Xia Xiaolan traveled between Pengcheng and Beijing.

By her second weekend visit to Pengcheng, the matter between Ye Xiaoqiong and the Yuan family had finally concluded.

The Yuan family’s accusations of kidnapping and extortion against Ye Xiaoqiong were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, and she was released without charge.

Ye Xiaoqiong’s counter-accusation about Yuan Han stealing and selling family heirlooms was still under investigation.

Even without the antique theft case, Yuan Han’s acceptance of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars in bribes, plus various gifts, was irrefutable. He would not only lose his position but face prison time!

The impact on Zhou Wengang wasn’t immediately apparent.

The Zhou family had certainly lost face.

Yuan Han, as Zhou Yi’s husband, was caught taking bribes and having affairs. Word reached Beijing, and at every gathering, Tong Lili and others used Zhou Yi as a cautionary tale.

For a long time, Zhou Yi couldn’t show her face in Beijing’s social circles.

Continuing her studies abroad became Zhou Yi’s only option.

If she could achieve something noteworthy and return with accomplishments, people might dismiss her foolishness.

They’d say it was just youthful imprudence – who hasn’t made mistakes?

But if Zhou Yi couldn’t redeem herself, people would mock her mercilessly for life.

Zhou Wengang and Jiang Hong would also face ridicule. Even if not said to their faces, they’d encounter strange looks everywhere. Those with weaker mental fortitude truly couldn’t bear it!

When Ye Xiaoqiong was released, Zhou Yi also left the hospital.

Yuan Han remained in custody, awaiting sentencing.

Zhou Wengang expedited Zhou Yi’s divorce proceedings, and on the day of her discharge, she was single again.

During these days, Jiang Hong counseled Zhou Yi extensively, and the mother and daughter began communicating again.

“Go abroad quickly. If you don’t get into a good school after your language school exam, don’t come back. I’ll take care of your child. I’ve been planning to retire since last year, and when I return to Beijing, I’ll process my retirement early.”

Jiang Hong felt overwhelmed working and caring for the child.

These two years of Zhou Yi’s troubles had worn her down. Her appearance had deteriorated significantly, so she decided to retire early to focus on caring for Zhou Ke and Zhou Wengang.

Jiang Hong had never been career-ambitious, achieving far less than Guan Huie. She didn’t regret retiring now.

Zhou Yi’s previous aimlessness was partly due to Jiang Hong’s influence.

Jiang Hong had only expected Zhou Yi to marry well, never pushing her to strive for more.

After everything, Jiang Hong’s perspective had changed completely.

Though speaking of retirement, she felt reluctant.

Being below retirement age, she could only apply for medical or early retirement. While life would be easier, her income would decrease. Jiang Hong worried about Zhou Yi’s expenses abroad, fearing she and Zhou Wengang couldn’t provide more money… She kept these anxieties buried deep, not wanting to worry Zhou Yi.

However, Zhou Yi, usually thoughtless, showed improvement. At least she recognized her parents’ support wasn’t obligatory, and her mother was retiring to help care for her child.

That child was difficult for Zhou Yi to face.

But could she ignore her?

The child had no choice, born from her womb, becoming her and Yuan Han’s daughter.

Zhou Yi, teary-eyed, said, “Mom, I’m afraid to face Dad. I’ve disgraced the family. I can’t face my grandparents, our relatives, everyone… I must make you proud, so I have to return to America. I’ll achieve something there, and I’ll regularly send money for Zhou Ke’s expenses!”

Jiang Hong wanted to refuse – the family wasn’t that financially strained, how much could a small child cost?

But Xia Xiaolan shook her head slightly, and Jiang Hong held back her words.

Zhou Yi showing ambition was good.

Whether she could earn money was secondary; at least Zhou Yi had learned to take responsibility. She wasn’t just dumping Zhou Ke on her parents. Regardless of her feelings for Zhou Ke, she was the mother and understood her financial obligations!

“Sister Zhou Yi, you don’t need to return to Beijing. Going back to America to complete your studies is the priority. Just call Uncle to ease his worries.”

Nobody knew if Zhou Yi’s determination would last, so while she had momentum, getting her back to America quickly was best.

Xia Xiaolan felt it better to channel Zhou Yi’s pain and anger into motivation rather than letting her wallow in self-pity.

When Zhou Yi called Zhou Wengang, his tone was calm, and she didn’t cry.

Zhou Wengang strongly supported her immediate departure:

“Zhou Yi, remember, your mother and I can protect you temporarily, but not forever. When we lose that ability, who will shelter us? In the future, you might need to protect us, including Zhou Ke. She’s so young – if you don’t want her mocked for having no father, you must be both a good mother and fulfill the father’s role.”

We walk our paths – who can we blame for the blisters?

They had tried to stop Zhou Yi but failed. Only after hitting rock bottom would she grow up!

The price had been too high.

After hanging up, Zhou Yi felt a heavy weight in her heart. She tidied her hair:

“Xiaolan, can we talk? Just the two of us.”

What did Zhou Yi want to discuss?

Xia Xiaolan agreed immediately, and Jiang Hong left to process the discharge papers.

Zhou Yi started with her head down, gradually raising it:

“I’m sorry. These past two years felt like a nightmare. I know my selfishness hurt many people. My thinking was wrong – I couldn’t appreciate others’ kindness, misunderstood you, even envied you. I resented you for not supporting Yuan Han and me… I need to apologize, whether you forgive me or not!”

“Sister Zhou Yi, the past is past-“

“No, it’s not! Lying in the hospital these days, I had nothing to do but replay these two years, incident by incident. I was wrong. I lived in confusion, squandering everyone’s kindness. Someone as awful as me shouldn’t have met such an excellent friend on the plane! Joan, I mean Ye Xiaoqiong, approached me for revenge. It made me think – in America, I had another friend, Qi Wei, who helped me tremendously. Why would she care so much about someone as unlikeable as me… Xiaolan, it was because of you, wasn’t it? You asked Qi Wei to help me!”

Zhou Yi wasn’t disappointed in Qi Wei.

Whether deception is harmful depends on the intent.

Qi Wei had genuinely pushed her to study hard – such deception wasn’t meant to harm her.

But why did Qi Wei help her? After much thought, Zhou Yi could only attribute it to Xia Xiaolan!