Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 198: Who Put Us on the Fire?_1

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Who Put Us on the Fire?_1

Xia Bowen’s mouth twitched into a bitter smile as he saw the people off.

After coming back, he collapsed into the sofa and remained silent.

Xia Ming, following behind him, wore an equally sour expression.

Xia Bowen, examining Xia Ming’s ghastly face, rubbed his forehead and asked with disbelief, "What’s wrong with you now?"

Xia Ming said, "Dad, have we been thrown onto the fire?"

Xia Bowen retorted, "Who puts us onto the fire?"

Xia Ming fell silent.

"You’re also a leader of a department, involved in major decisions. Tell me with a fair mind, who is it that has thrown us onto the fire?"

Standing at the door, Xia Ming’s hands clenched tightly, "I know you now hate my mother to death."

"Shouldn’t I hate her?"

Xia Bowen’s voice was somewhat icy.

"Even now, she shows not the slightest remorse, not a single move towards reconciliation, but instead, she’s grown to hate me.

I really don’t understand, on what grounds does she have the right to hate me?

I never hid a single thing from her, and after getting married, I did everything as she asked.

For all these years, I haven’t given a penny in child support for those three children.

You’re a father as well, you should know this kind of thing would make one scorned by everyone.

I didn’t care, I was completely indifferent, I acted as if those three children didn’t exist in this world.

If your mother had an ounce of humanity, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a difficult situation today.

Xia Ming, do you know that Xia Xindong’s body is covered with scars from being whipped?

Shangguan Heng, your esteemed uncle, he’s even more cruel than your mother. What right does he have to treat my child like that?

Tell me, where have I wronged the Shangguan family?

I don’t expect the Shangguan family to be grateful or give anything in return, but instead, Shangguan Heng sends me a ’great gift.’

You also know what led to the fallout between your uncle and me.

That medicine, it was clearly invented by Xia Xindong, yet he didn’t mention a word about it, and made me beg him in a low voice.

I swallowed my pride for your sake!

I’ve given everything to the Shangguan family, is this how he repays me?

Xia Ming, you might still think that your uncle has unspeakable difficulties, but let me tell you, every time I think of his vile face, I wish nothing but his utter ruin!

Xia Bowen’s face was icy, thinking this was the end?

Not for Xia Xindong’s sake, but for my manipulated past, Shangguan Heng, I will not let you off!

Xia Ming’s face turned deathly pale.

His eyes were also filled with hatred.

If only his great uncle had treated Xia Xindong well, had raised him properly, even if today’s events were exposed, there would still be room for maneuvering.

If the person were fine and outstanding, even if the mother made a mistake, it could be mitigated.

But no, the great uncle treated Xia Xindong like a dog.

How could his father not hate him?

Even his own heart was filled with resentment.

"Xia Ming, if you still can’t look at this matter from an impartial perspective, I am very disappointed in you. With this kind of mentality, you want to transfer to the judicial department? I’m worried your judgment is biased."

Xia Ming’s face flushed red, "Dad, how can you think of me like that?"

"Shouldn’t I think like this? Or do you think the victim is guilty, in your eyes?"

"Do you actually wish Xia Xindong would just disappear completely, and you’re also thinking of taking revenge on Song Yunuan?"

Xia Ming’s voice was strained as he said, "We wouldn’t do anything illegal."

Xia Bowen let out a cold laugh, "Where have Xia Liying and Xia Zhi run off to these past few days? Are they really at the hospital taking care of your mom?"

"Xia Ming, you’re the eldest brother, but I am their father. Whatever they have done, I am responsible. But if you know something and don’t report it, Xia Ming, you’re plunging yourself into an abyss with no escape."

Xia Ming struggled to defend, his words sounding feeble, "Dad, everyone is selfish. Speaking from self-interest, my mom was originally doing it for us. If we blame my mom now, what does that make us?"

"So that means you can ignore right from wrong?"

Xia Bowen forced himself to calm down and said to Xia Ming, "Also, don’t you see? This isn’t just about me anymore.

If I really did something, Gong Yunbin and his people, they’d come after me first.

You Xia Ming are no exception. You’ve been excellent since you were young, you’ve rarely faced setbacks, I’ve protected you all very well.

All of a sudden something like this happens, and I understand that you’re unbalanced.

At a time like this, you haven’t abandoned your mother, which actually makes me feel relieved.

At least it proves you’re a filial son; your mother hasn’t toiled for you all for nothing."

"And what about you, father?"

"Xia Ming, you need to understand, Xia Xindong is also my son. Even if we don’t acknowledge each other, the fact that he’s my blood, my lineage, is something no one can change."

"So you’re willing to completely sacrifice my mom?" Xia Ming asked, clearly distressed.

"Do you know why I’ve been protecting you and the Shangguan family, letting us go on peacefully and smoothly for thirty years?"

Xia Ming looked at Xia Bowen and remained silent.

In fact, he knew in his heart, but he didn’t want to admit it.

"It’s because in the face of major rights and wrongs, I’ve always stayed true to my own conscience."

Xia Bowen stood up, his voice tinged with impatience, "I’m going to the hospital, think things over carefully, don’t let me down."

Then he added, "Shangguan Wan is no longer suitable to stay in Beidu. I’ve already arranged all her papers; she’s leaving for Xiangjiang tomorrow."

Xia Bowen walked over to Xia Ming, peered at his face which bore some resemblance to Shangguan Heng, closed his eyes, then slowly opened them.

"Xia Ming, you’re responsible for escorting Shangguan Wan out. Stay out of everything else."

Xia Ming fell silent.

Shangguan Wan was his cousin, and in truth, he had little affection for her. But Wan came here to avoid a marriage.

If she went back, she would definitely be married off.

Especially under the current circumstances.

Bringing Xia Xindong back, the three families had gone through endless fierce disputes.

Xia Xindong was a cash cow, their hope for a prolonged prosperity.

Xia Ming imagined Shangguan Heng was having a tough time right now.

If Shangguan Wan went back, she would only have the one path of marrying into the Zhong family.

Xia Ming didn’t care all that much.

His own family was in complete disarray; who had the time to worry about Shangguan Wan?

Unexpectedly, there came a thudding sound from the staircase.

Xia Bowen turned his head, only to see Shangguan Wan, pale and panic-stricken, hurrying down the stairs.

Upon reaching Xia Bowen, she suddenly knelt down, her face ashen, "Uncle, please don’t send me back to Xiangjiang. If I go back, I can only marry into the Zhong family. You don’t know how terrifying that lunatic in the Zhong family is. He has several lives on his hands, and if I marry into that family, I only have a one-way ticket to death.

Please let me stay here for a while until my father figures something out. I’m begging you, uncle, please don’t send me away.

I know what my father has done is terrible, but I didn’t know anything about it, I really didn’t know, it has nothing to do with me."