"Your mother actually had a tough time too. On one hand, she was happy to have snatched me away, but on the other, she worried that if I could betray Zhao Yulan, I could betray her too. So, she was always living in fear and anxiety."
However, her circumstances told her that despite her doubts about me, she couldn’t afford to create a scene at my workplace. That could have ruined all my hard work, so instead, she directed her attacks toward Zhao Yulan."
She didn’t genuinely believe that Zhao Yulan posed a threat to her, but she needed a way to vent. Zhao Yulan, with no significant background, was an easy target—she could lash out however she wanted, with no irreversible consequences."
I didn’t stop her because I hoped it would allow her to vent those negative emotions that couldn’t be expressed in front of others. Otherwise, with your mom’s temperament, none of us would have been able to live peacefully."
In fact, when I think about it, I was truly selfish, intensifying the harm to a woman who had already been deeply wounded by me, all for the sake of peace in my own family."
So, I always felt guilty afterwards. In those early years, every time your mother targeted her, I would try to compensate, but not directly to Zhao Yulan. Instead, I redirected some benefits intended for other villages to Dalin Village, which provided me some solace."
Your grandpa probably understood my reasons, so he always supported me. Without his support, even if I wanted to compensate, I wouldn’t have been able to do it."
You and Yang Ping being together was something I initially opposed. I really didn’t want you to follow your mother’s path, but knowing your temperament, if I simply objected, you wouldn’t have been satisfied. I was trying to find a way to persuade you when I unexpectedly made a big discovery."
The city had issued a directive for the counties to review closed cases, archive the resolved ones, and investigate any problems. As the person in charge, I naturally had to show my support. When I casually flipped through some cases to be archived, I stumbled upon those of Yang Ping’s parents."
The real reason they had faced such hardships was because Yang Ping’s mother was related to the Zhou family, which also explained why the Yang family had been prospering smoothly these past few years."
From another perspective, Yang Ping’s parents were absolutely the type to bide their time and be calculating. Given their current trajectory, it was inevitable that one day, the Yang family would stand shoulder to shoulder with us, or even surpass us. Your marriage into their family would really be a suitable match..."
Jiang Meixiang interrupted Jiang Yuesheng excitedly, "Dad, are you serious?"
"Of course," Jiang Yuesheng nodded, "Dad has told you so much, haven’t you thought of something?"
"I did! Since it’s a suitable match, Yang Ping and I could be together."
"Ah!" Jiang Yuesheng sighed heavily, "Then, do you think Yang Ping doesn’t know about his family’s background?"
"This..." Jiang Meixiang’s face fell instantly. Yes, Yang Ping would be even more aware. If he’s using this excuse to break up with her despite knowing their families are well-matched, it only indicates that he really doesn’t want to be with her."
"At the time Yang Ping said those things, I suddenly remembered something. Uncle Zhang had bought a house in Dalin Village a month ago and moved his parents there."
When your mom asked Aunt Zhang why she bought a house so far away, Aunt Zhang stammered and brushed it off. At the time, I merely thought she was embarrassed for sending the elderly so far away, but now, the more I think about it, the more I feel something’s not right."
"What... what do you mean?" Jiang Meixiang stammered.
"I suspect, all of this is Zhao Yulan’s revenge on us. The last time she came, your mom hit her, and I stood by and did nothing. She must have harbored resentment."
"Dad, are you saying Zhao Yulan’s daughter married into a well-connected family?"
"Yes, I suspect her daughter married Zhou Mikang from the Zhou family," Jiang Yuesheng said heavily, "Meixiang, go and arrange for dad’s discharge. I must personally verify this. If it really is Zhao Yulan’s daughter who married into the Zhou family, well... sigh."
"Dad, you haven’t fully recovered yet," Jiang Meixiang looked at Jiang Yuesheng seriously, "Dad, if you trust me, let me handle this. I’ll go ask Aunt Zhang whose house she bought, okay?"
"That works..." Jiang Yuesheng gave a wry smile, "If they are also involved in this matter, now, there’s no need to keep it hidden from us anymore."
Grandpa Lin, his family, and Lin Baohe, among others, stayed a night at Little Aunt’s house, and set out for Dalin Village early the next morning. Little Aunt insisted on going too."
"I’m old, but I’m still strong. Shengjun and Qi Qing came to rely on me; I have a responsibility in this matter. If you don’t let me visit their graves, I will never rest in peace."
With the elderly lady putting it like that, Grandpa Lin and everyone else discussed and had to agree, although they made sure Qiao Ying also took leave to accompany them, having a doctor along made everyone feel a bit more reassured."
Little Aunt volunteered to ride in the same car with Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan; Xia He and Jing Zhe were also in the car, naturally, with Jing Zhe as the driver."
Holding Xia He’s hand and examining him over and over again, the smile on the old lady’s face deepened, "By the way, Xia He, have you ever met your grandpa’s Aunt Zhiling?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), give it your recommendation, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)