Liu Hong took a deep breath upon hearing that Dongfang Xun had broken up with Song Tong.
"What do you think I should do now?" Liu Hong asked Dongfang Mei.
"See him!"
Dongfang Mei said, "If he has truly mended his ways and broken up with Song Tong, we can forgive him. After all, he is the one you raised..."
"That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Liu Hong finished speaking and addressed a servant, "Have Dongfang Xun come in!"
"Yes!"
The servant replied and then left the hall.
Jiang Yi let out a cold laugh, surprised that Dongfang Xun had indeed come.
He thought he could fool Liu Hong and Dongfang Mei, but it wouldn't be that easy.
Jiang Yi was eager to see what tricks he would pull.
"What's wrong?" Dongfang Mei asked Jiang Yi.
"Nothing!"
Jiang Yi smiled slightly, "I was planning to leave first, but now that Dongfang Xun is here, I'm preparing to watch a good show before I go!"
"What good show? Did you know Dongfang Xun was coming today?" Dongfang Mei asked.
"I can't tell you yet. I'll tell you later!" Jiang Yi said.
Hearing this, Dongfang Mei didn't press further.
Dongfang Mei could guess that Jiang Yi must have known something, but he just didn't want to say it yet.
Soon, Dongfang Xun walked in from outside.
When Liu Hong saw Dongfang Xun looking disheveled, pale, and emaciated, she began to feel a pang of concern.
However, as soon as she remembered what Dongfang Xun had done before, Liu Hong's heart was filled with anger.
"Mom, I know I was wrong. I've let you down, and I'm sorry," Dongfang Xun said. He then knelt before Liu Hong and continued, "I've seen Song Tong for who she truly is, and I've broken up with her. From now on, I promise I will have no further dealings with Song Tong!"
"You don't look like you've repented," Liu Hong said flatly.
"Why?" Dongfang Xun asked, confused.
"Someone who has made such a grave mistake would not be like this after repenting," Liu Hong said, looking at Dongfang Xun. "I raised you from childhood, and I know you too well."
"When you lie, you never dare to look me in the eye. You've said so much just now without even glancing at me."
"I don't have the face to see you, that's why I'm like this!" Dongfang Xun replied.
Liu Hong remained silent.
Liu Hong wasn't sure if Dongfang Xun truly regretted his actions.
Dongfang Mei had nearly been killed by Song Tong before, and Liu Hong was now wary of trusting anyone, fearing a repeat of the previous incident.
"Mom, I truly know I was wrong!" Dongfang Xun continued. "Please let me return to the Dongfang family. As long as you let me back in, I'll do whatever you ask."
"To show my sincerity, from now on, I'll guard the gates. I wish to endure hardship, only then can I atone for the guilt in my heart."
Liu Hong was moved by his words.
"Alright! I forgive you!" Liu Hong suddenly said.
Dongfang Xun's face was filled with excitement upon hearing this.
He hadn't expected it to be so easy.
"Get up!" Liu Hong said.
"Okay!" Dongfang Xun immediately stood up from the ground.
Jiang Yi felt something was amiss. Liu Hong was a very intelligent person and wouldn't have believed Dongfang Xun so quickly. There must be something more to this.
"This is not acceptable!" Dongfang Teng spoke to Liu Hong, "Dongfang Xun was rebellious and did so many outrageous things before. Dongfang Mei almost died at Song Tong's hands because of him."
"After knowing this, he didn't blame Song Tong but instead found all sorts of excuses. How could someone like Dongfang Xun repent so quickly? He's definitely lying, and everything he said just now was false. We can't be fooled by him!"
Other members of the Dongfang family also began to advise Liu Hong.
Dongfang Mei remained silent, sensing the problem as well.
"Enough. I've made my decision. Dongfang Xun will remain a member of the Dongfang family!" Liu Hong stated.
Hearing this, the crowd dared not say anything more.
Dongfang Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xiao Mei is about to marry Jiang Yi. After her wedding, I need to select a new family head. Who do you think is fit for the position of family head?" Liu Hong asked Dongfang Xun.
"Of course, it's me!" Dongfang Xun said quickly. "Only I can manage the Dongfang family well; no one else is capable. If I become the head of the Dongfang family, I will definitely lead the Dongfang family to grow and become the true foremost family in the capital."
"Fine, then you shall be the head of the Dongfang family!" Liu Hong said.
Dongfang Xun was stunned!
He hadn't expected it to be so easy.
"By the way, regarding Song Tong, I've thought it through. It's not entirely Song Tong's fault!" Liu Hong took a deep breath. "I know everything that happened to Song Tong's family. They are quite pitiable now. Don't worry, I will help them..."
Dongfang Xun was so happy he didn't know what to say.
"Mom, you finally understand!" Dongfang Xun said with a smile to Liu Hong. "Actually, Song Tong is a very good person. You all misunderstood her before. Since we've come this far, I'll be direct. I haven't broken up with Song Tong. I lied to you before..."
Liu Hong had been testing Dongfang Xun earlier.
Seeing that Liu Hong had agreed to let him return to the Dongfang family, appoint him as the family head, and, more importantly, had forgiven Song Tong, Dongfang Xun became excited and confessed the truth.
At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Dongfang Xun.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Dongfang Xun asked.
"You are too foolish!" Dongfang Mei took a deep breath and said to Dongfang Xun, "Mom was just testing you. I didn't expect you to blurt out the truth directly."
"You were quite intelligent before, but ever since you got together with Song Tong, you've become an utter fool. Calling you a fool is flattering you; you're an imbecile, an incurable imbecile."
Dongfang Xun was stunned!
He hadn't realized that Liu Hong had intentionally been testing him.
"Dongfang Mei, you've gone too far. You actually called me an imbecile..." Dongfang Xun's face turned red with anger.
"Enough!" Liu Hong reprimanded. "Dongfang Xun, you have disappointed me immensely. Not only have you not truly repented, but you've also become worse, deceiving even me. This time, I am utterly disappointed in you. Leave! From today onwards, I never want to see you again!"
"Mom, please let me explain!" Dongfang Xun said hurriedly. "I know what I did was wrong, but I was truly desperate. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come begging you."
"What does your desperation have to do with me?" Liu Hong asked angrily. "I've given you many chances, but how did you act? You treated that venomous woman Song Tong as your everything!"
"You never cared about me or your sister. I raised you, and this is how you treat me. My heart is completely broken by you."