Chapter 56

Chapter 56

After successfully eliciting a confession through deception and clearing up the confusion that had previously baffled him, sending Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeqi to “reunite” with Ning Shaoyi and the other Ning family members—that had indeed been Ning Yichu’s original plan.

But Ning Yichu’s questions tonight weren’t aimed at sending Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeqi to prison based on these matters alone. He had kept them around until now simply to uncover the truth he hadn’t understood before.

As for recording the video evidence during this time, he only thought that even if it wasn’t legally useful, making it public could add fuel to the Ning family’s already terrible reputation. Ning Yichu hadn’t pinned all his hopes for revenge on this video.

As the eldest son and grandson of the Ning family, Ning Zeqi had grown up being put on a pedestal. However, the family’s way of coddling him was different from their later doting indulgence of Ning Zeshu. The Ning family saw Ning Zeqi as their heir.

Raised by that assemblage of "talents" in the Ning family, Ning Zeqi naturally developed an arrogant personality. Moreover, as a child, he accidentally lost his younger brother but managed to cover it up for years. As a young adult, he accidentally caused a fire that killed someone, yet the matter was easily swept under the rug. Such experiences only deepened his arrogance, making him treat human life and the law as dirt.

So, in those past years, Ning Zeqi—who was never a good person to begin with and had tasted the “sweetness” of getting away with things—was certainly no law-abiding citizen. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted so “quickly” earlier, immediately thinking of sending the drugged Ning Yichu to He Shixia’s room.

Take an incident from a few years ago, for example—

Feeling the pressure of being the heir was too much, Ning Zeqi developed a hobby of street racing with a group of self-proclaimed unconventional playboys. They gathered on a newly built, not-yet-open mountain road section in the remote outskirts, racing recklessly in the dark. It wasn’t surprising when someone ended up dead.

At the time, Ning Zeqi’s car lost control after a turn and slammed into another car on the side, sending it tumbling down the mountain road. That car exploded on the spot, leaving no remains of the person inside, and nearly started another fire.

Ning Zeqi had gone there straight from a business dinner where he’d been drinking. Drunk driving plus a fatal accident, and with the commotion too loud, even in the remote outskirts, attention was quickly drawn. He didn’t even have time to ask his family for help.

Right then, a follower-type lackey among the playboys “stepped forward,” saying that since there were no surveillance cameras on that road section and they hadn’t turned on dashcams while racing, he was willing to take the fall for Ning Zeqi. He’d claim he was the one driving. After all, the person in the car that was knocked off the mountain was also just an ordinary, low-status lackey. As long as everyone present kept their mouths shut and the Ning family protected him, he wasn’t worried about retaliation. Besides, causing a fatal accident—with the other party also speeding and racing—carried some shared responsibility. If he didn’t flee the scene, it’d be at most seven years. If the victim’s family was willing to accept compensation, the sentence could be reduced even further.

Everyone present was naturally willing to keep quiet. For one, Ning Zeqi had the highest status among them. For another, to those playboys, such an incident really wasn’t something that would keep them up at night.

The lackey was willing to take the fall, of course, because he wanted to trade a few years in prison for the promising future promised by the Ning family heir. Ning Zeqi naturally made that promise.

With the teahouse fire incident already in the past, Ning Zeqi didn’t keep the mountain road racing incident a secret from Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua for the sake of face. He told his parents about it, and Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua, of course, chose to continue “protecting” their eldest son. After all, to them, as long as it could be covered up, it still wasn’t a big deal.

Given their family’s traditions, Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua weren’t exactly spotless “role models” either. Besides stealing a child and leading the whole family in abusing Ning Yichu, Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua also had a pile of lawsuits that had been forcibly suppressed.

These matters were what Ning Yichu planned to use to ensure Ning Shaoren and the other two face justice—solid, ironclad cases that wouldn’t waste police resources.

