Liang Zhou’s face was ashen.
Mu Chen turned to Mu Qing and said disdainfully, “Why didn’t you say it yourself if you want to return? Does that woman speak for you now? If she succeeds, you’ll obtain what you want. Now that she failed, she has lost her dignity. You’re really something else, using a woman to do your dirty work.”
Mu Qing’s face turned green and red upon hearing Mu Chen’s words.
Liang Zhou’s eyes brimmed with tears as she said pitifully, “Mu Chen, you’ve misunderstood us. That’s not my intention at all. It’s all Song Ning. She suggested we stay. Since the Old Madam is getting advanced in age, if we stay, your father will be able to show his filial piety.”
Mu Chen sneered. “So you only remember about filial piety after being reminded by Song Ning?”
Liang Zhou was at a loss for words.
Mu Qing quickly said, “Mom, Xiao Zhou has always been straightforward. After staying abroad for so many years, it’s only natural that her way of thinking has changed. However, she doesn’t have any ill intentions. You have to believe her.”
Jiang Jin shook her head and sighed in disappointment. “Mu Qing, you’re just as muddle-headed as before. After so many years, you didn’t change for the better. Back then, I asked you to choose between the Mu Group and her; you chose her. No one forced you to leave. Now, you want to have your cake and eat it too?”
Mu Qing hurriedly said, “Mom, that’s not my intention. It’s really not like that…”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Then don’t create unnecessary drama or let others with ill intentions seize the chance to cause troubles. I don’t want to watch that farce from back then again nor do I have the energy to go through it again. Behave yourself unless you want people to say you caused your mother’s death!”
Jiang Jin’s words were grave.
Mu Qing fell to his knees immediately.
Liang Zhou hurriedly followed suit and fell to her knees and lowered her head.
Jiang Jin waved her hand, exhausted, “You should leave now. I want to rest early. The relatives and friends will be coming over for the new year’s greeting tomorrow.”
Mu Qing fell silent for a moment. In the end, he gritted his teeth and rose to his feet. He said with his head lowered, “Okay.”
Before Mu Qing left, Jiang Jin said. “Mu Qing, you’re already at the age where you could be a grandfather. You should save some dignity for yourself and act your age. Don’t act recklessly if you still think of me as your mother…”
Mu Qing did not turn around.
Jiang Jin continued to say, “There will be many people visiting tomorrow. Liang Zhou, there’s no need for you to come. After all, you have no status in the Mu family..”
Liang Zhou’s body swayed slightly before she straightened her back.
After the duo left, silence descended in the living room. No one was in a good mood.
Song Ning bit her lips, feeling annoyed.
At this moment, Jiang Jin looked at Song Ning and waved her over.
After moving to sit next to Jiang Jin, Song Ning called out softly, “Grandma…”
Jiang Jin looked at her and patted her hand. “Do you feel like you’re unable to defend yourself? I know you’re in a dilemma. If you speak bluntly, you’re afraid of hurting my feelings. If you don’t clarify things, it’d be easy for people to scheme against you…”
Song Ning felt tears threatening to roll down her face. “Grandma…”
Jiang Jin sighed. “Mu Chen has previously expressed his wish for me to guide you. You’re too kind and honest. I can’t teach you how to deal with people who have evil intentions. Only by experiencing it first hand will you be able to learn and understand the twists and turns of life. However, Grandma wishes that you’ll always stay true to yourself and be honest. Like earlier, although you spoke honestly, there’s no poison in your words… All you need to do is be honest with us and don’t keep everything to yourself…”
Song Ning nodded. “She went to Zhuang Ji to look for me. She told me she planned to stay in M City. She said it’s hard for Mu Chen to manage to Mu Group alone and to let Mu Chen’s father help with managing the company. With that, she said Mu Chen and I can spend more time together. I refused her. She said she was not in a rush and would take things one step at a time so I didn’t pay attention to her. I didn’t expect her to follow me to the bathroom earlier and demanded that I help her. I rejected her again. I… I didn’t expect she would do such a thing in the end… I… I…”
Song Ning gritted her teeth; she was really angry. How could someone be so despicable and shameless?
Mu Chen said coldly, “You’re no match for her. She still has many tricks up her sleeves…”
Song Ning said, clearly aggrieved. “If you know that, why did you believe her words earlier? Do you really think I would say such things?”
Mu Chen was rendered speechless by her words. Then, he apologized in a low voice, “Ningning, I’m really sorry.”
Song Ning turned away, refusing to look at him.
Jiang Jin gestured for Mu Chen to sit closer. Then, she placed her hand on Song Ning’s hand and calmly said, “Liang Zhou played her cards really well. She dragged Song Ning into this matter. Regardless if she obtained her goal or not, she succeeded in affecting your relationship. She has created trust issues between the both of you, and now, there are knots in both your hearts…”
Mu Chen hurriedly said, “No, I don’t!”
Song Ning leaned on Jiang Jin as tears fell from her eyes. She felt aggrieved for being doubted. “Grandma, you’re right. I do have a knot in my heart.”
Jiang Jin smiled as she raised her hand to smooth Song Ning’s hair. “Silly child, you’re the most precious in our family. If you have something to say, say it. This way those wicked people won’t have a chance to sow discord. In a relationship, it’s important to be honest with each other and not hide your thoughts. Humans can’t read minds after all. However, if you speak your mind, Mu Chen will be able to understand you more… With that, the thing that happened earlier won’t happen again…”
