Jiang Guanyu rubbed his hands, as if he could not sit still, "Bingqing was a spoiled child, but she was only sixteen years old at the time. After all, she did not make the biggest mistake and fortunately Yijun and Qin Gengxin found you and saved your life. Dad knows how careless she was to you in the past but she doesn't even know how big of an incident she had caused to you. You can hate me and resent me and no matter how much hatred you have towards Bingqing, it should all be on dad's shoulders."
Jiang Ruolan suddenly laughed coldly, "So you actually know that there is a layer of blood relationship between father and daughter on both of us? But the funny thing is, you have neglected our relationship for more than twenty years and now, you used this reason to ask for my help to save Bingqing? If there is a day in my life that I feel that you have done your duty as a father, then perhaps I really would consider this little bit of affection to let go of that precious daughter of yours."
Jiang Guanyu's expression stiffened. Zhan Lian quickly tried to persuade her, "Ruolan, your father is usually busy and has so many things to do. If he doesn't consider you as his daughter, then why would he bring you to the Jiang Family?"
"That's because of my mother's suicide. He didn't want the matter to become a hot topic, so he tried to suppress the entire disturbance. He had no choice but to bring Yijun and me into the Jiang Family!"
Jiang Ruolan shot an indifferent glance at Zhan Lian.
"Suicide?" Zhan An exclaimed in surprise. She noticed Zhan Lian's face immediately turned ugly. "Zhan Lian? What's going on? Didn't you say that Ruolan's mother died because of an illness? Why did it suddenly become a suicide?"
Old Man Xian frowned. Something was playing in his mind, but he didn't say anything. He just looked coldly at Jiang Guanyu, who had a similar pale face.
Jiang Ruolan ignored everyone's expressions. She sneered when she saw Jiang Guanyu and Zhan Lian's speechless expressions. "What? Looks like you all really suppressed the matter with great force, even hiding it so carefully. If that was not the case, why did you take the risk to bring me into Jiang Family and use this method to shut up my mother's friends?"
"Ruolan, we are talking about Bingqing now. About the past that happened more than twenty years ago, I don't think it is appropriate for us to talk about it today." After all, Jiang Guanyu has been immersed in the business world for decades. He just paused for a moment and then changed the subject. His gaze was so threatening as if he had warned Jiang Ruolan not to talk about it again.
Jiang Ruolan tilted her head and looked at him, "Bingqing problem? Oh yes, your daughter was kidnapped last night. Have you caught the mastermind? I'm really curious. I am not a man, so what is the point of you asking me? Do you think I have power over the people from the Security Bureau? Could it be that a single word from me could erase all of Jiang Bingqing's mistakes?
Zhan Lian spoke urgently, "We know that Zihao is controlling everything behind the scenes. As long as you are willing to let Bingqing off, Zihao will definitely respect your decision. Bingqing is his cousin after all, and if it wasn't for you, how could he have done anything to her!"
Jiang Guanyu also nodded as he looked at Jiang Ruolan expectantly. Jiang Ruolan looked at them and suddenly burst into laughter.
She didn't know what exactly she was laughing at, but she could not accept it in her heart. That was because of the grievances she endured for ten years in the Jiang Family. Although she was finally able to see their true attitude and appearance, Jiang Guanyu's attitude caused her heart to go completely cold.
Look, this was her father. The man her mother loved so much back then. A husband to a woman, who didn't even hesitate to kill herself and throw away her young and beautiful life.
Jiang Guanyu was completely bastard!
Jiang Ruolan gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to hit him while continuing to smile. "Grandpa, mom, and dad, can I talk to Jiang Guanyu in private?"
Old Man Xian thought for a moment and then nodded. He signaled Zhan An and Xian Jian to leave with him. He also glanced at Zhan Lian.
Zhan Lian didn't move, as if she didn't want to give Jiang Ruolan and Jiang Guanyu a time alone and a chance to speak in private.
Jiang Ruolan looked at her indifferently. "What is Aunt Lian afraid of?"
"Zhan Lian, come with me. I have something to ask you." Zhan An said at the same time.
