It had to be said that Zhan Mohan’s comfort was indeed effective, and Wei Yumeng seemed to have found some relief.
She had gradually accepted the fact that Mu Linjing had left, and only hoped that one day in the future, Mu Linjing would be able to open her heart and return. At that time, this place would be a pure land where no one would threaten them.
In the following days, major news media outlets reported on matters related to the Ji family, exposing numerous other wicked deeds committed by them, including the harm done to Wei Yumeng and Mu Linjing.
As the woman who had almost become the second young mistress of the Zhan family, Mu Linjing also became a focus of attention. Since she was not present, her former fiancé naturally became the one to answer reporters’ questions on her behalf.
Faced with numerous reporters’ inquiries, Zhan Yichen always remained silent. He really did not want to bring up the topic of Mu Linjing, fearing that the sorrow he had sealed away would be torn open once more.
Wei Yumeng also noticed his avoidance and directly squeezed into the crowd. "Excuse me, Young Master Zhan is not feeling well today and will not be accepting any interviews. We can address any questions at another time. We'll end here for today."
She led Zhan Yichen out of the crowd and got into the car without paying attention to anyone.
The car had already driven quite a distance when Zhan Yichen’s expression remained dejected. Wei Yumeng didn’t know how to comfort him. She opened her mouth several times but couldn’t say anything. It was Zhan Yichen who spoke first.
"Sister-in-law, you don’t have to try so hard to comfort me. I know what you want to say. Don’t worry, I won’t remain mired in this despair forever. Linjing wouldn’t like to see me like this either. I will pull myself together. I respect her choice to leave me, but waiting for her to return is also my choice."
Having spent so much time together, Wei Yumeng knew that her brother-in-law was also a stubborn, almost fanatical person, especially when he set his mind on someone. He would never change.
Since he said he would wait for Mu Linjing to return, he would definitely wait. Anything she said would be superfluous.
Besides, she was also looking forward to Mu Linjing letting go of her inner demons and returning. As long as she was willing to come back, everything would still be in time.
The two returned to the Zhan residence. Old Master Zhan was watching the news with the two children. Seeing Zhan Yichen return with a dejected look, he knew what had happened. He had watched the live broadcast just now.
Seeing his beloved grandson transform from a spirited youth into his current state pained him greatly, and his own stubbornness and anger gradually softened.
Rather than watch Zhan Yichen sink deeper into melancholy day by day, he would rather accept Mu Linjing.
After all, he was advanced in age, and the reins of the Zhan family would be handed over to these children in the future. If Zhan Yichen insisted on marrying Mu Linjing, no matter how much he opposed it, by the time he returned to dust, Mu Linjing would still enter the Zhan family. What would be the point of such opposition?
It would only add to his grandson’s distress. If his persistence only served this purpose, then it was better not to persist.
As Zhan Yichen was about to go upstairs, Old Master Zhan called him to a halt. He sat down beside him. "Grandpa, do you have any instructions?"
"Yichen, first of all, you need to understand that Mu Linjing chose to leave on her own. It wasn't Grandpa who forced her away."
Old Master Zhan admitted that he had indeed said some unpleasant things to Mu Linjing, but ultimately, she had chosen to leave on her own, and no one had forced her.
Zhan Yichen nodded. "Grandpa, I know. You don't have to worry that I will become estranged from the family because of this. This was Linjing's own choice. I respect her, and I don't blame anyone."
Hearing this, Old Master Zhan was quite pleased. "It seems you haven't completely lost your mind over a woman. However, since you like her so much, Grandpa won't make things difficult for you. If she returns in the future, Grandpa will treat her the same as before."
Zhan Yichen had not expected Old Master Zhan to say this, especially since his attitude towards Mu Linjing had grown increasingly hostile after the broken engagement.
Although he understood his grandfather’s attitude, he had not given up on trying to mediate.
Decisions made by Old Master Zhan were rarely influenced by others, unless he came to a realization himself. Therefore, Zhan Yichen’s efforts over the past while had mostly been in vain. It was only today that Old Master Zhan was willing to relent.
Zhan Yichen was naturally thrilled and thanked his grandfather repeatedly.
However, Old Master Zhan also had other demands. "Although I agree to your continued relationship, it doesn't mean her parents do. Furthermore, since she has left, whether your relationship can continue is still undecided. However, I require you to focus on your work during this period and not let me see you in such a dejected state again."
This was the main reason for his concession. How could the grandson he had nurtured so well be so dispirited? As long as Zhan Yichen could regain his spirits and manage the company well, it was perfectly acceptable for him to make some compromises.
The grandfather and grandson reached a consensus, and Zhan Yichen's spirits and mood visibly improved.
He knew his grandfather's words were sensible. During the time he waited for Mu Linjing to change her mind, he should also make a good impression on Mu Linjing's parents, so that when Mu Linjing returned, all pressure would disappear.
As for the Ji family, all three of them, grandfather, son, and grandson, were sentenced to death. Their assets were all confiscated and inventoried, to be returned to the public, as this ill-gotten wealth had been extorted from the people.
The Ji family had been in business for so many years that it took several days to inventory their earnings.
According to live broadcasts from media in country Y, every piece of furniture in the Ji family residence was an antique, priced exorbitantly. Even their bowls and chopsticks were priceless, which showed how much money they had earned through illegal means.
Moreover, several chests filled to the brim with gold were discovered in the courtyard where Old Master Ji resided. When they were carried out, they gleamed dazzlingly under the sun.
Of course, besides chests of gold, there were also many chests containing military arms, high-end equipment in large quantities.
After the inventory, the entire Ji mansion also needed to be sealed. It was then that they discovered that although the Ji mansion was built halfway up the mountain, the entire mountain had been bought by Ji Tong. Such a luxurious mansion and an entire soaring mountain were all private property, demonstrating the Ji family’s financial power.
However, the more luxurious their lifestyle, the more it evoked public scorn. Their clandestine business had harmed countless people, and their daily lives were like sucking the blood of others.