He hadn’t rushed to bring them up tonight because these incidents weren’t directly related to him, and he didn’t intend to waste words. He simply planned to handle them like he did with Ning Shaoyi and the others: take the evidence straight to the police.

At the moment, Ning Yichu observed the expressions of Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeqi, guessing they were also wondering whether he knew about these things. After all, when the Ning family members were recently cleaning up their own messes, they had all reconnected with people or things related to those incidents, which also gave Ning Yichu the opportunity to have evidence collected secretly.

Originally, now should indeed be the time to call the police.

But…

Ning Yichu tilted his head, looked at the undisguised smugness on Ning Zeshu’s face, and scoffed. “What if I said I have no other plans?”

Ning Zeshu and the others present were stunned.

Ning Yichu said leisurely, “Since this video recording isn’t legally useful, I don’t plan to waste police resources for nothing. The police have been running to the Ning family a lot lately; it must be tiring for them. But the truth should still be made public. I’ll release this video, parade your deeds for all to see, completely ruin the Ning family’s reputation, and let the families of the victims involved know the truth.”

These words left Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeqi somewhat incredulous.

Ning Zeshu, whose expectations were dashed, was even more unable to accept that Ning Yichu actually planned to let Ning Shaoren and the other two off so lightly. After all, these three were the ones who had treated Ning Yichu the worst in the Ning family and were themselves particularly unclean.

Ning Zeshu even struggled to control his emotions. “Xiao Chu? Are you sure that’s all? Just ruining their reputation is enough? In the past, I was kept too much in the dark. I only knew Mom, Dad, and Big Brother weren't clean, but I didn't know the specifics of what they'd done. But I don't believe you don't know either. You managed to send Ning Shaoyi and the others away; you must have evidence to retaliate against Mom, Dad, and Big Brother. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so indifferent. Even I can't accept this. If you really couldn't do anything to them, you'd be even more outraged!”

Ning Yichu couldn’t help but laugh. “Young Master Ning’s persona has completely collapsed tonight, hasn’t it?”

Ning Shaoren almost jumped up to slap Ning Zeshu. “Ungrateful son! And you still have the nerve to call us Mom, Dad, and Big Brother! Seeing that we won’t get into trouble must have upset you terribly! I haven’t even dealt with your earlier talk about usurping the position, and now you spout this pack of ungrateful wretch nonsense! What, were you that pent up all those past years?! Seeing Ning Yichu doesn't plan to send us to prison, you want to make us die of anger, don't you? Want to see your father follow in your grandfather's footsteps?!”

Ning Zeqi looked darkly at Ning Yichu. “Ning Zeshu’s words may be unpleasant, but it’s true: if you really had no way to deal with us and could only attack our reputation, you wouldn’t be so indifferent. Among the Ning family, the ones you should hate most are me, Mom and Dad, and Ning Zeshu.”

By now, Ning Zeshu couldn’t be bothered with Ning Shaoren, but Ning Zeqi’s words made him retort, “I never directly or actively bullied Xiao Chu. Why am I on the same level as you in the ‘most hated’ list… Xiao Chu, did my attitude just now upset you? Do you feel that if you dealt with Mom, Dad, and Big Brother now, it would be doing me a favor, so to make me uncomfortable, you’d rather let them off? Am I that important to you? Are you sure?”

Ning Yichu clicked his tongue lightly. “Still not giving up, trying to provoke me? So eager to send your dear parents and big brother to enjoy state-provided meals? I think this is quite good as is. The Ning family’s crimes made public, their reputation in ruins. According to Ms. Wen and Mr. Xuan, they won’t let the Ning family off either. So, letting your family live freely in their own private hell from now on—isn’t that more satisfying than letting them hide away in prison?”

“Oh, and I have Kangning shares. I can go watch the show often. Considering your sincerity in giving me the shares, I’m actually not that angry anymore. Just thinking about how you have to curry favor with me, whom you once bullied, because you're afraid of me—I find that amusing.”

