Si Yuhuan kicked Si Junyan, sending him flying with a single foot.
He flew into a rage, like the Grim Reaper descending, terrifying everyone present so much that no one dared to breathe heavily.
Jiang Qimeng rushed up. "Yuhan, it’s all a misunderstanding. Grandfather is also Junyan’s grandfather, and his love for Grandfather is no less than yours. Right now, the most important thing is to save him."
No one saw the fleeting glint of triumph in her eyes.
Jian Xi quietly slipped out and asked Wan Yu to check for any suspicious individuals who had recently entered or exited the old residence.
Wan Yu exclaimed, "Are you suspecting someone harmed Old Master Si? Do you have a death wish?"
Everyone in their circle knew how filial Si Yuhuan was; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been forced to marry Jian Xi, a woman he did not love, all those years ago.
Jian Xi sighed. "Just check it out. I can’t rest easy otherwise. I feel like something isn’t quite right."
Jian Xi returned and ran right into Jiang Qimeng.
"Jian Xi, Grandfather is all because of you."
Jian Xi laughed in anger. "Have you lost your mind? Are you spouting nonsense?"
"If it weren’t for you, the Si Family wouldn’t be in such turmoil! Grandfather had a stroke and ended up in a vegetative state because he got worked up discussing you with Junyan! Don’t you think you should repent and pay the price?"
Jian Xi’s lips moved, but before she could say anything, a figure suddenly darted out from behind her. SLAP! A resounding slap landed.
The crisp sound of the slap was especially clear in the hallway.
Jian’s Mother pointed at Jiang Qimeng, berating her furiously. "Who do you think you are? The Si Family hasn’t said a word yet! How dare you corner my daughter here and question her? What an utter joke!"
Jiang Qimeng was stunned, and so was Jian Xi.
Jian’s Mother had a fiery temper, and Father Jian was also very angry, his face stern.
The commotion alerted the people inside.
Si Yuhuan and Si Junyan, who had been beaten until his head resembled a pig’s, came out.
"Mom? Dad?" Si Yuhuan frowned deeply.
Father Jian spoke grimly. "We heard Old Master Si had a sudden heart attack and stroke, so we came to see how he was and if we could help. Instead, we find this woman blaming our daughter, saying Xixi caused Old Master Si’s illness! Si Yuhuan, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?"
Jiang Qimeng was terrified. She had wanted to use this chance to make things difficult for Jian Xi and drive her away. That way, she could have some time alone with Si Yuhuan to win him back. She never expected Jian Xi’s parents to show up; her luck was terrible.
Si Yuhuan gave Jiang Qimeng a long look. She sobbed pitifully. "I was just anxious and spoke rashly, Yuhan..."
Just as she reached for Si Yuhuan’s sleeve, he pulled away.
"I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. People can get flustered in moments of panic. Mengmeng, come and apologize to Jian Xi."
Jian Xi had to give Jiang Qimeng credit for this: she knew how to adapt and could always clear her own name. Jiang Qimeng said, "I misspoke earlier; I was just frantic and confused. This whole incident has nothing to do with you. It’s all my fault and Junyan’s. If Grandfather hadn’t urgently summoned us back to discuss you, perhaps none of this would have happened."
"You still dare to blame our Xixi..." Jian’s Mother raised her arm, and Jiang Qimeng immediately hid behind Si Yuhuan.
"Yuhan, save me! I don’t know what I said wrong this time!"
A protective urge immediately surged in Si Junyan. "What do you think you’re doing? This is a hospital! Are you trying to cause a scene?"
His words were a reminder to Father Jian. He grabbed Jian’s Mother’s arm. "Si Yuhuan, now we see clearly how you all usually bully our Xixi! Xixi, let’s go."
Jian Xi was pulled away by her parents.
Behind them, Jiang Qimeng burst into loud wails. "What did I say wrong? Why do they hate me so much? I’ve already apologized! What more do they want? Do they want me to die? Fine! I’ll go die then!"
With that, she made a move to bash her head against the wall.
Si Junyan pulled her into his embrace, comforting her softly, "Mengmeng, you did nothing wrong. It’s all my fault! I failed to protect you! Big Brother, what are you just standing there for? Have you forgotten you promised Mengmeng you’d protect her for life?"
Father Jian glanced back, glaring angrily at the farce unfolding behind them, and gripped Jian Xi’s arm even tighter.
Jian Xi felt quite helpless.
She had seen such scenes all too often in her previous life.
Jiang Qimeng’s standard performance, threatening suicide and playing the victim to gain pity, was merely an appetizer.
She had seen far more outrageous displays.
Especially with Si Junyan on her stage, she could more freely perform her act of feigning pure innocence.
What was different in this life, however, was that Si Yuhuan hadn’t blindly taken Jiang Qimeng’s side. Jian Xi had noticed his eyes were fixed on her as they left.
"Dammit! This Jiang Qimeng is a scourge! I told your older brother before to deal with her, send her abroad, but he was too soft-hearted! A woman like her should be thrown in prison for the whole world to see her vile face and spit on her! For a mistress to stoop to such levels, it’s truly eye-opening!"
Jian’s Mother was so furious she was gasping for breath.
Father Jian quickly handed her a bottle of mineral water. "Dear, leave this to me. As long as I’m alive, our daughter will absolutely not be bullied by that woman."
"And that Si Yuhuan! He’s not allowed in the Jian Family home anymore either! He doesn’t even protect our Xixi. He’s just as much of a bastard!" Jian’s Mother fumed, holding him responsible too.
"But didn’t Si Yuhuan make Jiang Qimeng apologize?" Father Jian ventured hesitantly, trying to defend him.
Seeing her parents so worked up on her behalf, Jian Xi couldn’t stay silent any longer. She spoke up helplessly, "Mom, Dad, this is my own business. Please don’t worry."
"You silly girl, how can you still be so calm?"
Jian’s Mother eyed her suspiciously. "You’re not acting like yourself!"
Normally, when she saw Jiang Qimeng and Si Yuhuan together, Jian Xi would be the first to fly into a rage. Now, she was as quiet as an outsider. Jian’s Mother found her daughter’s behavior increasingly strange.
"Nothing’s wrong! I’m just not wasting my anger on insignificant people. Jiang Qimeng will get what’s coming to her. What you’re hoping for will happen soon."
She would make Jiang Qimeng pay the price she deserved!
This time, Father Jian also nodded. His wife was right; their daughter really did seem different.
After returning home, Jian Xi received a call from Si Yuhuan.
"Grandfather is out of surgery. He’s in a coma for now—what’s commonly called a vegetative state." His voice was heavy with pain.
Jian Xi opened her mouth, but swallowed the comforting words she was about to say.
Their current relationship hadn’t reached that point yet.
So, this was the outcome after all. The result from her previous life hadn’t changed. Jian Xi clenched her fists tightly.
This was the Si Family grandfather who had loved and protected her the most!
"If you have time, come visit him more often. The doctor said there’s a chance he might be awakened by chance. He was always fondest of you."
Jian Xi agreed without hesitation.
Throughout their conversation, he hadn’t said a word about how Jiang Qimeng and Si Junyan would be dealt with.
Jian Xi no longer needed him to.
Without Grandfather’s restraint, he’ll probably use every means possible to divorce me soon and get together with Jiang Qimeng!
How truly unexpected everything was.
After hanging up, Jian Xi couldn’t sleep all night.
She finally drifted into a hazy sleep, only to be jolted awake by a phone call.
Wan Yu shrieked into the phone, nearly bursting Jian Xi’s eardrums, "You were right! New staff members really did arrive at the old residence within the last month!"