36. Gnashing of Teeth

"Little girl, what are you thinking about?" Jun Lengche gently stroked the furrow between Tong Zhenzhen’s brows. "Is it just a form of address? Is it worth agonizing over so much?"

"Ah..." Tong Zhenzhen quickly masked her true thoughts, blinking playfully. "Didn't you say it? For a lifetime. I have to think about it carefully."

Jun Lengche tapped the tip of her nose. "All right."

"What should I call you?" Her eyes darted around, as if she were truly giving it deep thought.

At that moment, her phone rang, providing a welcome distraction. She held it up. "Um, let me take this call." As she spoke, she began to head toward the balcony.

"What kind of call? Can't you answer it here?" he asked casually.

"Well, I... I..." She scrambled to find an excuse.

Seeing her flustered state, he released her. "Go ahead, little girl."

"I'll come back in as soon as I'm done," she said, letting out a secret sigh of relief as she shook her phone and hurried to the balcony.

It was an unknown number.

However, since she was already out here, she might as well answer it; it would spare her from facing his tender affection, which only made her heart race. Tong Zhenzhen picked up.

"Zhenzhen..."

As soon as she heard the voice, she wanted to hang up. It was Long Tianyu.

"Don't hang up! I have something important to tell you. It’s about Jun Lengche! It concerns your happiness!" Long Tianyu seemed to have guessed her intention and spoke urgently.

What could Long Tianyu possibly want to say? Was he trying to smear Jun Lengche’s reputation? Even though she thought so, she couldn't suppress her curiosity. She didn't know why, but she found herself wanting to know everything about Jun Lengche.

"Well," she drawled, considering for a moment before saying, "Go ahead. But don't give me any hearsay."

Long Tianyu let out a breath. "Zhenzhen, Jun Lengche is not as simple as he seems. Did you know he wasn't just married before, but once had a fiancée he was on the verge of marrying? They say he almost fell out with his family for her sake back then."

"Is that so? And what of it? Haven't I already dealt with a scumbag like you?" Tong Zhenzhen had assumed it was something major; she had already investigated his past relationships.

Long Tianyu let out an awkward, dry laugh before continuing. "Those are just the things on the surface. Do you know that for a period of time, he frequented various nightclubs abroad and had intimate relations with many women?"

Hearing this, Tong Zhenzhen felt a prick of discomfort. However, she didn't want a scumbag like Long Tianyu to know her thoughts. So, she feigned indifference. "Which man doesn't know how to play the field?"

"He’s not just playing around! He even has a son!" Long Tianyu dropped a bombshell.

What?! She could no longer remain calm. "You—what did you say? Jun Lengche has a son?! You’re lying!"

In her shock, her voice rose, drawing the attention of Jun Lengche, who was reading the newspaper in the living room. He stood up and looked over.

"I am not!" Long Tianyu raised his voice on the other end. "Do you remember Room 301, 19a, 222 Baker Street?"

She knew that address all too well. Five years ago, she had received online orders every day to deliver items to a mother and child living there. This went on for a year. She still remembered the one-year-old blonde boy; he was as cute as a doll.

My God, was that infant Jun Lengche’s son? Was the world really that small?

Then, the gravity of the situation hit her—Jun Lengche had lied to her! If Long Tianyu could say this, it meant he had investigated it. It was the truth!

Tong Zhenzhen felt an inexplicable rage flare up. Ignoring anything else Long Tianyu might have to say, she hung up and stormed inside.

She marched straight up to Jun Lengche, raised her fist, and struck his chest. "You bastard! You scoundrel!"

However, his chest muscles were too hard; she felt a powerful recoil and, losing her balance, stumbled backward.

"Little girl, what’s wrong?" Fortunately, Jun Lengche reacted quickly, stepping forward to wrap his arms around her waist and steady her.

She didn't know where such fury had come from. She rained punches and kicks on him, and feeling that wasn't enough, she tore at his thin robe and bit down hard on his chest.

He groaned and held her tighter. "Little girl, what on earth happened?"

She bit down viciously until she tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth, then finally released him.

A deep ring of teeth marks was imprinted on his chest, with faint traces of blood visible.

After venting, she calmed down slightly. Gasping for air, she glared at him with hatred and squeezed a sentence through her teeth: "You. Lied. To. Me!"

"Lied to you? What do you mean?" He stared at her, stunned.

