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Su Yao’s expression changed. Did Zhao Qiang really know, or was he just making things up? She knew that the child in Liu Ruyan’s belly belonged to Zhang Zihao—the senior was Zhang Zihao.

“Zhao Qiang, shut up! Stop spouting nonsense here!” Li Fengying tried to interrupt, but Zhao Qiang was undeterred and continued his act.

“I just want a divorce, but the Liu family refuses to agree.”

“They insist the child is mine. When I want a paternity test, they won’t allow it and even come to my house to make a scene.”

“If you all believe her lies, how can our Zhao family continue living here?”

“Uncle, auntie, you know me, Zhao Qiang, I’ve been honest and straightforward since childhood.”

“If I weren’t bullied like this, I wouldn’t have abandoned my wife and child.”

Zhao Qiang slapped his thigh, looking utterly heartbroken.

“The key is the child isn’t mine! Why must I take responsibility for it?”

“I only blame myself, yet my parents also suffer because of this.”

“I’m no good, truly pathetic, humiliated by the Liu family like this!”

Li Fengying was skilled at stirring public opinion, but this was Zhao Qiang’s turf.

He shouted hoarsely, his eyes red from onion fumes.

His pitiful appearance instantly drew sympathy from all the elders.

“Zhao Qiang is someone I’ve watched grow up—honest and capable. There’s no way he’d do such a thing.”

“That Liu Ruyan dresses so flamboyantly, how could she settle for Zhao Qiang?”

“Maybe she’s just someone’s kept mistress.”

To the crowd, Zhao Qiang’s family was humble and ordinary.

But Liu Ruyan’s figure and looks were exceptional—such a woman would surely seek a wealthy man.

“Zhao Qiang, why didn’t you tell us earlier? We wouldn’t have misunderstood you.”

“Yes, who would’ve thought you suffered so much.”

“Don’t worry, Qiang, we’ll stand up for you.”

They had watched this boy grow up and couldn’t believe he had been so deeply humiliated.

“Li Fengying, you keep causing trouble in our neighborhood—when will you stop?”

“Do you think we’re easy to mess with?”

Usually, the elders were scattered, but having once worked in the same factory, they now united as one.

“Li Fengying, I didn’t expect you to have such ill intent.”

“Get lost, don’t come to our neighborhood again.”

“Every time you cause a ruckus, the neighborhood won’t welcome you.”

Especially Aunt Zhu, who had first spread word about Zhao Qiang’s situation.

Now she led the charge in scolding Li Fengying, or else she wouldn’t be able to stay here in the future.

“Yes, get lost!”

---

Facing the angry crowd, Li Fengying’s face turned as black as coal.

She looked at Zhao Qiang, who was still smiling behind the crowd, and lost her mind.

The gatekeeper, Grandpa Wang, brought over a black guard dog, frightening Li Fengying into screaming repeatedly.

“Ah! Ah!”

The dog chased after her, baring its teeth, attempting to bite.

“Zhao Qiang, this isn’t over. Just wait.”

After saying this, Li Fengying fell heavily to the ground and couldn’t even get up.

“Don’t come near! Don’t come near!”

Terrified out of her wits, she was helped by Su Yao to flee the neighborhood in disgrace.

The crowd burst into laughter; Li Fengying had finally gotten her comeuppance.

“Thank you, uncles and aunties, for standing up for me. Zhao Qiang is grateful.”

“Especially Aunt Zhu, please come over for a meal sometime.”

Zhao Qiang lifted Aunt Zhu up, ensuring she wouldn’t speak about their family affairs anymore.

Aunt Zhu blushed, waving her hands fervently—after all the gossip, she wouldn’t dare go.

After comforting Zhao Qiang for a while, everyone dispersed.

After all, this was a family matter they couldn’t interfere with.

“Mom, Dad, did you film the video?”

Zhao Qiang returned to the third floor, having asked He Fen to record Li Fengying causing trouble.

“Qiangzi, why are you filming this?” He Fen was curious but complied.

“To fight the public opinion battle. Who knows if Li Fengying will slander us?”

Zhao Qiang was thinking comprehensively; he didn’t want to be at anyone’s mercy.

Zhang Zihao was the mastermind behind this; opposing a powerful family meant he needed to be extra cautious.

“Qiang, you handled that well, not making a scene.”

“If it had gotten worse, we’d have to move.”

Zhao Hai sighed—his son had grown up, but at quite a cost.

“Mom, Dad, Li Fengying is a master of sowing discord and spreading lies. Don’t let her provoke you.”

“I already know who that wild man Liu Ruyan is involved with.”

“You know?”

Zhao Hai clenched his fist, staring at his son in surprise.

If it were him, he wouldn’t have been able to bear it and surely would have confronted them.

He didn’t know his son had been reborn, allowing him to endure what others could not.

Most importantly, the other party was from a powerful family; a direct confrontation was impossible.

“Yes, but I can’t say yet.”

---

“Mom, Dad, I’ll handle this. Don’t worry.”

Zhao Qiang couldn’t reveal anything; Zhang Zihao surely still believed he was unaware.

If he exposed the truth, the desperate Zhang Zihao would show no mercy.

This man wanted to marry into the Chu family, so he would do everything to hide his scandal with Liu Ruyan.

He recalled what happened before—after ten years of marriage with Liu Ruyan, the Chu Group and Zhang Group parted ways.

That’s why Zhang Zihao dared appear openly in front of him—it was because the alliance with the Chu family ended.

This time, Zhao Qiang’s rebirth threw a wrench in Zhang Zihao’s plans.

Even though there was a risk of exposing his identity, Zhang Zihao threatened him by phone, fearing things might spiral out of control.

In three days, Zhang Zihao and Chu Mengyao’s engagement banquet would be held.

He sent the video to Chu Siqi; they had formed a cooperative alliance.

They planned to use Chu Siqi’s influence to apply social pressure on the Liu family.

That crazy Li Fengying might even go to the media to complain.

Better to strike first and seize the moral high ground—then see how the Liu family could defame them.

“Thanks, brother-in-law. With this video, the netizens will definitely want to see what happens next.”

Chu Siqi was overjoyed—she hadn’t expected new developments so soon.

“Well, Chu, I only have a child with Mr. Chu. There’s really nothing else.”

“Don’t call me brother-in-law. If Mr. Chu stops me from seeing little Taotao, that’s a problem.”

“No worries. I’ll send you some photos of little Taotao soon.”

Chu Siqi hurriedly ended the call to upload the video, ready to rake in the views.

After receiving the photos, Zhao Qiang kissed the adorable little Taotao on the cheek.

He set the photos as his screensaver and grew more fond of her with every glance.

He went downstairs to the small convenience store outside the neighborhood to buy a pack of cigarettes, just about to head back.

Suddenly, a van pulled up right in front of him, the door slammed open.

A group of thugs with sticks surrounded him, all looking menacing.

“You must be Zhao Qiang,” the leader, a yellow-haired thug, tilted his head and eyed him slyly.

“Is there a problem?”

Zhao Qiang frowned, wondering who else he had offended besides the Liu family.

Also, Zhang Zihao—he hadn’t exposed his identity, so would Zhang Zihao make a move?

If so, it would be a fight to the death.

“My dear brother-in-law, of course, there’s a problem.”

“You hit me today and have already forgotten?”

Liu Tianming limped out of the van, his body bearing some injuries, his eyes full of anger and resentment.