Still, Zhang Jiren wasn't sure about the motive of the Zhang family as well as the Tangs. Aside from Zhang Xianzhe, was anyone else aware of his real identity? He should identify who the enemies are first before he could make a move.

  Zhang Jiren also knew that he needed to be careful not to give anyone a chance to suspect that he was aware of the truth regarding his origin and how he was related to Yan Qiuyu and Tang Moyu.

  What's more, was there a possibility that Zhang Xianzhe took him in to use as a hidden card against the Tang family? What were the chances that he was raised as a Zhang in order for him to go against Tang Moyu someday?

  The thought shook him to the core. How despicable! He would never allow them to use him to hurt his only sister!

  What he hated the most was being a fool, believing that the Zhang family had taken him in out of sympathy. He should have known better. Zhang Xianzhe would definitely have a hidden motive for helping someone like him.

  The thought that he was being used without him being aware of it didn't sit well with Zhang Jiren. Why did he and Tang Moyu need to suffer just because of Zhang Wuying's selfishness?

  Zhang Xianzhe shouldn't have allowed his sister to ruin the lives of his family, taking him away from his father and twin sister.

  Zhang Jiren slumped on his bed and mockingly laughed at himself. So pathetic. He should have realized that people like the Zhangs would never extend a hand to idiots like him if they think they wouldn't reap any benefit from it.

  But what should he do now? He cannot just appear in front of Tang Lixue and Tang Moyu claiming that he was the empress's twin brother. Was there anything else that he could do to prove their relationship to the Tang family?

  Anyway, perhaps it would be better if none of them knew the truth for now. He wasn't sure who to trust at this moment and didn't want to cause more trouble and pain for his elder sister, whom he unknowingly felt naturally attached to.

  "Sis, do you also feel so alone and unloved like I do?" He muttered to himself.

  The sadness in her eyes, the cold persona she developed as she grew up, all of these happened because she and her brother had been f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y taken away from each other and from their birth mother.

  Tang Moyu had built high walls around her, forbidding anyone to get close to her to protect herself, just like how he always sported a smile, hiding the emptiness and loneliness he was feeling inside.

  He was wrong… he thought that they abandoned him, when in truth, they were also suffering just like him, especially his sister. Zhang Jiren couldn't believe that Zhang Wuying had played his sister so well, deceiving Tang Moyu all this time, making her believe that she was her mother.

  The darkness of the night was incomparable to the hatred and darkness that sprouted in his heart. The meek and gentle boy that grew up in the orphanage had undergone a metamorphosis overnight.

  His eyes flashed with murderous intent. The Tang and the Zhang families would pay a high price for their sins, he would make sure of that. They had taken everything from him and hurt his sister? He, Tang Lingjun, would have the last laugh!

  The next few days, there was an obvious change in Zhang Jiren's attitude. It was like his personality had turned a complete 180 degrees, as the old, submissive Zhang Jiren who always had a gentle smile on his face had now a demeanor that was colder than ice.

  Even his classmates and teammates were confused by his sudden change, but none of them were able to find out the reason for Zhang Jiren's out of character demeanor in his recent actions. He preferred to be alone now, practicing on his own until he perfected whatever he was doing.

  However, at home, Zhang Jiren remained the same in front of his 'father'. There were still so many things he didn't understand, and that includes Zhang Xianzhe's relationship with his birth mother. His 'father' spoke as if he knew Yan Qiuyu on a personal level.

  When the day of the graduation ceremony came, Zhang Jiren focused his attention on Tang Moyu. Since he might not be able to see her for a long time, as she was about to go overseas for her bachelor's degree, Zhang Jiren wanted to cherish these rare times that he could see her in person.

  So many people had greeted the empress, but the only people from the Tang family that showed up at her graduation ceremony were her siblings. Zhang Jiren's jaw hardened at the sight of his sister. Even now, the Tang family and Zhang Wuying wouldn't treat Tang Moyu properly.

  'Sis, I promise you. When you come back, I won't be a weakling anymore. I will strive to be better so I can be able to protect you in the future.' Zhang Jiren thought, regretting that he didn't find out about the truth sooner.

  Since he was nothing but an illegitimate child of Zhang Xianzhe, Zhang Jiren wasn't surprised that none of his siblings nor his 'father' had come for him. What was he expecting anyway from the family that broke his?

  When Li Meili appeared and joined the Tangs, Zhang Jiren took it as a cue for him to leave. However, just as he was about to leave, his eyes caught someone familiar in the crowd. He was shocked to see Tang Lixue at the graduation ceremony. But why didn't he let Tang Moyu see him?

  Zhang Jiren saw a man who was looking at his daughter with an expression filled with longing and regret. This was the same man who fathered him and Tang Moyu and yet, he wasn't able to express his love for his daughter.