Who Wouldn't Want to Be a Wealthy Stepparent? - Chapter 12

The toddler looked on with a dazed and confused expression, truly not understanding what his step-father wanted him to do.

 

He climbed up and laboriously took the copy of the Criminal Law. It was so large and heavy that his tiny hands could barely hold it, so he ended up clutching it to his chest.

 

Cheng Leyan taught with earnest, patient guidance: “Baby, let Daddy tell you, the Criminal Law is a treasure chest. All the most profitable businesses in the world are hidden inside it.”

 

The toddler had a sudden realization and nodded vigorously.

 

So, Step-father wants me to study the Criminal Law so I can use the most profitable businesses inside to help the family escape poverty?

 

He would work hard!

 

The next second, Cheng Leyan added: “So, we must absolutely never do anything mentioned in there. Not a single thing. For example, locking people up… and locking people up… and especially locking people up. None of those things are allowed, okay?”

 

Zhuozhuo: Huh? Where did that “so” come from??

 

He tilted his head, his eyes reflecting a look of pure confusion. Cheng Leyan was so charmed by the adorable expression that he scooped the boy up for a round of kisses, hugs, and “airplane” lifts before finally feeling satisfied.

 

The Criminal Law was indeed urgent, but “rua-ing” the baby was also serious business.

 

Zhuozhuo remained reserved at first, but when Cheng Leyan started nuzzling his head against the boy’s stomach while shouting “Bull Charge!”, the toddler finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud, his giggles getting louder and louder.

 

This was the first time Cheng Leyan had heard Zhuozhuo laugh.

 

It was crisp and beautiful.

 

Truly, when a child laughs, it makes you feel like the whole world has brightened up.

 

Later, after Cheng Leyan stepped out for a moment, Zhuozhuo immediately pulled the old cell phone out of the teddy bear to message Brother Gu Qin.

 

He had fallen asleep the night before and hadn’t sent his safety check-in on time. Gu Qin had been extremely worried, sending seven or eight messages in a row.

 

Using plain and simple language, Zhuozhuo briefly explained how he had been kidnapped by bad guys and then added: Brother Gu Qin, Cheng Leyan really has changed. He saved me with a great treasure sword. Grandma Zhang was caught by the police uncles too.

 

He also clumsily typed out, word by word, what Cheng Leyan had said to him before he fell asleep.

 

He owned so little that these words felt like priceless treasures. He cherished them and wanted to share them with the person closest to him.

 

After sending the message, Zhuozhuo felt a bit uneasy, worried that Brother Gu Qin would say something like, “Cheng Leyan must be acting, he’s lying to you.”

 

But he didn’t.

 

Gu Qin sent back a voice message. The eight-year-old boy spoke with a sob in his voice, choking up as he said: “That’s wonderful, Zhuozhuo! Your step-father is a good man, that’s so great! Zhuozhuo, I’m so happy. He used a great sword to protect you, and he said he’ll always believe in you and stay on your side—how can he be so good?”

 

“Zhuozhuo, I misunderstood him before; he really is a good person. I was so worried last night I couldn’t sleep, but with him protecting you, I’ll be able to sleep well from now on. Your step-father won’t change back, will he? It would be so good if he stays like this forever.”

 

Zhuozhuo held the Pikachu toy in one hand and the old phone in the other.

 

He squeezed them tight.

 

He thought: Yes, it would be wonderful if it stays like this forever.

 

After breakfast, Cheng Leyan kept his promise and took Zhuozhuo to the mall to finish the journey they had started.

 

However, they went to a different mall. Not only did Zhuozhuo have a psychological shadow, but Cheng Leyan was also a bit traumatized—after all, so many people had seen him swinging the Flying Giant D*ck around last time.

 

This mall also carried the brand of Zhuozhuo’s tin man. When he took Zhuozhuo to buy it, he discovered it actually cost over two thousand yuan! Over two thousand!

 

These hateful rich people! Why didn’t they include me when they were making their fortune, yet they think of me the moment it’s time to spend money!!

 

He gritted his teeth. Hard.

 

But in the end, he bought it anyway.

 

Then, he noticed Zhuozhuo’s eyes were glued to the little indoor train circling the mall.

 

The boy was staring intently, his gaze full of longing.

 

Cheng Leyan asked about the price and found that the little train cost 45 yuan per lap.

 

45 yuan!

 

Why don’t you just rob me!!

 

Cheng Leyan almost fainted. Is everything for kids this expensive nowadays?!

 

Even though he could get a reimbursement from Butler Li, it was still too expensive!

