"Chu Fu, how did you end up in the hospital?" Chu Ling spoke in an incredulous tone.

As usual, Chu Ling exuded natural elegance which complemented her position as the matriarch of the Zhong Clan. She was dressed in a beautiful maroon dress which accentuated her grace even further while allowing her to maintain the dignity demanded by her position.

Chu Fu looked at his cousin with an aggrieved face. Unfortunately, the effect of an old man with a flabby red face making that type of expression would make one feel like poking their eyes out. However, the graceful Chu Ling did not look disturbed.

"Would I be in the hospital if it was not for that girl?" He huffed.

Chu Ling frowned immediately at the words. She looked at the pitiful man in the hospital bed. When this matter had been reported, there were no clear details on the exact incident.

"What did she do? She did not attack you on the hospital grounds, did she?" She asked.

Chu Fu ears became red. If he had really been attacked by that small girl and ended up in a hospital, he would have probably called to his ancestors to take him to the other side. His dignity would have been crushed into nothing.

"No, it was nothing like that. Actually, she did not do anything to me." He coughed awkwardly.

"Can you speak clearly?" Chu Ling spoke with the authority of a powerful woman.

Chu Fu realised that his cousin was losing her patience. He immediately explained everything, not leaving out a single detail. After all, his mission had been assigned by Chu Ling.

"She did not seem like a bad child. She even tried to warn me about my condition." He spoke in a rueful voice after he finished his story.

If he had not collapsed at the gate, he would have ignored her warning. Who knows what could have happened in the future? Perhaps his condition would have become severe. He did not know how to feel about the entire matter.

Chu Ling felt dissatisfied by her cousin because of his frivolous attitude. Of course, the girl had seemed nice, and she had leveraged her medical knowledge to ingratiate herself. As a woman who had lived in the circle of affluent families since birth, Chu Ling had seen all kinds of schemes. Naturally, she would not trust things on a superficial level.

"I apologise for failing to accomplish the task." Chu Fu spoke, sensing the displeasure from the woman. Even though his impression of Hu Lei had changes, he had still failed.

"Do not think too much about it. Focus on your recovery. Your health is the most important thing."

Chu Ling spoke a few encouraging and admonishing words before leaving the hospital with a frown. In truth, though she looked calm, she felt that her heart was turbulent and stifled. She was confused about her own emotions.

She knew that she was doing the right thing for Feng'er. She could not allow a woman who used him so blatantly to remain at his side. She already treated herself as the young madam of the Zhong family. Even when Feng'er was not around, she came casually to their private hospital. Moreover, she came in his car which she could probably not afford with all her meagre earnings.

However, when she thought of getting rid of Hu Lei, there was a feeling of discomfort in her heart. She was not overly superstitious, but she did not want to attract bad luck by being unjust to someone who had been the benefactor of their family.

She had avoided aggressive methods in approaching the girl for this reason. It would not have been too difficult to find her and deal with her. However, would this not make them worse than dogs? Even though the girl was not right for Feng'er, they had to handle the matter properly.

She had sent Chu Fu on behalf of their family to negotiate. Ideally, Hu Lei would receive a small fortune, and Feng'er would be free. It was a clear and fair deal. Unfortunately, things had not gone as planned.

When she got back home, she found her husband and her daughter battling in a game of chess. She looked at the scene with wistfulness. If only that other child was around… She smiled a little bitterly. He would probably not join them. He had always been a quiet and awkward boy, and he had grown into a reserved and cold man.

"How was it?" Zhong Tian looked up and asked her.

She smiled a little because it was a natural reflex. Since she was a girl, she had always smiled at this husband when she saw him.

"There were complications. Chu Fu is in hospital, and he did not get to speak to the girl." She sighed.

Zhong Tian grunted in understanding while Zhong Mian stiffened marginally.

Chu Ling came closer and sat next to them and observed the game for a while.

"Do you think that we are being unfair to the Hu girl? What if we have misunderstood her?" She had been wondering about this since she had left the hospital.

"The drugging incident could have been an accident. But even if we overlook this matter, what is the explanation for her abandoning our son for three years and appearing out of nowhere like nothing happened? If she had him in her heart, she would never left." Zhong Tian felt that his wife was too soft-hearted.

Zhong Mian felt her heartbeat accelerate and her palms become sweaty. She wanted to speak up for Hu Lei. She really did. After that dinner, she had realised that Hu Lei's disappearance had not been simple. Moreover, she seemed to care deeply for Feng'er. Also, she had understood that nothing would make her brother let go of the girl.

However, her mouth just refused to move. She did not want Hu Lei and Feng'er to break up, but at the same time, she did not want them to be together. Her reason for this unending internal conflict was her boyfriend, Kong Ou.

On one hand, if Hu Lei broke up with Feng'er, Kong Ou might take advantage to woo her. Even though they had discussed that incident as a couple, she could not feel secure. On the other hand, if they stayed together, they would be one big family. How could she be at peace if Hu Lei would be constantly in the presence of her boyfriend?

She tried to open her mouth, but she found herself unable to speak. As a result, the topic was closed once again, and Hu Lei remained as the villainess with her evil clutches in their innocent and guileless Feng'er.