Zhan Lian was currently at the Xian Family Residence and this time, she came to ask for help. She couldn't be herself here and every time she thought about it, she became agitated, but she couldn't do anything about it. After giving a cold look to Jiang Ruolan, she got up from the couch and left as well.
Jiang Yijun, who stood not too far away, did not approach and disturb them. He also left the place.
"Ruolan, what do you want to tell me?" Seeing that everyone was gone, Jiang Guanyu's eyes were gradually filled with the rare love of a father. He also seemed to be very helpless and in unexplained difficulties.
Of course, Jiang Ruolan would not soften her heart because of his gaze. Even if he had any difficulties, it wasn't her problem. She already decided that it was useless to feel pity for this kind of man.
She stood up and asked directly, "How is my mother's family? Do you know her background?"
Jiang Guanyu was stunned, "Qingling, she… I heard she is the illegitimate daughter of some rich family but she has never been recognized by that family since she was young. All I know is that she has been alone and doesn't have any special background, why would you ask that?"
Jiang Ruolan frowned. "You only know this much?"
Jiang Guanyu sighed lightly, "Qingling looked gentle, but she was actually very stubborn. You followed your mother's personality a lot, and there were many things she hid from me at the time. I did not investigate in-depth, but after she committed suicide, I respected her body, did not let the medical examiner examine it. I was the one who cleaned her body directly and buried it secretly. However, this happened more than 20 years ago. Ruolan, if you hate me because I was heartless, then there's nothing I can do. But Bingqing, she-
"But Bingqing is your and Zhan Lian's precious daughter, your lifeblood. If something were to happen to her, you wouldn't be able to continue living, right?" Jiang Ruolan smiled.
Jiang Guanyu was stunned.
"Jiang Guanyu, I have never spoken to you like this before. Now that I am also going to be a mother, I understand my mother's expectations back then, but today, I just want to ask you. If you had known what happened eight years ago was because of Bingqing, would you punish her? Or do you prefer me to be in silence and hide the truth for the rest of my life?"
Jiang Guanyu paused on the spot, as if he never thought Jiang Ruolan would ask this question to him.
"Actually, even if you knew about it back then, there is still no difference with it now." Jiang Ruolan looked at his embarrassed expression with a smirk. "I'm always a burden to you, Jiang Guanyu. You wish for me to die quickly, and wish that I wouldn't cause any trouble for the peace and tranquility of your family! But today, when something happened to Jiang Bingqing, you just remembered that I was your daughter, and you remember to beg me. I cried and shouted 'Dad!' like how I cried in the abandoned warehouse all those years ago. I cried for your help. I cried for you to save me, but where were you at that time? What are you doing? Now that Jiang Bingqing has been arrested, you willingly flew to H City overnight and begged for my help. You are willing to lose your face in order to save your precious daughter. Jiang Guanyu, why are you so biased? Why should I help you!"
"Ruolan…Dad just–"
"You just never thought of me as your daughter! Therefore, I won't treat you like a father! You can rest assured, I will not take revenge. I will let state law punish her. And not just eight years ago, even a few months ago, your daughter still wanted to repeat the same thing to me! If you don't want Jiang Bingqing to die without a burial ground, I advise you to shut your honorable golden mouth and stop harming me!"
"Ruolan, dad is begging you, okay? Please let Bingqing go!"
Jiang Ruolan didn't want to cry. Back when she left the Jiang Family, she had told herself that she would never shed tears for this family again in her life.
She raised her head to look at the exquisitely carved ceiling and the resplendent chandelier. She forcefully held back her tears, but there was still a trace of warmth that quietly slipped out from the corner of her eyes.
This was her father …
How many times had she begged them, squatting in front of the Jiang Family's House like a beggar, pitifully asking for their help? Had they ever given her even a little bit of charity?
But now, for Jiang Bingqing's sake, he actually asked for her help.
Seeing Jiang Ruolan's back was facing him and she was completely ignoring him, Jiang Guanyu quickly looked around. When he confirmed there was no one around, he thought for a while, then suddenly lowered his body and kneeled on the floor. "Dad will kneel on you. As long as you choose to let Bingqing go, I will do anything."