The unspoken implication here was clear: Ning Yichu indeed still had leverage over them, far more useful than those decades-old incidents. But he was probably genuinely annoyed by Ning Zeshu, so he changed his mind on the spot about dealing with them—he didn’t want to see Ning Zeshu get his way.

Han Wenhua, thinking of this, quickly spoke up. “Xiao Chu, if you want to make the video you just recorded public, then go ahead. We did those things; we deserve to be exposed and criticized. It’ll let you vent your anger too.”

Compared to actually going to prison, losing a bit of reputation was nothing.

Ning Zeshu was still in disbelief. “Xiao Chu, think this through!”

Wen Jin and Xuan Luo couldn’t accept it either.

Xuan Luo couldn’t help saying, “People like them, no matter how much they claim to care about face, are fundamentally shameless. Just letting them off like this… Wouldn’t making them face the consequences, lose their freedom and luxurious living conditions, achieve the goal of revenge better… Yichu, if there’s something difficult or inconvenient for you to do, let us help you.”

Ning Yichu said leisurely, “No, I just want to watch this once-happy family of four turn on each other from now on. Young Master Ning’s attitude just now—urging me to be his pawn, so he could sit back and reap the rewards—disgusted me.”

Then he looked straight at Ning Zeshu. “Ning Zeshu, you really are a Ning. Just as arrogant. Seemingly smarter and calmer, but still lacking in patience and restraint. If you hadn’t been so smug just now, you might have achieved your goal by now. Even if you hadn’t, at least you wouldn’t have completely collapsed your persona in front of your dear parents and big brother, unable to return to your status as the family's darling.”

Ning Zeshu’s face turned pale.

He had indeed been a bit carried away just now, because he was certain Ning Yichu wouldn’t let Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, and Ning Zeqi off. So he wanted to indulge himself one last time before the “farewell.” He never expected…

“I never thought I was actually this important to you. To make me suffer, you’d even give up on taking revenge on the ones who caused your miserable life?” Ning Zeshu stared fixedly at Ning Yichu.

Wen Jin spoke up then. “Who said they’re being let off? Didn’t Yichu say they’ll live in misery and strife from now on? Public opinion, the Wen family, and the Xuan family won’t let them off. Although I also prefer they lose their freedom as they deserve, since Yichu feels this way lets him vent his anger better, then let’s go with Yichu’s plan. Anyway, our Wen and Xuan families will be watching yours!”

Then she turned to Ning Yichu gently. “Yichu, in the future, Mom and Dad… Sorry, I slipped into calling us that again… In the future, we’ll move back to settle in the country. We don’t ask you to acknowledge us, but we’ll definitely make sure you see the Ning family living poorly… This jade pendant, take it back, okay?”

Ning Yichu glanced at the jade pendant in her hand. It had accompanied him through his previous life, but he still felt no interest in it now. “No, I don’t want it.”

Just like these biological parents, he didn’t want them either.

Wen Jin and Xuan Luo wanted to say more, but Ning Yichu had already stood up. “Tonight’s ‘reckoning’ is over. I’m tired. Good night, everyone.”

He Shixia also stood up and followed him upstairs to their room.

Seeing the Ning family about to start arguing again, He Weian promptly politely showed them the door. “It’s getting late. Please take any family matters back to your own homes to discuss. Thank you.”

Wen Shen, Wen Jin, and Xuan Luo stood up, said their goodbyes, and left supporting each other.

The four members of the Ning family weren’t as polite or harmonious. They walked out accusing each other, with only Ning Zeqi appearing still “steady and taciturn”—someone who didn’t know might think he was an honest man.

Back in the room, Ning Yichu couldn’t help yawning; he was truly tired. “I’m going to take a bath and sleep. Go run the bath for me.”

He Shixia smiled. “Okay… A Ning, you’re not really planning to just release the video and do nothing else, are you?”

Ning Yichu scoffed lightly. “Trash should go to the recycling plant. But I’m waiting for them to turn on each other first and give Ning Zeshu a hard time.”

