Three days later.

On the outskirts of the provincial capital stands a simple yet solemn old house, the ancestral home of the Zhong family, where time has left its deep marks.

At this moment, the old house was shrouded in a heavy sorrow. The mourning hall was set up in the main hall, with white banners hanging low, candlelight flickering, and the air filled with a faint scent of incense and an indescribable grief.

The old man, the pillar of the Zhong family, passed away quietly, leaving behind not only endless longing but also a series of unsolved mysteries and disputes for future generations.

The Zhong family, young and old, came from all corners of the provincial capital. Their faces were streaked with tears, and their eyes shone with remembrance and reluctance for the deceased.

The old man's passing was like a sudden storm, instantly tearing apart this once harmonious family.

Especially when everyone realized that the old man's death was inextricably linked to his eldest son, Zhong Haiming, a complex emotion spread through everyone's hearts.

Zhong Haiming appears glamorous on the outside, but is actually quite cunning.

However, reality is always full of helplessness.

Although everyone knows that Zhong Haiming bears undeniable responsibility for the old man's death, no one dares to speak out at this critical juncture.

The Zhong family has not been as united as it is now in many years, but this unity is not voluntary, but rather out of fear of Zhong Haiming's power.

He not only has extensive connections and resources in the political and business circles, but also has established a tight power network within his family. Anyone who tries to challenge him will be ruthlessly suppressed and excluded.

Therefore, even though they were filled with resentment, everyone could only choose to remain silent and let Zhong Haiming put on a show in front of the mourning hall and continue his outrageous behavior.

Zhong Haiming, dressed in a black suit with a white flower pinned to his chest, stood in the center of the mourning hall, receiving guests who came to pay their respects.

His face bore an expression of utter grief, as if he had truly lost a loved one. Every bow and every handshake seemed so sincere and heavy.

However, only those who truly understand him can catch a glimpse of subtle smugness and cunning in his deep eyes.

For Zhong Haiming, the passing of his grandfather was undoubtedly the opportunity he had been dreaming of. He could finally rightfully take control of the entire Zhong family, seize all the family's resources, and realize his long-held ambition and dream.

The guests expressed their condolences, some sincerely and some perfunctorily, and Zhong Haiming responded to each one with his deep and magnetic voice, which seemed to penetrate people's hearts.

However, every member of the Zhong family present was troubled by the foul stench emanating from him.

Despite his careful selection of a strong perfume in an attempt to mask the nauseating smell of dead fish, the odor was a reflection of his inner self, impossible to completely conceal.

This smell seemed to be the best illustration of his hypocrisy and greed, causing everyone who smelled it to frown and feel even more disgusted with him.

The younger generation of the Zhong family, especially the children who had been bullied and neglected by Zhong Haiming, were filled with resentment towards him.

They watched Zhong Haiming feign tears in front of the mourning hall, their hearts filled with anger and a sense of powerlessness.

They wanted to stand up and expose his true colors, but they backed down whenever they thought about the possible consequences.

In this home, freedom of speech has long been a luxury; they can only silently endure it all, burying their sadness and anger deep in their hearts.

While the older generation of family members were also dissatisfied, they were better at weighing the pros and cons.

They knew that at this critical moment, any internal strife could plunge the Zhong family into utter ruin.

Therefore, they chose to remain silent, using silence to maintain the stability of the family and to protect the innocent children from further harm.

Inside the mourning hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated faces filled with sorrow or helplessness.

Zhong Haiming weaved through the crowd, his figure standing out conspicuously, like an untimely intruder who had disrupted what should have been a tranquil and solemn space.

But no matter how hard he tried to act, he couldn't hide his inner pride and greed.

As the guests gradually left, the atmosphere in the mourning hall became even more somber.

The Zhong family began to quietly prepare for the old man's funeral, their faces filled with exhaustion and sorrow.

Zhong Haiming stood alone in a corner of the mourning hall, gazing at the old man's portrait, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

Things are almost done, and the act is over.

Now it's time to enjoy life.

A paternity test report has also been released.

The assistant brought it over, and Zhong Haiming sat down, making sure to put on his glasses.

The above expert opinion supports that Wu Yali is the child's mother, and that's it.

Shouldn't both parties undergo testing?

However, it seems that paternity testing cannot be done this way. Only when everyone agrees can the test be conducted, which means that there is no verification of one's own sample at all.

No wonder Wu Yali was so certain that the child was hers; the child was indeed hers.

But that doesn't mean it's yours.

If we bring back a dark-skinned child now, what will the Zhong family think?

There are rumors circulating that the child isn't his!

Zhong Haiming was furious. Now he could only secretly get another paternity test done, but judging from everyone's expressions, it seemed the child really didn't know.

Zhong Haiming was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of black blood.

The assistant was terrified when he saw this and quickly helped Zhong Haiming to rest.

However, her eyes also showed disgust, as if she was afraid that Zhong Haiming's venereal disease would infect her.

Everyone knows that Zhong Haiming has a serious illness, and his workplace won't let him go to work anymore; he's been on leave indefinitely.

Now, it smells terrible and is rotting. I don't know how long it can live.

Anyway, now that the old man is dead, it's unlikely that Zhong Haiming will survive either.

The Zhong family wishes Zhong Haiming were dead.

Upon arriving at the lounge, Zhong Haiming made a phone call, requesting to be admitted to the hospital. He said his health was very poor and he had been severely harmed by an incompetent doctor.

What was initially manageable is now difficult to control.

Unfortunately, Zhong Haiming was sent to the same hospital as Wu Yali.

The thought of that bitch made Zhong Haiming furious. Little did he know that Wu Yali had already met with someone else.

My good days are numbered. If I offend too many people, they'll hold a grudge against me.

The Zhong family is no longer the same Zhong family. With the old man gone, it's like half the sky has fallen. Where are the good days to come from?

What follows are going to be some miserable days; the good times are completely over.

Otherwise, Wu Yali wouldn't dare to be so arrogant; she has powerful backers.