CFRSIO Chapter 21

Lin Yunliang returned home with a chest full of suppressed anger. Fortunately, his parents had gone out a few days prior, planning to celebrate their twentieth anniversary.

It was also fortunate that they were not home, otherwise, Lin Yunliang could not guarantee he would be able to control his temper.

It was only after he shattered a ceramic doll that his mother had bought him on a trip that he realized how unlike himself he had become.

Siam, not daring to breathe, remained still, afraid he would be the next thing to shatter.

“Siam.” Lin Yunliang spoke, his back to the cat, making it impossible for Siam to discern his thoughts. His tone sounded perfectly normal.

[I am here, what is it?]

“What is the relationship between Du Lin and Zhang Qing’an?”

Upon hearing this, Siam became even more timid, scratching at the ground with his paws, conflicted about whether to answer. In the last mission, Lin Yunliang had directly caused Tao Wenyu and Tao Zhiyuan to become a resentful couple. If people knew about the relationship between the two, he wondered if he would do something to avenge Zhang Qing’an.

Lin Yunliang waited patiently, knowing Siam would eventually tell him. He would definitely tell him.

[Zhang Qing’an is Du Lin’s half-brother.]

This answer was not unexpected. Lin Yunliang had guessed this the last time they met when he found himself momentarily stunned.

“Who was the woman Zhang Quan found when Zhang Qing’an had his accident that day?”

Here it comes, this contractor is too perceptive! Siam muttered to himself, feeling a headache coming on. He hoped that if he told the truth, this person wouldn’t do anything drastic.

[It was not Du Lin’s mother.]

[However, Du Lin’s mother did once consider using the child to threaten Zhang Quan into a divorce.]

[It was unsuccessful, and due to her unwed pregnancy, she had to leave her hometown. She began her hustle in the city.]

“I understand.”

Now many things could be connected. Why Du Lin had met him, or more accurately, Du Lin had met Zhang Qing’an, and he was just an incidental encounter. If Du Lin’s mother hadn’t worked at the Lin family’s or if he hadn’t appeared at the Lin family’s, this situation wouldn’t have occurred.

It also allowed him to understand why Zhang Qing’an in the original plot hated Du Lin so much. It wasn’t just because Du Lin stole his beloved, but also because of Du Lin’s identity. He was the product of his father’s affair and evidence of his father’s infidelity.

No child could openly accept such a thing.

And Zhang Qing’an, who had come looking for him, was currently causing trouble for someone. No, this wasn’t exactly causing trouble. He did know Xu Ming.

Although the court had ruled that Zhang Qing’an would live with his mother, his father, Zhang Quan, still had visitation rights. To avoid further trouble that would exhaust both parties, Zhou Yue negotiated with Zhang Quan, allowing him visitation rights three times a month. During these visits, a nanny hired by Zhou Yue had to be present, otherwise, Zhou Yue would no longer agree to Zhang Quan seeing his son.

Zhang Quan’s current state was dire; he was either drinking or sleeping all day, barely able to support himself. Zhou Yue had called Zhang Quan’s parents, asking them to take their worthless son back. She also reminded them not to forget to pay child support.

To this, Zhang Quan’s mother complained a lot. In her opinion, her son was perfect in every way. Even when the couple divorced, she was present and saw the evidence of her son’s misconduct presented by her former daughter-in-law.

As a mother, she still sided with her son. Seeing her son lose everything in the marriage and ruin his career, she was furious.

Zhou Yue, however, remained indifferent. One had to pay the price for their mistakes; it was the responsibility of an adult.

Zhang Quan had returned home to live off his parents. Besides Zhang Quan’s mother, who was willing to support him, Zhang Quan’s father couldn’t stand it. The father and son had quarreled several times, with Zhang Quan’s mother consistently protecting her son and blaming her husband, greatly angering Zhang Quan’s father.

Later, as Zhang Qing’an gradually grew up, Zhang Quan thought it was important for his child to know what his grandparents looked like. So, during one visit, he brought his parents along.

When Zhang Quan’s mother saw her grandson, it was expected that grandparents often doted on their grandchildren, especially since Zhang Quan’s child was a boy. He should have been more likable.

But the opposite was true. Zhang Quan’s mother treated Zhang Qing’an with extreme disdain. She thought that a sensible boy should be more mature, and why hadn’t this little one ever appeared when her own parents were divorcing?

She also felt that Zhang Qing’an was frail and had heart disease. Even if he got lucky and found a suitable heart, what if he had a transplant? He still looked so weak and fragile. Who knew who would end up supporting whom in the future?

People are unaware of their own double standards. She now found fault with Zhang Qing’an for various reasons, but why didn’t she find fault with her own son? Zhang Quan had never done anything good. When he and Zhou Yue were still in a relationship, he already had many flaws, and his pursuit of pleasure had caused Zhang Qing’an to fall and faint, almost dying.

So, after the divorce, did the desperate desire to see his child erase all his past misdeeds and turn him into a good father?

