Chapter Thirty-Six: Such Explosive News
Du Zhiye smiled. “It’s too much trouble to organize, and besides, there’s nothing of mine here anyway.”
Yan Xiufang was about to say something, but Du Qi spoke first. Looking at Du Zhiye, he said in a tone that brooked no refusal, “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. Come with me to the study.”
Du Zhiye touched her nose and obediently followed Du Qi to the study.
Du Xin finally relaxed, her heart no longer in suspense. She smiled sweetly at Jiang Yingnan. “Yingnan, let me walk you out.”
Jiang Yingnan nodded, and as he stepped outside, he glanced back toward the study.
Du Xin watched as Jiang Yingnan’s car drove away from the Du residence, only then reluctantly stepping back inside.
Yan Xiufang saw her come in and gave her a meaningful look. With tacit understanding, mother and daughter went to Du Xin’s room.
Yan Xiufang asked, “What’s going on between Du Zhiye and Jiang Yingnan?”
Du Xin’s eyes were bloodshot; she gritted her teeth. “She’s seducing Jiang Yingnan.”
Yan Xiufang’s expression changed slightly. She had already guessed as much at the dinner table but hadn’t dared to believe it.
She didn’t think Du Zhiye truly liked Jiang Yingnan; it was mostly out of revenge.
Thinking that way, Du Zhiye really was a madwoman.
“Don’t provoke Du Zhiye for the time being.”
Du Xin bit her lower lip, unwilling to accept it. “I’m just afraid that even if I don’t provoke her, she’ll come after the people around me.”
Yan Xiufang understood this well. Du Zhiye was never the type to sit and wait for fate.
Yan Xiufang sighed. “Pay more attention to Jiang Yingnan these days. Leave Du Zhiye to me.”
Du Xin looked at her mother for a moment, then nodded obediently.
...
In the study, Du Qi and Du Zhiye sat at opposite ends of the tea table.
Du Qi poured a cup of tea for Du Zhiye. “Have a taste.”
Du Zhiye picked up the cup and drank it in one gulp, bold and full of bravado.
But the hot tea scalded her tongue, leaving it numb.
“You know I don’t understand these things. To me, it all tastes the same.”
Du Qi chuckled, but did not scold her. He poured her another cup of tea.
Setting down the teapot and looking up at her, Du Qi asked, “Do you hate your father?”
Du Zhiye was stunned, not expecting such a blunt question right away.
Thinking of how Du Qi’s hair had turned white overnight after her death, her eyes grew warm. To hide her emotions, she picked up the cup and drank again.
Putting down the cup, Du Zhiye looked at Du Qi, her expression lazy and indifferent once more. “Why would I hate you?”
“Do you hate me for cheating with Yan Xiufang back then and destroying our family?”
Du Zhiye hadn’t expected Du Qi to be so straightforward, which made her momentarily tense. Or perhaps it was not tension, but... She licked her lips and shook her head.
Du Qi said, “Zhiye, don’t let your hatred for me or Yan Xiufang lead you to make mistakes.”
Du Zhiye looked at him, understanding the purpose behind his words.
But... she simply could not stop hating Yan Xiufang.
In order for Du Xin to inherit all of Du Qi’s assets, Yan Xiufang had even wanted her dead.
If she were gone...
Would Yan Xiufang then aim for Du Qi’s life as well?
Because only if Du Qi was gone too, could the Du family truly belong to Du Xin and Yan Xiufang.
With those thoughts, Du Zhiye realized she could not sit idly by.
She pondered for a moment. “Dad, Aunt Yan isn’t as kind as she appears. She... is quite ruthless.”
There was not the slightest surprise on Du Qi’s face. For years, Yan Xiufang had shown a gentle and generous demeanor in public and private, but Du Qi was not foolish; he knew she was not as simple as she seemed.
No matter how scheming she was, it was all for Du Xin.
He had two daughters. He was closer to Du Xin, but in his heart, he favored Du Zhiye more.