Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xia Ji clearly did not like his wife, but he had never cheated on her. He had been with Madam Xia for so many years. Although everyone in the Xia family hated her, no one had thought of chasing her away. Why was that?
Qiao Xi was really curious, so she asked Qin An to investigate Madam Xiaâs identity. However, she only obtained a little information. Now that Gu Zheng mentioned the Xia familyâs secret, she was instantly interested.
However, she had already rejected Gu Zheng. At this moment, she wished she could take back what she had just said. She slowly looked up. Indeed, Gu Zhengâs eyes were filled with ridicule. She could only brace herself and say sweetly, âSenior! I was just joking just now! Of course, Iâm very happy that youâre willing to help me!â
Gu Zheng had already expected her to go back on her word, but the next second, he chuckled. âForget it. I believe you can handle such a small matter yourself.â
Qiao Xi hurriedly pulled him back, and she was angered to the point of stammering. âI-I canât do it myself. Can you help me?â
She shook his arm and looked at him with anticipation, but Gu Zheng looked down at her with a trace of ridicule in his eyes. He said casually, âIâm usually so busy. Why would I need to attend to such a small matter?â
Qiao Xi: ââ¦â âDamn it! Bastard, believe it or not, Iâll slap you!â
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and her tongue did not work anymore. She could only suppress her anger and say aggrievedly, âAh Zheng, youâre my husband! Of course, youâll help me if Iâm in trouble. You canât just watch me fall into a predicament and not save me, right?â
Gu Zheng looked at Qiao Xiâs anxious gaze that was like a crafty kitten. He smiled lightly and raised his eyebrows. âTell me again who I am to you.â
Qiao Xiâs face was filled with shyness as she pounced into his embrace and thumped his chest shyly. âIdiot! Iâve already said it!â
Gu Zheng coughed. âIâm afraid not many people can take Mrs. Guâs punches! Surely sheâs not venting her anger on me, right?â
Qiao Xi hid in his embrace and smiled slyly.
That was right! She did it on purpose! She wanted Gu Zheng to be punished!
Gu Zheng smiled helplessly, then said, âActually, Madam Xia and your mother were friendsâlifelong friends.â
The smile on Qiao Xiâs face instantly vanished as she abruptly raised her eyes.
âMadam Xia is easily bullied. Xia Ji married her to control your mother. When Madam Xia fell into the hands of the Xia family, your mother could only be at the mercy of the Xia family.â
Qiao Xiâs eyes suddenly turned cold. The Xia family was really unscrupulous when it came to using Madam Xia to control her mother. The jewelry in Xia Yunlouâs room was all obtained through threatening her mother. No wonder there were so many of her motherâs belongings in the Xia familyâs villa.
The two of them no longer hesitated and went straight to Xia Chengâs study. Gu Zheng had already investigated. There was a secret room in this study. He knew the entrance and switch of the secret room like the back of his hand. The two of them successfully entered the secret room. It was very spacious here. After looking around, there were no useful clues. There was only a dusty photo album in the corner of a bookshelf.
Qiao Xi flipped open the photo album. It was a photo of the Xia family. On it were Xia Cheng, Old Madam Xia, Xia Ji, and Xia Yunlou. The photo was slightly yellow and looked to be from more than 20 years ago. Xia Ji and Xia Yunlou were both very young.
Qiao Xi narrowed her eyes as she looked at Xia Yunlouâs face. She picked up the photo and asked, âAh Zheng, look at this photo. I keep having the feeling that the current Xia Yunlou is very different from the past.â
Gu Zheng nodded. He had realized it too.
Qiao Xi tried her best to describe it. âItâs not that they look different, but their auras are completely different.â
The elderly said that appearances would reflect oneâs heart. In the photo, Xia Yunlou was full of smiles. She looked very innocent and kind. Her eyes were also very warm, making people subconsciously want to get close to her. However, the current Xia Yunlou was full of viciousness. Her eyes were filled with schemes and sinisterness. She was completely different from the Xia Yunlou from 20 years ago.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Qiao Xi looked at Xia Yunlou in the photo and felt inexplicably awkward. It was as if this personâs soul and body had split into two.
Gu Zheng said softly, âIf the Xia Yunlou in front of us is fake, then it must have been done on purpose by the Xia family. Moreover, her every word and action imitates the real Xia Yunlou. She lives according to the other partyâs preferences and character. The photo from 20 years ago was also deliberately imitated by her.
âHowever, one day, Xia Yunlou suddenly disappeared. Xia Yunlou escaped her restraints and released her suppressed nature. Unknowingly, she became herself again.