"Did you or did you not have a son? Room 301, 19a, 222 Baker Street—surely that address isn't unfamiliar to you? Were those delivery orders placed by you? Do you think I'm that stupid? Tell me, what exactly are you plotting?" Her face was cold as she fired off questions.

He raised an eyebrow and pondered for a moment. "Who told you this?"

"That's none of your business! What do you want?!" She pushed him hard, trying to break free from his embrace.

She was such a fool. How could she have unknowingly believed his words, believed he wanted to grow old with her, and even let her resolve for revenge waver? He had such a massive secret that she hadn't known about. If this was what had been exposed, how many more hidden secrets were there?

Her heart ached with an intensity that surpassed even the pain of Long Tianyu's betrayal.

Why did he lie to her? What was his true motive for everything he had done?

This news completely shattered the fragile trust she had in him.

Furthermore, he hadn't denied it; he was only concerned with the source of the information. That meant his having a son was true.

What kind of feelings could a man have if he could abandon his own flesh and blood? He was worse than an animal!

"Little girl, sometimes what you know is only the surface. You must believe me. In this life, you are the one I love most, and you are the one I want to grow old with." Her hatred was like a blade in Jun Lengche’s heart.

He hugged her tightly. "Trust me, when the time is right, I will tell you everything."

The right time? He was just looking for a reasonable excuse, she thought, her heart plummeting into a bottomless black hole.

Her mother had been hurt by the Jun family; was it her turn now? Tong Zhenzhen sneered. How could she ever believe his excuses again?

"I'm going out for a while." Jun Lengche released her, gave her a long look, and walked into the bedroom.

Tong Zhenzhen was startled and sank onto the sofa. He wasn't even going to explain? A subtle sense of loss washed over her.

A moment later, Jun Lengche walked out, fully dressed. "Little girl, I’m heading out. Get some sleep early."

With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

He was just leaving? And telling her to sleep early? What woman could sleep after finding out her husband had an illegitimate child?

Tong Zhenzhen, burning with rage, grabbed a sofa cushion and threw it at his retreating back. "You big jerk!"

He turned, caught the cushion, and seemed to sigh. In the end, he left.

With no one left to lash out at, Tong Zhenzhen paced the living room like a trapped beast.

How could such a morally bankrupt person be a soldier?! Should she report him?! The thought crossed her mind.

But... but...

It was clearly a perfect opportunity, yet she hesitated.

No, she needed concrete evidence before she could accuse him. Didn't he say things weren't as they appeared? If she reported him rashly without ironclad proof, she would fail. Then he and the Jun family would definitely be on guard against her.

What should she do?

After much thought, she decided to obtain the evidence first before taking further action.

It seemed she needed a friend's help.

Tong Zhenzhen sighed softly.

During her university years abroad, she had made two close friends: David, a local boy who was a computer genius, and Julie, a warm-hearted girl of Chinese descent.

She had occasionally spoken to them about her quest for revenge. Both of her friends had been against it, believing that vengeance only led to more vengeance, and that she should let go of the past to have a bright future.

Because of their differing opinions, she had left without saying goodbye when she returned to China, even though she knew they would have helped her selflessly if she had asked.

Now, she needed their help. Who should she call?

Although Julie was warm-hearted, she had a strong sense of justice and a very direct, "tomboy" personality. Tong Zhenzhen was worried that if she asked Julie to help collect a strand of a baby's hair, she would get a severe tongue-lashing first.

Forget it. She would ask David.

Despite his blonde hair, blue eyes, and tall, masculine appearance, David was a bit effeminate, and most importantly, he had never refused her anything. He was the kind of friend who would stand guard even if she were trying to steal something.

Yes, that was it!

Tong Zhenzhen dialed his number immediately.

From the other end came David’s furious voice: "Who is this? It's the middle of the night!"

Tong Zhenzhen stuck out her tongue; she knew her old friend hated being woken up—he would go crazy. "Sorry, David, it's me, Zhenzhen."

"Zhenzhen! Is it really you? Why didn't you tell us you were going back to China? You had us so worried, you’re just awful!" David’s tone changed instantly, becoming gentle.

"Zhenzhen" was the nickname David used for her. At first, she couldn't stand it, but Julie told her to just treat David like one of the girls—maybe he’d come out one day. Later, Tong Zhenzhen realized David did seem a bit gay. Whenever they discussed handsome men, he was the most enthusiastic. So, she accepted it.

Her friend’s nagging and concern warmed her. Even though she knew he couldn't see her, she smiled. "I'm so sorry. Actually, I need a favor."

"Alright, tell me!" David agreed readily...