235 235— Are You Really Planning To Divorce Him?

They were talking about an orphanage owner that finally adopted one of the abandoned children sometime ago, and were speculating on why she would do such, since it was not even a boy.

Since it was about a female child, the detective subconsciously pricked his ears.

Then one of the woman snickered and said it was probably because this child came from rich origins.

Lowering her voice, she said that she heard rumors that the child was brought in very late at night and was bedecked with gold jewelry and jade. Most likely, they adopted her so that they would claim a connection with a big family in the future!

Hearing this, the other woman widened her eyes and cursed, wishing for a short time that she was the one that took in such a child instead. But soon, both of them were laughing as they moved on, talking about how girls were such a waste of food in any era.

Originally, the description didn't match what Gao Zhipeng gave him, but the detective decided he had nothing to lose and went undercover to the orphanage, posing as someone who wanted to adopt a child.

That was how he found out. But he couldn't get close to the baby enough to do a DNA test, so he wasn't a hundred percent sure.

By the time Gao Zhipeng got to know, the adoption procedures for the baby were already completed, and the organization was still breathing down his neck, sending threats regularly.

He went to tell his brother-in-law what he had found, but Qiao Yun didn't believe him. Since there was no solid evidence either, he didn't want to risk anything, so he earnestly persuaded his sister's husband.

Gao Zhipeng could still remember some parts of his words that day: "Brother-in-law, instead of risking the lives and reputations of our two families, it's better for you to go home and comfort my sister. Maybe the both of you would even have a son this time."

So convinced, Gao Zhipeng agreed and let the matter rest, only checking on the child from time to time for the first decade.

After she started going to school, it was easier to get her toothbrush for a DNA test, which confirmed what he knew.

By then, his wife had already given birth to their son, but their relationship had never gone back to what it used to be.

Also, seeing how her adoptive family loved her, Gao Zhipeng felt that it was best if he didn't disturb their happy life and forgot that he had this daughter. In the future, he planned to find a way to give her some inheritance.

So he knew her name and the general circumstances of her adoptive family many years ago, but not where she was now or how she turned out.

Now sitting on the floor of the dining room alone, he felt lost.

Why couldn't Qiao Mingran see his efforts and care? Why didn't she trust him?

The sound of a box being dragged down the stairs brought him out of his thoughts. Gao Tinghua had also come back inside at some point, and now took the box from his sister, carrying it effortlessly out of the house.

He tried again, "Qiao Mingran, please. Didn't you say you wanted our daughter to come back to a complete family? Don't leave me, please?"

Gao Tingxiu retorted, "Father, you were the one that let Mother down first. Not only have you been having affairs all these years, you even hid something so important from her. I don't think my sister would appreciate that kind of "complete family."

Qiao Mingran's eyes were no longer hot, but they looked slightly red, "Tingxiu is right. Since you could do such a thing, who's to say if such a family would not do more harm than good to Ran'er? Excuse me."

So the three of them left the house, leaving Gao Zhipeng alone in the vast space.

Gao Tinghua drove them to his favorite place, CM Luxuries. As to why not one of their properties, it was easy for her husband and brother to find her there, and Qiao Mingran expressed that she wanted some time to think.

After an awkward hug, Gao Tingxiu left, promising to come back once she could take a break from filming.

After she left, Gao Tinghua asked, "Are you really planning to divorce him?"

Knowing his mother, she just said it in the heat of the moment. Although she had changed, it wasn't so easy to change her mind about something. She had held on for so many years, he was sure it wasn't just because she wanted to give his sister a complete family.

As expected, Qiao Mingran sighed. "That's what I want to do, but right now I'm hesitant. Is that really the best thing to do?

"Right now I can only capitalize on his guilt to get more benefits for her, but if there's a thorough falling out, she would lose out. Now that I know how callous my brother can be, I can't even rely on him for help. I feel very conflicted."

Gao Tinghua mulled over her words. All she said was full of consideration for his sister everywhere, not considering herself or them at all. He suddenly felt sad for a moment.

Sensing something, Qiao Mingran held his hand, "Tinghua, I'm so sorry if I'm disappointing you and your younger sister. I just can't help the guilt threatening to eat me up. I feel like I owe her a lot, especially since her father and uncle are so monstrous.

"It was no fault of hers. Indeed, you three are the most blameless in all this mess. I'm so sorry that you had to suffer regardless."

Gao Tinghua patted his mother's hand before saying, "I'm okay, but you should make out time to speak to Tingxiu. She probably suffered the most."

After Qiao Mingran nodded, he continued, "And as for Elder Sister, you shouldn't worry to much. Don't forget she had become Mrs Li now. Her husband is not simple at all, and the Li family is not to be trifled with either.

"From the little I've seen, he doesn't even put us, the Gao family in his eyes, and he obviously cares for her a lot, so she'll be fine. Just make the right decision this time, for yourself."

Qiao Mingran nodded.

After saying he planned to contact Pei Yueran and her husband because he had something to discuss with them, Gao Tinghua stood up to leave.

Qiao Mingran nodded and followed him to the door. After he left, she collapsed on the soft king-sized bed and sobbed her heart out.

*****