The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 399 - 398: Better to Go Mad than to Destabilize From Within

Chapter 399: Chapter 398: Better to Go Mad than to Destabilize From Within

Yan Yi behaved with an openness and fearlessness that shook Shen Mingzhu, who already lacked confidence.

Just as Yan Yi said, she had no evidence, only conjectures.

"How can you prove it?"

"Generally speaking, strangulation marks become visible within 1-2 days, and I was not in Fengcheng during these two days. I went to the Capital two days ago and returned to Fengcheng at 10 o’clock last night. After leaving the airport, I drove back to my residence to rest, and I did not go out until I received a call from the Zhong Family. The flight records at the airport, as well as the doorman at my building, can vouch for me."

In an era without mobile phones and the internet, even if Yan Yi wanted to tamper with records and collude with others, it would take time to make arrangements.

Yan Yi had the courage to take her directly to investigate, which likely meant he was telling the truth.

"As for the bite mark you mentioned, my relationship with Zhong Qing is not what you think. To be precise, we are merely business partners. Besides the title of an engaged couple, we have had no ambiguous or intimate interactions in private. When Zhong Qing wakes up, feel free to ask her to confirm this."

Shen Mingzhu thoughtfully replied, "I’m sorry, but I cannot just take your word for it right now. If I have indeed misunderstood you when Qingqing wakes up, I will apologize to you."

"I will be waiting for that."

Having said that, Yan Yi left first.

Looking at his lofty and noble retreating figure, the scales in Shen Mingzhu’s heart were already tipping towards his innocence.

If not Yan Yi, then who could it be?

...

At noon, Zhong Qing awoke for a while.

Whether from being too weak or the anesthesia not fully worn off, Zhong Qing moved her lips but did not produce any sound.

She just looked at Shen Mingzhu with a gaze full of sadness and brokenness.

After Shen Mingzhu took her hand, she closed her eyes again without speaking, completely ignoring Chu Yuqing who was in front of the hospital bed.

Shen Mingzhu was fully focused on Zhong Qing and did not notice Zhong Qing’s unexpectedly cold and indifferent attitude towards Chu Yuqing.

At noon, the Zhong Family’s nanny brought lunch.

Shen Mingzhu was genuinely hungry.

After all, she had stayed up all night and had hardly eaten much for breakfast.

Remembering the unexplained fainting episode that lasted for over an hour yesterday, she did not dare to eat the Zhong Family’s food and used the excuse of dealing with some matters back at the factory to go home.

After lunch, Shen Mingzhu found red dates, goji berries, peanuts, and brown sugar to prepare a pot of blood-enriching porridge to bring to the hospital.

Taking advantage of the time it took to cook the porridge, she took a nap with her daughter and, after waking up, she called Yan Su to inform her of Zhong Qing’s hospitalization.

Since Zhong Qing’s admission to the hospital, besides her and Yan Yi, no other relatives or friends had come to visit.

It was presumed that the Zhong Family had deliberately kept the news under wraps, not wanting it to become widely known.

But why would the Zhong Family notify her?

After all, to the Zhong Family, she was just an unimportant outsider.

...

"Notice anything?"

Chu Yuqing nodded, "From what I see, Yan Yi probably does harbor some feelings for her, he seems quite indulgent towards her."

Seeing Zhong Jiping frown, Chu Yuqing quickly added, "Don’t worry, I’ll help you find a better match. What about Auntie Zhou’s cousin’s daughter? You’ve met her before. Although she can’t compare with Qingqing in looks, she’s younger and clean."

At those words, Zhong Jiping’s expression eased slightly, and just as he was about to speak, the nanny’s voice came from behind:

"Madam, Sir, the young miss is awake!"

Hearing this, the couple halted their conversation and turned back to the hospital room.

In the room, Zhong Qing was weakly fabricating the cause of her injury to Zhong Yin and Zhong Min, "...I just accidentally broke a lamp and was picking up the pieces when the medication kicked in and I fainted, cutting my wrist on the glass. Don’t cry, I’m fine."

