Fatal Desire

Chapter 157 Why don't you divorce her aunt?
When Zhao Yansen returned to the courtyard, Zhao Zongting was already waiting for him in the courtyard, ready to interrogate him.

The faint moonlight filtering through the thin clouds shone dimly on the father and son.

Zhao Zongting leaned back in his rose-colored chair, took a drag of his cigarette, the embers flickering in the dim light: "Shrewd and ruthless, cunning and calculating. You've kept it from me for so long, you're getting better and better."

Zhao Yansen showed little reaction to his father's cold and sarcastic remarks. He picked up his teacup and took a small sip of tea.

"You even managed to convince the old lady; you've truly surpassed your teacher!" Zhao Zongting angrily stubbed out his cigarette, placed it on the table, and cursed, "Zhao Yansen, I think you've lost your mind! How dare you so openly fool around with your sister!"

Song Yunyu told him to go home immediately. After hearing what had happened, Zhao Zongting questioned the housekeeper and servants. Those people were not very skilled and it was easy to get the truth out of them, but almost no one knew anything about it.

It is said that for a period of time, Zhao Yansen frequently threw away carpets and bed sheets, and he did not allow anyone to go upstairs.

Upon hearing this, Song Yunyu's face turned pale, and her hands trembled violently. Zhao Zongting grasped her hand and patted it reassuringly.

His son, who had been pampered since birth, was probably doing chores for the first time in his life.

Once again accused of being blinded by lust, Zhao Yansen remained calm and composed, recalling the passionate scene that had recently unfolded in front of the apartment's floor-to-ceiling windows.

He chuckled casually and said, "Where is it blatant? I haven't even brought her to you yet."

The eldest son has always been proud and arrogant. Even if he maintains a polite and well-mannered demeanor on the surface, he cannot hide the arrogance in his bones.

Zhao Zongting's face was grim, and he directly issued the order: "You can play with any woman you want, but not Xi'er. Her aunt is still alive."

A cold smile flashed across Zhao Yansen's eyes: "You mean, just because my mother is gone, I have to give up?"

Zhao Zongting keenly sensed something and frowned, saying, "Is it because of your mother that you won't let Xi'er go?"

Zhao Yansen chuckled coldly, his voice icy: "You think I'm like you?"

Before his mother, Xiao Yunshu, had even passed away and the seven-day mourning period was over, he overheard Zhao Zongting coaxing another woman on the phone.

Xiao Yunshu probably never imagined that her cold and aloof husband, Zhao Zongting, would one day be so gentle and considerate in caring for a woman.

The night was as dark as spilled ink, pitch black all around. The lanterns on the eaves swayed in the night wind, casting fragmented spots of light on the bluestone bricks.

"No manners! Who are you trying to cause trouble for with your arrogant attitude?" Zhao Zongting frowned, then softened his tone as he saw his son's expression turn cold. "Your mother and I were only married out of necessity; we had no feelings for each other. She went back to the army after giving birth to you, and a man's needs for a woman are always unavoidable..."

Zhao Yansen interrupted coldly: "Is this your excuse?"

That's just how the world is; no matter what a man does wrong, he can always find countless reasons to justify himself.

If a woman has even the slightest flaw... or even if it's not a flaw at all, but simply something that doesn't meet their expectations, she'll be subjected to a torrent of abuse.

Because he was the one sitting there, Zhao Zongting could find a reason to say that his affair with Song Xi was due to male physiological needs.

If it were Song Xi sitting here right now, she would only be accused of being a femme fatale, shamelessly seducing someone... or even more outrageous insults.

Zhao Yansen couldn't even imagine how heartbroken and upset she would be after being scolded.

The air in the courtyard was damp, and the vegetation grew wildly, so dense that it almost overwhelmed any sense of human presence, giving off a gloomy atmosphere.

The father and son sat facing each other, a simple lantern casting a dim yellow light on the tea table.

“Yunyu was almost hospitalized because of you.” Zhao Zongting, being in a high position, could only explain Xiao Yunshu’s situation to Zhao Yansen to the best of his ability. “Let Xi’er go. Anyone but her is fine.”

