"Quite interestingly," Kang Manchu continued, his tone casual but laced with hidden malice, "I have a son with the woman I actually love, who also happens to be my right-hand man..." His words hung in the air, dripping with venom and pride.
Han Xue's mind was spinning, trying to process Kang Manchu's shocking revelations. He casually admitted to having another son with the woman he truly loved—his right-hand man, leaving her utterly confused. Her thoughts tangled in disbelief, as she tried to digest which piece of information was more dangerous, more soul-shattering.
Her legs felt weak, barely able to hold her upright as Kang Manchu stepped closer. For a moment, fear gripped her, uncertain of what he intended to do. He stopped just two steps away, his dark gaze sweeping over her.
Before she could fully register the gravity of it, he spoke again, "Both of my sons—real or fake—were charmed by you." His eyes narrowed. "That in itself is quite the feat, wouldn't you say?"
His eyes roved over her as if assessing her value. "You're not bad, though. I still don't understand what Shilin saw in you, that he never let any other woman near him. He waited for you."
The more Kang Manchu spoke, the more Han Xue felt her mind unraveling. The words he said echoed in her head—Shilin really liked me—a revelation that made her question everything she thought she knew. Maybe Zi Haoran hadn't misunderstood Shilin after all.
Before she could even process her feelings, Kang Manchu spoke again, cutting through her thoughts. "My real son, Liam, is a bit older, but if any woman has caught his eye, it's you."
There was a pause, then he made an offer that felt more like an order, his tone laced with subtle manipulation. "My son always wanted to take you from Haoran. But I had him wait. Now that you know everything, why not give my son a chance?"
Han Xue's mind blanked, unable to register what was happening. The twists and turns of her life since last night we're coming too fast. The divorce, the truths, the deadly games at play—it was all too much.
To ground herself, she took deep breaths, her eyes focusing on a random corner of the room, pretending as if she was seriously considering his offer. She had noticed something about Kang Manchu: he was being unusually patient with her. But now she understood—he had always been patient. It was how he had waited years to seize everything, to slowly build his power.
After what felt like an eternity, she responded, masking her disgust with an air of calm. "If he's handsome, then sure, I'm ready to try," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "After all, now that I'm a divorcee, I should find a new partner, someone with power."
Kang Manchu seemed pleased by her response. He sat down at the head of the dining table—Grandpa Zi's chair, a seat only Zi Mingsheng had ever occupied. He gestured for her to sit as well.
Han Xue, feeling as if she had no other choice, sat down across from him. As she settled into the chair, she poured herself a glass of water from the jug on the table, her hands shaking just slightly. Trying to keep up the act, she offered politely, "Father-in-law, would you like some water?"
He declined, though his eyes gleamed with interest, seemingly satisfied with her behavior. For all his calculated cruelty, he appeared to approve of her. To him, she wasn't just any woman—she was the granddaughter of Han Hongliang, a man with deep ties to the mafia and the military. Any harm done to her would bring a world of trouble. Kang Manchu knew well that having ties with the powerful Han family would only elevate his own position.
Han Xue cursed herself internally for playing along, thinking, You're serving the murderers of your husband, as she drank the water. She drained three full glasses, trying to calm the whirlwind of fear, confusion, and rage boiling inside her.
She didn't know what to think anymore, but one question burned in her mind. She wanted to ask so badly, Why do you want to kill the Zi family? But she kept silent, knowing now wasn't the time.
Moments later, the door opened, and Liam walked in.
Han Xue's pulse quickened as her eyes fell on the man Kang Manchu had been speaking of.
Kang Manchu had been an ordinary boy with raw business talent, but with the help and backing of Zi Mingsheng, he had propelled Kang Corporation into one of the top ten companies in the country. The corporation was now at its peak, partly thanks to his powerful partner, Liam—a 36-year-old strikingly handsome man with a mixed European heritage. His sharp gray eyes could easily command the attention of any room, yet there was a depth in those eyes that warned of danger lurking beneath his charm.
But today, instead of commanding attention, it seemed Liam was the one mesmerized.
As his gaze fell on Han Xue, his usual sharpness softened. She looked delicate, her face pale from the stress of the last few hours, but there was something about her that stirred something deep inside him. He felt an overwhelming protective instinct rise—an urge to pull her close, to keep her safe.
Her beauty had a subtle grace that left a lasting impression. Her face, small enough to be covered by the palm of his hand, was striking in its fair complexion. The delicate curve of her neck and sharp collar bones only highlighted her elegance. Her high, arched eyebrows framed large, dark eyes lined with thick eyelashes. Her sharp nose and perfectly shaped lips—neither too thin nor too full—held a light pink gloss that made them look inviting, as if they were made to be kissed.
His eyes roved further, taking in her features. Her sharp jawline, her small yet defined chin, and the way her long chestnut-colored hair fell gently around her shoulders—everything about her was effortlessly captivating. The soft bangs at the sides only enhanced her ethereal look, and though her neck was bare, it seemed to draw his attention all the more.
His gaze continued, tracing the curves of her classic black A-line dress. It fit perfectly at her chest, flaring out at her waist and stopping just above her knees, revealing her elegantly long, carved calves. She looked stunning—far more beautiful in person than Liam had imagined. He found it fascinating that Zi Haoran, cold and calculating as he was, had cast aside such a beautiful woman.
As he continued to study her, Han Xue grew increasingly wary. She felt his eyes lingering too long on her, unsure whether his fascination was genuine admiration or lustful desire. Whatever it was, she knew she had to make use of it. It wasn't often she found herself in a position where her looks could be an advantage, and after all these years of doubting her worth, especially when her husband barely spared her a glance, she finally felt a sense of pride.
Taking a deep breath, Han Xue decided to play her part. She softened her gaze, and with a delicate, almost demure tone, she spoke. "Hello."
Liam's gaze snapped back to her eyes, the intensity of his focus unwavering.
[===o===o===]
WDD Mini Series: "Help, I'm in a Novel!"
( A hilariously chaotic series of banter where the characters double as their own story's spectators, breaking the fourth wall with mischievous humor, exaggerated emotions, and side-splitting commentary about their tangled, dramatic lives. )
Title: "Your Type, Really? (ಠ_ಠ)"
ZH:
"Wait, ANOTHER son? What is this, a family drama rerun? (⊙_☉)"
HX:
"Apparently, Liam's a fan of me too. Popular, aren't I? (⁀ᗢ⁀)"
ZH:
"You're not falling for this guy, are you?! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ"
HX:
"Well, he's got charm, money, and doesn't question my sanity. So, maybe? ¯_(ツ)_/¯"
ZH:
"Hey! I question your sanity because I care! (눈_눈)"
[===o===o===]