“Given my performance tonight and their arrogance, they definitely think they’re at least safe from prison now. So, will they let off Ning Zeshu, who was so eagerly waiting for them to be crushed? Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua will immediately start settling accounts with Ning Zeshu. I bet it won’t be long before we hear news of Young Master Ning being dragged by his dear parents to some remote corner abroad for ‘studies’.”

Just like Ning Andong in the original novel’s plot, who later became an antagonist, hated Ning Zeshu, and was eventually “exiled” by the Ning family to an extremely poor place abroad, finding it difficult to return.

“As it happens, during that time, I’ll have my surgery, then file a police report. I’ll take the news of Ning Shaoren and the other two being arrested as my 'welcome home' gift after the hospital.” After saying this, Ning Yichu chuckled again. “Speaking of which, if Ning Shaoren and the others can still be sweet-talked back to their old ways this time, I can only tip my hat to their stupidity and Ning Zeshu’s silver tongue.”

As Ning Yichu expected, Ning Zeshu’s silver tongue didn’t work this time. Partly because Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua were already deeply hurt and didn’t trust him, and partly because Ning Zeshu himself didn’t put as much effort into coaxing people as before. So, Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua didn’t even hesitate this time.

All in all, the family of four continued to bicker and blame each other endlessly in the car on their way back to the Ning family home.

Ning Zeqi was at the wheel, Ning Zeshu sat in the passenger seat, while Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua were in the back seat.

Ning Shaoren spent a while scolding Ning Zeshu for being an ingrate, then suddenly turned his fire on Han Wenhua: "Why were you so eager to spill everything earlier? Couldn't you see Ning Yichu had no idea where he really came from? You handed him ammunition on a silver platter. If he leaks that video, you'll probably be praising him—some mother you are! Once the video is out, do you think people will criticize you any less?"

Han Wenhua laughed bitterly. "As if you saw through it! He knew about Qin Kai's past from his youth, and he knew about the teahouse fire seventeen years ago involving Zeqi. It'd be crazy to think he didn't know about his own origins. I'm sure he knew from the get-go that the Wen and Xuan families were his biological parents. Who knew he was bluffing? If he hadn't dropped the act and admitted it himself in the end, no one would have realized he was actually clueless about what happened twenty years ago!"

Ning Shaoren got even madder after being shot down. "That little bastard, who knows where he got all this truth from... I think he might have been acting at the end too. Maybe he doesn't actually have evidence of our other misdeeds and just wanted to keep us sweating, pretending he's letting us off the hook. That jerk is quite the actor!"

"Who knows? Anyway, it's all thanks to our precious little son's move backfiring. Ning Yichu wanted to see us fight among ourselves, so he didn't bother tormenting us himself." Han Wenhua sneered.

Ning Zeshu finally spoke up: "Since you know what Xiao Chu's game is, are you still planning to play along?"

Ning Shaoren fumed, "Still calling him 'Xiao Chu'! If you two are so close, why didn't he help you get Kangning as you wished? I really raised some fine sons! Both younger ones are ingrates, and the eldest seems reliable—people say you're so capable—but you're actually the one who causes the most trouble! How many times have we had to clean up your messes!"

Holding the steering wheel, Ning Zeqi reacted calmly: "Dad, let's keep it civil. Look at you now—red in the face and shouting. You look ridiculous."

Ning Shaoren scoffed, "Now you're lecturing your own father! You think just because your mom and I would never report you, and we'll always bail you out, you can do stupid things and then tell the family. We've solved your problems, but have we seen any gratitude from you?"

Ning Zeqi turned to look at the back seat, nodding politely: "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your tolerance and care all these years."

His attitude was infuriating, but what Han Wenhua blurted out was: "Focus on driving! Watch the road! Are you trying to cause another accident and kill someone?"

