Chapter 88

Chapter 89: Turning Face

A question flashed through her mind, but she didn't dwell on it, instead, she muttered angrily:

"Lingling, how could you do this?"

She was both angry and conflicted. She understood Ding Lingling's intentions: first, her father, who held significant influence in the political circles of Huahai, needed the support of her family; second, she had always wanted to bring her and the third young master of the Ding family together.

She was not unaware of the many things Ding Lingling had done. However, having few friends since childhood, she cherished friendship and often chose to turn a blind eye to avoid awkwardness. She never expected that her kindness and tolerance would bring trouble to Zhao Heng.

She then thought about her stomachache, suspecting it was part of a conspiracy, which made her feel even more desolate and helpless. She had always judged people's actions with kindness, but the result was deeply disappointing. However, she didn't have the energy to deal with these matters now; her top priority was to save Zhao Heng.

She grabbed her coat and rushed to the corridor railing, shouting: "Uncle Lu, prepare the car!"

"Ziyan, you're not feeling well, where are you going?" A dignified and elegant woman walked in from the doorway, her face showing a mix of concern and authority: "Are you planning to save that Zhao Heng? I'm telling you, you're not allowed to go. Your elder sister Qingqing just called and explained everything to me. Zhao Heng has committed numerous crimes."

Clearly, this elegant woman was Mrs. Du. She stood gracefully in front of her daughter, her face radiating an unapproachable strength: "He first injured over twenty sports students at school, then severely injured dozens of prisoners in jail, and is also involved in the recent bar incident."

The elegant woman wore a very ladylike Hermes hat, white from head to toe, with a pair of delicate legs extending from her white dress, gently touching the ground. She held a leash in her hand, the other end of which was attached to an Alaskan sled dog.

The woman exuded an aura of extreme elegance.

But her words were even more regal than a queen. She handed the leash to a servant:

"Stay away from such a violent person."

Without a doubt, Mrs. Du had obtained all the information and saw through her daughter's thoughts: "Ziyan, I know you have a kind heart and remember Zhao Heng's kindness on the train, wanting to help him. But you've already repaid that small favor many times over."

"Moreover, he deserves his punishment and isn't worth your help."

At this moment, Ding Lingling also appeared behind Mrs. Du, smiling brightly at her best friend: "That's right, Ziyan, you mustn't have any more contact with Zhao Heng. He's a violent person, and several incidents have already damaged Huada University's reputation. The school is considering expelling him."

Ding Lingling added, with a hint of frustration: "Your Uncle Du helped him resolve the Qing Gang crisis, but he went on to cause more trouble. Such a person is overly arrogant, and you really don't need to clean up his mess. Besides, you've already helped him once, so there's no need to do it again."

As Du Ziyan's face darkened, Ding Lingling added fuel to the fire: "If it weren't for your mediation, if it weren't for your Uncle Du's intervention, Zhao Heng would have been thrown into the Huangpu River by the Qing Gang long ago. How could he have roamed freely in Huada University for so long? Unfortunately, he didn't appreciate your kindness and didn't learn his lesson."

"He even took advantage of his relationship with you to act recklessly, which is truly despicable and hateful..."

"Lingling, shut up!"

Du Ziyan, like a hedgehog, raised her protective spines: "I know what you're thinking, and I'm well aware that you and the third young master want to crush Zhao Heng. But I'm telling you, Zhao Heng is my friend and my confidant, and I absolutely trust his character."

Her voice was firm, each word clear: "So no matter what false accusations he faces, I will unconditionally believe in him and support him. Although he is ruthless, I don't believe he would harm others without cause. Someone must have deliberately provoked him."

Ding Lingling was slightly taken aback, then forced a smile:

"Ziyan, you're being naive. You can't judge a person by their appearance!"

A glint of determination flashed in Du Ziyan's eyes as she stared at Ding Lingling: "Lingling, do you dare say that Zhao Heng's imprisonment has nothing to do with you and the third young master? Let's make a bet. If it has nothing to do with you, I, Du Ziyan, will immediately marry the third young master. But if it does involve you..."

"The third young master must never bother me again. Do you dare take this public vow?"

At this moment, Du Ziyan's thoughts were exceptionally clear. She also remembered the family doctor's diagnosis from the previous day, which confirmed that her stomachache was due to drinking contaminated water. She was increasingly convinced that Ding Lingling had tampered with the water, but to save her friend's face, she didn't directly expose the matter.

Otherwise, her mother would have slapped Ding Lingling on the spot.

Ding Lingling, who had never expected such a reaction from her usually gentle friend, was even more surprised by her extreme words. Feeling both shocked and guilty, she struggled to respond, only managing an awkward smile.

On the other hand, Mrs. Du raised her carefully groomed eyebrows and sternly rebuked her daughter: "Ziyan, what are you saying? Is it worth causing internal strife over an unknown Zhao Heng? Lingling is your best friend, and she has been taking care of you since you returned to Huahai!"

Mrs. Du's expression was severe: "How can you treat her like this?"

"I don't care about your relationship with Zhao Heng, but you absolutely cannot go see him today."

She asserted her authority as the matriarch of the Du family, speaking clearly: "And he's in a prison black cell. How can you see him? What identity do you have to visit a blood-stained criminal? Listen to your mother and go back to your room to rest!"