Clearly, that was impossible.

Zhang Qing’an keenly sensed the wrong looks from the two elders. The person he should have called grandmother was looking at him with dissatisfaction, while the person he should have called grandfather was looking at him with a strange, appraising gaze.

It was as if he were a commodity being appraised, which was chilling.

Zhang Quan’s father owned a small company, so they were not lacking in food or clothing. This was a significant reason why Zhang Quan had become such a pleasure-seeker. Another reason was, of course, Zhang Quan’s mother’s doting.

With the development of the times, Zhang Quan’s father’s company was also beginning to reduce its orders due to its inability to keep up with the changing times. Zhang Quan’s father, through years of interactions, knew many things.

The reason he was looking at Zhang Qing’an with such an appraising gaze was that he was calculating how many orders this child, this grandson, could bring him.

Zhang Quan’s father had run a company for many years, knew many people, and had heard many things, including the fact that Xu Ming, whom the Xu family was grooming as their successor, was currently looking for a partner.

This partner was somewhat similar to an ancient page, but with a different status, and was meant to cultivate a personal force loyal to Xu Ming.

Zhang Qing’an was of the right age. Although a bit frail, he was good-looking.

Zhang Qing’an was unaware that with just one meeting, this couple had scrutinized him, and the other was plotting against him. If he had known, he would never have gone.

Upon learning of his father’s intentions, Zhang Quan did something that surprised everyone. Not only did he agree, but at their next meeting, he proactively took Zhang Qing’an to a place where Xu Ming often appeared.

He even pointed at the young man, who was clearly from a different world, and said in a commanding tone, “You must become friends with him.”

Zhang Qing’an had not stopped struggling. Both Zhou Yue and Lin Yunliang had told him that as long as he didn’t want to, no one had the right to force him to do something he disliked.

However, he had overlooked one thing: the person who was clearly from a different world had come looking for him.

Zhang Qing’an felt a headache coming on, but Xu Ming had been a little bully since childhood. What he said went, and no one could change his thoughts or ideas.

Under these circumstances, the two became friends. As they spent time together, Zhang Qing’an felt that Xu Ming was quite easy to get along with, and they became friends with whom he could have a few casual conversations.

It wasn’t until Zhou Yue’s job transfer, which involved moving to another city, that their sporadic interactions moved online.

And the reason Zhang Qing’an came this time was simple. He had heard about Lin Yunliang and that Lin Yunliang had been beaten by Xu Ming.

This made Zhang Qing’an angry, which led him to come and confront him.

Others might not know, but Xu Ming’s friends had seen Zhang Qing’an before. They jokingly teased him, “What’s wrong? You’re not even allowed to have your childhood friend visit?”

Xu Ming angrily waved his hand at them. “Childhood friend” was something he had casually made up back then to stop those uncles, aunts, and elder sisters from introducing people to him. Even his friends didn’t know the truth and genuinely believed that Xu Ming had known Zhang Qing’an since childhood at his maternal grandparents’ home.

Therefore, they all affectionately called Zhang Qing’an his childhood friend.

“Oh, oh, your childhood friend is here, and you’re abandoning your brothers? That’s too much!”

If Du Lin had the appearance of a gentle, delicate flower, then Zhang Qing’an was a passionate red rose. His features were more refined, and having been doted on since childhood, he carried a hint of youthful petulance. Coupled with his deliberate scowl, it made him appear more vibrant.

“Scram!” Xu Ming yelled and kicked at his brothers.

The brothers left, laughing and joking, leaving the two of them alone.

“Zhang Qing’an, why are you here?” Xu Ming asked. He might have had some feelings for this friend before, but over time, those feelings had disappeared.

“Of course, I’m here for a reason,” Zhang Qing’an said, a bright smile appearing on his lips.

The smile was beautiful, and it also confused Xu Ming. “Then you…”

Before he could finish, he saw a fist flying towards him. They knew each other, so Xu Ming was caught off guard and didn’t expect Zhang Qing’an to attack.

He attacked directly towards his face.

However, Xu Ming had been fighting for several years, and his body reacted faster. He dodged his head, and although he was hit, it was only a graze.

“What are you doing!” Xu Ming had never been hit like this before. He raised his hand to touch the spot on his forehead where Zhang Qing’an’s fist had grazed him. He questioned angrily. Likewise, since Zhang Qing’an dared to strike, Xu Ming dared even more.

Saying this, he retaliated, his fists and feet moving together. All their attacks were unleashed at once.

It was evident how angry he was.

Zhang Qing’an was also angry. Although Lin Yunliang was detestable, having coaxed him into calling him “Brother Yun” for years, Lin Yunliang was his childhood friend, and he couldn’t be bullied! Moreover, he disliked the label that this annoying guy had arbitrarily given him.

He was not this annoying guy’s childhood friend!

Xu Ming was unaware of this, and the two began to wrestle.