 

Zhuozhuo was very sensible. Seeing his step-father’s distorted expression after asking the price, he knew his “poor guy” family couldn’t afford it. He immediately shook his head and tugged at his step-father’s hand to leave. Seeing him like this, Cheng Leyan’s conscience actually started to ache.

 

Finally, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and said, “We’re riding it!”

 

He spent a “huge” sum to take Zhuozhuo for a lap on the train.

 

419: [Host, I suggest you stop grinding your teeth.]

 

Cheng Leyan: [I can’t help it, System-Dad! This is 45 yuan!]

 

419: [No, I mean if you break your teeth, you’ll have to spend money to fix them.]

 

Cheng Leyan: “…”

 

Since they had already ridden the 45-yuan train, Cheng Leyan decided to let loose completely. He took Zhuozhuo to buy many other things: a teddy bear, a play table, toy cars, new clothes, coats, sleeping bags, and all sorts of small trinkets.

 

To be honest, it still hurt when he paid, but seeing the way Zhuozhuo clutched the toys with sparkling, joyful eyes made him feel it was worth it.

 

It was worth every cent.

 

Besides, he had nothing as a child. It felt like he was buying these things for his younger self too.

 

Wait, no—if it were for himself, he wouldn’t be able to bear the cost.

 

Zhuozhuo’s room had been quite empty, but now, after just one day, it was filled with things.

 

This was the first time Zhuozhuo realized he could own so many things—so many that he couldn’t even hold them all in his arms.

 

He had originally planned to give the Pikachu to Brother Gu Qin, but now Zhuozhuo felt like he wanted to keep it for himself and send Brother Gu Qin something else.

 

Because he used to think that was the only good thing he owned, but now he knew that wasn’t the case.

 

His step-father had said he would have much, much more.

 

---

 

In the following days, Zhuozhuo’s appetite rose steadily. The first weekly report Cheng Leyan submitted to Mrs. Rong received a “Good job” reply and a thumbs-up emoji.

 

Cheng Leyan: You’re welcome. Just the standard performance of a Top Salesman.

 

Outside of the daily “Criminal Law” lessons, he also started taking Zhuozhuo to a professional agency for language intervention classes.

 

Zhuozhuo was nervous at first, terrified he’d meet another teacher like Xiang Jinglin, but he didn’t. His new teacher was a young woman who had a very gentle smile. The classes mostly involved her leading him through nursery rhymes, movements, and games. Zhuozhuo found the lessons very interesting.

 

After two sessions, the teacher chatted with Cheng Leyan, mentioning that Zhuozhuo had exceptionally strong cognition and a massive vocabulary for his age. He was a gifted child, with an IQ even higher than some children with Asperger’s.

 

She suggested that although Zhuozhuo could type, the parents should try not to let him use text for communication too often. That would actually decrease his desire to speak; it was better to encourage him to want to speak for himself.

 

The teacher also noted that the cause was primarily psychological.

 

Cheng Leyan took this to heart. He remembered Butler Li mentioning that Zhuozhuo had received psychological counseling before and planned to ask for more details when he got back.

 

However, he had another important task today: he took Zhuozhuo to the police station.

 

Auntie Zhang had confessed to everything.

 

After being placed under criminal detention, the police recovered evidence from her phone. Auntie Zhang tried to be stubborn at first, but under the pressure, she quickly spilled everything.

 

Her son had gambling debts he couldn’t pay, so they set their sights on Zhuozhuo. They had been planning it for two months; her husband had contacted the kidnappers and arranged the crime.

 

After her final failed attempt to borrow money from Cheng Leyan, she decided to act.

 

Auntie Zhang also confessed to her past abuse of Zhuozhuo.

 

It was only then that Cheng Leyan learned just how many sub-human things she had done:

 

Shortly after Rong Wangzhi’s accident, Auntie Zhang came to care for Zhuozhuo. At that time, Zhuozhuo often woke up crying from nightmares. She found it annoying, so she began adding sleeping pills to his food. It started with small doses, but the amount gradually increased until it exceeded an adult’s dosage.

 

Later, she grew bolder, frequently hitting and scolding the boy. Once, she hit him until his mouth bled and told the family he was just being naughty and had bumped into something. When she realized she could get away with it, she became more and more excessive.

 

Fearing Zhuozhuo would tell on her, she threatened him constantly. She showed him videos of disabled children begging on the streets and told him if he ever told anyone, she would sell him and cut off his hands and feet to make him a beggar.

 

As for why she abused him…

 

Auntie Zhang’s answer was: I couldn’t stand that he was born so lucky and so rich.

 

Even the kidnapping was motivated by: “The Madam is so rich, what’s wrong with lending me some money?! She only gave me 50,000 does she think I’m a beggar?”

 

Cheng Leyan was shaking with rage as he read the testimony.

