Blazing Armor

He Xiuyu was taken away.hUPWINcQqYreYCkknxJzgQDjjZNtfM

At this moment, both the interrogator and the interrogated were nearing their limits; if this continued, Gong Yingxian was worried she would reveal a flaw first.LuEVEfAbqGHezfOsKAlzNIPfVbhIVC

Qiu Yan looked at the pale-faced Gong Yingxian and patted her shoulder: “I’ll go have a cup of tea first. You should rest a bit too. I’ll turn off the surveillance. Also, do you want to see her now? Let me know.” She knew who could comfort Gong Yingxian at this moment, so she wanted to give her some space.VrubIcCqFAohzHqWZOIFrykoDRTMhK

After Qiu Yan left.KFbwChAuXmUkFIWzdiOZPyqxQvWKto

Gong Yingxian covered her eyes and forehead with one hand, slowly regulating her breathing.AOApfChfKMlOqqpUrznBZXreSArbUY

Ren Yi was still in shock, murmuring, “Why… how could this happen…”QPKIhXssvYMwRwJziiKNFBWjbILmzl

“Why… what else could it be?”jLGMhsPwLCDotjoAzXORRmZTjUoqim

Selfishness, desire, hatred, interests, the demon tempting mortals with its poppy fruit.ooLIRBvEvisehhJcJcjImFTXBmywfD

“So Yue Xingu, was he instructed?”zxqNvgYBxdSNPHrSLuccuZcTntgZBw

“At the time of the incident, my aunt was pregnant. I vaguely remember this, but later it was said that due to family changes and overwork, she had a miscarriage.” Gong Yingxian said softly, “I guess Yue Xingu never knew until he died that the child wasn’t miscarried but was born, and it wasn’t even his child.”wulaQbVnArzZUFMFhliIiXGknkbLkt

Ren Yi felt a chill.rHAyGlSCroIgfuSSSQqPIycSRMKoRB

Although Yue Xingu also worked at Baosheng Group, his authority was limited, and he couldn’t influence the bidding results. But Gong Mingqing was different; she was the chairman’s sister. Perhaps Yue Xingu benefited from the bribery in the bidding, perhaps he knew he and Gong Mingqing were in a mutually beneficial relationship. Maybe he was unaware before, but with his wife pregnant, he had no choice but to protect his family.yrlMfjXMWDxKiXPkfAPlbCzNrJazim

In any case, he became an accomplice.NlqPCuGoqlaxzRJEtyiFAhtPrbwgTQ

And until his death, for the sake of Gong Feilan, he never revealed the identity of his daughter’s mother.LIwVPLeDZDpMRVbDvjIAzaYJuBbWqm

“But what about Feilan? How could she allow He Xiuyu to harm Feilan?”CCWmkhjxJVqTBfsBEVmLVvrWoboKTY

“I think she lost control of He Xiuyu long ago. Did you see the hatred He Xiuyu has for me? Wouldn’t he hate Feilan even more?”FNGRDCdNKVSXItYSZHgTwIdocbeSrW

Ren Yi fell silent.nZOCtOjkgQDwEVDQninpEXEhbaxnSz

From the same source, one was a lonely illegitimate child, committing arson and crimes, while the other was a beloved little princess, innocent and pure, with a bright future ahead.qlkwDykAFAATMrLWQKZiyrXIobDPec

“…Is there really someone so malicious?” Ren Yi looked at the trembling eyelashes of Gong Yingxian, beneath which were eyes desperately hiding pain, and his heart ached for her. Gong Yingxian had pursued the truth for nineteen years, only to have it laid out before her in the most cruel way: her own aunt was the murderer who destroyed her entire family, and the only two remaining relatives over the years were secretly plotting against her.WqHiXgoTPXyssqHHCKjkKsgDdxlagN

Why did all these cruel things have to happen to Gong Yingxian?LvGdvbHPwmiPBCLpXnsKKmhfuQENgu

Is there justice in this world? Is there a god?yYQungUoAGCXvzDnRFLUlKunXnzIOc

Gong Yingxian felt numb from the pain and softly said, “There is.” She turned her head and held Ren Yi’s hand, even managing a smile, “I’m already mentally prepared. I’m more worried about Feilan; I don’t know how to explain this to her.”KSwmNBlbFpXqTbUkatmGXgpeNKEjmQ

Thinking of Feilan made Ren Yi’s heart even more bitter.lZJeCcfEPySqpKowJegAuOnfUvHjbF

Ren Yi caressed Gong Yingxian’s face, his eyes red, and said hoarsely, “Yingxian, you’re not alone in this. You have me, you know?”HBxZrghOqoLFMrpVamnlLBDETPTTNU

Gong Yingxian nodded, “Of course I know. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.” Without Ren Yi, she would either be dead or have collapsed.zeunAGNCAeowsiDtjuKGFVzmTaaqTL

