Chapter 116: Chapter 116: I Don’t Believe You At All Chapter 116: Chapter 116: I Don’t Believe You At All “What?”

Zhou Jin’an only felt a buzzing noise ring in her head, as if an invisible hand had pushed her into an ice cellar, her eyes brimming with shock.

“Dear, Mom knows you must blame me, but your brother insisted on getting married, and your dad and I really couldn’t think of any other way. Consider this money as borrowed by your dad and me from young Master Ding. Once your brother starts working, we can pay him back. Besides, the two of you are going to get married soon. Qiao De is also his brother, and he is wealthy—it’s only right for him to help out a bit.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jin’an was utterly flabbergasted.

Her mother favored others, which she never minded, as after all, she was not their biological child. However, how could her parents indulge in Qiao De’s recklessness?

Ding Hao was wealthy, but what did his money have to do with the Qiao Family? Zhou was only in a sham marriage with him. Were her parents trying to sell her to him?

“Mom, why didn’t you discuss this with me before doing it? Do you know how difficult this makes it for me?”

Zhou Jin’an clenched her eyebrows in pain.

That money, she must return it to Ding Hao no matter what.

Zhou Jin’an turned and walked out, but her mother chased after her.

“Dear, Ah De is your brother, we are a family. You helped him before, why can’t you help him now? Think of it as mom begging you, please? Mom only has you and Ah De, please don’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Her mother cried, tears streaming down her face, and as she spoke, she actually knelt on the ground.

Zhou Jin’an was a rational person, but her greatest vulnerability was her family.

When her mother targeted her soft spot, she found herself unable to walk away.

“Mom, get up,” Zhou Jin’an said, reaching to help her mother to her feet.

Her mother grabbed Zhou Jin’an’s hand. “Dear, I have wronged you. I am useless, I made you suffer. But you’re about to marry into the Ding Family and have a good life, can you just help your brother, please?”

She kept on pleading.

Zhou Jin’an knew that no amount of reasoning would get through to her mother, who only cared about her son, unable to bear seeing her own flesh and blood suffer.

“I will go and thank young Master Ding; Mom, you go back first.”

Zhou Jin’an felt extremely uncomfortable.

Her mother looked at Zhou Jin’an, teary-eyed, “Dear, thank you.”

Zhou Jin’an didn’t look back, her steps firm, her closest and most beloved family repeatedly pulling her into an abyss.

She wasn’t without grievance, yet these people were her family. Although they were not related by blood, they had given her a home, so she should be grateful.

With gratitude, that is why her name was Zhou Jin’an, and her brother, Qiao De.

Zhou Jin’an hailed a taxi and went straight to the Central Hospital; Ding Hao was on duty at the hospital that evening.

Zhou Jin’an found him at the duty station, just as he finished checking the last batch of rooms, and lit up with joy upon seeing her.

“En’en, why are you here? This is such a wonderful surprise.”

The smile on Ding Hao’s lips stretched to his ears.

Zhou Jin’an’s expression was grim, “Doctor Ding, can I have a word with you?”

Her formal and distant demeanor instantly froze the smile on Ding Hao’s face. “What’s the matter, En’en?”

Ding Hao moved closer, attempting to grab Zhou Jin’an’s arm, but she stepped back.

Zhou Jin’an took out a card from her bag and handed it to Ding Hao, “Doctor Ding, I cannot take this one million from you. I’m returning it to you—thank you.”

Ding Hao was initially shocked, then a hint of mocking amusement danced in his eyes.

“En’en, we’re about to get married, and you’re still being so formal? I indeed forgot about the dowry earlier, but I won’t skimp on what’s owed. What? Your mom thinks it’s too little?”

One million was just a number to him, but for the Qiao Family, it was a huge sum.

With that money, Qiao De could have a lavish wedding.

Yet, if she accepted that money, Zhou Jin’an would never feel at ease.

“It’s not that,”

Zhou Jin’an denied.

Ding Hao, his lips curled in a cynical smile, said, “Is it because you think it’s too little? Fine, I will send ten million to your house first thing tomorrow morning.”

Zhou Jin’an knew Ding Hao wasn’t just talking big—he could come up with ten million.

“Doctor Ding, I know you’re wealthy, but there’s a time and place for everything. You don’t need to waste it on me, and I, too, don’t want to owe you any favors.”

She was telling the truth.

She was cautious by nature and wouldn’t easily leave herself vulnerable to outsiders.

“I like it, so what? Just take it, stop rejecting it; I don’t like being so distant,” Ding Hao’s voice grew a bit heavier, and he seemed a bit angry.

Zhou Jin’an didn’t want to prolong the confrontation, and she left the card on the table, “Thank you.”

After finishing, she walked out.

Ding Hao chased after her, “Zhou Jin’an, are you deliberately trying to make me lose face? You refuse to take my money as if it burns, but Zhou Jin’an’s money you take without a second thought?”

The air was thick with an aroma of jealousy.

“The million isn’t from Zhou Jin’an.”

Zhou Jin’an explained, but Ding Hao didn’t believe her.

“Ha, you think I’d believe that? In the entire Rong City, no more than ten people have that gold card, and nine out of these ten people have no connections with you. If you say this money isn’t from Zhou Jin’an, Zhou Jin’an, do you think I would believe you?”

“Are you investigating me?”

Zhou Jin’an’s innate cautiousness kicked in, she remembered Detective Wu mentioned that someone was investigating her. At that time, she was preoccupied with Su Nian’s matter and didn’t inquire further. But now, with Ding Hao bringing up the gold card on his own, she was belatedly more aware.

Ding Hao neither denied nor admitted it.

“En’en.”

His tone softened a bit, “You know I care about you a lot, and though our marriage is fake, can you please be more involved? I’ve told you I would protect you and your family, you have to trust me.”

He still looked utterly sincere, more genuine than gold.

The subtext in Zhou Jin’an’s mind was, I trust you my foot.

But she was smart; she didn’t bother to verify Ding Hao’s promises.

“I understand. It’s late, take care of yourself with the overtime, I’m heading back now.”

The two bid each other farewell, and superficially, it seemed like they had reconciled, but only Zhou Jin’an knew how much further her heart was rejecting him.

Leaving the hospital, she looked at the lit-up street and felt lonelier than ever.

The people who professed to care—whom could she trust?

The Qiao family? Zhou Jin’an? Ding Hao?

The figures of these people flashed through Zhou Jin’an’s mind but only for a moment; she showed a bitter smile.

That’s alright, with less to worry about, perhaps I can walk a bit more freely.

While waiting for the bus at the bus station, Zhou Jin’an sent a message to Detective Wu.

He replied quickly.

“Wait a little longer, I’ll sort it out as soon as possible.”

The bus arrived tardily, and Zhou Jin’an boarded.

The bus wasn’t crowded; she chose a seat by the window.

The bus jolted forward, and suddenly, Zhou Jin’an glimpsed a familiar figure.

It was Zhang Xiaoxia.

She was still in the same outfit she wore to the Qiao family earlier that day, except the man beside her was different.

They were leaning against the front of the bus, passionately kissing.

Zhou Jin’an’s eyes widened; she could hardly believe it.

The bus happened to stop at the bus station right across from where they were kissing; this time, Zhou Jin’an could see the man’s face clearly.

It was just a moment, but she was shocked, her face turning pale.