Chapter 202
He Rongzheng didn’t intentionally learn so much; he just happened to uncover a lot of information while investigating after reuniting with his daughter and granddaughter.
Cheng Feiying’s visit to Yan Yan’s school wouldn’t have been significant enough to appear in the important information He Rongzheng was reviewing. But Cheng Feiying, angered by Little Maomao’s words, grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up, that changed everything.
Yan Yan’s school, disapproving of Cheng Feiying’s actions, didn’t bother to investigate the little girl who bit him. She wasn’t wearing their uniform; as long as she wasn’t from their school… good job!
Whether it was because the injury wasn’t serious, or because it was too embarrassing, Cheng Feiying didn’t call the police.
The matter seemed to be over, at least for Cheng Feiying.
But He Rongzheng, after watching the surveillance footage, wanted to beat that bully up. But he was busy with He Lanxi and the He family’s affairs at that time. He tasked his old friend’s people with handling the aftermath, one principle… justice.
Dealing with Cheng Feiying was easy, adding insult to injury was much simpler than offering help, his career plummeting wasn’t enough; he had to dig a deeper hole.
They found out that the brave little girl and her seemingly timid younger sister were from a primary school in the neighboring province. He Rongzheng, still paranoid after He Lanxi’s scheme, was wary.
Skipping school and traveling to another province, why?
He investigated further, but only found out that they were on a trip with their aunt, they were punished by their parents after returning, and they had no connection to the Cheng family. It was just a coincidence, so he rewarded their younger sister, a child actress, with a few resources.
At that time, He Rongzheng just thought it was a coincidence, a good deed repaid, a grudge settled, he didn’t even mention it to Yan Yan or Maomao.
Who would have thought that the people from the videos and photos a few months ago would be gathered here today…
As He Rongzheng revealed the two little girls’ identities, the sisters, one volatile, the other reserved, both blushed under everyone’s surprised gazes.
Just as the surprise in the crowded corridor turned into awkwardness, then into anticipation… a scream came from a nearby room, and someone rushed out.
Fang Keyi, standing too close to the door, was knocked into, she hadn’t even had time to dodge.
Fang Keyi, helping the person up, almost didn’t recognize her as Zhao Tong’s usually elegant and composed mother.
Her messy hair, her wrinkled clothes, her exposed shoulder… and…
Fang Keyi, looking at the woman, who had rushed out wearing only one shoe, awkwardly released her. “Mrs. Zhao, are you okay…?”
“I’m fine… I’m fine… Director Fang, I’m sorry for bumping into you.” Zhao Tong’s mom said, trying to fix her hair and clothes, regaining some composure, then, seeing her two daughters a few steps away, she shouted, “Zhao Can, Zhao Tong, get back here!”
Zhao Can rolled her eyes and pulled Zhao Tong towards the other end of the corridor, but it was crowded.
The two sisters, holding hands tightly, as they passed by Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao, glanced at them repeatedly.
“Zhao Can, Zhao Tong! Come back! Didn’t you hear me? Zhao Tong! Do you also want to make Mom angry?” Zhao Tong’s mom shouted, trying to avoid looking at Fang Keyi and Shi Dingshan in the corridor.
Zhao Tong, walking next to Wei Maomao, hesitated, then was pulled along by Zhao Can.
Wei Maomao: “…“ She was truly ruthless.
“Come back? I’m taking them home.” A plump woman said, emerging from the room Zhao Tong’s mom came out of, followed by Zhao Tong’s dad, his clothes also wrinkled as if he had just been in a fight.
The corridor was crowded, this floor was booked by the film crew, Fang Keyi saw several doors open, familiar faces peeking out…
“The contract, we still have a contract…” Fang Keyi sighed, gesturing towards the tense group. “Let’s discuss this in the room, shall we? Mrs. Zhao, don’t worry about the children, I’ll have Shi… mmm, Liu Ming, take them to Yan Yan’s room next door. They’ll be there until we’re done.”
