Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Double Standards

Jin Fan’s second uncle, Jin Gan, also stepped forward to chime in. “My third brother wouldn’t be so foolish as to believe the one-sided claims of an outsider. Guards! Throw this madwoman out!”

Shen Zhiyao’s gaze fell upon Jin Gan, and she smiled.

Her smile was beautiful, but meeting her icy gaze somehow brought with it an intense sense of pressure.

“Jin Yong is no saint, and neither are you, Jin Gan. You took a cut of every project fund Jin Yong embezzled. You even registered a company overseas called ’Char’ for money laundering.”

These things weren’t done with much secrecy. A simple investigation would uncover them. It’s just that Jin Huai Zhong trusted his relatives too much and never bothered to check their books.

The brothers, Jin Yong and Jin Gan, and their wives quickly stood together, denying Shen Zhiyao’s words.

Only Jin Fan believed Shen Zhiyao without reservation. He desperately tried to persuade Jin Huai Zhong, “Dad, you have to believe her! She never lies. Besides, this is the kind of thing that’s easy to check. Even if she were lying, how long could she possibly fool you?”

Having been a formidable figure in the business world for many years, Jin Huai Zhong wasn’t truly a fool, just overly trusting. Seeing how Shen Zhiyao’s claims were so coherent—she even knew the name of the company registered under Jin Gan—his suspicions were naturally aroused.

He said with a deadpan expression, “I will have someone investigate this. I cannot allow an outsider to slander my family!”

Although on the surface he was defending his brothers, they were panicking internally. ’How can he investigate this? The moment he looks into it, we’re finished!’

They shot a glare at Jin Fan. ’This clueless rich brat! When did he get such a competent girlfriend? She spilled all our secrets!’

Jin Huai Zhong said no more. He just shot Jin Fan a cold glance, his eyes sweeping down to his leg. “Your injury is healed?”

Jin Fan was not close with his father and felt a little scared being stared at like that. He nodded meekly. “The doctor misdiagnosed it. They were just superficial injuries. All I needed was some rest…”

Jin Huai Zhong didn’t press the matter. He turned to greet his nephews with a smile, asking about their studies and whether they had gotten used to living abroad.

He acted as if he didn’t mind what had just happened at all.

Jin Yong and Jin Gan felt like they had dodged a bullet. ’Maybe Jin Huai Zhong was just bluffing about that investigation?’ they thought hopefully.

After chatting with his nephews, Jin Huai Zhong began to greet Kang Naixin.

Kang Naixin seized the opportunity to introduce Zhou Ye to Jin Huai Zhong, who then asked about Zhou Ye’s career.

Meanwhile, Jin Fan was gradually pushed to the outer edge of the group, looking like a complete outsider.

Sometimes, that kind of neglect is more painful than any scolding or beating.

Jin Fan forced a smile for Shen Zhiyao. “I’m going to the restroom. If you get bored, feel free to take a walk in the garden.”

Shen Zhiyao nodded. “I’ll wait for you in the garden. Come find me after you’re done crying!”

Jin Fan: “…”

’I just said I was going to the restroom because I didn’t want anyone to see my vulnerable side. How did she see right through me?’

Shen Zhiyao had already read the faces of all the Jin relatives and Jin Huai Zhong. She couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time with such tedious people.

Just as she reached the garden, she heard someone call from behind her, “Yaoyao.”

Shen Zhiyao turned to see Zhou Ye walking toward her, step by step, through the garden.

It had to be said, Zhou Ye was handsome. His features and physique were exceptional, and he had a rare, clean-cut air about him.

Too bad his personality didn’t match his looks.

“What is it?”

Shen Zhiyao’s tone was icy, as if she were talking to a complete stranger.

With a flicker of deep emotion in his eyes, Zhou Ye walked up to Shen Zhiyao. “Must you talk to me like this? We were together for nine years. We still have feelings for each other, don’t we?”

Shen Zhiyao scoffed. “Then do you dare to announce our past relationship publicly? Or how about you say that again so I can record it?”

“Yaoyao,” Zhou Ye said, his face a mask of guilt. “I know you’re still angry with me about what happened. But you have to try and see it from my perspective, don’t you? Do you have any idea how hard it is to make a name for yourself in the entertainment industry with no money and no connections?”

“Do you know how much scorn I’ve endured, how much injustice I’ve swallowed, how many tears I’ve held back just to build this little bit of fame? If you make me reveal our relationship now, you’ll be destroying the foundation of my career!”

“I was backed into a corner when I publicly distanced myself from you! But the truth is, I still love you!”

“Yaoyao, just be patient a little longer. Be my secret lover for now, and we can still be together. Once I make it big, I promise I’ll marry you. Trust me.”

As he spoke, he reached for Shen Zhiyao’s hand.

The next second, Shen Zhiyao kicked him away.

She had wanted to just push him, but she felt he was too filthy to touch, so she used her foot instead.

“You’re disgusting!” After saying that, she scraped the sole of her shoe on the ground and strode off.

Zhou Ye was stunned by the kick. ’What just happened? Why did she change so suddenly? She even called me disgusting? She used to be head over heels in love with me, hanging on my every word. Why the sudden change of heart? Has she really fallen out of love with me, or is she just playing hard to get to grab my attention?’

Kang Naixin walked over, and seeing Zhou Ye on the ground, asked, “What happened?”

She glanced at Shen Zhiyao’s retreating back in the distance and asked coldly, “Did you come back just to see her?”

Zhou Ye wouldn’t dare admit it. He scrambled to explain, “No, no, no! I try to avoid her at all costs, why would I seek her out? It was her… she came to me, begging to get back together. My heart only has room for you, Xin’er, how could I lead her on? Not only did I refuse, I even told her off. She got angry from the humiliation and kicked me. I never thought she’d suddenly get violent after being rejected. I was completely caught off guard when she kicked me down. Ow, that kick nearly killed me!”

It had to be said, his acting skills were superb. He successfully fooled Kang Naixin.

Kang Naixin’s suspicions were immediately dispelled. She said with contempt, “Putting on an act as some Metaphysics Master online, but she’s just a promiscuous, gold-digging woman. One second she’s clinging to my cousin, the next she’s hitting on you! Just wait until my aunt gets back. You’ll see how she puts that tramp in her place!”

By five in the afternoon, all the guests and relatives had arrived, and Jin Huai Zhong was busy greeting them.

Shortly after, Mrs. Jin returned. With her was a young man in a white suit who, upon seeing Jin Huai Zhong, called out, “Dad!”

Jin Huai Zhong’s face, so icy when he looked at Jin Fan, was now wreathed in a benevolent smile as he faced his younger son. “Well, well! My boy is back! How was the flight? Are you tired?”

“Not tired at all. Happy birthday, Dad!”

With that, he pulled an ornate brocade box from his pocket. Inside was a diamond-encrusted watch.

Jin Huai Zhong was delighted and immediately put it on.

At that moment, Jin Fan was also holding an ornate brocade box. Inside was a brooch.

But as he watched his parents and younger brother laughing and making small talk from a distance, he couldn’t muster the courage to join them.

In that moment, Jin Fan was the very picture of timidity…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep