Zhong Mengfan was furious, but in front of Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong, he dared not say anything. He could only cast a resentful glance at Zhong Niangyao before sulking on his own.
A flash of emotion crossed Zheng Silin's eyes, then with a concerned expression, she spoke, "Nianyao, next time if something happens, remember to inform the family earlier. It will also save everyone from worrying about you, like the time you jumped into the river—"
Realizing her slip, Zheng Silin quickly covered her mouth, "Nianyao, I didn't mean anything by it; I'm just worried about you."
"Stop talking nonsense," Zhong Minghao scolded softly before turning to Zhong Niangyao with an apologetic tone, "Your aunty didn't mean it, don't hold it against her!"
"It's fine." Zhong Niangyao looked at Zheng Silin with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Aunty just speaks without thinking; It wasn't deliberate. How could I possibly mind? Besides, I'm just a junior, how could aunty have any ill intentions!"
If she really didn't want Zheng Silin to say those words, she would have interrupted earlier. Instead, she chose to wait until the words were fully uttered before disingenuously speaking up.
Zhong Minghao and Zheng Silin's smiles immediately stiffened.
Beside them, Zhong Mengfan was about to speak up for his parents, but his elder brother, Zhong Jinghao, stopped him.
"That's been said," Old Sir spoke, glancing at Zhong Minghao and Zheng Silin, "If you truly care about Niangyao, then act like proper elders. If you don't want to be involved, then there's no need to pretend."
"Dad, we weren't—" Zheng Silin hurriedly tried to explain, but Old Madam Zhong interrupted before she could finish, "Although your father and I are old, our eyes aren't blind. We can see what you're really thinking."
That sharp gaze fell directly on Zhong Minghao and Zheng Silin, carrying a trace of depth.
Under such scrutiny, Zhong Minghao and Zheng Silin inadvertently shrank back, feeling as though all their thoughts were laid bare.
"Grandpa, grandma," Zhong Mengfan, completely oblivious to the current atmosphere, immediately spoke out to defend his parents, "My parents are just concerned about Zhong Niangyao, is there something wrong with that? Why do you always side with Zhong Niangyao? What's so good about her?"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but stand up, even her tone carrying a trace of aggressiveness.
"Meng Fan, shut your mouth," Zhong Minghao's face changed drastically as he reprimanded sharply, "Who allowed you to speak to Grandpa and Grandma like that? Apologize right now."
"Dad, I did nothing wrong," Mengfan retorted, feeling indignant as she pointed at Zhong Niangyao and let out her frustrations, "I just don't understand why you always side with Zhong Niangyao. Is it because she has no parents?"
With those words, the faces of everyone in the hall changed.
Zhong Mingxin's disappearance was almost a taboo in the Zhong family. It was commonly known to be a situation with little hope of good news.
However, Old Sir and Old Madam never wanted to believe that their younger son was dead, and transferred all their affection for their son onto Zhong Niangyao.
This matter had been taboo in the Zhong Family for many years, and nobody dared to mention it casually. But now, Zhong Mengfan had openly suggested that Zhong Mingxin was indeed dead.
The faces of Old Sir and Old Madam turned extremely grim, even their breathing grew much heavier.
"Shut your mouth," Zhong Minghao stepped forward and slapped Mengfan across the face.
A loud "smack" echoed in the living room, sounding exceptionally clear.
Mengfan covered her cheek in disbelief, looking at Zhong Minghao.
Throughout the years, no matter what she did wrong, her father had never laid a hand on her. But now, in front of so many people, especially in front of Niangyao, her father had actually hit her.
Zhong Jinghao frowned, but facing the furious father, he dared not say anything.
Although Zheng Silin felt sorry for her daughter, she understood that under such circumstances, her husband's action was justified. Some truths, even if factual, must never be spoken in such settings, especially not in front of Old Sir and Old Madam.
"I hate you."
Zhong Mengfan yelled at Zhong Minghao and then stomped her foot, running upstairs.
Zhong Minghao's expression did not ease; he turned his head, looked at Old Sir and Old Madam, and explained, "Dad, Mom, Mengfan is just talking nonsense, don't take it to heart. My younger brother is definitely fine; he's just got held up temporarily, that's all."