"Are you talking about Chef Song, who owns several restaurants in City C?"
"Yes, Mom."
Yu Peiyan squinted at Song Xia; she had truly underestimated this person.
He then gritted his teeth in anger. How did that assistant even conduct the investigation? How could she not know such important information!
"It's just a few barbecue restaurants, nothing special."
She stubbornly insisted, but actually clenched her fist, because she had overheard her business partner mentioning Song Chu at a business gathering. She said that although Song Chu was a restaurant owner, his annual cash flow was not much less than that of those who ran companies.
Moreover, such popular restaurants are very profitable, and their annual net income may even be more than theirs. Just look at the bracelet and pendant that Song Xia is wearing; with such quality and color, you couldn't get one for less than eight figures.
She took a deep breath, unwilling to show her shock, and still scoffed, "No matter how much money you earn, it can't compare to a small share of our Cheng family. What's there to be proud of? Wealth acquired by chance, be careful you don't lose control of it."
“My mother built her business from scratch and achieved what she has today. Can you do that? You’re so arrogant and look down on people. What about the Cheng family? It’s still declining and they need to rely on the marriage alliance with Zhili to maintain cooperation.” Song Wenwen was not willing to give her any face and retorted without any mercy.
“My mother never asked for or used my happiness and freedom to sacrifice for the family business, so now you know how despicable you are. Zhili is completely at a disadvantage living with you. She can clearly be herself instead of being forced by you to repay her kindness.”
Zhili stood there blankly, is that right?
Could she have lived a free and carefree life like Wenwen? Could she have spoken her mind as freely as Wenwen?
Could she have avoided feeling guilty and remorseful, and not had to repay her parents for the hardships they endured in raising her?
Could she have simply taken for granted the resources available for her growth?
At this moment, she felt extremely lost and jealous of Wenwen. Wenwen's carefree life should have been hers!
But seeing Wenwen standing up for her and seeing Aunt Song's distressed eyes, she felt that her thoughts were wrong. How could she be so dark?
Living at home is often tiring, but I have to admit that my mother has put in a lot of effort to raise me. From my mother's perspective, I can't say that my mother is wrong. My mother was doing it for the good of the family. She chose the Ji family and Ji Yunyang for me. In City C, I can say that I am marrying above my station.
And the fact that she and Wenwen were switched was not Wenwen's fault, so how could she blame Wenwen for stealing her life?
Thinking about it, I'm actually a little relieved. If Wenwen had lived the life I did, I don't know if she would have collapsed. At least I persevered!
Touched on her most sensitive feelings, Yu Peiyan's face flushed red and then turned pale again. She tried to loudly protest her innocence: "What do you know? What's wrong with the Ji family? Besides, Zhili agreed to all of this herself."
"How old is she? Did you give her a choice? She's never even been in a relationship, and she's already engaged. Otherwise, we should have the media release this and let the public judge the situation. No matter how good it is for her own good, she's only fifteen. Is this a feudal society? A fifteen-year-old has to be engaged for life?"
Song Xia looked at Yu Peiyan with a sharp gaze: "If Zhili were twenty-five years old now, I wouldn't interfere with your actions, but as things are now, I certainly won't let it go unchecked."
"What right do you have to interfere? I raised Zhili myself, I raised her to be the way she is now, she is a member of the Cheng family!" It has to be said that Yu Peiyan was still a little flustered. After all, Zhili was indeed too young, and she had no grounds for complaint. If Song Xia exposed this, what would become of her and the Cheng family's reputation?
"I don't want to admit it anymore, Zhili, let's go."
Song Xia stood still and said calmly, "The police have already opened a case, Yu Peiyan. You can't just say that this matter is over like this."
Indeed, according to the case details, she was also a victim back then. If the switching of the children was not a mistake by the hospital, then there must be other perpetrators. After the case was filed, the police will investigate thoroughly.
She said to the police, "I suggest you investigate the grudges of the Cheng family back then. It's normal for the Cheng family to have some rivals because they didn't do business ethically."
The police officers exchanged glances. This was indeed a new approach to the investigation. But would a business rival retaliate in this way?
However, the investigation proved that this was indeed possible. They quickly found in the hospital's documents that someone with a grudge against the Cheng family was hospitalized on the same floor that year. They also found that the cleaning lady who cleaned the corridor at the time saw the woman holding a child. However, the woman was clearly there for an abortion, so she could not have had a newborn child at that time.
"I remember it very clearly. The woman looked flustered, as if she was afraid of being seen. I even asked her a question, but she didn't answer me. She just bumped into me and left. I thought she was a human trafficker!"
The police officer, barely containing his anger, asked, "Why didn't you call the police or report it to the hospital at the time?"
The old woman flinched: "I saw her enter the ward and then I didn't pay attention. I thought if she were a human trafficker, she would definitely be in a hurry to leave."
The truth is now basically out, and the police did not expect the case to progress so smoothly. The most important thing now is to find the woman from back then and bring her back for questioning.
When the progress of the case was communicated to both parties, Song Wenwen was triumphant: "They even said that you, Mom, were greedy for the Cheng family's wealth and that's how it turned out to be their fault. It's laughable. They dared to be so sure that they were framing you, Mom. Just because they have a little money, they think everyone is after their family. It's ridiculous."
Song Xia shook her head: "The Cheng family couple is indeed absurd. It's pathetic that they've been so preoccupied with their lives. If they had put all their energy into managing the Cheng family business, they wouldn't have gradually lost power."
"It's so pitiful for Zhili to grow up in that kind of environment. Mom, let's find a way to bring Zhili back."
Song Xia ruffled her hair: "Aren't you afraid that after Zhili comes back, Mom will start spoiling her?"
Wenwen snuggled in her arms and said coquettishly, "Mom wouldn't do that. And even if Mom loves Zhili, it's only right. Zhili has suffered so much before. The Cheng family couple didn't raise a child, they raised animals. Their so-called careful nurturing was just to sell her for a good price when she grew up. Zhili is also so clueless. Even after all this, she still thinks about repaying the Cheng family's kindness."
"Then I'll listen to you. First, let's find a way to get Zhili out of the Cheng family's control. Mom recently bought some more shares in Cheng's. With the current shareholding, Mom will be able to attend the shareholders' meeting next month."
Wenwen smiled smugly: "Their expressions will be priceless then."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
