Although surprised by the strength of the Guardians, Xiao Yufan didn’t dwell on it too much—it felt too distant from him. For now, he decided to focus on uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Guo family and figure out what they were really up to…
An hour later, Wang Wei walked out from the inner hall, his eyes slightly red. Clearly, the old man from the Hidden Wang family had revealed some truths about the past.
“Xiao Wei…”
Seeing the sorrow in Wang Wei’s expression, Wang Changfeng felt a ripple of emotion deep inside, his gaze softening at the sight.
“Was everything the old man said… true?”
Wang Wei’s expression was unusually calm, showing no obvious emotion. But Xiao Yufan and Qinglong both knew that, at this moment, Wang Wei was suppressing his inner feelings, trying his hardest to appear cold and detached.
Even now, he still refused to call him “Grandfather.” It was clear how deep his hatred ran. After enduring so much pain, he had locked his heart away—how could it possibly open so easily?
“If what your grandfather told you was about what happened back then, then it’s probably true. Maybe you see it as just excuses.”
Wang Changfeng gave a bitter, sorrowful smile. After more than a decade of neglecting this child, no matter how many words he spoke, they would only sound like excuses to Wang Wei.
“You’re so full of yourself. Do you really think you can tell me what to believe?”
Memories of his mother’s final, sorrowful days flooded his mind, causing an inexplicable ache in his heart. He truly didn’t want to forgive this man—the one who had taken everything from him. Yet, wasn’t this man also a pitiable soul?
“I know I’m not worthy of being your father, so how could I possibly teach you anything? I just want you to know—it was all my fault from the very beginning. If I hadn’t forced you and your mother out of the Hidden Wang family back then, none of this would have happened!”
His voice grew weaker, every word feeling like an excuse. Wang Changfeng could only shoulder all the blame himself, hoping Wang Wei wouldn’t hold the entire Hidden Wang family responsible. If Wang Wei could eventually take over the Hidden Wang family, he would finally be at peace.
Perhaps only then could he rest easy beneath the earth, by the side of the two women he had loved most in life…
“Are you going to take all the blame? Will that really lighten your sins? Even after you cast out my mother, she never stopped loving you. But you—have you ever softened your heart even a little?”
Tears streamed from Wang Wei’s eyes, though he struggled to contain his emotions. He couldn’t let his final emotional defenses crumble. He still needed to hate this man, to hate the entire Hidden Wang family. But now, he felt lost.
“I know it won’t lighten my sins, but maybe it will bring me some peace inside.”
Surprisingly, Wang Changfeng didn’t argue. He gazed blankly at the empty room, lost in thought. Once, the Hidden Wang family had been so powerful and prosperous. Now, it had fallen into such decay.
“Maybe if you hadn’t come back, I would have passed the leadership of the Hidden Wang family to someone else. Then, I could have gone to be with your mother and aunt in peace…”
At Wang Changfeng’s words, Wang Wei’s body stiffened, his eyes flashing with panic. He sensed a hint of death in his father’s tone.
“If you do that, not only will I never forgive you, but neither will my sister, or even mother and aunt. You’ve always been a man who ran from responsibility!”
His voice rose in a desperate, furious shout. Wang Wei was truly afraid. Even though he hated his father, he knew he still had a father in this world—and a half-sister too. If this man truly gave up on life, he would live the rest of his days in guilt.
“Do you really think I’m not already abandoned by everyone?” Wang Changfeng gave a bitter smile, looking at his son with little expression, though deep in his eyes, a glimmer of emotion flickered.
“No! You still have… your daughter, the entire Hidden Wang family, and the old man still needs your care!”
Originally, Wang Wei had wanted to say, “You still have me,” but the words stuck in his throat. After hearing the truth from the old man, the wounds in his heart were slowly healing, but he still couldn’t forgive this man who had taken everything from him so easily.
“Dad, how could you leave Ling’er behind?!”
At that moment, a graceful figure appeared in the hall. Seeing the gentle, beautiful young woman, both Wang Wei and Wang Changfeng softened their expressions.
Xiao Yufan recognized her identity immediately—she must be Wang Wei’s half-sister. He hadn’t expected Wang Wei to have such a beautiful sister. He guessed that Wang Wei’s “aunt” must also have been a beauty in her time.
At that moment, he couldn’t help but admire this middle-aged man with the scruffy beard. Thinking about it, he looked at the many women in his own life. With their companionship, he truly was luckier than most.
“Ling’er, my sweet girl. When your mother left us, I wanted to give up everything. But you were both still so young back then. That would have been selfish of me. To be honest, I’ve already lived longer than I deserved these past years. I’m truly content.”
Looking at his beloved daughter, Wang Changfeng gently stroked Ling’er’s hair. The only thing that still weighed heavily on his heart was this daughter of his, not yet twenty years old…
“Brother, Father isn’t as heartless as you think. If you talk to him, maybe he won’t be so extreme anymore.”
Ling’er turned her eyes toward Wang Wei, her beautiful gaze misting over. She had met her older brother briefly in the inner hall earlier, and the bond of blood had quickly drawn them close. Now, she could only hope her brother would let go of his hatred, or else her father might truly leave her forever.
She had already lost her mother—she couldn’t bear to lose her father too.
Looking into those tear-filled eyes that tugged at his heart, Wang Wei gave a loving smile. Though their time together had been short, he already felt a deep affection for his little sister. Though his heart was still conflicted, he didn’t want to see her hurt.
“If I agree to the old man’s request and take over the Hidden Wang family, you won’t carry this guilt anymore, and you won’t think about ending your life, right?”
Staring into his father’s lifeless eyes, Wang Wei’s voice slowly broke the silence. On Xiao Yufan’s face, a faint smile appeared. It seemed Wang Wei was finally emerging from his hatred. Otherwise, this time could have become a lifelong regret…
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