Chapter 415 Manipulating the Narrative! Magnanimous Zhang Wei! (3)
Chapter 415 Manipulating the Narrative! Magnanimous Zhang Wei! (3)
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"...S-sister in law..."Chen Dong, his gaze fixated on Yu Lei, caught a glimpse of her expression transforming into one of barely contained rage.
The fury in her eyes was growing every second, a silent testament to her outrage over the audacity of any woman threatening Zhang Wei!
Yu Lei's anger, so vivid and dangerous, suggested she was moments away from exacting her own form of justice had circumstances been different.
Misinterpreting Yu Lei's anger as a reflection of the gravity of his sister's actions, Chen Dong's resolve hardened.
With a heavy heart, he led Zhang Wei back to his seat, meticulously arranging the chair beside Chen Yulan, as if to reaffirm their controversial bond in front of everyone.
This act, meant to restore some semblance of order, only deepened Chen Yulan's confusion and distress.
'Hm?' she wondered silently, her eyes wide with uncertainty as she observed her brother's sudden shift in demeanor, the deliberate placement of Zhang Wei next to her sending a clear message she couldn't quite decipher.
Zhang Wei, ever the opportunist, took his seat with a triumphant smile, winking at Chen Yulan in a manner that only added to the surreal nature of the moment.
Chen Dong, meanwhile, fixed his sister with a look of profound disapproval. "Yulan! You must treat Zhang Wei well!" His words were laced with a mixture of admonishment and disbelief. "He is such a good man. How could you do this?"
"I thought you were always a good girl, but you!"
The disappointment in his voice was unmistakable, a heavy sigh escaping him as he trembled, not with rage, but with a profound sense of betrayal.
Retrieving a cigarette, he retreated to the edge of the room, seeking solace in solitude, his mind a chaos of thoughts and emotions.
Chen Yulan's heart ached at the sight, her lips parting in a futile attempt to bridge the chasm that had opened between them. "...B-Brother.." The word was a whisper, barely audible, laden with regret and confusion.
"Don't call me brother! How dare you mistreat Zhang Wei! If not for his kindness, do you even know the consequences!?" Chen Dong's voice rose, a mix of disbelief and indignation painting his words.
The gravity of what he believed his sister had done—drugging and violating Zhang Wei—was unfathomable, reshaping his perception of her from a cherished sibling to someone capable of reprehensible acts.
"..."
Chen Yulan, caught in the eye of the storm, found herself bewildered by the rapidly unfolding events, the complexity of the situation far surpassing her ability to comprehend.
As Zhang Wei offered her food with a gentle smile, her reaction was automatic, her mind too overwhelmed to protest.
The act, so ordinary under different circumstances, now seemed laden with significance, her mind racing with unanswered questions.
She was bewildered, trapped in a narrative spun beyond her control, questioning how she had once again been cast as the villain in a scenario where she felt more like a victim.
What was happening?
How did she become the wrong person yet again?
She did nothing wrong!
Boom!
Her internal turmoil was abruptly shattered by Yu Lei's explosive reaction. "It's enough!" The sharpness in Yu Lei's voice as she slammed her hand on the table cut through the confusion, drawing all eyes to her. "You can't just bully our husband like this!" Her accusation, aimed squarely at Chen Yulan, was fierce, her anger growing.
!!
Chen Yulan, mouth agape, nearly choked on her food.
The accusation, so far from her own perception of the situation, left her reeling.
Chen Dong, witnessing Yu Lei's fierce loyalty, felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
Tears threatened to spill as he marveled at what he perceived as her magnanimity. 'Sister-in-law is as kind as Zhang Wei... Truly a pair made in heaven...', he mused, touched by the unity Yu Lei showed.
In his eyes, her use of "our husband" wasn't just a declaration of solidarity but a symbol of forgiveness, a willingness to embrace Chen Yulan despite the perceived crimes.
Zhang Wei, sensing the situation spiraling out of control, acted swiftly to regain command. His call to Yu Lei was firm, his eyes narrowing with authority and a hint of urgency. "Yu Lei, come here!" He commanded, his voice cutting through the noise and bringing an immediate focus back to him.
"Humph!" Yu Lei's expression was a mix of frustration and restrained aggression. "If not for my husband stopping me, I would discipline you today!" she declared, her warning to Chen Yulan clear and pointed.
Yet, as she moved to stand before Zhang Wei, her demeanor shifted dramatically, her pout replaced by a beaming smile.
"You asked for my presence, husband?" she inquired, her voice softening, a stark contrast to the fierceness she had just displayed.
Zhang Wei's response was simple, authoritative. "Sit."
"Okay!" Without hesitation, Yu Lei took her place, seated gracefully above him. The tension that had enveloped the room seemed to dissipate momentarily as Zhang Wei fed her, an intimate gesture that shadowed the complex emotions swirling beneath the surface.
Chen Dong, witnessing this, felt a surge of emotions overwhelm him.
The sight of Zhang Wei's apparent magnanimity towards his sister, despite everything, compelled him to act.
Retreating to his room, he rummaged through his belongings, extracting papers from a locker.
He returned, his resolve evident in his stride as he placed the documents on the table before Zhang Wei. "Zhang Wei! I don't really have much to offer! But take these—the property papers of this house and half of the shares in my company!"
His voice was laden with a mixture of desperation and sincerity. "That's all I can give. It can never compensate for the grievance you suffered, but I hope you won't hold it against my sister!"
Chen Yulan's heart sank as she witnessed her brother's gesture. "B-Brother, but why..." The words barely escaped her lips, her mind racing with confusion and sorrow.
The company was their lifeline, built from nothing but their collective dreams and determination.
Why surrender it to someone who had no need for such offerings?
Wasn't he already rich?
"You, quiet! Aren't you satisfied with bullying Zhang Wei so much already? No matter how much we do for him, we still can't compensate him!" Chen Dong's rebuke was sharp, leaving no room for debate.
"..." Chen Yulan's face darkened, a profound sense of isolation enveloping her.
For the second time, she found herself surrendering to the current of events beyond her control.
Picking up her chopsticks, she directed her frustration towards the food, each bite an attempt to quell the storm of emotions raging within her.
The world seemed to conspire against her, each misunderstanding and misjudgment weaving a tighter net from which there seemed no escape.