My Alleged Husband

Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Xia Jing Reveals the Truth_1

Zhang Zhentian chatted with Xia Jing for a while before leaving, and Xia Jing was still there feeling relieved.

Although Zhang Zhentian had some suspicions about Xia Jing really sending Xiao Wei to assassinate Li Jiayuan before, hearing it from Xia Jing’s own mouth was a different matter. Even though he knew that every Mercenary Group had ruthless individuals, there were also those who had endured much pain without forgetting their initial resolve. Yet, he found it hard to accept that the girl he loved could be so ruthless.

As Zhang Zhentian walked away, he thought to himself, even if Xia Jing had not killed anyone before, this time, she really did send someone to assassinate Li Jiayuan. How was he going to explain this to his father? The more Zhang Zhentian thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He had wholeheartedly told his father how good Xia Jing was, but who would have thought that Xia Jing could actually kill someone? Now, what was he supposed to say to his father when he got home? Should he tell the truth, or should he continue to help Xia Jing hide it for the sake of their relationship? Zhang Zhentian was torn; on one side was the woman he loved, and on the other was his father. Helping either felt wrong.

Just after Zhang Zhentian left Xia Jing’s place, Xia Jing began to reflect. She wondered whether she should take the initiative to come clean to Old Master Zhang about the attempt on Li Jiayuan’s life. She feared that if she did not proactively confess to Old Master Zhang, and he found out on his own that she was responsible, then there would be no chance for her and Zhang Zhentian. Despite being a mercenary, she still had someone she loved and was afraid that a single mistake could cause her to lose the one she cherished. After much deliberation, Xia Jing ultimately decided to come clean to Old Master Zhang; it was far better to admit guilt willingly than to be undoubtedly identified by others. Xia Jing called Old Master Zhang and arranged to meet him.

The coffee shop downstairs of the Zhang Corporation building.

Seeing Old Master Zhang get out of the car and not yet entering the coffee shop, Xia Jing began to call out, ”Uncle, over here.” Xia Jing waved to Old Master Zhang.

Old Master Zhang, about to respond warmly to Xia Jing’s enthusiastic wave, recalled how Li Haixiao had come to his house to inquire about Xia Jing’s assassination of Li Jiayuan, which made him so angry he initially ignored Xia Jing’s greeting. Later, Old Master Zhang thought that he hadn’t learned the truth of the matter yet and wondered why he was so quick to judge others. Having realized this, he naturally responded to Xia Jing.

Old Master Zhang took long strides toward Xia Jing.

”Uncle, please take a seat. What would you like to drink?” Xia Jing politely asked Old Master Zhang.

”Bring me a cup of unsweetened coffee,” Old Master Zhang replied without looking up.

”Okay, one unsweetened coffee and one sweetened coffee, please,” Xia Jing called out to the waiter.

Old Master Zhang didn’t beat around the bush and directly asked Xia Jing why she had asked to meet with him.

”Out with it, why did you want to meet with me?” Old Master Zhang cut straight to the question.

Xia Jing was indeed different from those wealthy family heiresses. If it were any of those daughters of wealthy families, they would probably hem and haw and not be able to speak their minds for a long time, but Xia Jing wasn’t a daughter from a wealthy family; she was a mercenary. And so, Xia Jing spoke without beating around the bush and openly admitted to what she had done.

”Uncle, the main reason I asked to see you today is to tell you something. That thing is about Li Haixiao’s visit to see you. I’m sorry, Uncle; it was me who caused you trouble.” Xia Jing said, rising to bow deeply to Old Master Zhang.

If Old Master Zhang had previously harbored a sliver of hope that Xia Jin was not behind the incident, now that he heard Xia Jing’s own admission, he was certain in his heart that she had done it.

”Did you really do this?” Old Master Zhang still wanted to confirm he hadn’t misheard, but the outcome disappointed him.

”Uncle, I’m sorry, it was indeed me who did it.” Xia Jing bowed deeply to Old Master Zhang once again.

”Do you know how much I wished that this was a fabrication of Li Haixiao’s, unrelated to you, so that you could rightfully be with Zhentian? But why? Why on earth would you attempt to assassinate Li Jiayuan? Everyone knows how petty Li Haixiao can be, especially when it comes to his daughter, whom he cherishes to the bone. How could you be so thoughtless? How can you be with Zhentian like this?” Old Master Zhang said, heaving sighs as he spoke. If it had been before, when he disapproved of Xia Jing and Zhang Zhentian being together, her actions wouldn’t have made him feel regret or disappointment. But now, he had begun to slowly accept her as his daughter-in-law, only to be told that his soon-to-be-recognized daughter-in-law was an attempted murderer...

”Uncle, I was wrong, and I know it. Please forgive me, Uncle.” Xia Jing knelt on the ground, begging for Old Master Zhang’s forgiveness, but Old Master Zhang was notoriously unyielding—how could he forgive her just because she shed a few tears and admitted her mistake?

”There’s no need to say more. Since you’ve admitted to it, there’s nothing left to discuss. You did it, so you must face the consequences. You better stop seeing Zhentian from now on. Surely, you wouldn’t want everyone to say that Zhang Zhentian’s beloved is an attempted murderer?” Old Master Zhang’s words stabbed right at the heart, leaving Xia Jing speechless. Despite what Elder Zhang said, Xia Jing remained unwilling to accept this. She wanted his forgiveness; she wanted to be with Zhang Zhentian forever. She understood that to be with Zhentian, she needed Elder Zhang’s approval. More importantly, she didn’t want others to point fingers and label her an attempted murderer when she was with Zhang Zhentian; she didn’t want him to share in the infamy.

”Uncle, I’m begging you, please forgive me. I really didn’t mean to do it, Uncle.” Xia Jing kowtowed to Elder Zhang on the ground, pleading for his forgiveness. Elder Zhang remained silent, turning his head away, refusing to look at Xia Jing, who kept kneeling and kowtowing until her forehead bled. Yet she persisted, until Elder Zhang couldn’t bear to watch and told her to get up. Xia Jing staggered to her feet and stared blankly at Elder Zhang.

”Uncle, have you forgiven me?” Xia Jing asked tentatively, fearing Elder Zhang would say ’no’.

Seeing Xia Jing in such a state, a part of Elder Zhang felt pity for her. He asked her, ”Can you tell me why you came forward to admit to this on your own?”

”Uncle, to be honest, I truly want to be with your son Zhentian forever. When I saw Zhentian and Li Jiayuan together in a room, can you understand how I felt then? It was a pain that nearly drove me to despair, a pain that kept me from breathing, and all I wanted to do was run away. Looking at Li Jiayuan, she didn’t show any pain; she even gave me a radiant smile. Could I really resign myself to letting the man I love passionately be taken away? The moment I thought to flee, the idea to kill Li Jiayuan came to mind, and that’s why I ordered my people to attempt the assassination. I came to you to confess, hoping to earn your forgiveness. I didn’t want to destroy the slight goodwill I had painstakingly built in your heart. Uncle, all I want is to be with Zhentian. Please, forgive me.” Xia Jing begged, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Elder Zhang.

”This matter is not for me to decide; the victim is not me. If you want my forgiveness, you must first obtain Li Jiayuan’s. If you truly seek my approval, wish to be with Zhentian, you should know what you have to do,” Elder Zhang told Xia Jing.

Xia Jing knew this was the greatest concession Elder Zhang could make. She had no choice but to seek Li Jiayuan’s forgiveness; otherwise, her relationship with Zhang Zhentian would be very difficult.