CH 074

TL: Moonlit

Zhou Zhengqing’s remarks sparked public outrage. Despite having millions of fans, he was just a drop in the ocean compared to the overwhelming public opinion.

⌈What the heck is wrong with Zhou Zhengqing? I’ve never seen such shameless audacity. He didn’t suffer, so he forgives the perpetrator on behalf of the victim?⌋

⌈Innocent? What a load of *! Dare to say that in front of your own brother’s face? Let’s see if he’ll knock your teeth out.⌋

⌈Zhou Zhengqing’s fans, come and see what kind of messed-up values your brother has. He doesn’t care about his own flesh and blood.⌋

⌈If I were his parents and knew I gave birth to such a spineless creature, I’d just throw him and that white lotus fake young master out together.⌋

In no time, everyone’s hatred towards Zhou Yuntang and scum Jiang Luo shifted towards Zhou Zhengqing. Brands he endorsed faced boycotts, the viewership of his dramas plummeted, and even his previously highly-rated films saw a significant drop in ratings.

⌈I used to think Zhou Zhengqing was one of the most talented actors among the younger generation, but he’s nothing special. He’s just relying on the Zhou family’s influence to call the shots in the entertainment industry, and his acting is forced.⌋

⌈His acting skills are nothing to write home about. There are many other actors who are much better than him. I’ve always thought that the award he won was questionable; it was just a matter of timing.⌋

Zhou Zhengqing could ignore the online insults from haters, but seeing numerous criticisms of his acting, he couldn’t help but feel upset. He was the second young master of the Zhou family, and he wouldn’t have pursued an acting career if he didn’t have a genuine passion for it. However, just because of a few words, all his efforts seemed to be in vain.

“Brother…” Zhou Yuntang knew how important acting was to Zhou Zhengqing, so he carefully tried to console him, “Don’t worry, brother. Your acting is excellent; those people just don’t have good taste.”

Zhou Zhengqing looked despondent, in the past, Zhou Yuntang’s comfort was always his greatest encouragement when his acting was questioned. But now… he lowered his head and remained silent.

“Brother, are you blaming me?” Zhou Yuntang’s eyes turned red, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be facing this criticism.”

Normally, Zhou Zhengqing would have hugged him and softly reassured him that it didn’t matter, but now, Zhou Zhengqing still didn’t say a word.

Zhou Yuntang looked at Zhou Zhengqing in astonishment, feeling both aggrieved and heartbroken. He cried softly, “If you don’t like me anymore, what’s the point of me staying in the Zhou family? I’ll move out tomorrow.”

“Zhou Zhengqing!” Zhou Gao Dan, the eldest brother in the Zhou family, overheard Zhou Yuntang’s last words as he approached. His expression immediately changed, “Don’t bring the frustration from outside into the family. Tangtang is not your punching bag.”

Zhou Yuntang threw himself into Zhou Gao Dan’s arms, tears flowing.

“Apologize to Tangtang,” Zhou Gao Dan said firmly.

Zhou Zhengqing looked at his elder brother in shock. Finally, he spoke with a hoarse voice, “Elder brother, my career is already in ruins, and you want me to apologize to him?”

“All your petty struggles mean nothing,” Zhou Gao Dan patted Zhou Yuntang’s back coldly, “Your annual earnings are less than what our family earns in a day. Who are you to act displeased with Tangtang?”

Hearing Zhou Gao Dan’s words, Zhou Zhengqing’s heart sank. He wasn’t the kind of person like Zhou Ziming, who had been trampled on and had no power to fight back. He immediately stood up, furious, and said, “You were the one who supported me to enter the entertainment industry. How come you look down on it now, Zhou Gao Dan? Let me remind you, you may be in charge of the Zhou family now, but all of us brothers, except for Tangtang who’s a minor, hold shares in the family company. If any one of us sells a share to your competitors, you’ll have a real headache.”

“You dare!” Zhou Gao Dan’s face turned completely dark.

“You think I don’t dare?” Zhou Zhengqing retorted, “I didn’t say anything when I felt bad earlier. It was all Tangtang’s own imagination. You rushed over and scolded me without asking for the truth. Am I not your brother? Is my career worth less than his two tears?”

The atmosphere became tense, and Zhou Gao Dan released Zhou Yuntang from his embrace. Zhou Yuntang stood still, feeling uneasy. He swallowed hard and said with difficulty, “It’s all my fault, second brother…”

“Shut up!” Zhou Zhengqing blurted out, immediately regretting his words. He rubbed his temples to ease his emotions, “Sorry, Tangtang. I’m not in a good mood today. I need some time alone.”

Zhou Zhengqing turned and went back to his own room. Zhou Gao Dan stared at his retreating figure, thinking that it seemed that just sending him to the entertainment industry wasn’t enough; they needed to take back his shares.

