Back then, Ji Buwang had said that the most painful time of his life had been that particular time. He had been like a living corpse, as he had lost his older brother shortly after losing his parents.

  But why was his older brother related to Shao Qiyun? Why was Shao Qiyun so sure that it was Ji Buwang?

  Mu Jingzhe looked at Ji Buwang’s tightly clenched fist and knew that although he looked calm on the surface, he must be suffering in his heart. Just as she was about to speak, Shao Qiyun’s voice stopped her.

  “Haha, your older brother? Where’s your older brother then? Ask him to come out. I wanna see where you’ll conjure an older brother from.”

  Shao Qiyun’s face was filled with mockery.?Don’t think I don’t know that this is just an excuse.

  “My older brother is gone. Shao Qiyun, show some respect. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude…”

  “Look at you now. You are the one who took away my innocence and left me to my own devices. I have a reason wherever I go. Your older brother is his father? You’re really good at making up lies. You’re blaming your older brother because you don’t want to be held responsible. You think that your older brother can’t defend himself since he’s dead, right? But even though he’s dead, I’m not. I remember it clearly. That was you!”

  “I told you that was my older brother. My older brother and I look very similar.”

  “How similar? Can’t be that similar unless you’re twins.”

  “We’re not twins, but can’t we look like twins?”

  “Who are you kidding? If you’re not twins, how similar can you two be? Shao Dong and Shao Xi are twins, but even they don’t look exactly the same. You’re not even twins with your older brother, yet you still dare to blame this on him.”

  “It’s up to you whether you believe it or not.” Ji Buwang couldn’t be bothered to say anything else. “Besides, regardless of whether the biological father is me or my older brother, it has nothing to do with you.”

  “Nothing to do with me? Why? Are you people not going to care about or acknowledge Xiao Wu?” Shao Qiyun was vigilant.

  \r \r \r

  “Whether we acknowledge him or not is none of your business.” Ji Buwang sneered.

  “How is it none of my business? Ji Buwang, listen to me, you have to marry me this time…” This was her best chance to marry a rich person. She wouldn’t let it go no matter what.

  Regardless of whether Ji Buwang treated her well or not or was willing to marry her, the fact that she had given birth to the Ji Family’s child would be considered a huge contribution. He had to marry her. Be it for sentiment or any other reason, he had to do it. This was what happened on television.

  “I’ll emphasize this one more time. Stop thinking about marrying into the Ji Family. This is absolutely impossible.” Ji Buwang interrupted Shao Qiyun impatiently.

  How could Shao Qiyun be willing to accept this? She wanted to continue, but Shao Qihai interrupted her. “Enough. Stop embarrassing yourself here. Regardless of whether Xiao Wu is a child of the Ji Family or not, it has nothing to do with you.”

  “Second Brother, why are you still speaking up for Ji Buwang? If he hadn’t run away back then, I wouldn’t have ended like this. Are you still my older brother? How can you not stand on my side…” Shao Qiyun accused him.

  “I really can’t be considered your brother. I don’t even acknowledge my mother anymore. You think I’ll acknowledge you?” Shao Qihai interrupted Shao Qiyun. “Oh right, your mother is paralyzed in bed and has been nagging to see you. You should go back when you have the time.”

  When Shao Qiyun heard that Shao Qihai wouldn’t even call her ‘mom’ anymore, she knew that she couldn’t count on him as she looked at his expression. She was furious. “Shao Qihai, you’ll regret this in the future. Do you think I want to marry into the Ji Family just for myself? If I marry into the Ji Family and have rich in-laws, won’t it be beneficial to you too?”

  Shao Qiyun softened her tone. “Brother, just help me. I’ll help you when the time comes.”

  “You don’t have to. Besides, I don’t believe you either.” Shao Qihai sneered. “It’s not like I just got to know you today. I’ve already seen your viciousness. When you heard that Zhao Lan was paralyzed in bed, you didn’t even ask after her. How could you possibly help me when you’re already treating your biological mother like this? I’ll be glad as long as you don’t harm me.”

  Shao Qiyun’s expression was ugly. “When have I ever harmed you? Besides, I did ask after her. I’m Mom’s child, and so are you. You’re a son, yet you don’t even care. Do you have the nerve to ask me to care? I’m a daughter. Sooner or later, I’ll get married and become someone else’s family. Mom is your responsibility, not mine.”

  Shao Qiyun didn’t want to show her face, although she already knew about Zhao Lan’s paralysis. She hadn’t gone back. Why should she go back? She was not obligated to support her in her old age and send her off after she passed away. That was her sons’ business. No matter what, Zhao Lan had three sons, so she shouldn’t be the one to do all this.

  Shao Qihai scoffed. “We don’t care about Zhao Lan because she let us down. But what about you? She’s devoted to you.”

  “What’s there to be devoted to? Back then, I was forced into a desperate situation by the debt collectors. I asked her to think of a way to help me, but she refused!” Shao Qiyun was still resentful. As long as Zhao Lan had been willing, she could have helped her repay the debt after selling the house. However, Zhao Lan had been unwilling. She only favored Eldest Brother Shao.

  At this point, Shao Qiyun suddenly realized something. “Why are you talking about this with me? We’re talking about me marrying into the Ji Family.”

  Tearing her down in front of Ji Buwang wouldn’t be beneficial to her marrying into the Ji Family.

  Shao Qiyun looked at Ji Buwang. “Ji Buwang, your family is also a reputable group of people. If you don’t want to lose face and have others criticize you behind your backs, marry me.”

  “Marrying you would truly be a disgrace to the Ji Family.” Ji Buwang looked at Shao Qiyun. “Shao Qiyun, do you really think you could get everything by marrying into the Ji Family? Do you think our family will tolerate someone like you? Have you never watched television or movies? Why are you so naive?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that if you insist on doing this, the Ji Family has ways to make you disappear.” Ji Buwang’s gaze was sharp and cold. Shao Qiyun’s heart skipped a beat. “You…”

  “Stop it. Get out now.” Ji Buwang pointed at the door.

  Shao Qiyun hadn’t expected Ji Buwang to be so heartless and determined. She looked at Shao Qihai and Mu Jingzhe, who were watching coldly from the sidelines, and realized that she had no chance of winning. She could only temporarily swallow her unwillingness.

  She glanced at the room Xiao Wu was in and told herself that there were many more days to come before leaving indignantly.

  Shao Qiyun finally left, but the courtyard was completely silent. No one spoke until the door opened and Xiao Wu walked out.

  Ji Buwang was shocked, but he couldn’t see Xiao Wu’s expression. He could only call out tentatively, “Xiao Wu.”

  Xiao Wu glanced at Ji Buwang and lowered his head. He walked over to Mu Jingzhe and held her hand. “Mommy.”

  Little Bei followed him. “Xiao Wu and I heard it all.”

  Shao Qihai looked at Little Bei and Xiao Wu and frowned at Ji Buwang. “What’s going on?”

  It was all a mess. To think Ji Buwang and the Ji Family were actually related to Xiao Wu. Shao Qihai hoped that all of this was fake, but upon looking at Ji Buwang and Xiao Wu’s hair, he knew that the chances were slim.

  Ji Buwang looked at Xiao Wu and then at Little Bei. “Go back to your room and wait for a while. I’ll explain to your mother and Shao Qihai first. I’ll talk to you guys later.”

  Some words weren’t suitable to be heard by children.

  Three minutes later, Mu Jingzhe, Shao Qihai, and Ji Buwang were sitting in the workroom. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “Actually, Xiao Wu almost became my son. My older brother only…” Ji Buwang dug out some unpleasant memories.