Free Web NovelChapter 278: Chapter 278: What Did Dad and Big Brother Say?
Zheng Jianjun listened to his older brother’s words, his lips pressed together in silence. His mind was a tangled mess, two conflicting thoughts tearing at him.
On one hand, he thought that if the Li family discovered Li Yuan was impersonating their real daughter, his own little family would fall apart, and his two sons would lose their mother.
On the other hand, he thought that if the Zheng family helped Li Yuan hide the truth and the Li family found out one day, the consequences for the Zheng family would be dire. It could even implicate the entire Zheng family. Besides, it was highly likely the Li family already knew the truth.
His own small family on one side, the entire Zheng family on the other—Zheng Jianjun felt like his head was about to explode.
Seeing Zheng Jianjun remain silent, Zheng Jian Country snorted coldly. "Second Brother," he said, "this is no time to hesitate. Regardless of whether the Li family knows the truth right now, our Zheng family cannot aid and abet a wrongdoer. Have you forgotten what Dad taught us since we were children? In all our dealings, in our very character, we must be upright and honorable. We must strive to have a clear conscience in all that we do."
"I..." Zheng Jianjun took a deep breath. He struggled to open his mouth but didn’t know what to say. His older brother was right. That was how their father had taught them since they were young, and it was how he and his brother had always lived.
Mr. Zheng sighed and said, "Second Son, I understand what you’re thinking. You’re afraid Xiao Jiang and Xiao Hai will be affected. But have you considered whether you should continue to help Li Yuan hide what she’s done? You need to understand that no matter what, her actions have crossed a moral line. Besides, who knows what other appalling things we don’t know about might be involved."
"Dad, I understand all that, but I..." Zheng Jianjun ran his hands through his hair in anguish. He couldn’t understand why this was happening to him. Everything had been perfectly fine; his family was supposed to be warm and harmonious.
"Second Brother, if we didn’t know about this, it would be one thing. But now that we do, we absolutely cannot let it continue." Zheng Jian Country slammed his hand on the table. "No matter what, we have to make things clear to the Li family. I’m telling you, I will absolutely not allow the entire Zheng family to vouch for Li Yuan."
Zheng Jianjun naturally understood his older brother’s words, but his heart ached for his two sons.
Zheng Jian Country sighed. "Second Brother, if we help Li Yuan hide this and the Li family finds out later, then it’s Xiao Jiang and Xiao Hai who will truly have no future."
Zheng Jian Country’s words sent a jolt through Zheng Jianjun, his mind instantly clearing. He was silent for a long moment before finally sighing, "Big Brother, you’re right."
Zheng Jian Country patted Zheng Jianjun’s shoulder reassuringly. "So," he said, "whether it’s for the sake of the entire Zheng family or for Xiao Jiang and Xiao Hai, our family cannot stand in opposition to the Li family."
"I understand, Big Brother." Zheng Jianjun scratched his head. "Dad, Big Brother, I wasn’t thinking clearly today."
"Anxiety muddles the mind," Zheng Jian Country said. "If I were in your shoes, I’m not sure I would have handled it any better."
"I know what I have to do now," Zheng Jianjun said with a sigh.
Zheng Jian Country patted Zheng Jianjun’s shoulder again.
When the three men of the Zheng family—the father and his sons—were discussing matters in the study, no one else in the family was allowed to approach. After all, the things they discussed could involve certain secrets. This was an unwritten rule in the Zheng household. The study was well soundproofed; with the door closed, it was impossible to hear the voices inside unless one stood right next to it.
Li Yuan knew what the three Zheng men had gone to the study to discuss. She was tempted to eavesdrop, but ultimately didn’t have the nerve. Mr. Zheng’s security detail were no pushovers. So, Li Yuan could only wait downstairs, outwardly laughing and joking with Mrs. Zheng and her sister-in-law, but her mind had long since wandered elsewhere.
When she saw Zheng Jianjun come out of the study, she quickly and carefully studied his expression, but she couldn’t read anything from it.
Later that evening, back in their own room, Li Yuan hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Jianjun, what did Dad and Big Brother say?"