 

He held Zhuozhuo close, gently kissing the child’s hair.

 

Zhuozhuo, however, appeared quite calm.

 

When the police uncle asked if “Grandma Zhang had done these things,” he just nodded quietly, not even crying.

 

In the original Prison of Love, Auntie Zhang died of cancer, and the villain had always regretted not being able to take revenge personally when he grew up.

 

Cheng Leyan didn’t want this wicked nanny to leave a shadow on Zhuozhuo, so he specifically asked the police to show them a video of Auntie Zhang’s interrogation.

 

In the video, the person who had once seemed as tall as a wall and unbeatable to Zhuozhuo was now huddled in a ball, crying snot and tears, looking pathetic and cowardly as she whimpered, “I was wrong, I confess, please be lenient!”

 

Cheng Leyan said, “Baby, people who commit crimes are punished by the law. The law is her karma. Don’t be afraid; we aren’t afraid of her anymore.”

 

The toddler gripped his hand and gave a very firm nod.

 

Auntie Zhang tried to countersue Cheng Leyan for child abuse, but she had no evidence beyond her own word. The police saw the dependence and trust Zhuozhuo had for Cheng Leyan and didn’t believe a word she said.

 

Soon, Mrs. Rong, in her office at the Rong Corporation building, also received Auntie Zhang’s confession.

 

As she read what Auntie Zhang had done to Zhuozhuo in the past, her heart bled. The powerful businesswoman’s eyes were swollen from crying.

 

She had already made arrangements—whether in the detention center or prison, she would make sure this piece of trash never had a good day again! The same went for her husband, her son, and the other kidnappers!

 

There was one other thing that even Cheng Leyan didn’t know.

 

Auntie Zhang had worked for the Rong family for many years, and Mrs. Rong didn’t believe she would do this for no reason. She had hired a private investigator to dig deeper. And she actually found something: Auntie Zhang’s sister-in-law’s cousin had received transfers totaling 300,000 yuan. The source of that money had taken several turns before finally leading back to the second branch of the Rong family.

 

The answer was obvious. Auntie Zhang’s initial abuse of Zhuozhuo had been instigated by the second branch.

 

Ultimately, it was all for the 3% of Rong Corporation shares Zhuozhuo held.

 

Mrs. Rong thought fiercely: Wangzhi is already in this state; what do I have to fear? You want to play? Then let’s play!

 

Rong Zhixian, Li Lili… you bastards. Every single one of you, just wait!

 

A moment later, her assistant knocked and entered. “President Zheng, the nursing home President Rong stayed at before just refunded the entire eight months’ worth of fees. The owner wants to meet with you to apologize in person.”

 

Mrs. Rong said impatiently, “What’s there to meet for? I’m not seeing him. As for those eight months of fees…”

 

She rubbed her temples. “How has Cheng Leyan’s spending been lately? Is his high-end spending still going through you?”

 

Assistant Chen’s tone was hesitant. “Yes. But…”

 

Mrs. Rong: “What has he been buying?”

 

Assistant Chen: “President Zheng, Mr. Cheng hasn’t had any ‘high-end’ spending at all.”

 

Mrs. Rong: “…”

 

Assistant Chen: “Not only no high spending, but no mid-range spending either. He hasn’t even had ‘low-level’ spending. Only… well, ‘nano-spending’.”

 

Mrs. Rong: “…”

 

Mrs. Rong: “What on earth is nano-spending!?”

 

Assistant Chen: “KFC, McDonald’s, Pinduoduo, and Mixue Bingcheng.”

 

Mrs. Rong: “…”

 

Assistant Chen: “His largest single expenditure was a tin man toy for a ‘huge’ sum of 2,230 yuan. He didn’t even ask Butler Li for a reimbursement; he said he wanted to give it to Zhuozhuo himself. I heard from Butler Li that he was depressed at home for half a day over those two thousand yuan. He didn’t eat dinner, and after Master Zhuozhuo fell asleep, he actually used an oxygen tank, saying he’d never bought anything so expensive in his life and his heart couldn’t take it.”

 

Mrs. Rong: “…”

 

Mrs. Rong blurted out, “Is he actually insane???”

 

Assistant Chen pushed up his glasses. “Mr. Cheng’s exact words were: ‘I can lose my face, but I cannot lose my money’.”

 

Mrs. Rong felt both speechless and amused.

 

Strangely, the rage she felt toward Auntie Zhang and the second branch was significantly soothed.

 

She let out a sigh, leaned back in her chair, and said, “Fine. Take those eight months of fees refunded by the nursing home and transfer them all to Cheng Leyan.”

 

It would count as a bonus for this incident.

 

A Top Salesman can be stingy, but a Boss cannot.