Ren Yi closed his eyes, “So do you want to see her?” What would that scene be like? Just thinking about it made Ren Yi’s heart ache.ptKvkKllbqwrDDYHtQpHXFNfkzVwII

“Yes, I’ve waited so long. What reason do I have to back down now?” Gong Yingxian’s tone was calm, but the hand gripping Ren Yi’s was slowly tightening. “After she threatened you in the hospital, she immediately ran back to the United States and hasn’t returned since. So we can’t act rashly; we can’t let her know we suspect her, not even a little, otherwise we won’t be able to catch her. This time, we finally found a chance to trick her back.”MMYzArEQsAejGEJpXdrilyoayBYFuC

Ren Yi was taken aback.fkhonKULIhtzSVSLooddYCxOQOaYtg

Gong Yingxian quickly reacted and explained, “My illness isn’t fake!”RIvqewbwjoPYLJtUhnmDuVfpemWAsm

“I…” Ren Yi breathed a sigh of relief. He wanted to say he hadn’t doubted her, but in that moment, he did have questions in his heart. He didn’t want to lie, so he could only speak the truth, “I actually hope you were faking it this time.”bOCPAtGaJLrqEpqwEjcNLWWxZVUkpY

“It’s not.” Gong Yingxian gently stroked his palm, “I told you I wouldn’t lie to you again. I used to be too self-righteous, thinking that as long as I had a legitimate reason, I could make choices with the least sacrifice and the greatest benefit. I didn’t consider emotions, and I won’t make that mistake again. On the day of the fire at the nursing home, we were secretly searching one of her residences, very close to the old captain’s place, so we could get there the fastest. Before I went in, I knew I probably wouldn’t come out safely, but whether I lived or died, I had a reason to make her return to the country.”kPJNvwxpCUWghXuDlRurgAGfdzeCsK

Gong Yingxian had charged into the fire with a resolute heart, and no matter how many times Ren Yi recalled it, he still felt pain. He embraced Gong Yingxian but didn’t say a word.kfhOHkyFgdqXqnqyDrHWVkTGYQRntn

Gong Yingxian also sensed Ren Yi’s turbulent heart. She ran her hand along Ren Yi’s back and spoke in a weary yet clear tone, “I once thought I would be impulsive, crazy, and furious, after all, I’ve waited nineteen years for this truth, but now I just feel tired. I want it to end.” By the end, her voice carried a hint of sobbing, “I really just want it to end.”wZFgbJAhDoiDQXzQfcvGGYdgMSSYCW

This long nightmare, let him wake up from it; this burden he had carried for nineteen years, let him be free from it; this path of suffering he had walked for most of his life, let it come to an end.PKLpvobsqZrkOuQWfRpncCFCCYUxuO

Ren Yi held her tightly, gently comforting her, “It’s about to end, it’s about to end.”uiKmtHQCiknaXbajTesKftdlrNDRNM

“Stay with me to face her.”fdShAUTSmeZxgbyvOahpodCujdgIFU

—-fQXekSkLmfSWkwyMIuffbxfbHRAvFZ

Gong Yingxian didn’t need to say it; even Ren Yi had imagined countless times what kind of person it would be when they caught the true culprit behind the Gong family arson case, what kind of scene it would be.KbzJXKyTzJvHYOOxoQemckHHZrlLng

Now, this absurd plot seemed almost unreal.StZHDCHfjlIuoNqZuQNhSyifWAnpnz

The chairman of Baosheng Group, Gong Yingxian’s own aunt, Gong Mingqing, was now walking in with shackles, taking slow steps.gDsQPEuDIGDuSeGdyrFSQntfqOrvlO

It was Ren Yi’s first time seeing this woman. She was tall and slender, with striking features, her demeanor somewhat stern and aloof. He recognized those eyes at a glance, filled with wisdom, contemplation, sorrow, and indifference; they were eyes that hid too many stories.NeORpMppPMLdllmlspTIWaTgNgTrpC

The moment Gong Mingqing saw Gong Yingxian, her eyes turned red. She sat down across from them, looking haggard and pale.vIRXkCzNgRMIrNuSBVvTqtISTREWcO

For a moment, no one spoke.xqiXdnjIKzIDVktPfuSpbeiRHXlVdZ

After a long while, Gong Mingqing said, “Yingxian, can we talk privately?”PuHjXiUeuUFMbjAQmMPwUbPyYMSEQn

Gong Yingxian replied, “He needs to be here.” She needed the strength Ren Yi provided.QTRwaJfhuAqXmKNZbhKiaxUmalBoPc

Gong Mingqing was silent for a moment: “Could you please not tell Feilan for now? She just arrived in the United States and has just started to feel a bit happy.”FhlKnOKrmLEHkkIhpbrpCmhoENjynV

“I’ll find a way to handle it.” Gong Yingxian’s face was like a mask of ice, showing no cracks of emotion.lwwLlpUawsbHGIgocHVUrTFqiZvKHu

