We Weren’t Fated, I Just Played My Cards Right - Chapter 37
The entire ride back, Dong Qi tried every possible way to convince his grandparents not to take the so-called miracle pills. They agreed readily, but once home, he merely stepped into the bathroom—only to return and find the pillbox opened, two pills missing.
Noticing Dong Qi’s stare, Jiang’s father coughed awkwardly and quickly put the box away.
But that wasn’t the only thing that shattered him. At noon, Jiang’s mother received a call from Jiang Li.
“Mom, is Qiqi with you?” Jiang Li asked calmly.
Dong Qi had imagined his mother would be frantic, weeping and apologizing, promising to fetch him immediately. But none of that happened.
Jiang Li’s mother was quite harsh with her daughter: “What’s the deal with Dong’s daughter? She just came back a few days ago and already dares to bully our Qiqi like this? And you, how can you call yourself a mother? Your son has been gone for so long, and you’re only just now looking for him!”
Jiang Li knew she was in the wrong. In the past, she would have been frantic, but now she had Liu Mumu. Since Liu Mumu said Dong Qi was at a relative’s house, Jiang Li wasn’t worried.
In Qingcheng, apart from her parents, the only relative was Jiang Jia. Even if he really went to Jiang Jia’s place, the child wouldn’t be mistreated.
“Mom, this has nothing to do with anyone else,” Jiang Li glanced around and lowered her voice. “Qiqi went too far this time. He actually forged a fake report card to deceive me and his father. His dad grounded him to study at home during the vacation, but who knew he’d sneak off on his own and even take the Zhang family’s kid next door with him.”
“Really? It wasn’t Dong’s daughter playing tricks?” Jiang’s mother asked skeptically.
“Of course not,” Jiang Li quickly denied.
“Even so, Dong shouldn’t have hit the child. So what if our Qiqi’s grades are a bit poor? The entire Dong family will be his someday—it’s not like he needs to go job hunting,” Jiang’s mother declared righteously.
Noticing her husband glance their way, Jiang Li rubbed her temples irritably. “Mom, don’t say things like that anymore.”
Chided by her daughter, Jiang’s mother recalled how, the last time she’d merely asked for some financial help, her son-in-law not only refused but sent over two pots of cacti to spite them. Her face darkened. “Fine. It’s not like I get to spend your family’s money anyway, so why should I bother worrying? When are you coming to pick Qiqi up?”
Jiang Li looked over at Liu Mumu, who was fiddling with coins at the dining table, and steeled herself. “I’ve already discussed it with Zhang Yang’s family. Let the two kids stay with you for a few days. Dong’s anger hasn’t subsided yet.”
Dong Zhenghao wouldn’t stay mad at his son for long—a couple of hours for show was enough. Once he cooled off, he’d definitely want the boy back.
But Liu Mumu insisted that the runaway child should experience the harsh realities of society. Nothing too extreme—just freeze his cards and let him stay outside for a while.
Jiang Li wanted to argue that this was their home, and of course their son could return. But after only brief hesitation, Dong Zhenghao agreed.
The couple even stepped outside to argue, afraid Liu Mumu might overhear them indoors—how pitiful.
Furious, Jiang Li accused Liu Mumu of being petty, claiming she was tormenting Dong Qi to retaliate for his poor attitude toward her.
Dong Zhenghao countered with flawless logic: His daughter was a fortune-telling master. When a master spoke, could it be called retaliation? No, it was pearls of wisdom—and she wasn’t even charging extra! He was getting a steal!
Too angry to speak, Jiang Li eventually returned to the dining table and faced “Master Liu.” In the end, she relented.
After all… her son would only be staying at his grandmother’s for a few days. No pain, no gain. If he suffered a little, his mother’s life would be easier, wouldn’t it?
*
And so, Dong Qi was dealt with accordingly.
That afternoon, instead of his parents, Dong Qi received news that all his cards had been frozen.
A true human tragedy.
That night, as he slept, his dreams were filled with Liu Mumu—one version pointing at him and saying, “You didn’t step with your left foot. Your leg is broken.”