Du Ziyan, seeing that her mother was aware of the situation and that Ding Lingling lacked her usual confidence, was even more convinced that she had been manipulated yesterday, likely by her best friend to prevent her from rescuing Zhao Heng. She showed a determined expression: "I'm going!"

"I'll call my father right away and ask him to do whatever it takes to save Zhao Heng."

Mrs. Du's face darkened: "Ridiculous! Ziyan, how have you changed? That Zhao Heng must have brainwashed you. You never dared to talk back before. I'm telling you, no one can save Zhao Heng from his crimes. Your father is not a corrupt official, and you shouldn't waste your efforts!"

"Mom, I'm sorry!"

Du Ziyan took a deep breath, knowing she needed to show unprecedented resolve. She had learned from Song Qingguan that Zhao Heng's situation was dangerous, and the longer it took, the more dangerous it would become. She gathered all her courage and looked at her mother: "I must do this today."

"First, I will call my father and ask him to rescue the innocent Zhao Heng."

"Second, I will go see Zhao Heng myself. I believe the Du family's influence will ensure there are no problems."

She took another deep breath: "If these two actions don't yield results, it proves that I, Du Ziyan, am truly incompetent and a failure. I won't be able to live up to your expectations, and I will leave the country like my sister, never returning to the Du family."

Mrs. Du, shocked, watched as Du Ziyan, like a proud peacock, raised her head high to boost her confidence. She knew she was playing a coercive game, which would disappoint her mother, but the situation was urgent, and she had no choice but to use this ultimate tactic.

"Uncle Lu, prepare the car!"

After speaking, Du Ziyan walked past her mother and best friend, leaving them with an unprecedentedly determined figure. Neither of them expected the girl to be so stubborn about Zhao Heng. Uncle Lu, receiving a helpless signal from Mrs. Du, immediately prepared the car and respectfully welcomed his mistress.

Soon, the Du family's convoy left the Du family garden. Du Ziyan took a deep breath, knowing this was the first time she had defied her mother. She didn't want to be so forceful with her mother and Lingling, but for Zhao Heng, who was suffering in prison because of her, she had to do the right thing.

"That girl has finally grown up."

Watching the convoy disappear, Mrs. Du sighed. She felt both angry and relieved. She was angry that her daughter dared to defy her, no longer the obedient girl she once was, but relieved that her daughter had grown, giving her a sense of responsibility.

Ding Lingling, after a moment of shock, felt anxious: "Aunt, what should we do now?"

She knew that if her best friend really got involved, Zhao Heng would likely be released. The Du family's power and connections were formidable, and no one would dare to stand in their way. She asked the elegant Mrs. Du, who had already relaxed her stern expression and smiled lightly:

"Let her do as she pleases. This child's personality is very similar to Yaqi's; you can't force her."

At this point, she smoothed her hair, revealing a cold beauty: "Moreover, if Zhao Heng is truly guilty, your Uncle Du would never bail him out. So you don't need to worry too much. Even if he is innocent and released, I will talk to him personally one day."

"Don't worry, in my heart, Jialiang is the only son-in-law I approve of."

The last few words relieved the anxious Ding Lingling. However, she still reported the situation to her brother, informing him of Du Ziyan's actions and Mrs. Du's attitude. Soon, she received a reply from the third young master, which was brief and instructed her to follow Mrs. Du's orders and not to go against Du Ziyan's emotions.

Ding Lingling put away her phone, a hint of helplessness crossing her face. She didn't ask her brother for more details, as the third young master was busy dealing with the parking lot murder case. Although she knew the Ding family had the power to resolve the issue with the black-clad man, she didn't want to bother her brother with Du Ziyan's matter, to avoid any complications.

As Ding Lingling prepared to leave the Du family, Mrs. Du's face turned cold: "Lingling, I know you want to bring Ziyan and Jialiang together and that you don't like Zhao Heng. I don't care about your schemes, but you must not take any actions that harm Ziyan."

Ding Lingling's steps felt heavy, and her scalp tingled:

"I... I won't harm Ziyan!"

"Don't underestimate Nangong Dodo's medical skills."

Mrs. Du's voice was still calm and gentle, but it made Ding Lingling hold her breath: "The cause of Ziyan's stomachache has been thoroughly investigated, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it or delve deeper, so I had her swallow the cause to avoid damaging the relationship between our families."

"But I don't want this to happen again, because Ziyan is my daughter. Do you understand?"

Ding Lingling broke out in a cold sweat, her long legs trembling. She bit her teeth to steady herself. Although Mrs. Du didn't directly reveal anything or express anger, Ding Lingling could sense a cold, ruthless intent.

So she nodded in response:

"I understand! I will take good care of Ziyan."

As she walked out of the Du family's gate, Ding Lingling found her back drenched in sweat.

At this moment, Mrs. Du had already calmed down and turned to a girl who looked like an assistant: "Call the Park family in South Korea and ask when the young master will set off. I have too many things to do this month, and I don't want to be too busy to entertain them."

The girl bowed slightly: "Understood! I'll arrange it immediately."

Mrs. Du looked up at the sun outside, muttering to herself: "It's going to rain."

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