Cheng Qiaobei responded to Zheng Rongxi with calm indifference. There was no trace of leniency in his eyes as he focused his anger on Sun Dongchen. But Zheng Rongxi thought about her daughter and grandson—she couldn’t let a perfectly good family break apart like this, and she certainly couldn’t let an innocent child grow up without a father.
For the sake of her daughter and grandson, Zheng Rongxi had no choice but to lower herself and plead with Cheng Qiaobei.
She said, "Qiao Bei, unpleasant things have happened between us over the years, but I’ve never tried to drive you and your mother down a dead-end road. This ti, Dongchen really went too far—I’ll make sure to teach him a harsh lesson. At the end of the day, we’re all family. We can’t let things spiral into sothing that will ruin relationships.
He acted impulsively without considering the consequences—he didn’t think about the huge impact this would have on Ning Xi’s father.
Even if you don’t consider and Siluo, at least think about that innocent child. The child is blaless."
Seeing that Cheng Qiaobei didn’t refute her, Zheng Rongxi quickly called Sun Dongchen over, saying, "Dongchen, hurry up and apologize to Qiao Bei."
Sun Dongchen was reluctant, but he had no choice if he wanted Cheng Qiaobei to let this go. He lowered his head and said:
"I was wrong."
"Hah..." Cheng Qiaobei sneered. "That’s it?"
Zheng Rongxi glared fiercely at Sun Dongchen, gritting her teeth as she said, "Do you have to be stubborn even now?"
Only then did Sun Dongchen drop the arrogant act and say, "I failed to recognize the severity of the situation. It was neglect and a mistake on my part—I was wrong, I’m sorry. Please believe when I say this: I truly regret my actions. Words alone may not erase your anger, but I hope you can see my sincere remorse and my determination to make ands. I promise to correct my mistakes imdiately—I’ll get in touch with the informant and have him explain everything. Let’s put this behind us."
Zheng Rongxi added, "That’s right. The most important thing now is to get Ning Xi’s father out of this ss."
Sun Dongchen, oblivious to the tension, said, "With his testimony, he’ll definitely be released—there won’t be any trouble," and then turned to Cheng Qiaobei, saying, "Don’t worry about it."
Zheng Rongxi said, "Qiao Bei, the only person who can contact the informant is Dongchen. Although this is a ssy situation, rest assured—we’ll provide the money needed to handle everything, and there’s nothing that can’t be smoothed over."
Cheng Qiaobei’s face remained expressionless, his gaze toward Sun Dongchen like that reserved for an inferior creature. In a tone sharp and curt, he said:
"No forgiveness."
Sun Dongchen’s head shot up abruptly, as if he misheard.
Cheng Qiaobei repeated, word for word, "I said: no forgiveness." His contemptuous stare pierced Sun Dongchen as his mocking tone followed: "Did you think you could manipulate with that informant? With that level of intelligence, who gave you the guts to challenge ?"
Zheng Rongxi quickly realized he was completely unmoved. "Dongchen already apologized, he’s admitted his mistake and is willing to make ands—what more do you want? You’re being too aggressive."
Cheng Qiaobei’s anger flared up, his cold gaze cutting into Zheng Rongxi as he laughed incredulously and asked, "Are you saying that by refusing to forgive him, I’m in the wrong? Your family’s sense of morality and values truly astonish ." He pointed at Sun Dongchen and said, "He committed a cri—who dares to shelter him? Who thinks they can smooth this over? And the vile thing he did—you still dream of letting it slide?"
Zheng Rongxi replied, "Chen Weichuan is your father-in-law, after all. If you say sothing, it’ll carry weight."
Cheng Qiaobei couldn’t help but laugh, utterly exasperated. "What right do you have to call him by his na? And what am I supposed to be? Asking Ning Xi’s father to speak in his defense? The day Sun Dongchen decided to target Ning Xi’s father, he should have prepared for the consequences."
