Chapter 139: The Insecure Younger Brother

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: The Insecure Younger Brother

"The past is the past, but now..."

Ouyang Kunpeng suddenly bowed formally to Zhang Yun. "I must sincerely thank you. You’ve saved Mingruo time and time again over the past two days!"

He had thanked him before, but with suspicion. Now he was certain that Zhang Yun had just been accidentally swept into this mess.

With her father taking the lead, Ouyang Mingruo secretly let out a breath and then bowed to Ouyang Chunqiu.

"I’m sorry! From the moment I learned your identity, I’ve discriminated against you and targeted you. That’s what gave others an opening to exploit you, and that’s why I kept suppressing you. I even said I was going to kill you..." Ouyang Mingruo apologized bitterly.

Ouyang Chunqiu returned a bitter smile. "I never harbored ambition or resentment, nor did I want to snatch everything away from you. I have always felt inferior. I shouldn’t even exist..."

Watching his daughter and son bare their hearts to each other, the most awkward and uncomfortable person was perhaps Ouyang Kunpeng—especially with an outsider watching the spectacle.

"Over the years, you might have felt like I was competing with you, but I actually just wanted to prove to you that even if I can’t be as excellent as you are, I can at least try my best to keep up with your pace. I’m not a freeloader riding on your coattails...

"My attitude toward you wasn’t friendly either, because I didn’t want others—or you—to think I was currying favor with you. I wanted you to see my actions, to see my hard work, and for you to one day acknowledge my abilities.

"I swear to God, I never thought of replacing you, much less harming you! I only ever wanted your approval."

He had mustered up all his courage to say these words. The more he spoke, the more downcast he became, tears of grievance welling up in his eyes.

Ouyang Kunpeng’s eyes also grew a little moist. He kept taking deep breaths to prevent his old tears from falling, trying to maintain the dignity of a parent and the head of the Ouyang family.

Ouyang Mingruo apologized because she had misunderstood, made a mistake, and been used as a pawn. But she wouldn’t suddenly develop a fondness for this illegitimate younger brother.

However, after listening to Ouyang Chunqiu’s long speech, she couldn’t help but be stunned.

Her preconceived notions, coupled with Ouyang Qilin fanning the flames, had caused her to constantly misunderstand Ouyang Chunqiu. She had interpreted everything he did in the worst possible way. Now, hearing these heartfelt words spoken face-to-face deeply shocked her.

Zhang Yun was also surprised. His understanding of Ouyang Chunqiu was limited to what Mingruo had told him, which could be described as very one-sided—much like the stereotypical image of an illegitimate child in a soap opera about rich families.

Now, looking at Ouyang Chunqiu and hearing him bare his soul in front of his father and sister, he could basically confirm that it was the truth.

An illegitimate child, living under someone else’s roof, with no real home to call his own... If his mother was no longer around, the situation might be even worse. Going to extremes or developing an inferiority complex were both entirely possible.

"Very good, very good!" Zhang Yun clapped, breaking the awkward silence. "I can prove that what Mingruo said is the truth. Until she got in the car and was drugged on the way here, she firmly believed this was a safe place and mistakenly thought Ouyang Chunqiu was trying to kill her. After learning the truth, she was also extremely remorseful.

"Now that everything is out in the open, I’m very moved by what I’ve heard. I believe Chunqiu is a younger brother who longs for family affection and yearns for his sister’s approval, and Mingruo is also an excellent older sister.

"So... let’s all open our hearts, let go of prejudices, and be good friends from now on!"

His attempt to smooth things over was a bit awkward, but coming from an outsider, it served as a reminder to Ouyang Kunpeng. He immediately wrapped one arm around his son and the other around his daughter.

"You are both my children, and you are both exceptionally outstanding! I have always been proud of you! The misunderstanding this time was too great. You almost ended up killing each other, and something terrible almost happened to Mingruo..."

He said solemnly, "I will grow older year by year. In the future, you two will be the siblings who can support each other! I hope you can cast aside your grievances, trust each other, and help each other from now on."

This kind of scene was perhaps a first for them, and all three felt very awkward.

