Grandma Yu had been wealthy back then. Half of the commercial district’s land belonged to the Yu family, and as the daughter of the wealthy Yu merchant family, they sent her to study in Beiping.
Among her classmates, there were rich students, but more were poor. The Yu family wasn’t heartless about their wealth; they told Grandma Yu that helping classmates wouldn’t cost much. She couldn’t remember exactly how many people she had helped.
However, when Xia Xiaolan mentioned the Ji family, this “Old Ji” was none other than Ji Huaixin, her former classmate. Ji Huaixin had been desperately poor during his school years. Grandma Yu had not only supported his living expenses but also lent money for his mother’s medical treatment. After finishing school in Beiping, Grandma Yu returned to marry in the commercial district, losing touch with most classmates.
Some remembered her kindness – it was why during the criticism campaigns, part of the Yu family managed to go abroad. Good deeds brought good fortune. Of course, some were ungrateful. During Grandma Yu’s misfortune, even a former maid stood up to denounce her.
Grandma Yu couldn’t understand it. The maid had come to work for the Yu family because she couldn’t afford food. She was paid for her work, and the Yu family never mistreated her. When she reached marrying age, Grandma Yu had let her leave to marry and even provided a dowry.
During the criticism sessions, that maid portrayed Grandma Yu as utterly evil and ordered her to clean the toilets!
The treachery of human nature – Grandma Yu only understood it in middle age. The Yu family endured nearly 20 years of turmoil, but she survived it all.
She had forgotten about Ji Huaixin, but upon arriving in Beijing, she discovered it was his daughter who had humiliated Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen. Grandma Yu wasn’t intimidated – she might not be able to berate others, but what was stopping her from scolding Ji Huaixin’s daughter? Even if Ji Huaixin himself rose from the dead and stood before her, she’d dare to scold him!
If they wanted Grandma Yu to speak politely, let Ji Huaixin come back to life and regurgitate all the meals she’d provided him.
Her words stunned everyone in the room.
Tang Hong’en hadn’t expected such history to surface.
Ji Ya opened her mouth, unsure whether Grandma Yu spoke the truth or was lying.
Ji Lin’s lips trembled, “You… you’re Aunt Yu…”
Ji Huaixin had mentioned Grandma Yu before.
He had only told his eldest son that the Ji family owed Grandma Yu a debt of gratitude. This debt, Ji Huaixin couldn’t repay before, and later when he could, with his family’s situation and even Ji Ya and Tang Hong’en’s marriage falling apart, how could he dare help Grandma Yu?
“Don’t call me aunt – I don’t have a nephew like you.”
Grandma Yu disliked claiming relations with people; she even insisted on charging Liu Fen for meals when she cooked for her.
With this past revealed, Ji Lin’s face turned red with shame. Earlier when Grandma Yu and Xia Xiaolan had criticized the Ji family, he could only listen.
He couldn’t refute a single word.
The Ji family still owed Grandma Yu a debt of gratitude.
Cultured people indeed cared about face; being exposed publicly by Grandma Yu left Ji Lin thoroughly ashamed.
“Let’s discuss our family matters first, Mayor Tang. I know you’re very capable now. When Ji Ya asked for a divorce, our Ji family was short-sighted! The past wasn’t the Ji family’s true intention; mistakes had historical reasons. If you want to pursue this matter now, fine… but Ya’er isn’t suited to staying in China. Her emotions are very unstable, and if you keep triggering her, she’ll lose control even more. You should let Ya’er go abroad – it’s better for everyone.”
Tang Hong’en was preventing Ji Ya from leaving the country, fearing she would take Ji Jiangyuan with her.
Though Ji Lin was angry with Ji Ya and had said he wouldn’t acknowledge her without reconciliation, it didn’t mean he disregarded her health.
They couldn’t just watch Ji Ya’s emotional collapse, could they?
Without Tang Hong’en as a trigger, Ji Ya might be freer abroad.
Ji Lin glanced subtly at Liu Fen, wondering if Tang Hong’en bringing this woman was also a declaration – he couldn’t understand Tang Hong’en’s taste, as she was worlds apart from Ji Ya. But Ji Lin thought this woman probably wouldn’t like Ji Ya lingering in China either.
Whether Ji Ya left the country or not, Tang Hong’en didn’t care: “Let’s talk about Jiangyuan.”
Ji Jiangyuan hadn’t spoken a word since entering.
He hadn’t looked at anyone.
Tang Hong’en’s words forced Ji Jiangyuan to look up, as everyone’s attention turned to him.
Ji Jiangyuan was used to others’ attention; he had been a notable figure both in America and after returning to China. But deciding on this situation was too difficult.
Father and son had already had a heart-to-heart talk that night. Ji Jiangyuan knew that if he insisted on going abroad, Tang Hong’en would feel guilty and eventually agree.
Ji Jiangyuan hadn’t made this request, partly because his mother’s treatment of Xia Xiaolan was too extreme and she refused to apologize.
Secondly, he understood that this choice wasn’t just about his parents’ tug-of-war; it would largely determine his future.
Considering his mother’s health, he should unhesitatingly accompany Ji Ya back to America.
This would honor the mother-son bond and the Ji family’s nurturing grace… but as Tang Hong’en said, what about his wishes? Life was short – couldn’t he live according to his desires?!
“I want to finish my undergraduate studies in China.”
With great difficulty, Ji Jiangyuan finally spoke these words.
Ji Lin was disappointed. While others begged for chances to study abroad, his nephew wanted to stay in China. Had this child been won over by Tang Hong’en in such a short time? He had overestimated Ji Jiangyuan’s resolve and underestimated Tang Hong’en’s persuasive abilities.
“No, you must come abroad with me!”
If her son wouldn’t leave, why should she go?
Ji Ya’s face grew paler as she looked at Tang Hong’en with hatred: “It’s all your fault! Why did you have to show up? Jiangyuan doesn’t need you! You’re an unfit father! If you had considered Jiangyuan back then, you wouldn’t have – you shouldn’t have appeared before us!”
She hadn’t chosen wrong.
How could she be wrong?
Ji Lin’s wife held her tightly, “Sister, you said you’d talk properly today.”
Abuse and venting wouldn’t solve anything – could they freely criticize Tang Hong’en now?
Between reconciling with Tang Hong’en and publicly apologizing to Xia Xiaolan, they had to choose one. The Ji family couldn’t resist both pressures simultaneously. Ji Ya had chosen to reconcile with Tang Hong’en, and her sister-in-law felt she should follow through.
Tang Hong’en remained expressionless.
Ji Ya’s accusation referred to his refusal to betray his old superior for safety.
“He is my son, Tang Hong’en’s son. Everything I’ve earned can be given to him, and so he should also bear the potential risks! Ji Ya, even if my persistence then was wrong, even if I couldn’t wait for better times, I wouldn’t regret it. Jiangyuan chooses to study undergraduate in China – I won’t interfere with what he does after graduating from Huaqing, but now, everyone must respect Jiangyuan’s decision – he is my son, Tang Hong’en’s son! He has the right to choose his life path, and no one has the right to stop him!”
Why bother explaining to the Ji family?
The Ji family wanted reconciliation, and the first condition was respecting Ji Jiangyuan’s choice!
Tang Hong’en pointed at Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen, “The second condition for reconciliation is that Ji Ya must apologize to these two!”