Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Resentment, Never Forgive

"Things are pretty good." Xia Yingyu’s voice was choked with emotion. "Since I had Zhao Yu, Wang Lianhua hasn’t dared to talk to me like she used to. Zhao Huilan is married and doesn’t live at home anymore, so Wang Lianhua can’t stir up much trouble. As for Zhao Jinghai... he might be ruthless with others, but he has some genuine feelings for me, and he’s even better to Zhao Yu."

"That’s good." Zhao Nuanyue could tell from her mother’s words that she was doing well—or at least, that she was very satisfied with her current life.

That was a relief. At least Zhao Nuanyue wouldn’t have to worry about her delicate mother anymore.

"I came this time for two reasons. One is to see you and Nuanyang, and the other is to say goodbye. Your stepfather is about to be transferred to a factory in the Northeast, so we’re leaving Jincheng City," Xia Yingyu said slowly. ’Her son and daughter are grown up now. They have their own lives and can support themselves, so I can finally rest easy.’ "Wang Lianhua wasn’t planning on leaving, but I didn’t want to leave her behind to come and cause trouble for you every other day."

That her mother would do this much was enough for Zhao Nuanyue. She couldn’t ask for more.

"Thank you, Mom," Zhao Nuanyue replied, completely puzzled by Zhao Jinghai’s sudden transfer out of Jincheng City.

Logically, Guo Dongmei had transferred Zhao Jinghai’s family here specifically to cause her trouble. ’They haven’t even started, and now they’re retreating.’

’Something isn’t right,’ Zhao Nuanyue thought, sensing that the situation was strange.

Just then, Zhao Nuanyang’s angry shout came from the doorway. "What are you doing here? Stay away from my home!"

Although Zhao Nuanyang had fully recovered, the sight of the man he hated made the anger in his heart impossible to suppress.

Seeing Zhao Nuanyang’s reaction, Zhao Jinghai grew furious himself. ’I didn’t want to come here,’ he thought. ’But my wife and son came, and I was terrified Xia Yingyu wouldn’t be willing to move with me to the bitter cold of the Northeast.’

"Nuanyang, I know I was wrong about what happened back then, and I’ve been trying to atone for it all these years," Zhao Jinghai explained. "For your mother’s sake, just forgive me."

"Never," Zhao Nuanyang refused flatly. "My mother is my mother, not you. I won’t forgive you. Get out."

Just then, Zhao Nuanyue and Xia Yingyu emerged from the back door.

"Jinghai, since the children won’t forgive you, you shouldn’t come in," Xia Yingyu said directly. She owed her children too much and didn’t want to make things difficult for them now. "I’ve already said what I needed to. Wait for me outside. I’ll say a few more words to Nuanyang, then I’ll take Zhao Yu and go back with you."

Hearing Xia Yingyu say she would go back with him, Zhao Jinghai let out a long sigh of relief.

’In truth, this is a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune.’

Zhao Jinghai looked at Zhao Nuanyue, then gathered his courage and said, "Nuanyue, let your mother talk with your brother. I have something I need to say to you."

"Sister, don’t! He’s a bad man," Zhao Nuanyang quickly interjected. He didn’t want his sister to talk to Zhao Jinghai, worried that he might try to harm her.

Zhao Nuanyue smiled and pointed to the two bodyguards not far away. "Look, those two men are still over there. There’s nothing to be afraid of."

’In truth, Zhao Nuanyue also wanted to know what on earth Zhao Jinghai wanted to say to her!’

"But..." Zhao Nuanyang hesitated, glancing from his sister to Zhao Jinghai.

Seeing how protective her son was of his sister, Xia Yingyu gently soothed him. "Nuanyang, Mom is here. Your stepfather wouldn’t dare bully your sister. He really does have something important to say to her. Besides, we haven’t seen each other in so long, and I have things I want to say to you. Oh, right, your little brother is in the back playing with Little Red Carp. I’ll introduce you two."

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyang finally nodded and urged, "Sister, make it quick."

Now, only Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Jinghai, and the bodyguards in the distance remained in the courtyard, aside from the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper saw it was Zhao Nuanyue’s family business and didn’t want to get involved, so he stayed inside the guardhouse.

Xia Yingyu led Zhao Nuanyang to the backyard, and only then did Zhao Nuanyue turn to face Zhao Jinghai. "If you have something to say, say it."

Zhao Nuanyue’s attitude was frigid. Zhao Jinghai was furious inside, but he put on an unbothered expression and said with a chuckle, "Ah, Nuanyue, congratulations on your engagement, and to the Hua family, no less. About the past, I know I was wrong, and I apologize to you again. But you’ve seen for yourself—your mother and your brother are your family. If we stay at a standstill like this, the one who suffers the most is your mother. You have no idea how much your mother worried about you when you weren’t around."

"I believe that Mother worries about us. But as for your apology, I don’t accept it, and I will never forgive you. It’s just as I’ve said before: as long as you treat my mother and your son well, that’s enough. After all, that’s the woman and son you love. If you can’t protect and care for them, I will take them away. And you know I have the power to do that now." Zhao Nuanyue’s face was devoid of expression. She would never forgive this stepfather, no matter how much she achieved in life. "I hate you, and I know you hate us, too. So let me make this clear once more: don’t ever talk to me about forgiveness again. You don’t need to apologize."

Zhao Nuanyue’s words left Zhao Jinghai choked and speechless.

They despised each other, loathing the very sight of one another, yet they were forced to compromise and tolerate each other because of Xia Yingyu.

"Fine. Consider what I just said insincere and unnecessary." This Zhao Jinghai was quite a character. Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t buying his act, he immediately dropped the humble expression. "I do have something to tell you. Do you know who had me transferred back here? And who had me transferred away?"

Zhao Nuanyue was taken aback. She had guessed that Zhao Jinghai’s transfer back had been Guo Dongmei’s doing. ’But as for being transferred to a factory in the Northeast—who could be behind that?’

Suddenly, an image of Hua Yusen flashed in her mind. She remembered him telling her that day that he would protect her and help her clean up all the messy business.

"Guo Dongmei of the Guo Family brought you to Jincheng City, and I’m guessing my fiancé, Hua Yusen, is the one who had you transferred out," Zhao Nuanyue speculated, then looked at Zhao Jinghai, waiting to hear his version of events.

Zhao Jinghai was stunned. He’d figured she would guess Hua Yusen—after all, his mother’s appearance had made Zhao Nuanyue uncomfortable, so it was only natural for Hua Yusen to step in—but he hadn’t expected her to figure out the Guo Family’s involvement as well.

As for whether it was specifically Guo Dongmei, Zhao Jinghai didn’t know, but he was certain the Guo Family was behind it.

He had just started his work here and gotten things on track when he received the transfer order from his superiors, sending him to the factory in the Northeast. Around that time, his mother started badmouthing Zhao Nuanyue to him again, which made him realize the Hua family had probably made a move.

He had gone to see the Guo Family, but they had steered clear of him, refusing to meet and leaving him to fend for himself. It was obvious they didn’t want to offend the Hua family on his account.

"You knew it was the Guo Family?" Zhao Jinghai asked. "How did you know?"

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