"..." Zheng Rongxi was left speechless, unable to find any convincing argunts.
Cheng Qiaobei finally saw things clearly—she didn’t just look down on him and his mother; she also looked down on Ning Xi and her family.
This kind of family—selfish, beyond redemption.
If they didn’t taste the bitter fruit of their actions and face justice, they would never understand that there’s no redy for regret in this world.
Cheng Qiaobei stood up, ready to leave. Before walking out, he said, "From the mont he reported Ning Xi’s father, this was no longer a family matter. He accused a governnt official of cris—he should prepare to face legal consequences."
Before he finished speaking, Zheng Rongxi blocked his way. "Are you really not going to help Dongchen?"
Cheng Qiaobei replied firmly, "I won’t help. Even if I could help, I wouldn’t lift a finger."
He brushed past them and left this unwelcoming place behind.
The sounds of a car engine faded away in the courtyard as Sun Dongchen clutched his bloodied, beaten face and asked:
"Mom, what do we do now?"
Zheng Rongxi felt her blood pressure spike, head throbbing in rage as her trembling hand pointed weakly at Sun Dongchen. "You truly overestimated yourself—to provoke him of all people. Now I can’t help you anymore. You’re on your own."
Sun Dongchen watched as Zheng Rongxi walked upstairs. He quickly chased after her, pitifully begging, "Mom, you have to save . If sothing happens to , what about Siluo and the child? You know why I took this reckless step—it was all to stand up for you and Siluo."
"!" A jolt ran through Zheng Rongxi’s heart.
Her raised foot hesitated before retreating, and she slowly turned to look at the pathetic man in front of her. There was one thing Cheng Qiaobei was absolutely right about—he was far too stupid, useless as an ally.
The decision Zheng Rongxi had been delaying was solidified in this mont. Her expression turned severe as she said:
"Everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. Don’t even think about shifting the bla onto soone else. If you really want to help Siluo, then handle this yourself—don’t drag us into it."
"Us?" Sun Dongchen vaguely sensed that he was about to be abandoned. "What about the child? If sothing happens to , who’s going to take care of the child?"
Zheng Rongxi replied coldly, "The child belongs to our family. We’ll take care of everything—there’s no need for you to worry."
"Mom," Sun Dongchen dropped to his knees with a loud thud, clutching at her feet. "Mom, are you really going to abandon ? You can’t abandon —I did so much for you, for Siluo. Even if there’s no credit, there’s effort..."
Zheng Rongxi looked down at the man at her feet, her words cutting like ice: "There’s a unit in the western suburbs—you can move into that apartnt. I’ll have the lawyer contact you soon."
"Mom, what do you an?" Sun Dongchen stared at her in disbelief.
Zheng Rongxi replied, "This is the end of the road for you and Siluo. As a husband, you’re unfit. As a father, at least think of your child—don’t drag them and Siluo into this ss."
"You want to divorce Siluo?" Sun Dongchen hadn’t expected the situation to spiral out of control.
Zheng Rongxi: "What other option do you have? Do you have a better idea?"
Sun Dongchen blinked, sitting dumbly on the floor. "...I just wanted to help you all."
Zheng Rongxi’s gaze darkened, full of disdain. "Help us? What have you helped us with? You haven’t achieved a single thing—instead, you’ve done nothing but create chaos. If you manage to dodge this ss, consider yourself lucky. But if you can’t—you’ll serve ti in prison. My daughter could never stay with a convict. Rest assured, we’ll provide you with compensation for the sake of the child."
"Mom," Sun Dongchen grew frantic, pleading like a beggar. "Mom, I beg you—help . I don’t want to divorce Siluo. I don’t want to go to prison!"
Zheng Rongxi didn’t look back as she walked up the stairs.
Faced with the chaos unraveling before him and mories of a life that once was, Sun Dongchen was full of regret.
People change, but they never go back to who they used to be.
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