Gong Mingqing’s eyes turned red: “I’m sorry.”JOtcquoEyqwZdmlmPfjPhCEitWlmRA

Ren Yi felt a wave of nausea.pjyopQBsVxaxHunnsqYBnTwveVbejF

“Aunt.” Gong Yingxian looked at the woman across from her with her dim gray eyes, “You’ve deceived me for nineteen years. Now, starting from this moment, even for Feilan’s sake, tell the truth. There’s no point in lying anymore.”xbNYXuJDeHmbZOEzoMWHgyFfXkHLUm

Gong Mingqing’s tears streamed down her face, her lips trembling: “That year, I learned the bid price through Yue Xingu and leaked it to the son of the then mayor. That person has already retired, but you should know who it is.” She mentioned a name.uWLXoJbLSjOuikMClIsFTnSJjtnWUK

Ren Yi’s expression changed; no wonder this case had to be reopened, facing heavy resistance.gKtvepESzCTYKxHSitHkQpGmWnZeTM

“I took a two million kickback. But actually, I didn’t do it for the money; I just wanted to please him.” Gong Mingqing said, “My dad, your grandfather, had very conservative views. I’ve listened to him my whole life, studying hard, going to the school he wanted me to go to, doing the job he wanted me to do, even marrying someone I didn’t like but he wanted me to marry.” She revealed a bitter smile, “But no matter how well I did, in his heart, I could never compare to your father.”pWlLyIkMCgNRszDkEiOEfgjAFMEYDP

“I didn’t leak the bid for money; I just wanted better connections to achieve better results for the group, to let him know I wasn’t inferior to my brother.” Gong Mingqing took a deep breath, “But I didn’t expect that batch of materials had problems, leading to… such a huge accident.”BNNqGMZfpbXMxRbPLoBQAawUpoabDJ

Ren Yi felt a pain in his chest; that accident destroyed countless families and almost destroyed his own. Just a little more, and his father would have been among those at the collective funeral he attended.ulwYWlgSntsRllrUDaIGqNudEzFKln

Gong Mingqing’s shoulders trembled lightly, her lips turning white with no color: “At that time, I was really scared. I was just in my early twenties. If I got caught, I would spend my life in prison. Yue Xingu didn’t know I leaked the bid; he was planning to cooperate with the investigation. I had no choice; I confessed to him, threatening him that if the police found out, he would be guilty too, and at that time, I was pregnant… So in the end, he agreed to help me.”uPonwetWIVkOmeQSupOZRTFuXfHmNI

“Whose child is it?” Gong Yingxian finally spoke.gxXkNlGEQSzuRUfsaBdgUrUidusqnq

Gong Mingqing stared blankly at her handcuffed hands, not saying a word.sNnlpKRfgJRqVujOtqlbyIfWodJBdQ

“You know it can ultimately be found out; there’s no need to hide it.” Gong Yingxian asked, “Is it that winning bidder?”MnMthwLxupOpdnXnLcphzDaiWYFrcq

Gong Mingqing bit her lip gently to stop her tears from falling and nodded: “He couldn’t bear the cost of being found out, so we tried everything to cover up the truth. But that batch of materials had problems, and it was only a matter of time before it would come back to us.”vVFpRwESaFDFUdMDWUTPUmpxOcCHXk

Gong Yingxian said softly, “So you wanted to kill to silence, frame and blame.”yTuPmcTuHmuoDpjmSopPKfxtFVakUh

Gong Mingqing’s tears streamed down: “I… I really… I didn’t want to hurt you, I…”qeQxlZYbJiQLmJlTxciiCURyofPSEy

Ren Yi clenched his fist, filled with extreme hatred for her.uDToumMCGzNsViLgZKRmxwwPZcOjXG

“That person suggested having your dad take the blame… commit suicide out of fear of punishment, then intervene in the investigation to end this matter.” Gong Mingqing seemed to use all her strength to continue speaking, “Every day, I wanted to die, but every day, I also wanted to live. I didn’t want to go to prison; I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in jail. I couldn’t bear to think of my dad’s hateful gaze, nor could I bear to think of the hundreds of families destroyed in the explosion. I had a child…” Gong Mingqing sobbed uncontrollably, nearly speechless.dFFCaPSYwMBeYsRqucyqSwvaVEMSTo

The two waited in silence, their hearts aching.MbEAblysFcCrRbMJTTPCkDsndyUDjs

“In He Xiuyu’s mouth, his mother is the mastermind behind everything, the evil mastermind behind it all. But in Gong Mingqing’s words, everything is completely the opposite.RjpzoePbpEVJwxetOTLPNEqLQjHJtL

Who should they believe?zFQXQbsTiOBgdygFzDhKvmEKCMEIJS

Such a beautiful exterior, such a privileged background, yet inside dwells a demon.nujmIAMqWteoubUSjEFygWmUNQPTVv