"Mom, Jiang Nuan's wellness center is right across the street. Yesterday, I hired a middle-aged man to cause trouble, but the staff inside were terrifyingly skilled, and the man ended up leaving in disgrace."
Jiang Qing was still resentful. Why did Jiang Nuan have such good luck? To open her own wellness center, and to be together with someone like Mu Jiuchen.
Yang Hailing sighed softly, looking at the wellness center opposite. "It's not surprising she's achieved this today. She's lived very diligently since she was young. Children who grow up in adversity either become outstanding or have their edges worn down by life, becoming mediocre."
"Mom, are you speaking up for her? Or are you saying she's smarter than me?"
"Heh..." Yang Hailing lowered her head and sneered. "Why can't you admit she's smarter than you?"
"I pampered you and raised you with all my heart since you were little because you weren't as smart as Jiang Nuan. Your grandmother was a very capable woman, but unfortunately, she didn't think highly of you. She'd rather spoil Jiang Nuan than give you a shred of affection."
Recalling past events, Yang Hailing's face showed little expression.
"Xiao Qing, you can't compete with Jiang Nuan. Give up. Sell your father's assets, and the two of us can go live in another city. It will be enough to live comfortably for the rest of our lives."
From now on, she just wanted a peaceful life. At her age, she didn't hope to marry a rich man again.
"Mom..." Jiang Qing was still unwilling. "Why? Why can Jiang Nuan live so prosperously while we have to hide in a place where no one knows us?"
Jiang Qing's unyielding resentment made Yang Hailing very worried. She only had this one daughter. She thought that as long as Xingyu didn't know his origins, he could stay by her side forever. Unfortunately, she miscalculated again. Jiang Xingyu knew his origins long ago.
"Qingqing, think about Lin Su's fate. Do you want to end up the same way? Why did Mu Jiuchen move against the Lin family? It was because Lin Su went after Jiang Nuan."
"Do you want to become as destitute as Lin Su?"
Jiang Qing bit her lip, then let out a mocking laugh. "Mom, I have nothing left, don't I?"
"Silly girl, you still have me. For money, I've put up with that scumbag your father for so many years. Looking back now, I was truly foolish. My life has been ruined by him."
"I don't want you to live the same life I have."
"Mom, do you know why Dad brought Jiang Xingyu and Jiang Nuan back to raise them?" Jiang Qing thought that if she knew the reason, she would have an advantage.
Yang Hailing shook her head slightly. "I don't know. My parents passed away early, and I was pampered and spoiled. I didn't want to lose my luxurious life, so I agreed to your father's proposal. Your father wanted the Tianjin household registration, and I wanted your father's money. Xingyu was brought by him, and he said I didn't need to take responsibility; he'd find servants to look after him, and I just needed to be his mother."
"Jiang Nuan was also suddenly brought back by him, and he forbade me from asking why. Once is enough for there to be a second time, so I never paid much attention to Jiang Nuan either."
"You don't know the reason at all?"
Jiang Qing met her mother's seemingly calm eyes and understood everything in her heart.
"No, I don't know. Let's go back." Yang Hailing stood up, looking a bit tired, and paused before walking away.
Jiang Qing reluctantly followed.
Rong Yin had eaten his fill but hadn't seen Jiang Nuan. Seeing that guests were gradually increasing, he figured that if he went to the kitchen to find Jiang Nuan, she probably wouldn't have time to attend to him. He looked towards the window, where the empty space had been replaced by two pots of prosperity plants, their leaves so green they seemed to exude water. They were clearly well cared for by their owner.
Damn it, didn't that shop owner say their anthuriums were the best? Why were the roots rotten? How embarrassing, utterly humiliating!
Rong Yin grew angrier the more he thought about it. He huffed and left, determined to buy something that Jiang Nuan would remember, something that would make her know it was from him the moment she saw it. Yes, that's it.
A little past eleven, Mu Jiuchen arrived with Xiao Fan. He had already asked Xiao Fan to book the health soup and a private room on the second floor. His son had told him that the second-floor room had a view of the backyard.
The two entered the private room. Looking down from the window, they could indeed see the small yard in the backyard, filled with green plants. Mu Jiuchen sent a message to his son.
[Baby, I've arrived.]
Jiang Shaoqing: [This message sounds like it's for a beautiful woman in love. I'm playing outside. You eat lunch first. Mom is very busy and doesn't have time to see you. Oh, and be sure to order the pastries Mom makes; they're exceptionally delicious.]
Mu Jiuchen was unhappy. His ally wasn't very reliable.
Xiao Fan observed his surroundings, his eyes focused on his nose, and his nose on his heart. Suddenly, he noticed his CEO's displeased expression and quickly said, "CEO, I'm going out for some fresh air."
Mu Jiuchen saw the strong desire to escape written all over his face and became even more displeased. "You get fresh air here; I'll go get some fresh air."
Xiao Fan: "..." Sir, I couldn't ask for more! He no longer had to worry about his own life.
As Mu Jiuchen's imposing figure left, Xiao Fan felt his breathing finally smooth out. He shook his head slightly, thinking that his boss's method of chasing his wife wasn't very effective.
Mu Jiuchen stepped out of the private room and carefully observed the two-and-a-half-story building. Its antique charm made him recall Jiang Nuan in her light green retro dress from yesterday, her long hair tied up, her elegant, dignified, and virtuous appearance still swirling in his mind.
"Deng deng deng..." Someone came down from the third floor. Mu Jiuchen looked up and saw his son. His expression immediately softened.
"Shaoqing, didn't you say you were playing outside?"
Jiang Yikuo, hearing that he knew his brother, chuckled, "Uncle, you've mistaken me for someone else. But how would Uncle know my brother?"
Mu Jiuchen froze, his smile gradually solidifying. "Shaoqing, are you joking?" His heart trembled. Facing Jiang Yikuo's bright and cheerful little face, devoid of any hint of gloom, he asked.
Jiang Yikuo smiled, "Sorry, Uncle, you really have mistaken me. Shaoqing is my younger brother, and I am his elder brother, Jiang Yikuo."
Mu Jiuchen's pupils constricted. His tall frame involuntarily staggered back a few steps. What had he just heard? Shaoqing not only had a younger sister but also an elder brother. He observed his son's demeanor intently. There were subtle differences from the little koi. When the little koi was silent, she looked very quiet, but the child before him possessed the same sly and profound gaze as his own.
"Your name is Jiang Yikuo, and you are triplets?" Mu Jiuchen asked with difficulty.
"Yes, Uncle. The best combination in triplets: two boys and one girl. But are you alright? Have we met before?" Jiang Yikuo felt he looked somewhat familiar.
Mu Jiuchen's vision went black, and he fainted again, overcome with emotion. As he closed his eyes, he was smiling. He actually had triplets!