The siblings clearly believed her explanation, "Sister, you have to get well soon, so we can go see the lantern festival together."

"Mhm."

Chu Yuqing walked up to the bedside and said in a soft voice, "Alright, your sister needs to rest now, you should go back."

"Oh, sis, take good care of yourself. We’ll come to see you again tomorrow."

Facing her well-behaved and sensible younger sister, Zhong Qing’s smile, which hadn’t quite bloomed, froze at the sight of Zhong Jiping’s gesture.

Zhong Jiping gently placed his large hand on his younger daughter’s waist, his eyes conveying a profound message as he looked at her, "Heal quickly, or Yinyin will be very sad."

Zhong Qing stared at Zhong Jiping’s hypocritical face, the spaces between her fingers turning pale.

She knew this was a warning from Zhong Jiping.

"Dad, I will," she said.

Hearing her response, Zhong Jiping smiled satisfactorily.

...

By the time Shen Mingzhu returned to the ward, the Zhong family had already left, leaving only a nanny to take care of things.

Zhong Qing leaned against the headboard, staring blankly out the window.

"Qingqing, you’re awake."

Hearing her voice, Zhong Qing’s unfocused gaze gradually regained a glimmer of light.

"Mingzhu."

"I’m here."

Shen Mingzhu grabbed her hand, her eyes gentle, "How are you feeling? Do you want some water? Are you hungry? I’ve made some porridge for you, would you like to try some?"

Facing her deep concern, Zhong Qing pulled up a frail smile on her pale face, "Okay."

Zhong Qing ate less than half a bowl of the porridge before she stopped eating.

Shen Mingzhu did not insist and turned to instruct the nanny to buy some fresh oranges and apples.

"The air in the ward isn’t good; having some fruit can help remove the smell."

After sending the nanny away, Shen Mingzhu looked at Zhong Qing, hesitating to speak.

Her mind was filled with too many questions, such as whether Zhong’s mother had drugged her the day before, the reasons for the injuries on Zhong Qing’s body, the attempted suicide, and the depression.

"Qingqing, actually, it’s okay to be a bit selfish in life. We all live for the first time; why should you be the one to always yield and sacrifice?"

"I’ve heard a saying, ’Rather than tormenting oneself with internal strife, it’s better to drive others mad with fury. Even in death, one should take someone down with them.’"

Zhong Qing looked at her, her tea-colored pupils showing cracks from the shock.

Shen Mingzhu had no idea that her words had an impact on Zhong Qing that was no less than the Indian Ocean tsunami.

It was a tsunami that belonged only to Zhong Qing; her world shook to its core.

It was as if the darkness of eternal night had been torn open by a slit, and light seeped through the crack.

For a prisoner accustomed to groveling in the dark, that beam of light was undoubtedly a new hope and belief.

She cried until she could cry no more, "Mingzhu, no one has ever said such things to me; I wish I’d met you earlier."

"It’s not too late now," Shen Mingzhu said, holding her hand and earnestly consoling her. "No matter what sufferings and hardships you’ve endured before, the fact that God gave you a second chance at life is compensation and pity. It’s also an opportunity for revenge, and you mustn’t waste it, nor be courteous to those who hurt you."

Zhong Qing cried silently, as if contemplating her words.

Shen Mingzhu continued, "We’re friends, no matter what happens, I’m willing to face it with you and find a solution together; you can trust me."

Seeing Zhong Qing waver, Shen Mingzhu pressed on with her inquiry, "Qingqing, is the person who hurt you Yan Yi?"

"I happened to see the injuries on your neck and body."

Zhong Qing was slightly stunned, apparently surprised that she would think of Yan Yi.

"No, it has nothing to do with him."

As expected, Shen Mingzhu silently breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t hope it was Yan Yi; after all, given Yan Yi’s status and family background, it would be very difficult for her and Zhong Qing to contend with.

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