Normally, Han Wenhua wouldn't have been so agitated, but tonight she was already rattled, and she simply lacked the self-control to keep secrets at that moment.

Ning Zeqi turned back to watch the road, but Ning Zeshu picked up on it: "Mom said 'another accident to kill someone'... Big brother, it sounds like you've killed someone in a car accident before. When was that? Do you think Xiao Chu knows?"

Ning Zeqi smirked. "I don't know if he knows or not. But you certainly didn't know. Even if you've heard a little now, you have no evidence. Don't think you can follow Xiao Chu's lead and torment us one by one."

"By the way, Dad, Mom, no matter how bad of a son I am, I'd never want to destroy this family to 'profit from others' conflicts.' Ning Zeshu is different. Keeping him around seems even more dangerous than Xiao Chu. At least Xiao Chu wouldn't falsely accuse us without evidence, but Ning Zeshu looks like he'd cross that line. I suggest sending him away."

Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua in the back seat froze.

In the past, they would have immediately scolded Ning Zeqi for saying such a thing. Now, although they didn't immediately agree, after a moment of stunned silence, they were clearly tempted.

Ning Zeshu let out a bitter, mocking laugh. "Sending me away again? Where are you planning to send me this time? I'm not a baby who can't walk or talk anymore. Do you still think you can control my freedom?"

Ning Zeqi said indifferently, "You've been too sheltered all these years. You don't know how the world works. If you want to talk about freedom in this family, you should discuss its feasibility with Xiao Chu. He has more experience in that area."

Ning Zeshu's face turned cold. "I lack perspective, all thanks to my dear family's 'kindness.' Under the guise of pampering me, you never let me touch anything. The so-called 'broadening my horizons' was just recognizing luxury brands. What's so great about that? Yet even Xiao Chu thinks you treated me well!"

"How have we not treated you well enough?!" Han Wenhua couldn't help leaning forward, grabbing Ning Zeshu's shoulder from the passenger seat and demanding, "From the moment you came home, we've doted on and loved you endlessly. What have you ever wanted that we didn't give you? All these years, as poorly as Ning Yichu lived, you lived just as well. It's you who felt insecure, only asking for trivial things every time, so we thought you weren't that ambitious. We just wanted you to live a happy life, supported by the family forever, without burdening you with too much!"

Ning Zeshu's face was full of cold mockery.

Ning Shaoren also said, "To ensure you have some security in the future, we arranged your marriage with the He family so you could get that five percent of Kangning's board shares! The Ning family's holdings can't be further diluted, or we'll have even less say on the board. That's why we targeted that five percent instead of giving you shares from our own holdings!"

Ning Zeshu completely disbelieved it. "Ha! You just saw me as 'obedient.' Saying you'd give me that five percent, but in reality, you knew once I had it, you'd still control it. You wanted those shares yourselves, yet you framed it as being for my sake! You just want to control me, just like you wanted to control Xiao Chu! The only difference is I'm your biological son, so you chose a different method!"

Although at an awkward angle, Ning Shaoren mustered his strength and slapped Ning Zeshu. "If we really just wanted to reclaim the shares, your mom and I wouldn't have risked offending the He family and digging up your brother's old fire incident to demand He Shixia marry you! He Shixia is the He family's most outstanding member. We were genuinely considering your future!"

Ning Zeshu covered his slapped face, stunned for a moment, then still sneered coldly. "That's what you say now. You've always been smooth-talkers. My own feelings can't deceive me. If you truly had no ulterior motives toward me, I wouldn't have lived in fear all these years! Every time I saw how you treated Xiao Chu, I felt... if it weren't for Xiao Chu being in the Ning family, that treatment would have been mine..."

Ning Zeqi chuckled. "Going round and round, haven't you realized your demands are too high? Mom and Dad admitted they have ulterior motives, but they mean you no harm. Yet you're still blaming them for having ulterior motives. Who doesn't have some? I'm not that filial to Mom and Dad either, but I'd never do anything to harm their interests. They scold me, but they won't do anything to me. Isn't that enough? Ning Zeshu, you're too greedy."

