Rivals of Rebirth

Chapter 62: Father and Son

After a tender moment, Han Jin and Zheng Jue finally had to part. Zheng Jue looked at Han Jin's reluctant expression and couldn't help but stroke his head affectionately, saying gently, "Alright, don't be like this. Hurry and go in, or your father might suspect something."

Han Jin just sneered, "Whether he suspects or not, I don't care. As long as we maintain appearances, it's enough."

Zheng Jue raised an eyebrow and glanced at Han Jin, "Does your father know about us?"

"He prefers to delude himself, and I have to play along." Han Jin gave a wry smile.

Zheng Jue nodded slightly, chuckling softly, "Well, go ahead then. Otherwise, it will be too late."

Han Jin sighed and looked at Zheng Jue's reluctant eyes. He had to say in a low voice, "Go back and look at the gift I brought."

Han Jin's expression changed slightly, surprised by Zheng Jue's words. Zheng Jue was already too embarrassed to face Han Jin and bid farewell before closing the car door and leaving.

As Han Jin watched Zheng Jue's car disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but smile. The expression on his face softened instantly, and he turned back to Han's mansion. He quietly sneaked into the room where the gifts were placed and rummaged through them for a while. Finally, he found the gift from Zheng Jue.

Among the various gifts, one large light brown box was clearly meant for Han Zizhang. Han Jin's focus was on the navy blue box, and when he opened it, he found a watch lying peacefully inside.

The watch had a simple and clean dial, perfectly cut casing, and was adorned with a circle of scattered diamonds, exuding a subtle and luxurious charm.

Although Han Jin had seen many good things in his life, at this moment, he felt that this watch was the most beautiful one he had ever seen.

Carefully, Han Jin took the watch and discarded his own valuable watch like throwing away rubbish, replacing it with this exquisite timepiece.

Looking down at the watch on his wrist, Han Jin recalled Zheng Jue's expression just now. Suddenly, a surge of impulse rushed through him, urging him to rush out of Han's mansion and embrace Zheng Jue, kissing him passionately.

His heart warmed, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

However, at that moment, there was a sudden commotion at the door. Han Jin turned his gaze to the entrance and saw Han Zizhang standing there, looking at him with a cold expression.

Han Jin's face immediately darkened. "Do you need something?"

Han Zizhang looked at Han Jin, his gaze complex. "Han Jin, where did you go?"

Han Jin sneered, "Since you already know, why bother asking?"

Han Zizhang furrowed his brows slightly. "Han Jin, you'd better not do anything unnecessary, or in the end, it won't be good for you."

"Oh?" Han Jin lowered his head and touched the watch strap, speaking in a low voice, "Who will I harm? Zheng Jue? You should know my personality, father. We have already reached this point. In the future, you better be careful with your actions. If anything happens to Zheng Jue, don't blame me for going all out against you!"

Han Zizhang clenched his fist, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, and scolded in a low voice, "You dare to oppose me for an outsider!"

"Hmph!" Han Jin sneered, "To me, you are the outsider."

Upon hearing this, Han Zizhang's face turned pale in an instant. He almost took a step back, unable to believe that Han Jin would hate him to such an extent. "Why... why are you like this..."

Han Jin took step by step, approaching Han Zizhang, and whispered, "Father, don't think that I don't know anything just because I'm young. I know exactly what you did to my mother back then!"

Han Zizhang's expression became even uglier. He could barely hold himself up, clenching his teeth, but he couldn't say a word. He waved his hand slowly, smiled bitterly, and then turned and left.

Watching Han Zizhang's slightly hunched figure, Han Jin frowned. This was not the usual behavior of Han Zizhang, who was always strong and resolute. His reaction today was somewhat strange.

But Han Jin didn't dwell on this issue. He smiled, touched the watch on his wrist, and turned to go upstairs.

**

Han Zizhang almost held his breath until he reached his room. But as soon as he entered, he slumped into a chair. He really didn't know that Han Jin had such thoughts about him.

Back then, when Han Jin's mother betrayed him, it caused a crisis for the entire Han family and left him utterly disappointed. He kicked that woman out of the Han family, eventually leading to her miserable death due to poverty and illness.

He still remembered the phone call that woman made before her death, begging him to save her, but he firmly refused and cut off her last lifeline, leading to her death in a dirty little motel.

He personally went to collect her body.

Because of this incident, he gained a decisive reputation within the Han family, and his status was firmly established.

