The ultimate result Shi Lan aimed to achieve was to protect the rest of the Lian Family, clear Mrs. Chen’s name, and at the same time, strip Lian Yinseng’s family of any reason to boast ever again.
Being questioned was bound to affect Yinsheng’s career for the rest of his life.
As for Lian’s wife and Lian Qingyi, after being humiliated online, they could only keep a low profile in Yancheng unless they moved elsewhere. For a long time, their family would face criticism and wouldn’t be able to hold their heads high.
Lian Yinseng, having been tormented, had aged significantly.
On his way home that evening, he called Yan Shixiu, "I give up. Please let your aunt and your cousin be. I will never bother you again and will never appear before you..."
However, Yan merely replied, "You still have a chance to be a good man."
After the matter was settled, Mrs. Chen’s spirits were visibly improved. Knowing her grievances had been cleared, she finally felt relieved. Especially knowing that so many people had been busy and concerned about her, the old lady burst into tears.
"I really don’t deserve all this from you."
Old Master Zhong hurriedly consoled her, "You do deserve it, you always have. Everyone has put their heart and soul into solving your issue, especially the little girl An Lan. You must get better soon and cook some delicious dishes to thank them properly," he urged.
"Okay..." Mrs. Chen nodded.
"However, this is not over yet." Just when everyone was pleased, Shi Lan threw cold water on their joy, "There’s one more thing... But, Mrs. Chen, you’ve finished that suit, haven’t you?"
Mrs. Chen nodded, "It’s done."
"I’ll take the clothes with me. There’s still a good show to watch," Shi Lan declared.
The crowd looked at Shi Lan with confusion, but she deliberately kept them in suspense.
Late at night, after having dinner at Yunde Restaurant and walking back home through the garden, Shi Lan suddenly had a whimsical idea, "Yan, how about we build a skywalk between the two villas? That way I wouldn’t have to be cold, right?"
"Are you that afraid of the cold?" Yan Shixiu drew her closer into his arms.
"It might be related to An Lan’s childhood experiences, though I can’t really remember them," Shi Lan said.
"Okay," Yan Shixiu replied.
"Building the skywalk."
"I was just speaking hypothetically..." the young lady exclaimed, "so if I say I want temperature-controlled clothing, are you going to set up a studio to research and develop it?"
"That’s worth considering."
"You’re spoiling me a bit too much."
Yan Shixiu chuckled lightly, leading Shi Lan back to the doorstep.
Though the weather was growing colder, the young lady was feeling increasingly warm.
Elsewhere, on a cold night, Lian Qingyi could only wander outside with her suitcase, as she had no relatives to turn to and no friends to stay with. She thought about calling a former suitor, but now that she had embarrassed herself in front of the entire nation, would anyone still like her?
Lian Qingyi had still not swallowed her pride or let go of her ego.
When Lian Yinseng returned home and did not see Qingyi, he asked his wife, "Where’s the other one?"
"What other person do we have in our family?" his wife replied, holding their son.
"Even if she’s worthless, she’s still my daughter, Lian Yinseng’s daughter. Have you just driven her away?"
The wife couldn’t hold back her tears.
"We spoiled her too much from a young age, which made her so selfish and lawless. It’s time for her to face some hardships. Don’t interfere," she said.
"I’m planning to move us," Lian Yinseng said. "Back to Nanqi, to do something else. I don’t want to end my days disgraced and unrested."
"Moving back to Nanqi is fine, but you have to promise me, do not interfere with my disciplining Lian Qingyi. This time, no matter what, I want her to start fresh."