Ning Zeshu's eyes reddened with anger. "Why can't I be greedy?! I grew up in an orphanage too! You have no idea what those six or seven years were like for me! You owe me! You should compensate me without any ulterior motives!"

Han Wenhua looked at the hysterical Ning Zeshu with disappointment. "Zeqi is right. If you stay with us, I'll worry you might someday smuggle some drugs into our belongings, stage a scene, and send us to prison... Xiao Shu, the family will send you abroad to study. In the future... don't come back."

Ning Zeshu could tell this "studying abroad" certainly wouldn't be to any decent place. Enraged beyond measure, he shouted, "No! Don't you dare arrange my life! If being in the Ning family means being controlled by you, fine! I won't return to the Ning family! Ning Zeqi, stop the car! Let me out! I want out now!"

Ning Zeshu unfastened his seatbelt and, ignoring that the car was moving, tried to open the passenger door, but of course, he failed.

Ning Zeqi sneered, "Enough, stop making a scene... Ning Zeshu! Get off!"

Ning Zeshu lunged toward the driver's seat, trying to press the emergency stop button on the console. But unfamiliar with the car, he misidentified it and pressed the button to adjust the driver's seatback instead. Seeing the car didn't stop, he kept pressing it.

Under prolonged pressure, Ning Zeqi's seatback suddenly reclined sharply. Only then did Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua react, hurriedly trying to pull Ning Zeshu away. "Don't touch the dashboard randomly!"

"Move aside, let Zeqi stop the car. You're preventing him from stopping too..."

"Xiao Shu, stop making trouble..."

"Ning Zeshu, are you trying to get us killed?! I'm driving; I can't see the road now!"

Ning Zeshu still didn't let go.

He was acutely aware that his current state was somewhat strange.

On one hand, rationally, he knew he should release the button and let Ning Zeqi adjust the seat to see the road. Since he was acting crazy, they'd surely let him out.

But at the same time, his fingers felt as heavy as lead. He couldn't muster the strength to let go, even thinking... since they won't let him off anyway, even if they let him out now, he had nowhere to go. His basic documents were still at the Ning family home. He couldn't break free from the Ning family; he'd be manipulated like Ning Yichu once was, sent to some godforsaken backwater with no hope of escape.

He refused to live like that. Maybe it'd be better if they all died now. Besides, Ning Yichu might even thank him someday when looking back...

Ning Zeshu stubbornly held on, even starting to mess with the steering wheel. Ning Zeqi had to fumble for the stop button—the car was automatic, lacking physical handbrakes or other means to force a stop, making it particularly inconvenient to halt now.

Suddenly, with a "bang," Ning Zeqi realized they'd crashed, his mind flashing back to years ago when he was street racing and crashed another car off a mountain road.

...

The Ning family had a car accident. Half an hour later, Ning Yichu's phone rang.

He had just come out of the bathroom and was too lazy to move, so He Shixia was blow-drying his hair. Seeing the call, He Shixia turned off the dryer and switched to drying Ning Yichu's hair with a towel first.

Ning Yichu answered, his expression quickly turning odd.

After he hung up, He Shixia asked, "What's wrong?"

Ning Yichu looked up at him. "Ning Shaoren, Han Wenhua, Ning Zeqi, and Ning Zeshu were in a car accident, taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. All four are in critical condition and need someone to sign their critical condition notices. Ning Shaoren's lawyer went, but he doesn't dare sign for so many people, nor does he dare make decisions about subsequent treatments. He can't reach other Ning family members, so he contacted me, the 'immediate family member' in legal terms, saying I'm actually the most legitimate person to sign... Tsk."

He Shixia was also surprised. "Although we guessed they'd fight, we didn't expect them to be so eager. Speaking of which, all four received critical condition notices—this family of four is quite synchronized in their misfortune."