“He Maozhe, huh?” Liu Di’er rubbed her chin. “Looking back now, it seems that person had been scheming for a very long time. So, his targets were Rong Guohai and…” She turned to glance at Shen Mufan, leaving the rest unsaid.
Shen Mufan looked at Xie Jinghong with confusion. “No, Ah Jing, I really don’t know anyone named He Maozhe.”
Xie Jinghong squeezed Shen Mufan’s hand reassuringly. “It’s okay. Maybe it has nothing to do with our Fanfan at all. It could just be He Maozhe stirring up drama on his own. Don’t worry, I’m here. Mwah mwah~”
After being kissed on the cheek by Xie Jinghong, Shen Mufan felt slightly calmer. Meanwhile, Xie Jinghong had already made up his mind to thoroughly investigate this He Maozhe. *Hmph, daring to mess with my Fanfan? Let’s see who comes out on top!*
After learning about these people’s identities, Rong Jiang couldn’t help but laugh. At first, it was a low chuckle, but soon his laughter grew louder, tears even welling up in the corners of his eyes.
Burdened by the painful past of his mother and grandparents, driven by a desperate yet futile desire for revenge against Rong Guohai, deceived and manipulated, carrying the heavy weight of physical and especially emotional suffering—now, at last, Rong Jiang saw a glimmer of hope.
And now, since these people wanted to discuss the “collaboration” He Maozhe had proposed, so be it. As long as Rong Guohai got what he deserved, Rong Jiang didn’t care about anything else! Besides, He Maozhe had ruined him so thoroughly—why should he show any mercy now?
Thus, the group of friends who had originally planned to go karaoke together now sat happily in the hospital room, gossiping and piecing together the puzzle. He Maozhe was indeed a ruthless character—calculating, cruel, and sharp-minded. Instead of targeting Rong Guohai directly, he aimed for Rong Guohai’s weakness: Rong Haisheng.
As for Jiang Meng? While she could also be considered a weakness, the fact that she had managed to keep Rong Guohai tied down for twenty or thirty years proved she was no easy target. Not to mention her later actions against Jiang Yinglu’s family. Jiang Meng was not someone to be trifled with. In comparison, the dim-witted Rong Haisheng was a much easier mark.
Somehow, He Maozhe managed to connect with Jiang Meng, who then groomed him as Rong Haisheng’s right-hand man, akin to a personal aide in ancient times. He Maozhe indeed gained the trust and favor of both Jiang Meng and Rong Haisheng.
Later, He Maozhe manipulated Jiang Meng into orchestrating a relationship between Rong Haisheng and Wu Xinzui—Dong Xin.
Rong Haisheng and Dong Xin had met as children, shortly after Rong Haisheng was recognized by the Rong family. Under Jiang Meng’s constant coaching, Rong Haisheng became obsessed with his image and social standing, seizing every opportunity to befriend young heirs and heiresses from influential families. Dong Xin was one of the “fish” he reeled in.
At first, Dong Xin had no romantic feelings for Rong Haisheng—it was purely friendship. But gradually, through Jiang Meng and He Maozhe’s subtle manipulations and careful image-building, Dong Xin eventually fell for Rong Haisheng, the scumbag.
Rong Guohai’s legitimate son, raised by his mother—Rong Guohai’s lawfully wedded wife—was serious about relationships, never dabbling in affairs. His business acumen, insight, and social skills were impeccable, making him an outstanding heir.
With good looks, capability, and a solid background as the legitimate son, many sought to marry into the Rong family through him. But under his mother’s influence, he remained untouchable, maintaining his integrity.
Rong Haisheng, however, was different. Though a bastard, he had a formidable mother. Jiang Meng was Rong Guohai’s true love, and as their child, Rong Haisheng was naturally doted on.
Where Rong Guohai differed from his father was in his lack of conviction. His father had been adamant that only his legitimate children—born of his lawful wife—could inherit everything.
As for other illegitimate children? Whatever he gave their mothers during their relationships was considered their inheritance. In short, the Rong family’s heir and leader had to be a legitimate child, born of both the Rong family and another distinguished lineage.
Rong Guohai, however, had no such reservations. Forced into marriage by his father, he dared not resent his father, so he directed all his bitterness toward his wife. Combined with his philandering nature, their marital relationship was far from harmonious.
