Arc.
1.16
The Wicked Child of the Stepmother
The Meng family faced severe repercussions at the hands of Chairman Xia, who was filled with unrestrained fury.
But that wasn’t the end.
Suddenly, rumors began to spread, casting an entirely different narrative than anyone had heard before.
Instead of the despised figures they once were, Du Yao and Meng Zhenzhen—mistress and illegitimate son—were now portrayed as victims!!
The Du Family revealed that Du Yao had never wanted to be Chairman Meng’s mistress but was deceived and coerced by him, forced into pregnancy.
But because Du Yao never accepted the situation, after she gave birth to her son and raised him for a few years, Chairman Meng, seeing that she defied him and wanted to be a single mother, seized her son and placed him under the care of his official wife in the Meng household.
Du Yao, cornered and powerless, had no choice but to endure her situation, fearing for her son’s safety.
The Du Family also disclosed that they had never even met their grandson because Chairman Meng had barred them from seeing him.
As for Meng Zhenzhen, his life was allegedly one of even greater misery—subjected to bullying and mistreatment at the hands of his stepmother and siblings, he was treated worse than the servants in the Meng household.
Later, when Chairman Meng grew tired of Du Yao, he expelled her, cutting off her access to her son, fearing she would discover the abuse Meng Zhenzhen had suffered.
By chance, Chairman Xie met Du Yao, learning of her plight and offering his support.
After Chairman Xia’s wife passed away, Chairman Xie was moved by Du Yao’s kind heart, and affection blossomed between them.
Du Yao, grateful for his unwavering help, agreed to marry him.
She longed to reclaim her son from the Meng family, and after Chairman Meng’s death, she successfully brought Meng Zhenzhen home.
Now, the story had taken a new turn.
The true villains became Chairman Meng, Madame Meng, and their children, while Du Yao and Meng Zhenzhen were seen as victims.
It was no wonder Chairman Xie was so enraged, given the Meng family’s relentless pursuit to defame the mother and son.
The Meng family’s once-stellar reputation crumbled in an instant.
Former servants came forward, recounting tales of how Madame Meng and her children had bullied and mistreated the defenseless Meng Zhenzhen.
There were even rumors of the madam attempting to take control of Meng Zhenzhen’s inheritance that Chairman Meng gave him, as she couldn’t bear to see him receive anything.
The Meng family’s reputation hit rock bottom, drawing widespread condemnation from the public.
Initially, not many people believed the story, but since Meng Zhenzhen was indeed raised in the Meng household, combined with testimonies from former servants, the narrative became increasingly credible.
Madame Meng’s two daughters were sent back from abroad after being expelled from their university due to serious disciplinary issues, and the eldest son, who has now inherited the company from Chairman Meng, still lacks sufficient experience.
Unable to handle the pressure from the Xie family, he made management mistakes.
From here on, it was all too clear what fate awaited the Meng family…
After a week away from school (with Xie Yanjing having taken him on a long, satisfying getaway), Nian Zhen returned only to find the atmosphere had changed drastically.
Everyone seemed to treat him better—some even going so far as to fawn over him.
Nian Zhen desperately wanted to ask the system what exactly was going on, but it seemed to have disappeared entirely.
Xie Yanjing kept his mouth shut, and Du Yao only said that she took care of it, leaving Nian Zhen completely in the dark.
“Zhenzhen, listen to me!!”
Nian Zhen was strolling with Xie Yanjing through the school’s convenience store, picking out some ice cream that, of course, his dear big brother would pay for.
Hehe.
But then, the familiar voice of the rotten so called friend with the surname Chun sounded, and his voice sounded extremely anxious. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Listen to you?
What, you’re going to try to badmouth my big brother in front of everyone?
This little rat.
Trying to act sincere now?
Not happening.
I’m not losing this one.
Nian Zhen spun around, his face showing an expression of confusion and doubt.
“Long-ge?”
“Zhenzhen, I didn’t do it. I didn’t say anything against you, I was framed.” Chun Long panted, clearly having run to catch up, his whole demeanor steeped in panic.
Oh well, you rotten friend.
You almost seemed believable for a second, but then, the minute you claimed you were the one getting framed, your credibility took a nosedive.
Still, Nian Zhen managed to latch onto the heart of Chun Long’s little performance and, without a hint of suspicion, turned to glance at Xie Yanjing beside him.
Big brother, look at this two-faced worm.
He’s pretending he can’t see you standing right here.
So shameless.
You’re going to have to deal with people like him, you know.
Just let me be here to cheer you on.
[…]
“What’s going on, Long-ge?”
“It’s about the rumors saying you’re the son of a mistress. I swear it wasn’t me who spread it.”
This scoundrel, are you calling me a son of a mistress?
After trying to make excuses, you’re still talking nonsense like this.
Calling someone else’s mother a mistress in front of their child.
Even if it’s true, has no one taught you when to keep your mouth shut, huh?
“…”
Nian Zhen immediately frowned without replying.
“Zhenzhen, I just…”
“Let’s go; class is about to start.”
Xie Yanjing, who must have slipped away to pay for the ice cream at some point, suddenly appeared, taking Nian Zhen’s hand and pulling him off in the opposite direction.
“Yanjing, this has nothing to do with you. I need to talk to Zhenzhen,” Chun Long stepped in front of them.
This scoundrel, talking nonsense like this, who would want to talk to you?
Don’t talk badly about my brother.
“I don’t have anything more to say to you. If you want to explain, go explain it to my mom.”
Nian Zhen replied firmly, tugging Xie Yanjing away and leaving Chun Long stunned.
Meng Zhenzhen had always seemed weak, gullible, and clueless, so Chun Long did not expect him to react like this.
Or did Xie Yanjing say something to him?
You scumbag.
Go on, if you want to make excuses, go explain yourself to Aunt Du instead. Find the original chapter at g.com.
See what the original white lotus has to say.
But if things have come to this, it must mean my plan with Aunt Du failed.
Seriously, Aunt Du.
She had one job—throw some mud on big brother’s reputation—and she couldn’t even do that right.
What kind of villain can’t even frame someone properly?
And here’s the real scoundrel, going down before we even had a chance to act.
How are we ever going to give big brother a hard time now?
My long-awaited evil plan ruined just like that?
I’m supposed to be the villain, the bad guy.
But why are my schemes so flimsy?
Big brother, just tell me straight up—what kind of talisman are you wearing that makes you immune to my devious plots every single time?
Look at me, seriously.
Do you see this face?
The fake smile, the calculating eyes—this face is practically oozing with wickedness.
I’m the kind of person who deserves to be taken down a notch, you know, big brother.
I’m exhausted.
Why is being the villain, being a white lotus, so much work?
And Aunt Tu know only small tricks.
Maybe I need some new case studies.
Oh, wait.
Isn’t there a new BL novel about a villain coming out this week?
I’ll just have to research some fresh strategies.
Fight on!!
There must be some way to deal with you, big brother.
“…” Xie Yanjing
[…] The system had to admit, the host’s determination was impressive.
“Don’t worry so much. Just focus on your studies.”
Hey, big brother, why do you sound so exasperated with me?
I’m supposed to be playing the poor, tormented victim role here.
“…” Nian Zhen looked up at his brother with a pitiful gaze.
Xie Yanjing sighed and shoved an ice cream into Nian Zhen’s hand, nudging the young boy toward the classroom.
Ugh, I just want to quit and laze around at home, living off my big brother.
Is that too much to ask?
“…” Xie Yanjing