The old lady was instantly rendered speechless.
She truly hadn't expected Jin Tong to do such a thing.
She was old, and many things were no longer under her control. Since the family incident, neither of her sons had offered to take her in; instead, they had urged her to ask the Lu family for help. She had lost all face.
In the end, it was her youngest daughter, whom she had never doted on, who offered to support her in her old age.
The old lady's heart ached as tears streamed down her face. She had expected a peaceful and happy later life, but in the end, even her family had fallen apart.
"Alas…" the old lady sighed deeply. "I truly didn't expect your sister's actions, Yan Yan. I'm sorry, Mom was wrong."
Once business ventures touched upon illegal activities, trouble was bound to follow sooner or later.
Jin Tong understood this, yet she deliberately broke the law. Who could she blame but herself?
Jin Yan was startled. Was Mom apologizing to her again?
She replied with sarcasm, "There are many things in this world that you wouldn't expect."
Hearing this sharp and cutting tone, the old lady became angry again.
"Do you think I'm pathetic right now?"
Jin Yan looked at the angry old lady and spoke the truth, "Yes, you are quite pathetic. You valued educating your children more than anything in your life, yet not one of them turned out well, except for me."
The old lady: "..."
"You..."
"Stop with the 'you.' It's like a duck dying but its bill remains stubborn. If you were twenty years younger, I could have torn you apart today. But you're old now, and I won't argue seriously with you. You raised me, and I can't hold grudges against you."
"The hardships I endured and the harsh words I heard, I could only digest them myself. I can't possibly return them all to you."
Jin Yan still felt a pang of sadness. The current state of the Jin family was the old lady's doing, her greatest contribution.
The old lady understood Jin Yan's meaning. She closed her eyes and ignored Jin Yan.
Jiang Nuan watched the mother and daughter, feeling that they might reconcile one day.
In the afternoon, Mu Jiu Chen returned and spoke to her about the company's affairs.
Mu Jiu Chen was actually a little nervous, fearing his mother-in-law would blame him.
But Jin Yan praised him highly, saying he had done the right thing.
Mu Jiu Chen was immediately relieved and wanted to bring Nuan Nuan and the baby back home, but Jin Yan disagreed.
She wasn't angry about the Jin family's matters, but rather about this.
"Xiao Jiu, Mom knows that you young people like to live a free and easy life. But you must also take good care of Nuan Nuan's health. You are usually very busy. Leaving Nuan Nuan here, we won't disturb you. If you have something to discuss, you can go to the small building in the back. Let Nuan Nuan recuperate here for a while before returning."
Mu Jiu Chen: "Sorry, Mom, I was just worried about tiring you out."
Jin Yan was a restless person. When she had nothing to do, she always wanted to take care of her family's meals.
Jin Yan smiled with affection. "What's tiring about that? I feel restless if I don't have anything to do all day. You all stay here with peace of mind. Aren't you preparing for the wedding? Let Nuan Nuan stay at home before the wedding. In any case, you have to come to the Lu family to marry my wife. Let her stay at home before the wedding."
The mention of marriage truly delighted Mu Jiu Chen.
He was determined to have a grand wedding before winter.
This time, no one could stop him.
"Thank you, Mom!" Mu Jiu Chen stood up and bowed ninety degrees to thank Jin Yan.
Jiang Nuan watched his actions, a happy smile blooming on her lips.
Unknowingly, she too was looking forward to the wedding.
Jiang Nuan rested for another ten days, and Mu Jiu Chen finally allowed her to go out.
The Jin family's matters were resolved, and Grandpa moved back home to live.
On the eleventh day, they went to visit Grandma Lu together.
Grandma Lu was as simple as ever, but she said she was very happy.
This time, Old Mrs. Jin also came along. Seeing Old Mrs. Lu's simple house and simple clothing, and the calm, watery gaze in her eyes, Old Mrs. Jin instantly felt inferior.
She, who had lived a life of luxury, could not adapt to such a life.
The Lu family was also very wealthy, and she had never expected Old Mrs. Lu to be like this.
While everyone was chatting, the old lady asked Old Mrs. Lu, "Old sister, can you live such a simple and poor life?"
Old Mrs. Lu looked at her with calm eyes. As she was older, her irises were grayish-white, but one could still discern the peace in her eyes.
"Why wouldn't I be able to? My life is very happy now. My children and grandchildren are filial, and I can see my granddaughter's children. What great fortune this is! Simple food and drink, without the rich illnesses of your affluent life, no bad breath or constipation. A cup of clear tea, a bowl of white rice, and my body remains healthy."
"Eating bird's nest, eating shark fins, everyone is eating them. As long as the body is healthy, what else can an old person ask for?"
Old Mrs. Jin's old face flushed red. It was true, but she liked the Lu family very much now; it was warm.
Although Lu Chengsi did not call her mother-in-law, he was attentive to every detail, never letting her, an old woman, look too bad.
She understood Lu Chengsi's feelings. He would never forgive the Jin family in his lifetime, and she had nothing to say.
The Jin family had been ruined by a lifetime of arrogant education.
The old lady regretted it, but it was too late.
A few days later, Jiang Nuan had fully recovered.
She contacted Han Yixuan, wanting to meet Chu Yunying.
Han Yixuan arranged it for her, telling her to come the next morning at nine o'clock.
Mu Jiu Chen also knew that she had to go, so he took her to meet Chu Yunying the next morning.
Outside the prison, Han Yixuan and Mu Jiu Chen waited for her.
When Jiang Nuan saw Chu Yunying, Chu Yunying was acting deranged. Upon seeing Jiang Nuan, she seemed not to recognize her.
Jiang Nuan felt like she had come for nothing. Chu Yunying had gone mad; she hadn't anticipated this.
She walked with a limp, humming to herself, and with a foolish smile, she seemed utterly foolish.
Jiang Nuan felt distressed and said nothing, then left.
Just as she reached the entrance, she heard Chu Yunying's voice: "Jiang Nuan."
Jiang Nuan turned around and saw her resentful eyes. She frowned, walked back, and looked at her, "Chu Yunying, are you faking it?"
Chu Yunying sneered, "Seeing you dead, I can finally be at peace. Brother Chen will finally be completely mine."
Jiang Nuan: "..."
Alright, she had misunderstood. She was still crazy.
As she left, Han Yixuan explained, "The doctor said Chu Yunying has gone mad. She's trapped herself in a beautiful world, and she's quite happy every day."
Jiang Nuan looked at his haggard but handsome face and asked, "What happened at the bureau? Why do you look so exhausted?"
Han Yixuan hadn't expected her to notice. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Nothing. I just haven't slept well due to overtime recently."
Jiang Nuan didn't believe him, but if he wouldn't say, she wouldn't force him.
Jiang Nuan then asked, "What was the sentence?"
Han Yixuan frowned and said, "Both of them committed illegal acts, and both had human lives on their hands. They were sentenced to death, to be executed at the end of the year."
Jiang Nuan looked at his weary, ash-colored eyes with a knowing expression and said, "Mm! We're leaving now. I'll contact you if anything comes up."
Han Yixuan: "Oh!"
"Brother Han." Suddenly, a smiling voice came from not far away.