Liu Fen felt somewhat dazed after accidentally encountering Xia Dajun on the streets of Shangdu.

Upon returning home, she didn’t tell her daughter, fearing it would disturb Xia Xiaolan’s peace of mind. However, she mentioned it to Tang Hong’en over the phone:

“They were wearing mourning clothes, seems someone in their family passed away.”

After much thought, the deceased must have been Old Lady Xia.

When Tang Hong’en asked how she felt about it, Liu Fen honestly replied that she felt nothing: “It seems like it has nothing to do with me anymore. I thought I would be happy about it.”

Old Lady Xia was undeniably a harsh and difficult rural mother-in-law.

Before escaping that environment, Liu Fen felt Old Lady Xia was like a mountain pressing down on her head, making it hard to breathe.

Old Lady Xia’s word was law, holding supreme authority in the Xia family.

Liu Fen had never thought about rebelling, nor did she believe she could do so.

But once she took that first step, everything else seemed to fall into place naturally.

“She was truly bad, but I feel this kind of badness is tragic, a pitiful ignorance, because she knew nothing else, could only focus on the Xia family’s small plot of land, could only torment the Xia family members… I don’t know if what I’m saying is right, but I’m different now. She never changed until her death, and I’m the one living a happier life!”

Liu Fen’s words smoothed out even the small wrinkles in Tang Hong’en’s heart.

He’d been facing some work troubles lately and feeling frustrated, but Liu Fen’s attitude affected him.

“Ah Fen, I’m proud of you, and I’m happy for you.”

Happy that her former evil mother-in-law died?

Not at all.

Tang Hong’en had witnessed Liu Fen’s transformation bit by bit with his own eyes. Liu Fen wasn’t gloating over Old Lady Xia’s death, not because she was foolish or overly kind, but because her life had completely changed from before. She had discarded the past and embraced a new life.

Not just in terms of quality of life.

Not just in terms of status and identity.

But also in her perspective on issues.

Ah Fen’s world had become increasingly colorful – she ran her own clothing business, had traveled to many places, and had even been to America twice. Looking back at the past, she found Old Lady Xia ignorant and pitiful!

Tang Hong’en was pleased that after marrying Liu Fen, he hadn’t limited her growth; she continued to improve.

After talking with Tang Hong’en, Liu Fen cared even less about the matter.

She didn’t even consider whether people would criticize her for not telling Xiaolan, for not letting her daughter pay respects as a granddaughter… What was there to criticize? Since they had long severed ties, why put on a hypocritical show just because someone died?

One should live for their peace of mind. Since she and Xiaolan had done nothing wrong, why care what others said?

As Old Tang said, how many people would dare criticize her to her face now? Those with opinions had to keep them to themselves.

Liu Fen lived more for herself now.

She had broken free from the “cage” imposed by her original living environment and upbringing.

After mentioning it, she put it out of her mind. Two days later, on the weekend, Tang Hong’en came to Shangdu without prior notice. Liu Fen felt both touched and amused: “I am fine!”

Tang Hong’en smiled, “I didn’t say you weren’t. I just wanted to see you, worried you might not eat or sleep well alone in Shangdu.”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t understand what secret code her parents were speaking in, as she had no idea what had happened.

She just felt miserable, already burning the midnight oil drawing design sketches, and now had to witness their lovey-dovey behavior!

During this time, Xia Xiaolan was isolated from the world.

She didn’t know that in Pengcheng, some things were inevitably unfolding.

If she had known, Xia Xiaolan would have sighed that perhaps heaven had a habit of serving destiny’s meals, and when it did, it went crazy!

“I don’t have long to live.”

At the South Sea Hotel.

Ivan Wilson called George to his room.

George was exhausted.

“Please don’t say that. I must return to America quickly to get a lawyer for Mother. God, I can’t believe I only just learned about this news after so long—”

Mrs. Wilson had been arrested in America, and somehow the news had been suppressed for a full two weeks before George found out!

Amid his shock, he naturally wanted to rush back to America to help his mother.

Though his parents were bankrupt, his assets remained intact, and he could hire the best lawyers. Even if he had to fight his uncle Harold to the end, he would try his best to exonerate his mother.

Breaking wasn’t a serious crime, but attempted murder was.

George was completely confused – how could his mother try to murder Tina?

Even though he saw Tina as a little sister, and despite their age difference and his preoccupation with Jiya’s illness, he truly cared for Tina!

Was it Harold? Did Harold do all this?

George was confused and angry, wanting to confront Harold.

But Ivan remained incredibly calm, “Put aside those ridiculous thoughts. I knew about your mother’s arrest long ago; I deliberately didn’t tell you. Getting her a lawyer, and having her released without charges – these aren’t good choices! George, I’ll tell you again, I don’t have long to live… The plan failed, your mother and I will face fierce retaliation, they won’t let us go… One death is better than two.”

Ivan told George about his and his wife’s plan.

George couldn’t accept it at all.

Ivan no longer had the energy to soothe his son’s emotions.

“Listen, George, things have reached this point, a terrible point of no return. This was my choice – if I won the gamble, I would get everything I wanted; if I lost, I would lose everything. Your mother and I were prepared for the worst outcome. But when it comes down to it, I hope to take the punishment myself. Promise me you’ll take care of Cynthia – at least take care of yourself. Greed is humanity’s original sin; we had so much but wanted even more.”

George didn’t want to hear such testament-like instructions.

“No, there must be another way. I’ll beg Tina, I’ll beg Uncle Harold, I’ll take you away, we’ll never come back to China or live in America, we can live as a family in some small European country…”

There must be a way.

George covered his face in pain, tears flowing through the middle-aged American man’s fingers.

Ivan was very adamant:

“No, I will never bow to Harold. I know he’s back. Go ask him to see me. If he’s unwilling, tell him about the pony called ‘Moon,’ tell him about the swing under the walnut tree. I believe he still remembers these things!”

Old Ivan forced George to go and invite Harold.

George also felt he needed to talk with Harold!

“I beg you, I implore you, change your mind. Everything hasn’t reached its worst point yet, I can still save this.”

Old Ivan waved his hand, “Whether it can be saved isn’t up to you. Quickly go find Harold to see me!”

When George reached the door, Old Ivan suddenly called out to him:

“George.”

“Father, you—”

“I suddenly think living in a small European country isn’t a bad idea. Perhaps there, you might meet another woman you’ll come to care for so much!”

Ivan had changed his pessimistic attitude, giving George some hope. He too hoped for a fresh start.

After George hurriedly left, Old Ivan carefully shaved his beard and took out a freshly pressed suit from the wardrobe.

Opening the hidden compartment in his briefcase, he retrieved a small revolver, murmuring:

“Even in death, a Wilson must maintain their final dignity.”