In her tears, Zhang Xiaoling made a promise to herself not to be directly involved in her mother's shams.
She didn't have a father to call her own, and her mother cared about her brother more than she did for her.
In this life, she only had herself to be on the lookout. Now, she was only going to think for herself and no one else.
When it was time for dinner, Zhang Xiaoling and Zhang Mingyu didn't come out.
The smell of food made both of them to wretch, and the scene from the day was still etched deeply in their heads, so how could they eat?
Not after seeing that disgusting scene.
Shi Wenqian was unbothered.
In the middle of the night, Zhang Mingyu was covered in cold sweat while panting heavily. He had just woken up from a nightmare.
He had dreamt that someone kidnapped him and took him to that same cold room were people were caught open.
He too was laid on the table, his shirt torn, and the man with a masked face and theatre suit, holding up the scalpel before him.
But right before he could bring down his hand to cut his chest open, he found his voice and screamed. That was how he woke up from sleep.
Clutching his chest, he panted heavily while looking at his barely illuminated room, as cold sweat ran down the side of his cheeks from his forehead.
After taking a breather to calm his nerves, he got off his bed to turn on the lights in his room.
That night, he could sleep properly.
The next morning, he woke up with panda eyes, just like Zhang Xiaoling. But hers wasn't that noticeable since she used makeup to cover everything up.
Shi Wenqian was at the dining room already sitting with Zhang Renshu when she saw Zhang Mingyu and Zhang Xiaoling making their way for the door.
"Are you two not going to eat before leaving?"
Zhang Renshu raised his gaze to glance at them before he continued with his meal.
"I am not hungry," Zhang Xiaoling replied before leaving.
"I don't think that I can stomach anything, not after watching someone slaughtered and his organ ripped out! Awww what a bloody scene!" Zhang Mingyu said as he made a disgusted look.
Zhang Renshu did not find his words funny, neither did Shi Wenqian, but the latter was able to control her emotions.
Thinking that he has been watching movies, Zhang Renshu rebuked him, "What kind of useless movies have you been watching?! You better focus on your studies and be serious with you life if you still want to get a minor role at the Zhang Group!"
Zhang Mingyu glanced at Shi Wenqian with a small smile before shifting a neutral gaze back to Zhang Renshu.
"Yes," He replied and turned to leave with an ugly expression on his face.
He didn't find the joke he made to be funny.
Outside the house, Zhang Xiaoling said to him, "Mind what you say, can't you see that mum is done pampering you? If you continue to misbehave, she might torture you again."
"Do you think that I am a fool that will follow her to some place again?"
Zhang Xiaoling shook her head and said, "I am saying this because you are my brother. Don't act like a child. You don't need to follow her to some place before you are taught another lesson, she can always bring the lessons to you."
After saying that, Zhang Xiaoling got into her car and ignited her engine.
Zhang Mingyu was still shocked that he got himself when she was about to dive off. He quickly screamed for her to stop, and luckily for him, she did.
"Please drop me off where I can get a cab," He said as he got into the front passenger seat.
Zhang Xiaoling didn't respond to his request. She put the car on driver after he shut the door, and drove away from the house.
Silence was ensured between them until they got to NY University.
After pulling over in front of the University, Zhang Xiaoling put the car on park and said to him, "I don't think that I would have any good reason to pick you up in my car again. So, get your acts together."
Zhang Mingyu slowly moved his gaze to her before saying, "Thanks for the ride,"
Then he got off the car and watched drive off speedily. He glanced at the gates and released a deep sigh before making his way in.
He left for school early today, but there were still a lot of students within because if those that had morning classes.
As his thoughts were wandering, he saw a familiar figure walking towards his direction. He recognised that person as his half-sister, Zhang Liling, and immediately, anger shouldered him.
She was the very reason his parents found him incompetent to take over the company. Since her appearance, things had become difficult for him.
Because of her, he was exposed to that bloody scene the previous day. His mother thought that he should learn to be courageous after seeing that kind of scene.
Zhang Liling who was walking towards him, saw him from a distance. She was only surprised that he was in school early and using his feet.
She was tempted to stop in her steps when she got to his side to ask some curious questions, but changed her mind quickly.
Also, she noticed the anger visible on Zhang Mingyu's face. Even after she walked past him, he did not say anything to her, or react teasingly.
She thought his reaction to be weird, but didn't dwell on it. She was hurrying to go and meet Tungmei at the café, so she could have a free cup of hot Choco-milk.
Whatever that was happening in the Zhang family, did not concern her.
In Zhang Mingyu's mind, Zhang Liling was responsible for the turmoil he was experiencing, and he wanted to so badly take revenge on her.
If he only he could do better than her, but that was only a wishful thinking.
As for Shi Wenqian, her mind relaxed after Zhang Mingyu and Zhang Xiaoling left the house. They were not going to rattle her out.
But she could still tell and understand their anger, but it's not like they had a choice. They were her children raised by her. It was only right to show them their foundation at the right time.
How did they think she made her money? Was it by the penny Zhang Renshu gave to her to manage the household with monthly? Or was it her Art gallery?
That would be a joke!
She made her money through her secret organisation by organ trafficking.