“Big brother, don’t blame second brother,” Zhou Yuntang felt something brewing beneath the surface, but he pretended to be clueless and softly comforted Zhou Gao Dan.

As Zhou Gao Dan’s gaze fell on Zhou Yuntang, it gradually softened. He looked intently at Zhou Yuntang’s rosy lips and naturally pulled him closer, kissing him, “Tangtang is still so good.”

Zhou Yuntang blushed and lowered his head. He absentmindedly touched his own lips. This kiss was just a light touch, and Zhou Gao Dan acted as if it was normal for brothers to behave this way.

However… Zhou Yuntang furrowed his eyebrows. In the past dozen years, except for his childhood, they had never had such intimate interactions until recently.

Trying hard to recall, Zhou Yuntang remembered that it was probably since he found out he wasn’t the real child of the Zhou family.

During their intense preparations for the college entrance exam in their third year of high school, when evening self-study was over, it was already half past ten at night. The school gate of Nanping High School was filled with luxury cars, and private drivers came to pick up their children.

Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang walked out together, their extraordinary appearances standing out among the numb and haggard students. The person waiting for them found them at a glance.

Lin Hanchuan paused, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar woman in front of him.

Mother Zhou carried a thermos in her hands, trying to please Lin Hanchuan as she greeted him, “I brought you chicken soup, I stewed it myself, stewed it for an afternoon, and didn’t put any salt…”

Her words were confusing and lacked a clear point. Wan Li Shuang slightly shifted to stand in front of Lin Hanchuan, blocking him, “Auntie, we’re going home now.”

Her smiling face stiffened slightly, and Mother Zhou continued, “Over the years, you’ve suffered. It’s Mom’s fault for not protecting you. I can understand if you don’t forgive me, but I just want to give you some chicken soup…”

“Auntie, our family chef comes from a family of royal chefs. His chicken soup is even better. You don’t need to trouble yourself,” Wan Li Shuang politely refused. After that, he grabbed Lin Hanchuan’s wrist and tried to walk past this inexplicable woman.

“Tiantian, you are a member of the Zhou family. You can’t stay with the Wan family forever. The Zhou family is your home,” Mother Zhou subconsciously held Lin Hanchuan’s other wrist. At this moment, she realized that the seemingly tall and big teenager had bony hands.

Her heart ached, and she wanted to take this child home, love him, and make up for her mistakes over the past dozen years.

With one person hanging from each arm, Lin Hanchuan sighed quietly without showing any emotion. He slightly moved his wrists to try to break free. The woman’s strength was weak, and he easily shook her off. The other young man, however, held on tightly, glaring at Lin Hanchuan.

What are you doing! Wan Li Shuang attempted to exchange glances with Lin Hanchuan, meaning “I’m helping you, why are you messing it up.”

Lin Hanchuan pretended not to see and looked at Mother Zhou.

Different from the fierce and imposing Mother Wan, who always seemed cold even at home, rarely showing any emotional expression, Mother Zhou looked more like the image of a mother in people’s minds.

Gentle, patient, meticulous, with a smile on her face, her eyes were full of maternal love. Lin Hanchuan had seen her gaze at her sons with warmth, but with Mother Zhou, he rarely felt that warmth. Instead, the cold-hearted Mother Wan took care of his anger.

“I can go with you,” Lin Hanchuan calmly spoke.

“What the hell are you saying!” Wan Li Shuang exploded on the spot, jumping up and scolding, “You don’t want me anymore?!”

Mother Zhou, on the other hand, brightened up, immediately saying, “Good! Let’s go home!”

Lin Hanchuan followed closely and continued, “My condition remains the same. It’s either Zhou Yuntang or me, you have to choose.”

Lin Hanchuan looked at Mother Zhou with a calm expression that seemed to penetrate through people’s exteriors and see into their hearts.

Before, Mother Zhou didn’t know the truth, so she chose Zhou Yuntang. Now that everything is exposed because of Zhou Yuntang’s father, he is the reason her biological son has fallen into such a plight. Now, what choice will she make?

Lin Hanchuan patiently waited for her answer.

Mother Zhou’s lips opened and closed several times, but no sound came out.

Wan Li Shuang, who was initially angry at Lin Hanchuan’s behavior, could no longer be angry at this moment. His eyes welled up with tears. For seventeen years, he had been domineering and despotic, always looking down on Zhou Yuntang, who would cry at the slightest provocation. Yet now, he had the impulse to shed tears himself.

Having endured torment for seventeen years outside, his biological mother knew everything but still couldn’t bear to drive away the real culprit. When faced with choosing between two children, she couldn’t let go of the other one.

Perhaps she thought she could love both children equally, but for the child who had suffered for seventeen years, her choice was another form of abandonment.

How could he bear it!

“Let’s go, let’s go back home,” Wan Li Shuang turned away in a sorry state, not allowing anyone to see his reddened eyes. His voice was hoarse, “Let’s go back home!”