Zhao Yansen said, "Then I'll give you a suggestion: how about you divorce her aunt?"

Zhao Zongting immediately cursed, "Who taught you to be so disobedient to your parents!"

"Making suggestions is considered disobedience." Zhao Yansen's thin lips curled slightly. "Song Xi was raised by me, and my relationship with her is stronger than blood ties."

In the years before Zhao Zongting and Song Yunyu got married, when they were enjoying their time as a couple, it was Zhao Yansen who was supporting Song Xi.

Later, when Song Yunyu gave birth to Zhao Chengyou and the three of them lived happily together as a family of three, it was Zhao Yansen who took care of Song Xi.

The courtyard house was large enough to accommodate many things, yet it also clearly separated them. Song Xi was a very intelligent girl, and she knew early on that she couldn't fit into that family of three.

Living under someone else's roof and being neglected by her own aunt, she initially dared not easily express her emotions. Zhao Yansen spent a lot of effort and energy to raise her into a real little princess.

It's not just about outward wealth and luxury, but also about inner confidence and radiance.

He was telling the truth. Over the years, Zhao Zongting and Song Yunyu had devoted all their spare time to each other and Zhao Chengyou.

Zhao Zongting took a few deep drags on his cigarette, the rising smoke blurring the expression on his face.

His marriage to Xiao Yunshu was motivated by the Xiao family's powerful military background, and had nothing to do with love.

Due to family responsibilities and pressure from both sets of parents, they had a son named Zhao Yansen.

After Xiao Yunshu's heroic sacrifice, he pursued Song Yunyu for two years before she agreed to be with him.

When he thought of Zhao Yansen again, his son had grown into a spirited young man.

The family lacked nothing, and the Xiao family elders poured all their heart and soul into this only son left by their daughter.

Although Zhao Zongting failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a father, he did not feel that he had wronged Zhao Yansen in any way.

He was used to being high and mighty and never reflected on his own behavior.

Zhao Zongting waved his hand: "That's enough! You've already made your father and grandfather run around in circles, isn't that enough?"

At this point in the conversation, he did not press the matter further.

Given Zhao Yansen's current attitude, any further trouble could very likely lead to a falling out between father and son.

He was young once too. It's not uncommon for a hot-blooded man to lose his head and be unable to let go of one or two women.

For Zhao Zongting, who holds a high position, his family is not only a personal matter, but also an indicator of his character and conduct.

For example, the Li family's development was limited because of their improper lifestyle.

Although Zhao Yansen is young, his composure and sharpness are no less than those of his father's generation. He is capable of making and retreating appropriately, and has both methods and courage.

Grandpa Xiao and Grandpa Zhao, who rarely praise others, beam with joy every time they mention him.

The night was deep, a few fireflies flitted through the grass, and the chirping of insects filled the air.

“You don’t need to worry about Grandpa. I will apologize to him myself.” Zhao Yansen tapped his knuckles lightly on the table twice. “As for this side, it doesn’t matter whether you accept it or not, but Song Yunyu must accept it.”

They addressed each other with the respectful "you" in every tone, yet there was not a trace of reverence in their voices.

Five years ago, Zhao Zongting was able to suppress and even threaten Zhao Yansen.

Now, he finds himself powerless to force his eldest son in the slightest.

When the prosecutor's office was in trouble and the Yan family fell from power, Zhao Zongting asked Zhao Yansen, "Your third uncle is a member of the Zhao family. What benefits would it bring you to sideline him?"

benefit?

At this moment, the silence between father and son seemed to reveal the answer.

"What do you mean by this?" Zhao Zongting said fiercely. "Are you threatening your own family now?"

"No threat."

Zhao Yansen's lips curled slightly, a faint smile carrying a hint of aloof arrogance. "Whether I have a father or not is irrelevant, but Song Xi cannot live without her aunt. I'm sure your current wife wouldn't want to lose such a wonderful niece either. What do you say?"

(End of this chapter)