Chapter 38: 036 Are you a mother just for show?

Editor: Henyee Translations

“…”

The moment those words were spoken, the entire living room fell into a moment of silence.

Lady Zhong, who had been in the kitchen, leaned out and scolded before Old Master Zhong could speak, “Wanwan, don’t talk nonsense.”

She then said to Zhong Manhua, “Wanwan is just babbling, don’t take her seriously about any expulsion.”

Zhong Manhua forced a smile, “What are you saying, Third Sister-in-law? Wanwan is so well-behaved.”

But her heart was pounding non-stop.

At the time, because Madam Mu was present, she hadn’t asked in detail, only knowing that Ying Zijin had hit someone.

After that, she hadn’t received another phone call and forgot about it.

If Ying Zijin was really expelled, where would she put her face?

Old Master Zhong, however, didn’t say anything. He put on his reading glasses, took out his phone, and slowly said, “I’ll make a call to Verdant.”

“Dad, you don’t need to worry about it needlessly,” Zhong Manhua didn’t want to lose face and said in a low voice, “I’ll handle it.”

“As if I don’t know about your competitive nature?” Old Master Zhong waved his hand, “If you go, I’m afraid you’ll scold the child first.”

Zhong Manhua was both embarrassed and angry, “Dad, what are you saying?”

Old Master Zhong ignored her and dialed the Elite Class head teacher’s number from his contacts.

The call was quickly connected.

“Hello, teacher, I am Zijin’s grandfather, I’d like to ask about Zijin today, she…”

Listening to Old Master Zhong’s conversation with Teacher Xu, Zhong Zhiwan gripped her cup tightly.

What Ying Zijin did this morning, if no one intervened, expulsion was certain.

Even if Old Master Zhong intervened now, it would be too late.

She truly couldn’t understand why her grandfather favored a foster daughter so much, when even the Zhong family’s several illegitimate children, no matter how successful, hadn’t softened Old Master Zhong’s heart.

A foster daughter with no merits whatsoever?

“What?!” Old Master Zhong was still talking when his face suddenly changed, “Alright, I understand, thank you, teacher.”

Zhong Manhua was restless and extremely agitated.

Finally, after Old Master Zhong hung up the phone, she then said, “Dad, it’s my fault for not teaching her well, rest assured, when I get back I will…”

Old Master Zhong cut her off, “What were you doing this morning?”

Zhong Manhua was taken aback, “I was having morning tea with Madam Mu at the old house, discussing matters, Dad, why do you ask…?”

“You had time for tea, but no time to go to school?” Old Master Zhong immediately became furious, “Do you know how much injustice Zijin suffered at school? You assumed she was to blame without asking what happened and thought it was embarrassing to go?”

“If it wasn’t for that young man from the Fu Family stepping in, Zijin would have been expelled. What use are you as a mother, just decoration? Huh?!”

“I’d be better off having a vase for a daughter than you!”

Zhong Manhua was scolded dumbfounded, her face turning bright red.

Zhong Zhiwan was slightly shocked.

Ying Zijin wasn’t expelled?

And Fu Yunshen had helped her?

Zhong Zhiwan pursed her lips, feeling somewhat upset.

“Your own daughter, you don’t believe her, is that how a mother behaves?” Old Master Zhong was furiously upset, “When Zijin arrives later, apologize to her.”

Zhong Manhua suddenly looked up, “Dad!”

Old Master Zhong turned his back on her and dialed another number.

**

When Ying Zijin received the phone call, she had just finished a new round of physical therapy for Wen Fengmian.

She glanced at the caller ID, answered the phone, and spoke in a gentle tone, “Yes, I’m free tonight, alright, I’ll come back later to see you.”

“What’s wrong?” Wen Fengmian asked anxiously, “Is it the Ying Family?”

“No.” Ying Zijin steadied his shoulders, “I’ll come back tomorrow, Dad, remember to take your medicine on time.”

“Yaoyao, don’t overwork yourself.” Wen Fengmian hesitated, then added, “Dad is still young, you should look after yourself more. And don’t buy any more medicine, treat yourself to something good instead.”

Being a parent always means thinking about the children.

“You can rest assured on that.” Ying Zijin unwrapped a piece of chocolate, “I won’t skimp on food.”

It was true that she was short of money.

If the money is gone, it can be earned again, but good food should not be missed.

“Still, be careful.” Wen Fengmian saw her out, reminding her, “Take good care of yourself, don’t get into conflicts with classmates at school, and you can ask Yuyu for help with academic stuff. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Ying Zijin hummed a response, waved lazily, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and left.

Forty minutes later, she arrived at Zhong Family’s old mansion.

The old mansions of the four major noble families happened to be situated in the four directions of Shanghai City, which made even visiting neighbors quite a distance.

“Zijin, come here, come here.” Finally seeing someone, Old Master Zhong was very happy, waving at the girl, “Let Grandpa see, have you lost weight recently?”

Ying Zijin paused, then walked over: “Grandpa.”

“A bit thinner.” Old Master Zhong touched his chin, barely satisfied, “But you’ve become prettier, very good, very good. I’ll buy you some clothes later, wearing black all the time isn’t good.”

Ying Zijin responded to each comment.

“Sit, sit.” Old Master Zhong patted the seat beside him, “We stewed black chicken soup today, have a good nourishment.”

With Old Master Zhong’s permission, the servants began serving dinner, and everyone else took their seats.

Zhong Zhiwan pinched her chopsticks, without any appetite, feeling very blocked up inside.

Old Master Zhong gave Zhong Manhua a faint glance, commanding authority without anger.

Zhong Manhua held back, and managed to tough it out and give an apology.

However, the girl didn’t even give her a look, as if she hadn’t heard, focused on eating her Golden Sand Corn.

Zhong Manhua’s face turned an iron blue.

In front of so many people, she couldn’t even get a way to step down?

“Do you like this?” Old Master Zhong noticed, “Have them make another plate.”

Ying Zijin shook her head slightly: “No need, Grandpa, I can’t eat that much.”

Old Master Zhong, fearing she was being polite, simply said, “Just say what you like, the kitchen is waiting.”

Zhong Zhiwan couldn’t stand it any longer. She got up, her expression very cold: “Grandpa, I’m full, I’ll go back to my room first.”

Old Master Zhong nodded and said nothing.

Zhong Zhiwan left the room, holding back her anger.

Lady Zhong knew her daughter well and with a smile said, “Elder Zhong, the Elite Class has a heavy study load recently. Wanwan is going back to study hard, you shouldn’t mind that she doesn’t talk much with you.”

This reminded Old Master Zhong: “Zijin, is the pressure from schoolwork too much? Do you want Wanwan to tutor you?”

Lady Zhong also barely maintained her smile.

Zhong Zhiwan was the top of her class; where would she find free time to tutor a foster daughter?

“Thanks for your kindness, Grandpa.” Ying Zijin leaned back in her chair, her expression casual, “But I’m planning on changing classes.”

“A different one?” Old Master Zhong was taken aback, “Why?”

Ying Zijin sipped her soup: “I don’t want to stay there anymore, it’s pretty annoying.”

Zhong Manhua had been holding back, but finally couldn’t contain herself anymore.

She slammed her chopsticks down on the table, her anger bubbling up: “The Elite Class is Verdant’s best class, do you know how much effort the Ying Family put in for you to get in there with your grades?”

“To say you won’t stay is to say it; do you think you only represent yourself?”