Zong Jinghao, who had been silent all the while, finally opened his mouth.
Wen Qing turned to him. “What do you mean?”
Looking and sounding indifferent, he said, “I just wanted to know.”
“Come to think of it, I probably have to go to the Chen family today. I was the one who suggested having Chen Shihan marry you in the first place, and I haven’t told him about this decision yet. They are not going to be very happy about it this time.”
Chen Qing worked hard and had presented his daughter, but in the end, Wen Qing didn’t manage to fulfill his promise to his old friend.
“So what you’re saying is that this was Chen Qing’s idea?” Even though it was a question, Zong Jinghao already had the answer in his heart.
“Yes, I was so desperate to break you and Lin Xinyan up and he came up with this plan. Chen Qing told me that He Ruize had gone in because of Lin Xinyan. The He family hated Lin Xinyan as well so they were willing to help me.” Wen Qing said bluntly.
Zong Jinghao was not surprised by that answer. “I think there are still a lot of things that he hasn’t told you.”
“What do you mean?” Wen Qing raised his voice.
He had always trusted Chen Qing. For him to suddenly found out that Chen Qing had something to hide from him, he could not help but raise his voice.
“A few days ago, someone tried to abduct Lin Xinyan. They were very aggressive and brought quite a few people to break into the hospital…”
“What?” Realization soon dawned upon Wen Qing. “Do you mean that it was all Chen Qing’s doing?”
“Not him personally as he was using the He family. Their daughter had died in jail and he was the mastermind. I have investigated everything thoroughly. I would not have said all these to you if I didn’t have proof.” Zong Jinghao told him all these just to let him know that he was not the only reason why Chen Qing had presented his own daughter and that Chen Qing also probably had his own ulterior motives.
That being said, Zong Jinghao could not figure out what motive Chen Qing had. Based on his relationship with Wen Qing, he wouldn’t have needed to set up an arranged marriage, no?
So why would he want to marry off his daughter to me?
What was he trying to do?
What was his objective?
There are still so many questions left unanswered, and it seems like Chen Qing is definitely craftier than Wen Qing.
“Is it because he saw that I was ill and was worried that I would go back on my word, hence he did all these behind my back?” At that very moment, Wen Qing could not ascertain why would Chen Qing did what he did as well.
Based on our relationship, Chen Qing should have a discussion with me and he shouldn’t have made all these decisions on his own.
“If you want to find out whether he was hiding it from you deliberately, all you need to do is to test him.” Zong Jinghao picked up the document from the table but he did not read it.
He understood Wen Qing quite well. Since he had decided to release Lin Xinyan, he will definitely not do anything to harm her again.
He then stood up and said, “I really don’t like Chen Qing.”
Nobody knows what his objectives are, to have him around is a clear and present danger.
Wen Qing frowned, “What do you mean?”
“I should leave now.” Zong Jinghao had already dropped enough hints and reminders, and there was nothing left to say.
Wen Qing stared at Zong Jinghao’s retreating figure as he walked down the steps to leave the pavilion, and he continued to stare until Zong Jinghao was finally out of his sight.
He sighed. I guess there’s still a barrier between us, after all.
Our relationship will probably never return to what it used to be.
“I want to let go too but I can’t.”
Apart from death, there was no other way for Wen Qing to get rid of the obsession that had taken root in his heart.
Soon, Wen Qing left Lotus Park and headed straight to the Chen family.
Chen Shihan was incredibly bored at home. She could not stand the life of just being at home all the time.
“Dad, I feel like I’m in jail. When can I go out?”
She grumbled.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Chen went to open it.
Chen Shihan continued, “I can’t take it anymore. I want to go out. If I continue like this, I will go mad.”
“Just bear it for a little longer…” When he saw that their guest was Wen Qing, Chen Qing changed his tone. “Go back to your room first. I’ll talk to you later.”
Chen Shihan was about to say something but Chen Qing shot her a warning glare that forced her to return to her room reluctantly.
“You’re here.” Chen Qing stood up from the sofa.
“I was so bored at home for those few days when I was ill.” Wen Qing’s tone and mannerism were as usual. Chen Qing smiled, “A couple of days’ rest will do you good. Look at you, you look a lot better now.”
Wen Qing sighed. “I’m getting old, and time and tide wait for no man.”
Chen Qing smiled. “Come on in.”
Mrs. Chen came up to them and asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“I’m not thirsty…” Chen Qing paused and glanced at Wen Qing before he said, “Serve us some tea. Wen Qing likes tea, like the old man that he is.”
“You know me the best.” Wen Qing smiled as he followed his friend into the study.
“You weren’t too worried when I was ill, are you?” Wen Qing asked nonchalantly.
“Take a seat.” Chen Qing gestured and Wen Qing sat down accordingly.
“What was there to be worried about? We still need you for that matter.” Chen Qing sat down. He was worried as He Wenhuai did not complete his task successfully. “Now that you are well, Jinghao had already promised…”
“I heard someone had broken into the hospital when I was ill. Did you know about this?” Wen Qing cut him off.
Chen Qing’s heart thumped but he looked unfazed. “I did hear about it. Apparently, He Wenhuai got someone to do it. His daughter had died in jail, and it seems that Lin Xinyan had a lot to do with the reason she was in jail in the first place. I heard that she was saddled with two homicide cases.”
Wen Qing closed his eyes. If Zong Jinghao had not reminded him, he would have definitely believed Chen Qing’s words.
Now, all he felt for his friend was doubts.
“Chen Qing, we have known each other for decades, right?”
Chen Qing nodded, “That’s right. From enlisting into the army together until today where we are work partners.”
An unpleasant feeling rose through Wen Qing’s heart. That’s right, we have been mates for so many years, and you actually have the audacity to lie to me.
“I heard that you were the mastermind behind the murder of He Wenhuai’s daughter and that you used him to force Jinghao?”
Chen Qing was taken aback suddenly. H-how did he know?
Mrs. Chen was just about to knock on the door with the tea, but she stopped herself when she heard Wen Qing. She then stood at the door to eavesdrop.
Meanwhile, Chen Shihan wanted to find out whether Chen Qing and Wen Qing were discussing about her marriage with Zong Jinghao. When she came down, she saw Mrs. Chen eavesdropping. She frowned and asked, “Mom, what are you doing?”
“Shh! Come here.” Mrs. Chen whispered to her daughter.
Chen Shihan walked over. “What are they talking about?”
Mrs. Chen made way for her daughter so that she could listen in as well.
With her curiosity piqued, Chen Shihan followed her mother as they stuck themselves to the tiny gap at the door.
“Where did you hear that from?” Chen Qing forced out a calm front.
At the same time, his brain was spinning madly as he tried to come up with a way to lie to Wen Qing.
“I would not be here questioning you if I didn’t have concrete evidence. You could have just told me if you were in a hurry to marry Shihan off. Aren’t we close friends? would I have ignored you if you share with me your concerns? Yes, I started this whole thing and I apologize for not fulfilling my end of the deal. However, should you be doing all these behind my back?”
Chen Qing started to panic. “You have proof?”
This could proof to be my doom.
“We have been friends for so many years, so please be honest with me. Why are you putting in so much effort just for Shihan to marry Jinghao?”
Chen Qing fell silent.
The door to the study was suddenly pushed open. Mrs. Chen stood at the door and said, “I know why he has spent so much effort to have Shihan marry Zong Jinghao.”
Everyone’s eyes turned towards her, even Chen Shihan who was by her side had a look of surprise on her face.
