CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 425 CANDID

Xia Yuezhen’s face turned pale upon hearing Cheng Lie’s words.

That little wretch actually guessed it?

And, she seemed to sense that when Cheng Lie said this earlier, he glanced at her.

Or was it just her imagination? His eyes couldn’t see anymore, how could he glance at her?

Cheng Lie’s seemingly casual remark reminded Elder Meng and Old Mrs. Meng. The two exchanged glances and dropped the topic.

If it really was a thief within the family, it might very well be someone listening to their conversations.

Elder Meng realized he needed to slowly investigate the matter in private.

At that moment, the butler walked in: "Miss Wen is here."

Miss Wen? Elder Meng thought for a moment before recalling that this must refer to Wen Lin, the eldest daughter of the wealthy and prominent Wen Family?

Elder Meng said, "Let her in then."

Soon, Wen Lin came in, her smiling eyes directed at Elder Meng and Old Mrs. Meng, and greeted them sweetly.

She also greeted Xia Yuezhen.

"Xiao Lin, what brings you here?" Xia Yuezhen asked cheerfully.

She genuinely liked Wen Lin—in fact, she liked anyone with power and influence.

Her own man was unreliable, only knowing how to mess around outside.

And she herself hadn’t received much education, had little ability, and the only thing she could do was serve the two old folks and make their lives as comfortable as possible. When they passed away, the inheritance would surely belong to her family.

Otherwise, she might face hard times in the future.

This was the reality Xia Yuezhen refused to accept.

Precisely because of this, when she realized Cheng Lie’s presence might disrupt her plans, she started scheming against him.

Cheng Lie heard Wen Lin had arrived and cast a glance in her direction.

Wen Lin gazed into his dark eyes, knowing full well that he couldn’t see anything.

She sat beside Cheng Lie and asked, "Why are you here?"

Her tone carried curiosity, as if this was an accidental encounter, rather than her deliberately seeking details of his whereabouts before orchestrating this "chance" meeting.

Cheng Lie responded flatly to Wen Lin’s words: "I thought you’d already investigated me."

This man, even with his eyesight lost, seemed utterly aware of everything happening around him.

Call him clever? He truly was smart.

Call him foolish? He had his moments too—for instance, she couldn’t understand why he liked Yun Shifei.

Was it simply because she was beautiful or had accompanied him through his high school years?

If it were her, she could have done the same.

When Cheng Lie left, Wen Lin immediately followed him.

Watching their backs, Old Mrs. Meng grew curious. "What’s the story between Xiao Lie and this girl from the Wen Family?"

She could clearly sense the intensity in Wen Lin’s gaze when she looked at Cheng Lie.

Yet Cheng Lie seemed indifferent, his demeanor unchanged.

Perhaps this was only because of his injured eyesight.

After Cheng Lie left, Elder Meng said to Old Mrs. Meng, "We’ve been idle long enough. Someone’s finally given us an issue to tackle."

"Indeed, it’s time to clean up the household."

Even if it was their biological son behind the attack on Cheng Lie, they wouldn’t show mercy.

"Cheng Lie, do you really despise me so much?" Wen Lin asked as they exited the Meng household.

She could feel Cheng Lie’s aura, colder and more distant than before.

Or perhaps it was because she had confronted Yun Shifei yesterday, saying a few provocative things, and Yun Shifei ran off to tell him?

Wen Lin felt a flicker of irritation.

"Wen Lin, I’ve said it before. Between us, we can only ever be ordinary friends."

That kind of cooperative friendship.

Hearing Cheng Lie’s words, Wen Lin shook her head. "Your words truly break my heart."

He knew she liked him and yet insisted on drawing such a clear boundary?

Thinking about this, Wen Lin felt indignant.

"Cheng Lie, whatever Yun Shifei can give you, I can give you too. Whatever she can’t, I can still provide!" Her mind filled with thoughts of Yun Shifei’s delicate appearance, and she grew increasingly resentful.

Men just liked those fragile, dainty girls who looked like they might break at a touch? The mere thought of it made her laugh bitterly.

She hadn’t expected Cheng Lie to be so shallow.

"If you’re so inclined, investigate the circumstances under which I first met her. Then you’ll understand how important she is to me."

At that bleak moment in his life, she brought him a ray of light, so faint initially, yet capable of illuminating his entire world.

He thought, those who had always lived in the light could never understand such a feeling.

Wen Lin’s agitation momentarily subsided as she listened to Cheng Lie’s words.

There was unease at having been exposed and a hint of confusion.

Could it be that Cheng Lie was right?

"But if I’d met you at that time, I would surely have helped you," Wen Lin said. Look, now that I like you, I’ve already humbled myself this much. If it had been then, I’d certainly have done everything to support you.

Cheng Lie looked at Wen Lin and said, "There’s no ’if.’ It was precisely at that time, and she appeared."

Fate worked in its own mysterious way, and he accepted its arrangement.

Hearing Cheng Lie’s words, Wen Lin took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to cry. All her life, she’d been a golden child, someone everyone envied.

She never expected to face such defeat when it came to loving someone.

"I understand now," she whispered.

She quickly walked ahead and got into her car.

Watching Wen Lin leave, Zhao Pan sighed. "Mr. Cheng, this... I’ve never seen Miss Wen like this before."

As someone who had been by Fourth Master’s side all these years, Zhao Pan had met Wen Lin often but had never seen her so devastated and vulnerable.

Cheng Lie uttered a quiet "Mmh." "I’m doing this for her own good."

Some things were destined to have no outcome. He admitted his words earlier were harsh, but he had no choice.

Only by shattering her hope could he avoid wasting her time.

When Cheng Lie returned home, he found the house empty.

He had invited Fang Kaiyi to visit, not for Yun Shifei to wander off with him.

Thinking of this, Cheng Lie called Yun Shifei.

"Feifei, where are you?"

Yun Shifei and Fang Kaiyi were resting in a nearby shop, sipping milk tea after tiring themselves out.

Yun Shifei provided the address and told Cheng Lie she’d be heading home soon.

To her surprise, Cheng Lie told her to stay where she was—he would come to her.

After hanging up, Yun Shifei suddenly recalled Cheng Lie’s eyesight wasn’t great.

Still, with Zhao Pan by his side, she felt reassured.

Meanwhile, she happily shared fried chicken and cake with Fang Kaiyi as he described his recent academic progress. Watching the boy grow livelier and more confident day by day brought Yun Shifei immense relief.

Just like Cheng Lie, he was getting better and better.