Another version pointed at him and declared, “Your report card is fake.”
Then his dad came at him with a rolling pin that was forty meters long.
Dong Qi felt a sharp pain in his chest and started bawling angrily in his dream—this definitely wasn’t his real dad!
When he finally woke up a bit more, he realized the pain in his chest was because Zhang Yang, who was sleeping next to him, was thrashing around and had just elbowed him hard in the ribs.
Disgusted, Dong Qi kicked Zhang Yang with his foot. Zhang Yang didn’t wake up—he seemed to be having a nightmare, his face twisted into a fierce expression, teeth clenched as if he were fighting someone.
“Annoying,” Dong Qi muttered. Feeling thirsty, he sat up and turned on the bedside lamp, only to remember there was no water cup on the nightstand—this was his grandparents’ house, and his mom wasn’t here.
Thinking back on the dream he’d just had, he started to suspect neither of his parents were his real family.
Angrily, he kicked his slippers toward the door, then, finding the floor too cold, padded barefoot to retrieve them before heading out to get water himself.
As he passed his grandparents’ room, he heard voices inside. He pushed the door lightly—it wasn’t locked and creaked open a crack.
The room wasn’t completely dark. His grandparents hadn’t drawn the curtains, and the moonlight cast clear outlines of the two figures lying in bed, seemingly talking.
But despite the noise Dong Qi had made pushing the door, neither of them acknowledged him.
A sense of unease crept over Dong Qi. Just as he was about to leave, he heard his grandmother say, “So what if she’s the other woman? Once he divorces his wife, our Xiaoli will be the rightful wife. He’ll have to give us 10,000 a month—my daughter didn’t waste her time on him for nothing.”
Then his grandfather replied, “Another daughter? The Jiang family line ends with me.” He started sobbing loudly.
Dong Qi shuddered, realizing they were talking in their sleep.
He hesitated but didn’t dare go in to wake them. Instead, he quietly closed the door.
After drinking some water, he didn’t return to the original room. Instead, he found a guest room and went back to sleep.
His dreams remained chaotic, filled with family troubles—his dad threatening to kick him out if he didn’t rank first in school, his dad declaring that because his grades were so bad, the family fortune would all go to Liu Mumu, leaving him nothing. In short, it was all nightmares.
The next morning, Dong Qi woke up past nine. His grandparents, who usually ate breakfast early, seemed to have just gotten up too.
They looked exhausted. His grandmother was cooking while his grandfather muttered outside, seemingly scolding her for waking up late and delaying his breakfast.
Zhang Yang, emerging from his room with a yawn, asked Dong Qi, “Why weren’t you in the room last night?”
“You snored so loud it woke me up, so I went to sleep in another room,” Dong Qi blurted out without thinking.
“Really? I don’t snore,” Zhang Yang scratched his head in confusion.
Dong Qi had stayed at his maternal grandparents’ house for four days. At first, he just thought the place was too small and uncomfortable, but eventually, he didn’t even have the energy to care about such trivial matters anymore.
Having nightmares every night was bad enough, but what made it worse was that everyone else in the household was experiencing the same. Zhang Yang started by kicking and punching in his sleep, then progressed to crying and screaming like a pig being slaughtered.
Yesterday was even more terrifying—his grandmother sleepwalked into the kitchen and started chopping a tomato, which was downright horrifying.
Having played numerous horror games, Dong Qi couldn’t help but think that his family’s bizarre behavior might be the early signs of turning into zombies!
He couldn’t stay here any longer. If he did, he’d surely meet his doom sooner or later.
Meanwhile, at the Dong residence, Zhang Yang’s father, Zhang Shijing, had returned from a business trip. He brought gifts and came with his wife to express their gratitude to the Dong family.
Dong Zhenghao hadn’t arrived home yet, so Jiang Li politely entertained the couple in the living room.
Zhang Shijing was in his forties. Though average-looking, he carried an air of scholarly refinement. It was said he used to be a teacher before resigning to go into business.
His wife was around the same age, somewhat thin, and didn’t look too well, but she was quite beautiful and spoke softly.
