers.
And Zhao Fuyuan? He was hers too.
Both body and heart belonged to her now. If he knew her true identity, he would immediately come to propose.
The more she thought, the more thrilled she became, imagining the life of wealth and luxury she would enjoy once she replaced Su Jin.
That night, Hong Xiuxiu stayed up, unable to sleep, overflowing with excitement.
Downstairs, Hong Jianguo and Zhou Yuehong had also spent most of the night together, with Hong Jianguo turning his anger into desire…