Manipulative Harem God

Chapter 181 Song Shoushan's strange behaviour!

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While Zhang Wei was busy basking in luxury of tender meat, there was another confrontation unfolding back in Zhao Hongyan's home.

In the heart of the home, Zhao Hongyan stood at the sink, her hands immersed in soapy water as she diligently washed dishes.

Her wavy dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching droplets of water that glistened like diamonds under the warm light.

The lines on her forehead revealed a lifetime of wisdom and care, while her almond-shaped eyes held a mix of curiosity and concern.

The silence was broken by Song Shoushan's hesitant voice, cutting through the stillness like a fragile thread. "Mom, did you know that Zhang Wei is actually married?" Her words hung in the air, a revelation that threatened to shatter the delicate equilibrium of the moment.

"Hm?" An intrigued arch of Zhao Hongyan's eyebrows was her immediate response.

'Why this sudden interest in him?' This question reverberated in Zhao Hongyan's mind, a silent echo that resonated with her puzzlement.

Nonetheless, Zhao Hongyan pivoted on her heel, her voice cutting through the air as she confronted the situation head-on. "I'm aware of it, but why this suprise? Has he not mentioned it to you before?" Her words hung in the air, laced with confusion.

Inwardly, Zhao Hongyan mused that Song Shoushan should possess a deeper understanding of Zhang Wei than even she did, given their closeness.

Song Shoushan's eyes trembled, an almost imperceptible quiver that betrayed her inner turmoil. "So, you were already aware..." Her words hung delicately, a fragile thread of acknowledgment.

With a sigh that seemed to release the weight of an unspoken burden, Zhao Hongyan gently set down the half-rinsed plate she held. "Shanshan, why this unusual behavior? What's wrong with him being married?" Her voice was tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity, her eyes searching her daughter's face for any sign of the source of this emotional storm.

Taking in the sight of Song Shoushan standing there, an aura of unease enveloping her, Zhao Hongyan noticed the downward cast of her daughter's face and the gloomy cloud that seemed to hang over her.

It was as if a shadow had settled upon her, darkening her usual disposition.

In an unexpected twist, Song Shoushan suddenly turned away, as if preparing to retreat to her own sanctuary.

But before she could disappear into the depths of her room, Zhao Hongyan's sigh cut through the tension. Acting on an instinctual impulse, she reached out and clasped Song Shoushan's hands.

"Shanshan!" The tone in Zhao Hongyan's voice elevated, a mixture of concern and urgency lacing her words. "What's wrong? Did something happen between you and Zhang Wei?" Suspicion cautiously crept into her inquiry, manifesting as a subtle crease forming on her forehead.

A swift motion of Song Shoushan's hands attempted to break free from Zhao Hongyan's grasp as her voice trembled, "No, nothing happened! Just let me go!" The urgency in her voice was mirrored by her physical efforts, yet an unsettling sensation gripped Zhao Hongyan as she resisted, prompting a growing sense that something indeed wasn't right.

"No, you're not leaving without providing answers first! Why this sudden concern about Zhang Wei? Weren't you spending time with him today?" Zhao Hongyan's questioning persisted, fueled by a maternal determination.

A slight flinch from Song Shoushan preceded her raising her gaze, her eyes locking with her mother's. "Do you really want to know...?"

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A pause filled the room, the suspended moment echoing with uncertainty.

Zhao Hongyan's surprise was evident, a mix of astonishment and uncertainty washing over her.

Even without visible tears, the transformation in Song Shoushan was unmistakable, as if she teetered on the edge of an emotional breakdown.

'W-What happened to her?' Zhao Hongyan's mind was suddenly flooded with a torrent of disturbing thoughts, each more unsettling than the last. She couldn't shake off the possibility that Zhang Wei might have molested her.

But little did she expect the bombshell that followed, as Song Shoushan's voice lashed out in anger.

"Mom, I hate you," Song Shoushan's words pierced the air, charged with raw emotion.

"You knew all along that Dad cheated on you with that despicable woman, so why did you still choose someone like Zhang Wei?"

"How are both of you any better than Dad?

"Huh?" Zhao Hongyan was utterly taken aback, her features etched with a blend of confusion and surprise.

Before she could react further, Song Shoushan's sudden motion resulted in her slipping free from her mother's grip. In the blink of an eye, Song Shoushan dashed toward the staircase, her steps echoing with a sense of urgency.

The sound of her room's door being slammed shut reverberated through the house, a resonating echo of her emotional turmoil.

Zhao Hongyan snapped out of her initial astonishment, a helpless shake of her head speaking volumes. "This girl..." she muttered under her breath, a mixture of concern and helplessness swirling within her.

She moved towards her daughter's room, intending to address the situation. However, her efforts were met with a locked door, halting her progress.

"Shanshan, open the door!"

"There's nothing going on between me and Zhang Wei!"

Her voice carried a combination of worry and firmness, as she spoke loudly, knocking continuosly on the door.

Suddenly, a voice from within the room sliced through the air, "Mom, don't try to brush it off as a misunderstanding! I witnessed everything with my own eyes. Don't underestimate me or think you can deceive me like a naive child!" The urgency in Song Shoushan's voice was evident, a mix of frustration and hurt resonating with each word she uttered from her concealed sanctuary.

Zhao Hongyan's expression shifted, struck by the resonance of her daughter's words.

She had been about to voice the exact sentiment before Song Shoushan beat her to it.

A sigh escaped Zhao Hongyan as she reluctantly turned away, leaving the door behind her and descending to the lower level of the house, where her unfinished chores awaited her attention.

The atmosphere seemed to mirror her mood, slightly darker than before, as she rubbed her temples with a tinge of distress.

For now, she knew that there was no romantic involvement between her and Zhang Wei.

However, an uncertain unease lingered in the back of her mind, an acknowledgment that the future was unpredictable.

Considering Song Shoushan's vehement reaction, Zhao Hongyan found herself leaning towards the decision to avoid initiating any further contact with Zhang Wei.

Despite the absence of any current romantic attachment to him, the idea seemed more prudent given her daughter's emotions.

In the grand scheme of things, Zhang Wei had not held a prominent place in her list of priorities, and if Song Shoushan harbored such resentment toward the possibility of their relationship, perhaps it was wise to forego it altogether.