Yu Mengzhi was inwardly resistant to this task.
However, for the sake of the promise she made to Yu Lingxiao, she felt she could try, as Yu Mengzhi genuinely wanted to be with Chen Jin Zhao.
She left the backyard, preparing to meet Chen Jin Zhao tomorrow.
The backyard.
Yu Lingxiao's expression gradually darkened. The promise he just made was merely to get Yu Mengzhi to agree; he had no intention of letting Yu Mengzhi walk down the aisle with Chen Jin Zhao.
Firstly, Chen Jin Zhao held a grudge against the Yu family, and secondly, Qin Fengwu was a more suitable match than Chen Jin Zhao.
As for whether Yu Mengzhi would resent him, did it matter?
Family interests came first!
Speaking of which.
Yu Lingxiao only then realized that it had been a long time since he had seen his third son, Yu Wendong. A while ago, Yu Wendong had mentioned going to Yanjing and had not yet returned.
"This unfilial son! The family is on the verge of collapse, and he's still out indulging himself!" Yu Lingxiao intensely disliked Yu Wendong. Ever since childhood, Yu Wendong had never followed his arrangements, acting like a recluse.
Originally, he had intended to leave some of his fortune to Yu Wendong, but now it seemed unnecessary.
After pacing for a while.
Yu Lingxiao took out his phone and called Tao Zixing, inquiring about Chen Jin Zhao. Tao Zixing asked, confused, "What's wrong with Chen Jin Zhao now?"
"He's obtained crucial evidence against the Yu family." Yu Lingxiao had no choice but to reveal the truth.
Tao Zixing was one of his allies. If the Yu family didn't have a good outcome, the Tao family wouldn't fare much better. Upon hearing this, Tao Zixing frowned. He had long anticipated such a day, but he hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly!
It caught him off guard.
"What's your current plan of action?" Tao Zixing asked.
Yu Lingxiao then explained his thoughts. Tao Zixing nodded after listening, saying, "This approach isn't bad and should yield good results. From what I know, Chen Jin Zhao is a loyal and righteous person, so you don't need to worry too much."
"Do you know him?" Yu Lingxiao asked.
After a long silence, Tao Zixing replied, "I learned about Chen Jin Zhao through connections in the military. The only commendable thing is that he received a first-class merit. I haven't found anything else significant for now."
Yu Lingxiao nodded.
If that were truly the case, there was nothing to be afraid of.
After a brief exchange of opinions, they hung up the phone. Yu Lingxiao's mood improved considerably.
This, however, left Tao Zixing in distress.
No. 7 Recuperation Center.
Tao Zixing stared blankly, muttering, "Has it really come to this so soon? I'm not ready..."
He was well aware of Chen Jin Zhao's background. If Chen Jin Zhao was determined to investigate something, no one could stop his progress.
Of course.
Tao Zixing still had one last option—
To offer his granddaughter to Chen Jin Zhao.
However, Tao Zixing couldn't bring himself to do such a thing. He and Yu Lingxiao were somewhat different.
After much hesitation, Tao Zixing sighed, "Forget it. Let's take it one step at a time. If it really comes to my doorstep, it doesn't matter. As long as Qi Yue can end up with Chen Jin Zhao, that's enough. As for that girl from the Yu family, let's just forget it."
Chen Jin Zhao's influence was enough to support a hundred-year-old family.
Moreover.
If the Tao family were to be ended by Tao Qi Yue's own hands in the end, it would still be better than being ruined by someone else. It could be considered a blessing in disguise.
The long night passed, and the sun rose in the east as usual.
Chen Jin Zhao did not wait for Yu Lingxiao to visit him in person. Instead, he met the person he least wanted to see – Yu Mengzhi. Because Yu Mengzhi's appearance meant she was being used by the Yu family again.
"Can we talk?" Yu Mengzhi's tone was cautious.
She was now asking a favor of Chen Jin Zhao, clearly unable to treat him with the same composure as before.
Chen Jin Zhao nodded. "Ms. Yu, please speak your mind here."
Yu Mengzhi took a deep breath, then smoothed her stray hair, saying, "My grandfather said you possess something of great importance to the Yu family. As long as you agree to give it to me, he will promise not to obstruct us any longer."
Chen Jin Zhao remained silent. His guess had indeed come true.
"Do you know what that thing is?" Chen Jin Zhao stared into Yu Mengzhi's eyes.
Yu Mengzhi felt as if she were being seen through. Her gaze flustered, and she quickly looked away, shaking her head slightly. "No, I don't know what it is. Grandpa also told me not to ask what it is. As long as I can get it, he'll make our union happen."
"Chen Jin Zhao, don't you want to be with me?"
Chen Jin Zhao fell silent again.
Then he sighed, looking into Yu Mengzhi's eyes, and said, "Ms. Yu, I know you are a kind person. You must have guessed what that thing is, but you are unwilling to admit it, right?"
These words hit the mark of Yu Mengzhi's thoughts.
Yu Mengzhi's eyes were vacant, as if her soul had been drained.
She had indeed guessed what the item was, but she preferred to deceive herself and not admit it. As far as she was concerned, what did the Yu family's interests matter? She knew perfectly well that Yu Lingxiao was using her, all for the sake of being with Chen Jin Zhao!
"Alas..."
"Let me take you to see someone. After you meet this person, if you still want that item, I'll give it to you without a second word," Chen Jin Zhao said. Yu Mengzhi looked at him in surprise.
The two drove to Ninghai City Seventh Psychiatric Hospital.
As they got out of the car, Yu Mengzhi hadn't fully recovered her senses. She felt uneasy, not understanding why.
Chen Jin Zhao glanced at Yu Mengzhi. "Don't worry, it's not a big deal."
Yu Mengzhi nodded and closely followed Chen Jin Zhao.
After informing the nurse of their purpose, Chen Jin Zhao also presented relevant identification. The nurse immediately led them to a ward door and specifically cautioned, "The patient's emotions are unstable at the moment. Please do not provoke her. If there is any anomaly, please notify us immediately, and we will handle it promptly."
Chen Jin Zhao nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."
The nurse smiled warmly. "It's no trouble. But you must help the patient; she is quite pitiful."
Chen Jin Zhao nodded again.
He glanced back at Yu Mengzhi before pushing the door open and entering.
Yu Mengzhi calmed her fluttering heart and also walked in. The first thing she saw was a person sitting by the bed, facing away from them, looking out at the scenery outside the window.
It was at this moment.
Her inner unease surged to an extremely intense level.
Wait!
Is that a person?
Yu Mengzhi's pupils slowly narrowed.
Only when she got closer did she realize that the person had all four limbs, but her hands and feet were gone. Furthermore, Yu Mengzhi was shocked by her face; half of the woman's face was disfigured by burns, and it could no longer be described as merely ugly. Seeing this face, Yu Mengzhi's mind went blank, and she instinctively grabbed Chen Jin Zhao's arm.
Who was this woman?
How could she have become like this!
A terrifying thought arose in Yu Mengzhi's mind: could this woman have become this way because of the Yu family?
Subconsciously, she resisted this idea.