Consequently, Rong Guohai wasn’t particularly fond of his legitimate son either. Though their relationship was strained, they maintained a facade of civility, so he never considered revoking his son’s inheritance rights.
But over time, as Rong Haisheng—thanks to Jiang Meng and He Maozhe’s scheming—grew closer to Dong Xin, Rong Guohai’s favor increasingly shifted toward Jiang Meng and Rong Haisheng. With Rong Guohai’s support, Rong Haisheng began challenging his legitimate half-brother.
Unfortunately, Dong Xin, who wholeheartedly cared for Rong Haisheng, never realized his affection was purely for her background and status. Their desires were fundamentally misaligned.
Unlike his chaste half-brother, Rong Haisheng fully inherited Rong Guohai’s promiscuity. Behind Dong Xin’s—and even the Dong family’s—back, he played the field extensively.
Only because of Dong Xin’s special status, and under constant reminders from his mother and He Maozhe, did Rong Haisheng refrain from treating her as just another conquest. He strung her along but never crossed certain lines.
Had he truly ensnared her, Dong Xin’s life would have been ruined. Rong Haisheng, Jiang Meng, and He Maozhe were not known for their mercy.
Eventually, realizing Dong Xin’s ideals didn’t align with theirs, they began plotting to cut ties with her to avoid future complications. Thus, in *Xia Xing Tian Xia*, the breakup between Yi Jian Hanguang and Wu Xinzui unfolded.
Rong Jiang’s existence, meanwhile, was a pawn He Maozhe created to control Rong Haisheng. For both Rong Guohai and Jiang Meng, Rong Haisheng was a leverage point.
Though there was little familial affection between them, Jiang Meng needed Rong Haisheng. She was no longer young—without him, she might never have another son. Without a son, she’d lose to Rong Guohai’s wife and legitimate heir. After decades of scheming, how could she accept defeat?
As for Rong Guohai, Jiang Meng knew exactly how to manipulate him. Controlling Jiang Meng meant controlling Rong Guohai.
Thus, even in their partnership, He Maozhe—distrustful of Jiang Meng—planted Rong Jiang as a safeguard. Hence, in *Xia Xing Tian Xia*, Yi Jian Hanguang and Yao Yao’s sweet, loving relationship bloomed.
Speaking of Yi Jian Hanguang, Rong Jiang had plenty of grievances to vent: “Rong Haisheng is such a dumb*ss! Talking to that idiot feels like my IQ is under constant attack! He’s just a *beep—beep—beep—*!!!”
Listening to Rong Jiang’s string of *beeps*, Shen Mufan and Xie Jinghong’s expressions turned slightly odd. In-game, Yao Yao was gentle, kind, obedient, and refined—every word and gesture exuded elegance. Yet here was this rough-around-the-edges guy, cursing up a storm behind a pretty face.
*Ah, the internet—you never really know who’s on the other side.*
“Oh, right,” Rong Jiang suddenly remembered something, his face lighting up with schadenfreude. “The vice-leader of *Han Mang*, Yi Jian Hanguang’s right-hand man, Gu Huo Zhongsheng, is actually He Maozhe. Rong Haisheng has long been He Maozhe’s puppet, dancing on his strings. Too bad Rong Haisheng’s too arrogant to see the truth.”
“Now, without Dong Xin’s unwavering support and with Jiang Meng under He Maozhe’s thumb, Rong Haisheng has no choice but to obediently serve as He Maozhe’s pawn!”
Though Rong Jiang’s standing with He Maozhe might not be much higher—or even lower—than Rong Haisheng’s, the thought of that misogynistic, egotistical jerk’s predicament filled him with glee.
As they chatted, Xie Jinghong’s investigation into He Maozhe yielded some preliminary results.
Though the information was sparse, what he found made his brow furrow with concern as he glanced at Shen Mufan.
Xie Jinghong never expected He Maozhe to have such a… *tangled* history with Shen Mufan. He opened his mouth several times but couldn’t bring himself to speak. His Fanfan had only just begun to move past the past—what if this was too much for him?
This was his beloved Fanfan, the one he cherished above all else. How could anyone dare hurt him? Xie Jinghong couldn’t bear the thought.
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