The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 405 - 404: Each Other’s Weaknesses

Chapter 405: Chapter 404: Each Other’s Weaknesses

Facing Chu Yuqing’s accusations, Zhong Qing smirked, "If there was a chance of getting caught, I wouldn’t have done it. I couldn’t possibly allow Yinyin and Xiaomin to have a sister who killed their father, and let them be criticized for a lifetime."

"As for how I did it, it’s actually quite simple. I soaked his underwear in high-concentration nicotine. The symptoms of poisoning are very similar to those of a myocardial infarction."

"Nicotine metabolizes and breaks down in the body in a few hours, of course, you wouldn’t find it."

"For the rest of your life, this place will be both your cage and your grave."

"I’ll have someone watch you closely to ensure you live a long, long life."

Chu Yuqing was so angry she wished she could flay Zhong Qing alive, "You ungrateful wretch with a heart of a beast, I should never have gone soft and kept you. If it weren’t for your existence, your dad wouldn’t have treated me like that!"

Zhong Qing was not angry.

She had heard such curses too many times that her ears had grown calluses.

"Do you think I wanted to be your daughter? You were the stupid one, seeking revenge for Zhong Jiping’s infidelity by sleeping with someone for one night and falling pregnant with me, a bastard child."

"You thought you could deceive everyone and let Zhong Jiping be a cuckold, but you didn’t expect my appearance to expose your affair."

"Zhong Jiping beat you for it, even causing you to miscarry twice. You didn’t think about leaving that scumbag, instead, you believed he cared about you, you’re not only stupid, but also cheap."

"But why did you drag me down with your lowly deeds? I protected you and stood up against Zhong Jiping’s violence, yet you turned around and became his accomplice. When it comes to malice, no one in this world can compare to you."

Chu Yuqing was as furious as a rabid dog, "How dare you speak to me like that? I’m your mother, I gave you your life, you owe me all this!"

"Hmm, so, your current predicament is also what you deserve. As they say, ’You reap what you sow,’ and I am your retribution."

Zhong Qing’s tone was as light as if she were commenting on the nice weather today, but for Chu Yuqing, it was a blow to the head.

She opened her mouth to hurl the most vicious insults and threats at Zhong Qing, but Zhong Qing responded by turning and walking away.

"Stop, stop—"

Watching Zhong Qing walk further and further away, Chu Yuqing finally panicked, switching to a pleading tone.

"I was wrong, Qingqing, I was wrong. I won’t treat you like that anymore..."

Zhong Qing turned a deaf ear and went straight to Zhong Jiping’s room.

When she entered the room, Zhong Jiping was crawling on the ground like a maggot, seemingly trying to escape from there.

Zhong Qing stopped two steps away from him and mocked, "Don’t bother, you won’t get out."

Zhong Jiping tried to grab her foot, but his hand wouldn’t cooperate, and he couldn’t even clearly express his anger, only managing to make "Uh-ah" noises.

"You guessed right, I was the one who did it, and I owe a lot to mom’s help. She got everyone out of the house for me, or else my plan wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."

"But you guessed wrong about one thing, the problem wasn’t with the bathwater, it was with the underwear I gave you... "

As Zhong Qing narrated the process bit by bit, Zhong Jiping’s anger on his face intensified.

But he was unable to express it through words or actions, he could only stare in helpless rage.

Because he strained so hard, the capillaries in his eyes burst, and blood mixed with tears streamed down his face, looking like a hideous ghost.

"This nursing home specializes in treating severe mental illness patients. Your fellow inmates are much like you, particularly fond of getting physical and hitting people."

"... But don’t worry, Chu Yuqing loves you so much, she couldn’t bear to leave you even after all the domestic violence, she will definitely take good care of you."

Watching Zhong Jiping pass out from fury, Zhong Qing left the room with satisfaction.

Dawn was breaking as the heavy gates of the nursing home closed shut, following the departure of the black sedan carrying Zhong Qing.

...

"Miss Zhong, we’ve arrived."

Zhong Qing woke up to the driver’s reminder.

She didn’t know when it had begun to snow, but outside the car window everything was a white expanse, and two familiar figures were standing at the home’s entrance waving at her.

Without thinking, Zhong Qing cracked a slight smile, then, as if remembering something, handed the prepared envelope to the driver.

"Thank you for your trouble."

The driver did not accept it. "Miss Zhong, there’s no need for courtesy. I’m just following Young Master Yan’s orders, and he has already given me my reward."

Zhong Qing insisted on placing the envelope on the center console, then she got out of the car.

As soon as she stepped out, Zhong Yin and Zhong Min ran up to her, one to the left and one to the right, surrounding her. "Sis, why have you just come back now? Have mom and dad already gone to the Capital?"

"Yes."

"Will dad really be cured?"

"Yes."

"That’s great!"

Joy overflowed on the faces of the siblings. Zhong Qing smiled and took one by each hand. "Let’s go home."

"Yes, let’s go home. It’s so cold; I’m nearly frozen stiff."

...

In the café.

Zhong Qing put down the silver spoon in her hand and looked up at Yan Yi across from her. "Thank you."

Yan Yi nodded his head. "What are your plans going forward?"

Zhong Qing looked at him. "Aren’t you going to ask why? By sending my parents to such a place, once it becomes known, not only will I be pointed at by thousands, but you, my fiancé, might also be implicated to some extent."

Yan Yi took a sip of tea without agreeing or disagreeing. "Since you have thought through the consequences and still insist on doing it, there must be an unavoidable reason. I agreed to help, naturally considering the consequences."

The help that Zhong Qing asked Yan Yi for was to "purchase" two beds for Chu Yuqing and Zhong Jiping.

The sanitarium appeared to be a psychiatric hospital on the surface, but in secret, it was a refuge for certain special criminals.

The location was very hidden, and the security was extremely strict. All staff members had undergone rigorous training.

"In any case, thank you for your help this time. After the Spring Festival, I will propose annulling the engagement, so even if the matter comes out in the future, it will definitely not involve you or the Yan Family."

Yan Yi looked at her. "I don’t have any plans to replace my business partner for the time being."

Meeting Zhong Qing’s surprised gaze, Yan Yi smiled faintly.

"We each hold the other’s weak spot, which makes us well-matched. Therefore, I think we can continue our partnership."

"If you don’t have any objections, let’s discuss the wedding date after the Spring Festival with both families."

Zhong Qing looked down and stirred her coffee. "If I’m not mistaken, the ’weak spot’ you mentioned is Mingzhu, right?"

Seeing that Yan Yi did not argue, Zhong Qing chuckled. "You chose me because I bear no ill will towards Mingzhu."

Her tone was not one of questioning, but of certainty.

Seeing that Yan Yi still did not argue, Zhong Qing joked. "If I were a man, I would definitely compete with you for her."

Yan Yi took a sip of tea. "I actually envy you quite a bit."

Zhong Qing raised an eyebrow and extended a hand. "Pleasure doing business."

...

On the 26th day of the last lunar month, the Shen Mingzhu family was invited to be guests at the Zhong Family’s house.