Arc 3(4)

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As the person emerged from behind the bushes, both Zhang Yue and Yu Min turned ashen-faced, their hearts pounding with anxiety. To their dismay, it was none other than Zhang Xi, the very person they had desperately tried to shield from a painful truth. They had concealed this secret, knowing that Zhang Xi harbored a deep resentment towards Yu Xin, and they dreaded the repercussions if he were to discover the reality.

Zhang Xi had been eavesdropping on their conversation for more than ten minutes, and the revelation that Yu Xin was not his true brother had ignited a wicked grin on his face. He couldn't fully comprehend the source of his intense animosity towards Yu Xin, but he despised the fact that his parents had always favored Yu Xin over him.

Although Zhang Xi initially contemplated fleeing after learning the truth, his movements gave him away, and Zhang Yue couldn't help but question him, "Zhang Xi, how much did you overhear?"

With a façade of innocence, Zhang Xi responded, "I just arrived, Father. I wanted to ask for permission to go to the grassland with my friends tomorrow."

While both Zhang Yue and Yu Min remained somewhat suspicious, Yu Min spoke softly, "You may go tomorrow. But for now, it's late. You should go to sleep."

Zhang Xi nodded and departed, leaving Zhang Yue and Yu Min in a state of uncertainty. They exchanged glances, wondering if he truly hadn't heard the damning secret they had been guarding so carefully.

However, Zhang Xi, who had been lurking in the shadows, couldn't contain his malevolent satisfaction. He thought to himself, 'It's none of your business whether I overheard it or not. He's not your real son,' relishing the knowledge that he now possessed.

The following morning, Yu Xin rose early, intent on gathering berries and fruits from the forest for his father. He had noticed his dad's increasing fatigue, and he wanted to do his part to ease his burden. As he plucked berries from the bushes, a voice abruptly rang out from behind him, causing him to startle.

"I never knew you were such a goody two-shoes, Yu Xin," the voice sneered.

Yu Xin turned to find Zhang Xi standing there, wearing a sly grin that sent shivers down his spine. Feeling somewhat uneasy, Yu Xin inquired, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready to head to the grassland with your friends?"

Zhang Xi responded with an icy tone, "I've already prepared for the trip, but I'm here because I want to share something intriguing with you."

He continued, his smirk widening, "Yesterday, I overheard a fascinating conversation. Would you like to know what it was?"

Yu Xin's brow furrowed deeply, his instincts telling him that Zhang Xi was undoubtedly up to mischief.

Zhang Xi pressed on, his tone dripping with malice, "You're not our parents' real child, Yu Xin. You're a bastard, an outsider they took in when you were just a kid."

Yu Xin's world seemed to freeze in that moment, his hand suspended in mid-air, no longer plucking berries.

With a cruel sneer, Zhang Xi taunted, "Well, it seems you're already aware. Aware that you don't really belong here, that you're not their true son."

Before Zhang Xi could unleash more venomous words, Yu Xin abruptly turned and bolted away, leaving behind the forest, the berries, and the bitter truth that had shattered his world.

------

Feng Li and his companions were preparing to depart from the rabbit clan the following day when Zhang Yue rushed over, his expression earnest and anxious.

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