With all bridges burnt, there was naturally no peaceful coexistence.

  Jing Yun and Mama Xu returned to the operation room, with the eldest uncle soon coming out, assisted by a nurse.

  “Eldest Uncle, are you alright?” Xu Yihong went up to ask after him.

  Eldest Uncle was pale, but in the end, it was just his hand that was hurt. “It’s just a finger, it’s not that important. That said, Yifeng, you have to be careful from now on. Don’t be so reckless!”


  “You don’t know this, Eldest Uncle, but my little brother here said many unbelievable things while you were having surgery, including the fact that I’m your son.”


  Eldest Uncle spaced out for two seconds at those words, before laughing out loud. “Really? That’s so funny.”


  Jing Yun laughed along as well. “Facts can’t be lies, lies can’t be facts.”


  “It is better if we don’t see each other from now on.” Xu Yihong told Jing Yun fiercely. “I’ll have someone arrange for you to live elsewhere.”


  “Why don’t you leave the house, Brother?”


  “You could do anything you want with Mom and Dad once I’m gone. Did you think I wouldn’t know what you’re up to?”


  After all, Xu Yihong was bent on occupying the advantage all the time.

  Still, it was very admirable for him to remain calm, even though the truth to be just one paper away from being exposed.

  “I could say that to you as well, Brother. I wouldn’t know what you would tell Mom and Dad either, and that is why I won’t move out…” Jing Yun answered as it is.

  The Xu couple was left very helpless with the brothers becoming so hateful.

  “I’ve really saved a white-eyed wolf today!” The eldest Xu uncle could not help snorting right then. “That said, Yihong, you have been with the Xu family for years and your parents would know what kind of a man you are. Don’t worry, no one could drive a wedge with just a few words.”


  “We’ll see if there’s anything to worry about once Brother goes for a paternity test with Eldest Uncle.”


  “I’m ready to go anytime.” With that, Eldest Uncle turned to his own brother. “Your youngest is really impressive, starting storms just a few days after returning to the family. Clean your eyes, or you’ll suffer when you get cheated!”


  “At first, I was thinking we could forget about my finger. But since your son insists on doing this, I’m not holding back either. Pay me back what I deserve.”


  “As for Xu Holdings, it’s either him or me!”


  The father and son were certainly impressive—in his years of following Sheng Xiao around and encountering so many actors, Jing Yun found that this pair could count as above average.

  Later, after both eldest uncle and Xu Yihong left the hospital, Mama Xu turned to Jing Yun. “Let’s go home. We have to clear this up with your father too.”


  “Sure.” Jing Yun nodded.

  However, once they reached home, they found Xu Yihong already seated on the sofa and watching them.

  “Mom, you and Dad have to make your say on who leaves this house.”


  It seems that Xu Yihong was really bent on forcing Jing Yun out of the house.

  Despite being usually quick-witted, Mama Xu was put on the spot right then, which was why she simply turned to Papa Xu. “You should decide on this matter.”


  Sighing, Papa Xu then answered, “Since things had come to this, we would have to investigate who is lying here. How about this, dear? I’ll arrange for a place for you to stay with Yifeng and Minglan, since you would still have to prepare for the wedding.”


  In other words, Papa Xu was saying that he and Xu Yihong would remain at the manor.

  “I’ll bring you home when we get to the bottom of this.”


  Mama Xu thought about it, and decided that it was the best solution at the moment.

  “Okay, I’ll follow your arrangement. What about you, Yifeng?”


  “I’ll follow Dad’s arrangement as well…”


  After all, Jing Yun appeared to have messed up a happy family right now, but Mama Xu understood Jing Yun—if the deception was not exposed, it would only cause further damage in the end.

  “That’s settled, then. I will try to do a paternity test with Dad as soon as I can too.”


  ***

  Nevertheless…


  Staying outside?

  How could Jing Yun not worry?

  Would Xu Yihong spare him now that he had messed up a plan he worked on for years?

  That was why he immediately brought Sheng Minglan and Mama Xu to Jing Ting.

  Since Sheng Minglan was a member of the Sheng family, she was beyond reproach if she stayed there.

  Still, bringing an elder along as well…


  Sheng Xiao couldn’t help frowning. “You failed to deal with such a trifle, and even got chased out.”


  “Eighth Brother, Jing Yun almost lost his hands today,” Sheng Minglan explained. “Xu Yihong would go further if Jing Yun hadn’t exposed him. His hand was forced.”


  Sheng Xiao rose from the sofa in response and did not give them a hard time. “You may stay at Jing Ting for now. I’ll return to the Shen family’s residence with Qi’er.”


  “Young Master Sheng, you don’t really have to go through so much trouble…”


  “Madam, you are Jing Yun’s mother and therefore a guest,” Sheng Xiao replied. “Qi’er and I being here might make you uncomfortable, and we have our own work to see too. Staying with the Shen family actually makes things convenient for us.”


  “Eight Brother, are you really giving up on the Sheng Family?”


  Sheng Xiao raised his brow at Sheng Minglan. “Haven’t you heard? I’m a NEET live-in son-in-law of the Shen family now.”


  “I’m not buying that.” Sheng Minglan said, rolling her eyes. “But we really need to be safe this time, or I wouldn’t have bothered you and Xiao Qi since I have other places to live.”


  Sheng Xiao chuckled at that, and turned mischievously to Jing Yun. “There are only two outcomes now that things are out in the open. The first is for Xu Yihong to fill in the gaps, but that is impossible since you can fake being blood relations only once, and it can’t stay hidden for long. That is why Xu Yihong is trying to keep you out for now because he is aiming for the second outcome: buy time, and hollow out Xu Holdings.

  “After all, he knows that being exposed was only a matter of time.

  “As for that eldest uncle of yours who was with Xu Holdings for years, he must have coordinated perfectly with Xu Yihong and prepared untold numbers of intrigues. Xu Holdings is going to have a problem if you keep waiting.”


  “What do you plan to do?”


  Jing Yun was looking at Sheng Xiao too, but he said nothing.

  “After staying with me for years, such a little thing wouldn’t trouble you now, would it?”


  “My guess as to why Eldest Uncle is staying at the manor is because he anticipated Xu Yihong’s move.”


  “I’m just afraid that Xu Yihong has already grown himself a pair of wings and is ready to make his escape.”


  Mama Xu felt a shiver just from listening to them.

  To think that they had sensed nothing, even though a ticking time bomb was placed right beside them for years.