This arrangement, whether it was those who wanted to leave or those who wanted to continue fighting, no one was satisfied. But with Fang Keyi’s words, at least Zhao Tong and her mom had to give her face.
Cheng Tingyan’s room was right next door, Liu Ming quickly opened the door, and the onlookers filed in. Wei Maomao and Cheng Tingyan, the last to enter, saw Zhao Tong pull at Zhao Can’s hand, pleading, then the volatile one reluctantly followed.
After seeing Zhao Can and Zhao Tong enter Cheng Tingyan’s room, Zhao Tong’s parents were pulled back into their room by the plump woman.
Actually, Fang Keyi, after lunch, had wanted to… replace Zhao Tong, it was difficult to bring it up, but now that Zhao Tong wanted to leave, it was perfect. But she had already set her sights on another one… She still had to deal with this family.
Fang Keyi sighed, quickly typed a message on her phone, then followed Zhao Tong’s parents into their room.
Sometimes, one shouldn’t eat too much. It would affect their brain function.
In Cheng Tingyan’s small bedroom, five adults and four children were crammed together, looking at each other.
It was… a bit too full…
He Rongzheng, after hesitating, decided to sit on the only chair, folding his wheelchair to create more space. Liu Ming, the last to enter, squeezed herself into the bathroom.
Shi Dingshan glanced at the message Fang Keyi just sent, he raised an eyebrow, surprised, then looked at Zhao Can, who seemed much calmer now. “Well… Little Zhao Can, can I ask you a question?”
Zhao Can glanced at Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao, who were sitting on the bed, then nodded.
“I’m the director of ‘Where’s Baby Going’ Season 2, when your sister was on the show, we invited you to join for a few days, but you refused. Can I ask for the real reason? Was it, like you said, you thought it was… fake and meaningless? Or did you not want to be on camera? Or were you just rebelling against your parents?” Shi Dingshan asked.
“All of the above.” Zhao Can answered quickly, then glanced at the two little ones on the bed.
Shi Dingshan tapped his phone, thought for a moment, then asked directly, “Then let me ask another question, if someone invites you to film something now, like a drama… would you still refuse?”
Everyone looked at Shi Dingshan, their surprise no less than when He Rongzheng revealed the two little girls’ identities earlier.
This time, Zhao Can didn’t answer immediately, she looked at Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao. Just as Shi Dingshan was wondering if he should guide her, she spoke.
“How much will they pay? Will they pay me directly, not my parents?” Zhao Can asked.
Shi Dingshan blinked. “…Why does that sound so familiar? Are all children so pragmatic now?”
Then he saw Zhao Can’s gaze shift towards Yan Yan and Maomao, a hint of guilt in her eyes.
“Hey, you…” Shi Dingshan started to say, but he was interrupted.
“Why do you keep looking at our Maomao and Yan Yan?” He Rongzheng asked, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zhao Can. “Speaking of which, last year, you and your sister skipped school and went to Yan Yan’s school, right?”
He Rongzheng’s question was sharp, Zhang Shilan, seeing the two sisters’ unease, tugged at her father’s sleeve, but it didn’t stop him.
“Why did you skip school? And why did you go to Yan Yan’s school?” He Rongzheng asked again, holding his daughter’s hand. If he had initially thought it was a coincidence, seeing Zhao Can’s reaction now, their obvious interest in Maomao and Yan Yan, could it still be a coincidence?
He Rongzheng asked repeatedly, not expecting a truthful answer, it was more like a test, he would investigate further later.
But to his surprise, she answered.
“That day… we went to see them…” Zhao Can said, a bit embarrassed, then she looked up, her gaze firm as she looked at Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao. “We… wanted to see how amazing you were! We also want to be amazing like you! To understand so many things!”
