Where was Ji Ya? She was at the Ning family home.

Ning Yan Fan was a master architect. However, none of his children showed any talent for architecture, so he let them pursue other careers. Through their ups and downs, they had all achieved success in their fields. The Ning family’s overall strength surpassed the Ji family considerably, which explains why Ji Ya thought Ning Xue would be a suitable match for Ji Jiang Yuan. Having experienced a marriage where the families weren’t equally matched, she believed Ning Xue was the most suitable partner for Ji Jiang Yuan.

The Ning family agreed with this assessment, especially since Ji Jiang Yuan had performed well in America. Ning Xue’s field of study would require further education abroad, and in America, she would have both Ji Jiang Yuan and Ji Ya to look after her. However, the Ning family didn’t enforce any parental mandate, preferring to consider Ning Xue’s own opinion.

Ning Xue had spent two months with Ji Jiang Yuan during high school in America. Whatever happened between them remained unknown, but after Ning Xue returned to China, she neither approved nor opposed her family’s wish for her to be matched with Ji Jiang Yuan.

Ning Yan Fan and Grandfather Ji had been close friends for decades. Ji Ya often visited the Ning household during her childhood, and Ning Yan Fan was like an uncle to her. Now that Grandfather Ji was gone and Ji Ya faced troubles, she naturally thought of seeking Ning Yan Fan’s help.

Despite being seventy years old and spending years working at construction sites, the elderly gentleman appeared both physically and mentally healthy. When Ji Ya arrived, Ning Yan Fan was still working, guiding his students in model-building in his studio.

“Uncle Ning…” Ji Ya’s face was pale, but she maintained her composure in front of Ning Yan Fan’s students.

“Continue practicing on your own, and we’ll discuss your ideas later,” Ning Yan Fan instructed his students before leading Ji Ya to the adjacent room. While Ning Xue entertained George in the living room, Ji Ya had come alone to see Ning Yan Fan.

Once inside the relatively private, soundproof room, Ji Ya broke down: “Uncle Ning, he’s trying to destroy me! Look, it’s not that he wasn’t harboring resentment – he just concealed his true intentions. Now that my father has passed away, he doesn’t want to hold back anymore!”

The “he” she referred to was Tang Hong En.

Ning Yan Fan was well aware of Ji Ya and Tang Hong En’s history. When Ji Ya wanted a divorce back then, Ning Yan Fan opposed it. He believed that the situation had hit rock bottom and would inevitably rebound. If Ji Ya and the Ji family could just hold on for a few more years, the political movement would end. Tang Hong En’s actions weren’t wrong – how could they force him to betray his “mentor” for self-preservation? If Tang Hong En were truly that kind of person, the Ji family should be more wary of such a son-in-law.

But Grandfather Ji hadn’t heeded Ning Yan Fan’s advice. The entire Ji family couldn’t maintain their composure, and Ning Yan Fan couldn’t make decisions for them – he could only respect their choice.

The decision itself wasn’t crucial, but people had to bear the consequences of their choices. As Ning Yan Fan had predicted, the situation cleared up a few years later, and Tang Hong En’s career soared.

The Ji family had worried about Tang Hong En’s revenge, but Ning Yan Fan felt that a man who refused to betray his “mentor” in dire circumstances wouldn’t seek revenge against his former in-laws. The divorce was merely for the Ji family’s benefit, without any malicious intent.

After Tang Hong En’s reinstatement, not only did he not seek revenge, but he maintained a respectful relationship with his former in-laws, visiting the Ji family annually. Grandfather Ji, feeling guilty, never met with him.

Ning Yan Fan knew the situation well. They had made a mistake but couldn’t bring themselves to apologize. Now that death had extinguished all possibilities, dwelling on these matters was meaningless. Ning Yan Fan’s only concern was that the Ji family thought they could control Tang Hong En through Ji Jiang Yuan. The more guilty they felt, the more they bullied… Ning Yan Fan strongly disagreed with the Ji family’s decision to prevent Tang Hong En from contacting Ji Jiang Yuan.

When buried problems explode, the impact is devastating. At least Tang Hong En’s career was flourishing, and given his age, he might remain influential for another 20 years.

With his old friend gone, the Ji family would only decline further. Despite having Ji Jiang Yuan as the perfect bridge, they refused to utilize this connection, insisting on maintaining animosity with Tang Hong En. Ning Yan Fan couldn’t understand the Ji family’s approach. It’s difficult for intelligent people to communicate with fools, though Ning Yan Fan’s way of handling matters significantly influenced Ning Xue.

Now that Tang Hong En’s buried resentment had exploded, the Ji family finally panicked. How could a man capable of governing a region be content with constant manipulation by the Ji family? Everyone’s patience has limits, and after the Ji family’s repeated provocations, Tang Hong En no longer wished to endure it – what could Ning Yan Fan do in this situation?

When Ji Ya came seeking help, Ning Yan Fan truly didn’t want to see her. By his standards, she was genuinely confused – a fool.

In her youth, Ji Ya had been talented in many ways, and the Ji family had raised her well, enabling her to establish herself in America. However, her life choices left Ning Yan Fan speechless. Among so many suitors, she had specifically chosen Tang Hong En. Their different upbringings meant married life would inevitably bring conflicts. If she chose a poor man, she should have been prepared to face hardships with him.

But halfway through those hardships, she divorced… What was the point of all the previous suffering?

Either don’t make the choice, or have confidence in your judgment once you do!

Meeting with Ji Ya meant facing her complaints. This showed Ji Ya’s selfishness – she only cared about venting her emotions, not considering that Ning Yan Fan was the same age as Grandfather Ji. No matter how healthy, a septuagenarian has limited emotional capacity. Ji Ya’s pitiful crying would certainly burden Ning Yan Fan’s physical and emotional well-being.

But Ji Ya was heedless, fortunately, Ning Yan Fan remained steady.

After listening to her scattered narrative, Ning Yan Fan considered: “You’re my niece whom I’ve watched grow up. With your father’s passing, I must look after your family. Now that things have reached this point, I can only use my status as an elder to mediate between you and Ji Jiang Yuan’s father. You should sit down together and negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.”

Ji Ya choked up. Shouldn’t Uncle Ning take her side? Why was he still suggesting reconciliation? How could she possibly reconcile with Tang Hong En?

Ji Ya appeared somewhat dazed, and Ning Yan Fan knew she wasn’t receptive to his advice.

Ning Yan Fan was bound to disappoint her. At seventy years old, should he lead his entire family into a feud with Tang Hong En? When there was a better solution, why choose mutual destruction? Just for Ji Ya to win a point of pride by maintaining control over her ex-husband?

Unable to understand, Ji Ya left disappointed.

Ning Xue entered, hesitating to speak.

“Are you wondering why Grandfather won’t help the Ji family? Ah Xue, the reason I’ve outlived your Grandfather Ji is that I know how to let things go.”

Living a long life requires not just letting go, but also avoiding impulsiveness, staying out of unnecessary matters, maintaining peace of mind, and avoiding anger!

He had offered a solution – whether Ji Ya would take it or not, Ning Yan Fan couldn’t overstep his bounds and decide for her.