Zhang Qing’an had the upper hand. Xu Ming, who had been a bully for many years, was hit more often and looked more disheveled. His body was covered in dust.

“From now on, please make it clear to your friends that we are not childhood friends.”

Being inexplicably beaten and then told this, it was difficult for anyone to maintain a good demeanor. Xu Ming, enraged, even skipped class.

He didn’t realize how ridiculously the incident had spread throughout the school.

When his subordinate noticed Xu Ming’s absence, he curiously and obsequiously went to ask where he had gone.

Seeing Xu Ming’s “childhood friend,” his brothers wore lewd smiles and jokingly teased him, “What’s wrong? You’re not allowed to have your childhood friend visit? How excessive!”

Xu Ming, who had been lazily slouched at his desk, immediately sat up when he heard this.

“What did you say?” he questioned with a frown.

Of course, he understood his friends’ words. What he was confused about was why this person, who had recently told him not to tell others that he was his childhood friend, had come to the school again.

Zhang Qing’an’s actions were clearly a warning, but a young master like Xu Ming wouldn’t think that way, nor would he think in such a shameful direction.

“What? Are you playing dumb?” his friends chuckled ambiguously, winking. “However, he is indeed quite beautiful.”

Saying this, he forwarded the photo from the forum.

The person in the photo was indeed Zhang Qing’an, and the location was the school entrance. Judging by the photo, the person was likely waiting for someone, as he was constantly looking around, his gaze falling on the crowd.

“If you’re really not interested, I’ll go chase him,” he continued, his expression now showing confusion.

“But why is he waiting at the entrance? He could have just called you!”

The friends had already tacitly agreed that Zhang Qing’an had come to find Xu Ming. No one had ever thought that Zhang Qing’an had come to find someone else.

Even Xu Ming himself thought so.

They were casual about it and simply left. Their friends, with their prejudiced assumptions, continued to tease him.

“Hey! Where are you going in such a hurry!”

They followed him out, shouting after his retreating figure, “Then I’ll post it on the forum! Hey! Xu Ming!”

However, Xu Ming had no intention of paying attention to them. He casually waved at the person behind him; he just wanted to see Zhang Qing’an.

After walking a few steps, he calmed down.

He slowed his pace. Xu Ming felt smug. He had said harsh words to him before, and now he couldn’t hold back and had come running.

No, he couldn’t show too much excitement. He would go slowly and then make Zhang Qing’an wait a while.

Meanwhile, on the forum, his friend logged in with his main account and posted the incident.

“This is Xu Ming’s childhood friend, who came to find Xu Ming. He just ran out.”

The accompanying picture was of Xu Ming’s back.

The once lively forum fell silent after his friend’s words. The friend continued to add, “The reason Xu Ming didn’t come to class a few days ago was that his childhood friend came looking for him.”

However, some stubborn individuals still chimed in.

“Is this beautiful little guy Xu Ming’s boyfriend? Isn’t he chasing Du Lin?”

“Exactly, I even saw Du Lin and Xu Ming eating together before.”

The friend completely ignored the subsequent developments on the forum. With their influence, they could have stopped the discussion, but they had no interest in doing so.

Zhang Qing’an glanced at the students, finding their gazes peculiar.

Only students of A High School had accounts on the A High School campus forum. Zhang Qing’an, not being a student of A High School, naturally didn’t know that his arrival had been photographed and posted online.

There were even so-called truths that emerged.

Among the students on the forum, those who already knew about the ambiguous relationship between Xu Ming and Du Lin, and those who learned about it through the forum, all looked at Zhang Qing’an, who appeared at the entrance, with a mixture of pity and mockery.

Although they hadn’t admitted that Zhang Qing’an and Xu Ming were a couple, the ambiguous description by the friend and Zhang Qing’an’s behavior at the school entrance led them to their self-righteous conclusion of the so-called truth.

They all assumed that Zhang Qing’an had come because his boyfriend had another boyfriend at school behind his back.

In their eyes, Zhang Qing’an had become an unfortunate victim of his boyfriend’s infidelity.

So, even though he was good-looking, he evoked more pity from the gossips.

Zhang Qing’an saw this and thought they were sick. He looked down at his watch and realized the time was nearing, but the person he had been waiting for had not arrived.

He had initially thought that his visit would reach Lin Yunliang, and then he could meet him.

Recalling how the other person used to greet him, he thought that after hearing about his fight, this person would immediately rush to find him.

He didn’t want to be the one to initiate contact. But… Lin Yunliang hadn’t appeared at all. It was truly disappointing. After that, he came running.

He was here to wait for Lin Yunliang.

Lin Yunliang, you had better show up, or I won’t forgive you for tricking me into calling you “brother” before.

Zhang Qing’an thought to himself, but he knew that compared to settling scores, he wanted to see this person more.

Zhang Qing’an had indeed tried to find Lin Yunliang privately. However, this person had been avoiding him all along.

Xu Ming, who appeared shortly after, saw a scene that made his eyes widen in rage.