Mrs. Ji’s footsteps halted, and she rapidly turned around, only to see her long-yearned-for daughter, who was now clutching her arm.
She felt as if she were dreaming, her gaze lingering over the familiar yet unrecognizable face.
Her daughter, whom she had raised with painstaking care, had grown much prettier and more striking compared to her tender-faced self at fifteen, when she had insisted on searching for her relatives.
Mrs. Ji’s lips parted slightly, suddenly remembering how, three years ago, Jiang Nanshu had made a huge scene at their home, blaming them for depriving her of nearly sixteen years of wealth and luxury and accusing them of keeping her trapped in the countryside despite their inability to provide for her.
Back then, Jiang Nanshu, relying on her own achievements, had been accepted into the top high school in the city, but just two months in, something happened. When she awoke, she insisted on searching for her relatives and wouldn’t even let her touch her, treating them as if they were most grievous sinners.
But no matter what, she had never blamed her daughter. She was content as long as her child was happy and well.
Mrs. Ji’s gaze fell upon the expensive dress Nanshu wore, which contrasted sharply with her own ten-yuan loose T-shirt.
At least her dear girl had gone on to live a good life.
So when she felt the discerning and peculiar looks from the people around her, Mrs. Ji’s heart was filled with a deep-seated inferiority.
Her initial strong desire to see Jiang Nanshu vanished without a trace.
She might have figured out why Nanshu had avoided them for three years.
Because their existence was a shameful part of Nanshu’s past.
Who would want to amplify their own stain before everyone? The social circles Nanshu was part of were surely filled with cultured and learned people.
So she couldn’t afford to make Nanshu lose face.
Thus she released Jiang Nanshu’s hand, hunched her back, and shielded her wrinkled face, aged from labor.
"Miss, you’ve mistaken me for someone else, I’m not your mother, I’m not..."
After speaking, Mrs. Ji hurriedly ran towards the hospital exit.
Bumping into several people one after another, her apologies were stacked upon one another before she disappeared into the crowd.
Jiang Nanshu watched her leave in a daze, not even having the courage to call her back.
She didn’t understand why seeing her foster mother made her so sad. Memories of Mrs. Ji were vivid in her mind; from the lullabies sung to coax her to sleep as a child to the woman who swelled her eyes crying over a minor illness she had.
Her once young face, now appearing aged, looked like she was in her fifties even though she was only in her forties.
It felt as though her foster mother had really been by her side, providing all the motherly love one could give.
Their bond even seemed to transcend the limits of blood ties.
Jiang Nanshu felt an intense headache and reached to steady herself as the world around her began to blur, sensing something attempting to pull at her soul.
"Is this Miss Jiang Nanshu?"
A serious voice suddenly reached her ears.
That strange sensation disappeared, and Jiang Nanshu shook her head, her vision clearing up. Two uniformed police officers stood before her, one holding a badge and a photograph.
"I am," Jiang Nanshu answered.
After confirming her identity, the middle-aged officer continued, "Please come with us. There was an incident near Hengzhou Stadium involving fans assaulting someone maliciously. You’re identified as one of the victims, and we need your testimony."
Seeing Jiang Nanshu, a young girl, he feared she might be scared, so he softened his voice, "Don’t be afraid; it’s just a formality. Your family has been contacted, and they are all here."
Which eye saw her scared.
She nodded politely, "Mhm, thank you, Officer."
By the time Jiang Nanshu arrived at the police station, it was already two in the afternoon.
She hadn’t eaten lunch, was so hungry she could feel her back stick to her stomach, all for the sake of quickly resolving the issue with the stalker fan.
She definitely wasn’t going to let this person off easy just because she cared about Jiang Zhouye’s reputation. Without substantial punishment, this person would still hurt others, just as she had hurt her.
But to her surprise, both Duan Huaiyu and Jiang Zhouye were at the station.
The two sat on blue metal chairs.
Jiang Zhouye, wearing a mask and hat, was clearly feeling chilly even though he was bundled up tightly; he was holding his phone, apparently chatting with someone.
Duan Huaiyu, on the other hand, was much more isolated. Sitting quietly on the chair, he only jumped up, looking somewhat awkward and anxious, when he heard the glass door open and saw a familiar figure approaching.
And the stalker fan, handcuffed and watched over by the police, sat in the corner. She first gave Jiang Nanshu a provocative look and then her gaze ardently stuck to Jiang Zhouye.
Jiang Zhouye felt a wave of disgust, turned off his phone’s screen, and walked over to Jiang Nanshu. "How do you want to handle this?"
Jiang Nanshu raised an eyebrow, "Can she be sent to jail?"
This was exactly what Jiang Zhouye was thinking. He laughed with a snort, "She carried a knife and intentionally harmed someone, her actions were heinous, of course, she can be put away."
The stalker fan’s eyes widened as she screamed frantically, "No way! Zhou Zhou, I’m your fan! The one I love most is you; I would never hurt you. Everything I did was for you. This woman doesn’t deserve it. Don’t date her!"
Jiang Zhouye scoffed coldly, his gaze icy, "There are plenty of people who like me; who do you think you are? Don’t try to morally blackmail me with the title of my fan. I feel truly sick knowing I have fans like you. And she’s not my girlfriend; she’s my little sister!"
"What?" The color drained from the stalker fan’s face.
Jiang Zhouye couldn’t be bothered with her.
Jiang Nanshu then went with the police to give her statement.
The general account of the events was accurate. She exaggerated a bit, but the police turned a blind eye, indicating they understood and told her to wait for the results.
She exited the police officer’s office.
Two more people entered through the glass door.
Jiang Yunchuan walked in briskly, checking Jiang Nanshu over to insure she hadn’t been hurt, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, you’re not hurt." He shot Jiang Zhouye a complaining look and muttered, "I don’t know what kind of brother you’re supposed to be! If Nannan really got hurt, just wait until we get home; you’ll be kneeling on the floor. Can’t even manage your fans, what kind of success is that?"
Jiang Zhouye glowered, "Lao Wu, you think you’re something, huh? Daring to talk back to me? It’s been too long since I’ve put you in your place, let you forget about respecting your elders."
Jiang Yunchuan pursed his lips and said no more.
Yang Jiashu’s smile was radiant as he greeted, "We meet again, little sister Nanshu."
Before Jiang Nanshu could react, Lu Qingyan emerged from another police office, holding a piece of paper, his gaze coolly settling on the stalker fan, "I managed to get you two years in prison. Make sure to reform yourself well inside."
The stalker fan’s lips quivered nonstop.
She hadn’t done anything that bad; why did she have to go to jail? She wouldn’t accept this!
Perhaps sensing the stalker fan’s resentment, Lu Qingyan’s handsome features were edged with a faint smile, "You can try to appeal. I’ll make sure you get an extra year."