Cheng Tingyan: “…“
Wei Maomao: “…“
He Rongzheng: “…“
Shi Dingshan raised his hand. “May I ask, what kind of things? Like having your acting fees paid directly to you, not your parents? Ah… no wonder it sounded familiar…”
“Mmm, not just that.” Zhao Can said, straightening her back. “I also learned that my sister, she earned money from the show and commercials. Dad and Mom didn’t work, they just accompanied her, they didn’t earn any money! Before, I didn’t want to be on shows or film commercials, they said I was a freeloader, that I didn’t understand their hard work, they lied! The food, clothes, everything I used, it was all my sister’s money, I didn’t have to listen to them, I didn’t owe them anything! My sister provided for me, I just had to take care of her!”
Wei Maomao: “…“ Something felt wrong…
Cheng Tingyan: “…“ But it did sound familiar…
Zhao Can looked at Wei Maomao and said sincerely, “Thank you, for letting me understand who was truly providing for me! And who I should be taking care of!”
Wei Maomao felt a bit dizzy, she said weakly, “You’re… welcome…” Ah, she felt a huge burden falling on her.
Cheng Tingyan pinched the little chubby bunny’s neck and whispered, “Is this the extended version of ‘you’ll earn money and take care of me’ from the show? My little bunny is amazing~~”
The two whispered to each other by the bed, Zhao Tong, who had been silent, gently tugged at Zhao Can’s hand. “No… no need to take care of me…”
“I have to. It’s my turn to take care of you now, you need to rest, I’m here to take you home.” Zhao Can said, ruffling Zhao Tong’s hair, she then looked at Shi Dingshan. “Uncle, is there really a job?”
“Uh… there might be…” Shi Dingshan said, glancing at his phone, which hadn’t received a reply yet. “Well, if… your sister’s current role… Zhao Tong, don’t misunderstand, it’s just…”
“You want my sister to play my role?” Zhao Tong asked, understanding immediately.
“Because your current state… it’s just… not quite suitable for the character… it’s…” Shi Dingshan wanted to go next door and get Fang Keyi, why did he have to deal with this!
“I know, I’m not a good actress.” Zhao Tong said dejectedly, lowering her eyes.
“No, you’re not a bad actress, you’re sick!” Zhao Can said, pulling Zhao Tong, her force making Zhao Tong stumble.
Zhao Tong’s burgeoning depression was interrupted by the physical jolt.
“Sick?” Several people asked simultaneously.
“Mom and Dad said we can’t tell anyone!” Zhao Tong said anxiously, trying to stop Zhao Can.
“Tsk, who cares about them, they’re always acting like they’re so great, and you’re still trying to please them?” Zhao Can said, rolling her eyes at Zhao Tong. “Their daughter is sick, and they won’t even get her treated, what kind of parents are they? And you’re still calling them ‘Dad,’ ‘Mom’… What dad, what mom.”
Zhao Tong: “…”
“It’s a… mental illness, I don’t really understand. Tongtong said the doctor told her to rest, be happy, avoid stress, eat well, exercise… less criticism, more encouragement, and regular checkups.” Zhao Can said, pinching Zhao Tong’s cheek. “Stay away from them, they’re always scolding us. Auntie said if we give her money, she’ll save us, she won’t scold us.”
“Auntie, one person against two…” Zhao Tong whispered. “She can’t win.”
“She can, Auntie said if we give her money, she can fight four people.” Zhao Can said confidently, she looked at Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao.
Every time Zhao Can looked at them, Cheng Tingyan and Wei Maomao felt like they were being called out.
“Our grandparents are useless, thankfully, Auntie is like they said, she’ll do anything for money.” Zhao Can said, her gaze fixed on Cheng Tingyan, a naive smile appearing on her lips. “Thank you, for teaching us how to find someone to save us!”
Cheng Tingyan, shocked by this reversal of roles, said, “… You’re… welcome?”
Wei Maomao poked Cheng Tingyan’s waist and whispered, “It’s your turn this time~~~”
