Qiao Nian’s right arm hung loosely by her side. Her eyes were lowered, and her eyelashes left a shadow below her eyelids.
She said nothing.
Anyone could feel the irritation and impatience that she was trying her best to control.
Jiang Zongjin stood beside her, his face filled with undisguised anger. He stared at Jiang Zongnan and stood in front of Qiao Nian.
Jiang Zongnan felt even more upset and was even more speechless upon seeing his brother’s reaction. “I…”
“Enough!”
The person who stopped him was Old Master Jiang.
Old Master Jiang sat in the wheelchair and gripped the armrest tightly. His hair seemed to have turned completely white in just a few days. He frowned tightly. His eyes were still full of energy, but he couldn’t hide the disappointment in them.
“I thought that you still had some kinship with Nian Nian. Even if the bond is not as strong as with your own daughter, it’s at least better than outsiders.”
It was fine if Old Master Jiang did not speak, but the moment he did, Jiang Zongnan lowered his head in shame. He clenched his fists and explained in a dry voice, “Dad, that’s not what I meant. It’s not that I don’t care about Nian Nian. I…”
He really didn’t know how to explain his actions.
Old Master Jiang shook his head. “You don’t have to explain to me. You disappoint me too much!”
Jiang Zongnan looked up and saw the unconcealed disappointment in his father’s eyes. How could he not feel uncomfortable?
“Forget it.”
Old Master Jiang only looked at him in disappointment. His gaze was quite gentle, and his attitude was as mild as ever. However, his words represented his true attitude.
“I don’t expect you to be like an uncle. It’s fine if you don’t care about Nian Nian, I won’t force you. If you don’t want to come in the future, don’t come. Just pretend that you don’t have this niece. Nian Nian won’t have you as her second uncle, either. You don’t have to put on the airs of an elder in front of her to suppress her. It’s not like she doesn’t have anyone to dote on her.
“It’s right for you to feel sorry for your daughter. I’m not saying it’s wrong that your heart aches for her, but don’t forget that Nian Nian is also your elder brother’s daughter. It’s such a big matter that she got into a car accident, and you came to tell Nian Nian not to fuss over it… I can’t be bothered to say anything else to you. You’re an adult. Think about whether you did the right thing.”
Jiang Zongnan was already ashamed and could not raise his head.
He muttered a few words and was too embarrassed to stay any longer, so he left the ward first.
Jiang Li looked at his father’s departing figure and sighed. He turned around and said, “Nian Nian, I apologize on my father’s behalf. I’m sorry. He’s too inflexible and doesn’t have any bad intentions. Actually, he has always doted on you. It’s just that too many things have happened recently. He ran into a dead end himself. I… I’m sorry…”
“I know.”
Annoyed, Qiao Nian raised her uninjured hand and tugged at the brim of her baseball cap, revealing her snow-white chin. Her face was exquisite, and her dark eyes shone brightly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t have to apologize to me.”
Jiang Li could tell that she wasn’t angry. He nodded and said, “Don’t take his words to heart. He’s probably already regretting it now.”
Qiao Nian did not comment on his words.
It was obvious that she was not too furious.
Jiang Li turned around and apologized to Old Master Jiang and Jiang Zongjin. “Grandpa, Uncle, don’t be angry. I’ll talk to my father later.”
“What happened just now…” He bowed very seriously and politely in front of Jiang Zongjin. He lowered his head and apologized. “Uncle, I’m sorry.”