But they had to break this psychological knot. If they missed today’s opportunity, it would be even harder later.

Zhang Yun had persuaded Ouyang Mingruo earlier, and he wasn’t going to miss this chance either!

"So heartwarming! So touching! Let me capture this moment for you!"

As he spoke, he had already taken out his phone. Regardless of whether they agreed or not, he snapped a picture.

"I’ll send the original image to you guys."

Ouyang Kunpeng was grateful for Zhang Yun’s playful interruption, otherwise, it would have been difficult for him to continue the awkward conversation. He was glad he had agreed to let Zhang Yun accompany them just now.

After the photo was sent, Ouyang Kunpeng and Ouyang Mingruo both used the excuse of looking at their phones to let go of each other.

"Zhang Yun, since you’re practically my sister’s boyfriend, can we add each other as friends? Send me a copy too," Ouyang Chunqiu approached proactively.

Zhang Yun was instantly speechless, thinking, "This silly kid! Is this how you try to get close to someone? How am I her boyfriend? Since when did I want to be her boyfriend?"

"Ha! You’ve got the wrong idea. Just call me Zhang Yun."

Zhang Yun was afraid Ouyang Kunpeng would chime in, so he quickly glossed over it, added him on WeChat, and sent him the photo.

"Well... since you father, daughter, and siblings have cleared up your misunderstandings, I really shouldn’t interrupt your harmonious moment. But I must remind you that, according to what Ouyang Qilin said earlier, he was planning to take all three of you out in one fell swoop!

"Ideally, we should have just killed him directly just now, which would have also avenged Mingruo, but you couldn’t bring yourselves to do it. Heh, being injured doesn’t stop someone from making a phone call."

Zhang Yun’s words made all three of them turn serious.

Ouyang Qilin had been laying out his plans for years, waiting for exactly this kind of opportunity. The war Mingruo initiated tonight was supposed to be his moment to reap the rewards. Would he really have no cronies, no backup plans?

"Thank you for the reminder. I haven’t reached the point of senility yet. I have been keeping an eye on certain things in advance. Furthermore... Chunqiu may have quite a few loopholes in his work, but he has never betrayed us from the inside or done anything to wrong the Ouyang family. I can solve this!"

"Let me handle this..." Ouyang Mingruo hastily stated her stance.

Before she could finish, Ouyang Kunpeng interrupted, "Don’t say anything rash about leaving the Ouyang family business. I need to rely on you, and Chunqiu also looks up to you as a role model! As long as we stand united, we can definitely dismantle Qilin’s conspiracy!"

Ouyang Mingruo looked at her father and then at Ouyang Chunqiu. She knew that if she truly left, both the Ouyang family and the outside world would think it was her father and Chunqiu’s fault.

"Alright! There is one more thing... Besides wanting to replace us, with Uncle Qilin’s... deeply scheming personality, he will inevitably lay out plans for revenge. This won’t just target us; my mother and Zhang Yun might also be his targets! We must take this into consideration and stop him in advance!"

Ouyang Kunpeng also understood this biological younger brother of his. A person who could endure so much and be so ruthless would definitely continue to resort to any means necessary!

"Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing, and I can handle it well!"

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qilin, who was in a car heading to the hospital, fumbled around and took out his phone.

Ouyang Kunpeng’s bodyguards immediately looked over. One of Ouyang Qilin’s injured subordinates immediately shouted, "What are you looking at! Can’t Mr. Qilin make a phone call? Even if Boss Ouyang were here, would he forbid it?"

"Afraid I’ll call for backup? Fine, I just won’t make the call..." Ouyang Qilin didn’t connect the call and didn’t speak on the phone, but he had already dialed a number.

In a certain room of that house, Lei Bing had planted a bomb that could be detonated by a cell phone. Once triggered, it would sequentially detonate explosives hidden all over the building.

The few cars Zhang Yun had blown up earlier were nothing but child’s play. Ouyang Qilin revealed a trace of an eerie smile as the deafening roar and towering flames of the entire building exploding in a chain reaction played out in his mind’s eye.

Although they had traveled some distance away, the blast would still be heard from here!