Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Give My House Back to Me

[Who are you?]

However, the message sank like a stone into the sea—no response came.

Cheng Zhiwei clutched her phone, biting her lip until it bled. She had long known that there were serious problems between her and Zhou Lin, but she couldn’t remember them.

Moreover, the traces online had been thoroughly cleaned, leaving nothing behind. She had tried searching but couldn’t find any content.

She never expected the truth to emerge in this way.

Whoever that person was, and whatever their reason for sending such things, Cheng Zhiwei instinctively knew the content of those two photos was real.

She fell asleep clutching her phone.

When Zhou Lin returned, he saw such a scene. He smiled helplessly, tiptoed over, and covered her with the quilt.

He then went to take her phone to put it aside.

But as soon as he touched her phone, Cheng Zhiwei woke with a start, subconsciously gripping it even tighter.

Her reaction was excessive.

Zhou Lin was taken aback. "Did I scare you?"

Cheng Zhiwei looked down, reining in all emotion, and said apologetically, "I’m really fed up with my aunt’s fuss. Got a bit jumpy there."

She voluntarily placed the phone on the bedside table, half-buried her face in the pillow, and let out a small yawn, "I’m going to sleep first."

Zhou Lin kissed her forehead, "Go to sleep. I’ll come to bed after I handle some things."

"Okay," Cheng Zhiwei agreed passively, and under the unseen quilt, her slender fingers clutched tightly onto the fabric.

She didn’t want Zhou Lin to know she had received those photos.

Because she had a premonition that she would receive even more in the future.

The grievances between her and Zhou Lin would soon be clarified.

Zhou Yi finished dealing with the matters and came back to find Cheng Zhiwei already fast asleep, her long, even breathing indicating she was in deep slumber.

His gaze fell upon her phone.

His long legs carried him closer as he remembered her moment of panic; she’d hidden it well, but he’d still noticed.

His finger hovered over the lock screen; he knew her phone’s passcode. With just a tap, he could discover the secrets within her phone.

But after a moment of hesitation, he chose to put the phone back down.

Their relationship couldn’t really be said to be good at the moment; he didn’t want to make things worse.

Forget it, he consoled himself. She was in the palm of his hand; she couldn’t stir up any trouble.

Why give her another reason to get upset?

Cheng Zhiwei slept soundly and, upon waking, found her phone untouched on the bedside table, which eased her mind somewhat.

Wanting to see if that person had replied but just as she reached out, her hand hadn’t yet touched the phone when it was pulled back by a warm, broad palm.

"It’s cold, sleep a little longer," a husky voice spoke right by her ear, soft to the extreme.

"What time is it?" Cheng Zhiwei asked, naturally taking her phone to check the time, then casually tossed it aside and got out of bed, "I’ll go see how Mom is."

That excuse was irrefutable.

Zhou Lin got up with her, preparing the mouthwash and towel meticulously.

Cheng Zhiwei went next door to see Cheng Zhiyin and the others, and Zhou Lin ordered breakfast to be brought to the next room.

Guo Cuihua clearly hadn’t slept all night; her eyes were swollen, with faint dark circles beneath. Seeing Cheng Zhiwei looking well, she finally smiled.

"Why didn’t you sleep longer?"

Cheng Zhiwei sat beside her, leaning against her shoulder, "I couldn’t sleep. Mom, are you planning to return to Yucheng?"

"The house is gone, so of course I’ll go back," Guo Cuihua touched Cheng Zhiwei’s cheek. "Don’t worry about me, focus on taking care of yourself."

"Then I’ll have Zhou Lin book the tickets," said Cheng Zhiwei without any hint of politeness, giving orders to Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin was right beside her, not feeling affronted by her casual commands but rather pleased.

The more casually she treated him, the more it proved she had him in her heart.

Rather than being icy cold like a stranger.

"No rush," he said indifferently, "We’ll stay here for two more days."

Cheng Zhiwei was puzzled, "Do you have things to do here?"

Zhou Lin glanced at Guo Cuihua, who looked haggard, and in her eyes, Zhou Lin could see a hint of concern.

It was concern for Cheng Shang.

"We have to see if dad will eventually have a change of heart," Zhou Lin paused, then continued, "I heard that dad stayed at my second aunt’s place last night."

Guo Cuihua sighed; it served him right.

Cheng Shang had spent a night at Cheng Rong’s place, thinking that since he had given the house to Cheng Can, he might as well give the home appliances and such to Cheng Rong.

So, early in the morning, he found a moving company and went with Cheng Rong to move things.

But when they arrived, they found the house empty already.

All of those furnishings and appliances were gone.

Cheng Rong sighed; she had anticipated this. How could her greedy older sister leave those items alone? She must have hauled them away overnight.

She wanted to remind Cheng Shang yesterday, but then she thought it better for him to see for himself.

Otherwise, his mind would never become clear.

Cheng Shang stood dully in the empty house for a moment, his gaze suddenly focused on the ground not far away.

There lay a shattered picture frame, with several footprints on the photo inside.

It was his wedding photo with Guo Cuihua, which he had treasured for many years.

But now it lay discarded on the ground like trash, even stepped on repeatedly.

A sudden discomfort rose in his heart.

He bent down to pick up the photo, wiped it repeatedly with his sleeve, and then solemnly placed it in his pocket.

"Second sister, this thing..." Cheng Shang couldn’t continue; he had already promised to give the items to Cheng Rong, but now...

"It’s okay," Cheng Rong sighed, patting his shoulder, "Third brother, although we’re a family, even family needs respect and distance, do you understand?"

Cheng Shang found it hard to accept. He had been trying so hard to help them all, but why did they still do this?

Was money really that important to them?

Just then, voices suddenly came from outside.

"This house will be ours from now on. When the child is born, schooling won’t be an issue," a voice said.

It was Cheng Zhiwu’s voice, full of bragging.

Then a woman’s voice said, "Does third uncle really want to give you the house?"

Cheng Zhiwu burst into laughter, "I tricked him into thinking I owed one million, so he pulled out the deed and let me transfer it to my name to repay the debt. In fact, I did owe some money, but it was only about two hundred thousand, which my mom has already repaid for me. Don’t worry."

The conversation continued and drew closer.

Cheng Shang had clenched his fists and, as they pushed open the door, he abruptly pulled it open.

Cheng Zhiwu’s face shifted subtly, his eyes darting around before he forced a smile, "Third uncle, what brings you here?"

Anger blazed in Cheng Shang’s eyes, "Give me back my house."

Cheng Zhiwu knew he must have heard and immediately stood tall, no longer pretending, "What do you mean by that, third uncle? The house is in my name now. How is it yours?"

"You tricked me out of it," Cheng Shang ground out through clenched teeth, "What you’re doing is against the law."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read