The couple seemed to have a good relationship, frequently exchanging affectionate glances.
Liu Mumu and Dong Yue were also in the living room. During the conversation, Zhang Shijing asked Dong Yue about her grades and even gave her some study tips.
As for Liu Mumu, he vaguely knew her identity, but since Jiang Li hadn’t formally introduced them, he didn’t say much. When she glanced at him, he simply smiled warmly at her.
Liu Mumu was actually a little curious—he and his wife seemed to get along well, but did he know about his wife being slapped in public by his mother?
The behavior of the Zhang family’s elderly matriarch that day had truly shocked her. From Jiang Li’s casual remarks over the past few days, it seemed the old woman hadn’t treated the previous daughter-in-law that way.
About half an hour later, Dong Zhenghao finally returned home. Seeing guests, he warmly shook hands with Zhang Shijing and exchanged pleasantries. Eventually, Zhang Shijing revealed the purpose of their visit.
The main reason was that their child had been away for four days, and the elderly at home missed him. He intended to take Zhang Yang back from Dong Qi’s maternal grandparents’ place.
Jiang Li looked at Dong Zhenghao with hopeful eyes—she also wanted their son back.
“Sure, let’s go pick him up now,” Dong Zhenghao agreed readily.
While Dong Zhenghao was preparing to fetch his son, Dong Qi was already planning his escape from his grandparents’ home.
He had wheedled five hundred yuan in pocket money from his grandfather, but after some calculations, he realized it might not even cover a single day’s expenses. Frustrated, he scratched his head in front of his grandparents’ gate.
Maybe he should just go home and apologize to his dad?
But then he’d have to attend extra classes and let Liu Mumu laugh at him. The mere thought made Dong Qi feel awful.
Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly noticed someone standing by the roadside not far ahead. The person was looking in his direction and seemed somewhat familiar.
The moment their eyes met, Dong Qi immediately recognized him—wasn’t that the professor from the lecture the other day?
What was he doing here? Was it a coincidence, or had he come specifically for them?
Dong Qi’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing the man actually walking toward him, he scrambled to shut the gate and bolted back into the house.
Xu Yonglin saw the boy run away in fright and couldn’t help but stop in his tracks.
He had followed his gu worm here. After finishing his lecture that day, he’d discovered that the gu he’d been raising outside had been taken by someone. Although this gu wasn’t particularly harmful, it had taken him considerable effort to cultivate, so he naturally wanted it back.
He hadn’t told his elder brother about this matter. He’d been raising the gu by the third-floor entrance. If his brother found out, he’d surely think someone had sneaked up to the third floor and might even have them silenced.
Therefore, he decided to investigate first. If it was just an ordinary person, he’d simply retrieve the gu and let it go.
Unexpectedly, he’d found traces of the gu on this boy, who looked at him as if seeing a ghost.
Xu Yonglin was somewhat troubled, considering whether to pay a visit, when two cars pulled up in front of the house.
Hesitating, he retreated, deciding to return later.
*
After four days away from home, Dong Qi finally waited for his father to arrive.
Originally, he’d planned to express his anger toward his father, but under his father’s calm gaze, he silently lowered his head, deciding not to make a fuss.
Zhang Yang had been quite happy to see Zhang Shijing at first, but when he noticed his stepmother had also come, his face immediately darkened.
“Yangyang, Dad’s here to take you home. Did you miss me?” Zhang Shijing seemed oblivious to his son’s strange behavior, opening his arms wide.
“I did,” Zhang Yang threw himself into his father’s arms, glaring fiercely at his stepmother standing behind.
Dong Zhenghao saw this, but other people’s affairs were none of his business. As long as he picked up the person, his job was done.
He carried the various gift boxes Jiang Li had insisted he bring into the house, exchanged a few words with Jiang’s parents, and then left with the children.
Before leaving, Dong Qi still worriedly turned back to remind his grandparents, “Grandma, Grandpa, don’t keep taking that medicine.”
“Understood, be careful on the road,” Grandma Jiang stood at the door, waving to her grandson.
As for the miracle medicine, they couldn’t keep taking it anyway—they’d already finished it.