Dating My Scumbag Ex's Uncle Chapter 4

A smile played on my lips.

I stooped to retrieve the math textbook, my fingers brushing against its cover.

My father's birthday was a grand affair, attended by all the city's influential figures. The Nan Family, after all, stood as one of the most formidable clans in the metropolis. Under the stewardship of its chairman, Nan Feng, the family's empire had expanded exponentially, drawing widespread acclaim.

My grandfather sired only two sons: the elder, Nan Feng, and the younger, Nan Zheng.

My biological father was Nan Zheng. Rumor had it that my grandfather had divided his considerable fortune between his two sons. However, my father became entangled with the criminal underworld and was ultimately slain along with my mother by a rival gang.

I was present during their demise in a car accident. The ensuing trauma caused me to lose my memories. My eldest uncle took me in, adopting me into his household. This event led to my becoming the second young miss of the Nan Family, and it's why I addressed my uncle and aunt as father and mother. The city buzzed with admiration for the powerful couple, Nan Feng and Li Yuan.

Yet, such accolades did not fully extend to my generation, or so it seemed.

The first young miss of the Nan Family, Nan Yang, was lauded for her grace, education, and virtuous character.

In stark contrast, I, the second young miss, paled in comparison to my elder sister. My only notable attribute was my appearance. I was often labeled a talentless leech, and even the household staff privately referred to me as the family's black sheep.

My aunt, Li Yuan, hailed from a family of modest means, but she possessed the distinction of graduating from a prestigious university, unlike my mother. Whispers circulated that my mother was a mere gang member who had ensnared my father, thereby tarnishing the Nan Family's esteemed lineage.

To be frank, my recollections of childhood were scant. Jing Tian later revealed most of this information to me, going so far as to stir up trouble in the underworld to investigate my past.

The individual responsible for my parents' murder subsequently targeted me to eliminate any loose ends. Jing Tian often suffered injuries and narrowly escaped death because of my predicament. This, it seemed, was the 'inheritance' my father had left for me.

Jing Tian's diligent investigation, however, unearthed a crucial detail: my father's death was far from straightforward. Furthermore, it was highly suspicious how my uncle's business experienced its most significant growth immediately following my father's demise.

Regrettably, Jing Tian had yet to unmask the mastermind who orchestrated the hit on my life.

Jing Tian's efforts to uncover these truths were aimed at rekindling my will to survive, offering me a beacon of hope to cling to.

However, I remained utterly indifferent. I felt no connection to the true circumstances of my parents' deaths, nor did I possess any desire for vengeance. My memories of them were too faint, almost nonexistent.

Moreover, my overwhelming selfishness at the time, consumed by my own suffering, led me to drift aimlessly for years, draining Jing Tian, my guardian, both emotionally and physically.

I stepped into the party, my hands balling into fists as I spotted my eldest uncle engaged in conversation and laughter with another guest.

Perhaps fate had granted me a second chance to settle old scores.

The timid Nan Xing had perished at sea. The naive Nan Xing had died in a past life.

This time, I would return to Jing Tian as the true and perfected version of Nan Xing.

“Nan Xing, why are you lurking here?” A pleasant voice called out from behind me. My heart lurched, and a chill ran down my spine.

The plastic fork I held snapped in two. Its sharp edges bit into my palm, the sudden pain jolting me back to the present.

I turned around slowly.

Jing Ning, standing before me, was merely 23 years old, radiating youthful vigor. As the eldest grandson of the Jing Family, he was only three years my junior compared to Jing Tian.

The Nan and Jing families were acquaintances. However, in terms of influence and financial standing, the Jing Family far surpassed the Nan Family.

The bond between the two families stemmed from a life-saving act performed by my grandfather for the elder Master Jing, establishing a kinship that endured through the years.

Nevertheless, the members of the Nan Family were always acutely aware of their subordinate position. Both my grandfather and my adoptive father consistently displayed deferential respect towards the Jing Family.

It was precisely this connection to the Jing Family that played a crucial role in the Nan Family's remarkable business expansion within M City.