Chapter 1252: Chapter 1252: A Family’s Bittersweet Pain

Jian Tao froze. She had never imagined that the gentle elder Zhao Zhongtian in her heart would be so contemptible in Zhao Feipeng’s eyes. But thinking it over carefully, what Zhao Feipeng said wasn’t without reason.

How could someone who was addicted to gambling, who played the stock market like a madman, possibly be a gentle person?

And how could such a person stay indifferent when mocked and looked down on by others?

If you really trace it back like this, then how deeply Zhao Zhongtian must have been hiding himself.

If not for this whole speech from Zhao Feipeng, Jian Tao wouldn’t even have dared to imagine that Zhao Zhongtian could be under such heavy suspicion.

Did Zhao Zhongtian have a motive?

Of course he did. If he plotted against Zhao Hai and left Zhao Feipeng without an heir, wouldn’t the Zhao Family’s power naturally fall into Zhao Zhongtian’s hands?

For the sake of profit, that was an enormous motive. Jian Tao knew how filthy the power struggles behind wealthy clans were, but right now her soul truly shuddered. Her understanding of this second uncle Zhao Zhongtian was no longer what it used to be.

She had never known Zhao Zhongtian well, but now she had a blood-soaked understanding of him.

"Dad, you really suspect Second Uncle? And you think his suspicion is serious?" Jian Tao lowered her voice as she asked. For a moment she felt things weren’t nearly as simple as she had imagined; it might involve far too many possibilities.

"Of course I suspect him. Starting from internal family conflict, this is undoubtedly the best direction for suspicion." Zhao Feipeng said firmly.

"Since Dad puts it that way, then Second Uncle’s suspicion must be very serious." Jian Tao slowly accepted this possibility.

Zhao Feipeng said, "This younger brother of mine loafs around in the stock market and casinos, and through that has gotten to know a bunch of shady people. To plan a murder would be easy as pie for him."

On this point, he felt both heartbroken and furious. He was truly angered by Zhao Zhongtian’s uselessness, but if Zhao Zhongtian really had something to do with the plot against his son, he would never let that murderer off.

"Dad, looking at it now, there are two directions for suspicion: Ye Fan and Second Uncle. We have to pay attention to both suspects." After pondering for a moment, only then did Jian Tao finally make up her mind and, gritting her teeth, say, "I’ve decided. I want to get close to Ye Fan and investigate him, to see exactly what connection he has with Zhao Hai’s death. As for Second Uncle, Dad, I’ll leave it to you to keep an eye on him."

"No. You absolutely can’t risk yourself. Leave the investigation to me. I’ll find a way." Zhao Feipeng refused.

"Dad, please agree to this request of mine." Jian Tao dropped to her knees, pleading. "If Ye Fan really is involved in the plot against Zhao Hai, then even if I’m smashed to pieces, I’ll make the murderer pay the price."

"Get up!" Zhao Feipeng’s gaze flickered as he barked.

"Dad, if you don’t agree, I won’t get up." Jian Tao said stubbornly. "Zhao Hai is dead. My world has collapsed. I have to personally take revenge on our enemy, otherwise I’ll never be at peace for the rest of my life."

"What exactly do you plan to do?" Zhao Feipeng closed his eyes helplessly, showing signs of compromise.

"I’m a woman, Ye Fan will definitely let his guard down around me. I’ve decided to move with my daughter into the same villa complex where Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao live. The Zhao Family just happens to have a property there. Me moving in won’t attract attention. I’ll find a way to get close to Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao and the others, and find out exactly how the heart in Ye Fan’s chest was obtained." Jian Tao was utterly determined.

"You’re going to take Xixi and drag her into this risk with you?" Zhao Feipeng asked strangely.

"It’s not taking a risk. It’s just being neighbors, living next door to Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao." Jian Tao explained.

Looking at the stubborn light in Jian Tao’s eyes, Zhao Feipeng realized that she had made up her mind. Even if he refused, she would still do things her own way. He might as well agree. After all, he had no good plan right now and no suitable person to send close to Ye Fan. A widow and her child becoming neighbors shouldn’t arouse any suspicion.

"Fine. Since you’re determined to go, then we’ll do it your way." Zhao Feipeng agreed. "But you must remember one thing: don’t do anything foolish. You must take good care of Xixi. Nothing must happen to her."

"Dad, thank you." Jian Tao was moved to tears.

"Even if I didn’t agree, who knows what you’d end up doing. I can’t lock you up, so I can only say yes." Zhao Feipeng said helplessly. "But you have to promise me one thing."

"Dad, go ahead. I’ll agree to anything." Jian Tao said.

"Even if you really find out there’s something wrong with Ye Fan, you absolutely mustn’t act rashly. Don’t put yourself in danger, and definitely don’t let Xixi be in any danger." Zhao Feipeng exhorted solemnly.

"I understand!" Jian Tao nodded.

"Get up, don’t kneel anymore." Zhao Feipeng said, utterly helpless.

"Thank you, Dad, for helping me." After sitting down, Jian Tao said with concern, "Dad, you have to pay attention to your own safety too. You absolutely can’t let anything happen to you. Since Second Uncle is under suspicion, who knows what other vicious moves he might still have."

"I’m not that easy to mess with. Don’t worry." Zhao Feipeng said with confidence.

Jian Tao’s suspicion of Ye Fan didn’t relax in the slightest. Even with Zhao Zhongtian as another suspect, she still decided to start with Ye Fan. It wasn’t just for the sake of justice; it was also something she had to do for herself. If she did nothing at all, she would feel worse than dead.

Forced by circumstances, Zhao Feipeng agreed to Jian Tao’s risky plan. But the reason he agreed so readily was that he had his own considerations; otherwise he never would have loosened his stance.

"Ye Fan’s reputation is actually pretty good. I’ve heard a bit about him. If he’s a good person, then just based on the fact that the original owner of the heart in his chest had the surname Zhao, the safety of Jian Tao and her daughter shouldn’t be a problem. Even if they run into danger, as neighbors, he’d likely lend a hand. But if he’s a complete hypocrite, then we can only leave it to fate." This was what Zhao Feipeng was thinking in his heart.

This was the main reason he agreed to let Jian Tao get close to Ye Fan.

"Dad, where are Mom and Xixi?" Only now did Jian Tao turn her thoughts to her daughter and mother-in-law.

These past few days, she had been in a bad state, and had left her daughter in her in-laws’ care.

"Your mom took Xixi out to play. It’s almost mealtime, they should be back soon." Zhao Feipeng said. "Look at you right now—how haggard you’ve become. Your complexion is terrible. What will Xixi think when she sees you like this?"

"I’ll go wash my face and cook." Jian Tao forced a smile and walked away.

By the time Mother Zhao came home holding Xixi’s hand, Jian Tao had already finished cooking.

"Mom, Grandma took me to the amusement park. It was so much fun. Next time I’ll take Mommy with me." Zhao Ruixi threw herself at Jian Tao the moment she saw her.

Jian Tao bent down, picked her daughter up, and answered with a doting smile.

"Xiao Tao, you’ve lost weight!" Mother Zhao said, eyes full of sorrow.

"Mom, you’ve lost weight too." Jian Tao’s nose stung at once.

Two women—one who had lost her son, the other her husband—the bitterness in their hearts was beyond words.

"Grandma, Mommy, if you’re thinner then you should just eat more." Zhao Ruixi said in her milky child’s voice.

Mother Zhao and Jian Tao looked at each other, their hearts aching even more.

Tears flowed in Zhao Feipeng’s heart, and his heart bled as well.

Zhao Hai’s death had inflicted a tremendous wound on this family of four.