However, to protect the reputation of the Han family, this matter was not widely spread. Apart from the Han family members, others thought that Han's wife suddenly died during a trip abroad. But he didn't expect that Han Jin would know about this.

Han Zizhang half leaned on the sofa, his eyes showing a trace of ruthlessness. Although Han Jin was intelligent back then, he would need someone to tell him about this family secret to find out.

Han Zizhang sat on the sofa, his expression gradually turning colder. Only a few core members of the Han family knew about this matter back then, making it easy to narrow down the possibilities.

He dialed his assistant's phone, and the assistant, who hadn't left the mansion yet, came up immediately.

"Master Han, is there something you need?"

Han Zizhang lowered his head slightly, looking as if he had aged a few years. The assistant was somewhat surprised by his demeanor.

"Look into these people." He handed over a list of names he had just written.

As the assistant glanced at the names, he froze in shock. He looked up at Han Zizhang, his eyes filled with surprise.

Han Zizhang, however, only sneered and said in a deep voice, "Investigate thoroughly, don't let anyone slip through!"

The assistant managed to contain his shock and nodded in response.

"But this matter must not be disclosed to anyone else. I know about your affair with Han Dong's secretary. I turned a blind eye to it before, but if you dare to deceive me in this matter, you should know the consequences!" Han Zizhang gave the assistant a meaningful look, his eyes cold.

The assistant was drenched in cold sweat. Almost no one knew about his affair with that woman, so how did Han Zizhang find out?

He didn't dare to meet Han Zizhang's eyes and just lowered his head, saying softly, "Mr. Han, rest assured, I will not disappoint you in this matter."

Han Zizhang's eagle-like gaze continued to stare at the assistant as he coldly chuckled, "You better not."

The assistant nodded slightly and quickly left.

After the assistant left, Han Zizhang slowly stood up from the sofa. It seemed that the Han family was not as harmonious as he had imagined. No matter how strong a fortress was, if there were problems within, its collapse was not far off.

Han Zizhang clenched his fists tightly. He couldn't fall now. Han Jin was still too young. He couldn't easily hand over the Han family to Han Jin.

**

Han Jin lay on his bed, looking at the ceiling, his eyes filled with melancholy. The relationship between him and Han Zizhang had been a knot since his mother's death, but only now did he know the reason behind his mother's death.

Han Jin closed his eyes slowly. Han Zizhang's stubbornness and arrogance had caused the death of that gentle woman. Many years had passed, and he wouldn't have thought of investigating if not for that person's subtle hints.

A cold smile appeared on Han Jin's lips. He could postpone dealing with Han Zizhang's issues, but that person would not be spared. The matter between him and Han Zizhang was a family matter, and that person was mistaken if he thought he could manipulate Han Jin to go against his father. Moreover, his mother's death was not as simple as it seemed...

Han Jin closed his eyes, pushing these thoughts back into his heart.

He raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, wondering if Han Zizhang had already started the investigation. Perhaps that person's exposure was only a matter of time. However, if Han Zizhang acted first, he could take advantage of the situation and benefit from the turmoil.

A sudden burst of laughter escaped Han Jin's lips. After calculating against each other for so long, it all came down to this moment.

He sat up abruptly on the bed, looking out at the dark window with a cold gleam in his eyes.

**

Completely unaware of the brewing storm between the father and son, Zheng Jue had all his attention focused on the collaboration with Zhou Cheng'an. Zhou Cheng'an's father truly lived up to the description of being ambitious and untalented. The day before they were to sign the contract, he visited the Zheng family's residence, assuming an overbearing attitude as he looked down on Zheng Jue. Despite being in his middle age, Zhou Cheng'an's father dressed immaculately and maintained an air of arrogance.

"Zheng Jue, let's be frank about our collaboration. My unruly son caused trouble, but do you have to follow suit? The share Zhou Industries takes in this so-called contract is too small." Zhou's father spoke to Zheng Jue in a commanding tone.

Zheng Jue couldn't help but burst into laughter. This man was truly amusing. "Mr. Zhou, this contract was agreed upon by Zhou Cheng'an and me. If you are dissatisfied with it, you should talk to your son. Coming to me is pointless."

Zhou's father's expression changed completely upon hearing this. "Zheng Jue, I called you 'Zheng Jue' because I see some ability in you. Don't push your luck and don't disrespect me! You should know your place!"

Zheng Jue raised an eyebrow at his intimidating act. He couldn't fathom how someone so unyielding produced a son as adept at dealing with people as Zhou Cheng'an. Truly, a talented person can arise from any family, which was quite intriguing.