Chapter 29: Chapter 29: That’s a Human Life_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 29: That’s a Human Life_1 “Let’s discuss this later.” With a look at the hopeful gaze in Old Master An’s eyes, the refusal that had been on her lips softened somewhat, leaving room for negotiation.
Old Master An nodded reluctantly and said again, “We’re back in Beijing now. Why not move back to the old mansion for a while? Just to keep this old man company, okay?”
The old man lowered his voice, his eyes filled with a careful plea.
At this moment, he was just an ordinary old man—a man who simply hoped his great-granddaughter would call him ‘great-grandfather’.
Jian Qing laughed mockingly, “Do you think the people in the An family will welcome me living here?”
If she lived here, some people would likely lose sleep over it!
Old Master An understood the meaning behind her words, waved his hand and said, “I don’t care about them. If you don’t like seeing them, I’ll make them move out.”
Jian Qing knew, from his sincere tone, that as long as she spoke up, Old Master An would definitely send the An family members away from the mansion.
But then, wouldn’t she miss out on all the fun? This wouldn’t do.
“Even if I come back and destroy the An family, you still want me to live here?” Jian Qing smiled, asking in a manner that was half serious, half joking.
Old Master An was taken aback, but let out a long sigh and waved his hand, saying, “Do as you please, as long as it pleases you. After all, the An family owes you.”
Jian Qing lightly laughed. She turned to Uncle Qiu who was standing by the pavilion and said, “Uncle Qiu, please help me arrange a room.”
At her words, joy spread across Old Master An’s face and Uncle Qiu agreed with a smile.
“Miss Jian Qing, thank you.” Old Master An’s face was wreathed with joy.
Jian Qing looked into the distance. Her voice was distant and light. “I’m afraid you won’t be saying this in the future.”
If she destroyed the An family, he probably wouldn’t thank her then.
Old Master An swallowed, but then said thickly, “Miss Jian Qing, no matter what you do, I won’t stop you, but could you… could you spare them?”
“That was a life!” Jian Qing’s voice grew cold, interrupting Old Master An’s unfinished plea.
It was the most important and closest person to her. How could they compensate her?
Old Master An opened his mouth to speak, but in the end said nothing, bowing his head in silence.
Uncle Qiu sighed at the tense atmosphere between the two of them and shook his head helplessly.
…
At dinner, Old Master An asked Jian Qing to stay and eat. He also called the rest of the An family members home. Even Xiang Cheng came.
Since waking up in the hospital, Xiang Cheng had become aware that there might be no hope for his injured hand. For the first few days, he vented his anger in the hospital every day. Eventually, he was given a sedative to calm down. Later, An Man and her husband actively contacted famous doctors around the world, but every doctor came to the same conclusion: the hope for a cure was slim.
Each doctor they consulted had the same suggestion: find the Ghost Doctor, “Jue”. But where could they find this elusive Ghost Doctor? The only information they could find was the name “Jue” and some of his achievements. They found nothing else about him.
Unable to stay in the hospital, Xiang Cheng insisted on being discharged. An Man and her husband arranged for his discharge. Now, all he had to do was go to the hospital regularly for check-ups and medication.
After returning home, Xiang Cheng had lost a significant amount of weight and his complexion was far from being the arrogant and bossy person he used to be. Even An Yun and the others who visited him were taken aback.
At the dining table, Old Master An sat at the head of the table, An Zhonghui was to his right, and to his left sat Jian Qing. Such an arrangement displeased the An family members, but they didn’t dare complain in front of Old Master An.
Yang Xiang glared at Jian Qing venomously. Because she had been scolded by Yang Lin previously, she didn’t dare to openly confront Jian Qing now.
Jealousy towards Jian Qing wasn’t just limited to her, An Yu looked at Jian Qing, who sat next to Old Master An, her fingertips digging into the palm of her hands.
She hadn’t even sat in that position before. What did Jian Qing, an illegitimate daughter, have the right to?
Xiang Cheng was unexpectedly quiet today. He didn’t yell or make trouble with Jian Qing as he had done before. He just quietly lowered his head to look at the bowls and chopsticks in front of him, a gloomy aura surrounding him.
Jian Qing sat calmly, accepting the unfriendly stares from around the room. She enjoyed the looks of displeasure on their faces.
Zhao Xuan glanced at her husband. He was staring at Jian Qing as if he saw someone else through her.
The thought chilled her countenance.
Damn it, couldn’t that damned woman leave them in peace even in death?
Old Master An cleared his throat and said, “Now that everyone is here, I’d like to make an announcement. From now on, Jian Qing will be staying in the mansion.”
His words exploded in their ears.
“What?” Yang Xiang blurted out, looking at Jian Qing incredulously.
Have Jian Qing live in the mansion?
What was this, some sort of joke?
The faces of the others were equally unpleased.
An Zhonghui was initially startled, but he quickly regained his composure. He glanced at Jian Qing, but didn’t say anything.
“Great-grandfather, you…” Yang Xiang said with dissatisfaction in her voice.
“What, are you not satisfied with my decision? Or do you think I can’t make decisions about this mansion anymore?” Old Master An retorted sharply.
Faced with Old Master An’s penetrating gaze, Yang Xiang choked and backed down.
“Great-grandfather, how about this? Let Yang Xiang and the others live in the mansion for a while too. They are around the same age as Jian Qing. Having more girls in the house would make it lively. What do you think?” Zhao Xuan suggested with a soft smile. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she was quite magnanimous for accommodating her husband’s illegitimate daughter.
Jian Qing looked at her, her expression unreadable.
“Yes, great-grandfather, my second sister-in-law makes a good point. Jian Qing just arrived and isn’t familiar with the mansion. It would be perfect to have Xiangxiang and the others show her around,” agreed An Man. This was surprising, especially since Jian Qing was the one who had ruined Xiang Cheng’s hand. It was unbelievable she was even speaking on Jian Qing’s behalf.
Old Master An didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he looked at Jian Qing as if he wouldn’t agree to let Yang Xiang and the others stay if she didn’t approve.
The others all looked at her, their thoughts varying.
“Do as you please, I don’t care one way or the other,” Jian Qing responded casually with a smile.
It seemed that her days ahead were going to be quite interesting.